had been the reactions so far?
So far the reactions to the record have exceeded our
expectations far and away. We're sooo happy people seem to like it.
Are you satisfied with the album? Did it turn out the way you
planned it?
I know everyone has their own small gripes with the record, but I
think that will always happen. I know that we got it real close to
how we wanted it and are all very pleased with the way it came out.
Like all of your records the album has a remarkable cover artwork
- who created it ? Did the artist work on his own or did you give him outlines?
Jake Bannon did the artwork for us again. We all love it. Jake will
listen to whatever record he needs to artwork for and feel it out. We
trust that he'll do something we like, so we were cool with him just
doing something that represented the feel of the record musically.
Isthe artwork linked to the lyrics?
It is. It stayed kind of with the theme of the last record's
artwork with some anonymous person on the cover, which illustrates
self-discovery and progression. For example, Eli wrote lyrics for
this record that tied in to lyrics on the past two releases, which is
like going from one chapter to the next.
Speaking of the lyrics: how important are they for you personally?
Do you think they can reach the kids in the same way as the lyrics of
MINOR THREAT or BLACK FLAG did back then?
Well, personally, i think lyrics are just as important in a band like
ours that isnt very out-spoken about anything as they could be for a
band with a strong message about straight edge or vegan or anything
like that, just the same as some rock band or hip hop group. I listen
to some music because I appreciate the guitar playing or drumming or
something, but I listen to a lot more bands for lyrics I feel like.
Touring has become very important for hardcore/metal-bands in the
last years. Do you think that it has been a positive trend?
Personally, i think it's great. There is nothing better, to me,
in this world than being on tour. Also, I think it's important for
bands to cut their teeth and play every night and wreck vans and
stuff because getting big off of myspace spoils people and then good
shows aren't appreciated.
Do you enjoy touring personally?
I dont even like being home anymore.
What are you doing on tour to fight the boredom and to prevent
that the other touring mates from annoying you to death?
We try to sleep alot. We play driving games, like movie games
and stuff. We just bullshit. On our last tour, everyone had some new
gadget, so we'd get in to small debates over trivial facts and
couldnt settle them till someone googled it. We skate. Party. We
barely see each other at home because we all have crazy schedules, so
we get along pretty well on tour.
Are there any special items you bring for a tour? What is
essentially equipment-wise, what can you live without?
A sleeping bag makes any floor 100 times better. As far as
equipment goes, i go through a lot of strings
You toured in the US and Europe - did you experience big
differences when it comes to organization (food, sleeping places...)?
The food is always different. In Europe we just ate stew, soda,
beer and bubble water. In Japan you eat at 7-11 and drink pocari
sweat, and the US has a pizza hut, taco bell or sonic in any city
that matters.
Someone in JUST WENT BLACK once said, that hardcore is the best
travel agency in the world...
In just over a year, I've seen almost the whole U.S., Europe,
Mexico, Canada, and Japan just for the price of a plane ticket or less.
can you give 3 things that are great in today's hardcore scene?
The amount of people going to shows, the carrier and the
everyone just wanting to have fun at shows.
And 3 things that really annoy you?
Fixed gear bikes, 19 people standing on the stage. 2 of which
are serious photographers and the rest with disposable cameras, and
internet/msg brd celebrities.
What do you expect of the future for KILLING THE DREAM?
I expect a lot of good times, good tunes and good pizza/
burritos/sando's and some awesome tour tats.
How did playing in a band and releasing albums changed the way
you see the hardcore scene? Did it "kill the dream" when a passion
became a job, a profession?
We keep the whole "professional band" thing at arms length with
a pretty limited tour schedule. We still love doing this because it
hasnt become a job or obligation. Touring comes out of our pocket but
its so much fun that we dont care. The dream is alive and well,
because now that we've what it takes to tour and put out records, we
appreciate it so much more.
And some final words?
I want to say that double d in the back is a beast.
