Straight To Our Enemies is something of a Frankensteinian musical-mish-mash. With the goal of creating life these doctors of hardcore have selected irregular elements to assemble their creature. Selecting such random viles as those labeled “pop-punk background” and “folk vocalist”, combining and neutralizing them with a few other compounds [members]. There comes that moment just before the electricity strikes, before the lights flicker for the reveal, the moment when you don’t know if there will even be life once the dust settles. Yet, in this laboratory, somewhere within the heart of Spokane, Washington, the haze is gone and the beast has risen. As Dr. F set out to create life and ended up with a monster like creature larger and stronger than the average man, the composition of STOE has brought about a brutality which may tear the scene (locally and nationally) to shreds. Beware that creature thrashing from the hallows of I-90, beware.

Music is at its best when it taps into the intrinsic value of creating a shared experience with artist and fan, when the artist seems to express with lyric, music and instrumentation what a fan himself is feeling. In that vein, you song “Dreamer” boasts a chorus chant stating, “I am a dreamer, it’s not all I’ll ever be.” Is this lyric written with a specific circumstance in mind or more of a declaration for where STOE is headed?
STOE Dreamer was written with a specific circumstance correlating to the story of David in the bible. David was a man after God’s own heart and this song was written (by Andy) to be about his dream to follow God in David’s path and about how that specific road is not an easy one to journey.

Who have been some of the key figures who have supported STOE and helped to get you to this place?
STOE All of our families, friends, girlfriend, Managers (Noah Zweruhweriodorfin and Rabananda Bennett) fans, and venue owners/promoters have all had a big part in who we are and who we are becoming both as musicians and as people.

You are heading into the studio, when are you hoping to release the album and where will fans be able to pick up a copy?
Our album will be recorded in Iowa in March and we are hoping to have it done sometime mid-summer. We are hoping to get the album into some bigger stores such as Hasting, Best-buy and possibly Target.

January 27, 2010 you have a slot for a speaking engagement at Post Falls (Idaho) Middle School, what were you speaking on? Is this a regular thing for you to speak at schools/events or how did this come about? STOE We were asked by Andy’s mother to go and speak to the fifth and sixth period classes of their newly formed guitar 1 class. We mainly just showed the students what being in a band is all about and how to get where we are and what it takes to be in a band and all the sacrifice necessary to attain your goals. Its not really something we have put a lot of thought into but after doing it we would love to speak at schools again!

You all are from Spokane, Washington but have decided to record in Iowa. What drew you there to record and will this be your first time recording together?
STOE Our main reason for recording in Iowa is the person who will be engineering/producing the record. He is a friend of our manager and we have listened to all the amazing work he has done and all agree that he is the best bet for us to further our music and careers. We recording the tracks “Dreamer” and “We Make Guns” last October in LA with Jeremy Conrad. It was the first time that all of us had recorded track together and it was a very gratifying experience for everyone.

As you prepared to record are you going in with a pretty clear picture of what you want to track and how you want to lay it out or do you anticipate the process being very experimental?
STOE We are finishing up our writing as we speak for the album and we are going in with a very clear idea of how things will sound. Not to say there wont be some amount of experimentation involved in the recording process but we are 80% sure of how we want things to turn out.

2009 just ended, what are some of your fondest memories as a band of the year that was? What are you looking forward to in 2010?
STOE 2009 was a great year for us. It brought us Rob as a bass player and Noah as a Manager. Along with that it was our first time playing the all amazing Tomfest where we shared the stage with great bands such as For today and Oh Sleeper. Our main focus for 2010 is the album getting recorded and our first US tour.

Currently your Myspace is a baseball theme, was that primarily for effect or has baseball played a significant role in your lives?
STOE The baseball theme is mainly that. A baseball theme. Its sole purpose is to create a catchy and attractive idea that will hold peoples interest until they listen to our music and hear the every increasing complexity of our songs.

In your current playlist for Myspace there are two songs with guns in the title “We Make Guns” and “Hold A Gun”, is there any particular significance or meaning behind the title or are you just fascinated with guns?
STOE Guns are a subject of interest for our vocalist Andy. He just loves them and everything pertaining to them.

Hold A Gun starts off incredibly heavy and as of this date is your most played song, what do you perceive or hear from fans that makes this song special.
STOE The song “Hold A Gun” is so popular i believe because of its catchy chants and heavy breakdowns. Kids can just have fun listening, dancing, and watching things transpire before them during the song.

You mention that your vocalist Andy is a former folk artist which isn’t typically a breeding ground for hardcore frontmen, how did Andy come to don this role with STOE? How has your irregular background contributed to the development of STOE’s current sound?
STOE Andy came to be with us via our old bass player Corey Kuheana. They were good friends in high school and when we were looking for a new vocalist Corey introduced us to Andy. Andy, never having done anything like this, surprised us at his tryout practice when he let loose some yells and screams the quality of which we hadn’t heard in recent vocalists. His being from a different music scene doesn’t really have much of an effect on the sound of our music but more on the lyrics he writes.

You’ve mentioned that Cory and Kramer as the founding members have been playing together since 2004, how different is STOE’s sound now from where you were 6 years ago? Is there any significance to the name STOE?
STOE Me (Kramer) and Cody were playing pop punk/rock when we first started and the heavier music didn’t come until our last year of high school and the years that have followed. The name Straight To Our Enemies is a title that Andy brought with him when he joined in March of ’08.

