Anthems Interview with Chris vocalist for the band Interview By Sean WWTO

First off i would like to personally thank Chris and all the members of Anthem for taking the time out to do this interview with Worldwidetakeoverzine

www.myspace.com/anthemshc
www.anthemshc.com


How did the band come to be named Anthems

We had just recorded our first 3 song demo and we had a few ideas for a name, when I talked to a good friend of mine from NC who was talking about maybe starting a project called Anthems. I heard the name and asked him if I could use it because I really liked the way it fit with the songs we had just done. So here we are.


who are some of the bands main musical influences

Our influences are really all over the place, everyone in the band comes from a different musical background and we all bring it to the table everyday. For me though, I would have to say my main influences would be Faded Grey, Taken, American Nightmare, and Stay Gold.


for someone who has never been to vegas what are some sights and places you would recommend to visit besides the obvious touristy vegas strip?

oh man take your pick! liberace, elvis, an m&m factory, a pinball museum, and skate parks galore! and between us WWTO, take the 95 north until you see a man with a golden steer, greet the man with a chicken, and your wildest dreams will come true. afterall, what happens in vegas, stays in vegas

are any members in side projects other than Anthems

Our drummer Shane is in a pop punk / hardcore / party band called She Turned Us Into Trees! They sound alot like old Saves The Day meets Curl Up And Die. They're really good.

how long has the band been together

As far as having a full line-up, we have been together since late August / early October

what are your views on fighting at shows and do you think its causing more venues to steer away from hxc shows

fighting at shows is definitely one of the most ridiculous things someone can do. Of course venues are going to steer away from doing hardcore shows when kids can't learn to set their bullshit aside and have a good time! WE ARE ALL ONE SCENE GUYS!

how many cds eps 7 inches split cds and demos has the band currently released

We recorded a 3 song EP in October and we are currently working on releasing a CDEP called 'Still Living'(Which can actually be purchased on our myspace via Snocap) and a 7" by the same name through Assault Records based out of Germany.

what do you base your lyrics on when writing new material

My lyrics are usually based on what's going on in my mind. I usually try to keep a positive outlook, but not to be too overbearing with it. We are a band based on realism. We aren't going to sugar coat anything, so when I say I think things are going to work out, that's what I really mean.

is there a large and thriving scene in the Las Vegas area as well as throughout Nevada

There is a very loyal scene here in Vegas! I know Reno is absolutely nuts and has an awesome scene, and I heard Parhump is starting to do shows more often, so be on the look out!

is this the original lineup and if not what is the current lineup

Right now we actually just had one of our guitarists (Fernando) quit and we are looking for a replacement. Our original lineup was myself, Cody Stigers (guitar), Fernando Delaserna (guitar), Freddi Cruz (bass), and Shane Snodgrass (drums.)


if you could have anyone do guest vocals on your next recording who would it be and why

Besides the obvious (J.T. and A-Kon), Lance from Faded Grey and Ray Harkens from Taken! Those bands have had such a huge impact on my life.

in only one sentence describe your sound to someone who has never heard you before

We are a party in a band.

how were you first exposed to the scene and what made you say i want to be in an band

I remember going to see shows at a venue we had called Tremorz. It was right by the university (UNLV) and they would have local night every Wed. for like 3 bucks. I would always go and watch bands like Folsom, Mulholland Drive, Faded Grey, Silent Tragedy, and Curl Up And Die. I would have to say that watching Faded Grey and the way they played, interacted with the crowd, and the things they had to say made me want to be in a band.

when on tour and driving from city to city what is some of the weirdest shit you have seen happen or pass by

Well we haven't been on a tour yet, but on our drive to CA to record our ep, we had an extreme tire blow out while coming to a screeching halt to avoid hitting galloping skinwalkers!

where do you see the band in 3 years from now

I see us doing the same things we are doing now; writing and playing the music that we love and we want to hear. Maybe touring a little more though.

who are some of the up and coming bands from the Las Vegas area as well as throughout Nevada that we should be on the lookout for

Nothing Gold has some friends of ours that are going to be dropping a recording soon, I think it's going to be fantastic. Caravels, also from Vegas, are incredible. They are so good at what they do and put on such a great live show. See It Through from Reno is amazing. Molotov Solution is going to kill it when their new cd drops (Which is on tuesday the 15th I believe! Make sure to pick it up.)

the term hardcore has become so overused that any band putting a breakdown into a song is considered hardcore but explain to the readers what hardcore means to you

Hardcore to me is, was, and always will be a way to connect with your peers about the things in life that are important to you. Whether it is friends, family, straightedge, or positivity. Hardcore is where we can be who we want, say what we want, and believe in whatever it is that we want to believe in without being rediculed or judged.

How can the readers from around the world contact you about ordering merchandise

Via our myspace of course! Http://www.myspace.com/anthemshc
we are also working on getting our website up and running, that will be http://www.anthemshc.com

Who are some of the bands that you enjoy sharing shows with

We love playing with our boys in Tiefighter. Those guys have become some of our best friends and we get the pleasure of touring with them this summer. Other bands that rule are See It Through, Every Second Counts, Gravemaker, and Caravels.

What advice can you give to some of the newer bands starting out that maybe having a tough time and thinking about giving up

Do what feels right to you, make the music you love and you want to hear. Don't worry about what anyone else has to say about it. It's YOUR music.

where do you think you would be right now had you not been exposed to the hxc metal scene

I'm not sure to be honest, and I don't really want to know. As cliche as it sounds, i'm sure hardcore saved my life.

why do you think that people always associate violence with hardcore shows and it always gives hxc scenes and shows a bad reputation

There's a saying, "A bad apple ruins the cart." I think people are alot quicker to talk about a bad experience (not just at shows, but in general) than a good one.

Do you have any upcoming shows that you would like to tell the readers about

Yes we do!
May 1 2008 9:00P
ReJAVAnate Las Vegas, Nevada
May 2 2008 7:00P
The Green Turtle w/ Molotov Solution Whttier, California
May 3 2008 6:00P
Chain Reaction w/ Molotov Solution Anaheim, California
May 4 2008 7:00P
The Bakersfield Dome w/ Molotov Solution Bakersfield, California

Is there anything else that you would like to add that i may have forgotten to ask that the readers should know about

I'd like to give you guys a huge thanks for keeping things real. You guys have a good thing going, keep it up.
We are releasing a 7" through Assault Records sometime this summer, Check it out at http://www.myspace.com/assaultrecords
I think that's it. We'll be partying all summer with Tiefighter so make sure to check it out if it hits your town.
Don't fight at show's, don't force your beliefs on to someone who is unwilling, and make sure to take care of yourselves, your friends, and your scene.

Thank You Chris and Anthems for taking the time out to do this interview with Worldwidetakeoverzine

Thank you dude!