- 3 years ago
WRIF Virtual Rock Room with Bring Me the Horizon
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00:00Thank you so much for watching Riff TV.
00:02Now, this interview is obviously with video, but I don't interview everybody on Zoom.
00:07That's why I put it on my Talkin' Rock with Meltdown podcast.
00:10We talk to rock artists from all over the genre.
00:13So check out Talkin' Rock with Meltdown wherever you get your podcasts.
00:16And now, to today's video interview.
00:20How's it going, brother?
00:22Good, man. How are you?
00:23You're getting me jealous because I think, if I'm not mistaken, you're about eight miles from where I grew up.
00:28Yeah, I grew up out in the sticks out there.
00:33I've been to that venue many times.
00:34As a matter of fact, I think Jelly Roll sold that place out last night.
00:38Were you around?
00:39No, not for Jelly Roll, I'm afraid.
00:43Checked out Niagara Falls, though. It was nice.
00:45Yeah, you've probably been there before, though, right?
00:48Many years ago, yeah.
00:50I'm from the other side, but I've never seen it at night, which is cool.
00:54Yeah, it's pretty cool when they light it up like that.
00:56So you guys have a lot of things happening.
00:58Of course, the tour, you just came through town with Fall Out Boy.
01:01How's things going on the road?
01:03Yeah, it's been good, man.
01:04It's been long, but it's been a really cool tour.
01:07It's been our first support tour in like a minute.
01:11So it's been just nice to have a shorter set and much less pressure.
01:16But the fans have been really receptive and really cool to us and stuff.
01:22Definitely been a few people like, what the hell is this band?
01:26But yeah, it's been sick.
01:28So I guess when you go up there on stage every night, your goal is to win over some of those what the hell fans, right?
01:33Exactly, yeah.
01:35Which has been nice because I think we've been doing a good job of that.
01:37I think our set starts off quite heavy and you can just see some people like, what is this mayhem?
01:43And then by the end, I think we always tell everyone to sit down at the end and kind of like jump up for the last moment.
01:52And you can always get a pretty good gauge of like, if they listen to you and actually do it, then we take that as a win.
01:59And most people, well, everyone does.
02:01So yeah, it's been good.
02:03So you guys probably could have done your own headlining tour.
02:05Why did you choose to do this tour like this?
02:08I mean, you just said, obviously, like, you know, obviously there's a load taken off your shoulders.
02:12But is that pretty much the reason why or just a good bill?
02:16I mean, we got offered better money than we would get for our headline show.
02:22So that was definitely one reason.
02:24But also, like, we've been doing we've been going like nonstop and we're kind of on the verge of burning out because we're trying to do like records and tour at the same time and stuff like that.
02:37And I think we just felt like just doing something easy for the summer would would be nice because we weren't even planning on touring.
02:46But we also don't know how to stop.
02:50So this was a good way for us to continue writing with like a less hectic schedule because we don't have to sound check and we, you know, we have a shorter set and stuff.
02:58So we've been doing a lot of writing on the road.
03:00But also, like, you know, we've still got fans to win over, people to win over, people to show who we are and stuff.
03:07We're not like the biggest band in America and stuff.
03:09So and especially with the kind of the sound of our new record, we felt like it was like a good fit.
03:16And we just want to continue to be that band that, like, appealed to just rock fans of all types, you know.
03:24So you just mentioned the sound of the new record.
03:28Explain the sound of this new record.
03:29Is it the most eclectic record you've done?
03:31Um, it's it's part of four EPs that we're working on called like the Post-Human Series and they've all got their own particular sound.
03:44And this record's definitely leaning more into like, I guess, the kind of bands where I got obsessed with rock music was like when I got into my like hardcore post-hardcore emo phase.
03:58Like we like kind of, you know, my first ever show was Linkin Park, but then I started going like straight edge hardcore shows and punk gigs and stuff like that and local, you know, shows at pubs and stuff like that.
04:08And that's when I got introduced to like hardcore music and then bands like Glassjaw and American Nightmare and all that stuff.
04:18And this record is definitely paying homage to that stuff.
04:21And even bands like Fall Out Boy, which, you know, and, um, my cam and like all the emo stuff taking back Sunday and stuff.
04:29So like, it's definitely got that feel, but then we're trying to like push it in a direction that makes it feel like contemporary and modern and, and, and like something new.
