Tell the Wolves I’m Home are an American metalcore band based out of Nashville, TN.
Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.
Cole Kennon - Vocals
Jon-Micah Bayliss - Vocals
James Goodall - Bass
Alexander Gonser - Guitar
Danny Pineiro - Drums
Bryan Chowning - Guitar
For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to Tell The Wolves I'm Home? How long has the band been around?
Before Wolves we were all doing our own thing. James was in a Deathcore band down in Fort Worth, TX called Osage Hills. Danny was in a band called Neighbors from Portland, TN. I (Cole) was in a indie band called Chaplin here in Nashville, TN. And Jon-Micah and Bryan were in a band called Buried in the Sky from White House, TN, but they played mainly in Nashville.We got together and formed Tell the Wolves I’m Home in summer of 2013 and have been playing shows since the beginning of 2014.
What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?
It’s actually kinda funny because we stole our band name. haha. It’s the title of a book, and no… none of us have read it. We just thought it sounded bad ass. We have never changed our name, but we have thought about dropping the “I’m Home” part, and just being Tell the Wolves. But as of now we are Tell the Wolves I’m Home.
Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs and do you think these topics will change over time?
We all contribute to the writing process. Bryan does some really good engineer work, so we all get together at Bryan and I’s apartment and he records what we write on the spot. Later on Jon-Micah and I come up with a theme for the song, and then write lyrics. We like to write our lyrics based on struggles that members are currently going through, or about subjects that we feel just need to be talked about. We write about love, fear, hate, acceptance, and a lot of other things. haha. I feel that our writing has already changed so much. It has become a little bit darker and a lot heavier. But we always want to have choruses that are sung. We like that our songs have a combination of really heavy guitar riffs and choruses that can be sung along to.
What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?
Oh man… Too many to count. But I’ll go ahead and name a few. Always the inspiring TDWP. Beartooth, Counterparts, August Burns Red, Sworn In, Like Moths to Flames, ERRA, Northlane, Fit For a King. Those are just a few of them. A lot of us love really heavy shit like Oceano, Black Tongue, and Fallujah. So I’m sure we get inspired by that as well.
Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?
I don’t think there was any one concert or band that inspired us to form this band. I can’t speak for the other guys, but what I can do is tell you what inspired me to be a musician, and that is the love of giving. I just want to be able to say that I made someones day, or that my music helped someone through a tough time in their life. I think giving to your fans is the reason anyone wants to be in a band.
What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, ect …
We all do our own thing. I know that I like to really chill out. It sounds funny because I’m about to go on stage and scream my head off while trying to get a bunch of kids pumped up, but honestly… relaxing is the best mental preparation. It gets rid of nerves, and I also perform better when I’m relaxed. I also have a few vocal warm ups that I like to do the day of a show.
What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?
I can’t pick one, so i’ll give you two. The first had to be playing Warped Tour on the Nashville date. That was a huge dream of mine since I was 14, and finally doing it was so surreal. The second had to be opening for Beartooth on their recent house show tour. It was just 125 sweaty, loud kids moving and going crazy in this little tiny room. It was by far the most fun show we have ever played.
If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?
I think for me that band would have to be The Devil Wears Prada. I just absolutely love everything they have done, and they just put on one hell of a show. I feel that most of the other guys would agree with that.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Yes. Thank you!!