Before tearing up their set at GameChangerWorld in Freehold, New Jersey No Apologies writer Savannah Cotton spoke to I See Stars about their Valentine’s Day adventures, upcoming music, and how a walk in the park led to their band name and a career that’s been going strong for over 10 years.

No Apologies-This tour is called “Light in the Cave”. Is that a possible hint for a new album or song?

Devin– It is possible. It was going to be a song but we changed it.

NA- What did you guys do for Valentine’s Day?

Devin– This was the first time in six years that I have been single, so, I treated myself. I even drank some Saki.

Andrew– I took my girlfriend to an Italian restaurant and I spoiled her.

NA-How is it having so many people in the band? For like, recording sessions and performing on small stages?

Devin– Actually, this past album we had the biggest group of people in the studio. We also had some friends help. We even all went on a writing retreat for this past album. It was quite an experience. But basically, we do it all for the fans. We were just searching for love of music and to express that. The more people the better.

NA– What made you want to cover “Take Me to Church” by Hozier?

Devin– It was also a goal of mine to cover that song. The song is bizarre and I wanted a challenge. I wanted to try something new.

NA– What was the inspiration to the acoustic album “Phases”?

Devin– We had a lot of time on our hands and an acoustic album was something we always wanted to do. We were trying to show people that we can do different things with our music and we aren’t only staying to one genre. It was definitely an experiment and a milestone for the band.

NA– What is your favorite song that you guys have written?

Andrew– That is hard to say. Not singling singles. I would have to say “Murder Mitten”. It is a personal song.

Devin– It is very personal. To me, it felt like a cover song because of the effect it made and it took on us.

NA– How’d the band start?

Andrew– Well, we lived close together and grew up together. Devin and I are brothers and our father was in a cover band. So, we had a love for music from a young age. We started when we were like 12-13. We barely finished High School actually.

NA– Are the masks still a thing for your guys?

Andrew– *laughs* It was just a period for us. We evolved.

NA– What would you say to fans that have never seen you guys perform before?

Devin– WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOU?! I’m just kidding. *laughs*

Andrew– Prepare yourself to lose yourself. Oh, and be careful out there.

NA– You guys played Warped Tour in 2013, right? Would you do it again?

Andrew– Fuck yeah! It was a great place to be around people and get known.

NA– What other bands do you look up to?

Andrew– Enter Shikari, Chiodos, FromFirstToLast. Bands like that.

NA– How did you decide on the band name?

Andrew– Yes! I’ve waited for someone to ask me this question for years! Ok, so, we were about to play our first show and before then we were only used to playing in basements but we didn’t have a name yet. The night before, we went to the park at night and were not allowed to leave until we found a band name. But, it was only official when we wrote it on our hands. We went through a few stupid names. We finally looked up at the stars and it came to us. We wrote it on our hands and it became our band name. Later on, we were going to change it but decided to keep our name. We were only 13 or 14 at that time.

Devin– If I may, I hated the name. We went with it anyway and I always wanted to change it. But no.

NA– What do you think was the biggest challenge?

Devin– Our biggest challenge was learning to love the hard stuff that happens on tour. Shit happens, right?

Andrew– Hands down, it would be us on Jimmy Kimmel.

NA– Final thoughts for NA readers?

Andrew– Keep your eyes peeled. New shit is coming. Also, check out our new song, that we released right before we went on stage tonight. It’s called “Mobbin’ Out“.

Interview conducted by: Savannah Cotton

All photos taken by: Brittany Genarie

Savannah Cotton hanging with the band backstage

 

 

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