interview
D
etroit metalcore outlet WE CAME AS
ROMANS are set to release their new inspirational Self-titled album on July 24th
via Spinefarm Records. This will be the bands 4th
studio album to date, and the anticipation is reaching a high amongst fans. The band have just
toured Australia, and then joined the US Warped
tour, before they set off to tour their new album.
We caught up with Dave Stephens (vocals) via
the powers of the internet, as he sits in the back
lounge of the bands tour bus in Charlotte, North
Carolina.
VP: How are you doing on Vans Warped Tour?
I’m doing well! It’s an exhausting tour but every
single day is so exciting and our shows have
been incredible.
VP: Do you have any Warped Tour stories so far?
On the night of my birthday my band mates,
along with members of AS IT IS, and some of the
Fearless Records guys broke into a pool. We were
so drunk, fooling around, pushing each other
into the pool and building diving platforms out
of chairs, and acting like a bunch of wild animals.
It’s unbelievable no one got hurt and we didn’t
get kicked out!
VP: Looking around on the internet, a few
people here and there tend to get scared that
you’re going to create a softer sound. But then
you release something such as ‘Regenerate’, or
previously ‘Hope’ (which certainly was not soft) Why do you think some fans have that fear?
Fans fear change just as any human fears
We Came As Romans
Dave Stephens
change. As a musician I would get so bored writing the same record continuously, evolution is
necessary to keep the band happy and (as much
as they don’t want to admit it) the listener happy.
It’s frustrating to see fans so concerned about
whether if it’s ‘heavy’ or ‘light’ - what happened
to enjoying a song because it is a GREAT song?
“Regenerate is a call for
action, a cry to make
people stop fighting“
VP: Do you think this is a softer album overall?
We didn’t write this record to be heavy or light,
we wrote a ton of songs and picked the best
ones. It just so happens that 4 songs of the 10 are
the heaviest songs our band has ever done! But
a lot of what’s left are songs closer to the active
rock direction.
VP: Could you talk us through a few of your favourite tracks on the new album?
‘Regenerate’ is my personal favourite on the record, I’m tired of seeing people so divided in the
tough times America is currently facing. It seems
everyone is living for themselves and putting
others down, thinking it will lift them up. We’re
putting our faith in things that have zero proof
of existence instead of having faith in your fellow
man. ‘Regenerate’ is a call to action and a cry to
By Victoria Purcell
make people stop fighting each other and start
fighting the real problems in this country.
‘The World I Used To Know’ is my other favourite, it’s a staple of what the rest of the record is
lyrically. As we grow older we view the world in
a different light, that youthful naivety and spirit
fades away and were left seeing how terrifying
the world actually is. Although it all sounds very
negative, I believe that happiness is still out
there but we need to search a little harder to
find it.
Although the record is written about things
we’re unhappy with, it doesn’t necessarily qualify as a ‘negative’ record. I’m pointing out things
I’m scared of, sad about, and angry with, in
hopes a positive change will come from it.
VP: This album sounds more refined and the production is excellent.
We wrote and recorded this record very honestly. David Bendeth wouldn’t let us tune or time
vocals, time drums, or program bass. Because of
this we were forced to all get better at our instruments!
Musically and lyrically we held nothing back. We
are saying exactly what we want to say, writing
what we want to play, and creating music we’d
like to hear!
VP: We love the use of clean vs screamo, it’s a
part of what makes you WCAR. How does the
lyrical writing work for that? Joint effort, or one
person’s responsibility?
Josh and I write all the lyrics and then Kyle and I
do rhythms and melodies together.