-Interview- A Midnight Drive (5/29/12)

A Midnight Drive
Genre: Post hardcore
Interviewed on: 5/29/12
From: Boulder, MT
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1. You guys have been around since 2009, how much of a difference in progression have you seen through the band over the years?

Well When we started we were just a three piece, Phil Played guitar and sang, Brian played bass and chris on drums. Before we did our first REAL tour we got a call From Zach wanting to play guitar. Then just this last year we recruited our long time tour buddy and friend Colin started playing guitar and he quickly made the band that much more dynamic and really made our music a lot more tight.


2. You guys are just about to release the new single “GTT, FE”, when will you be releasing the EP?

We plan on going back to Portland in September to finish up the EP, We have three more songs to record and plan on releasing the EP mid to early October. We don't have an exact date yet.


3. What’s your favorite track to perform live and why? Well I think all of us really have different songs that we like but I would say "Chomnivore" Is a great song to play in our hometown of MT.


4. What’s the music scene like there in Montana?

The Montana Scene is great its a bunch of friends trying to play music together. So many great people out there in every town we go to. our fans are true and loyal. Montanas doesn't have a huge amount of people though. So we try to Travel out of state a lot.


5. How was it working with Kris Crummett of Interlace Audio (The Devil Wears Prada, Lower Definition) for the new record?

The greatest experience, he is such a cool and genuine person. He definitely makes you see the work you have to put in to make a song sound great. He finds the most true tone. definitely understands how to make a song sound delicious!


6. What three bands would you love to play a show with?

Three? Oh man there's so many. For our band collectively? Glassjaw, Everytime I Die, The Felix Culpa.


7. What are you guys currently listening to?

Bon Iver, Night Verses, Idlehands, New John Mayor, Letlive., My Body Sings Electric, Gatsbys American Dream, I AM THE OCEAN, Settle Down, Her Candane, Minus the Bear.


8. What can people expect from your live show?

Pure randomness, we never plan out what we are going to do we just have fun and always try to leave the fans with something memorable. A bunch of goofy dudes sweat, and play loud music!


9. What’s your take on illegal/legal music downloading?

Well we think if you're illegally downloading music, then download A Midnight Drive!


10. What’s next for A Midnight Drive?

Well we have a few shows were looking forward to. Crucial Fest in Salt lake, Our Battle Of the Bands In Missoula with some really cool Montana bros, and Elko NV at Shooters Bar is always fun in Nevada. Summer fun and and this fall going back to finish the EP! So lots of fun!


11. Any shoutouts?

So Many!!! Hide and Seek Clothing, Josh Soldiers, Safe Clothing, Little Giants, Icarus the Owl, Elko Bros, I Am the Ocean, Settle Down, Her Candane, Bloodoath, Black Orchids Bloom, Anchor music, Haunted By Waters, Victor Johnson, Rumor Has It, Amidst the Chaos, WSCB, All our Familys and Friends. If we forgot you we apologize, but we love you too!

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-Interview- Witness The Broken (5/17/12)

Witness The Broken
Genre: Melodic metalcore
Interviewed on: 5/17/12
From: Winchester, VA
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1. How did the name Witness The Broken come from? Who thought of it? How’s the new lineup been?

The name really came naturally for us. Most of our music is about overcoming obstacles in your life, so it just seemed to fit. We just all sat down and threw out a few ideas for the band name and Witness the Broken seemed to really work for our music.

The new lineup has been fantastic! We really have a group that has fun together and that is the most important thing. If you don’t have fun making music you can’t expect anyone to have fun listening to It. Our writing process has gone really well because everyone can really do their own thing and we get a solid end product.


2. How would you describe your music to the average listener? What’s your take on the metalcore scene nowadays?

We like to consider ourselves a pretty heavy band. We do throw some clean vocals into our songs for variety but we take pride in being a metal band. There really are a lot of great bands in the metalcore scene so it is important that you put your all into every show, every recording, and every practice.

Even from when we first started listening the metalcore scene has gotten so much bigger so you really have to work hard to distinguish yourself.


