1. For those that have never heard of you, can you tell us a little bit about the band? The band originally started off as somewhat of a recording project that myself (Dustin) Zac and Chris talked about in late 2010. after Zac and I where done with Under One Flag, I think we were in the need to do something totally outside the realm of UOF. Next thing you know we're playing these awesome shows and offered these awesome opertunities like A389.
2.How would you describe the musical sound that is present on the new album? I would like to say thats its a hardcore record, however, musiclly its very thrash drivin. Me personally, when I was writing some of the guitar stuff, I was listenig to alot of Carnivore and Crowbar. Not comparing this record to any of that but you can hear the influences for sure.
3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music? Just everyday frustrations with the world. I try to write stuff that I personally had gone through. Growing up dirt poor, problems with cops, which I am very familiar with. I even wrote a song about armed robbery. I try to keep it intesting.
4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name Empire Of Rats? We live in a society ran by rats.
5.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and how would you describe your stage performance? We we're lucky to play This Is Hardcore last year which was pretty amazing. We played in the sweaty basement of a frat house in PA with RockBottom and Full of Hell and that show was pretty nuts. And of course The Rumble in Chicago the past couple of years with some amazing bands.
6.Do you have any touring or show plans for the new release? We would love to be able to just get up and leave for tour for weeks on end but the fact of the matter is most of us have full time jobs and families and kids. We do have some awesome shows lined up and we definitely plan of playing as much as possible.
7.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of hardcore? Its been pretty well recieved actually. Hardcore kids cans be tough critics too. I remember 10 years ago if your band had any kind of metal influences it wouldn't even stand a chance with a lot of kids.
8.Are there any other musical projects besides this band? Kurt has a pretty sick oldschool death metal band called Arterial Mist. Not your tipical hardcore kids hackjob and trying to play death metal but actual talented kids playing awesome metal.
9.What direction do you see your music heading into on future releases? Well, we already have material for an EP and all I can say is holy hell..
10.What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your music and also what are you listening to nowadays? We all listen to so many different things. Me personally, I'm a huge Rotting Out fan. The new Twitching Tongues record is really solid. Anything from Wisdom in Chains. I listen to alot of Down and Danzig, a shit ton of Mobb Deep and MOP. Bands like Cold As Life and 100 Demons are a good inspiration on us too.
11.Outside of music what are some of your interests? Zac makes donuts, Chris makes babies and plays a mean Call of Duty, Kurt worships satan and made some kind of deal with him to be able to play the axe and do dive bombs that will make your ears bleed, and I ride motorcycles and accumulate firearms and ammunition and prepare for the world to end. Oh and I also like to watch youtube videos of fat people falling. thats about it really.
12.Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview? Thanks for the interview!...and I wish I had something witty and clever to end this with but its 1:30am and peepaw needs sleep.
Dustin
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