As I Lay Dying Interview

The Gauntlet: As I Lay Dying finished its' headlining trek across the US in late Dec and don't start Taste of Chaos until February. What have you been up to with all this off time?

Jordan: We have been home for about a month. We had just finished the headline tour on Dec 21. It's just adjusting to home life again. This has been our biggest break in about three years. It's just trying to get our lives in order again. It's so weird coming home and trying to settle in after being away for so long. Home is a different style of life than living on the road.

The Gauntlet: Is the band finally at the point where you don't need a job in the off time?

Jordan: We have been very fortunate to not have to worry about jobs when we are home. We just need to concentrate on spending time with our family, girlfriends, and friends. We still have a lot of things here and there that are band related like meetings and sessions. When I am home, I try to keep myself busy.

The Gauntlet: Four weeks ago, the band completed it's first headlining trek with Norma Jean and Madball and A Life Once Lost. How different was it headlining than being a support band.

Jordan: It was awesome. It was just crazy, really cool because we had a full production while headlining. All our fans came out for us and was just amazing to be able to play for them. We got to give back to them for all they have given to us. We got to play them more than just a 30 minute set. It was awesome. The tour was absolutely amazing. It was stressful headlining though. But as far as the show, it was awesome.

The Gauntlet: As far as it being the bands first headlining show, were you apprehensive or nervous?

Jordan: We weren't really apprehensive about the tour. Obviously of it had to be thought out. We had never played an hour long set before. So we had to prepare for that. Also in the middle of the set I had a drum solo so I was nervous about that. I didn't want to mess up.

The Gauntlet: In four weeks you start the Taste of Chaos tour. Are you fans of the bands on the tour?

Jordan: Oh ya. I love the Deftones. I have been fans of theirs for so long. About four years ago I bought tickets to see them in Irvine. We drove for hours and finally got their and found out that they had cancelled. Instead of the Deftones playing it would be Puddle of Mudd. So we decided to leave [laughs]. I am excited to see their new stuff. There are a lot of awesome bands on this tour.

The Gauntlet: From what I can tell, you are the heaviest band on this tour.

Jordan: Yeah, totally. We are really excited. That was one of the reasons we wanted to do this. We can branch out from the metal crowd we have been playing in front of for so long. We will be able to play in front of a whole new audience. I hope our fans will come out and support us to. It's going to be a great experience. Seeing that all the bands aren't pop but are in the middle will be great.

The Gauntlet: Which do you prefer, club tours or festivals?

Jordan: They are both great. They all have their good points. I like the club settings as it is much more personal. The festivals are so huge and have so many people and is a lot of fun too to play at a big place. I like them both, they are both amazing to do.

The Gauntlet: Two months ago you released the video for 'Through Struggle'. Any plans to release another video?

Jordan: We are getting ready to start shooting next week. The video will be for 'The Darkest Nights'. We are pretty excited about it. We have a lot of expectations for it. Hopefully it will turn out super sweet. We kinda have a concept for it, but I don't want to say it will be one thing and it doesn't go that way. Unlike our other videos that were performance videos, this will be a concept video. There will be a little bit of us performing, but nothing like our other videos.

The Gauntlet: Have there been any talks about putting out a DVD?

Jordan: Yeah, we're planning on it. We are trying to get stuff together. The release date hasn't been decided yet, but we are planning on a DVD in the next year or so.

The Gauntlet: Do you prefer European fans or US fans?

Jordan: I love playing here at home. The fans here are great, the shows are great. I also love playing Europe. The shows are amazing. The European fans are really diehard like they are in the US. I guess I can't choose one over the other, I love them both. I guess European crowd conditions are pretty rough.

The Gauntlet: Any plans for a new album?

Jordan: Yeah. No release date yet, but in our time off we are going to start writing and see how that goes. We are going to be touring through the summer and into the fall so nothing will really be getting done until late this year, early next year. We are still trying to tour for this album and play every city we can.

The Gauntlet: The progression from 'Frail Words Collapse' to 'Shadows are Security' brought an expansion to the metalcore genre. Will the next album do the same?

Jordan: We kinda have an idea where we want to go on the next record. We want it to be a little more diverse and keep the really thrashy metal sound. We just want to get faster and more brutal, but still have that melodic element.

The Gauntlet: Over the years, the band has gone through numerous lineup changes. Do you think the direction will be changed for the album?

Jordan: We still have the same lineup we had for 'Shadows Are Security' but we will see when we start writing and recording if the sound changes. We don't obviously foresee any sound changes or member changes. We now have a consistent lineup and they are all awesome.

The Gauntlet: No more musical guitarist?

Jordan: [laughs] no, we have a great group now.

The Gauntlet: I just figured you changed guitarists weekly as a publicity stunt, get your name in all the news.

Jordan: [laughs] that's funny

The Gauntlet: The bands lyrics have a very dark undertone to them.

Jordan: I don't like to speak on Tim's behalf, but the lyrics come from experiences. Obviously life isn't always cheerful. A big part of life is joyful, but there is also darkness. A lot of the lyrics are about seeking that truth and a purpose in life. We try to make it so anybody can relate. Everybody goes through tough times and we want everyone to relate. We experience those same things.

The Gauntlet: What drummers do you admire?

Jordan: My favorite drummer is Vinnie Paul. I love his playing and his passion. I have gotten the pleasure to see him perform. He has such a fire in his eyes and you can tell what he does.

The Gauntlet: Have you heard Vinnie Pauls side project Rebel Meets Rebel?

Jordan: Yeah, yeah. I heard about it, but haven't heard any of the music yet.

The Gauntlet: They have some songs up at www.rebelmeetsrebel.com. The songs are awesome.

Jordan: Great, I'll have to check that out, I'm excited.

The Gauntlet: Have you been asked to do Ozzfest this year?

Jordan: Usually they try to mix it up and don't have bands two years in a row. So I don't think we'll get asked.

The Gauntlet: Anything else you want to add?

Jordan: Just like that thank you and our fans for all our support. Without them we wouldn't be where we are.


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Tags:  As I Lay Dying  , Jordan, interviews

Jason Fisher    January 18, 2006