3. What’s your favorite track to perform live and why?

“As You Were” from our EP without question. We play an extended breakdown at the end that is not on the recording and the crowds always seem to get into that, which is great. It was also the first song that we learned to play as a band, so at this point we are pretty solid musically and we can really just concentrate on involving the crowd and tearing up the stage!


4. What’s the music scene like there in VA?

We actually have a pretty solid music scene. There is always some type of show to be found and in our hometown of Winchester, VA there are a lot of pretty successful bands. From a metalcore standpoint there are several bands that do a good job and everyone is pretty supportive of eachother.


5. When can people expect the new material? Do you guys have a release date in mind?

We do not have a specific release date in mind yet, but we are currently working on a new single titled “Heathen” which we are very excited to share with everyone. After that we plan to get started on several new songs and get another EP or possibly a full-length album out soon.


6. What three bands would you love to play a show with?

There are so many bands that we would love to play with and we have been fortunate to play with so many great bands already. In our genre probably Miss May I, The Devil Wears Prada, and Underoath would be a dream. They are heavy influences of ours and we are big fans of their music.


7. What are you guys currently listening to?

The new Adestria album “Chapters” is incredible! Aside from that The Air I Breathe is pretty awesome along with The Word Alive. Our members all listen to a pretty wide variety of music so we have plenty to choose from.


8. What can people expect from your live show?

A lot of energy, early on we spent a lot of time making sure that we could make the songs sound as close to the recordings as possible. Now that we have been together for a little while and have really achieved a good live sound our goal is just to make sure that everyone is having a great time when they come to see us. Whether we play for 10 people or 1,000 we want everyone to have the same experience.


9. What’s your take on illegal/legal music downloading?

Most musicians rely on some sort of income from their music to keep doing it. If you are illegally downloading music you can take the instrument right from their hands. A lot of hard work goes into every song out there, it is important that people support that work.


10. What’s next for Witness The Broken?

Hopefully a full-length album sometime soon. We will continue to play as many shows as we can to give everyone a chance to see us. We are reaching a point where we would love to do this for a long time so it would be great to get as many people on board as we can!


11. Any shoutouts?

Don’t Look Down from Winchester is an awesome Pop-Punk band!
Also, a huge thanks to Parlor City Clothing who sponsor our band!

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-Interview- Burned At Both Ends (5/10/12)

Burned At Both Ends
Genre: Pop-core
Interviewed on: 5/10/12
From: Red Bank, NJ
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1. How did the name "Burned At Both Ends" come from? Who thought of it?

Tom: Before the band even had started, I had just discovered the NY pop punk band, With The Punches, and I heard their song "Burned At Both Ends" and thought to myself, "This is what I hope to play and write with my next band." So yeah, the name just stuck from there. It also can kinda relate to how our band has some heavy influences, but also able to be softer and nice with Brooke as our vocalist.


2. How would you describe your music to the average listener? Have you had any comments about girls being in the band?

Tom: I would describe it as just something different yet familiar. It's very hard to explain. As for girls being in the band; we haven't heard negative comments about it. People always come up to us and always compliment Brooke's voice and Nicole's drumming. It's something you just don't see that often in the music scene.

Hugo: Well, everytime someone asks me about our music I refer to Paramore because they have a girl singer and it's still somehow punk/rock but we also have breakdowns and we do get comments about Brooke and Nicole because its not that often that you see a band like this with 2 girls, but the comments are definitely positive.

Nicole: I would describe our music to the average listener as awesome! But kinda different. I have had comments on girls being in the band and as being one of the girls I always get complimented all the time! its cool. and I can tell people look at me and Brooke and are just like woah thats awesome! A girl drummer and a girl singer!


3. What's your favorite track to perform live and why?

Tom: My favorite would have to be Timeless Art Of Seduction. It's just such an energetic song live. It really gets me hyped up and what not. It's really just basically one of those songs where it's a huge "kick in the teeth" kind of excitement.

