Graynoise's Interview with

Saves the Day

conducted by Jesse

>>The new album came out in the top 100 on the billboards, what are some causes for that?

Um, I don't know. I didn't understand what that meant. Until people started telling me that most of the bands get there because they have all this record label money behind them promoting them to all the radio stations everywhere. That's how they get there, and we've never seen any of that money to get us on radio or anything. And we get a few thousand dollars to record an album. And then I understood that; ok since we didn't get any of that money, what have we been doing? Well we've been touring a lot, and I guess that's how that happened. I don't know, it's not like the music has to be good to be popular. In my opinion there is a lot of crap on the Billboard 100. It's not like it means our music is good. Well what have we done? Again I think it's the touring that's getting our name out there. And now we are on Vagrant Records, with better distribution. A lot of success is timing.

>>I've talked to a lot of people that say that your new CD isn't Saves the Day, what do you say to them?

It's different, but it's still the five of us making music. If you look at our first album compared to our second album, that really doesn't sound like the same band. But I don't give a fuck, we didn't do anything deliberately. The songs just happen, it just happened. The songs kind of just fall out. In that regard, I don't really care at all what people really think. If they like us or they hate us, it's the same thing in my eyes. Because we make the songs and people make the songs what they are. I can't hear the songs objectively , I just hear all the work we've done.

>>So what would you want people to think when they listen to your music, not liking or disliking, but the other side of it?

I'd hope people can hear it for just what it is. Regardless if it's just "Saves the Day" or supposed to be punk music. I'd like people to just hear it as music. I don't know if that can be done.

>>What would you classify yourselves? I've read so many things that say that you're punk, emo, hardcore..

We're just doing our thing. People will call it what they call it.

>>What changes were made when creating the new album as opposed to the first ones?

What role did Vagrant play in it all. It's not deliberate at all. It just happens. Vagrant didn't play a big part in making our music. That's part of the reason we didn't go to a major label, because we knew there would be some element of manipulation. Molding us into something that they'd think would sell. That's what is so terrifying about major labels.

>>Where do you see the band being in 5 years? Any Chance of major label?

I wouldn't rule anything out, just because that's silly. But I quit school, and if I said I would never go back then that means I closed that alley in my life. I'd rather have everything open. Major labels terrify us. We got a lot of interest before we did this but we decided to keep it small. It just wouldn't have felt comfortable. We're a tiny band, we'd get lost. I don't know, I refuse to look down the line because we've already achieved far more than we ever set out to achieve. We just wanted to play music together. This is all just circumstantial, like a snow ball that keeps going and we can't stop it.

>>What do you strive for when making your music?

I can't talk about the old records, because I was in a different state of my life. I guess I wasn't aware, or whatever that means, of my position in the world. On this new album it's definitely trying to talk to people. On the last album we realized that people were kind of listening. So we decided to take advantage of that and try to talk about things that are important to us. I think the biggest thing, or message in this album is to be comfortable with who you are. Don't try not to change yourself or anyone else around you, because they're just doing their thing too. Try not to have any regrets, because every step you've taken has made you what you are right now. If you can become comfortable with what you are right now, then everything else was just a step along the way.

>>What are some major influences?

The Beatles, Brian Wilson (the Beach Boys), Bob Dylan, Bjork, Black Sabbath, Bob Marley, Chuck Barry. I am trying to flip through my cd booklet in my head. Neal Young, Marvin Gay, The Pixies, Pink Floyd, Talking Heads, Tom Waits, it kind of goes on and on.

>>What are some of your fondest tour memories?

The first tour we ever did was a monumental experience in my life. it was the summer after we graduated high school. Finally being on your own, seeing the country, it was just ridiculous. But I'd have to say that my favorite experience on tour, this is going to sound weird, was our van accident. It was a major turning point in our lives. It was a smack in the face, it was a don't take this for granted type of thing.

>>How is it different headlining?

Really Weird. Really fucking weird. It's hard to get used to, because people treat you differently. It's as if they think you're something different than they are; like you're not the same type of human being. They put you on a pedestal. People reach out to touch my hand, and I'm like "what the hell is going on." I'm this twenty two year old dude, no different from the rest of the dudes walking around on the earth, yet these people create this image of us in their heads that is totally false. They think and believe that we are these special things. It's really overwhelming, especially when people come up to me after the shows and treat me really weird, like when they get to talk to me. They get really nervous around me. I am just this kid. Imagine this total stranger coming up to you, and just being nervous to be in your presence. It's really hard to get used to.

>>You should start your own religion!

I am man. I will. (haha)