Feature by Andrew - July, 2003
Embrace Today is one of the most forceful and hard-hitting bands to grace the hardcore music realm in recent years. By combining brute strength with personal feelings and immense levels of rage and disgust, Embrace Today come across as a sincere, but utterly punishing hardcore band. Their latest recording, "Soldiers," released on Deathwish Inc., is a raw offering of hardcore, without any frills or trends that pollute today's hardcore music scene. A lot of bands attempt to play this hard, but as far as I know, none of them have succeeded. I talked with Embrace Today vocalist Steve about where the band's motivation and enthusiasm come from, as well as the state of hardcore, straight edge, and more. Read the interview to find out how the band feels about important stuff.
Andrew: Alright, I'm going to start a bit differently than I normally do, and get right down to the nitty gritty -- the question I'd like to ask the most is, what fuels the fire that burns in Embrace Today? When I listen to your music, everything about it fumes with rage and really personal anger. Where does this come from?
Steve: I would have to say that the passion for Embrace Today revolves strictly around everyday things and everyday life. People who pay attention should be passionate about what they see. Anything can be used as a catalyst. It is that awareness, in general, that allows you to recognize a spark and then use it for your own movement. What fuels us, is our defiance in everyday life and the hardcore scene. We are a straight edge band. I make no excuses, nor do I make any apologies.
Andrew: For a band to play as hard as Embrace Today, I'd imagine that the members would have to have a lot of strong feelings toward the messages expressed in the music. Do you feel that the strong opinions in Embrace Today's music help the band in playing their music with enthusiasm (see: downright hard)? Is there something else that motivates you to play such intense music?
Steve: No doubt. I have a lot to say when I am up on that stage. I believe that my goal is not to just sit back and pat myself (and other Straight edge kids) on the back for all believing in the same things. I believe that my job is to instigate and antagonize every one in the club so as to draw attention to straight edge. We love what we do and this is reflective in our set. If we didn't love it, we wouldn't be playing it. What you see is five guys rocking out to their favorite band. Five guys that love what they do. It doesn't take premeditation or "pre-game" hype to get into it. I would have to say that we are band designed to be jagged and antagonistic, lyrically and musically.
Andrew: With such strong, personal feelings littering your music, and songs seeming to be very personal and directed at certain individuals, is it hard to get all of the band members to agree on subject matter? Do the band members typically share common viewpoints?
Steve: No, it isn't hard at all. First off, we are a straight edge band. Some bands try to tiptoe around this. We are forthright and outspoken about that. We have been a band for many years now and I think that I have gained the trust of my band. As I was saying earlier, I try to write from the perspective of everyday life and everyday occurrences. I want to try to write about a personal situation, but in a way so that it doesn't pigeon hole the meaning of the song. I want the listener to realize that the lyrics aren't written for one guy (me) and I want kids to see different applications of the same subject matter. I would assume my band mates share common viewpoints as me. We, as a band, do more talking then any band in the world. We'll drive across country and listen to NO music.. We'll just talk. I would assume that some of the personal stuff I have written doesn't evoke the same feelings that it does to me but I am sure that each one of them take from each song what means the most to them, as I would hope every kid does.
Andrew: Obviously, Embrace Today is a pretty strong advocate of the straightedge lifestyle. I like straightedge songs, to an extent, but you guys seemed to take the typical "straightedge is good" song a bit further, with a bunch of convictions and words against those who have broken their commitment. With songs like these, is Embrace Today.. Hmmm, trying to restore some meaning to hardcore?
Steve: Very good question!!!! You are right on to say that we are "a strong advocate of the straight edge lifestyle." I will do my best to explain this as I have a lot of opinions on it. I believe I could sum this up very easily, but let me rant for a few. As I was saying before, Embrace Today is a band to antagonize and instigate. Too many straight edge bands want to pat themselves on the back for all "being edge." Our goal is to challenge and piss off both edge kids and non-edge kids. I want kids to question themselves. It is a way of weeding out the weak. Too many bands and kids huff and puff about what supposedly means a lot to them and then I go to shows and I see no X's on their hands. Like I say on stage, it isn't about being edge or not. It is about believing in what you believe in. I have no time for half-ass motherfuckers who are here today and gone tomorrow. Those kids give straight edge a bad name. That's why I have "words against those who have broken their commitment." If kids take offense to that them fuck them. I would like to think that we accomplish a little more than a "straight edge is good" mentality. If that's all someone gets from our music, then I think that they have grotesquely missed the point of Embrace Today. Of course, I think it is the right way to live. Of course, I think it is the right choice. Of course, I think we are right. If I didn't, I would be the same half-ass motherfucker that I detest. A long time ago straight edge kids lost their balls, well, we are here to remind you what you love about the edge.
Andrew: Embrace Today's songs are pretty personal and raging, so do you find that your music and live performances are useful as some sort of outlet, or a chance to release some feelings?
