Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.
Darnell - Vocals
Marc - Guitar/Bass
Eric - Guitar
Kevin - Drums
For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to The Arson Choir? How long has the band been around?
Myself (Marc), Eric, and Kevin have actually been playing together in bands for a few years. We were involved in bands such as Arms Like Yours, In An Emergency and The Hollowed. Our vocalist, Darnell, came from a band called A World Extinct. The Arson Choir has been around for a little over 2 years now but we have already played well over 100 shows in that amount of time. We felt like it was smart to hit the local scene hard before releasing a record.
What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?
We have always been called The Arson Choir. It just kinda fit the sound and what we represent. The music and the band is about being free and we felt like the name embodied that sentiment. The real origin of the name actually came from a lyric from the band The Foo Fighters.
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?
So, there is no easy answer on who writes the songs, its usually a group effort. Generally myself or Eric will start an idea and then we will build on it as a band, record it and then go over what we can make better or trash it completely. We feel like very few bands actually do that process
anymore since so much is done by one person on a computer and then just sent out to the rest of the band. The overall topic for our current EP, Trophy Nation, is a general anxiety and feeling of desperation in our situation as people. We felt like writing what felt right at the time and
we were all stressed and nervous about things going on in our lives, so this was our place to release all that. We have a very high energy show and I think that comes from the kind of music we play and our attitude towards the current state of the nation. The ideas will change and grow, I don't think you can write about the same thing forever, but I think the principals of the band will remain the same.
What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?
I'm not sure how many "current" bands inspire what we do, but the few bands that we draw influence from are The Chariot, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Every Time I Die, Norma Jean, The Bled, Meek is Murder, Underoath, and probably '68.
Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a
band?
Probably the main band that laid the foundation of what pushed me to start a band was Eighteen Visions. Amazing band.
What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, ect …
We collectively put on a very high energy and physical show, so we have to stretch for at least 30 to 45 minutes before EVERY show and then usually we jog a bit to get a bit warmed up.
What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?
Being able to release everything we have been working on so far and playing in front of so many people is always the highlight. Putting out our EP was a huge deal for us because it was the first original we were able to release as a collective in years. There are so many people that support us and what we do that we really want to deliver the best of ourselves every
show. The way this band is, every show might be the last show, we never know from day to day what can happen, so every show we give everything and have fun because it could literally end at any time.
If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and
why?
Definitely would wanna make sure that whatever tour we were on, was fun and excited for not only the people attending the shows, but for us as well. I feel like we would fit on a tour with Every Time I Die and Norma Jean, but would probably want to take our friends in CHANNELS and Differences out because we would just be complete idiots the entire tour. We like to have fun as a band and the minute that this isn't fun and exciting, then we shouldn't be doing it.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
First off, thank you to Kill The Music for helping out. We really appreciate it.
Second, please take a minute and go check us out on Spotify or Itunes or Bandcamp. Our new EP, Trophy Nation, is out and its basically free unless you would like to donate.
Lastly, support your local scene. Every band needs your support, especially right now. Go to shows, buy shirts, buy music because without your guys' support, we cannot continue to exist.
Be Free
Marc
The Arson Choir