For STOE is there a particular philosophy or core value that fuels your pursuits in music? Would you consider yourselves a religious band?
STOE We have often had this talk related to if we consider ourselves a Christian band and our best summary of those conversations would be that, while we are all Christian and have our own code of morals and beliefs we do not claim that STOE is a Christian band but instead a band of Christians supporting positive living and good fun.

How would you describe STOE’s sound?
STOE STOE’s sound is a conglomerate of all the members inspirations and influences with our own personalities combined with them. Our music sounds like everything but at the same time sounds like nothing else you’ve heard.

What has been your favorite show to date?
STOE For me my favorite show has been either Tomfest ’09 or our last Moses Lake show in which we played at a completely gutted old Spanish Restaurant in front of 75 kids.

What is one of the coolest things a fan has ever said to/about STOE?
STOE A few things that people have said to us are:
“You guys sound like Underoath but better”
“Your sound is really full for having just one guitarist”
“You guys are my favorite band and i’ve seen BMTH and A Day to Remember and i still like your shows better”

Interview Question Blitz:
Any song that gives you the most trouble live? We Make Guns first riff haha. If I had an extra $1000, the first piece of equipment that I would purchase for the band is? Robs new bass. Trend that you have noticed that you will never join? Chains on pants. Currently reading The Lucifer Effect, listening to Rogues and watching House. Best book you’ve ever read, why? TOOO many. Any crazy pre-performance rituals? Not crazy but praying. When you are a diva/rockstar the three things that you will demand be in your dressing room are? Chicken N’ Biscuit crackers, Red Bull, and Buck and Opies Rootbeer. Band you have shared the stage with that blew you away? In the Midst of Lions, See the Light, For Today, Plea for Purging….. Top 5 songs in your personal ipod right now? Tusk and Temper-ETID, Big Wiggly Style- TDWP, Chelsea Smile, BMTH, Secrets-OneRepublic, Wanderlust-ETID. Best and worst experience at a show? Best- getting 20 or more kids dancing at every show. Worst- falling on the drum riser at tomfest and messing up a song. haha no one noticed though!

*Special thanks [kudos] to Emmett Photography who shot the picks of STOE which we borrowed from their myspace

For more information, interviews and updates for live local music. Local bands, artists, concerts, venues and events from rock, hip-hop, metal, pop, punk, hardcore, alternative, indie, organic, progressive, rap and more. Stay tuned to hurdcore.com, friend us on myspace and join us facebook

Regiment 26 has been on scene locally since 2006 and has already rallied local fans and attracted the attention of national acts, including an upcoming show with renown Mike Thrasher Presents at the Hawthorne in Portland, Oregon slated for February 24, 2010. Regiment 26 isn’t a band that is still working out the bugs, they are a force in motion with a biting hardcore sound crisply weaving speed with range and energy with sheer brutality.

HC Tell us a little about the history of the band. How did you all come together as musicians and at what point did you decide to take a serious run at going public with Regiment 26?
R26 We formed originally as a four piece sometime about five years ago. The only original members are Tim (drums) and Cole (guitar), who got together out of a mutual love of music. At the time we had no idea of what was to come or how far we could possibly go. Now with the current line-up, with a new second guitar player AJ, bassist Per and vocalist Eric anything seems possible as we strive to create unique and brutal music.

HC Regiment 26 has a solid hardcore sound with a range of rumbling lows, blistering guitars and guttural vox, are there particular influences or intentional dynamics that you have sought to accomplish through the music of R26?
R26 As a band we try not to take too much from other bands and create our own original sounds. Some of the bands that have probably influenced us are August Burns Red, Black Dahlia Murder, and Veil Of Maya. We see our band as an entertainment act so we hope that fans can come out of a show and say they had a blast watching as well as listening. We also hope the music we write will stick with them for a long time to come.

HC When you write and play, what do you hope fans of Regiment 26 come away with?
R26 We see our band as an entertainment act so we hope that fans can come out of a show and say they had a blast watching as well as listening. We also hope the music we write will stick with them for a long time to come.

HC Regiment 26 is currently based out of Salem, Oregon, correct? What are some of the local influences that have helped the development of R26?
R26 Actually R26 is based out of Portland, OR only the vocalist is from Salem. We have a lot of bands we consider friends and think very highly of their music.

HC What are some of your favorite places locally to perform or attend shows?
R26 Some of the best places we like to play are the Hawthorne Theatre, Satyricon, and Roseland Theatre. Other awesome places are The Space in Salem, and the Samurai Duck in Eugene.

HC What were some of the highlights from 2009 for Regiment 26 and what are you looking forward to in 2010?
R26 In 2009 we had the opportunity to play with many national touring bands like Within The Ruins, Seneca, Knights Of The Abyss just to name a few. We also have booked a show with Mike Thrasher Presents at the Hawthorne Theatre [Feb 24, 2010 - Portland, Oregon] with Winds Of Plague, Despised Icon, For Today, The World We Knew and Stray From The Path. Hopefully 2010 will bring lots of new opportunities for us!

HC What are the weapons of choice for Regiment 26?
R26Eric – vocals – loves his Shure 58a mic; Cole – guitar – uses Peavy head and cab and ESP axe; AJ – guitar – Crate head and cab and ESP guitar; Per – bass – Ampeg cab and head with Ibanez Prestige 5 string; Tim – drums – Pearl drums with zildjian cymbals and DW pedals; Jason – lights – lots of cans and strobes with his magic fingers!

