tremulant25
07-31-2007, 01:25 AM
Random interview I found on Myspace:
Ian: Hey Tommy, last Fall BTBAM did the Radio Rebellion Tour with Norma Jean, Fear Before The March of Flames, and Misery Signals. How did the tour go and how were the crowds?
Tommy: That tour was amazing, great crowds every night. We couldn't believe the energy in every city, it's nice to see.
Ian: What are the significant happenings w/ BTBAM at the current moment?
Tommy: We are writing a new record at the moment and we are going in the studio in the beginning of May. It's going to be an amazing experience....we are recording with Jamie King (he did our first record and our cover record).
Ian: Earlier last year, you released the all covers album entitled "The Anatomy Of". Why was there a decision to record this album and how have the reactions been? Would you say a lot of people were surprised with the variation of groups you decided to cover songs by (Metallica, Pink Floyd, Smashing Pumpkins, Blind Melon,etc.)?
Tommy: Victory suggested the idea of the cover record and we just thought it would be an amazing outlet for us....it was so much fun recording that record. We just wanted to really show that all music has influenced us rather than just metal. I really think it helped our fans see that we are very interested in moving forward with even more styles than we have in the past. The reaction has been way better than we would have ever thought. We honestly thought people were going to think the record was too mellow, but it seems like everyone is treating it like another BTBAM record.
Ian: When the band enters the studio to record, how does the song writing process develop? Do you guys already have a pre-determined idea of what you want the songs to sound like or is it that the songs turn out in the form of your current musical tastes/influences? Also, the level of technicality and superior musicianship is always seeming to be present within the band. Do you guys purposely try to write insanely technical songs with all sorts of odd timings or once again is that just how the songs turn out as an end product?
Tommy: We always write our record before we go in the studio. When we write, we just write. We don't try to do anything that's not natural....our songs sometimes seem all over the place as far as styles go, but that's just cause we all are influenced by so much music and we ALL write the material, not just one or two of us. We individually have our own form of writing and I think it just helps create very unique music.
Ian: Talk about the last BTBAM album, "Alaska". To me, that is one of the best metal albums I've heard in a long time. There are so many different types of songs with so many different things going on. I mean, there are hints of death metal, grindcore, thrash metal,hardcore, and even a few stoner rock riffs. What would you say were your musical influences at the time of writing /recording this album?
Tommy: That's so hard to think about, haha. We listen to it all....black metal, death metal, rock, bluegrass, classical, jazz,electronica....everything, and we're not afraid to show that....especially in the record we are writing right now.
Ian: What are some of your influences for lyrical topics/song titles? You have some interesting song titles like "Croakies And Boatshoes", "Roboturner", "Selkies: The Endless Obsession",etc.
Tommy: That's too hard...honestly just everyday life and ideas that pop in my head. A lot of singers get get a lot of their inspiration from reading, but I haven't picked up a book in probably 10 years or so, haha. I just try to create a unique picture with my lyrics, something that compliments the music very well.
Ian: How did you guys end up inking a deal with Victory Records? It still is surprising to me considering the fact that BTBAM is much more brutal and more insane than any of the other bands on the Victory Roster.
Tommy: When we were looking for labels, they were the only label that were looking in the same direction as us. We just felt we would really stand out on a label like that rather than just a typical metal band. It's kind of fun being the odd band out.
Ian: Last year, the second BTBAM album, "The Silent Circus", was re-issued. Why was there a decision to re-issue this album and can you talk about the album and what it means to you as far as the progression of the band?
Tommy: That was all Victory, we didn't want to re-release it unless we remixed it....but they weren't into that idea. I still really like that record, I think it really shows our chaotic side. It's a very intense listen. I never really realized it at the time, but looking back those were some grinding songs.
Ian: After you guys finished the Radio Rebellion Tour, you went over to the UK to do some more touring. Were you guys pretty stoked to get over there and play some shows? What are touring plans for the future, perhaps a headlining tour sometime this year?
Tommy: That tour was really fun....it was our first time overseas, so it was really nice to see what kind of reaction we get from people over there. It still amazes me that there are people across the ocean that have heard the band I'm in. I just wish it didn't rain so much over there, haha. We are going to probably headline this summer, we didn't want to do all the bullshit fests. We just want to do our own thing and have a kick ass tour for our fans to see.
Ian: How is the scene in your home state of North Carolina? Do you guys have a pretty extensive fanbase and are the turnouts for your hometown shows pretty good? Are there any up and coming bands from the area that you'd like to mention?
Tommy: Shows are amazing there....so much energy and support. We've always had the best fans in NC. Go buy Codeseven, that's what you need from NC.
Ian: What are some of the albums that you guys have been listening to as of lately?
Tommy: I'm listening to Air right now....one of my all time favorite bands. I hope to create music like them one day. They really show how minimilism can be so comforting.
Ian: Ok Tommy, that's it from me dude. You can take it from here. Any last words or comments?
Tommy: Thanks to anyone who digs our songs....it means a lot to us all. Come out to our shows and hang out with us. Thanks for the interview, take care.
