EastScene

EastScene recently got in touch with guitarist Travis Miguel of Atreyu to talk touring, as well as their new album titled Congregation of the Damned.

ES: Where and when did Atreyu first form?

Atreyu formed in 1999 in Orange County, California.

ES: What was the first album you listened to that made you decide you wanted to work in music for the rest of your life?

Metallica’s “…And Justice for All” album was the spark that ignited the flame for me.

ES: You guys moved labels in 2007, from Victory Records to Hollywood Records, and an international deal with Roadrunner. What prompted this change of label?

We ran our course with Victory Records.  We fulfilled our contract and signing with Hollywood was the next logical step.

ES: What do you notice is the biggest difference moving from Victory to Hollywood?

For the most part, we’re the only aggressive-sounding band on Hollywood Records, which works to our advantage.  We don’t have to fight for attention.  Hollywood works just as hard as we do to get our music out there.

ES: How would you describe your live show?

Our live show is very energetic.  Being on the road can be very boring, monotonous, stressful, hectic, etc.  That one hour or so that we have on stage is the only time we can let loose and not care about anything in the world, and we take full advantage of it.

ES: Do you guys have any special rituals / warm up routines before playing live / recording?

I like to get a guitar in my hands for a bit before we go onstage and just noodle around.  We usually stretch and do vocal warm ups.  A few cocktails usually help too.

ES: You guys look like you have a pretty solid touring schedule with the amazing Hollywood Undead from now until mid November. What¹s your plan after this tour is finished?

We have about 2 weeks left on this tour with Hollywood Undead.  We’ll be relaxing at home for the holidays.  Our singer Alex just recently got married and he owes his wife a honeymoon.  We have plans to go to Japan with Killswitch Engage and CKY in January.  Both are amazing bands so good times will be had.

ES: How did you team up with Hollywood Undead and Escape the Fate for this current tour?

We were looking for some kind of tour to head out on in correlation with the release of Congregation of the Damned.  We heard that HU was looking to tour in the US as well so it just made perfect sense.

ES: The new album released of Congregation of the Damned sold for $3.99 on Amazon, on its opening day. What made you guys decide to release it at this price?

Times are tough these days and no one can really afford any kind of entertainment.  People aren’t buying CD’s as much these days so it was a great way for kids to have a physical copy of the album for a cheap price.

ES: What was it like working with Bob Marlette (Ozzy Osbourne)? How did you guys meet and decide for him to record this album, making the move from previous producer John Feldmann (producer of Lead Sails Paper Anchor)?

Bob Marlette was played an integral role in making this record.  He’s been making albums longer than any of us have been alive.  He knows his stuff.  He wasn’t one of these producers who tries to kiss our ass and promise us a platinum record and millions of dollars.  He was more concerned with getting us to create a great album.  He understood our left-of-center sense of humor which made it very comfortable to work with him.

ES: You guys have admitted that this is your best album to date. Ten years of albums is a lot of music, what makes this album so much better than the rest?

We always try to outdo ourselves.  We worked damn hard to do so on this record and I definitely think it shows. This album is basically a culmination of all our previous albums.  It’s an all encompassing Atreyu album if you will.

ES: Listening to this album compared to your others like Lead Sails Paper Anchor, how has your sound changed as a band?

Atreyu will always be evolving sonically…whether we like it or not.  This album is a bit darker than Lead Sails.  Each album we make is a stepping stone to the next one.  Who knows what the next Atreyu album will sound like.

ES: In one sentence, how would you describe the sound of Congregation of the Damned?

Congregation of the Damned is damn good.

ES: How do you think your band dynamic, your sound, stage presence, recordings, etc. have changed over the past ten / eleven years?

We’re all a bit older now…some may say even more “mature”.  2 of us are married and 4 of us have mortgages.  Atreyu has been a band for 10 years now, which is a lot of time to get to know someone.  We see each other more than our immediate families.  We’ve seen bands come and go but somehow we still make it work.  We’re still having the time of our lives doing this.

ES: Where do you see yourselves five more years down the road?

Hopefully still doing this….just with more grey hair.

ES: Where do you think you¹d all be right now if you weren¹t with Atreyu?

I’d be a fire truck or a dinosaur.

ES: Any special messages you¹d like to throw out to your fans?

Thanks!

We’ll see ya on the road!