Sworn In - April 2015 - HM Magazine

APRIL 2015 MUSIC FOR GOOD

SHATTERED SUN AMETHYST THE RELAPSE SYMPHONY TO WRITE LOVE ON HER ARMS

DEAD SARA CANCER BATS AND SUMMER MOON FIRE UP AUSTIN

LIVE REPORTS FROM SXSW AND SBSW Over 30 pages of photos featuring

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NORMA JEAN THE COLOR MORALE DOWN AND OUTLAWS SILENT PLANET AND MORE!

XXX YEARS SINCE 1985

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OPENING STATEMENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR 8

SHATTERED DREAMS: SHATTERED SUN 10

DIGITAL TOUR BUS: YOUR NOT TOP-TEN MOMENT 14

COLUMNS 18

MOVIES: TO WRITE LOVE ON HER ARMS 20

HM LIVE: SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST HM MAGAZINE HEADS TO AUSTIN! WE RETURN WITH SOME OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PHOTOS. OH, AND SALT LICK BARBECUE

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AN ANNUAL TREK TO SPRING’S UNOFFICIAL KICKOFF, WE SPEND THREE DAYS IN THE RAIN (AND SHINE, LIKE, ONCE) FOR ONE OF THE BIGGEST CROWDS YET

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REVERBNATION NEW ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: AMETHYST 54

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HM • APRIL 2015

Photo by Matthew Defeo

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OPENING STATEMENTS

HOTEL BOOKS Cam Smith, frontman and brainchild of the spoken word-based band Hotel Books, and his band’s sophomore release has made Smith’s honest lyricism and inner turmoil a very public fight

BY SARAH DOS SANTOS

p. 56

FULL DEVIL JACKET Do you believe in second chances? After what’s happened to Full Devil Jacket frontman Josh Brown, you might start believing the impossible

BY DAVID STAGG

p. 62

SWORN IN More than just two sides to one album, vocalist Tyler Dennen’s new lyrical journey and their band’s extremely heavy album The Lovers / The Devil are ready to consume — if you can handle it

BY JORDAN GONZALEZ

p. 70

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HM • APRIL 2015

7

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OPENING STATEMENTS

In Dire Straits For me, it was “Walk of Life,”

it felt better to be drunk than sober. That’s where I found

the 1985 hit by British rock

myself, watching late-night baseball on the MLB Network

band Dire Straits. The track

in a closet-sized home office, hammered, watching the only

peaked at No. 7 in the U.S.

thing that would remind me other people could actually bear

(No. 2 in the U.K.), and among

going outside for extended periods of time.

other hits like “Money for

For a number of people, writing is cathartic. For some

Nothing,” “Sultans of Swing”

ungodly reason, an alarming number of my friends like to

and “Brothers in Arms,” it was

go running when they get anxious. When those moments

their most successful, at least

hit, some don’t handle it as conventionally as others. I’ve

from a commercial perspec-

seen people dance. Someone I know will pace, tracing the

tive. When I heard it this particular time, I was sitting in my

path hundreds of times, imagining a worn down path in the

home office. I had started working for myself three months

woods among leaves and can’t stop until he or she can handle

before that, the perfect length of time for me to get anxious.

being at rest again.

I was using the same desk I use today, but I was stationed in

Wendy’s, the fast-food chain, was targeting my demo-

a room more suitable for a closet in the house we were rent-

graphic at the time. They were introducing a new burger

ing. I was successful, but always painfully drunk. I saw no

or something and their goal was to associate my nostalgic

benefit in purpose, so it led to a large watering hole where

memories of youthful days playing baseball with the consumption of hamburgers and hot dogs it brings; however, I would be purchasing their new product in lieu of whatever burger I was fed after a baseball game. (And Big Red. Always Big Red.) To nail it home, they chose the Mark Knopflerpenned, unmistakable sounds of “Walk of Life” to boost their pitch. It totally works, too. The main theme, played by

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

the happiest-sounding organ, is a cultural cornerstone, and

DAVID STAGG

it even kind of sounds like the organs you’d hear in stadiums

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before the modern era. Pretty soon, you’re wondering if all those years growing up, that was the song you were actually hearing. Their commercial came on because I’m watching a baseball game on a specialty channel past bed time, so the

STAFF WRITERS DIGITAL TOUR BUS COLUMNIST CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

SARAH DOS SANTOS,

ad placement for the demo makes sense. But for whatever

JORDAN GONZALEZ

reason, when I heard it this time, it immediately calmed my

JOSH WEIDLING

insides. I may have been drunk, but I was drunk because I

MATT FRANCIS

couldn’t go to sleep and it was the fastest way. For years at

SEAN HUNCHERICK, JUSTIN

that point, I couldn’t sleep without help killing the anxiety.

MABEE, GARRETT HOLLOWELL, BEN RICKABY

As someone who has experience debilitating anxiety, the people that know about these sorts of things call it your “safe place.” It’s not a physical place; by design, it’s a mental

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that place, you can overcome situational anxiety. For me,

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that song triggered a nostalgic response that calmed me

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through memories I could experience in a way mentally

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HM • APRIL 2015

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SHATTERED SUN

SHATTERED

DREAMS

Texas metalheads with dreams of shredding and glory? Shattered Sun can wake up now.

It’s happening. HM’s Ben Rickaby gets with vocalist Marcos Leal to talk about the important things in life: Texas and barbecue

10

HM • APRIL 2015

S

Why don’t we start off with a little background about the band?

We’re

Shattered

Sun

from south Texas. Alice, Texas to be exact. It’s about a

30-minute

drive

from

Corpus Christi. We’re six guys who have been jamming together since we were 13, doing the whole cover band thing coming up. So it’s all been a dream come true these last couple of months.

How did you guys get hooked up with Victory Records?

It started out through management. We had been looking for a label for awhile, and we had been talking to a few. Victory was the one we were always interested in, and they were interested in us. So at the end of the day, we wanted to go with the label that truly believes in us and believes in the project and what we’re trying to do. As soon as we got hooked up with them, then everything started to happen. I have to attribute a lot of it to Johnny Z, Chuck Billy and Maria Ferrero. They’re the ones who got this deal pushed through.

This is your first record.

How was the writing process, and how did your time in the studio go?

It was long (laughs).

It was a long process and we really wanted to put a lot of time and effort into this album. We started recording this before we had management and before Victory was even in the picture. From day one, we knew when we wrote this album that, not only did we want to attract the major labels, but we

11

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SHATTERED SUN

also wanted to appeal to a

So we wanted to kind

wider audience and not just

of take that approach. We

strictly heavy metal fans.

wanted to write great songs.

But, yeah, it was awe-

We aren’t the most tech-

some. The experience in

nical band, and we aren’t

the studio was fun. We got

trying to write sell-out

to record with a guy from

choruses. We just wanted to

Corpus Christi, TX named

write great songs that would

Robert Beltran. He’s been

be timeless. So we mixed

with us for three or four

in a lot of those old-school

years already. It’s pretty

elements with the bands

huge, and it’s always great

that we grew up listening

working with friends.

to like Korn, Slipknot and Machine Head. Those bands

Did you guys bring in

really influenced us a lot,

material you had writ-

and they changed the game.

ten previously or did you

That was what we were try-

write everything while

ing to do as well.

you were in the studio?

Everything was new. We

Yeah I’ve listened to the

started from scratch. Our

album a couple times and

Confessions,

I noticed it has more of a

was something we were

classic metal sound than

proud of. Once we were

most of the post hardcore

finished,

bands that are out there

previous

EP,

though,

those

tour cycles weren’t really satisfied musically, and

now.

Yeah man, thanks.

we weren’t really satisfied with what we were putting

are

some

the

themes you touch on with

potential, so we went into

the record?

the studio with the agen-

One of the things that

da to make a better album

has always been a huge pet

and to be a better band. We

peeve of mine, ever since

wanted to try and appeal to

I was younger, is that just

a broader audience then we

because you scream, peo-

had before.

ple

think

in each other. We still can

excited for fans to hear or

you’re summoning Satan

believe in ourselves, and

are particularly proud of?

did

or something. I always

at the end of the day, that’s

you guys have when you

thought it was so stupid.

really all we have. Every

ed

wrote the new record and

But this album, in par-

song is a different story

“Burning Regrets.” That’s

with your new sound?

ticular, I really wanted to

that ties into that theme.

a very personal song. It’s

What

influences

automatically

Yeah. I’m super excitfor

people

to

hear

Oh man, there are so

empower people with the

It’s something I’m very

all about one of the big-

many. When we went into

lyrics, and I really wanted

proud of. Like, “Ultimatum”

gest regrets of my life. My

the studio, one of the first

to put out a positive mes-

is about how people rise

grandmother

things that popped into

sage. What I was trying to

up from when people are

nosed with cancer. Most

our heads — we brought

go for was — the title of

kicking you when you’re

people, when something

up on old-school music

the album is called Hope

down. Coming from Alice,

like that happens, tend to

like

Pantera,

Within Hatred — about hav-

people always told us we’re

get closer to their family.