Hugo: Blasphemy. its such a great song and i enjoy jumping around and just being on stage playing it but my favorite part is the breakdown because its probably one of the heaviest ones we have so far.

Nicole: My favorite song to play live is Not My Problem because it starts out soft with the guitar and comes in heavy and theres a breakdown in there. Personally its my favorite song to play live its really fun.

Criss: My favorite is Last Call, Lost Cause because it starts off so fast and just keeps that pace through out the whole song. It's very high energy and it has the ability to make everyone jump.


4. What's the music scene like there in NJ?

Tom: It really depends on where you go, who you ask, and who else goes to the shows. There are PLENTY of other amazingly talented bands that we have been lucky to share a stage with. But then I've seen plenty of bands and kids in crowds that just have no regard for anyone else around them. A while ago, some pretty popular little venues were shut down because of kids disrespecting the venues and breaking things. But lately, after a few of the shows that we have played at, it seems like people are starting to get friendlier with each other, having more of a blast instead of trying to be a "tough guy." The support is starting to come back, and it's a good sign. Is the scene going to actually get a lot better to what it used to? No idea. But if everyone keeps taking these little steps and making an effort to be kind and supportive towards everyone, then I will be able to tell you that the music scene is good.

Hugo: i think it's getting better. Bands are helping each other more and supporting more than when i joined BABE.

Nicole: we are starting to get a lot more support than we used to. all the bands we play with support everyone out and we always support them too its like were all friends and we always play with them again.


5. When can people expect new material? Do you guys have a release date in mind?

Tom: We just recorded a brand new single titled "Day By Day." We are currently just waiting for it to be mixed, mastered, and finished up. I couldn't tell you an exact date, but I can assure you that it will be out before May 25th.
As for a brand new EP, we are not sure on that at all. Around this time last year, we were getting plans of recording our very first EP, and that was recorded and released on Dec. 23rd, 2011. So who knows? Maybe there will be another EP released around Christmas 2012.


6. What three bands would you love to play a show with?

Tom: Real Friends, We Are The In Crowd, Veara

Hugo: Say Anything, We Came As Romans and D.R.U.G.S.

Nicole: Bullet For My Valentine, Paramore, and A Day To Remember

Criss: Saves The Day, Tera Melos, Fang Island


7. What are you guys currently listening to?

Tom: I've had Real Friends on repeat for a few weeks now. They are just not getting old. In the CD player part of my stereo, I have Bad Case Of Big Mouth's Baseball EP spinning. I've also had The Fray, Senses Fail, Secondhand Serenade, Brand New, and Tonight Alive pass through on my "recently played" section of my iPod.

Hugo: We Came As Romans, Sleeping With Sirens, For All Those Sleeping, Say Anything and Simple Plan, they never get old.

Nicole: Of mice and Men, Sleeping With Sirens, Blink 182

Criss: Odd Future, Saves The Day, The Postal Service, Eyedea & Abilities, Sage Francis, Maps & Atlases amd Clousure in Moscow


8. What's your take on the pop-punk/hardcore scene nowadays?

Tom: There aren't really many bands out there. It's really either just pop punk or hardcore. It's somewhat tough to find the both of them together. You don't always find pop-punk/hardcore, but when you do, it sounds amazing (Bad Case Of Big Mouth for example).

Hugo: Im a hardcore guy so i do enjoy being in our shows and listening to some hardcore music combined with some pop-punk.

Nicole: im not sure actually i mostly like playing pop-punk/hardcore i dont really pay attention to the scene much

Criss: The scene is a mixed bag because for every few gems there are a few rotten ones. I wish the scene was a bit more progressive rather than pop-punk but beggers can't be choosers.


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

Tom: I don't really think album sales matter as much as they used to these days. Most of any band's profit these days are coming merch, shows, tours, sponsors, etc... Big record labels these days just take most of the album sales for themselves and give the bands tiny fractions of a penny per album. Although, if I do happen to hear an amazing album that really moves me and what not, I will buy the real album as soon as possible. It's just what I do. If it is a local artist, I will always try to purchase something of theirs to support though.