UPCOMING LIVE SHOWS:
Jan 8, 2010 – 7PM @ FCC, w/ LIFERUINER
111 West 19th St., Vancouver, Washington – $10

Jan 9, 2010 – 6:30 PM @ The Domino Room, w/ LIFERUINER
Bend, Oregon – $10

Hurdcore.com is still working as an internet resource with tentacles stemming from our web-based operations that bring our audience a unique peek into the entrails of local music. For our latest local artist interview, we call to your attention an Oregon grown local group reading to bring rock to a neighborhood near you. Obscure poetry and five dudes from Medford (Oregon) residing for over a year in a living room somewhere near Oregon State University form the petri dish and catalyst for the musical life spawn known as Her Death and After. HDAA has endured lineup changes, interstate relocation and the financial constraints of aspiring artists to continue their run at making a mark in the music world.

Your name, Her death and After, is a nod to a Thomas Hardy poem of the same title written in 1898. A poem, as you say, that exemplifies the inevitability of beauty after tribulation, could you elaborate some on that concept?
HDAA Our band came together in the fall of 2006 with a totally different line up. Along the way we’ve had a lot of personal struggles as friends and band mates. As a result of all of our conflicts, Her Death and After is our “beauty after tribulation”. We have finally assembled five guys who share the same goals and are willing to sacrifice anything and everything to make our dreams come true. Even when that has meant the whole band living on a friends living room floor for a year.

Have the writings of Hardy always been a part of your lives or did this poem just happen to resonate at a specific time in life?

HDAA At first, when the name was chosen we didn’t realize how much it would ultimately mean to us, but as time has passed the meaning behind “Her Death And After” has become more and more personal to the band and ourselves as individuals. So yes! We guess you could say it did resonate at a specific point in time but everyday since then we come to realize how well the name really fits our band.

The current persona of Her Death and After was formed in 2007 from the involvement and death of several other ventures. What is different about the current HDAA that sets itself up for a long term run at making a mark locally and nationally?
HDAA Well first off, we don’t suck anymore and of course our stamina in the bedroom has increased….by about five minutes. Ha! but really, one of the biggest reasons we can see ourselves making a long term run is because of a lot of improvement on communicating with each other. Like we said, we spent a year living in a two bedroom apartment and we’ve really learned each others boundaries. It pretty much all comes down to the fact that we’ve grown up. We are stronger than ever and we’re all here to see this band through no matter what gets thrown our way.

For those who are unfamiliar with your set, how would you describe yourself? What can we expect from a Her Death and After show?
HDAA Super sweet dance moves, bad jokes and Sean.

Her Death and After is based out of Medford (Oregon), was in Corvallis for a time and now back in Medford? What brought you to Corvallis and what takes you back to Medford?
HDAA Our drummer Andrew was accepted into OSU and we knew that if we didn’t follow him to Corvallis the band wouldn’t be able to continue. So one by one we all moved up. As time went by we discovered all the perks of being on our own. The freedom, the nice practice space and being secluded from all distractions back in Medford. After a year of writing and partying we found out that a huge part of being in a band requires money that we didn’t have. We looked for jobs and found nothing. So we had a band discussion about what our next step should be. The conclusion was that Medford was our only option because of the fact that it’s our hometown and we knew it would be the best financial step for the band.

Do you notice any difference in the local music scenes from Medford to Corvallis and even Corvallis to Portland? How often do you play locally?
HDAA It’s hard to say because Medford and Corvallis have two very different vibes. But we can say that the Medford music scene is growing and we know that we will end up growing with it. It’s pretty much the ultimate foundation for our band right now. As far as Portland goes we don’t have much experience in that music scene.
Our local and state wide shows are going to be growing exponentially in the very near future.

You recently parted ways with your guitarist (and Kevin’s younger brother?), Mike, have you been able to recruit and fill that position or does HDAA proceed as a fourpiece?
HDAA We recently filled that position with one of our long time friends, Aaron Hammericksen, who thankfully for us also happens to be an outstanding musician.

The bands most recent recording is the Living Room Wars EP, is the recording out yet or still in the works? Is this your first recording, what did you learn from this process of being in the studio?

HDAA Living Room Wars is our 4 song EP that you can find on our myspace! This isn’t the first time we’ve recorded but Living Room Wars was our first professional recording. We practiced a lot before we headed into the studio so the process went very smoothly. One positive lesson we learned from that experience was that having legit recordings gets you so much more respect. So we recommend spending the extra money to sound professional.

What are some of your early influences that got you into music? Who were some of the influences that helped you launch HDAA?

HDAA Almost all of the band shares a very similar music background. Blink-182 was probably one of the most significant influential bands for us. As far as HDAA goes we didn’t have any certain bands in mind while writing our new material. Our sound has evolved from all of our personal inspirations.

Where are you currently grabbing inspiration from and how has this been affecting your music?
HDAA New opportunities, new albums and [other activities]. That seems to be workin’ for us.

Where can those interested best connect with you to find out about news, releases and tours?
HDAA www.myspace.com/herdeathandafter

What do you enjoy most about the local music scene? Who have been some of the funnest bands and venues to play with locally?

