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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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| Interview with the whole band March 19th, 2005 |
Justin Garza - Vocals Bryan McLaggan - Guitar Travis Hatfield - Guitar Jeff Le - Bass Lachlan Franckz - Drums |
| E: My Own Victory is a San Jose band that's been fusing together
musical talents for a fairly short while, but so far has had promising
results. Just how long have you all been working together as a group?
Jeff: A little over 2 months? Travis: Yeah, I'd say so. Bryan: Mid-December. Travis: But me and Bryan have been writing songs for a while, before My Own Victory had even started. Lachlan: And we've been together since November, I think. E: Has the local response been good so far? Justin: I'd say so--a lot better than I think any of us would have ever thought. We've sold out every show we've played so far, and more and more people just show up that we don't even know... it's amazing. Lachlan: And we've been getting tons of play on our Myspace site. Travis: Our following gets insanely bigger every show, and people we don't even know are full of compliments for us... and other bands we play with tell us they really enjoy us. E: Do you think it's important to establish a really solid home fanbase before starting out internationally? Travis: Yeah, I would say so, because if you don't start a fanbase at home, you can't really start a base anywhere. And your hometown fans are the most supportive. Bryan: I think any band shouldn't stretch internationally until they have made a huge fanbase all over the states. Justin: I mean, how can you expect a good draw at a show without a good fanbase? I think it's pretty important to start one at home to have any success with any band, no matter who you are. Lachlan: I agree. Jeff: As long as people like us anywhere, I'm happy! Justin: *Laughs* Yeah, to put it simply I'll agree with what Jeff just said. E: But do you definitely have plans to hit the road sometime in the future? Bryan: No solid plans yet. Justin: For sure we do plan to... we have had some talk of going down to SoCal this year with our buddies 5606, but the whole thing is kind of still in the air... but you just never know what will happen. Jeff: I agree with Bryan. We are kind of busy with our lives with school and such, so yeah, no solid plans as of yet. Travis: We are going to try and hit the road this summer--a couple other local bands here have asked us to tour with them, but we have still yet to schedule our tour. Justin: It's not set in stone, but the idea is out there. Lachlan: I think that's what I'm looking forward to the most... going out to different cities and making a whole new entire fanbase somewhere else. And not only that, but just being able to get away and just have fun. E: How quickly have your songs been getting written? Travis: Well, we came out with our first six or seven in less than a month, and me and Bryan have constantly been writing songs as far as guitars go... and right now we have about ten finished, and two or three that are almost finished. Lachlan: I don't know... I'm just a drummer. Travis: *Laughs* Justin: Like Travis said, we have been writing songs insanely fast, and we've been getting a lot of things done in the short amount of time that we've been together. So it's been pretty cool seeing everything fit together so well. Travis: Me and Bryan have been in a band together before, and we really have a good connection when writing guitar parts for songs. E: Do you think you stand out from other bands that could be roped into your genre? Justin: Yeah, I think we stand out a lot. I think our style differs a lot from the others in our genre, because we have the pop-punk sound backed with some cool solos you wouldn't expect in the songs. I think it works out really well and really differentiates us from other bands. Bryan: Our goal is to take a certain style and try our best to bring something new to that style. Travis: We have melodic vocals backed by complicated guitar parts, complemented by insane drumming--which in my opinion helps set us apart. We always try and bring something new and original to each song. Lachlan: Yes, because the drummer is amazing. Travis: *Laughs* Justin: Don't be cocky now, Lachlan. *Laughs* Lachlan: And we have mad guitar solos that most other pop-punk bands do not have. Jeff: Yeah, our guitar solos are crazy, bro! Bryan: And we have Jeff... he's sick. Justin: *Laughs* E: Do you think "pop-punk" has practically become a derogatory term on the scene? Travis: In a way, yeah... to actual pop-punk fans, no. But if you ever go to a hardcore show or anything like that, I hear people calling any band not hardcore "pop-punk." But I don't think it's anything to be ashamed of--I enjoy it. Justin: You know, it seems like not too long ago, pop-punk was the favored type of music... everyone was making a pop-punk band. But now the tables have kind of switched. Now everyone's in a hardcore band, and pop-punk's kind of out. Lachlan: I think our band brings pop-punk back. Jeff: I think dumb elitist "scene" kids who only listen to "screamo" and "hardcore" bands would say pop-punk is whack... but you know they all used to listen to Blink! Travis: We're labeled pop-punk because in the direction we're going, I wouldn't really know what genre to call us, because we're really trying to discover our own genre... and a lot of other bands are doing the same. Bryan: I play a pop-punk show and then go sit in my car and put on some Lamb of God while I drive home... so either way, I can hang with both. So no deragatory comments for me. Justin: Like Travis said... to the pop-punk crowd it was never out, because that's what they enjoy... and I guess we just try and get the people who are not so into it to fall in love with it. Travis: I think hardcore is more of a trend to follow, 'cause I remember not long ago, Drive-Thru was on top of its game with bands like the Starting Line and New Found Glory--who are amazing. But people try and follow the trends, and many know they love pop-punk, 'cause it's good music. Jeff: I guess an example would be like Fall Out Boy or New Found Glory, who are all guys who used to be or listen to hardcore in their spare time, but are definitely pop-punk bands. Travis: Yeah, I agree. Justin: I would certainly agree with that. Jeff: I just really don't like using the term "the scene"--it bugs me. E: Well thanks a lot guys... best of luck. Justin: Thanks and good luck with the site! |