EastScene

Eastscene’s Shelby Wilson got the chance to sit down with main stage- gracing, Florida native, A  Day To Remember. This band, having one of the largest crowds I’ve ever seen at any Warped Tour date, is surprisingly made up of down to earth people; just a bunch of fun seeking boys that pretty much just don’t give a crap about anything. Luckily, we got to squeeze in a quick chat with Josh before the guys had to head over to the signing. Check it out!SW- Florida has a huge music scene. Were you guys inspired by that at all to become what you are as a band?

JW- Yup! absolutely, we grew up going to a lot of hard core shows in our hometown. See, New Found Glory is from South Florida and that’s kind of where we found our hard core and pop feel. definitely a big influence.

SW- out of your 4 releases, which one is your favorite and is there a reason for that?

JW- It’s kind of weird. When people ask me that question, I don’t know what to say. I like each record as what it is. Each holds memories of places and times. It’s weird, but I like our new record a lot. It kind of pushed us to the forefront of what we’re trying to do, it says a lot on the record.

SW- You’ve been together for quite a few years; as the music industry changes, do you feel as though that influences you all as a band? how so?

JW: Not really, because we never became a band to say, ‘we’re going to sell a million records,’ or ‘we’re going to become millionaires from this,’ or anything like that. That’s never been what we’re trying to do, so as far as the business changing, record sales not doing as well, touring not being as good as it used to be, all that kind of stuff. We don’t really care. We play hardcore pop punk, a think that does not make sense at all. That should go to show that we don’t really care, that we’re just doing this to have fun.

SW: How is your relationship with your label mates?

JW: We don’t really know too many, we have done that much touring [with them], but all the ones we know are awesome dudes.

SW: How has the fan reaction been to What Separates Me From You?

JW: I think it’s going pretty good. It’s our newest stuff and our touring is all the biggest shows we’ve done, ever. I would say that it’s translating pretty well.

SW: I’ve read that your last two albums have debuted at #1 on the US indie charts, how does that feel? You were saying the success doesn’t really matter.

JW: You want to do well, but if it all started to go down hill now, I never expected any of this, so I’d be happy. Our very first touring show, we played to one person, one human being. To watch today and see how much it’s grown, it’s just insane.

SW: Who or what do you pull inspiration from now and how does that differ from what your earlier inspirations were?

JW: It’s actually pretty much the same. Any new bands or bands we’ve been with on tour, even old bands, just listening to music like, ‘I want to write a heavy part like this band has been doing.’ As far as lyrical content, Jeremy [McKinnon], just takes everyday life. Anything that you or me would experience, it’s stuff that anyone can experience.

SW: Your lyrics are very upfront, take for instance “All Signs Point To Lauderdale,” is it nerve racking putting those kinds of words and lyrics out in the open?

JW: No, because like I’ve said, we don’t care. Not to say that we’re those rockstar dudes that are like, “eff everything.” We’re not saying that, we’re respectful kids. We’re doing what we want to do, if you like it, listen to it.

SW: This isn’t your band’s first time on Warped Tour, so as veterans of sorts, how would you sum up the tour?

JW: Crowds are great, bands are great. We know our way around and we know where like, the showers are, or secret showers. We know a little bit.

SW: How would you say your music has changed throughout the years?

JW: I don’t know, because people said the old stuff was heavy, but I feel like some of the heaviest songs we’ve ever written are on the new record. 2nds Sucks, I mean geez, that song is heavy as hell. Sticks & Bricks, first song on the record! The songs have just gotten better, we’ve become better song writers.

SW: What do you think music, as a whole, is all about? How do you think the industry affects that?

JW: I don’t even know. People ask these questions, they aren’t bad questions, I’m sure some people have answers for them, but we aren’t really focused on what’s going on around us, we’re just trying to figure out what we want to do.

SW: Would you trade being in a touring band for anything?

JW: No! These are the best memories of my entire life. This is what I want to do.

SW: Any last words?

JW: Just thank you so much for doing in the interview! I know it sounds dumb, but without people like you, you keep people interested.

Big thanks to Josh for sitting down with us and to the whole band for putting on one of the best shows I’ve ever seen! The crowds get absolutely wild for these guys, I suggest never giving up and opportunity to see them!