Interview by Matthew Marino

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Hi guys, thanks for taking the time to do this interview. I'm sorry we couldn't talk in person, maybe next time I'll have the equipment for it. Anyway, I wanted to start by asking what's it like to be the biggest band out of Stratford?

Well Stratford isn't to big so it wasn't to hard. I made my home in Burlington around 5 years ago, and Burlington is a much harder place to become the "biggest band".


So I hear you guys are gearing up for a Canadian tour this November?

Yup Nov. 6 it starts in Montreal. Basically we wanted to go out right away and tour. The record isn't out till January or February but we thought we'd jump start the fun.


Why are you skipping over Toronto? Don't you like us (ha ha)?

Well, we'd like to Toronto properly, you know hit it when we have our new record out.


Any plans to tour outside of Ontario and Canada in the near future?

1 full year of US, Canada and Europe starting in February!


For awhile there, back in 2001, the band had deep ties to Grade. Would you care to discuss what was going on back then?

Well I replaced my good friend Greg Taylor in Grade. I played for over 3 years with them. Kent filled in on some tours as well as Mike and Drew. It was a great experience but there comes a time when you have to do your own thing. We also felt we had gained so much experience (bad and good) from Grade that we felt confident we could do it on our own.


Has the connection with Grade influenced you in any way? Musically or otherwise?

Not necessarily musically but personally. I discovered what it takes to make it in this business. I write the same way in Somehow Hollow as I did in Grade. I also wrote in Grade the same way I wrote in Trunk, so I never changed. I have discovered that a smile and a good attitude can go a long way though.


You're now signed to Victory Records, a very well known label, other than increased exposure, what does this mean to Somehow Hollow? Had you always planned on being signed to Victory?

Not really. Were such good friends with those guys that it was obviously the right choice. It also doesn't hurt that they are one of the biggest indies in the world too. It will be great to be able to solely concentrate on music and let the label do what they do best.


For your new upcoming album, whose music has influenced you the most?

Everything from skate punk to rock ballads, and old time rock to metal. It's sound cliché but we think we've created something fairly original this time around.

I've heard a couple of your older songs, "Beside You" and "Cities Sinking", and they are both very melodic with great vocal hooks, but are also very driving, bordering on punk. How would you classify your style?

Well, I guess I'd say sorta dark and sorta happy. I mean we all love punk. Actually I would have said we were a punk band but our producer Justin doesn't seem to think so. Put it this way the new stuff is different from the old stuff.


How does the band go about songwriting? Is there one main writer, or does everyone contribute equally to the music?

Everyone has a say. Mike writes all the words though. Me and Kent have become really good at playing off of each other as guitar players so writing is very easy and very enjoyable.


I know the album is due out sometime in 2003, do you have a solid release date in mind?

I've heard end of Jan. but my guess is Feb. 11 2003, based on a secret source.


You all have the same tattoo of a crown and the words "Heirs to the Throne". What does that tattoo signify to you?

That no matter what, we stick by each other. These guys have been my family for so many years that we all wanted to express it somehow. We got them in Austin TX while we were on tour with Good Riddance. "Heirs to the throne" means we always want to push ourselves to the next level. I won't let these guys give anything but 100%.


What bands are you listening to these days?

I'm listening to... Modest Mouse, Satanic Surfers, Lagwagon, Jawbreaker, Knapsack, Drowningman, At the drive in and Apocolypse Hoboken.


If you could put together a touring package that included Somehow Hollow, what 3 bands would you put on it, and why?

Jersey-because they are our best friends

Always outnumbered-because they are wicked people

Britney spears-because we need a massive headliner so that the beer never runs dry!!


In your opinion, who is the worst musical offender out there today? To make it tough, I'll say that you have to choose a band, and not just some obvious teeny-pop singer/group.

I don't know if I can mention a band. I definitely have some in mind but I'm not at liberty to say. I'd say any kid who starts a band with the sole goal to get a manager, record label and booking agent, etc, etc and not form a band for the love of the music. Kids need to concentrate more on songs and how they make you feel and not your next promo video shoot.


Thanks for taking the time to do this interview guys! I'll leave you with the last words; is there anything else you'd like to say to the readers at MusicEmissions?

Check out our new record when it comes out in Feb. "Busted Wings and Rusted Halos".

Thanks for the support, we'll see you all soon.

Brad

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