Hardcore is not what it used to be. The underground scene has certainly changed since I've been of follower of this music, and I had thought that I had seen the last of the truly great "hardcore" bands. Todays acts all follow the same song structures, the same music trend, the same theme. About 3 months ago I picked up the 2 song EP from The Promise. This fairly new band boasted ex-members of Turmoil, One King Down, Another Victim, Conviction, and Starkweather. Needless to say, I was intrigued. What I got was just over 4 minutes of the best, most sincere Hardcore I have heard in a long, long time. Repeated listening to this wonderful EP made my hopes and expectations grow, and soon after the purchase of "My True Love", I was hearing rumors of a full length. Upon hearing this, I was convinced of one thing: The Promise are going to be unstoppable. They are without a doubt going to set standards in todays scene, and kick many an ass will they are doing it. I truly believe this, and I haven't been more excited in a band for a long while. Their songs are short, fast, in your face, and thankfully, void of all the cliches that todays so called "hardcore" bands fall prey to. The lyrics are beyond awesome. Anderson Bradshaw hits the nail on the head, I totally and completely identify with what this guy is saying. It's clear I am not the only one more than a little upset with the way things are headed in the scene. Jonathan Buske(bass), and Anderson Bradshaw(vocals) took the time out of their day to talk to us, and we are more than pleased to bring you this interview. After you have read this, do yourself a favor, and go buy "My True Love" from The Promise. And be on the lookout for their new full length, due out next month on Indecision Records. No, Hardcore is not what it used to be, but the Promise are about to change that.
Q: = Twodegreesbelow, B: = Jonathan Buske, A: = Anderson Bradshaw
Q: Name, and what do you do in the band?
B: Anderson Bradshaw on vocals, Jonathan Dennison (JD)on guitar, Jim Winters on guitar, Jonathan Buske on bass and Derrick VanWie on drums.
Q: I noticed that all of you have had quite a history in the Metalcore scene. Give us a little background of what bands you've been involved with before.
B: Anderson was in Another Victim, JD was in Another Victim and Santa Sangre, Jim was in Turmoil, Conviction, Believer and is still doing Starkweather, I was in Another Victim and Santa Sangre, and Derrick was in Another Victim, One King Down and also does an amazing rock band with some of the remaining OKD guys called Hellmagnet, as well as a satirical rap group called, Seven Digits.
Q: How did The Promise come to be? Or in other words, how did all of you come together to create the band?
B: We've all been friends with each other in way or another for years. AV toured with OKD and Turmoil, so we all kind of bonded on that and always talked of doing projects together. After AV broke up, we talked about doing a project band with Jim and Derrick called True Love. It was basically going to be a more traditional approach to hardcore than AV took and alot more straight edge. We wrote a couple of songs that actually turned out to be the first Promise songs released (My True Love and Crush All Fakes). With that recording, we were just going to give it out to friends and what not, but the guys at Deathwish offered to put it out for us, so we went ahead and did that. After that, we talked to Mandel at Indecision and made the choice to work with him on the full length.
Q: How would you like your band to differ from all of the older bands you were a part of? And what are some differences and/or adjustments you would like to point out?
B: The Promise, to me, is more of a reactionary band than any of the other bands I've done. This band is more personal and more meaningful because I believe in every word and every song we write, without question. It's not a political band or an imagery band or a band made up of something else, it's a stripped down, to our roots, hardcore band. Santa Sangre was never thought of, by any of its members, to be a hardcore band. We wanted to write heavy, metal style songs and never claimed to be a hardcore band at all. I have a very fine definition of hardcore and The Promise fits nicely into that definition.
Q: I find The Promise to be, well, one of the most promising bands in Hardcore right now. It's good to hear a band that still knows what Hardcore is all about. I'm really starting to dislike these new bands that try to "Out Darkest Hour" one another. What are your personal views on the Hardcore / Metalcore scene of today and what do you think the future has in store?
A: Hardcore is such a broad term now. Everyone's definition of what is and isn't differs. It used to mean extreme punk rock. Stripped down music with all the politics punk brought to the table minus the fashion. Now, more than ever, everyone has it backwards. What wasn't, now is. Image. Looking and playing the part. Doing what everyone else is doing for the sake of success. I'll read a thousand interviews from bands giving excuses for what they play and say. How they want to do something "different." Tired of doing the same thing. When in fact, it's the same bullshit and sob story I've heard again and again. I'm all for diversity. If that's what someone is really trying to get across. But I don't see that. I see dogs fighting over scraps. All trying to get theirs before the next trend comes along. And it will and they'll go. On a positive note though, I do think we're also at the forefront of another golden age. Thanks due largely in part to the aformentioned bands/people. Some kids are starting to see how transparent alot of this garbage is. And they're stepping up, starting their own bands. At the risk of a pun, having their own say, and it's about time.
