Interview: Dan Campbell of The Wonder Years

Thomas Nassiff Apr 11, 2011

In the last year and a half, The Wonder Years have ridden their early 2010 release The Upsides to levels of attention they had never experienced before. That record helped them jump from the up-and-coming No Sleep Records to indie powerhouse Hopeless Records, exposed the group to new fans and got them credibility all over the globe. After roughly an entire year of touring, the six-piece Philadelphia pop-punkers took a month to record a follow-up full-length in Los Angeles with the legendary Steve Evetts. Announced earlier today, Suburbia I’ve Give You All And Now I’m Nothing will be released June 14 via Hopeless Records. Now we’ve got for you an exclusive interview with frontman Dan “Soupy” Campbell, where Soupy and I discuss the band’s current state, a big-picture look into the new record, the first song we’re exclusively streaming, and the band’s mindset going into the release of Suburbia. Much thanks to Soupy for taking the time to answer these questions, to Hopeless for letting us bring you this great exclusive, and to The Wonder Years and their entire team for being awesome people to work with.

Jonathan Bautts Apr 11, 2011

Drummer Spencer Smith ties up some loose ends about Panic! at the Disco’s third album Vices & Virtues, explains how the recent lineup change has redefined the duo, and recalls the perspective of blowing up at an early age.

Interview: Daniel Layus of Augustana

Jonathan Bautts Mar 24, 2011

Frontman Daniel Layus discusses the expansive process behind Augustana’s self-titled album, how growing older has affected his writing, getting more in touch with early influences, and life on a major label.

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Interview: Jack Barakat of All Time Low

AbsolutePunk Mar 14, 2011

All Time Low are at possibly the biggest point in their young careers with the release of their new album, Dirty Work. It’s the band’s first major label release and could possibly be the next step into full blown stardom. I asked Jack Barakat a few questions about the band’s upcoming album, tours and future plans. Check it out below.

Jonathan Bautts Mar 7, 2011

Bassist Joe Principe talks about the Rise Against’s sixth record Endgame, the challenge of keeping things fresh, being inspired by the military, and how punk rock originally gave him the courage to speak out.

Interview: Geoff Rickly of Thursday

AbsolutePunk Feb 22, 2011

Thursday will go down as one of the iconic bands of our generation amongst the hardcore and punk scene. Whether you think they’re not underground enough, or don’t play enough hardcore for your liking anymore, they’ve certainly proven themselves time and time again on record, and more importantly, within the community itself. On the heals of their next album, No Devolución, this will be a sharp left for many, but long time fans will see the band shine at possibly their brightest moment yet. Stripping themselves of most of their hardcore elements, the album still packs an elegance and driving force that made us all fall for the band’s music over a decade ago. On the second night of their tour with Underoath, Geoff Rickly sat down with me over chips and guacamole to talk about the last ten years, the scene and how proud he is of the band’s next album.

Jonathan Bautts Feb 12, 2011

Vocalist/guitarist Sherri DuPree-Bemis shares the highs and lows inside Eisley’s third record The Valley, the cathartic nature of songwriting, and how having the right people around can help you make it through anything.

Interview: Anthony Raneri of Bayside

Jonathan Bautts Jan 28, 2011

Frontman Anthony Raneri discusses Bayside’s new record Killing Time, waiting for the beauty in life to happen, never feeling like he’s truly arrived, and debates honesty versus celebrity in pop music.

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Interview: Chris Carrabba of Dashboard Confessional

Jonathan Bautts Nov 5, 2010

Chris Carrabba takes a look back at his first album for the 10th anniversary of The Swiss Army Romance, remembers his time in Further Seems Forever, explains why he’s never set out to write a hit, and updates what’s next for Dashboard Confessional.

Interview: Andrew McMahon of Jack’s Mannequin

Jonathan Bautts Nov 1, 2010

Andrew McMahon gives an inside scoop into writing and recording the upcoming third Jack’s Mannequin record, the Something Corporate reunion, Dear Jack Foundation’s continuing efforts to fight cancer, and how his life has finally started to come into focus.

Interview: Joshua Radin

Jonathan Bautts Oct 26, 2010

Singer-songwriter Joshua Radin discusses starting fresh on his third album The Rock and the Tide, the rush of recording live, the strange ways technology has affected romance, and why life is all about being open to trying new things.

Interview: Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat World

Jonathan Bautts Sep 22, 2010

Frontman Jim Adkins discusses the process behind Jimmy Eat World’s seventh album Invented, writing songs from varying perspectives, why you shouldn’t censor yourself, and embracing your ideas, whether they’re good or bad.

Interview: Stephen Christian of Anberlin

Jonathan Bautts Aug 23, 2010

Lead singer Stephen Christian discusses writing Dark Is the Way, Light Is a Place as a contradictory, coming-of-age record, working with producer Brendan O’Brien, the pressure-filled trials of New Surrender, and the weird side of Anberlin.
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Interview: Sergio Vega of Deftones

Jonathan Bautts Aug 18, 2010

Bassist Sergio Vega talks about the bittersweet emotion of joining Deftones, the rejuvenating jamming sessions for Diamond Eyes, and the organic nature of music.

Review: Against Me! – White Crosses

AbsolutePunk May 23, 2010

Beneath every great rivalry, there is always a line of mutual respect. For the most part. Tom Brady and Peyton Manning; Jack and Sawyer; Bill and Hillary Clinton. The only intense rivalry that raises a few questions are fans of Against Me. There are those who believe the band to be a shell of their former selves, and those who’ve grown right alongside them. It’s a fierce competition that is about as pointless as that time Emmanuelle Lewis and Gary Coleman were pitted against one another: there’s no clear winner, because they are both adorable!