-Interview- Herbrightskies 6/28/08

Herbrightskies
(District 19 Inc.)
Genre: Emocore akin to Old Finch, Silverstein
Interviewed on: 6/28/08
From: Jonkoping, Sweden
www.myspace.com/herbrightskies




1. What's your names and roles in the band?
Petter - guitar and lyrics writer
Johan - vocals and songwriter
Niclas - guitar and songwriter
Jonas - drummer
Albin - bass


2. How did the band come about?

We were in different bands before. The whole american emo/hardcore wave came to Sweden and we figured we should start a new band, since we were listening to bands like Underoath, Senses Fail and other great bands from abroad.


3. Who thought of the name "Herbrightskies"? How did the name come about? Any special meaning behind it?

It was a name that I (Petter) just came up with at random, it doesn't have any meaning really. I wish i had an interesting story but I don't ;]


4. Being from Sweden, how is the music scene there?

The music scene for this type of music is really growing. We're seeing more and more kids at the shows and we've been having alot of sweet english and americans bands here lately. Also there's a lot of swedish bands that have been playing this music for a couple of years now and are starting to get really good!


5. Have you guys played with any US acts? If so, who?

Yeah we have opened for The Chariot, and have been playing at the same festivals as Paramore, Jimmy Eat World, Strike Anywhere to name a few.


6. You guys hooked up with District 19 Inc. how did that come about?

Me and one of the dudes in District 19 became good friends. He books bands and i have put up a couple of shows that he was booking, so that's how we came in contact.


7. What's your favorite song on the album to play? What's the song that gets the craziest crowd response?

I would have to say that my favorite is "Some Live Their Lives". The song has deep personal meaning to me and i love how energetic the song is. The song that really gets the crowd going though is a song off the EP called "Roses". Our new album hasn't been out that long so i don't think anyone have figured out which song they like the most yet. Time will tell.


8. Any good show stories?

We played a show in Norway one time. And after the show we got to the place where we were supposed to sleep. The first thing we saw was these bloody mannequin dolls (u know what i mean?) that was strapped down to beds with no matrasses. And there were chairs glued to the ceiling and pictures of babies on the walls. It all had a kind of satanic vibe to it. It was by far the creepiest thing i have ever seen. So we just left and drove home from Norway. It took a while but i would rather die than sleep there.


9. What's your take on illegal music downloading?

It's both good and bad I guess. Without people downloading our songs we probably wouldn't have gotten this far, still we really want to be able to make a living off our music and if people don't buy your record that's pretty much impossible. I still prefer you download it though, and if you like it, buy it.


10. What are you guys currently listening to?

We like the latest The Rocket Summer album a lot. And The Academy is..


11. What's next for Herbrightskies?

A tour with the scottish band "Yashin". All over Europe and England.


12. Any shoutouts?

Check out our songs and drop a comment on myspace afterwards!

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-Interview- House Vs Hurricane 6/25/08

House Vs Hurricane
(El Shaddai Records)
Genre: Emocore with a bit of synth akin to Enter Shikari, Emery or old Underoath.
Interviewed on: 6/25/08
From: Melbourne, Australia
www.myspace.com/housevshurricane




1. What's your names and roles in the band?
Chris Dicker - Vocals
Ryan Mclerie - Guitar/Vocals
Chris Shaw - Guitar
Joey Fragione - Keys/Piano
Adam Meyers - Bass
Liam Disher - Drums


2. How did the band come about?

I actually started a band called 'Beyond Mine' a couple of years ago. We played a bunch of shows around Melbourne and i think one in South Australia. Members came and went, I was friends with all the dudes who are now in HvH. Joey was first to join, we used to go to show together all the time and i found out a year later he was an amazing piano player. We were looking for a new drummer, and Beau Mckeen (Closure in Moscow) knew this guy, Liam, who's garage Closure used to rehearse in. Just asked around and all the other guys were keen to join a band. Chris was last to join when our original guitarist left. We wrote a bunch of crap songs, and a couple of good ones too, and here we are, a year and a half later.


