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View Full Version : Armor For Sleep - 01.05.07


xearlynovemberx
01/15/07, 01:09 PM
What can we expect with the new album? Will it be a departure from your previous work?

I think so, but I think no matter what we're going to sound like this. We're not going to come out with a record that’s a completely different style of music; you’re definitely going to be able to recognize it’s us. I think the biggest difference is going to be the people that are still listening to us are used to being involved in the story of What To Do When You AreDead. Obviously it's not that record, it's going to be a completely new idea behind the record.

Why the change from Equal Vision to Sire?

Our contract with Equal Vision Records was rode out. A lot of people think either we got bought out from the label or we left before our contract was done, but our contract was up and we just wanted to make the next step. We could have stayed on Equal Vision, and I'm sure we would have made a great record, but I think for us we felt like it was time for a change.

A few years ago at a show at The Downtown Gabe Saporta came out during one of your songs. Is there a chance you'll ever collaborate with Gabe or tour with Cobra Starship?

Yeah, I mean I'd love to tour with Cobra. We talked about collaborating when he was working on the Cobra Starship album, but it never happened. Gabe, I feel like he was the first person to ever get passionate about our band and he managed us for the first year we were a band. So we definitely owe where we are to him. I would love to work on something with him in the
future, and I'm sure we will. I mean we're on the same management company and we know all the same people, and we're always around each other and he’s like a brother to me basically.

What’s your biggest inspiration when writing?

My biggest inspiration I would say is trying not to have any. I think if I get inspired by something and then sit down and write a song right after it probably wouldn’t work out the way I wanted it to. People talk about it like when they have a creative burst, when you have a completely original idea that somehow pops into your head or was inspired by something, I think that’s the most important thing. I have to know when those things are happening because nothing else can influence you as much as that little burst of creativity or that little fresh idea in your head. And it's really important to get that down on paper as soon as I have it.

Do you find the stuff that motivated you when the band first started still motivates you to this day?

I definitely do. I think that when I sit down to write songs I tap into a side of my brain that I normally don’t tap into. When I sit down to write a song that's the only time it comes out. I think that when I first started writing songs for Armor For Sleep when I was 17 the situations were different from the situations that I'm tapping into now, but I feel like no matter what the situations are it's coming from the same place. I feel like I was born an outsider no matter how hard I try to run away from it in real life and about the weird friends surrounding me am always beat up about it. When I sit down that's just what’s coming out, whether it's Dream To Make Believe or this next album it's going to be from that perspective.

Has the writing process been any different for the new album as opposed to when you wrote the first two?

I think the main difference is the amount of time we had. We had written like over twice as much, maybe three times as much on this cd as we did on the last one. I think you get to a point where you're like what are we going to do that’s different, that's still cool and fun. We went through a period of time where we were like we can’t keep writing any more songs. I think you kind of have to go through that period to break through to the other side. I think we had a bunch of moments where we were like "we have to step up our game".

Who's producing the new album?

Ben Gross.

When can we expect the album?

People at the label are talking about it coming out maybe late spring/early summer. You know shit always changes; I wouldn’t be surprised if it comes out later than that. Basically don't hold your breath.

When can we expect a song or something?

That’s a good question. I'm not sure, maybe they'll release a single before the album, but I doubt it. I don’t know, nobody really fills me in on that stuff. Right now I'm just working in the studio and I have the same questions you do.

How far along are you into the recording process?

We're about 1/3 of the way done. Basically we've tracked a bunch of songs and we took Christmas break off. We're going to come back, the rest of the band is in N.J. now and they're going to come back in a few days and then we're going to record the other ten songs for the record. So we're still really deep into it right now.

How many songs did you go into the studio with and how many will make the final cut?

We have completely written 35 songs from front to back. We're bringing about 15 into the studio to put on the record.

Do you have a title for the new album yet?

Yeah.

Can you announce it yet?

I can't say.

Aside from the tour with Taking Back Sunday and Underoath do you have any other tour plans?

We don't as of now. That's going to take us through April and we're still looking around to see what we're going to do after that.

What’s your favorite memory of touring/recording thus far?

I guess my favorite memory of recording so far has been out here. I think that doing pre-production on the songs that we worked on so far was an amazing experience. I think Ben Gross has really helped us out with the first batch of songs that we bought into him. My favorite memory of touring is probably Bamboozle last year. I think that's the biggest show we've ever played to look out and see twenty thousand people. It's kind of ridiculous and I feel that will always be burned into my memory.

Is there any meaning behind Armor For Sleep?

