Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.

Vox - Nikko  

Guitar - John

Drums - Robby

Bass - Jeremy

For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to Who We Are? How long has the band been around?

Nikko:  I’ve never truly been part of a band before, I’ve only vocally filled in for one of my good friends bands for a show.

John: We initially formed in winter 2016 and with the exception of Robby this is our first band. 

Robby: The Get Down Kids, Broad Is The Way, Keep In Check, Carried Weight, Gardenside

What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?

Nikko: We’ve been through a couple name changes as have most bands naturally but when the band formulated the name in which were known by today we all knew it not just related to the music but to who we truly are.

John: Before it was ‘Who We Are’ we were calling it ‘Day Of Judgement’ but it was a little bit... dark for the sound of the music so we started throwing around band name ideas and our producer now manager Johnny actually came up with the name and we all loved it.

Robby: The original name for the project was “Day of Judgement” haha! So metal!  Jon Jon was like 12 or 13 when he came up with the name so I don’t blame him and I never took it seriously. It was more of placemat that we called the project because it was still un named. 

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?

Nikko: John and I have written the songs for the most part but the songs would not have been completed with out the help of Johnny and Nick. Johnny and Nick both have played huge roles in the lyrical and instrumental aspects of the songs. Lyrically most of the songs have todo with the biggest mind boggle of all, death. Everybody dies some gracefully some horribly and I feel as though our songs exploit the product of many different situations life throws at people that lead to death.

John: We all write music actually. Initially, I wrote the music for our EP and Nikko wrote the lyrics. A lot of the topics are about personal experiences Nikko has had in his life.

Robby: Initially the music was created between Jon Jon, Nikko and our then producer Johnny Young. When we went in for the tracking of the EP with Nick Morzov things were adjusted and I played what I felt fit the music best. 

What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?

Nikko: Music that inspires our writing would for sure be dance Gavin dance, post Malone, asking Alexandria, and of course panic at the disco.

John: Pvris, Halsey, Dance Gavin Dance, Too Close To Touch and Post Malone

Robby: I’m not going to lie. I don’t like a lot of bands in this genre, but I have a very wide array of music that I listen to and I guess I would say bands that are inspiring me right now would be Bad Suns, Manchester Orchestra, Boston Manor, Band of Horses, Real Friends, etc. but my taste varies frequently, so ask me this question in a week and I’ll have a completely different set of bands! 

Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?

Nikko: No single band inspired me to start the band with John but if any one concert inspired me to get to the level of playing for loads of people I’d have to say panic at the disco is my awe inspiring show experience.

John: For me very early in my life I was probably 4 or 5 my cousin showed me The Devil Wears Prada it was very inspirational for me and I have always wanted to become musician.

Robby: I was inspired to be in a band when my older brother joined a hardcore band back when he was in college in Tuscaloosa, AL and I went to see his band play and it was amazing. I was like 13 around that time and I was a very passionate drummer and after I saw that show my older brother play that day I got to hang out with the band and they said they needed a drummer and that’s when my career started! 

What do you do to prepare for a show?

Nikko: Don’t die while drifting. Don’t scream. Not much else.

John: Warm up, jump around and meditate.

Robby: STREEEEEEETCH it out baby! Plus I like to relax and unwind before hitting the stage. 

What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?

Nikko: For me it would have to be recording with Nick, just singing/screaming parts of songs over and over with the aid of Anson Lee until we got a perfect take for multiple songs.

John: Honestly, just experiencing everything. From the tracking the music to the photo shoots, the music video shoots and live shows. It’s all been great. A LOT of work, but great. 

Robby: We’re still pretty new! I’d have to say the highlight thus far has been when we released our debut music video, we had around 20+ different rock blogs do a write up on us.  

If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?

Nikko: Asking Alexandria on their “Not the American Average” tour because of the energy and sheer excitement that flows through my head every time I watch their music video for NTAA. A large runner up would have to me PATD’s a fever you can’t sweat out tour just to experience playing with Panic! When all of the original members were present.

John: Probably Bring Me The Horizon. 

Robby: The Devil Wears Prada, A Day To Remember, Our Last Night, Paramore, Ghost

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Nikko: Maybe just to thank everyone who has been apart of creating this amazing journey so far because without Jay or John or Nick or Johnny or Sean or Nate or Jeremy or Robby or Noel or anyone I missed, I could never have experienced what I have so far:)

John: I just hope our music inspires creativity and positivity and helps people cope with their problems.

Robby: Ya, if you haven’t yet go check out our music, lol.