Megadeth, bands like that

ing hope within humani-

never going to make it out

With me, it kind of sent

— and the one thing we

ty and having hope within

of Alice, Texas. You’re never

me in the wrong direc-

said all those bands had,

people. It’s stupid to think

going to be able to follow

tion. It pushed me down

aside from all their amaz-

you can get past the nega-

your dreams.

the wrong path, and I dis-

ing talents, was that they

tivity in this world, but one

just

thing people seem to forget

Are there any songs on

family. I lost my grand-

is that we still can believe

the record in that you’re

mother. It’s always been

Metallica,

wrote

great

Songs that last.

12

What

out. We knew we had better

HM • APRIL 2015

songs.

was

diag-

tanced myself from my

“ONE THING PEOPLE SEEM TO FORGET IS THAT WE STILL CAN BELIEVE IN EACH OTHER. WE STILL CAN BELIEVE IN OURSELVES.”

and influences, and I would love to tour with them. It’s always been a dream of mine, and — I don’t know if it’ll ever happen or not — but I’ve always wanted to play at least one show with Metallica. Johnny Z is our manager, and all that history between them? It would be awesome if he were ever to make that happen, though it would probably be years down the road. It’s always been a dream of mine.

Let’s talk barbecue.

Yeah!

I saw you guys have barbecue at you’re shows sometimes.

Yeah! It’s not something we do at shows too much.

It’s

mostly

just

special

occasions that we’ll do that.

Barbecue is a big thing for us. It’s a family tradition kind of thing. You know, Sunday afternoons, football games, the whole family is around so of course you cook up some barbecue. It’s actually a funny story because the first time we met Chuck, Billy and one of the biggest regrets

can kind of resonate with

come true. That’s the only

Johnny Z, they flew to Texas

of my life, and that song

the meaning of that song.

way I can really put my fin-

to come meet us. So the

ger on it. I’m thankful for

first thing we did for them

all the support we’ve had so

when they got here was we barbecued for them.

is an apology to my grandmother for not being there.

Let’s talk about your

So that’s a really special

upcoming

with

far from everyone here in

song for me.

Exodus and Testament.

Texas and around the world.

You excited?

Also “281.” It’s a pretty

tour

We genuinely appreciate it.

So, being from Texas,

simple message about com-

Fk yeah, man! It’s a dream

We set out to be a fan-ori-

I’m guessing you guys are

ing home, but the reason

come true for us, and, I say

ented band. That’s what

brisket guys.

it’s called “281” is because

it all the time, opportuni-

we’re about, and what we’ll

every time we come home

ties like this don’t come to

always be about.

from touring, we have to

bands like us from small

drive through San Antonio

towns. We’re going to take

and we have to hit a highway to get to our place in

sign, it’s a big sigh of relief

cues; the rest of the guys you’re

just sit around and eat it.

this opportunity, and we’re

going out on tour with

And I’m a huge brisket guy.

going to run with it.

Exodus

Alice. That highway is 281, and whenever we see that

Oh, yeah. To clarify, I’m mostly the one who barbe-

Sounds like you guys are taking off really fast.

So

now

that

and

Testament

I’ve perfected my craft at

are there any bands you

barbecuing after years and

want to hit the road with?

years. I’ve been barbecuing

Yeah, man. I’m a huge,

since I was a kid, so it’s

because it two hours and

Yeah, that’s what it feels

huge fan of Machine Head.

my second passion next to

we’re home. I think people

like. It feels like a dream

Robb Flynn is one of my idols

singing!

13

J

ON TOUR WITH DIGITALTOURBUS.COM

Your Not Top-Ten Moment Most of the time, especially when no one’s looking, we’re all awesome. Except when the lights come on and an otherwise well put together show immediately disintegrates into chaos. This month, Digital Tour Bus reports on exactly those times

THIS WILD LIFE FB.COM/THISWILDLIFE @THISWILDLIFE PHOTO BY ADAM ELKAMIAS

“I have no awareness of what’s around me while I’m on stage, so I tend to trip a lot. Specifically, the area directly behind me is the troublesome area. At a show on our last U.K. tour, I literally backed up off the stage and fell off. Surprisingly, we kept the song going, but my ego has never healed. I can’t remember the particular city or venue, but we were on tour with our buddy Rob Lynch from London. I’m sure next time we play there someone will remind me.”

— KEVIN JORDAN 14

HM • APRIL 2015

THE RELAPSE SYMPHONY FB.COM/THERELAPSESYMPHONY @RELAPSESYMPHONY “I remember it like it was yesterday, and I’ll probably never forget. To set the scene for you, we were at the House Of Blues in Chicago. We were on a little bit of a strange tour for us, (on a run) with Blood On The Dance Floor. It was also our first full-length tour as a band, and we were having a blast. Of course, we weren’t in the venue twenty minutes before being busted by security for having our own whiskey bottle in the dressing room. Fast forward to show time. There are about a thousand kids waiting to see a band take the stage. I’m already thrilled because of the awesome venue and the booze I snuck in my stomach. The fact that we were about to play to that many people was overwhelming. With my adrenaline skyrocketing, I bolted out onto the stage halfway through our intro, ready to rock that fcker to the ground. I snatched my mic and threw my foot up on the ego-riser (as usual) to start our first tune — only to find that the crotch of my favorite jeans had exploded. To add to the sheer embarrassment, guess who didn’t wear underwear that day? First song, first verse, there I was: in front of a thousand eager kids with no crotch left to my pants and nothing to cover what was underneath. I did my damnedest to make sure the crowd didn’t get more than they bargained for through the rest of our 30-minute set. A couple of songs later, I made a joke about the incident and My bandmates laughed — three out of four of them revealed to have torn-out crotches, too. Only — they were smart and wore undies.”

— BRET VON DEHL

15

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ON TOUR WITH DIGITALTOURBUS.COM

AS IT IS FB.COM/ASITISOFFICIAL @ASITISOFFICIAL “Rewind to February 2015 in Dessau, Germany. We were all getting ready to hit the stage to play a show on a coheadlining tour with Trophy Eyes. We were fortunate enough to have a lavish amount of alcohol with a not so lavish amount of self-restraint. We drank most of it. This resulted in a blurred line of communication when starting the set and an inability to follow or understand the count in. (Guitarist and vocalist) Ben wasn’t ready — our videographer was attaching a GoPro to his mic — but the count still went ahead and (our vocalist) Patty ended up starting a capella — with everyone else laughing. We had to start the set again. It was the height of professionalism.”

— PATRICK FOLEY

MERCIES FB.COM/MERCIESMUSIC @MERCIESMUSIC “Deep into our summer tour, back in 2012, we were playing a dive bar called Lion’s Lair in Denver, CO. The band playing before us was nearing the end of their set when some deranged guy stormed into the bar. There was a lot of commotion and confusion; so much so the band stopped playing and the bar went dead silent. Someone yelled, ‘He’s got a broken bottle!’ Instantly, another guy came forward holding a broomstick and shouting, “No fcking way, man! No fcking way.” After pinning 16

HM • APRIL 2015

the crazy dude up against the wall, the guy with the broom grabbed him by his puffy winter coat and dragged him out of the bar. Feathers were flying everywhere as people looked on, dumbstruck. Once the crazy guy was outside, the other guy with the broom just basically beat the crap out of him until the cops came. Needless to say, it didn’t put the crowd in the best of moods for us to then take the stage.”

— SAMMY DENT

J

COLUMNS

MY LIFE IN RECORDS

This is the video game soundtrack to your life

against a giant wizard. What a

ly from my parents’ Christian

beautiful, bizarre mixture of

adult contemporary and popu-

Hollywood, Chinese-lore and

list media. My poles of diver-

pre-Hogwarts Hogwarts. This

gence weren’t so far apart. I

all was fed through rough-

knew soft music, and, on the

Eight-bit video game logic

ly 20 platform screens, the

other hand, my understanding

— when you’re five — is like

loose-threaded narrative only

of “hard” music was Twisted

dream logic. It all somehow

serving to string an ongo-

Sister or the psychedelic boat

makes a bit more sense when

ing,

collec-

ride in Willy Wonka. Slowly,

you scrutinize it in a non-lu-

tion-based challenge, using the

you begin to pull into focus the

cid state. We’ve all been there,

sophisticated button-mashing

various genres that something

I’m sure. Last week, I had a

technique of a beat ’em up. The

as broad as “soft” or “hard” can

dream I went to a class taught

main opponent in the game,

contain. My first understand-

by my college broadcasting

the Green Yamo, particularly

ing of hard rock were those old

professor at an Olympic-sized

defies convention: a high-fly-

commercials for classic rock

indoor pool. Somehow, dreams

ing, acrobatic sumo wrestler.

radio that blasted the hooks

unfold in the real-time pres-

This all made the game strange,

from Foreigner or Def Leppard.

ent, but also in dream-time

beautiful and weirdly alluring.