Hugo: There are some albums that are worth paying for. what i do is download them and depending if i like them or no then i would buy the real album to support the band because i know what they go through and its not fair all their effort for people to just illegally download their music without playing for them

Nicole: I dont think illegal downloading is right. yeah getting songs for free is awesome but i dont think its fair that the people that created the music don't get money to support them to go further. Legal downloading gives the bands who made the music the money they deserve and help them to go further to make more songs for their fans.

Criss: If I'm at a show I will buy the cd and every week I do go out of my way to buy a new CD just so I can show some support to the bands who need it. I love having the booklet and physical copy of the CD. If the band is really good I will buy a vinyl.


10. What's next for Burned At Both Ends?

Tom: Just lots of shows, new songs, and a lot more energy. We are basically trying to fill our entire summer with tons of shows and what not.

Hugo: Lots of shows, lots of new songs and hopefully a tour soon.

Nicole: Great Big Things!

Criss: Shows and shows and shows and shows. Then writing enough songs for an LP.


11. Any shoutouts?

Tom: Mom, I love you! BCOBM men, you're awesome! OnceByTheAtlantic, Stereotypical, The Stolen, Scout's Honor,
Paint The Town Careless, Stella Entertainment, and everyone who has ever come to any of our shows or supported us in some way, I love you!

Hugo: My parents that support everything i do, my friends, the bands that have helped us on a show and every single person that helps us to get where we are and also to keep going as far as we can.

Nicole: thank you friends who have always been there for me and family who has supported me and our band! and all bands that always support us along the way!

Criss: Thanks to my Grandparents who always help me get through everything and to all my friends that come out to support us at shows. It really helps to lift our spirits.

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-Interview- Districts (ex Geroff) (5/4/12)

Geroff
Genre: Pop-core
Interviewed on: 5/4/12
From: Melbourne, Australia
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1. How did the name Geroff come from? Who thought of it?

Our clean singer Ben came up with the name. It was our first ever name idea and I think it will stay hopefully.
We really like it as it is completely different to any other band name and really simple, easy to remember.


2. How would you describe your music to the average listener? How did the title of the EP “Moving On” come about?

Our music is a mix of pop punk and hardcore. We have the catchy choruses and still have the heaviness that most hardcore bands do. As for the name Moving On, it came to us when we were going through all the lyrics and it basically sums them all up.


3. What’s your favorite track to perform live and why?

Probably Home Away From Home, we all love that song as its one of the more heavier tracks and it’s always a good one to play!


4. What’s the music scene like there in Australia?

The music scene here is pretty awesome, there are some great local bands that are full of talent but are basically unheard of and hopefully they will definitely be going places.


5. When can people expect the new material? Do you guys have a release date in mind?

Right now we are going to focus on playing as many shows as possible and try get a bigger fan base, but having said that, we are always writing and coming up with new material, maybe we will have something out early next year, maybe not!


6. What three bands would you love to play a show with?

blink-182, Your Demise, The Amity Affliction


7. What are you guys currently listening to?

The new Your Demise album, The Wonder Years, The Story So Far, Carpathian and a bit of Heroes for Hire. We are also eagerly waiting the release of the new House vs Hurricane, Amity Affliction and Deez Nuts new albums too!


8. What’s your take on the hardcore scene nowadays?

It’s progressive. Of course it’s not going to be the same kind of shit coming out every year and bands are progressing and creating new sub-genre's all the time


9. What’s your take on illegal/legal music downloading?

We don’t really have an opinion on this, because yes it is stealing and does put bands out of pocket a lot of the time, but then again it’s constant exposure to the masses and for us it’s all about getting our music to as many people as we can. That’s the reason why we released this EP for free because we just wanted people to listen to us.

10. What’s next for Geroff?

Shows, writing, and hopefully another EP in the making!


11. Any shoutouts?

Everyone that has listened to our music and has supported us, thank you! We wouldn’t be doing this if it wasn’t for you all! <3 and Rhys Brennan our man!

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