3. Who thought of the name "House Vs Hurricane"? How did the name come about? Any special meaning behind it?

I think it was Ryan, I don't really remember to be honest. I know what it means to me, ask me at a show and I'll tell you.


4. Since you guys are from Australia, is there any bands over there that we should check out?

Trophyknife are releasing an EP soon, as are City Escape. Looking forward to both a lot. The Broderick are one of my favorite Australian bands.


5. Have you guys played with any US acts? If so, who?

We recently played 3 shows with The Devil Wears Prada, they were heaps of fun.
Really great dudes.


6. You guys are a fairly young band (since 06), what's your goal for the next year? Any thoughts in touring the US?

Average age of the band is 19. I'm 19, the oldest member is Liam, 22. We just plan to hit the road for a while. We're all very keen to play a lot more shows. We'd love to tour the US, just need a label over there to help us out.


7. Is there a song on the "Forfeiture" EP that gets a crazy crowd response? What's your favorite song to play live?

'Comforting Our Thoughts in Our Continuous Blue' is easily the crowd favorite, Always an amazing response. My favorite live is definitely 'The Only Virtue'.


8. What's your take on illegal music downloading?

It's awesome. I do it. Who doesn't? If it's a band I actually like, I'll always go and buy the cd.


9. What are you guys currently listening to?

At the moment, I'm listening to:
Misery Signals - Controller, The Ghost Inside - Fury And The Fallen Ones, Shai Hulud - Misanthropy Pure, Bjork - Greatest Hits


10. What's next for House Vs Hurricane?

We're about to do a national tour with a band called Mourning Tide from Queensland. We've got a couple of other tours lined up for the rest of the year through Australia. We just released our CD in Japan too.


11. Any shoutouts?

Hi Mum.
Thanks alot Mike.

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-Interview- Consider The Thief 6/20/08

Consider The Thief
(Unsigned)
Genre: Screamo/ Alternative rock comparable to Thrice
Interviewed on: 6/20/08
From: Sacramento, CA
www.myspace.com/considerthethief




1. What are your names and roles in the band?

Zack- Bass/Vocals
Jordan- Guitar/Vocals
Dryw- Guitar/Keys/Vocals
Sean- Guitar
Luke- Drums


2. The sound of Consider The Thief is very different from "the norm" is now, what influences you guys in terms of songwriting?

I would not say our EP sounds very different from a lot of music in our genre. During the writing process, we were very much influenced by our contemporaries. I believe this is evident through the Music. Its cool, however, to hear that our music has distinguishable aspects; I certainly hope that will intensify in future releases. In respect to a few of the artists who had influence on the EP- Botch, As Cities Burn, Thrice, The Receiving End of Sirens, and Circa Survive all had profound roles to play.


3. We saw that you're cool with Eyes Set To Kill, how did that friendship form?

In previous bands, we had played concerts with them. I guess a camaraderie formed between us, as we are two bands in the same place- albeit they are more accomplished than we. Nonetheless, they have always been very kind to us, and are a fun group to be around. It's nice to meet a group of down-to-earth musicians, as there is a lot of self-importance found among artists in our general genre.


4. Are there any plans of doing a national tour?

Right now, we do not have a national tour booked. Extensive touring is a goal of ours, however. We are currently writing a full-length album to have a larger repertoire when we to tour nationally.


5. You guys have a show coming up with another band we interviewed (The Subtle Way), did you ever play alongside them before?

Yes, they too are very cool, down-to-earth guys. We have played several concerts with them, and found them to be a talented bunch.


6. What's the song you guys play that has the best crowd response?

Come to think of it, I'm really not sure! Different songs seem to stimulate different people. I have noticed a pretty consistent crowd response to all the songs, although the harder parts of "Soldiers and Saints" seem to move a few heads.


