Post-hardcore group's The Sleeping's road to Victory (Records) has been paved with hard work and dedication. By winning fans over with their breakneck live shows and constantly improving their sound, the band has managed to stay perched atop the label's roster and become one of the more buzz-worthy bands of 2007.
The Sleeping is one of those groups that are perpetually on the road. Despite being mid-route to a show in Jersey, drummer and founding member Joe Zizzo found time to dish out his views on everything from signing with Victory Records to "The White Rapper Show" in an exclusive interview with The Spectrum.
Zizzo was of course eager to note the band's good relationship with Victory. Though the punk/hardcore label has had its problems with bands in the past, their bond with The Sleeping seems to be exemplary.
"So far, so good," Zizzo said. "A lot of bands join Victory because they push their fans so hard. Other business aspects make some bands shy away. We were friends with them before we signed, so until I have a problem with them, I have nothing bad to say."
Since their signing, The Sleeping has not only released 2006's "Questions And Answers," but has been able to re-release their stellar, but nearly impossible to find debut "Believe What We Tell You." Zizzo states that this re-issuing was vital.
"When that record came out we were on a small label. It didn't get as much attention as we'd liked it to get," Zizzo said. "We spent a lot of time making it and now having Victory behind it, it will hopefully sell a lot more records than it did on its own. It's just sick to see that record back out. We busted our ass on the music and artwork and no one was able to get it."
The band's exposure has done much more just increase record sales. The band has been contacted by and has had their songs featured through various mediums such as "Madden NFL 2007," "Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam" and even TNA professional wrestling. Zizzo was more than grateful.
"It's pretty surreal," Zizzo said. "I don't know if that type of thing helps the overall popularity of the band but it is a cool novelty to hear our song in a video game and in the background of someone getting body slammed."
But back to what made The Sleeping into a noteworthy group: their live performances. The band itself is a force to be reckoned with due to their high-octane sets and ability to grab the audience's attention almost immediately. It is also beyond the shadow of any doubt that the MVP of their live show is their laser-shooting, chick magnet Emiglio, the robot.
"I don't care about sound, I don't care about my monitors, I don't even care if my guitar player shows up. If Emiglio is there, moral is good," Zizzo said. "Emiglio is busy for the summer. We actually now have E2 who's like his cousin. I don't know if it's gonna work or not, but we just put a laser in his head too."
Singer Douglas Robinson needs to keep his eyes open at all times because it has been documented that Emiglio, though a fan of Doug's work, feels that he could do better.
The one thing that really seems to bother The Sleeping to no end is VH1's "The White Rapper Show."
"John Brown sucks," said Zizzo. " We don't like G Child either. There are plenty of good white rappers out there. That show makes us all look like f*ckin assholes."
Never have truer words been said.
The Sleeping will be making their inaugural stop on the Hot Topic Tour alongside the bands Haste the Day, From Autumn to Ashes, and Alesana this Tuesday, 7 p.m. at The Icon. With a history of memorable Buffalo performances stemming from their first Buffalo show on the fifth of May a few years ago, Zizzo has a warning for fans and prospective concertgoers.
"Every time The Sleeping comes to Buffalo, no matter what day or time of the year, it's Cinco de Mayo. Be Ready!"
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