Steve: I would like to consider Embrace Today a little more than an outlet of aggression and not quite a chance to release some feelings. I think that there is a cross there. Our intent is not to be some stereotypical testosterone driven mosh band, nor is it to be some overly poetic emotional roller coaster. I believe we all use Embrace Today as an outlet of some sort, of course, but in the same respect we all use it to release some feelings. As I said before, the intentions are to challenge kids (from our perspective.) As far as other kids go, I would hope that they can get out of it what we get out of it, a combination of an outlet and form of expression.
Andrew: How do you feel about the hardcore scene in its current state? Having been a band for four years, have you noticed changes occur (there's the fashion issue, the scene seeing a tons of bands arise, hardcore becoming popular among more and more people).
Steve: I think hardcore is in really good shape right now. Hardcore is an umbrella with which many different genres reside. Each one of them is really strong right now. Hardcore is just like anything else. There are ebbs and flows. I think the whole fashion issue is WAY overblown. I found myself sticking up, more often than not, for the so-called "fashion-core" kid. Everything is a fashion. Camo shorts and ebay shirt is a fashion and is hardcore...so by default...they are also fashion-core. It is a lame way for stuck up hardcore kids to try to elevate themselves by putting others down. Fuck them. Be yourself, For yourself... Yeah, there sure are a lot of bands now a days. Oh well, I love hardcore. I love Metal. It gives the listener more a chance to get to know more styles and more kids. It gives bands more "competition" so they have to elevate their game. Competition breeds higher standards. Hell, congrats to any band or any kid that can do this for a living. For some reason, popularity is a four-letter word. I never understood that. If a band succeeds at writing music that is well received and thus is given more opportunity to get that said music to as many kids as possible.. I say go for it. Work Sucks. If it opens the door way for more bands to tour and get out there.. AMEN. Once again, it's stuck-up hardcore kids feeling threatened that their precious scene is selling out, when all they want to do is shit talk anyway.
Andrew: Much of what I know about Embrace Today is from your Deathwish Inc. debut full-length, "Soldiers." I also understand that it was recorded with Kurt Ballou, which is always great for getting that crunchy and raw sound quality. How did working with Kurt go? Was it a good studio experience, compared to others?
Steve: I would have to say that we have been very fortunate in our band's existence to work with Kurt Ballou on multiple occasions. He is an extremely talented guy who works incredibly hard. We had a vision of what "Soldiers" was going to sound like and we all discussed what the intentions and aspirations of the record were going to be. Kurt allowed us enough flexibility to achieve this. Kurt added a lot to the record. Without his persistence and devotion, I do not believe this record would be nearly as good. The recording of "Soldiers" was much more pleasurable than the recording of "FYIE" (which was also recorded with Kurt). I felt as though we rushed the "FYIE" recording and there were other extenuating circumstances that I felt hampered that release. "Soldiers," however, was recorded over a very long period. Kurt allowed us the opportunity to try different things and suggested many things as well. We took some chances and recorded some of the record at our drummer's studio as well to achieve certain kinds of sounds and vocal inflections. Kurt was very professional and it has been a pleasure to work with someone that talented.
Andrew: Did you, or the band as a whole, have goals that to accomplish in recording "Soldiers?" Was there a certain sound, a specific vibe, or anything that was trying to be achieved in a recording?
Steve: We wanted it to be heavier, faster, and a fuck load more straight edge. We wanted it to be edgier and more pointed. We felt as though this record needed to make a statement. "Soldiers" needed to be as good as it could be. I wouldn't say we are trying to ride a specific vibe. We have been playing this style of music since January of 2000, we just want to keep pushing it's limits.
Andrew: Overall, how does the band feel about the final product that "Soldiers" offers? It's really, really intense -- definitely one of my favorite aspects of it.
Steve: We are extremely happy and pleased with the way that it came out. Deathwish has put a lot of faith and hard work behind us and I didn't want to disappoint them. We wanted to try to accomplish a new level of intensity for hardcore bands without falling into preconceived molds or trends. We wanted it to piss people off. We wanted it to open up the lines of discussion with edge kids and non-edge kids. We wanted it to surpass our own expectations and thus far, it has...
Andrew: I also found the artwork and CD insert to be nicely done. Who did the art, and is there any concept behind it to be explained?
Steve: Label co-founder Jake Bannon did all the artwork for the album. As you probably know, he has been doing quality work for a number of projects and albums for the last 5-10 years. He is the mastermind behind the art direction of Converge. Enough said. I would not want to be the one to interpret what Jake has created. With any form of art, kids can take from it what they feel and what they want. We wanted chaos and unrest. The rest was Jake's creation.
Andrew: What is a song-writing process like for you? Your songs are pretty short, angry, and fast. What does the band start with when coming up with a song?
