Feature by Andrew Haak - September, 2006
Since 2000, The Hope Conspiracy has dropped three full-lengths, including 2006's Death Knows Your Name, the band's first since 2002. A striking album with an evolved sound, the release inspired me to send some questions to front man Kevin Baker, who talks about the band's return to the recording studio, the new record, the band's touring plans and the inspiration for viciously biting lyrics.
Andrew: Why did The Hope Conspiracy ultimately spring back into action?
Kevin: It was something we really wanted to do. The only thing that mattered was making a record that we could be proud of and not have to worry about being on the road for eight months after it comes out. Deathwish was totally cool with that so everyone is happy which is a change.
Andrew: You guys returned with a brief EP and a new full-length, Death Knows Your Name, both of which are noticeably different than the band's previous work. It still sounds like The Hope Conspiracy, but there must have been some different intentions for the album. What kinds of new things did you and the rest of band want to try (or just end up trying)?
Kevin: We just did what we wanted, with the intent being as it has always been: to be brutal but basic. We weren't concerned if it was going to be what people wanted or expected from us. We didn't much care if people liked it or not. The only thing that mattered was that we liked it. It gets a little boring when a band keeps putting out the same record.
Andrew: How, if at all, have the new band members contributed to The Hope Conspiracy's development of an evolved, perhaps refined, sound?
Kevin: As far as new members go, Jarred has been in the band since 2002 so he has played our old songs more than the guys that actually wrote them. Tim has played in the band on and off over the years so he knows what this band is about, not to mention being a close friend. And Neeraj is an original member so that being said, this record is closer to having more original members than Endnote. I think age and experience has more to do with the sound evolving or being more refined. You just get more comfortable in the studio I guess.
Andrew: The Hope Conspiracy has always sounded fucking pissed off; Death Knows Your Name, even though it's got more restrained passages, is no exception. Will this continue to be the basis of your music, or possibly give way to more experimentation?
Kevin: Since day one the idea was to make pissed music but not fall into some meat-head typecast. We wanted to take the things we loved most about punk/metal/hard-core/rock and turn it into our own thing. Like Black Flag meets Black Sabbath in a sense.
Andrew: Some of the angriest music I've heard comes from the nicest people, but, I have to admit, some of these songs are intimidating. Are you guys, like, really mean?
Kevin: Yes.
Andrew: The lyrical approach is dark and aggressive -- "My faith in man is broken, my faith in God has been stolen. I see the world's illusions through bitter eyes" sort of envelopes the feeling of Death Knows Your Name. Where does the band draw these kinds of feelings come from?
Kevin: From getting up in the morning and having to walk out my front door into this world full of assholes and idiots everyday. I am not kidding when I say I hate the world. People are asleep at the wheel and want to ignore the fact that everything they have faith in, their religions, their governments, their media, etc., have ultimately failed them. They want something easy to blame all the problems on, but they are so arrogant they can't hold themselves accountable. The problem isn't one thing or two things, it's all of us. We are the cancer and we are going to consume, destroy and kill everybody and everything all the while justifying it.
Andrew: Death Knows Your Name's art is killer. I can see that cover image turning into badass tattoos and posters. How does it connect to the album? (Or is it really just a badass image?)
Kevin: It connects to the album by being printed on some paper and then sliding it into a jewel case where the CD will sit and, yes, it is badass.
Andrew: My extensive interview research (sarcasm) has revealed that many bands like to eat at quick Tex-Mex joints when they tour. So when you're on the road between shows, what's the best place to stop at and get some food?
Kevin: In and Out Burger.
Andrew: How does playing a show at home in Boston differ from playing one in California?
Kevin: Well, the show in Boston will take me 15 to 20 minutes to drive home from. The one in California will take me about 4 days, depending upon how fast I go.
Andrew: Do you guys plan to get out and tour in support of Death Knows Your Name and remain more active than you were after Endnote was released (not that you weren't; I caught a show in Minneapolis with Unearth in late 2002)?
Kevin: We were on tour constantly after Endnote, so no. We plan on doing some things here and there if we can, but that's it.
As of right now we are collectively doing our own things. The new record came out this week so we will be doing something in January to support it. We are gonna play some West Coast dates and a trip to Japan maybe, we'll see.
Andrew: Thanks for taking the time to answer these questions.
Kevin: Anytime, take care.
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