HDAA The Broadway Waxers Music Hall in Coos Bay [Oregon] was an awesome venue! As far as bands go we recently played a show with a band called ” Hit em’ where it hurts” from Chico [California] and they were really awesome guys.

What are the weapons (insturments) of choice HDAA?
HDAA Present Gear – Kevin: AKG mics; Sean: Jackson DXMG, Peavey 5150 II and Marshall Cab; Aaron: Ebanez RG, Peavey 6505 + (half stack); Josh: Mark Hoppus signature precision bass;
Andrew: 4 piece Pearl kit export series, 18 inch A custom fast crash, 21 inch Zildjian Aedius, 18 in Zildjain Oriental China, 13 in aax zildajian hi hats. 23 in A custom ping ride (i wish)

Favorite place to eat in Medford? If we were coming to a show in your hometown of Medford, and arrived a little early what is one place/site in town that is a must see before departing?

HDAA Muchas Gracias! we recommend the chicken fajita burrito!!!

What have been some of the most important lessons for you as an aspiring artist? Any words of wisdom for those wanting to pursue their dreams of music stardom?
HDAA We still have a long way to go and a lot more to learn but communication is one of the biggest things we’ve learned keeps our band together.

UPCOMING SHOWS:
November 28, 2009 10PM – Rooftop Show Downtown Medford. $5 – message HDAA for show details.

Her Death and After will be at Riley’s Bar & Grill in Albany, Oregon with fellow hurdcore alumn Abandon the Shore on Thursday, December 10, 2009 @ 7PM ALL AGES!!! 124 SW Broadalbin St, Albany, Oregon 97321

If you like crowd surfing with 80 year old ladies and are scared of shred-master 10 year olds, this band may be the melodious incarnation of your troubled soul. This band combines their talent for skull rattling hardcore with a robust knowledge of out-of-date dance moves. Is this band the jilted stepchild of Richard Simmons? No, this band is I Am The Monster based out of Portland, Oregon and it’s time for you to get acquainted.

HC Is there any significance or story behind your name? What are the origins of IATM and how long have you been at it?

IATM We were in the middle of recording our EP Scream These Words and were having legal trouble with our name at the time (Hold Steady, Atlas) and actually ended up changing our singer during the process. Cody has a lyric saying ‘I am not a monster, I am a simple man’ in The Life We Never Led, we were in a hurry and landed on that one. I Am The Monster is only two months old but we have been playing since 2005 and really started taking the band seriously this year.

HC For those who are unfamiliar with your set, how would you describe yourself? What can
we expect from an IATM show?

IATM Brian: Interceptors, running mans, european carry-alls, and chopping blocks, are all ‘moves’ you can expect to see at any of our shows. But really its one rowdy, sweaty, loud good time.

Jacob: Lean-Backs, Hairnados, Thinking-Mans, Cranes

HC IATM is currently based out of Portlandia, are you all natives?

IATM Brian: Ya, I’d say more the Portland Metro area, we’ve got a guy in Clackamas, Vancouver, Hillsboro, and two in Portland, so really all over the place. I think I am the only one born out of the area, Hawaii.

HC What are some of your early influences that got you into music? Who were some of the influences that helped you launch IATM?

IATM Brian: Ah man I listened to a ton of horrible music growing up ranging from every pop boy band to rap, to alternative rock. But what really got me into what we are doing today would be bands like Haste the Day, I remember seeing a show of theirs before I knew who they were and was just blown away.

Jacob: Early influences include, Patsy Cline, Roy Orbison, Marty Robbins. Then Slipknot, Mudvayne etc., and for IATM Norma Jean, Haste the Day, ABR, etc.

HC Where are you currently grabbing inspiration from and how has this been affecting your music?

IATM Brian: I love how older Chiodos didn’t follow the traditional verse, chorus, verse and made every song like a story with a beginning, middle, and end. For the most part we try to do the same to challenge ourselves. August Burns Red, Oh, Sleeper and Underoath haven always been pushing the creative envelope with every album and push me to come up with something better.

Jacob: Currently I am all about August Burns Red. Their drummer is a huge inspiration. Like Brian said, Underoath, Oh, Sleeper, also play a big part in how I try to play. Listening to these bands has really pushed us to play better and smarter. We all have to improve as musicians outside of jamming and writing, and we always write stuff that pushes our abilities.

HC Where can those interested best connect with you to find out about news, releases and tours?

IATM Our myspace (myspace.com/iamthemonstermusic) is the best place to keep up with anything and everything IATM.

HC What do you enjoy most about the local music scene? Who have been some of the funnest bands and venues to play with?

IATM The local music scene tends to be a pretty tight knit group and everyone seems to get along for the most part. The kids that come out to shows just to see a show. I’ve meet several people that come out and don’t know a single band that’s playing. It’s a tough choice to pick between Club Satyricon and the Hawthorne Theatre but Aleen has always been one of our favorite bands to play with, those dudes are awesome.

HC What are the weapons (insturments) of choice IATM?

IATM Brian: Bryan and I both use a Gibson SG Special, mine is rockin a EMG 81 at the bridge. Nolan has a Ibanez Bass starter pack which proves that price doesn’t give you quality… And Jacob has a custom Truth drum kit currently in the works.

HC Favorite place to eat in Portland?

IATM Rock Bottom is always good when we are feeling like high rollers and Rogue Ale House too some goooooood brews.