Yes and no. I think the most important meaning behind the name is people are still asking that question. I think that I wanted a name that could mean a lot of different things, and I think it served its purpose because people always seem to be scratching their head at the name. Armor For Sleep to me is about trading in security in life and just not caring, and I think that’s what being in a band is. Because you open yourself to a ridiculous life and to a lot of people being able to criticize something you poured your heart and soul into. I'm not trying to whine because I feel completely lucky and amazed that I have everything in my life, but at the same time there are really hard aspects of it that it's like I chose that path. I guess that’s what the name means.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a394/silentragedy/armor2.jpg

zach26
01/15/07, 01:18 PM
very nice. i would to have liked to know if "the way out is broken" made it to the record though.

on an unrelated note...wheres that mxpx interview???

xearlynovemberx
01/15/07, 01:19 PM
very nice. i would to have liked to know if "the way out is broken" made it to the record though.

on an unrelated note...wheres that mxpx interview???

haha, no idea

thatwasamoment
01/15/07, 01:21 PM
Seems like a cool guy.

DeuceZukes13
01/15/07, 01:23 PM
so are we to assume this won't be a concept album

Tony Pascarella
01/15/07, 01:23 PM
very nice. i would to have liked to know if "the way out is broken" made it to the record though.

on an unrelated note...wheres that mxpx interview???Never heard back from their camp about it. I'm going to follow up soon.

Greg
01/15/07, 01:23 PM
haha, no idea
how'd your GC intrview go?

Tony Pascarella
01/15/07, 01:24 PM
And too bad AFS is horrendous live. Their music on CD is all right.

butt_code
01/15/07, 01:25 PM
Awesome interview. I cant wait for the new album

Joe DeAndrea
01/15/07, 01:25 PM
Good interview. I hope the record comes out sometime soon.

thisismyname
01/15/07, 01:28 PM
There last record was deffinately solid, I hope this one gets even better.

ProudlyLastPlac
01/15/07, 01:32 PM
And too bad AFS is horrendous live. Their music on CD is all right.

I'm inclined to disagree.

I've never thought they were bad live.

The only complaint that I had, was I saw them do a headlining tour with Chiodos and Boys Night Out, and everyone came for Chiodos and just kinda stuck around for the following 2 bands. I hate it when people do that.

xearlynovemberx
01/15/07, 01:32 PM
how'd your GC intrview go?

haha, good i hope we can get it up soon!

Tony Pascarella
01/15/07, 01:36 PM
I'm inclined to disagree.

I've never thought they were bad live.

The only complaint that I had, was I saw them do a headlining tour with Chiodos and Boys Night Out, and everyone came for Chiodos and just kinda stuck around for the following 2 bands. I hate it when people do that.I saw them on that tour and they bored the shit out of me, and then they vied with Senses Fail for worst performance of Warped Tour 2006. :shrug:

thisismyname
01/15/07, 01:37 PM
I'm inclined to disagree.

I've never thought they were bad live

I dont think they're bad live, musically they sound pretty good. But I found them to be boring, there just isnt any excitement in there live show.

notoaststereo
01/15/07, 01:39 PM
And too bad AFS is horrendous live. Their music on CD is all right.

they are pretty bad live... adn the cd isnt much better

PJ1336
01/15/07, 01:42 PM
the last album was fucking contaigous, but of course they ruined it for me when i saw them live.

also, i don't get why people hated on the last album's production... that shit was smoove like butta. maybe a little too smoove?

anyways, this album will hopefully be great.

xearlynovemberx
01/15/07, 01:44 PM
the last album was fucking contaigous, but of course they ruined it for me when i saw them live.

also, i don't get why people hated on the last album's production... that shit was smoove like butta. maybe a little too smoove?

anyways, this album will hopefully be great.

the fact that you compared it to butter makes you the winner

redeyes
01/15/07, 01:46 PM
yeah, what's up with the way out is broken. that is the only song by them i ever really liked.

msifreak
01/15/07, 01:51 PM
Nah, I like them live. Then again, I like almost all bands live. Except senses fail.

bloodyr0mance87
01/15/07, 02:01 PM
i think Armor For Sleep are ok live. like someone else here said, they just aren't that energized. when i saw them at warped this past summer, i thought they sounded good. they were just really lackluster as far as stage presence. and what's with the senses fail live show hating here? i love their live show. talk about a band with stage presence and energy during their live show!

mizoka
01/15/07, 02:04 PM
And too bad AFS is horrendous live. Their music on CD is all right.

yea, i've only watched a couple of videos online, but they didn't make me excited as the CD songs did. when i first listened to them, i was like "omg, they gotta be amazing live!", but they kinda disappointed me on this aspect.

on other note, both of their CDs are really good, i'm looking forward to the new album.

danielineffigy
01/15/07, 02:04 PM
I can't wait for this... I also wanted a report on "The Way Out is Broken", but whatever...

thisismyname
01/15/07, 02:13 PM
and what's with the senses fail live show hating here? i love their live show. talk about a band with stage presence and energy during their live show!

