Chad Bowar: How have people responded to State Of Disgrace?
Patrick McBride: We have had an amazing response to our new release. As a brand new band in the world, we are always excited to read our fans emails and online reviews of the album. Everyone seems to find songs on the record that speak to them.
Has the response and sales met your expectations?
We knew in putting out such a diverse record that it would connect with a wide range of people (as opposed to putting out 12 "formula" based songs). From a heavy track like "God Failed" to the more emotional track "Lunar" there is something in there for everyone and every mood. That was such a key part to being an independent band and self producing. Sales, we are doing that the old fashioned (yet new school) way. Winning fans every night playing live. Can you ever really sell enough records? Right now we are on track to be earning hundreds of dollars a year!
How did you decide on the title State Of Disgrace?
We sat down and looked at the whole collection of songs and statements made at the end of our writing process and felt that "State of Disgrace" was a great description of where we all were at the time. But then looking outward, it was also a great description of where we are as a planet and culture.
What inspired your lyrics?
These lyrics were very personal to us. I think tapping into what's real makes for the best writing. The best art to me is fueled by human suffering. Every track on the record is a short story about situations and personal experiences each of us were living.
How is the tour with Godsmack and Breaking Benjamin going so far?
Playing with Godsmack is just amazing, a dream realized for us. The fact that they took us (a new hometown band) out with them speaks volumes about the guys. They could have taken anyone, but they are giving us a shot. They impacted this band on such a huge level back home. They wrote the book on hard work and persistence. We intend to follow that lead. Every night we are just blown away by the response these audiences are giving us. For a virtually unknown band at this point they are feeling the songs, the performance and connecting. The live show is the true test. People know and feel what's real out there.
We make it a point to meet each and every fan we can every night. When we finish our set, you will find us hanging out and talking with everyone at the merch booth. Every night we are the last people to leave that venue. When I was going to big shows when I was a kid I always wanted to meet the artists I had seen, but I never got the chance. Now that I'm on the other side I will give that back to the people that paid hard earned money to come see the show. It's the very least we could do for them. This show is bar none the biggest spectacle we have ever been a part of and is the most intense and entertaining show the fans will ever see. Period.
With the band's blend of harder and more melodic sounds, have you found you are appealing to fans of both metal and rock?
Yes indeed, and that was the plan all along. When we first started this band we had people telling us "You are crazy to be doing this all yourselves," "You need a major label," "You should get a high profile producer." But since that time, this music business has totally done a 180. We are now touring and talking with these huge bands that are telling us "You guys did things so right." With the major record labels crumbling everyday, we are thankful to have the freedom and power to be in control of our own fate. We were able to write and put whatever we wanted on the album instead of some out of touch suit telling us to follow the trends and what songs we could have on the record.
One of your songs appears on the Saw III soundtrack. How does that happen?
"Sakarra" is on the Saw III soundtrack. I think they made a great choice in picking that song.
The folks at Warcon were heading the soundtrack for this movie and we have a current relationship with them. We were so pleased to be involved with the movie.
What have your learned from recording and touring that you will take with you into the studio for the next album?
That's a great question. We videotape our shows each night at watch our performance and crowd reaction under a microscope. We look for the grooves that move them. We try to pace our show to be an full emotional experience, bringing them up, setting them down, bringing them to a frenzy, then out. We will be doing more of the same on the next record on an even deeper level.
