First off can you state
your name and what you do in the band?
I'm T.J. I play drums
You released The Life I
Know earlier this year. What was the writing and recording process like for
the album?
We wrote that album in halves. The first half was written for a shopping
demo to get some label attention, and once we signed on with Ferret we wrote
the second half. It was pretty stressful, being our first full length,
especially with the mindset that it would be put out with Ferret. We had a
lot of expectations and we wrote what we all feel is a really good album.
What’s the significance
behind the title of the album?
That album is very up and down as far as the mood of the lyrics. It's not
very pleasant a lot of times, but it's about our lives, and we wanted that
point to be at the foreground of the album. We're not about to pretend that
our lives are peachy. We go through same crap everyone else does, and we
want people to have that in mind when they listen to it.
Last month you were robbed
and had quite a bit of money stolen. How are you guys recovering from that?
Still recovering. It's just money, but bands are always racking up bills,
and when you take a hit like that it really makes things difficult to pay
the bills. God provides, and we're still trucking along, but that was a
really bad day.
How did you hook up with
Ferret Records?
They were our first choice in labels, so the first demo that got shipped was
to them. They responded with interest and them our managers made things
happen. Lucky us. Ferret rules.
How do you feel the band
has grown since first releasing .... I Believe in Humility back in 2005?
We're a completely different band now. I'm a different drummer, song writer,
and musician. We have a style and sound that we write towards. Back then we
just wrote part by part at random and whatever happened stuck. Now we sort
of know what we're doing and we're pursuing that head on.
You’re about to hit the
road with Poison the Well for almost two weeks. Stoked to be touring with
those guys?
Poison the Well are a good part of why we're here.
What are your plans for
after that tour?
Working on the next record. Then a month of headlining with some friends yet
to be announced. Then Unearth, Protest the Hero, and Whitechapel in October.
What was it like working on
the video for The Fear In Your Eyes?
I was in the desert playing drums for seven hours in a Beloved hoody. It's a
workout program I recommend to anyone wanting to lose some weight.
If you could play a show
with any three artists, past or present, who would they be?
Thrice, The Dillinger Escape Plan, and Beloved.
Who did the artwork for The
Life I Know?
Portland at Sons of Nero. His idea for the concept too. Mad props to him for
coming up with something we all could agree on.
What are your thoughts
about downloading music?
Everyone does it. We just want people to get the record. I never came into
this with the priority of making a ton of money.
What made you decide to
name the band after a character in the Spider Man comics?
We liked the sound of the name. That's really about all there is to that.
Can you tell us a bit about
how your faith ties in with your music?
I play because I love to, and because I want to affect kids in a positive
way. I want kids to see that there's more to life than living asleep.
And I want kids to see something genuine in us.
That’s all. Any last words
for the fans and readers?
Come out to a show and say hi. Go pick up the record and let us know what
you think. Look out for a tour to come through soon.