Yeah, I think senses fail is pretty much the opposite of AFS when it comes to live shows, They really dont sound that great, but they've got the energy and stage presence to still make the shows fun.

rickmo
01/15/07, 02:30 PM
And too bad AFS is horrendous live. Their music on CD is all right.
agreed.

good interview

lew_1987
01/15/07, 03:09 PM
senses fail are the worst band i have seen live. their singer can't sing, and their bassist can't scream. they have improved since heath saraceno started playing for them. but i bum midtown. oh yeah AFS are one of the best bands ever

ProudlyLastPlac
01/15/07, 03:39 PM
I miss Midtown :-(

Absolute Mest
01/15/07, 04:25 PM
Seems like a cool guy.
He's not at all. I could be, but he chooses not to. He'll only say hey to the fans when he wants to. I think he's a little bitch, hopefully his 15 minutes will be up soon.

Absolute Mest
01/15/07, 04:33 PM
senses fail are the worst band i have seen live. their singer can't sing, and their bassist can't scream. they have improved since heath saraceno started playing for them. but i bum midtown. oh yeah AFS are one of the best bands ever
I've heard this so many times from so many different people, some who actually never have seen Senses Fail live. I've been to 7 or 8 of their shows, and only 2 were as bad as you described. Their bassist can't scream, Buddy's vocals used to be really weak but as of 2 years ago, his singing has improved considerably. They've not been consistent when it comes to vocals, but I've witnessed at 5 shows where I was amazed. You've got to give them a little more credit than that, they've always had amazing stage presence when they've been lacking in the other stuff, but everyone has had bad days, some just have more but they're on their way. They just need to replace that bassist.

leafsacc
01/15/07, 05:47 PM
The last time I saw Armor for Sleep, I thought they were really good and had a great time. I saw Senses Fail last week and was impressed by their stage presence as well. Maybe I"m just easily impressed, but I know that if you're just standing their and not really into it you'll probably think a lot of bands are pretty bad live. A band's energy can make up for less than stellar vocals or a few missed notes.

phaedrus
01/15/07, 08:06 PM
He's not at all. I could be, but he chooses not to. He'll only say hey to the fans when he wants to. I think he's a little bitch, hopefully his 15 minutes will be up soon.
Oh come on, its not his job to be your friend.

Its strange, I used to love this band, but I'm not really excited about the new album at all. Hopefully when I hear something I'll get into it

AdamTheGreat
01/15/07, 08:25 PM
Wow such a great review. Really smooth.

atticus1492
01/15/07, 08:36 PM
The last time I saw Armor for Sleep, I thought they were really good and had a great time. I saw Senses Fail last week and was impressed by their stage presence as well. Maybe I"m just easily impressed, but I know that if you're just standing their and not really into it you'll probably think a lot of bands are pretty bad live. A band's energy can make up for less than stellar vocals or a few missed notes.

I simply cannot take what you say seriously.

But, I love Armor for Sleep.

And, I hate Senses Fail.

falloutboy.
01/15/07, 08:53 PM
I saw them on that tour and they bored the shit out of me, and then they vied with Senses Fail for worst performance of Warped Tour 2006. :shrug:
i agree with the armor for sleep portion, but senses fail always gets the crowd going, so i dont think their that bad live.. but armor for sleep should be nicknamed the 'the standstills'

lew_1987
01/16/07, 04:32 AM
I've heard this so many times from so many different people, some who actually never have seen Senses Fail live. I've been to 7 or 8 of their shows, and only 2 were as bad as you described. Their bassist can't scream, Buddy's vocals used to be really weak but as of 2 years ago, his singing has improved considerably. They've not been consistent when it comes to vocals, but I've witnessed at 5 shows where I was amazed. You've got to give them a little more credit than that, they've always had amazing stage presence when they've been lacking in the other stuff, but everyone has had bad days, some just have more but they're on their way. They just need to replace that bassist.

yes they do. i saw them last year at taste of chaos and i have seen them live on countless videos. none of which have been amazing. yes i admit their stage presence is pretty good, and the vocals have improved on the records since their ep. i even like a few senses fail songs, including bloody romance which includes the worst screaming ive ever heard recorded. theyve got an amazing backing vocalist all they need is a good screamer.

truluv21
01/16/07, 12:20 PM
i dont know whts with the AFS nd SF bashing ball here but i saw both of them at warped nd completely loved it. esp the SF acoustic. i enjoy bands who can rev up a crowd but i think i prefer those who dont jump around like fools on stage. ive been to many many shows nd AFS is one of my favs. im seeing them this coming march nd im psyched.

rocker920
01/27/07, 12:48 PM
i love armor for sleep. I cant wait 4 the nu album

BoiledFrogs.
02/13/07, 03:23 PM
I saw them on that tour and they bored the shit out of me, and then they vied with Senses Fail for worst performance of Warped Tour 2006. :shrug:
no lie i've seen both senses fail and afs...they both suck like shit when preforming...damn son wasted my money

moe.10
02/22/07, 01:22 AM
Can you announce it yet?

I can't say.


how crazy would it be if the album was actually titled "i can't say" :shudder:

SuckerForMayhem
02/24/07, 01:07 PM
I didn't think they were that bad at Warped... but they're CDs definitely rock