You may hear the brutal blasts

through elaborate back-stories

A few years after I last played,

of death metal and think, in

— in some fourth dimension,

my mind had convoluted these

the pounding of double-kick

somewhere, providing expo-

surreal images (pixelated sumo

artillery and incomprehensible

sition and filling in narrative

men) in the fog of time and the

shrieking, this is truly as heavy

gaps, even if the patchwork is

expansive power of the imag-

as music can get. Teetering on

more of the absurd. That kind

ination to fill in the blanks,

the edge of static. Punk music

of logic. Games for the origi-

especially when pouring it into

falls somewhere among these

nal Atari or Commodore share

something I desperately want

extremes of “hard rock.” It

similar levels of logic, filled

to relive.

may have last been revolu-

BY MATT FRANCIS

Matt Francis is a filmmaker/media designer out of Virginia Beach and the drummer for Feral Conservatives, an indie rock band.

You can check out his website at mfrancisfilm.com.

with lazy genius and patchwork

One time, I tore through my

tionary in the ’70s, but to the

attic, hoping to reconnect with

uninitiated, the first strains of

My favorite game was Bruce

this old technology (outdated

a half-shouted “Emotion is my

Lee. The martial artist tran-

even when I was born), really

middle name” from MxPx can

scended his mortality as an

hoping to reconnect to my early

be just as explosive to a new ear

actor and had become an icon,

adolescence. It was my first

as Pete Townshend’s feedback

getting

game

attempt to capture a feeling or

was to others five decades ago.

devoted to the man as the

experience through a medium.

myth. Here, he battled a ninja

I was experiencing nostalgia.

artistry.

18

HM • APRIL 2015

side-scrolling,

a

namesake

And nothing brings you back to the past like video games,

and a green sumo wrestler (the

When I was young — or,

where the evolution of graphics

Yamo), collecting lanterns that

let’s say, new, my sphere of

and game mechanics can date

unlocked passages in an ancient

musical influence was a fairly

a game within a few months of

temple until he could face off

small bubble, drawing large-

its release. But those specif-

ic graphics and associated soundtrack

This was the sound

get so burned into those time peri-

of a revolution. Punk

ods, my sister and I, craving nostalgia,

rawk.

inevitably pull out a relic from high

deny

school: the original Xbox.

there.

I

couldn’t

it,

listening

Hearing

NOTHING BRINGS YOU BACK TO THE PAST LIKE VIDEO GAMES, WHERE GRAPHICS AND MECHANICS CAN DATE A GAME WITHIN A FEW MONTHS. BUT THOSE SPECIFIC GRAPHICS AND ASSOCIATED SOUNDTRACK GET SO BURNED INTO THOSE TIME PERIODS, MY SISTER AND I, CRAVING NOSTALGIA, PULL OUT A RELIC FROM HIGH SCHOOL: THE ORIGINAL XBOX.

it

By all accounts, it’s a cumbersome

shot me back to my

brick, the angular equivalent of a black

first exposure to the

cinder block. When I start it up, it

genre, when it was

strikes me that for a different genera-

fresh and powerful

tion this machine holds the very same

and was first to shat-

“retro” appeal as my generation holds

ter my preconceived notions of music,

in the garage without an air condi-

for the original Nintendo. The thing is

juggling with artistry the balance

tioner. This wasn’t about merits in

basically a computer, and it sounds like

between catchy and the heavy.

execution, it was about the blood

it’s overworked in every aspect, from

I was always placated by the

whirring to life to opening the tray to

repetitive gameplay of that snow-

scanning a scratched, 15-year old disc

boarding game, and — like a patient

I’m not sure academia can truly be

for a good 30 seconds before recog-

on a morphine drip — the classic

applied to punk music — as far as

nizing it’s playability. This time, I put

tunes that would always pipe in

I know, no accredited university can

in a favorite old timekiller of mine:

take me back to teenager-shirk-

make me a scholar — but in my life-

a snowboard game using the classic

ing-homework levels of letharg y.

long love of music, I’ve listened to

mechanics of the Tony Hawk series

The music was a mess of songs once

thousands of bands, from active torch-

with the ability to use your own songs

loved — some still loved, some fall-

bearers back through trailblazers. I’ve

stored on the Xbox’s hard disk as the

en out of favor or some receded back

read essential biographies; I’ve called

in-game soundtrack.

into the pool from which they first

mass reissues of records “must-owns”

Hearing the distorted, palm-muted

evolved. Effortlessly, the words and

(London Calling). I’ve debated Blink-

guitar under a nasal-toned, tune-fight-

melodies would always come back. I

182 versus MxPx.

ing singer, I’m hit with the immedi-

had a deep love for simple, mindless

But here, in a humble way, there

acy and aggression that overflows in

songs, and, as I’ve since worked my

was no gap between the Sex Pistols

punk music. It was carried by strained

way up some imaginary objective

and The Huntingtons. There wasn’t

vocal chords and overdriven guitars;

musical criticism ladder, I’ve still

precisely 25.7 years between the orig-

you could feel the soul of the person

held on to what drove my first love

inal Ramones lineup and Slick Shoes.

on the other end. With many lyrics

for music: speed and power. I actu-

There wasn’t true punk or faux punk

often leaving little to interpretation,

ally felt like any musical baggage

or distilled grit-laced pop elements

you heard them sing about it direct-

was lifted in those listening ses-

or NOFX or Value Pac or New York

ly, too. This was channeled through

sions — any notion of superiority

Dolls. This was the jumping-off point,

strings (always in standard tuning), a

dropped for a sense of clarity and

and the conviction of the present was

pickup (stock), distortion stomp boxes

appreciation. These were the songs

shining brighter than any measure of

(rat pedal), an amp (Peavey) and a mic

that first made you drive to Detroit

credibility. This was rock and roll. And

(SM57) all into a mixer and, finally,

on a school night to see them live or

sometimes, you turn it up and let it hit

through the speakers of my TV.

made you go to practice with friends

you like an eight-bit gut punch.

rolling down your wrist (as hearts on sleeves tend to bleed).

19

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MOVIES

TO WRITE LOVE ON HER ARMS

Movie adaptation keeps story’s rough edges in tact

BY DOUG VAN PELT To

Write

Love

on Her Arms (the

To Write Love on Her Arms Starring Kat Dennings and Chad Michael Murray S on y P ic t u r e s

20

HM • APRIL 2015

work, the charity still stands strong today.

movie) is a fantas-

Starting in on this

tic portrayal of the

movie version, kudos to

story of the ubiq-

Tworkowski for stick-

uitous

TWLOHA

ing his neck out there

charity, one of the

and allowing himself

most

in

to be portrayed in this

the United States.

movie as not a hero,

It’s hard to believe

but as a naïve, laid-

it captured many of

back, risk-taking and

our imaginations a

flawed human being.

little over a decade

One

ago as it started

Tworkowski introduc-

out.

ing Yohe to his fiancé

But

popular

with

scene

shows

the

at a big TWLOHA event,

movie, not only do

and it’s easy to squirm

we get the back-

watching Yohe learn,

ground on the girl

among

(Renee Yohe played

prise and disappoint-

by Kat Dennings),

ment,

obvious

sur-

Tworkowsk i

but also some insight into

already had a signifi-

some the flawed characters in

cant other.

the story. Jamie Tworkowski

McKenna was a good

— the founder of the real-life

Samaritan, a man will-

TWLOHA and also originally

ing to pay the price

penned the story about Renee’s

to help out Yohe just

life and how his friend (David

before

McKenna) reached out to help

bottom and decided to

her in one of her deepest times

enter rehab. While the

of need — was heroic in what

movie shows his loving

he did for Yohe: sharing a story,

and laid-back side (like drop-

courageous bit of honesty;

but being one of the first to

ping into a hot tub with all

it represents the tradition-

then make t-shirts to help out

his clothes on to immediately

al first step in getting help,

in practical ways for Renee and

relate to Yohe in her some-

one that is often the hardest

thousands — if not millions —

what depressed state), he is

to take. The overdose I have

of people struggling just like

also shown losing his temper

seen on happy endings has

she was. It was innovative then,

on the phone over a business

me screaming out for more

especially since this was before

deal gone bad and subsequently

authentic

GoFundMes and Movembers

relapsing into alcohol addic-

like these fly in the face of

and Ice Bucket Challenges, and

tion and losing the band he was

conventional narratives, but

was built on a firm foundation:

managing.

gut-level honesty is the back-

she

hit

rock

Tworkowski’s creative action

Yohe’s ability to ask for

was a catalyst for so much good

help when she needs it is a

storytelling;

bits

bone behind this whole story.