04:39So you get kind of the nostalgia of those years, but then it feels fresh, you know?
04:43Yeah, no, it sounds killer.
04:45I mean, what I've heard so far from it, there's like, the songs are like kind of there.
04:48No, no two song even sounds even closely similar.
04:53Yeah.
04:54Yeah.
04:54I mean, we, we definitely trying to hold in on a vibe, but then I guess like the spectrum of emo and hardcore and, you know, post-hardcore and stuff like that is, it's quite wide.
05:07Do you know what I mean?
05:08Um, so it does give us a fair bit of room to play within.
05:13Yeah.
05:13And some of the stuff is really heavy, obviously, you know, a, a man is super heavy.
05:17Yeah.
05:18Um, yeah, we were definitely tapping into like bands like Dillinger escape plan and glass jaw and, um, like it's, there is not that much difference between like a metal core song.
05:32And, uh, when you get into that kind of like that world of like post-hardcore and stuff, but it's more about the, the freeness and the energy, the kind of frantic and like unhinged energy of it, which was really fun to tap back into.
05:46Because I always feel like even when we're heavy, we're all like, uh, we've become quite a polished band and it was very fun to like, kind of just throw all that out and just be like rough and ready again.
05:58Yeah.
05:58So I was going to ask, so is this record, uh, in some ways a little more raw?
06:04Raw in the sense that it's going to be a lot more like unhinged and more expressive and less like, like I say, polished.
06:12It's going to be more just like, do exactly what you want and like be as creative as you can and kind of almost like keep a childlike quality of like, like when we first started and we didn't know how, you know, how to write a song really, or even play our instruments or whatever.
06:26We just kind of was like, okay, we're going to do this riff into this breakdown into this bit.
06:30And like, there was no kind of like, yeah, but where's the, where's the structure?
06:34Do you know what I mean?
06:35And as I think as from like, well, even suicide season and as we progressed, I kind of like learned how to write a song and really tapped into that.
06:46And like, and I think I've learned the rules now and I think it's time to go back and break them.
06:51And I think once, you know, the rules of writing a song, that's brilliant, but then it makes you be able to break those rules even better than, than before, because you know what you should do.
07:04And then you know how to kind of, I guess, transmute it or, or, or take it to a different level.
07:09And I think this record is going to be all about that.
07:11It's like, you know, the rules, so don't follow them, you know?
07:15Yeah.
07:16And this record, I mean, maybe this is an obvious statement.
07:19Will it challenge the fans?
07:26Yeah.
07:27I guess we always challenge the fans to some extent and we never want to write a record that doesn't like, cause that to me, if we don't, it makes me, it just makes it feel not fresh and old.
07:38And we want to, we want to make music that you wouldn't expect to like and then do.
07:44And I mean, sometimes when we write music, it's like, oh, I wouldn't expect even us to be able to write some music artists and me like it, but we've done it.
07:52So I think it will.
07:54But at the same time, I feel like if you're a Bring Your Eyes and fan, you kind of so prep for that now that it's, it's not as it was maybe five years ago.
08:04But yeah, I mean, we're just trying to push ourselves and challenge ourselves more than anything.
08:08I think, um, whether that challenges the list and I don't know, um, but to some extent, I'm sure.
08:16Now this new, uh, the, the post-human, uh, next gen, uh, part of the post-human series drops on September 15th.
08:21You just mentioned a couple of minutes ago that, uh, when you're out there on the, on the road, you're still writing stuff, eh?
08:27Yeah.
08:28Yeah.
08:28Every day.
08:29Pretty much.
08:29Now, is this just stuff that you're going to put in the bank for later on or is, do you have, do you already have some, some crazy mad scientist plans going on?
08:37Um, this is for the next record really.
08:40Um, and yeah, we just, it's a way for us to stay busy on tour and do something creative and, um, I guess, um, healthy with our time.
08:58Um, it can get a little much, um, when you're trying, when you're trying to write and then play a show and stuff like that.
09:03But, um, I'll also find like, when you're that close to what you do, you know, you're going out and you're playing a show and you're like seeing how people react to your songs and kind of constant reminder of why you do what you do.
09:16It's, it's, it's kind of cool to do at the same time.
09:19Although it doesn't like, I'm looking forward to getting off this tour and actually be able to sit down and just have a day where I concentrate on just writing.
09:26Hmm. When you guys go into the studio, like you said, you're writing and stuff right now.
