[IMGLEFT]http://www.russell.ultimatemetal.com/Interview/kj.jpg[/IMGLEFT]By Jason Jordan
Arguably, Unearth have risen to the top of the metalcore heap since releasing The Oncoming Storm on Metal Blade Records in 2004. I sat with Trevor Phipps (vocals) and Mike Justain (drums) who struggled to open a new CD while we talked and conversed with them about the bands past, present, and future.
Can you give me a little background on how you got signed to Metal Blade?
Trevor: They saw us play at South by Southwest in March 2003. They were excited by the set, and we played a week later at The Whisky in Hollywood. From that point on, they were talking to us.
Thats cool. I think lately its been a phenomenon with Metal Blade that theyll pick up a bunch of not really newer bands but theyll scour areas and then sign a few bands. I know you all had released some other things before The Oncoming Storm. Could you tell us about any of those?
T: Yeah, we have another full-length called The Stings of Conscience. We put that out with Eulogy Recordings in 2001. We also have an EP called Endless put out on Eulogy in 2002. Our first release ever was called Above the Fall of Man and that was put out in May 1999 I think on Endless Fight Records, so the bands been around a long time. We just did our thing underground, and got picked up by Metal Blade. Theres been a lot more press and a lot more record sales, since we signed.
Hows it going with Metal Blade?
T: Great label. Theyre a lot of fun. They treat us well, they have good distribution, they advertise, and were happy to be on that label.
They have a lot of financial muscle as far as metal is concerned.
T: Yeah. Theyre one of the biggest independent labels out there, for this style of music anyway.
You guys, whether you like it or not, have been pigeonholed into the metalcore genre. What do you think about that? Do you necessarily agree with that?
T: What do you think Mike?
Mike: Metalcore? The name is sort of a representation of metallic hardcore, and itd be pompous and pretentious of us to say that were not metallic hardcore. Unearth is a band that was founded on hardcore, the hardcore scene, and hardcore ideals fortified with musical notions of metal. A lot of bands try to avoid being referred to as metalcore like its leprosy or something. It is what it is. Its the whole fundamental concept of cultivating the two most emotional forms of music. Thats not necessarily a bad thing.
I think youre right. Bands are shying away from the metalcore label, but I think you all are with some other bands the forerunners of the genre. What are metalcore bands going to have to do to differentiate themselves from one another, since there are so many of them out there?
M: Music, in general, goes in circles. Its not just hardcore or heavy metal, its every kind of music. I think that theres going to be a time pretty soon where this subgenre of music is going to have to come full circle, and reinvent itself. Because, there are a lot of bands out there that you cant really tell apart. Thats just based on plagiarizing somebody elses innovation. Its only a matter of time before theres a new innovation and thats going to be plagiarized by other bands. Were gonna come full circle.
Yeah, where somebody reinvents the wheel, and then we get a bunch of followers of that. What would you say the overall premise is of The Oncoming Storm?
T: Premise of the record? Of the lyrics?
Yeah.
T: Basically, to sum up quickly, were at a time right now where other countries arent treating each other very well, people arent treating each other very well, and theres natural disasters happening because of the way we treat our planet. So, if we dont improve all aspects of the way we treat each other, and the world, then were fucked I guess.
Its sort of about an amalgamation of political, social, and environmental problems?
T: You said it better than I did!
(Laughs) Had to get a little Bush lambasting in there
T: Yeah, a little bit.
How was Ozzfest?
T: Fun as hell, man. Cant wait till this summer. Were doing the Sounds of the Underground Tour, and its gonna be just like Ozzfest. Second stage, a parking lot full of all our friends, and we get to hang out, play shows everyday, and have fun.
What are some of the perks of that? Playing Ozzfest versus other tours or other shows?
T: Bigger stage, and well be playing to more people. An audience that you wouldnt normally play in front of.
Yeah, like tens of thousands
T: Yeah, we play to an average of five thousand a people a day at Ozzfest. This is a good-size tour that were on right now, and were playing to an average of about 1,000 people a night. Thats a really good-size tour, but Ozzfest is five times that almost every day.
Where is this tour headed after this [Louisville]?
T: We have about two and a half or three weeks left. Were gonna tackle the Midwest now, cause we started in California, went down the southern section of the U.S., and up the east coast and to Canada. And now were doing the Midwest, and ending the tour back in California.
I was surprised to see you guys come through Louisville, cause its not really a major stop for a lot of metal. But, I think its fortunate that we got you guys out here.
T: I think what happened was we played here on our off day of Ozzfest with Atreyu, Lamb of God, and Every Time I Die. It was such a great show, we had so much fun, and the audience was amazing so we figured wed just come back.
First time I saw you guys was when you played up in Indianapolis with Zao.
T: A long time ago, right?
Yeah, that was a while ago. That was probably 2002. Zao had just released Parade of Chaos, and they were on that tour. You guys were probably second-billing under them.