The movie is relatable, set

in the world in which our

movie. Like a Blue Like

are some great outtakes,

side a still-young faith-

generations live. Pedro the

Jazz, there’s some fun party

like when young Yohe is

based movie industry with

Lion,

Paper

scenes that convey some of

shown recovering from a

disdain, you’ll be glad to

Route and others find their

the numbing aspects of life

nightmare as a child, she

know

way into the background

in our modern world. It’s

asks her parents if Jesus

didn’t sand off the rough

of the story. It’s the same

heavy at times, but it never

kills monsters. Her dad

edges of this story, and does

world in which I live.

gets cheap. It’s fragile and

stops what he’s doing and

approach

gritty.

nervously offers fatherly

subject matter (like rape).

advice: “No,” he says. “He

No matter who markets this

tames them.”

film and no matter their

Switchfoot,

It’s not the best movie of our times, but it is suc-

On

the

DVD

there’s

the

moviemakers

uncomfortable

cessful in telling this story

some bonus footage, which

with unflinching close-ups

includes

deleted

For cynics who (under-

target market, I am very

and uncomfortable truths.

scenes, documentaries and

standably) treat anything

grateful they made this

In that sense, it’s a vital

character profiles. There

that gets marketed along-

film.

some

21

HM LIVE: SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST

SXSW

2015 Corporate? Not corporate? Who cares?

The SXSW party is as good as ever WORDS BY DAVID STAGG PHOTOS BY KYLE LEHMAN

W

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HM LIVE: SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST

One of the concerns heading South by Southwest 2015 was that of popularity. The super-famous and once-renown festival had seemed to have gotten “too big,” a realm where the people that made it cool, for whatever reason, decide it’s necessary to disassociate. It turns out the festivals solution would prove remarkably successful, at least on its first pass: They removed a number of big-name sponsors, sticking to a solid, core group, and left a lot more up to the individual businesses and festival-goers to dictate the ebb and flow of the conference. For the music portion, at least, there was barely ever a time when I “needed” my badge to get in to a bar to see a show. The official restrictions were no longer that of exclusion; rather, when my photographer (no badge) and I (badge) went to see Unlocking the Truth at Dirty Dog — located directly on 6th St., a street shut down at night by the city and one of the best streets to ever people watch — an “official” SXSW venue, and I got in free and my buddy paid five bucks.

And that was happening everywhere. Even venues at noon, doors open, were providing solid local charm and an awesome array of talent just in case you wanted to slip out of the conference and live like they do in Austin. As Robert Rodriguez once said, People don’t work to live in Austin; they live to work in Austin. Hard work, indeed. We will take it every day of the week.

Plus! Three bands who shined bright under the Austin, TX spotlight and what they’re up to next

Performance Standouts Cancer Bats stakes claim on Austin with no frills live show AN INTERVIEW WITH THE BAND BY DAVID STAGG Weirdest piercing?

Bassist Jaye R. Schwarzer: That

Schwarzer: I had my ears pierced at one time.

any of us have?

Vocalist Liam Cormier: I don’t think any of us are pierced.

What

happened?

Just,

over

time...?

Yeah, I guess!

What? None of y’all have anything pierced?

Guitarist Scott Middleton: No.

24

HM • APRIL 2015

I can’t believe none of y’all have anything pierced. Alright, how

SXSW 2015

Cancer Bats WHO THEY ARE

SOUND

Hardcore Punk WHY YOU CARE

Latest release, Searching for Zero, was produced by Ross Robinson; side project, Bat Sabbath, is a Black Sabbath cover band NEXT UP

European tour with While She Sleeps

J

HM LIVE: SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST

about coolest tattoo?

Schwarzer:

Probably

Mikey. He has that home-

do awesome work with

afraid they might do the

us from doing other things

extreme limitations.

nose all weird or some-

while we’ve been drinking.

thing.

Like, one-time Jaye was

Yeah, we do a lot of hand

made “DEATH BROS” tat-

poke

too.

done with needles.

Drummer Mike Peters:

Most

are

Who did that?

Jaye

did

it

going to, like, spray-paint

to go with somebody good.

the back of his jacket while he was wasted and I was

will

like, “Jaye! Think about

hand poke one, but it’s done

have done your research

this!” and pointed to it

by a real artist, not by one

beforehand. Unless you

(laughs). “Think about what

of us.

have a couple of bottles

you’re going to do! I don’t

of wine.

think it’s a good idea.”

while he was wasted.

26

Schwarzer: You just have

Peters (pointing to a portrait tattoo): This is also a

Death bros.

Cormier:

tattoos.

Hopefully,

you

Peters: We drank a bot-

I saw that one when you

Cormier: You each have

tle of wine and thought it

all were playing yester-

a bottle of wine and then

was a great idea.

day. I thought it was a

you go for it.

And he’s all, “You’re right!

You’re right” (laughs).

pretty sweet tattoo then.

Peters: The great part

It always is at the time,

I’m scared to get a por-

about the “death bros”

Searching for Zero. It just

right? In prisons, they can

trait done because I’m

tattoo is that it’s stopped

came out, right?

HM • APRIL 2015

Let’s

talk

about

SXSW 2015

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HM LIVE: SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST

Cormier: It just came

“WE DEFINITELY PRIDE OURSELVES ON BEING A GOOD LIVE BAND AND PUTTING ON A GOOD SHOW, SO WE WANT OUR ALBUM TO REPRESENT THAT.”

No matter how many albums you put out.

out.

Cormier: How has is been touring before the release and immediately

after

(Laughs)

It’s

like, okay, well, if we boil down those 20...

the So you actually do write

release?

Cormier: Well, it hasn’t

for a lot of the live show?

even been — it just came

Middleton: We definitely

out. I mean the shows that

pride ourselves on being a

we did, like, we played

good live band and putting

down in Detroit and kids

on a good show, so we want

were

to

our album to represent

new songs. Even yester-

that rather than trying to

day when we played new

represent “an album.”

singing

along

songs, there were some Well, some people write

guys singing along.

for that, you know?

There was some guy in

Cormier: Yeah. I think

the front who really loved

a studio can have its own

you guys. He was going

certain effect on writing,

Everybody

Peters: Probably the lon-

for it.

but the last two records

has their hand in it, for

gest time we’ve ever had to

we’ve written as if we were

sure.

spend on a record.

Schwarzer: That guy got (Laughs)

I

in

like a set list.

a

room

and

Cormier: At fifth record,

some-

it gets longer and there is

one will come up with an

more to consider. When

that people would know

So in the songwriting

idea. We will feed off each

you’re in the tight con-

the words to songs that

process, did you write

other. We’ve always been

straints of time, you some-

soon afterward, you know

them like that, top to bot-

like that. From day one.

times end up making a lot

what I mean? So, yeah, I’m

tom, or did you kind of

We’re all equally inspired.

of mistakes. Some of them

excited. In general, when

figure it out afterward?

Everyone’s

and

work out, some of them

contributing ideas, and it’s

don’t. Or there are songs

very diverse.

you just don’t play.

always think it’s crazy

writing

people will figure out the

Cormier: No, but when

words to songs is crazy,

we’re laying out the record,

but to know that they’ve

you’re like, it’s fun to put a

Cormier: There are no

done it that soon? They’re

thrash song after a slow

egos. If you’ve got an idea,

ed songs like crazy. We’d

psyched.

song or it’s fun to run two

we’re going to explore it

write it, we’d be cool with

fast songs together. Just

and see what we can come

it, we’d rip it apart again,

pacing it that way.

up with. When we did

come back and see if we

this record, we would try

could change it up, tons of

to write a new song every

refinement.

On all these talking points they gave me, they use pieces of your other

When you set out to

Peters:

We

dissect-

albums to describe your

write

was

day. We would record some

Cormier: Cutting songs

new album. How would

there any kind of goal in

ideas, demo it and next day

down in time. Making sure

you guys describe it?

mind?

the

album,

— new ideas, new ideas,

everything is to the point.

Cormier: I think it’s fair

Cormier: No, we definite-

new ideas. We would plow

Even “All Hail” is the short-

that it is a good mix of all

ly don’t do any writing on

through and soon we had

est on the record and it was

of our records fused into

the road, really. People, I

this pile of material. After

originally two minutes. We

one. We definitely look at

think, come up with riffs

a couple months, you can

were like, that’s too long.

all the songs we still play

ands stuff on tour, but it’s

listen back and tell which

We got it down to 1:30, and it

live all the time and how

mostly when we get into

ones were really the good

was perfect. We knew that’s

that makes for a great set

the practice space and real-

ones.

all it needed to be, a thrash

and what we love about

ly start working.

that and what our fans obviously are stoked on.

Everywhere we go, we get asked to play the same 20 songs.

28

Middleton: We all get

going to play them live,

me pumped!

Cormier:

Schwarzer:

HM • APRIL 2015

Who’s the main songwriter?

Cormier: Oh, we all do it.

For sure.

song, nothing more.