HC What have been some of the most important lessons for you as an aspiring artist? Any words of wisdom for those wanting to pursue their dreams of music stardom?

IATM Brian: Biggest lesson is things never go the way you plan, whether it be recording or booking, or really anything that comes along with a being in a band. Word of wisdom would be to start playing young. At my age looking up youtube videos and watching 10 year olds shred way harder than you could possibly dream doesn’t do too much for the self-esteem…

Jacob: Make sure you are playing what you love to play.

HC Any funny and/or scary stories from recent shows or tours?

IATM Haha yeah actually, our last show on tour in Grants Pass we made a hugggeeee fan. Only catch is she was probably close to 80 years old. She was head banging with a fist in the air the whole show and when our set was finished she came on stage and gave us all hugs and said we were the most energetic band she has ever seen since Machine Head in 2000. She had us all autograph our EP and even gave us a tip, but ya I think its safe to say we wont meet anyone like her again.

HC You recently completed your first tour, venturing down even into Southern California, how was the tour and what are your plans for building upon this momentum?

IATM Ha well like I mentioned before NOTHING goes the way you planned. We originally planned on playing a straight week of shows but with a month or two of the booking process missing a singer in our lineup its made things a little tiny bit difficult. We played a couple shows on our tour/vacation and got awesome responses from the places we did play and made some really good connections. It was a huge learning experience for us and are planning a spring tour. But next for us is just working our ass off to get our name out there and make sure that everyone knows about IATM.

UPCOMING SHOWS:
10/31/2009 7:00 PM at Halloween Show @ The Barn
w/I Am The Monster, Roseway, 66 Lover Letters and All I Ask
2005 NW Cornelius Schefflin Rd,
Cornelius, Oregon 97113
Cost: FREE

Roseway & 66 Love Letters (hurdcore alumni) together!!!
When: Friday, September 11, 2009
Where: Life Church
5585 SW 209th
Aloha, OR 97007
Details: 6:30PM; $5 ALL AGES

THEN…..

66 Love Letters, Roseway, Skyward Collapse, and Ezerah
When: Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Where: Hawthorne Theatre
3862 SE Hawthorne Blvd,
Portland, Oregon 97214
Details: 7PM, $8

It’s time to get low and wake up the hardcore hibernating within the borders of Eugene, Oregon. A Year In Review has taken upon themselves to blast through the encumbrances, guitars ablaze with brutal riffs dripping from sincere smiles and packaged with extreme energy. AYIR puts everything on the line in their shows, whether playing for small local crowds or preparing for an upcoming venue headlined by nationally acclaimed hardcore act Bleeding Through (August 26th, 2009 in Roseburg, Oregon). They may have been hiding under the bridges of Lane County, but Oregon residents will not want to ignore A Year In Review as they are primed to set fire to local venues and far beyond.

HC What inspired the name of your band?
AYIR Well when we came together, it was basically after the falling out of two other bands that we were all members in, and it was around the turn of the year when we started getting into the swing of things as a new band, and it just clicked. Basically, at any moment in time, if you sit back, and review an entire year, there is so much growth, so much change, so much that occurs in 365 days, that it’s really amazing to think about.

HC How would you describe your musical style?
AYIR That’s actually a question we struggle to answer. It’s sort of a-typical to say “it doesn’t sound like anything else”, but it really doesn’t. We’ve had people listen to us and call us crazy, all-over the place metal, and then we have had others compare us to early Senses Fail. If I had to peg it, I’d say it’s post-hardcore with many pop and metalcore elements.

HC You are currently based out of Eugene, Oregon, are you all natives – I know at least you drummer is from afar, Ohio right?
AYIR Yes, I know Aaron (drummer) was born in Ohio, but I’m not sure how long he actually lived there. As far as I know, we’ve all basically been raised in Eugene, and have all started out even picking up music here.

HC Eugene seems to me a bit perplexing as it is typically referred to as a “hippie town” by outsiders such as myself but there is also a strong metal presence with venues like Samurai Duck, how would you describe the local scene, especially as it relates to hardcore?
AYIR Eugene is an interesting place… the difficulty here is booking, and response from the local scene. There’s simply not many venues, and the few we have are generally 21 and over (Samurai Duck is actually fairly recent, and are off and on with actually being all ages as far as I know), and not exactly receptive to the more “hardcore” scene. There’s definitely a large metal influence here. It seems to me like the younger generations of bands coming out of high school, are all more towards hardcore or an indie-pop movement, but the bands that can book the 21 and up venues are all very metal influenced, aside from a few, probably the most notable being Aeolus. It’s an interesting place… just incredibly limited by the lack of venues. The best shows here are done in makeshift-venues.

HC I recently was able to see you play with Roseway at Treehouse Venue in Eugene (awesome!), you guys play with a lot of energy and can get remarkably low (literally), any secrets to where your energy comes from?
AYIR Haha, we do practice getting low. Probably comes easiest when you’re 5-foot-nothing like me. When we look at our energy, it all comes from putting something out that we want to play. When we write, I think we all have it keyed in as to how this will come out when it’s played live as an end result, so you see that in a lot of our songs, they’ve all got parts specifically made to evoke energy. If there was any advice, just play and write music that gives you an energy by itself, and the actual movement will come easy.

