Interview with Architects (UK) - Warped Tour Pomona 2013

Architects is one of the few, rare bands in the metalcore genre that I enjoy listening to on a regular basis, as well as thoroughly enjoyed seeing for the first time live this year at Warped Tour. I consider myself a melody-driven type of music listener, so no matter the genre, I'm always looking for bands who have the melodies down. Sometimes I'm looking for the ones with the downright dirty melodies, and sometimes I'm  with which they scream, because I feel like it's different than a lot of bands out there with screaming.

Sam & Alex post-interview (Photo by ULR)

listening for something a bit more clean-cut, but no matter what, that's what draws me in. I love the distinctness

Sam Carter and Ali Dean (Alex) who are the vocalist & bass player, were super hilarious during their interview with me, which just make my admiration for the band higher. If you don't know them, check them out online at the links after the interview, and definitely check them out at Warped Tour this summer.

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What's it been like for you guys, coming from another country and a different scene?

Difficult from over here, the US is such a big country; to start over here you really have to throw yourself in it. You can't just do it in a week like you can back home. There are a lot more bands over here, so a lot more choices. You just have to get out there and do your gig and hope that people like it. 

How do you feel like you guys differ from other bands in your genre who are trying for a similar sound?

Architects at Warped Tour Pomona, Photo by Scutterbug Photography

We're good. [laughs]

I think this genre is saturated with bands that have lyrics that don't really mean much. It's very easy to go into the studio or record on your laptop these days. A lot of musicians or bands don't sound like their records when they play live, because they don't play their songs properly. These guys that play the instruments in the band [Architects] are fucking great, man.

What has been something difficult along the way that you've overcome?

Cash. Not enough of it. We don't like cash. Cash is evil. We overcame cash by not caring about it anymore. 

What's been a favorite and monumental moment that has stuck out for you?

Download Festival. London headlining shows. We had the main stage at Download Festival back home in the UK. That's one of the biggest, and that was fun.

How do you feel about being labeled as metalcore?

Architects at Warped Tour Pomona, Photo by Scutterbug Photography

That's cool, we like it, yeah. We have bits of hardcore and metal in our band, so that works.

What label would you pick if it was your choice, that fits best?

Screamo. Screamo emo. Post-screamo. Stonedcore. Bongcore. Bongmetal. 

If you could collaborate with one artist or band, dead or alive, who would it be?

Chino Moreno. [unanimous answer] He's got about 25 or 50 side projects and they're all amazing. He's never done a bad thing in his life. He seems to take everyone's offer. 

Any woes of touring?

[singing] Wooooahh, woaaaah.

The worst part is showering. We don't shower as much as we'd like to. We always smell good, but if we had as many showers as we'd like, we'd smell amazing. You know, like two a day instead of one a day.

Alex: I'm a two a day kind of guy. One in the morning and one at night. I'm hygienic, sue me.

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Check out Architects on Facebook, Twitter, and their website. And of course, this summer on Vans Warped Tour!

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All photos (except interview photo) by Scutterbug Photography, like her page on Facebook.