Q: Let's fast forward a little bit and talk about the 2 song single "My True Love". A question that we've been wondering for awhile now, why did you decide to put out a 2 song single when you have a full-length coming out here in a few months? It seems like you put forth some good money for the production of that CD (being that it's only a 2 song single).
B: The funny thing is, that was only a demo that we made for ourselves. Those are the first 2 songs we wrote as this band and we just went to a friend and had them demoed just for our own personal collection and for friends. We had them at Hellfest 2001 and Deathwish heard it and approached us about releasing it as a single. We had plans to record the record and we figured it was a good way to get the name out there prior to the record, so we went ahead and did it. To us, it's a demo with good mastering. People think we spent all this money on that recording for a single, but it was never meant to be released past our own circle of friends and ourselves. Collectively, I don't think we spent more than our lunch money for that recording.
Q: What's the idea behind the title "My True Love"?
A: As a band, we're five different people who have two undeniable things in common. A love for hardcore and a commitment to the promise of Straight Edge. The song is about passion. It's about finding your niche in this life and sticking to it despite all odds. In the end you're left with two things to make up a lifetime. What's in your head and whats in your heart. "My True Love" embodies the latter.
Q: Also, who writes the lyrics in the band, and how does the writing process usually go? What kind of vibe do you hope to create?
B: Anderson writes mostly all the lyrics. We have collaborated a couple times on lyrics, but he usually takes things that I write and just makes them his own. It flows better that way, I think.
Q: Now let's move on to your new full-length "Believer" that will hopefully be coming out soon. How's it coming along? Are you satisfied with everything so far?
B: We are actually finished with the recording of "Believer". We recorded with Dean Baltulonis at Atomic in Brooklyn where American Nightmare, Hope Cons, No Warning, Suicide File, Ragmen and others recorded. Dean did the Another Victim EP, so it was good to work with him again. We ended up recording 13 songs for the record and we're definitely satisfied with the outcome. The layout is being finished up as we speak and it's looking like a late November release date from Indecision.
Q: Will this album differ in any way from the 2 song single? If so, is there a certain theme of some sort that you hope to create?
A: It's hard to really define a sound with two songs. I think "Believer" is a good follow up to "My True Love." We adhere to the philosophy of "if it ain't broke, dont fix it." What we all wanted to with this full length is write a timeless hardcore record. If you're looking for a certain style, I guess you could call it "Tradional Hardcore". Not necessarrily old school, youth crew, metal core or whatever. We just took our influences and tried to put our own twist on it. One that we're proud of and hopefully people will remember. We're all happy with it and we'll see what people think.
Q: Indecision has put out some awesome albums lately, the new Bleeding Through, Stay Gold, etc. I'm thrilled that they're putting out your new one. How did you hook up with Indecision?
B: When we first started doing this band, we were still contractually binded to Equal Vision due to the AV contract. So, when we recorded the demo stuff, that was also for EVR to hear and when they heard it, they were super into it and stoked about doing the record. Somewhere along that line, they lost interest and decided not to work it, so in turn, we started looking for labels. Right away, we thought if Indecision based on his work ethic and credibility alone. We wanted a hardcore label, a label that was appropriate for the band and a label that backed us, musically and ethically. Mandel is easily one of the best guys I've ever met in hardcore and he's a great person to deal with on a "business" level. We're honored to be a part of the label.
Q: What does the future have in store for The Promise? What are your goals for the band?
B: After the release of "Believer", we plan on touring to support it as much as possible. We're just taking everything one step at a time, as it comes. As far as goals, I'd like to make a dent in history with this band. For years and years, most people involved with hardcore doesn't see the real beauty that's possible, being involved with this. Hardcore to most is a fashion show, a passing phase, something temporary to them. We've all made it a commitment and a way of life. i'd like for The Promise to showcase that mentality and be a band of celebration for hardcore kids, whether it's your 4th show, or your 400th.
Q: Ok, I think that'll about wrap it up. Is there anything else you would like to add? Anything that we didn't cover that you feel you should mention?
A: Thanks for taking the time to interview us. I said it before and I'll say it again. Hardcore is better now than it has been in a long time. There are alot of bands out there doing great things. I only hope they get the recognition in their time and not like so many others, by the next generation after they're gone.
We here at Twodegreesbelow would like to add an extra thanks to The Promise for taking some time out to do this interview with our crappy webzine. These guys are without a doubt one of the best bands in Hardcore right now. Be ready for "Believer", it's gonna hit stores here in a couple months. I'll garauntee that it'll be a contender for album of the year.
CRUSH. ALL. FAKES.