HC You mentioned in your song, Oh Lisa that people do not have to objectify themselves because we are all beautiful, that seemed to be a very personal song, is there a true story behind it?
AYIR Ah, yes, “Oh Lisa”. We’re actually quite proud of that song. I’m not sure how much Luke (vocals) would want me to give away about the details of the origins of that song.
However, yes, it is a very personal song, but it also applies to everybody. His theme with writing lyrics is about inspiring ways to improve ourselves as people, and the ways we interact not only with others, but with ourselves. That song is probably the best example of that, because the lyrics span across band and audience.

HC Where can those interested best connect with you to find out about news, releases and tours?
AYIR myspace.com/ayearinreview is probably the best resource, we generally keep it very updated. If you happen to see one of on or around MySpace, we’re all very relaxed guys that would like to chat and can also keep you up to date on what we’re doing.

HC What are your plans for the near future? Are you working on writing and/or releasing an album?
AYIR Right now we’re in the middle of just demoing some of our newest songs just to get out there, and planning on writing some more. We’re also incredibly excited to open up for Bleeding Through, Carnifex, Miss May I, and Motionless In White in Roseburg. We’ll definitely be working on stepping up our game for that show.

HC Where are you currently grabbing inspiration and/or frustration from and how has this been affecting your music?
AYIR As people, we all draw inspirations just through ordinary life as most of us do. We’re all recent graduates, or about to be recent graduates, so there’s obviously aspects that a lot of people go through with becoming adults that I think can be found in some of our music and lyrics.

HC What have been some of your greatest influences as musicians and artists?
AYIR I can’t speak for the entire band when it comes to what inspires us as far as other bands. With their personal listening, Jordan (guitarist) leans towards alternative, Dan (guitarist) is into really heavy kind of stuff, Aaron has the poppier side, Luke is all over the place, and I’m into the singing kind of post-hardcore.

HC What have been some of the most important lessons for you as aspiring artists?
AYIR We’ve all definitely learned that a lot of what you do, whether it comes to practicing, writing, is all in how you deal with each other. It all needs to be respectable, but you also have the right to hold your position until it’s heard out, no matter what it is.

HC Are there any favorite/funny/scary memories from shows/tours that you’d like to share?
AYIR There was a date in Waldport where we were given time to do a soundcheck earlier in the day, so we assumed that portion of it was done. Somebody in the venue told us it was time and to gather people up to come in (It’s an upstairs venue), and some people had gathered up, so we started into our intro track as well as our first full song, only to be stopped half-way through by the guy telling us our soundcheck was over.

HC What has been the most challenging part of taking your band public? Any words of encouragement for aspiring bands?
AYIR The most difficult part is just getting kids to shows and getting your name to different places. There’s not too many places to play in Oregon, and chances are you’ll end up coming to the same place multiple times, generally to the same kids. If there’s any advice to give, it’s just to go out and hang out with people at the venue when you’re out of town. Some of the people that come to like and follow as a band aren’t people that we’ve blown away while we’re on stage, it’s the ones that we took the time out after the show to get to know, become friends with. The job isn’t finished when you step off the stage.

*UPCOMING SHOWS*
8/26/2009 8:00 PM
@ Riversdale Grange w/ Bleeding Through, Carnifex, Miss May I, Motionless In White, A Year In Review and others! (See us for AYIR for tickets)
4856 Garden Valley Road, Roseburg, Oregon 97470
Cost: $12 Pre, $15 Door

So, perhaps you missed the Facedown Records lineup from Day 3, Brian “Head” Welch or The 80′s Extravaganza with Blessed By A Broken Heart – don’t worry, you can still catch your favorite Solid State Record’s bands tear it up and to make things even crazier, As I Lay Dying headlines for the final day of Tomfest. Tomfest boasts over 130 bands spread over 4 crazy days of music, fun and onsite camping. Discover new bands, see your favorites play live and join the crowds for a packed weekend at a total bargain.

Tomfest in Camas, Washington (Just minutes from Portland, Oregon)
Day 4 Info – Saturday, August 21, 2009

MEADOW STAGE
9:00am-9:30am: The Terminal Velocity
10:00am-10:30am: Paper Astronomer
11:00am-11:30am: Goodnight Charade
12:30pm-1:00pm: Insomniac Folklore
1:30pm-2:00pm: Endeverance
2:30pm-3:00pm: A Tale Through Audio
3:30pm-4:00pm: Enation
4:30pm-5:00pm: Kat Jones
6pm-6:30pm: Blessed By A Broken Heart
7:00pm-7:30pm: Gwen Stacy
8:00pm-8:45pm: Haste The Day
9:15pm-9:30pm: Jimmy Spencer
9:30pm-10:15pm: As I Lay Dying

GROVE STAGE
9:30am-10:00am: This Is A Stickup
10:30am-11:00am: Sovereign Strength
11:30am-12:10pm: The Neverclaim
12:10pm-12:30pm: Chad Johnson
1:00pm-1:30pm: A Hope Not Forgotten
2:00pm-2:30pm: The Fall Of Babylon
3:00pm-3:30pm: Man Of War
4:00pm-4:30pm: All Or Nothing
5:00pm-5:40pm: Elliot (worship)
5:40pm-6:00pm: Chad Pearson
6:30pm-7:00pm: The Showdown
7:30pm-8:00pm: Showbread
8:45pm-9:15pm: Oh Sleeper
10:30pm: Invisible Children Screening!