09:30Are these songs, uh, that, that you're recording? Do you, I mean, do you go into the studio?
09:35It's like kind of an open slate or do you guys really know how these songs are structured and what they're going to sound like?
09:40Um, I mean, it's an ongoing process, but we'll, I mean, we don't even really go to studios anymore.
09:45We'll, like, we will record stuff on tour and that'll be the, what you hear.
09:49You know what I mean? Um, we can pull the guitars through, like, um, vocal, vocal booths are overrated.
09:57Do you know what I mean? Like, uh, like we're not, like I say about tapping into that kind of like raw and unhinged energy.
10:03It's like, it's like getting over all that muso bollocks of like certain mics and certain rooms and stuff.
10:10It's like, no one gives a shit anymore. It all sounds, if it, if it's got the energy and it's got the emotion,
10:15that's all that kind of matters. Yeah. You mentioned also that, uh, and you've talked about this before in the past
10:21about how a Lincoln park was really like kind of your gateway to, uh, to, to music. I'm, I'm assuming, uh,
10:26you got any experiences with Chester? I met Chester before, um, we did a interview together for a Krang magazine
10:34back in, I want to say 2014, maybe. Um, which was just like insane for me. Um, and he was a really
10:50nice dude. And, um, he was really like, he was really like, um, inquisitive about like what we do.
10:58And we were, I think we're on walk to our time and he was like, I remember him saying like, how the hell
11:02do you keep your voice and stuff? Like I lose mine all the time and stuff. And yeah, we're just talking
11:06about stuff and obviously it was just like a mad dream come true moment for me.
11:14And then you got to play at his, um, a celebration of life. Uh, what was it like to, uh, to, to play there?
11:21Um, I guess best way to describe it with bittersweet. Do you know what I mean? Um,
11:27obviously like just an unreal experience for me, but just under the worst possible circumstances.
11:35Um, so yeah, it's, I don't know. I think it's, it's, it's hard to, um, process things like that.
11:49Do you know what I mean? Almost like, it's like,
11:51I never like really say much when, like when famous people die that you don't really know,
12:00but meant a lot to you because I'm always like, part of me is like, what, like, what right do I
12:05have to like talk about this? But I didn't know them just because they're musical, whatever they
12:09did, did so much for me. It's like, it's like, it's weird. I get this kind of like imposter syndrome.
12:14Like, um, like, I feel like a piece of me has died, but also like, I didn't really know this person.
12:20Um, so it's just like, it's a really hard thing to process. I definitely felt like
12:26a part of like my childhood died when he died on my like innocence. I don't know. Um, but you don't,
12:32it's hard to, I didn't cry because I didn't know him as a person, but like, it just, you just left totally
12:40good. And like, still like a kind of like disbelief, I guess. Um, the same when played
12:49the gig, it was just like, this is, it's almost like what you, you're not doing what you're actually
12:53doing. Like, you're not actually thinking about it. Like what it really is. Like I'm here stood up
12:57is basically is his funeral. I'm playing his funeral. You don't think about it like, like you just
13:03do it. And yeah, I don't know. Grief's weird. Yeah. I, uh, I got to meet Chester before their first
13:09record even came out, they were doing like this, uh, tour of radio stations across the country.
13:14And, um, he was a super nice guy. And it's like, when I heard that news, that was a real shocker
13:18that came out of left field. Yeah, that was crazy. But, uh, anyways, you just talked about, uh, he was
13:25talking to you about your vocal stuff. Obviously you're playing tonight. I just had an interview
13:30canceled last week because it was scheduled for a show day. What, how do you, do you take vocal
13:35rest or how do you take care of yourself on the road? Yeah. Um,
13:39I actually struggled with it a lot, but found ways to get around it in terms of like output and
13:48the way you do what you do. And I think I used to always get on stage and scream and sing the same
13:55way I do in the studio, which is like 110%. Um, and like you've, my singing teacher has drilled it into
14:04with it. It's like, it's not a race. It's a marathon that you're doing. You've got like an
14:09hour and a half. It's not a sprint, you know? So it's, it's, it's about learning when to give
14:14that a hundred percent and when to take it easier and when, and how to manipulate your voice to do
14:19the same thing with less energy and stuff. Um, so over the years, I've just got better and better
14:25at doing that. And I actually now it's starting to become a, not really much of a, like I haven't
14:32lost my voice or even really maybe it got tired a little bit, but like not to a point where like
14:39I used to like every tour, it'd be like by fourth day, I'd be like, fuck, I've lost my voice,
14:44you know? So getting better at it, but yeah, it's, you know, you have to respect it as an instrument.