How long did you guys

Peters: We needed to

spend working on this

take a break from being on

record?

the road, so why not focus

Cormier: Probably five months.

on

making

records?

really

good

SXSW 2015

29

HM LIVE: SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST

Summer Moon WHO THEY ARE

SOUND

Indie WHY YOU CARE

Nikolai Fraiture, former member of The Strokes, joins forces with drummer Tennessee Thomas, Au Revoir Simone keyboardist Erika Spring and guitarist Lewis Lazar to start a new band; band plays Nylon’s SXSW SXStyle closing party NEXT UP

Sparse, but a confirmed Central Park Summer Stage appearance

SXSW 2015

J

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HM LIVE: SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST

HM • APRIL 2015

SXSW 2015

Dead Sara

WHO THEY ARE

SOUND

Rock and Roll WHY YOU CARE

Like, straight up, Led Zeppelin with a Texas country attitude rock and roll and you miss that; Grace Slick, Courtney Love approved NEXT UP

DEAD SARA PHOTOS BY GRAHAM GARDNER GRAHAMGARDNER.CO @GRAHAMGARDNER_

Back on tour after television talk show debut on Late Night with Seth Meyers 33

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HM • APRIL 2015

SXSW HM LIVE: SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST

2015

35

HM LIVE: SOUTH BY SO WHAT?!

SBSW 2015

One of the best metal fests of the year shines despite the drizzle WORDS BY DAVID STAGG PHOTOS BY MATTHEW DEFEO

Circa Survive

HM LIVE: SOUTH BY SO WHAT?!

SBSW 2015

Attila

J

HM LIVE: SOUTH BY SO WHAT?!

Beartooth

The Color Morale

40

HM • APRIL 2015

SBSW 2015 For Today

Fit for a King

41

HM LIVE: SOUTH BY SO WHAT?!

Memphis May Fire

SBSW 2015

J

HM LIVE: SOUTH BY SO WHAT?!

Close Your Eyes

Norma Jean

44

HM • APRIL 2015

SBSW 2015

Chiodos 45

HM LIVE: SOUTH BY SO WHAT?!

SBSW 2015

Enter Shikari

J

HM LIVE: SOUTH BY SO WHAT?!

Balance and Composure

48

HM • APRIL 2015

SBSW 2015

Vanna

J

HM LIVE: SOUTH BY SO WHAT?!

Silent Planet

La Dispute

50

HM • APRIL 2015

SBSW 2015

Stray from the Path

HM LIVE: SOUTH BY SO WHAT?!

Phinehas

SBSW 2015

J

REVERBNATION NEW ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

AMETHY

LE

54

HM • APRIL 2015

NOW FEATURING

YST

EWISVILLE, TX

NAMES

Until the new EP

Miles Croney (lead guitar),

comes out, we’ll have

Mason Croney (drums),

to go with three:

Lance Nerio (guitar),

“Wastelands,” “Silence” or

Chanc Deeter (vocals) and

“Dreamwalker.”

Dylan Woods (bass).

YOUR BEST TALENTS OTHER

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN

THAN MUSIC

TOGETHER?

Not letting anything get

Amethyst formed in August

out of control and keeping

2103. Mason and Miles

everything in perspective. I

were in another band and

can tell you we spend time

the musical direction just

going to sporting events

wasn’t feeling right. Miles

together, and we’re really

is the creative force behind

good at video games (big

the band and his writing

shocker)! More than any-

style wasn’t meshing with

thing else, we are social

the other members. They

creatures. We love inter-

were close friends with

acting with other bands

another Dallas area band

and fans.

that was beginning to also

IMMEDIATE PLANS

show some creative strains.

The first priority is fin-

As a result, we decided

ishing this EP. We’ve

to join forces and create

been working with Kevin

Amethyst.

Franklin from InDirections,

WHAT YOU CALL YOUR SOUND

and he is producing and

I think it’s hard to classify

recording our EP. We are

our style. Metalcore is the

eight months into this, and

best term to use, but we

we want to get it out by

don’t write in a specific

May. The second thing is

genre. We play what we

producing a second video

like and what we think will

off of Dreamwalker. We are

have the best impact on the

working on booking our

song. Our sound is always

summer tour and are trying

evolving. The end result is,

to get onto Warped Tour

no matter what mood you

this summer, as well. We

are in, there is something

love getting to play more

that speaks to you in our

than anything else and so

music.

we’ll be hitting the road as

PICK A SONG FOR US TO

much as possible after we

LISTEN TO

release Dreamwalker.

GET A HOLD OF AMETHYST FB.COM/AMETHYSTMETAL EMAIL: AMETHYSTMETAL1@GMAIL.COM

55

56

HM • APRIL 2015

HOTEL BOOKS, CHAPTER TWO ORIGINALLY THE BRAINCHILD AND SOLO VENTURE FOR CAM SMITH, A VOCALIST, SLAM-POET AND SPOKEN WORDSMITH, HE PUT TOGETHER A BAND FOR LIVE PERFORMANCES AND TURNED OUT A SUCCESSFUL DEBUT OFFERING, I’M ALMOST HAPPY HERE, BUT I NEVER FEEL AT HOME. NOW, BACK WITH RUN WILD, YOUNG BEAUTY, THE BAND IS POISED WITH EXPERIENCE AND CONTINUING TO CAPTIVATE AUDIENCES LIVE. SMITH TALKS WITH HM STAFF WRITER SARAH DOS SANTOS ABOUT HOTEL BOOKS’ PLACE IN THE UNIVERSE 57

58

HM • APRIL 2015

CAM SMITH HAD A COLD. HE TOLD ME WHEN HE CALLED ME HE HAD JUST TAKEN DAYQUIL AND FOR SOME REASON IT WAS MAKING HIM DROWSY. MEDICATION SEEMS TO HAVE A REVERSE EFFECT ON HIM SO HE WARNED ME I MIGHT RECEIVE UNFILTERED RESPONSES TO MY QUESTIONS. EXCELLENT. SMITH IS A VERY THOUGHT-PROVOKING AND INTELLIGENT MAN, CONSTANTLY ON THE VERGE OF BREAKING SELF-IMPOSED CHAINS HIS FEAR PUTS HIM IN. WHEN I REVIEWED HOTEL BOOKS’ NEW ALBUM, RUN WILD, YOUNG BEAUTY, I THOUGHT IT WAS SO VULNERABLE AND HONEST TO THE POINT OF DISCOMFORT, JUST LISTENING TO THE ALBUM; I SAY THIS IN A POSITIVE WAY. THE ALBUM DIGS DEEP INTO HIS VULNERABLE PLACES, THE ONES MOST PEOPLE DON’T DARE REVEAL. IT’S WHY I LIKED IT SO MUCH. AND THROUGH THIS INTERVIEW, I SAW HIS PICTURE COME MUCH CLEARER INTO FOCUS.

59

“THE COMMUNITY WE’VE BUILT MEANS THE WORLD TO ME. WE SHARE IN OUR VICTORIES AND STRUGGLES.” — CAM SMITH 60

HM • APRIL 2015

How have the challenges you

I just had this big conflict with

ken word, and it’s wrong to write

got. I guess I’ve been caught. I

faced along the way shaped

HB and almost wanted to stop

songs because you know it will

gave you all I got.” The song is to

your music?

doing it because it didn’t feel like

work out for you. It’s tempting

everyone who hates me and who

For me, writing is separated

I was being honest with those

to sell out and give people what

has been burned by me or some-

into two areas: writing poems

kids. I wanted to stop getting

they want. But the community

thing I did. I’m a passionate per-

for myself and writing poems for

attention.

we’ve built with HB means the

son, very guided by what I think

world to me. We share in our vic-

is best for HB and sometimes I

tories and struggles.

hurt people and make mistakes.

Hotel Books. I’ve been writing, in

With the new record, I feel like

general, my whole life; it’s a form

I’ve been more genuine and vul-

of journaling. Instead of writing

nerable. I revisited so many break

a diary of life events, I would

-ups in it and these songs really

How does your faith in God

“God, I’m sorry.” I’m a human

write about how the things that

seemed to help fans so I just kept

help you through these chal-

being, not a hero. I tried to make

happened to me felt.

writing them. I worked so much

lenges?

amends with the people I wrote

With this record I wanted to say,

Since junior high, my poetry

to get through these breakups

Part of what comes with being

touched on different things in

and now I’m just revisiting those

in a band is that you must have

my life, and it helped start my

girls. I thought, “What if I wrote

faith in something, whether

When it comes to people in my

music career. It made me real-

a song today as if the break up

you’re Christian or not. You can’t

life knowing about my past and

ize how God is using this thing

just happened, even if it was a

be in a band and not have faith.

listening to the album, they all

I enjoy for a purpose. Writing

year later?” Before, I felt empty

It takes faith to jump in a van,

know. It takes patience for them

these poems about deep issues

and hollow but now it’s like I still

drive six hours through city after

to know their stories are going

opens my heart, and every poem

have all I need. The people who

city and hope there’s a show. We

out there. They are the ones who

written comes from personal

listen to us have inspired me and

just bank on the fact that there

have made it possible and I can’t

experience.

carried me through these hard

will be a spiritual reward and

take credit for that. A girl’s break

times.

maybe even just one person to

up is now a published piece of

inspire me each night we play.

work… it takes ambition and

I always write in first person,

about and do the best I could at being sincere and honest.

even if it isn’t about me. In one

There’s even a song where I

of our songs, I lead into the story

apologize for being fixated on

by saying, “...and this is what she

the past. Maybe I needed to be

told me.” I can’t relate to that

broken and humbled by listeners.