FLATBED STAGE
11:00am-12:00pm: RYFO Meeting
1:00pm-1:30pm: Shayde Bridges!
2:00pm-2:30pm: Dewey Lybecker
3:00pm-3:30pm: Bryson Foster
4:00pm-4:30pm: Josiah James
10:15pm-10:45pm: Gayle Skidmore
11:00pm-11:30pm: Rene Velarde
11:45pm-12:15am: Orion Walsh

INSIDE STAGE
10am-11am: Creative Arts Alliance
9:00pm-9:45pm: Aapoaa
10:15pm-10:45pm: Across The Sun
11:00pm-11:30pm: ML3
11:45pm-12:15am: Stillfire
12:30am-1:00am: Moher
1:15am-1:45am: InMyOpinion

CAFE STAGE
11:00am-11:30am: Ron Timen
11:45am-12:15pm: Mikee Bridges (founder)
12:30pm-1:30pm: Band/Music Panel
1:45pm-2:15pm: Jimmy Spencer
2:30pm-3:00pm: Jeremiah Carlson
5:00-7:00pm: Allalom Music & Comedy
10:00pm-12:00am: Allalom Acoustic Recording Workshop!

SKATE PARK
10am-3pm: Free ‘OPEN SKATE’
4pm-5pm: Boarders for Christ Skate Demo
6pm-9pm: Free ‘OPEN SKATE’
10:15pm-10:45pm: FIREWORKS SHOW!!

TICKETS Full Event Pass: $45.00 at the gate *Children younger than 10 are free as always.

DAY PASSES:
Wednesday (August 19th) – $10.00
Thursday (August 20th) – $20.00
Friday (August 21st) – $20.00
Saturday (August 22nd) – $20.00
(available only at main gate)

Camping: Full event camping is free with paid FULL EVENT pass. Camping does not apply to day passes.

Parking:
4-day Parking lot pass: $10.00 (per vehicle)
4-day ‘park at your tent’ pass: $20 (per vehicle)
1-day Parking lot pass: $5.00 (per vehicle)
1-day v.i.p. parking pass: $10.00 (per vehicle)
(trailers are considered a vehicle)

Ever wanted to see the entire Facedown Records lineup over the course of an entire day? How about Brian “Head” Welch (formerly of KORN)? Tomfest boasts over 130 bands spread over 4 crazy days of music, fun and onsite camping. Discover new bands, see your favorites play live and join the crowds for a packed weekend at a total bargain.

Tomfest in Camas, Washington (Just minutes from Portland, Oregon)
Day 3 Info – Friday, August 21, 2009

MEADOW STAGE
9:30am-10:00am: In Pursuit Of
10:30am-11:00am: Modern Mosaic
11:30am-12:10pm: Rend The Heavens
12:10pm-12:30pm: (speaker)
1:00pm-1:30pm: The Bombadil Project
2:00pm-2:30pm: Prologue
3:00pm-3:30pm: Abandon Kansas
4:00pm-4:30pm: Sleep For Sleepers
5:00pm-5:40pm: Elliot (worship)
5:40pm-6:00pm: Thom Green
6:30pm-7:00pm: Goodnight Caulfield
7:30pm-8:00pm: Children 18:3
8:30pm-9:15pm: Brian ‘HEAD’ Welch (formerly of KORN)

GROVE STAGE (Facedown Records)
9:00am-9:30am: Burning Twilight
10:00am-10:30am: The Red Letter Run
11:00am-11:30am: The Great Commission
12:30pm-1:00pm: Hands
1:30pm-2:00pm: Earth From Above
2:30pm-3:00pm: A Plea For Purging
3:30pm-4:00pm: A Hope For Home
4:30pm-5:00pm: For Today
6:00pm-6:30pm: War Of Ages
7:00pm-7:30pm: Sleeping Giant
8:00pm-8:30pm: Secret & Whisper
9:15pm-9:30pm: Chad Pearson
9:30pm-10:15pm: The Classic Crime

FLATBED STAGE
10:00am-12:00pm: RYFO Meeting
12:30pm-1:00pm: Hannah Jean
1:30pm-2:00pm: Brian Griffing
2:30pm-3:00pm: Joal Kamps
3:30pm-4:00pm: John Davidson
4:30pm-5:00pm: Yes, You Are Ferocious!
10:15pm-10:45pm: Casey Parnell
11:00pm-11:30pm: Valeri Lopez
11:45pm-12:15am: Benjimon Lawson
12:30am-1:00am: The Loveless Estate

INSIDE STAGE
7:00pm-9:00pm: Men As Trees Walking
9:30pm-10:00pm: Josh Hagquist
10:15pm-10:45pm: Holding Onto Hope
11:00pm-11:30pm: Dance My Heart
11:45pm-12:15am: Eyelid Up
12:30am-1:00am: After You
1:15am-1:45am: Alitheia
2:00am-2:30am:

CAFE STAGE
11:00am-11:30am: Carl Culley
11:45am-12:15pm: Mikee Bridges (founder)
12:30pm-1:30pm: Band/Music Panel
1:45pm-2:15pm: Aaron Noll
2:30pm-3:00pm: Israel Escamilla

TICKETS Full Event Pass: $45.00 at the gate *Children younger than 10 are free as always.

DAY PASSES:
Wednesday (August 19th) – $10.00
Thursday (August 20th) – $20.00
Friday (August 21st) – $20.00
Saturday (August 22nd) – $20.00
(available only at main gate)

Camping: Full event camping is free with paid FULL EVENT pass. Camping does not apply to day passes.