Steve: The song writing process isn't as easy as you would think. We are all very tough on our own music. But, it varies. Sometimes, we try to discuss the direction of the song before we try to play a thing, other times, we play and see if anything sticks. We always throw together a rough mix of the song and record it at Andy's (our drummer) studio within the initial stages. I take the music home and listen to it until it I am inspired to write the right words for that track of music. Some songs are angrier than others. Some have different inflections and meanings and thus need a different approach. Then we practice the shit out of it and see if it is a keeper or not. Sometimes, the song will end up in the cutting room.
Andrew: What is a typical Embrace Today live show like? Have you noticed more kids going nuts and singing along after releasing music and seeing improved distribution with Deathwish Inc.?
Steve: I would have to say there is no "typical" Embrace Today show. I would have to say that we are getting a lot more kids showing up at shows because the newest record is a step up and because of the amazing amount of promotion and distribution that Deathwish has given us. I would, however, say that the crowd's participation more or less depends on the bands that are also on the show. If the show is a more mosh-oriented show, then the kids fallow suit. If the show is a less mosh oriented show, then more kids sing along up front. I would say though that is fairly typical of most hard working bands. I can guarantee that Embrace Today will give everything we have during our 20-25 minute set. That is a promise. You will also see plenty of discussion during and between songs. We are a band that has a lot to say and we're going to say it.
Andrew: Are there any plans to embark on some solid tours in the near future?
Steve: Yes, there is. We have been handcuffed due to some financial obligations for the better half of the summer, so we have only been doing weekends, but we are leaving for a full US tour in late September through late October. I can't mention the bands yet as nothing is confirmed. We are also planning on going over to Europe sometime early in the next year. Keep checking the website for details. www.XembracetodayX.com.
Andrew: As far as I know, you guys also played at this year's Hellfest. Was this the first year Embrace Today was on the schedule? How was the show?
Steve: Technically speaking, this was NOT the first year that we have been on the schedule. It was the first year that we have ever played Hellfest. Two years ago, we were added to Hellfest, but due to some confusion we were not able to make it. Luckily, this year, everything worked out and we were given the opportunity to play. For everyone that has never made the annual trek to Syracuse for Hellfest, let me tell you that this show is perhaps one of the most professional and diverse shows in the world today. What a fun time. The show went really well for us. We were really happy with our performance and we were really surprised by the amount of support that was showed for us. We played the "C" stage at the same exact time that Bleeding Through played the "A" stage, so there was heavy competition. I was at first disappointed because we are all friends and wanted to watch their set, as they wanted to watch ours. I was also disappointed going against another straight edge band. And lastly, they are Trustkill's newest band!! But I was grateful of the opportunity to play that good of a slot and still get that much support.
Andrew: Being from a thriving music scene in Massachusetts, are there any other up and coming bands that you guys have played with, or bands that are worthy of some attention?
Steve: I don't like these sorts of questions because it becomes a big opportunity to kiss ass. However, Scott also plays in Some Kind Of Hate.. Check out that shit.. They have a new record coming out in the Fall off of Bridge 9 Records. (Free plug) ww.bridge9.com
Andrew: If you could pick some bands to play a show with, who would you like to play alongside the most?
Steve: This is like the preceding question, as far as kissing ass goes, however I would like to play with any hardworking bands out there. Of course, I could name you a bunch of club packing bands, who I would want to play with... who wouldn't want to play with them, but every band is deserving in their own right.
Andrew: When you're on the road, what is your favorite restaurant to stop at along the way?
Steve: This is the easiest question you have asked so far.. If we are eating lunch or dinner, we ALWAYS eat at Taco Bell, it's cheap and delicious. We also hit up Dunkin Donuts every chance we can.. As far as specific restaurants, we are a cheap band so usually like a buffet pizza shop like Eatza pizza or CiCi's.. Fat Slice in Berkley, CA is good too.
Andrew: Definite agreement on the Taco Bell, by the way.
Andrew: Are you, or Embrace Today as a whole, trying to accomplish anything specific by playing in the hardcore scene? Do you have any hopes or goals that you'd like to make reality by playing in a hardcore band?
Steve: I would have to say that we have accomplished a lot of our goals as a band. We wrote a great album for a great label. We've toured the US 3 times... We've toured Canada...We've toured Europe.. But being complacent only leads to a second rate operation. I now want to magnify those goals infinitely. I want to tour non-stop. I want to see the world. I want to quit my job and do Embrace Today as a way of life. There is no limit to what we want to do.
Andrew: If there's anything else you'd like to say, be our guest. And, lastly, from me, thanks very much for agreeing to an interview and taking the time to answer the questions. Keep on rocking.
Steve: I want to thank all the kids out there that takes the time to learn about things before running their mouth. Hardcore allows many of us the opportunity to speak our minds in many different ways to many different kids. We are here to challenge kids, not degrade them. We are here to instigate a response and thus maybe influence a decision. We are not here to turn kids off from hardcore. We are here to be as INCLUSIVE as possible, not EXCLUSIVE. We respect all that respect us, our beliefs, or straight edge. If you do not, then I got no respect for you.. Fuck off.
Thanks to all the kids that remain true to themselves..... XXX
Love,
Embrace Today
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