Feature by Andrew - December, 2002
Unearth is a force to be reckoned with. This remarkable band's flawless mixture between metal and hardcore is something most bands can only dream of. The spirit and integrity of hardcore music is completely in tact, while the compelling music carries the flashiness and variety of more complex, European metal bands. The breakdowns are untouchable, the tunes are laden with sing-alongs and motivational words, and the vocal performance of Trevor Phipps is nothing but empowering. Unearth, having released the superb "Endless" EP just a few months ago, will soon take the entire metal and hardcore scenes by storm. Take a look at the interview below, download a song or two, and check out one of the most prominent bands in today's metal/hardcore scene.
Andrew: First off, how did Unearth come together as a band? What kind of music helped to shape the band's current sound?
Trevor: We formed from other north shore Massachusetts area bands. We all have various influences, but as a band our main influences are In Flames, Iron Maiden, Crowbar, Overcast and Shai Hulud. Vocally, I am a big fan of Pantera, Testament, Shai Hulud and Overcast.
Andrew: Alright, I think I'm just going to get right down to business for now. Whenever I listen to any of Unearth's music, I obviously feel a metallic vibe (especially on the "Endless" EP), but a hardcore spirit always shines through. I'm not sure if its the inspirational lyricism and ideals, or the powerful vocal performance, but at heart, does Unearth identify more closely with the metal or hardcore scene?
Trevor: We are and will always be both metal and hardcore. This band has so many influences in both styles of music. The combination of real lyrics, convictions, musicianship, hard music and a good time is what we are about.
Andrew: My guess is that 'hardcore' kids are most common at your shows (though I am yet to see one for myself--that will change soon). I can imagine the kids pumping fists and screaming every last word, rather than a bit of circle-pitting and head-bobbing. I just can't help but hear positive, yet urgent hardcore music when I listen to Unearth. I think you guys have created one of the most successful blends of metal and hardcore.
Trevor: Thanks for the kind words! We have done only "hardcore" tours so far. That isn't a bad thing at all though. We always have fun at the shows. The crowd always seems to have a good time and we have made a ton of friends. We do want to expand our audience and do some metal tours, but we will always want to keep our ties to the hardcore scene.
Andrew: Do you have any specific qualms with the current metal/hardcore scene? Through Unearth's existence, have you noticed any big changes in the fans of the music?
Trevor: No real qualms other than I feel the hardcore scene can be a little too cut throat when a band either gets "too big" or makes a minor change. I remember VOD's "Imprint" a few years back and kids seemed to hate it. That record was their heaviest and most raw to date, but the scenene turned their backs on them and VOD was forced to change their sound totally on future releases.
Andrew: Some of your tunes are obviously political in lyrical nature--are there certain issues that have continued to fuel Unearth's fire in the past, or as of late? Anything that might make it into future songs?
Trevor: I have a huge problem with how we as humans treat our environment. I actually have a new song, Black Hearts Now Reign, about how the world continues to use oil as fuel for automobiles even though there are numerous other resources. The more oil we burn, the worse our environment will be poluted with poisoness exhaust fumes. My lyrics are always generated by how I feel personally about certain subjects. On both the Endless EP and "Stings" I have politically driven songs. There will indeed be more politically fueled songs in the future.
Andrew: Speaking of the future, we've all seen bands become more timid and calm as the albums and years pass by. Do you see Unearth heading in this sort of direction? I can't imagine this would happen, especially after the sonic assault that is the "Endless" EP.
Trevor: The new album sounds more like Crosby Stills and Nash.
Nah, we will always be a heavy as hell band. We will always try to create music we like. We also want to expand our musical abilities, but that doesn't mean we have to sacrifice heaviness.
Andrew: I'm not sure exactly how much time off the band has had off of late, but has there been any further writing for another album? If there has, can any of it be elaborated upon? Any notable changes in the music?
Trevor: The songs we have written are far more diverse than anything we have written. More influences are coming out of the band. Less of the Swedish metal, but more American styles of metal, hardcore, rock and of course some southern fried rock. Vocally I am expanding my arsenal with a few different voices. The next record will be heavy as fuck and a good one to listen to all the way through.
Andrew: I've noticed a pretty large increase in Unearth's popularity after releasing the "Endless" EP. Have things changed at all on your end? Do you feel an increased pressure to create music that will satisfy the fans, in addition to yourselves?
Trevor: We started this band to please ourselves musically and no one else. I think if you are true to yourself then people will appreciate and respect that. Once you start trying to write music to impress other people you will fail.
Andrew: When the members of Unearth aren't on tour or writing music, what do they find themselves doing? Does anyone have any interesting side projects or jobs?
Trevor: Mike has numerous side projects ranging from a doom band, power metal band and a grindcore band. Ken has more of a pop rock band on the side. Buz and Slo work as much as possible and I have my own record label that I am starting up.