Wild, Young Beauty and was

song. So instead of pretending I

I decided I would write things I’m

blown away by the atmosphere

What’s the most important

could, I became the mouthpiece

afraid to tell people about. Kids

the album put me in and how

thing you want fans to get out

for her as she expressed it. It’s all

don’t want to know there’s an

vulnerable they lyrics were.

of your music?

about things I feel I have a grip

answer. Dude, when I was 16, I

Was that difficult for you?

This is a call to run away from

on, from experiences of people I

got sick and tired of people tell-

Especially knowing your own

the agendas you’ve carried and

know and my own.

ing me what to do. I want them

family, friends and past rela-

run toward love. I think any

to know I’m going through the

tionships would hear it?

agenda we subscribe to is some-

What lessons did you learn

recently

reviewed

Run

She deserves just as much credit.

Yeah it definitely was. I think

thing we build in our head and

Now, thanks to the vulner-

the coolest thing my bandmates

I want to encourage people to

I think I wasted three years

ability and how our listeners

have ever allowed me to do is

choose love as their agenda. I

holding back when first writing

react to it, I find hope every day.

go forth with my sometimes

want people to know they are

for HB. I don’t mean it was a

I’ve embraced that God is alive

unorthodox

don’t

loved and not only that, you can

total waste, but I feel like I hav-

whenever we are in the highs and

always make sense or money.

love others. A lot of people have

en’t always been as honest, and I

the lows.

For the album, I wanted to end

been hurt and the hard times

from it?

same things, too.

courage for her, as it does for me.

I

ideas

that

wish I was. Kids would come up

I don’t want to tear apart my

it in a powerful way. I want it to

change them for the worst, but

to me at shows and say, “Hey, I

line of work, but I’ve been afraid

be epic and inspiring. The last

if you shift your focus on what

went through this and your song

to say this for four years. There

song screams, “I guess I’ve been

you need to do and just love, the

meant so much to me.”

is so much shock value with spo-

caught. I guess this is all I’ve

healing can begin.

61

DO YO SECON

FULL DEVIL JACKET MIGHT CHANGE ANYONE’S MIND

62

HM • APRIL 2015

OU BELIEVE IN ND CHANCES?

BY DAVID STAGG

63

Let me introduce you to a man who got a second lease on

he left, one of the other three remaining members, Michael

life. This man had a heroin overdose in 2000, an event

Reaves, also left. For all intents and purposes, that’s how

many attribute as the beginning of this second life you’re

Full Devil Jacket’s story ended.

going to read about. While it may sound different now, the

Brown went on to form the overtly-Christian rock band Day

band he was fronting, Full Devil Jacket, was on tour with the

of Fire, which was immensely successful, even being nom-

world’s then-most famous band, Creed. Full Devil Jacket

inated for a Grammy. Their self-titled debut won Rock Al-

was heir to the radio rock / nu-metal throne, a combination

bum of the Year at the faith-based Dove Awards, the genre’s

of Korn-influenced bass-driven verses and Alice in Chains-

equivalent of the Grammy. Brown co-wrote a song with

style rock with heavier tunings and riffs. In the same year

Chris Daughtry of American Idol fame. He was featured on

the band released their debut album, they had already

Fireflight’s first single. One of their singles was the theme

played the reincarnation of Woodstock in 1999 and had

song for a WWE program.

licensed one of their songs to a major film franchise.

But something out there was lingering, and Day of Fire

Heavy is the head that wears the crown. The up-and-comers

instated a self-proclaimed indefinite leave of absence around

were derailed and nearly put to a permanent, abrupt ending

2010, about the same time Brown and his old bandmates

as the band watched their vocalist and major songwriter,

learned Michael Reaves, Full Devil Jacket’s guitarist, had

Josh Brown, teeter over the edge of rock and roll under the

prostate cancer. In what was to be a one-time reunion show,

excessive lifestyle, nearly taking his own life after a lust for

the band played a set on June 19, 2010 in Jackson, TN to

his weakness. This was the beginning of his second lot on

benefit the James Michael Reaves Medical Expense Fund.

life.

A little over a year later, Reaves would lose his battle with

After the overdose, he couldn’t bear the weight he was

cancer.

beginning to carry. Through recovery and rehabilitation, he

Brown would never give up the musical itch, playing in other

cleaned up and found God, but he was a nervous wreck of

bands, tip-toeing around the entire Full Devil Jacket roster.

conflicting, snowballing emotions about returning to a life

One day in early 2015, any rumors proved true: the band

that nearly killed him, fronting a band whose lyrics he wrote,

announced a new album, Valley of Bones, would be on the

but now a man he no longer knew. He was a new believer,

way. Full Devil Jacket was now a priority.

dedicated to Christianity, with the option of pursuing an

HM had the chance to speak with Brown about this shift

unknown musical future in the faith-based arena, but had

in direction and, most intriguingly, why now? Why dust off

no idea how it would go over. He’s brutally honest, musical-

the songbook after 12 years apart? We find out as the man

ly, but his heart kept pulling him away. After that one Full

whose second lease on life is slowly turning into nine lives of

Devil Jacket album, Brown decided to leave the band. When

good, honest, hard work.

64

HM • APRIL 2015

Hey Josh, this is David Stagg

There’s this record called A

with HM Magazine. I’m the

New Rebel, which is Jason Null

new guy.

from Saving Abel and the rest of

Awesome, man! How’s (former

the guys from Full Devil Jacket. I

owner) Doug (Van Pelt)? Are you

did that between Day of Fire and

running things now?

this Full Devil Jacket record. That record is the best record I’ve ever

interesting

done that no one’s ever heard.

story if you want to hear it. I

Skidd Mills produced it, and it’s

will keep it relatively short.

a powerful group of songs. I sug-

Yeah.

It’s

an

gest you check that out. On top

Yeah, go ahead.

of that, they are a group of songs He was looking for some-

men. Pretty special.

body to take it over, and I had interned there, like, ten years

What was the inspiration

ago. When he asked recently, I

behind those songs, and how

was in a good position and had

did that project come about?

the time on my hands to do

Was it always intended to be

something with it, and, most

just the one release?

importantly, I had a little bit of

“I WANT TO BE ABLE TO BE ON THE EDGE WITH MY WRITING. I FEEL LIKE I GO OUT THERE A COUPLE OF TIMES WITH THIS RECORD.”

You always have your dreams.

You always want to do some-

experience. much

thing like that. The industry can

involved and still a good friend

dictate otherwise. That’s what

ever. They’re all trying to find

is impossible. When you break

of mine. He still remains a

happened with that record.

their voice and now they can

the world down that way and

do it very publicly, which was

become aware you’re doing it,

different before.

the strain of events that seem to

Doug

is

still

very

good friend of the whole magazine.

I’m kind of taking that, since Full Devil Jacket, a little bit of

Yeah. After all, he had put his

heat. That decorative songs don’t

Number one is that I am

have connected, is connected to

time in. Really gives new life and

get heard, and we make any more

38-years old, and I have a good

a big story line going on. Behind

new energy to the whole thing,

music.

sense of what I believe now. I

the story line is never presented

The inspiration is always the

have a real sense of who I am and

and you lose a lot between the

same, man. I write from my own

being brutally honest through

cracks between then and now.

world view. There are so many

music is what keeps me on the

He was pioneering the genre

things happening in the world,

edge.

before a lot of people thought

so many things worth writing

You know, unfortunately, I

me. Maybe there are, but lately

it would be possible. I think

about. It’s much like it was in

have got a very addictive per-

I don’t hear a lot out there as

a lot of people will remember

the ’60s. There was this rock and

sonality and struggle with addic-

challenging.

him for that. If that’s how I

roll revolution going on. I feel

tion still, and the writing of this

would have to go down, I’d

like there’s a strong regimen of

record, you know, man... I dove

You mentioned you have

say that’s a pretty good place

people using rock and roll the

right back into drug addiction,

an addictive personality. I’m

to start.

switching jobs. What a great job he did, though.

The thing is there’s not a lot of bands that really sing to

same way today, you know what

and that is one way I was on

also an alcoholic and I also feel

No doubt about it. I agree. I

I’m saying? So the purpose for

the edge. It’s not something I’m

like I’ve been given a second

have to say, it looks great now,

me, for writing this Full Devil

proud of. You, know I feel like

chance. You have a lot of sec-

too. I’ve been reading about the

Jacket record, was to sing about

when I write it needs to be bru-

ond chances in your life. Do

recent issues, and it looks great

some topics worth singing about.

tally honest. That’s what defines

you view music as the outlet

dude. Good work.