Ian: Hey Tommy, last Fall BTBAM did the Radio Rebellion Tour with Norma Jean, Fear Before The March of Flames, and Misery Signals. How did the tour go and how were the crowds?
Tommy: That tour was amazing, great crowds every night. We couldn't believe the energy in every city, it's nice to see.
Ian: What are the significant happenings w/ BTBAM at the current moment?
Tommy: We are writing a new record at the moment and we are going in the studio in the beginning of May. It's going to be an amazing experience....we are recording with Jamie King (he did our first record and our cover record).
Ian: Earlier last year, you released the all covers album entitled "The Anatomy Of". Why was there a decision to record this album and how have the reactions been? Would you say a lot of people were surprised with the variation of groups you decided to cover songs by (Metallica, Pink Floyd, Smashing Pumpkins, Blind Melon,etc.)?
Tommy: Victory suggested the idea of the cover record and we just thought it would be an amazing outlet for us....it was so much fun recording that record. We just wanted to really show that all music has influenced us rather than just metal. I really think it helped our fans see that we are very interested in moving forward with even more styles than we have in the past. The reaction has been way better than we would have ever thought. We honestly thought people were going to think the record was too mellow, but it seems like everyone is treating it like another BTBAM record.
Ian: When the band enters the studio to record, how does the song writing process develop? Do you guys already have a pre-determined idea of what you want the songs to sound like or is it that the songs turn out in the form of your current musical tastes/influences? Also, the level of technicality and superior musicianship is always seeming to be present within the band. Do you guys purposely try to write insanely technical songs with all sorts of odd timings or once again is that just how the songs turn out as an end product?
Tommy: We always write our record before we go in the studio. When we write, we just write. We don't try to do anything that's not natural....our songs sometimes seem all over the place as far as styles go, but that's just cause we all are influenced by so much music and we ALL write the material, not just one or two of us. We individually have our own form of writing and I think it just helps create very unique music.
Ian: Talk about the last BTBAM album, "Alaska". To me, that is one of the best metal albums I've heard in a long time. There are so many different types of songs with so many different things going on. I mean, there are hints of death metal, grindcore, thrash metal,hardcore, and even a few stoner rock riffs. What would you say were your musical influences at the time of writing /recording this album?
Tommy: That's so hard to think about, haha. We listen to it all....black metal, death metal, rock, bluegrass, classical, jazz,electronica....everything, and we're not afraid to show that....especially in the record we are writing right now.
Ian: What are some of your influences for lyrical topics/song titles? You have some interesting song titles like "Croakies And Boatshoes", "Roboturner", "Selkies: The Endless Obsession",etc.
Tommy: That's too hard...honestly just everyday life and ideas that pop in my head. A lot of singers get get a lot of their inspiration from reading, but I haven't picked up a book in probably 10 years or so, haha. I just try to create a unique picture with my lyrics, something that compliments the music very well.
Ian: How did you guys end up inking a deal with Victory Records? It still is surprising to me considering the fact that BTBAM is much more brutal and more insane than any of the other bands on the Victory Roster.
Tommy: When we were looking for labels, they were the only label that were looking in the same direction as us. We just felt we would really stand out on a label like that rather than just a typical metal band. It's kind of fun being the odd band out.
Ian: Last year, the second BTBAM album, "The Silent Circus", was re-issued. Why was there a decision to re-issue this album and can you talk about the album and what it means to you as far as the progression of the band?
Tommy: That was all Victory, we didn't want to re-release it unless we remixed it....but they weren't into that idea. I still really like that record, I think it really shows our chaotic side. It's a very intense listen. I never really realized it at the time, but looking back those were some grinding songs.
Ian: After you guys finished the Radio Rebellion Tour, you went over to the UK to do some more touring. Were you guys pretty stoked to get over there and play some shows? What are touring plans for the future, perhaps a headlining tour sometime this year?
Tommy: That tour was really fun....it was our first time overseas, so it was really nice to see what kind of reaction we get from people over there. It still amazes me that there are people across the ocean that have heard the band I'm in. I just wish it didn't rain so much over there, haha. We are going to probably headline this summer, we didn't want to do all the bullshit fests. We just want to do our own thing and have a kick ass tour for our fans to see.
Ian: How is the scene in your home state of North Carolina? Do you guys have a pretty extensive fanbase and are the turnouts for your hometown shows pretty good? Are there any up and coming bands from the area that you'd like to mention?
Tommy: Shows are amazing there....so much energy and support. We've always had the best fans in NC. Go buy Codeseven, that's what you need from NC.
Ian: What are some of the albums that you guys have been listening to as of lately?
Tommy: I'm listening to Air right now....one of my all time favorite bands. I hope to create music like them one day. They really show how minimilism can be so comforting.
Ian: Ok Tommy, that's it from me dude. You can take it from here. Any last words or comments?
Tommy: Thanks to anyone who digs our songs....it means a lot to us all. Come out to our shows and hang out with us. Thanks for the interview, take care.