Andrew: Aside from the time off, how has touring with the new songs from "Endless" been going? The songs are so great to sing along to, its kind of frightening how many times I've run around my room, or nearly driven off of the road while screaming "endless fiiiiight!"
Trevor: Hahaha...thanks man. Well, we sometimes open up with "Endless" and we have been getting some of the sickest pits we have ever been treated to. It is a cool feeling to know that the kids dig the new stuff. Like I said, we write music to make ourselves happy, but when other people appreciate it and like it, it feels very special to us.
Andrew: You guys are also set to go on tour with From Autumn To Ashes and The Hope Conspiracy. Has Unearth toured with either of these bands before? Are there any future tours shaping up?
Trevor: We have done numerous shows and fests with both bands, but have never really toured with them. It is something we are looking forward to to say the least. As for touring after that, we might take a couple tours, but we are mainly just going to focus on finishing the next record.
Andrew: What bands are your favorite to play shows with, and what are your favorite places to play?
Trevor: We love playing with a lot of bands. We have been lucky enough to make a lot of friends the past few years. I guess to name a few of our closest friends, Killswitch Engage, Shadows Fall, Shai Hulud, Poison the Well, Sworn Enemy, Lamb of God, Underoath, Zao, The Red Chord, Until the End...and many others.
We love touring everywhere, but the places that have been the best to us so far have been all of Quebec, New York, Florida, Texas, Massachusetts and California along with the cities of Chicago, Denver, Omaha, London (UK) and Saalfield (Germany).
Andrew: Okay, onto labels. Most of us know that Unearth is currently part of the Eulogy records roster. How has your stay with Eulogy been?
Trevor: Eulogy has been great. John Wylie (owner) has been a mentor to us. Our next record might be on a bigger label, but we will always work with Eulogy on our first two releases. Eulogy is also growing rapidly and is already a leader in the indie world.
Andrew: I've also heard rumors that the band might be striking a deal with another, yet-unknown (to the public) record label. Can you give us any further information on this?
Trevor: I can't say yet. We have a bunch of different offers and have to decide what we are going to do as a band.
Andrew: Okay, we'll try and make this a little less serious now. What has been the most fun aspect of being a part of Unearth? Are the members of the band usually pretty happy with the way things are going?
Trevor: We tour pretty much constantly, but we all still get along really well. Touring is the most fun for us. We don't treat it like a job. This is a fun hobby for us all. If it gets bigger and turns into a career it will still be fun. Once it stops being fun then it isn't worth doing.
Andrew: Is there any single, most-memorable tour experience that can share?
Trevor: A handful come to mind......
1. Ken fell asleep at the wheel in Texas at 5 a.m., flipped the trailer, went off road and almost killed us and a few members of Poison the Well.
2. Swimming in the Pacific Ocean for the first time. It was this summer on our tour with Zao. We had a few hours to kill in San Diego. The waves were huge, the sandstone was breath taking. It was an experience of a lifetime.
3. Winning $50 at a Casino in Las Vegas.
4. And lastly, all of our shows that kids appreciate us and treat us well. I could never have imagined to have kids sing along, dance and have fun at our shows all over the world. It is the best feeling on Earth.
Andrew: How do you guys write such good breakdowns? I mean, the "Endless" breakdown is rivaled by no other. It seems like something most bands could do, but no one can touch your breakdowns. Insane.
Trevor: We try to write breakdowns that people wouldn't think of. We could write a ton of regular breakdowns, but each one has to be different. If you start writing breakdowns just to be "heavy" or have a "mosh part" then it is all wrong. A breakdown has to be perfect before you can use it. They are usually simple riffs, but the timing and location is the most important thing.
Andrew: Is Unearth really into any certain bands? What do you think have been some of the best records to come out during 2002?
Trevor: I think the best records of 2002 are Down II, Killswitch Engage "Alive or Just Breathing", Shadows Fall "The Art of Balance" and Red Hot Chili Peppers "By the Way".
As a band our main inlfuences include Iron Maiden, Crowbar, In Flames, Shai Hulud and the Beatles.
Andrew: Do you have any specific hopes or goals for Unearth in the future?
Trevor: Just to keep having fun. Like I said above, we would love to do this as a career, but it needs to be fun. We will not compromise ourselves to get to a higher level. People have to like us for who we are and not what a record label wants us to be.
Andrew: What is your favorite food?
Trevor: BBQ Chicken Wings and Chocolate Ice Cream....it is a tie.
Andrew: Well, I think that about wraps up what I needed to ask. I sincerely wish good luck to Unearth in the future, and from my point of view, see success. Feel free to say anything you'd like here, or just call it a day. Thanks so much for your time.
Trevor: Thanks a ton man for the support.
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