Singing about anything and any

me as a songwriter. When I look

that keeps you from messing

topic, and not be afraid to put

at world events and everything

up again, or do you view it

Thank you so much. We

some opinions out there. I have

that is happening all over the

more as an overflow of what

appreciate it. Good work to

a feeling there’s a good grip of

world, those things inspire me,

is in your heart? Or are they

you, too, though! You’re finally

truth in this record that maybe

man. I want to sing about top-

different?

getting back out there, releas-

hasn’t been put out before. I’m

ics and concepts and ideas that

ing some new music. It’s been

always pushing for that now. I

move me.

a reunion of sorts, right? By

want to be able to be on the edge

I have to look at everything

can be a trigger to do drugs and

my notes here, you were doing

with my writing. I feel like I go

in layers, all the time. If some-

to drink. But I don’t see it that

Day of Fire. Is that still cor-

out there a couple of times with

body shows me a picture, I will

way. I would say, more than any-

rect? Now you’re starting back

this record, you know?

try to figure out the essence of

thing, I write what’s in my heart

every layer of that picture, if you

because what I’m able to do when

in with the Full Devil Jacket

You know, it’s weird, man. I mean, the music scene is and

project after 12 years off and

For sure. What does it take

understand. I realize analyz-

I do sit down to write is I’m able

here we are. What happened?

to get you there? What are you

ing every edge, every word and

to access my past, to be genuine.

What were you doing in the off

seeing in your world view right

every scene of every movie I ever

I’m not saying I’m always gen-

season, man?

now? People are as creative as

saw or every book I ever read

uine in my life. I try to. To be a

65

66

HM • APRIL 2015

“IT IS WICKED MEN THAT CONTROL THE SYSTEM THAT WOULD HAVE US BELIEVE WE’RE ONLY WORTH THE ZEROS AND ONES INSIDE A BANK.” 67

great singer and songwriter and

you went into this dark period

it’s got to be something that can

performer, I feel like a person

to write this album, were you

change your life.

has to show vulnerability. That

revisiting dark periods, or had

I don’t believe I hit the mark

doesn’t necessarily mean being

you entered into a new depres-

every time, but I believe this

weak. That means putting your

sion?

record has some good songs on

When I am in the writing process, I am always looking for that magic. Are you still on the phone?

heart out there in such a way

I was going through the break-

it, and I believe it comes from a

(Laughs) Yeah, I am listen-

that if someone wanted to use

up of a 12-year marriage, and

real place. People connect with

ing to you, man. It is great. Go

it against you they could, but

I was away from my kids. I felt

it.

ahead.

having enough character or will

like if I pushed it as far as I

to put it out there anyway. This

could go creatively, I felt like I

Are there any stories you

record right here, this Full Devil

would have had the chance at

have about any of the songs

No. I mean, I fell asleep

Jacket record, probably comes

taking care of my family again

that were particularly poi-

there for a little bit, but other

from one of the darkest places

through music, through creativ-

gnant, either struck you as

than that I am good.

I’ve ever been in my life.

ity, through arts. Even though I

particularly difficult to write?

(Laughs) Right on.

I thought my phone cut out.

At the same time, it’s probably

don’t feel I’m a master artist or

Yeah. I’d say there were. I could

the most scripturally truthful I

a master songwriter, a master in

say that about every song on the

A lot of our readers are age 17

have ever done. Those two things

any of that stuff. I felt like I knew

record. The first song, “Killers,”

to 28, that range. I think they

are things that can be twisted.

what genuine art is and where it

is about addiction to opiates. It’s

see and almost expect imme-

People don’t return to truth, or

comes from. I felt in my heart, if

like, this is life, in that song.

diate fame, and they don’t

return to God, or repent, or start

I could follow that, I can create a

Writing it was is so truthful, I

think sometimes you have to

walking a righteous path because

new life for the people I love. It

almost didn’t write it. A good

go through the things that you

everything is great. Most of the

was a journey of faith. I had to

friend of mine, Rogers (Masson),

have to go through for what

time, it’s when things get dark

go through a lot of self-doubt.

once told me that the greatest

you love. The digital quickness

and heavy and they decide to

When that relationship came to

songs, the greatest lyrics, are the

of it all has led people to a

turn to writing.

an end, a guy like me is, a lot

lyrics you’re almost afraid to tell

sense of entitlement.

You know that I’ve got a lot

of times, looking for a reason

your best friend. It’s like when

Right. I will tell you, man, it

of struggle in my life. I’ve got a

to jump off the deep end. It’s

you’ve got something that real,

is crazy chasing fame. I don’t

lot of failures, but there’s also

not something I’m proud of; it’s

that’s what makes a great song.

have any desire to be famous.

victory in my life. I don’t know

my personality. It’s a flaw in my

There are many points on this

I don’t walk around my world

how, or why I’m necessarily... I

personality.

record those ideas and concepts

telling everybody I got a record

are going on.

nominated. I don’t feel a sense

don’t know why I’ve been given

To write a record that deals

the life I’ve been given, but I’m

with life and death and eternity

thankful for it. I’m very thankful

called

of entitlement at all. I am happy

and the world that’s going on

“Picturebox Voodoo” on the

that way. When you feel like you

people want to hear my music.

around us and who we are inside

record. It’s a commentary of the

are entitled to everything, you

I’m very thankful people con-

that world, you have to get to a

state of the world we live in, and

are always disappointed.

tinue to give me second chances.

place of desperation.

that song has got a lot of truth

I’m on my like four millionth second chance.

I tell young musicians this all

There’s

a

song

in it.

The world works exactly the opposite way. Even if you are

the time. If your music is not

Whenever you have got an idea

entitled to something, you have

something you’re willing to put

or concept in your head or a word

got to fight to get it. You got to

You’re a whole slew of cat

your life on — willing to put your

or a picture in your head and you

get in. It is kind of the concept of

lives. Not just one cat. You’re

life, the life of your loved ones

are able to transfer that scene in

the world we live in.

a litter.

on — it’s not worth putting it

your mind into a song, the lis-

I feel like this Earth is big

out. If you put out good music for

tener is able to see that scene in

enough for everyone on it. I feel

(Laughs) I’m a litter of cats.

the sake of making okay songs,

their own brain, and that always

like this Earth was created for

(Laughs) Exactly. When you

then you’ve missed the point to

feels like magic to me. It always

the people on the Earth. Yet,

say you were in the dark, like

me. It’s got to be something real,

feels like magic.

there is this power structure in

68

HM • APRIL 2015

“I DON’T KNOW WHY I’VE BEEN GIVEN THE LIFE I’VE BEEN GIVEN, BUT I’M THANKFUL FOR IT. I’M VERY THANKFUL PEOPLE WANT TO HEAR MY MUSIC. I’M VERY THANKFUL PEOPLE CONTINUE TO GIVE ME SECOND CHANCES. I’M ON MY LIKE FOUR MILLIONTH SECOND CHANCE.”

place between zeros and ones in

stop? Do you have that moment

second guessing that can drive

few new people on the lineup. A

computers and green pieces of

of magic? Do you just go, “I

you crazy.

lot of us hadn’t played togeth-

paper in our wallets that tell us

have said what I need to say”?

how much of that Earth we’re

er that much before this record.

Yes. Because — let’s see, how

Do you have a guy in the band

Justin did a great job of kind of

can I tell you? Singers are insecure

or a producer or somebody that

gluing the whole project together.

I believe we’re all supposed

egomaniacs (laughs). Because of

just hits you in the arm and

to have a piece of it. It is wicked

that, I will second guess a song to

goes, “Dude, it is good. Let’s

men that control the system that

death. It is not necessarily what I

move on.”

would have us believe we’re only

have said in a song, but the pro-

Yeah. Justin Rimer, our produc-

you ready to get back out on

worth the zeros and ones inside a

duction of that song and the mix

er, did a fantastic job of helping us

the road? Is that where you

banking system or...

and this and that. The moment I

hone these songs and in the pro-

guys are at right now?

write a great hook, right after that

duction of these songs. My band,

No doubt. The guys that are

hook is written, I question myself

the guys in Full Devil Jacket, they

in the band, all of us are way more mature than we have ever

entitled to.

The digital stream revenue from your Spotify plays.

You think going through that process formed you all and got

about whether it was really good

are my greatest supporters and

(Laughs) Exactly, no doubt

from that point on — until enough

they have a strong belief in my

been. This is the greatest oppor-

about it. You know what I am

people respond to it in a positive

creative flow. If I play for those

tunity I have ever had in music,

talking about.

way. Then I knew it was good the

guys and they get excited about it,

not just because of our deal with

whole time.

I know it is good. So then I need

eOne, even though that is such a

an outside source. I need someone

blessing as it is. It is really about

from the outside looking in to help

where I am at in my own life and

me mold those ideas.

the way I can seize this oppor-

Just a minute ago you were talking about magic. I wanted to ask you about that before

Yeah, you wrote it. You’re like, I was there. I knew.

we moved on there. When you

Yeah, exactly. That is why I

When we did this record, you

tunity. I have never been in this

were writing this record, when

completed the song in the first

had a bunch of guys that hadn’t

place before, and it is good. It is a

did you know it was time to

place. It is the insecurity and the

been together. There are quite a

good thing.