7. Have you guys been writing anything for a possible album after this latest one.

Absolutely. We are thrilled to say we will be recording it this November.


8. What are you currently listening to?

Me? Haha, Evol Intent, as I write this.


9. What's next for Consider The Thief?

Lots of writing, learning, recording, and playing.


10. Any shoutouts?

Yes: you for interviewing us. Also, I sincerely thank anyone who has listened to and supported us thus far. Your support means the world to us and enables us to do what we do. Please stay with us! Haha!

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-Review- House Vs Hurricane - The Forfeiture EP

House Vs Hurricane
www.myspace.com/housevshurricane
Label: El Shaddia Records
From: Melbourne, Australia
The Forfeiture EP
Release Date: June 21, 2008




Track Listing:

1. Introduction
2. Forfeiture
3. Comforting Our Thoughts In A Continuous Blue
4. Seeing Clearly Through Water
5. Colourspace
6. The Only Virtue
7. Furious George

With an unique name like "House Vs Hurricane" you could be either really bad or really good. Luckily these boys from Australia are EXTREMELY GOOD. Hailing from the same country as heavyweights Parkway Drive, House Vs Hurricane are looking to captivate fans across the globe just like Parkway Drive has.

The "Colour Space" is an instrumental track. The two tracks "Comforting Our Thoughts In A Continuous Blue" and "Forfeiture" almost sound like Emery b-sides. That is if Emery was this raw and dancy (see the ending of the latter track).

The song "Furious George" is very reminiscent of Enter Shikari. Its opening is piano driven and hits with a breakdown to catch the listeners attention.

"Introduction" is an instrumental track that could've been used in the movie Edward Scissorhands. "Seeing Things Through Water" and "The Virtue" are great songs to keep the album going in a great direction. Listening to this album isn't like listening to other albums. This one draws you in and doesn't let you go till it's all over. When it is, you're still craving for more.

Verdict:
Anyone that is grown tired of the American emo-core, check this band out. You won't be disappointed. They are fresh, new and extremely talented. Keep an eye out for this band.

Sounds like:
Old Emery, Enter Shikari, Old Underoath

Standout Tracks-
"Forfeiture"
"Furious George"

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-Review- Bury Tomorrow - The Sleep Of The Innocents EP

Bury Tomorrow
www.myspace.com/burytomorrow
Label: Unsigned
From: Portsmouth, UK
The Sleep Of The Innocents EP
Release Date: 2007




Track Listing:

1. Intro
2. Salvation And The Martyr
3. This Town Was Ours
4. Interlude
5. Before The Silence
6. These Woods Aren't Safe For Us
7. From Broken Heroes

Bury Tomorrow is the name of the band. First thoughts for some might be another generic hardcore band thats in the realm of Throwdown or Hatebreed. Those people would be wrong. Bury Tomorrow has toured with bands such as Bring Me The Horizon and Parkway Drive.

What is on this album includes some of the most emotional, catchiest, melodic metalcore to come out of the UK since Funeral For A Friend's "Between Order And Model" EP.

The EP starts off with the intro track coincidentally titled "Intro". "Salvation And The Martyr" is a song that will suck you in and won't let you go till it's done. "This Town Is Ours" almost sounds like an old Funeral For A Friend b-side but more raw and aggressive.

Track 4 is another interlude but with a bit of acoustic singing involved.
The song "These Woods Aren't Safe For Us" will put Bury Tomorrow on the map. This song hits with such intensity that it would take the US by storm.

Verdict:
This is only an EP from such a promising band that it will catapult them to great heights here in the states. The bands here in the states need to watch their back, these bands from the UK are starting to show that they can run with the big boys too. Check these guys out quick, you will not be disappointed.

Sounds like:
Old Atreyu, Funeral For A Friend, It Dies Today

Standout Tracks-
"This Town Was Ours"
"These Woods Aren't Safe For Us"

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