Feature by Andrew - July, 2002
It Dies Today is one of those bands that will become wildly popular among the metal/hardcore scene once people are introduced to them. With Unearth-like breakdowns and one of the greatest young vocalists that I've ever heard, this band will really attract fans of brutal, mosh-heavy metal with no problems. I talked to Nick, vocalist of It Dies Today, and if you're interested in the band, read on.
Andrew: I always like to know how a band formed, and where the members came from. So, that being said, how did the members of It Dies Today meet and decide to play music?
Nick: The band formed when mine, Chris's, and Seth's band (Bullet vs Eye) broke up, we hooked up with Aaron our original axe slinger and Joey (whose band wrong the oppressor also broke up) and just started jamming and trying to write tunes that we enjoyed.
Andrew: Did you find that you all had similar musical tastes, and if you didn't, how did you decide to play such heavy and brutal music?
Nick: We all loved brutal hardcore bands and were obsessed with breakdowns (we still are) 'cause we all love the mosh.
Andrew: And how long has the band actually been together? Were the current members of It Dies Today in other bands before now?
Nick: We started rokken' out last July around this time actually, and played our first show in December. The current members of the band are now: me (Nick, vocals), Chris (guitar), Steve (guitar), Seth (bass), and Nick M. (drums). Everyone except Steve was in my last band, Steve was in the band breaking the distance.
Andrew: Do any of the band members participate in other bands, or have interesting jobs outside of the band?
Nick: None of us are in any other bands really, we jam with a few other people just for fun, and we all have shitty jobs (except for me 'cause I suck and am unemployed...but hey I do go to summer school 'cause again I suck and am 17 and still in high school).
Andrew: Probably your biggest piece of news of late is the new EP. How did the writing and recording process go, being that it is the band's album besides the demo?
Nick: The writing was tough 'cause probably 2 weeks before it was recorded we only had like 3 or 4 songs completely done and we needed 6. But we practiced non-stop for those 2 weeks and pumped out two songs that I think are the best on the CD. The recording was great Doug White is seriously the nicest and best guy around and I think the quality of our EP shows that.
Andrew: Between releasing the demo and recording the new EP, has the band evolved or changed its sound much? I've heard "Sentiments Of You," and things seem to lean more towards the metal end of the spectrum, but its still really brutal and heavy.
Nick: Well you're right since the demo we've gotten a lot more into melodic sounding metal (ala In Flames, Soilwork, etc), also we have a new amazing drummer and my voice has changed a bit. But we still have all the breakdowns and stuff so we aren't all that different.
Andrew: Are the band members generally satisfied with the outcome?
Nick: I think everyone in the band is very satisfied with the way it came out, my only complaint is that we rushed some things when writing but everything still turned out great.
Andrew: And this EP will be hitting the streets some time in August, yes? Also, will it be self-titled?
Nick: This should be out by mid-august and it will be called "Forever Scorned."
Andrew: I know plenty of people that are really looking forward to its release, including myself.
Nick: Well thanks a lot I hope everyone likes it.
Andrew: The band also recently signed with Life Sentence Records. Its been a pretty short time with the label so far, but how have they treated you so far?
Nick: Dan has been so great and supportive of us, that label has so many amazing bands releasing things on it right now. I think all the bands on there right now, will be extremely successful with whatever they do and that's about it Life Sentence is sweet.
Andrew: Do you envision It Dies Today sticking with them for future releases, or have there been other offers (if you can talk about that, of course)?
Nick: Who knows what will happen in the next few months, there have been no other offers but whatever happens happens.
Andrew: Once the EP is completed, are there plans for the band to head out on any sort of tour?
Nick: We will be touring the east coast August 15- 24 with bury your dead and any chance after that to play out of town we will do it.
Andrew: Has the band done much touring in the past? How far away from your hometown have you been playing shows?
Nick: Its tough 'cause we are all in school, Nick M, and Chris just got out of high school, and Steve and Seth are in college, while I still have another year of high school, and we all have jobs so we try and play out as much as we can. We have done a few weekend tours but that's about it.
Andrew: I'd imagine your show as being pretty intense and wild; have crowd responses typically been good?
Nick: It really depends on where you play but most times we are extremely happy with the way the crowds react.
Andrew: Come to the midwest some time. We need more.
Nick: soon enough...
Andrew: Okay, on to some music questions. Do you feel that certain bands have helped shape the music that It Dies Today plays?
Nick: We are influenced by everybody, seriously we all love so many different kinds of bands its ridiculous, so not really any one or two bands shape us.
Andrew: How would you describe the band's sound on the new EP?
Nick: Mosh metal.
Andrew: Are there any specific bands that have inspired any of the band members or the band's music?
Nick: Speaking for my self i'm in love with lamb of god, blood has been shed, and tons of metal bands (too many to name). We all love music in general, like I said way too many bands to name.
Andrew: What bands did you guys grow up listening to?
Nick: We're all still growing up.
Andrew: I also have to mention something about your lyrics. They are really pretty violent and dark (not to mention really good); what has caused the band to write these lyrics?
Nick: Well thanks for saying my lyrics are good that means alot, I base most of what I write on personal experiences. for the most part. I don't want anyone thinking I have sex with dead girls or anything but for the most part everything I write about is something that has happened in my life.
Andrew: Ok, no dead girls.. Onto the band's future, now. Where do you see It Dies Today going on the coming months?
Nick: Platinum yo...just kidding, we are going to play out as much as we can and just hope everything picks up from there.
Andrew: Do you expect to see any major changes in the band's musical style in the future?
Nick: Nothing major, just bet on us becoming more brutal as time goes on.
Andrew: What are your hopes for the band's future?
Nick: My only hopes are for us to one day be able to tour non-stop, that's all we really want to do is to play shows every night.
Andrew: In any case, we wish you lots of luck in achieving any goals you may set.
Nick: Thanks so much broski, your site rips good luck with everything.
Andrew: I suppose that's about all I have for now, and I must say, thanks for writing such good music, and for taking the time to respond to these questions.
Nick: It was my pleasure hope we can do it again sometime.
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