69

The Guts of Sworn In

NOT MUCH OF A TALKER, SWORN IN VOCALIST TYLER DENNEN STEPS OUT TO BY TALKJORDAN ABOUT THEGONZALEZ BAND’S DRASTIC NEW APPROACH TO SONGWRITING ON THEIR TWO-SIDEDBY ALBUM, LOVERS/THE DEVIL, AND WHAT SONG MOST RESONATES PHOTOS DAVIDTHESTAGG WITH HIM AMONG THE MANY STORIES HE TELLS ON THE ALBUM

By Jordan Gonzalez

Let’s get into the new album,

out and really, like, really had

individual stories? Let’s talk

my life, you know, with affairs,

because that’s what we want to

the entire story I really wanted to

about that.

relationship back then, people I

focus on. This is your second

tell, rather than, I’m coming up

It’s a two-part record. The

album. What are some things

with it on the spot. That is one of

first half is called “The Lovers,”

you learned between this and

the bigger differences.

and it tells the story of a des-

your first album?

From the first studios, really,

It seems to be a pretty dark

know. It’s a cautionary tale about love, I would say.

perate, romantic type, receiving

It is a story, but it’s also, like

unrequited love from a female,

you said, it seems to be influ-

it was a shot in the dark. We

album.

and every song delves deeper in

enced from personal experi-

just kind of went into it — it

Yeah.

the male character, whose psy-

ences. Is that what I under-

chotic at this point, and as the

stood correctly?

was the first time professionally recording. We just kind of went

In a lot of ways: musical-

scene progresses and we get to

Yeah. It’s not so much one

in there, was super pressed for

ly, lyrically. Some phrases that

the halfway mark — the roles

specific personal experience, but

time and did our sh-t.

stuck out to me, in the song

switch, the guy hits his breaking

rather a collection of observa-

This time around, just ’cause

“I Don’t Really Love You,” you

point, the girl realizes, damn, I

tions.

the year of separation, you have

say, “Love is dead,” stuff like

fcked up, and it’s too late.

the whole thing written out. I had

that. “Sunshine” was a pretty

It’s the product of a lot of

Is this some of your own love

the concept completely thought

intense song. Is this a story,

things that have occurred over

life, too, or is it more love life

73

“EACH PERSON HAS A LOVER AND A DEVIL INSIDE OF THEM.”

— Tyler Denne

en

that you’ve observed in other

the lyrics. We’ll check in with

The song is basically about

pened , not doing what’s best

people?

each other. It’s like that. It’s a

emotionless sex. That’s some-

for yourself, and not drowning,

good mix of working together

thing that most people who

essentially.

and doing it solo.

are sexually active can relate

It’s a good mix.

Are you the main writer, as well?

to. Having sex with somebody

Where to go? I’m sorry,

Are there any songs in this

that you don’t love is extremely

there’s one thing I’m a little

I write all the lyrics. Our

album that mean something

empty and extremely depress-

confused on. When you said

drummer, Chris, writes all the

specifically to you? Do you

ing. It’s a dark cycle, and the

it’s a two-part album, you

music.

have a favorite?

song is basically just about that.

mean there’s two halves to the

I think my favorite on this Tell me about how you guys pair your lyrical content with

CD is probably our song called “Pocket Full of Posies.”

his music. Do you guys work together?

Any reason in particular?

some people, “Don’t do this, it’s not worth it”?

We kind of do our own sh-t,

The lyrical content is the most personal stuff I’ve released, and

to the studio, we spend time

the stuff I’m most proud off.

together and figure out which writing the music, I’ll be writing

76

HM • APRIL 2015

that it’s cautionary. Do you think, maybe, you are telling

and the other times come in

lyrics fit over which song. As he’s

album, or did you mean there’s I noticed you said earlier

Do you want to talk a little bit more about the song?

Just letting people know that

going to be a second part, a second album?

No. There’s two halves.

I just want to clarify the devil half.

they need to get what they feel

I kind of ran through it but

they deserve, and not sticking

“The Lovers” half is, the male

around with something because

lead is playing a psychotic,

of bad things that have hap-

over-obsessive

romantic

and

“I LIKE IT WHEN I SEE PEOPLE SINGING ALONG. SEEING PEOPLE MAKE THAT CONNECTION TO THE MUSIC IS WHAT KEEPS ME GOING.” — Tyler Dennen the female lead playing a cold,

two sh-ts about. Just seeing peo-

That was the first band I ever

distant person, and “The Devil”

ple make that connection to the

went to go see live that I connect

happens

music is what keeps me going.

with a lot.

where

it

switches

(sides). The whole thing is supposed to be indicative of: each person has a lover and a devil inside of them.

Other than that, outside of the What are you listening to right now?

I listen to a lot of different stuff. My favorite band is My

Let’s talk about the music,

Chemical Romance. I really owe

too. It’s pretty heavy in a lot of

a lot of credit to that band, aes-

spots, and yet there’s so much

thetically and musically. Other

going on as well; I heard a little

than that, I listen to a lot of

electronic stuff here and there.

Thrice.

You said your drummer makes

realm of the music we play — I

Yeah, right after this tour, literally the day it ends, we are in

ever heard of that?

Las Vegas on our first ever headlining tour. That will be for about

Oh, are they the South African

What were some of the ideas

That’s one of my favorite

music?

We

Oh, nice. That’s my favorite band.

wanted

to

put

some-

bands.

Yeah. They’re like South African

tracks where someone was, like, Alright, I’m going to skip this one. It was something we wanted

people’s attention from the getgo and keep it until it’s over.

Thrice?

Everything. I mean, can’t pick one thing from it, honestly.

They are my absolute favorite band, too.

I bet you got three Thrice tattoos.

You tried a couple new ideas, it seems.

Yeah. We tried very hard to be very theatrical.

(Laughs) I just got one a month ago, on my arm.

Oh, yes. My first tattoo was The Alchemy Index on my forearm.

What to you is good crowd

Yeah, we went last year. It was

Yeah. I just saw that the other

day,

actually.

Fck ing

insane.

How was Europe compared to America? Was there any major differences with the fans?

It was. It was great. Are

ful. There is a lot of similarities

there any bands you would like

and a lot of differences than in

to tour with in particular?

the States. The shows were, you

Yeah, there’s a bunch. I’d

know, not great because it was a

really like to tour with the

year ago before we had really pro-

band Motionless in White. I

gressed, and we were headlining,

consider them as a similar

too. Some days, there would be

mindset to ours when it comes

150-200 kids pay to come to see

to theatrics, aesthetics and

us, some other days there would

doing cool sh-t. Other than

be two kids here to see us. Do you

that, I would love to tour with

know what I mean?

the band Between the Buried

It was, it, kind of just like start-

and Me because I love their

ing over. It was like doing our first

music. Other than that, I don’t

tour all over again, which ate sh-t.

really have a huge preference

It was a very humbling experience to say the least.

Nice. What are the other two?

on who we tour with as long

you are on the road a lot, what

I got an Identity Crisis tattoo

as we’re out there on the road,

and Vheissu.

I like it when I see people singing along; moshing, I could give

a 30-day headlining tour there.

Chappie movie, right?

participation? Since, obviously, do you like to see in a crowd?

Sweet. Have you ever been to Europe before?

fcking thing ever.

The country itself is beautiWow! What do you like about

to be intense, we wanted to be emotional, we wanted it to grab

to Europe for a month.

rappers. I just think everything

thing out that was not boring.

We didn’t want to have any

a month. After that, we are home for about a week and then we go

group?

They were in that movie, the he wanted to get into with the

some other tour?

Antwood. I don’t know if you’ve

Yes.

Yeah.

or is it too early to talk about

really like the music group Die

about that group is the coolest Did you say, “Thrice”?

the music, right?

Absolutely. Do you have any other tour set for this year,

being able to make new fans and stuff; it’s what I really

That’s so cool.

want to do.

Alright, we wish you the best of luck. Hope you get better!

Absolutely!

77

CELEBRATING 30 YEARS SINCE 1985

HMMAGAZINE.COM

V

FROM THE HM VAULT

ISSUE NO. 148 APRIL/ MAY/ JUNE 2011 Haste the Day completed another chapter in their long run. The band would complete their farewell tour that year.

“I woke up the morning of that show with a knot in my stomach,” admits lone founding member and bassist, Mike Murphy.

“So did our manager, Mark (LaFay). He called me and said he had been dry-heaving all day. It was just nerve-wracking. It’s all I’ve been since high school, ya know? It was all coming to that point and I wanted it to go perfectly.”

“I was literally thinking, ‘This could be my very last metal/punk show that I ever do,’” adds frontman/ vocalist Stephen Keech.

“There was an incredible weight off my shoulders.

It was lifted and I knew, ‘I need to pour everything that I have into the next hour and 15 minutes of my life. This night may be the only time I get to express myself in this way ever again.’ It definitely gave a fire and adrenaline in me.”