Johnny Pettibone of HIMSA on crossing over

HIMSA vocalist Johnny Pettibone took time out from the band's busy touring schedule to talk with The Gauntlet about the band's latest happenings.

Pettibone had the following to say about the Seattle-based metalcore outfit's uncanny ability to connect with a diverse array of fans.

"I think that we're luck in that way, that we can fit in both atmospheres (metal and hardcore). We tend to like playing the smaller clubs, with no barriers, smaller stages, the kids getting right in front, getting onstage diving, singing along. That's the community that we come from, the hardcore scene. But we also want to reach as many people as possible, so playing bigger tours; it definitely gives us an advantage, to be able to do both sides of it. With bigger tours, it's kind of like this one (Undoing Ruin), where we're like the Guinea pig. It's like we're the ones testing the waters to see what kids are into it. There are a lot of kids that support the band that come to the shows, but also, we are debuting for a lot of kids too. I've had numerous kids come up and say 'I've heard the name and I just thought you were a metal band and wasn't interested, but I seen you guys live and it was awesome.' That's the kind of thing we're into. We like that buzz about the band. Going back to playing the bigger shows, it's just weird for us, being thrown in that element. Everything's so professional. We stay on top of things, but we're very low-key. We're not out to do it for any kind of fame or anything like that. We just want to do what we are passionate about and stay on top of our game. So we are, in that middle ground of being able to play on both sides of it."

Currently, the group is out on the "Undoing Ruin 2006 Tour" with Darkest Hour, showcasing music from their latest Prosthetic Records release "Hail Horror." Recently the group has been a part of a diverse range of concert billings, from 2005's "Blackest Of The Black" tour with Danzig and Behemoth to a recent run with "Ringworm, Demiricous and The Banner."