14:50You know what I mean? You have to, it's an instrument, a very tiny instrument as well that,
14:55that you use every day for, you know, all the time. And so, yeah, sometimes you've just got to
15:00learn when to shut up or when you can't go out and have a late one with your friends and drink or,
15:06you know what I mean? You just got to like respect it and, and, and, um, realize it's like a muscle
15:12as well. I think one thing as well, it's like, if, you know, if you, if you stop going in a gym,
15:17you lose your muscle. And if you stop singing, you, you lose your ability to sing. Well, do you
15:23know what I mean? So same as well. It's like, when I get off tour, I've got to make sure that
15:26I don't just go, I'm not going to sing for two months now, you know, just all little things like
15:31that. Yeah. You always keep it going. Hey, just a couple more things here and we'll let you loose.
15:35I appreciate the time. Like I said, the new record drops on September 15th. So as this rockstar
15:41thing, everything it's been cracked up to be when you were a kid, did you think this was going to be as
15:45good or as bad? Or is there bad days, good days? Tell me about being a rockstar and living the
15:48public life like you do. Hmm. Um, it's, it's a journey and you just have to figure out your own
15:57way of making it what you want it to be. It can be exactly what you want it to be, but it's, um,
16:05it's, it's easy for it to become not what you want by chasing things that you think you want.
16:13If that makes sense. Like, um, I think it's all about remembering why you do what you do.
16:19And like, when I started the band and wanted to make music, I just wanted to make music
16:26for people to like mosh to and dance to and have a good time. And I had no ambition outside of that.
16:33I never thought about money. I never thought about houses or cars or whatever. I never thought about
16:37being the biggest band in the world. I never thought, you know what I mean? I just, just want
16:41to make music and I would just want to be creative. And, and I think that's as long as you keep that,
16:50it's, it's that. And remember, that's what it's all about. Then you still love it. As soon as you
16:55start going off and trying to chase something else, or it's when you start getting bitter and stuff.
16:59And I've definitely been there as well. So, uh, yeah, it's, it is the best job in the world,
17:04of course. It's, I love it. It's, um, it's what I wanted to always do. Um, I just have to remember
17:11that, you know, sometimes when I'm thinking, Oh, maybe if we like water this song down, it could
17:16get on the radio and it could be a big smash. Or maybe if we took this money and did this,
17:21you know, I could buy, buy this. It's like, nah, you've got to stay true to what you do all the
17:26time. Or else you won't be happy. And that's, that's, that's a simple, it's as simple as that.
17:32Yeah. And the new song, by the way, that's on the radio lost, uh, man, the videos that you've
17:36shot for these things are insane. Is, is that like, is that like kind of your thing or do you,
17:42do you collaborate with people or how, how those come about?
17:45That one I directed with, um, with, with someone, um, and yeah, it's, I mean, again, that's,
17:55that's like before I were in the band, I wanted to be a director. So again, it's another way of
18:01like, of, of me getting to do one of my dreams. Um, and again, just doing exactly what I want
18:09going, this is what I want it to be. I don't care. Like that video. I remember our labels
18:14like, but it's going to get censored. No one's going to watch it because you'll have to sign
18:17in on YouTube. I'm like, I don't care. I want to do this. Yeah. You were talking about,
18:21you know, being a director, obviously you're in a band and get your clothing line, all that other
18:25kind of, what other kinds of things are you, what other kinds of things would you like
18:28to do? Oh, I mean, I want to do everything. I'm always, uh, thinking about something else,
18:37but I'm also trying to stop doing that. Cause I need to just have some time to myself as
18:42well. But, um, I'm sure there'll be some other shit that comes up, but, um, yeah, I'd love
18:49to do. Well, listen, enjoy the show tonight. When you're on that stage, if I'm not mistaken,
18:54when you look over to the right, you'll see the, the big silos there. They're still there
18:58if I'm not mistaken, uh, from when that place was just a farmer's field, but, uh, enjoy the
19:03show. Should be a great night out there in Western New York. I appreciate your time.
19:07Thank you so much.
19:07All right, man. Cheers, dude.