The Dangerous Summer

Last year, in July 2011, you guys released your second full-length album: “War Paint.” Now, you’re working on a third album. Can you tell us anything about it?

We are still in the very early writing stages, so there isn’t too much I can say. We know what we want to do with the album. Now, we just have to build the record.

There’ll be a DVD release in the near future. Will it be a music DVD, or will there also be backstage features?

It’s actually going to be more of a “behind the scenes” type of DVD. We decided not to make it a live album yet.

You recently did a tour with VersaEmerge. How was that experience?

It was a little while ago, but it was one of the first real tours we did as a band, and we’ve learned a lot from it.

This December, you’ll do a Holiday Run. Can you explain to us what this is?

It’s basically three weeks filled with performances. Some of them are headline shows; some of them are support shows, and some of them are festivals. We’ve just scheduled it all together so that we could make something of it.

You also played on Groezrock this year. What did you think of that festival?

Groezrock was amazing! It was awesome to play on such a huge stage and with such a huge crowd. They really take care of their bands, and it’s great that fans in that area get this awesome punk rock festival.

Six years ago, you guys played in a bar basement for five people; now you tour around the world. Did you guys expect this when you played that first show?

We never had any expectations, so everything that comes to us gets us really excited. Every time we find out about a new tour, we’re dying to tell everyone right away. It’s awesome that we were able to play in so many countries to so many people with so many of our biggest musical influences.

In 2007, you signed to Hopeless Records, although a lot of other labels were also interested. Why did you choose them?

Our friends at the time, All Time Low, have sort of pushed us to Hopeless. And yes, some other labels were interested, but Hopeless was the one that wanted to make a deal happen.

Have you ever thought of signing to another label?

Well, there is always talk about what we’ll do when our contract with Hopeless is up, and we have definitely brought that up a few times. But do we want to go to a major label and play in the big leagues?

Are there any plans for 2013?

As of right now, our biggest concern is getting our album finished. We haven’t planned any tour dates yet.

What’s the ultimate tip for a beginning band?

You have to do something that you would personally listen to and enjoy the song writing, the sounds, the parts, the tones, etc. Study what the “real” bands do and learn from them; study the details.

Dit interview verscheen oorspronkelijk in RMP Magazine #3.