Odds are that most haven't yet heard of A Day to Remember. With a sound that mixes the pop punk and hardcore genres to perfection, these Victory Records up-and-comers are quietly making a name for themselves across the US, and not so subtly stealing the show each night on tour.
ADTR bassist Joshua Woodward spoke with The Spectrum about their music.
Whether it is the delightful breakdown at the end of "Fast Forward to 2012," the sheer audio and lyrical brutality of "1958," or the heartfelt vocals and message behind "Monument," there is no denying that A Day to Remember's music is far superior to others within their genre. Just ask Taco Bell, who named the group one of the 50 winners of the "Feed the Beat" competition for noteworthy bands on the rise.
"It's insane," Woodward said. "We knew we had won it, but we didn't get the money until recently. We all split up $500 of Taco Bell bucks. I just found out that we can use them at KFC and Pizza Hut, and I eat a lot of Pizza Hut, so yeah, it's awesome."
For a band that puts on a live show even remotely as intense as ADTR, it's only right that they receive the proper nourishment. Musicians would not be able to play an extended breakdown and perform the trademark ADTR "running in place" dance on an empty stomach. Speaking of that dance...
"It's supposed to be a two-step part," Woodward said. "We were watching something and someone was jogging in place and we were like 'how sick would it be if we choreographed something like that.' People ask us about it all the time. Some people think it's funny, some think it's corny, but they always remember it."
Their latest "running in place"-evoking release, For Those Who Have Heart, is the perfect soundtrack to two-step and windmill a concertgoer's way to a black eye, significantly catchier than their intense initial offering, And Their Name Was Treason.
"I don't think it was a conscious 'let's make this record catchier' decision," said Woodward. "We didn't go out of our way to make it catchier. We all listen to a lot of different stuff. I don't know where (our music) is going. It could go catchier, it could go darker."
Speaking of catchy, the Ocala five-piece recently created a lot of e-buzz after covering the very unhardcore Kelly Clarkson hit "Since U Been Gone." Genre-defying or not, one has not lived until they've heard vocalist Jeremy McKinnon scream the line, "I thought Id never hear you say I just want to be with you, cause you never felt that way."
"There's no story behind it. It's a song that's undeniable," said Woodward. "It's a catchy song, and we felt that we could make it fun, so we just did it."
After hearing their cover, much in the same way that Limp Bizkit did to George Michael, ADTR has taken "Since U Been Gone" and made it theirs. Theft is now becoming a staple for them. They stole a monster radio hit and made it their own, and seemingly every night on tour they steal the show. Do they notice?
"It was kind of like that every time (on their previous tour with The Sleeping)," said Woodward. "We watched our draw become huge - it was insane."
Those who have seen A Day to Remember live might notice that they often tour alongside other Victory Records acts.
"I think it's just a coincidence that we're always on tour with Victory bands," said Woodward. "Next year we're going to Europe with Maylene and the Sons of Disaster. We just got an offer to tour with The Devil Wears Prada and Silverstein. So yeah, there will be a lot of touring over the next year, for sure."
Those who have been on board since the dawn of "the day" may notice many references to The Boondock Saints throughout And Their Name Was Treason. Why did the film play such an important role throughout their debut release?
"To be honest that's not even a question I know the answer to. I think he (vocalist Jeremy McKinnon) just thought it would sound cool," said Woodward. "I didn't know where it was from and Jeremy was like, 'it's from Boondock Saints, dude.' I didn't end up watching the movie until afterwards."
A Day To Remember will be playing at Xtreme Wheels alongside Bayside, The Sleeping, June and Drive Side Impact Monday, Dec. 3 on the Victory Records Tour. For those who are more into their older material, fear not.
"We actually play 'Heartless.' We'll probably play one or two songs off of the old record, but we just really want to promote the new stuff. We also rotate between '1958' and 'You Should Have Killed Me When You Had The Chance.'"
The price of a ticket says showgoers will remember the band when next they see them on television. It might be the first time, but it won't be the last.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
