Haste The Day have shared an official video for their new track “Burn.”
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Project 86 is an American Christian rock band from Orange County, California, formed in 1996. Frontman Andrew Schwab’s poetic and introspective lyrics have addressed a wide variety of topics such as conformity and emptiness. Their latest release, Wait for the Siren, was just released independently through a Kickstarter fund. We chatted with Andrew about his roots, lyrical messages, the music industry, and more.
For the record, what’s your name and what do you do in the band?
Andrew Schwab, vocals/songwriter/co-producer
Let’s talk about your roots. I’ve never been to California before. What’s it like there?
Great weather, too many people, too many people acting like they are important, lots of fun things to do!
What do you feel has contributed to your long career as a band? Bands like Haste The Day, Thrice, and Thursday have recently broken up, a band that had been at it for awhile.
It’s definitely hard to do music these days. It is getting harder, too. We owe the longevity to our fans, point blank. They treat us like we are family.
How would you guys say you’ve grown as a musician just from the time-span between your self-titled debut and Wait for The Siren?
Oh man…we were a different band completely back then! When we started we were a post-hardcore band, but now we are a rock band. I think we have grown infinitely since back then, and the sound has evolved, but the heart remains the same…we still want to make unique, intelligent, heavy music that is diverse and creative in lyrical approach.
When appealing to different sets of fan bases, new and old, young and old, what is the thought process when trying to write something that has an appeal to both, but also embodies what Project 86 is?
We don’t think too much about who we are going to appeal to when we are writing music. The approach has always been to make music we like first and foremost. If you worry too much about your audience you can start making music that isn’t honest or authentic.
Are there any songs you guys are most proud of? Like one of those kind of songs that ten years ago you never could have imagined being involved in creating it?
I think Fall, Goliath, Fall from the new album Wait for the Siren is one of the best things this band has ever written. Very proud of that jam.
What are some of the particular messages you tried to get across in the lyrical content of the new record? Are there any topics that you cover on Wait for The Siren that you haven’t in the past?
Great question. The overarching theme is that you can overcome any obstacle if you believe in your cause. There’s a line in the first song that says, “We fight not for the hate of a tyrant but for love of what is behind us.” I love the idea that heart can overcome talent, that the faith of an underdog can defeat a goliath. Another big theme is that heritage does not equal destiny. In other words, it doesn’t matter what kind of family you were born into, it matters what kind of family you make for yourself as an adult. We aren’t bound by our genetics, and even if we were born into less than fortunate circumstances, we can overcome them through character, heart, and belief.
What other bands do you see yourselves touring with in the future? What other bands do you guys recommend for your fans to check out?
We will be hitting the road with 12 Stones this October. You can check our website for details: www.project86.com. We will have to see about future tours. We have played shows in the past with August Burns Red, Haste the Day, Linkin Park, Blindside, 30 Seconds to Mars, Sevendust, and POD. Bands to check out? Good question. I would start with this little band called The Black Keys. They are awesome. And Maybe the new Fiona Apple record.
The music industry has changed significantly since you guys started out. What advice would you give upcoming bands— musically and business-wise?
Get a real job. Ha. No really, it’s very difficult to even make a living playing music today. I would say the only hope is to make unique music that doesn’t sound like everyone else. Be yourself.
Any last words for the fans?
Love you guys. Thanks for the love and support for Wait for the Siren.
Solid State Records is pleased to announce the addition of surging Texas metal buzz band FIT FOR A KING to its growing roster of trendsetting acts.
The hotly tipped metalcore band has been elbowing its way onto the national scene as a full-time touring outfit, cultivating fans at an alarming clip with a crushingly heavy, artful take on the genre that gives subtle tips of the hat to bands as diverse as THE ACACIA STRAIN, CIRCA SURVIVE and LINKIN PARK. The band’s passionate music, coupled with an explosive live show, has made FIT FOR A KING a sensation in the independent music scene, as evidenced by the 600,000+ fans who viewed their debut video on YouTube.
To tide over that army of devotees until their Solid State debut is ready for release, FIT FOR A KING are unveiling a new video today for fan favorite track “Descendants.” Shot primarily in an Oklahoma City venue while the band was on tour with ICE NINE KILLS, the video captures FIT FOR A KING in all of their raging, kinetic glory.
“‘Descendants’ is a good introduction to FFAK because it’s energetic and in your face. It is one of our heaviest songs but it has a lot of groove,” explains guitarist Justin Hamra. “We shot most of the video during the show, and then worked until about 2 am getting single shots, and then had a 12 hour drive the following day to make it to the next show in Tennessee.” All in a day’s work for one of the underground metal scene’s most buzzing bands.