T: Yeah, that was July of 2002.
Whats in the works for you? Its been a little while since The Oncoming Storms been released.
T: Its been about nine months.
Do you guys write on the road, or?
T (to Mike): A little bit here and there, right?
M: Yeah, were so preoccupied with the rigors of the road. (Laughs) We do it once in a while, but theres not too many open avenues for writing, recording, all the necessary steps that it takes to actually put together a song.
T: Well have ideas, but you cant really put together a song until youre home.
This tour ends in two and a half to three weeks. You guys have Sounds of the Underground Tour in the summer. After that have you formalized are you gonna sit down and say were gonna write another record, or do you think youll add some more legs to the touring?
T: Were at a point where were getting to pick and choose our tours the way we want to. So, after this, we have about three weeks off, and then we go to Japan and Australia. So there are a few weeks where we can write a little bit. Then we go to Europe for about ten days. We do that for about two weeks, and then we have the summer tour. Then well be home for a couple weeks, and then well go on another tour. Then, I think well take off two months to write the record, take some time off, and do one more tour in November.
Thats great.
T: I think at that point well set up some recording time and have a record ready to go sometime in mid to late 2006. At least thats the plan.
Have you guys ever toured in Japan, Australia, or any of those places?
T: Were looking forward to it very much. Its been a goal of ours.
With both of those countries, they dont get a whole lot of metal tours but when they do, they really have a cult following for a lot of bands.
T: They each have their fair share of bands though, right?
Yeah.
T (to Mike): Whats the band you like a lot?
M: Japanese band? Envy. I like Envy a lot. I like Melt Banana a lot. Theyre playing here soon actually. Theres a lot of great Japanese bands. There seems to be a raw, cathartic type of expression with them.
Its really great that you get to go to Australia, because not a lot of people get to tour there.
T: Thats killer, man. Nice weather, and its a place that Ive wanted to check out for my entire life.
Its so secluded in some places. But, you guys will probably be hitting Perth, Melbourne, all the major stops?
T: Yeah, Sydney and Brisbane. Adelaide. Thats the only other one. Its cool, though, cause theres two and three night stays in different cities. I think were doing three nights in Melbourne, two nights in Sydney, two nights in Perth, which is pretty rad. Well get to hang out in the cities and see the sights.
Well, I think thats all I have.
T: Right on.
Thanks a lot guys.
T and M: Thank you.
All photographs copyright Amanda Roberson 2005.
Ultimatemetals Review of Unearth The Oncoming Storm
Official Unearth Website
Official Metal Blade Records Website
Arguably, Unearth have risen to the top of the metalcore heap since releasing The Oncoming Storm on Metal Blade Records in 2004. I sat with Trevor Phipps (vocals) and Mike Justain (drums) who struggled to open a new CD while we talked and conversed with them about the bands past, present, and future.
Can you give me a little background on how you got signed to Metal Blade?
Trevor: They saw us play at South by Southwest in March 2003. They were excited by the set, and we played a week later at The Whisky in Hollywood. From that point on, they were talking to us.
Thats cool. I think lately its been a phenomenon with Metal Blade that theyll pick up a bunch of not really newer bands but theyll scour areas and then sign a few bands. I know you all had released some other things before The Oncoming Storm. Could you tell us about any of those?
T: Yeah, we have another full-length called The Stings of Conscience. We put that out with Eulogy Recordings in 2001. We also have an EP called Endless put out on Eulogy in 2002. Our first release ever was called Above the Fall of Man and that was put out in May 1999 I think on Endless Fight Records, so the bands been around a long time. We just did our thing underground, and got picked up by Metal Blade. Theres been a lot more press and a lot more record sales, since we signed.
Hows it going with Metal Blade?
T: Great label. Theyre a lot of fun. They treat us well, they have good distribution, they advertise, and were happy to be on that label.
They have a lot of financial muscle as far as metal is concerned.
T: Yeah. Theyre one of the biggest independent labels out there, for this style of music anyway.
You guys, whether you like it or not, have been pigeonholed into the metalcore genre. What do you think about that? Do you necessarily agree with that?
T: What do you think Mike?
Mike: Metalcore? The name is sort of a representation of metallic hardcore, and itd be pompous and pretentious of us to say that were not metallic hardcore. Unearth is a band that was founded on hardcore, the hardcore scene, and hardcore ideals fortified with musical notions of metal. A lot of bands try to avoid being referred to as metalcore like its leprosy or something. It is what it is. Its the whole fundamental concept of cultivating the two most emotional forms of music. Thats not necessarily a bad thing.
I think youre right. Bands are shying away from the metalcore label, but I think you all are with some other bands the forerunners of the genre. What are metalcore bands going to have to do to differentiate themselves from one another, since there are so many of them out there?