Parking:
4-day Parking lot pass: $10.00 (per vehicle)
4-day ‘park at your tent’ pass: $20 (per vehicle)
1-day Parking lot pass: $5.00 (per vehicle)
1-day v.i.p. parking pass: $10.00 (per vehicle)
(trailers are considered a vehicle)

Where else can you find over 130 bands crammed into 4 days of music, fun and onsite camping. Discover new bands, see your favorites play live and join the crowds for a packed weekend at a total bargain.

Tomfest in Camas, Washington (Just minutes from Portland, Oregon)
Day 2 Info – Thursday, August 20, 2009

MEADOW STAGE
9:00am-9:30am: Affected
10:00am-10:30am: Only Earth & Sky
11:00am-11:30am: Coolfield
12:30pm-1:00pm: ICatchFire
1:30pm-2:00pm: My Paper Camera
2:30pm-3:00pm: Hazel & Vine
3:30pm-4:00pm: Casey Marvin
4:30pm-5:00pm: Brightwood
6:00pm-6:30pm: Ruth
7:00pm-7:30pm: Manafest
8:00pm-8:30pm: Above The Golden State
9:15pm-9:30pm: Chris Greenwood
9:30pm-10:15pm: Joy Electric

GROVE STAGE
9:30am-10:00am: The Intolerants
10:30am-11:00am: Park Lane
11:30am-12:10pm: Josiah James (worship)
12:10pm-12:30pm: (speaker)
1:00pm-1:30pm: Straight To Our Enemies
2:00pm-2:30pm: Bright Lit City
3:00pm-3:30pm: Chasing Aurora
4:00pm-4:30pm: Elliot
5:00pm-5:40pm: Elliot (worship)
5:40pm-6:00pm: Jeremiah Carlson
6:30pm-7:00pm: Bradley Hathaway
7:30pm-8:00pm: Falling Up
8:30pm-9:15pm: White Collar Sideshow

FLATBED STAGE
10:00am-12:00pm: RYFO Meeting
1:00pm-1:30pm: Proclaiming Cadence
2:00pm-2:30pm: Low Country Thieves
3:00pm-3:30pm: Candy Apple Blonde
4:00pm-4:30pm: Jeremy Tuell
10:15pm-12:15am: Open mic poetry night hosted by Bradley Hathaway!
12:30am-1:00am: Lower Lights Burning
1:15am-1:45am: Colton & Zara

INSIDE STAGE
10:15pm-10:45pm: Tragedy Ann
11:00pm-11:30pm: The Roe
11:45pm-12:15am: Brazen Layver
12:30am-1:00am: Alyria
1:15am-1:45am: Riots of Eighty
2:00am-2:30am: Heroes Are Forever

CAFE STAGE
11:00am-11:30am: Matt Chapirson
11:45am-12:15pm: Mikee Bridges (founder)
12:30pm-1:30pm: Band/Music Panel
1:45pm-2:15pm: Sasha Timens
2:30pm-3:00pm: Erik Whittington
3:30-5:30: Open Mic w/ Bradley Hathaway

TICKETS: Full Event Pass – $45.00 at the gate *Children younger than 10 are free as always.

DAY PASSES:
Wednesday (August 19th) – $10.00
Thursday (August 20th) – $20.00
Friday (August 21st) – $20.00
Saturday (August 22nd) – $20.00
(available only at main gate)

Camping: Full event camping is free with paid FULL EVENT pass. Camping does not apply to day passes.

Parking:
4-day Parking lot pass: $10.00 (per vehicle)
4-day ‘park at your tent’ pass: $20 (per vehicle)
1-day Parking lot pass: $5.00 (per vehicle)
1-day v.i.p. parking pass: $10.00 (per vehicle)
(trailers are considered a vehicle)

Tomfest is a local and national music extravaganza, hosting over 130 bands over 4 days packed with music, fun and camping onsite. Discover new bands, see your favorites play live and join the crowds for a packed weekend at a total bargain.

Tomfest in Camas, Washington (Just minutes from Portland, Oregon)
Day 1 Info – Wednesday, August 19, 2009

INSIDE STAGE
6:00pm-7:00pm: Coolfield (worship)
7:30pm-8:00pm: Jake Powell
8:15pm-8:45pm: The Standoff
9-10:30pm: 80′s Dance Party (w/Blessed By A Broken Heart)
11:00pm-11:30pm: Dear Whoever
11:45pm-12:15am: Fallstar
12:30am-1:00am: The Seatbelt Tragedy
1:15am-1:45am: A Rotterdam November

TICKETS: Full Event Pass: $45.00 at the gate *Children younger than 10 are free as always.

DAY PASSES:
Wednesday (August 19th) – $10.00
Thursday (August 20th) – $20.00
Friday (August 21st) – $20.00
Saturday (August 22nd) – $20.00
(available only at main gate)

Camping: Full event camping is free with paid FULL EVENT pass. Camping does not apply to day passes.

Parking: 4-day Parking lot pass: $10.00 (per vehicle)
4-day ‘park at your tent’ pass: $20 (per vehicle)
1-day Parking lot pass: $5.00 (per vehicle)
1-day v.i.p. parking pass: $10.00 (per vehicle)
(trailers are considered a vehicle)