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| ::Interviews:: |
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| review & interview content, as well as web site graphics & design, copywrite 2003-2004 Euphonia Online. use of materials granted only with reasonable purposes. |
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| interviewed by robby sumner |
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Alan Day - Vocals Dan O'Connor - Guitar Ardie Petsas - Bass Jake Massucco - Drums |
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| Interview with Ardie November 3rd, 2003 |
| E: Ardie, your band--Four Year Strong--is based out of Massachusetts. Do you think that location has any effect on the music you play? Ardie: I think so. The city we live in, Worcester, is one of the biggest in New England, so we get a plethora of ideas deriving from different styles of music that the city brings us. E: What made you decide to start playing music? Ardie: Going to my first show, in the 8th grade. I saw the Get Up Kids, the Anniversary, and Koufax. I just remember hearing the Anniversary play a cover of "Hanging Tough" by New Kids On The Block. At that moment I knew... I had to be in a band. E: What were the first few months of the band's formation like? Ardie: Well, originally my older brother Teddy was the singer. The instrument line-up has been the same. And we played pop punk. Oh, the days of glory. E: Were you all ready and competent with your instruments? Ardie: Everyone except for me. It was the first time I'd picked up a bass, but I played guitar for three years prior, so I knew the ropes. E: What made you decide to play the kind of music you play? Ardie: Mainly the music we listen to. When the band was formed we were all really into, like, Saves the Day, the Get Up Kids, I Hate Myself, and bands like that. E: I'll tell you this--you guys sound a great deal like a young Taking Back Sunday. Do you get that a lot? Ardie: Yeah, we were influenced by them when we recorded the Glory EP. But our newer songs have a sound of their own. E: When the band is writing a new song, is it usually written in order? For example, the basslines; do you compose them from beginning to end, or does it jump around? Ardie: It mainly jumps around. One person comes up with a cool melody, and then we all end up just adding to it. We mold the song until it's fit for us. E: How much time does this take? Ardie: It can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 weeks. It all varies. E: Has a member of the group ever disagreed on how the band should go about a song or something of the like? Ardie: Yeah, it happens all the time, because the ideas are so diverse and sometimes it's hard to get everyone's into the song. E: Do you all come from differing backgrounds and have different influences? Or are you mostly all from the same place, musically? Ardie: Well, our guitarist, Dan, was brought up by the hand of metal and hardcore, and the rest of us were mainly punk, but we all generally like the same kind of music. E: What musician would you most like to study under? Ardie: Victory Wooten. He's just so amazing. E: How much of your life would you say you've devoted to music? Ardie: Currently I'm at a good 60%, just because I'm still in school and I have to work. But if those conflicts didn't restrict me, I would be at a good 110%. E: How often does the band get together and play? Ardie: About 2 or 3 times a week. E: What are the band's plans for the future, both near and far? Ardie: Well, we're going back into the studio this winter to record a full-length, and hopefully this summer we'll hit the road. E: Well, that's about all I have. Anything else you'd like to say? Ardie: If we're ever playing in your home town, come and see us. And don't be afraid to talk to us--we're friendly guys. E: Well, thanks a lot, and good luck. Ardie: Thank you. |