M: Music, in general, goes in circles. Its not just hardcore or heavy metal, its every kind of music. I think that theres going to be a time pretty soon where this subgenre of music is going to have to come full circle, and reinvent itself. Because, there are a lot of bands out there that you cant really tell apart. Thats just based on plagiarizing somebody elses innovation. Its only a matter of time before theres a new innovation and thats going to be plagiarized by other bands. Were gonna come full circle.
Yeah, where somebody reinvents the wheel, and then we get a bunch of followers of that. What would you say the overall premise is of The Oncoming Storm?
T: Premise of the record? Of the lyrics?
Yeah.
T: Basically, to sum up quickly, were at a time right now where other countries arent treating each other very well, people arent treating each other very well, and theres natural disasters happening because of the way we treat our planet. So, if we dont improve all aspects of the way we treat each other, and the world, then were fucked I guess.
Its sort of about an amalgamation of political, social, and environmental problems?
T: You said it better than I did!
(Laughs) Had to get a little Bush lambasting in there
T: Yeah, a little bit.
How was Ozzfest?
T: Fun as hell, man. Cant wait till this summer. Were doing the Sounds of the Underground Tour, and its gonna be just like Ozzfest. Second stage, a parking lot full of all our friends, and we get to hang out, play shows everyday, and have fun.
What are some of the perks of that? Playing Ozzfest versus other tours or other shows?
T: Bigger stage, and well be playing to more people. An audience that you wouldnt normally play in front of.
Yeah, like tens of thousands
T: Yeah, we play to an average of five thousand a people a day at Ozzfest. This is a good-size tour that were on right now, and were playing to an average of about 1,000 people a night. Thats a really good-size tour, but Ozzfest is five times that almost every day.
Where is this tour headed after this [Louisville]?
T: We have about two and a half or three weeks left. Were gonna tackle the Midwest now, cause we started in California, went down the southern section of the U.S., and up the east coast and to Canada. And now were doing the Midwest, and ending the tour back in California.
I was surprised to see you guys come through Louisville, cause its not really a major stop for a lot of metal. But, I think its fortunate that we got you guys out here.
T: I think what happened was we played here on our off day of Ozzfest with Atreyu, Lamb of God, and Every Time I Die. It was such a great show, we had so much fun, and the audience was amazing so we figured wed just come back.
First time I saw you guys was when you played up in Indianapolis with Zao.
T: A long time ago, right?
Yeah, that was a while ago. That was probably 2002. Zao had just released Parade of Chaos, and they were on that tour. You guys were probably second-billing under them.
T: Yeah, that was July of 2002.
Whats in the works for you? Its been a little while since The Oncoming Storms been released.
T: Its been about nine months.
Do you guys write on the road, or?
T (to Mike): A little bit here and there, right?
M: Yeah, were so preoccupied with the rigors of the road. (Laughs) We do it once in a while, but theres not too many open avenues for writing, recording, all the necessary steps that it takes to actually put together a song.
T: Well have ideas, but you cant really put together a song until youre home.
This tour ends in two and a half to three weeks. You guys have Sounds of the Underground Tour in the summer. After that have you formalized are you gonna sit down and say were gonna write another record, or do you think youll add some more legs to the touring?
T: Were at a point where were getting to pick and choose our tours the way we want to. So, after this, we have about three weeks off, and then we go to Japan and Australia. So there are a few weeks where we can write a little bit. Then we go to Europe for about ten days. We do that for about two weeks, and then we have the summer tour. Then well be home for a couple weeks, and then well go on another tour. Then, I think well take off two months to write the record, take some time off, and do one more tour in November.
Thats great.
T: I think at that point well set up some recording time and have a record ready to go sometime in mid to late 2006. At least thats the plan.
Have you guys ever toured in Japan, Australia, or any of those places?
T: Were looking forward to it very much. Its been a goal of ours.
With both of those countries, they dont get a whole lot of metal tours but when they do, they really have a cult following for a lot of bands.
T: They each have their fair share of bands though, right?
Yeah.
T (to Mike): Whats the band you like a lot?
M: Japanese band? Envy. I like Envy a lot. I like Melt Banana a lot. Theyre playing here soon actually. Theres a lot of great Japanese bands. There seems to be a raw, cathartic type of expression with them.
Its really great that you get to go to Australia, because not a lot of people get to tour there.
T: Thats killer, man. Nice weather, and its a place that Ive wanted to check out for my entire life.
Its so secluded in some places. But, you guys will probably be hitting Perth, Melbourne, all the major stops?
T: Yeah, Sydney and Brisbane. Adelaide. Thats the only other one. Its cool, though, cause theres two and three night stays in different cities. I think were doing three nights in Melbourne, two nights in Sydney, two nights in Perth, which is pretty rad. Well get to hang out in the cities and see the sights.
Well, I think thats all I have.
T: Right on.
Thanks a lot guys.
T and M: Thank you.
All photographs copyright Amanda Roberson 2005.
Ultimatemetals Review of Unearth The Oncoming Storm
Official Unearth Website
Official Metal Blade Records Website