Watch the ‘Descendants’ Video’ Now:
After a few years of relentless DIY touring and one well-received, independently released album, FIT FOR A KING are finally reaping the benefits of their hard work. In September, the band will head into the studio with esteemed producer Andreas Magnusson (OH, SLEEPER, HASTE THE DAY, BLACK DAHLIA MURDER) to record its debut album, due out in early 2013 on Solid State Records. It is at once the fulfillment of a longtime dream for FIT FOR A KING, and just the first step in what is sure to sure to be an incredible journey for a band with massive potential.
“Words cannot even express how excited we are to join the Solid State family,” Hamra says. “We grew up listening to Solid State bands and we always talked about being on the label and how amazing it would be. And for it to actually happen is one the best feelings we’ve had as a band.”
“For us to be signed to this label is a massive step for this band,” he adds. “We’ve been waiting and holding off on labels for so long until we felt we had the right one. Our mission is just to work hard and put out music that we are proud of and that people want to listen to. We know we are all sent by God to do what we are doing in this band and we want to do our best to make every effort to be the best we can be.”
Every Time I Die are keeping busy these days; they put out a new record, Ex-Lives (which sold nearly 14,300 copies in its first week, landing them at #20 on the Billboard 200) finished up a headliner with Stray From The Path, and now are direct support for The Devil Wears Prada. I had the chance to chat with Andy about their new video, Revival Mode, Warped Tour and his opinion on the current music scene.
You just put out a video for Revival Mode; was the guy in the wheelchair inspired by Breaking Bad or is there another story behind the video?
To be honest, I have no idea. This dude hit us up and wanted to do a video where Keith, Jordan and legs were killers and Steve and I were victims. That’s pretty much all I got from it.
I saw your recent interview where you defended Sonny Moore (aka Skrillex); any chance you’d ever collaborate with him?
I’m not sure. Dudes voice is cool, but I’m not a big fan of dusted. So I’d rather him sing on something, and then cut it up. He’s a good dude though
When I interviewed Tom from Stray From The Path; he told me he saw you guys playing a garage when he was growing up and now you’re touring together. It’s crazy how things come full circle.
Yeah, he was kind of blowing my mind on that tour. He’s been around a long time to. I had no clue they liked the band, I was really into Stray and then we played a fest in Michigan together and kind of jerked each other off there!
How does feel to be playing Warped Tour again this year? Are you gonna write a blog about generic, autotuned bands like Keith did in 2010?
I don’t think I really have to with how saturated the world is with dog shit. I’m more concerned with slaying mother fuckers sonically. I’ll probably talk shit here and there though.
Speaking of, what is your opinion on the current state of the music scene?
To be honest, there are REAL bands on the rise. letlive, Stray From The Path, The Ghost Inside, Balance and Composure, Title Fight and then the current hardcore scene is stronger than ever with bands like Cruel Hand, Bitter End, Terror, Trapped Under Ice, Alpha and Omega and such. Then metal has Black Breath, which are making metal real again, cause that scene is about as watered down as ever, but Black Breath are the real fucking deal.
What do you feel has contributed to your long career as a band? Bands like Haste The Day, Thrice, and Thursday have recently broken up, bands that had been at it for a while.
I think it’s because we never let the major label world get involved. We never gave a fuck about anything but slaying, dicing, pulverizing, and decimating ear drums. A lot of bands get caught up in bullshit business and forget about being a band of dudes.
When appealing to different sets of fan bases, new and old, young and old, what is the thought process when trying to write something that has an appeal to both, but also embodies what ETID is?
We just play. Honestly, we get up and play. No thought goes into who is coming to see us.
You’ve been in this band since 1998 — there have definitely been some hard times along the way; have you ever considered quitting the band, and if so, what things encouraged you to stick with it?
There’s been a lot of hard times, but I’m no quitter and when I have thought it might be time to hang it up, I have a great band of guys that make it easy not to. I surround myself with the best band on the planet.
The music industry has changed significantly since you guys started out. What advice would you give upcoming bands— musically and business-wise?
Just remember why you started riffing. It wasn’t to open for Metallica or make a million dollars and if it is what you’re in it for, then I hope you get electrocuted plugging your laptop and Pro-Tools rig in on stage.
Musically and lyrically, what are some of the personal things that had an effect on the outcome of this new record? How does Ex-Lives reflect the sound or message?
Coffee, I drank coffee for the first time ever while writing and recording this record.
What are some of the particular messages you tried to get across in the lyrical content of this record?
Riffer madness
Last question: What are one book and one band that you’d recommend to anyone that listens to your band?
Spray Paint The Walls. It’s a book about Black Flag that’s done by every person involved, not just Henry Rollins. Balance and Composure; they’re the best band out now.
On September 13, Solid State will release the CD/DVD, Haste the Day vs. Haste the Day. The collection will be the final release from the Indianapolis band. More info is coming very soon, but until then, take an exclusive look at the album’s cover art!