www.myspace.com/worldwidetakeoverzine
First off i would like to thank Captain Frith and all of Life Or Death for taking the time out to do this interview with Worldwidetakeoverzine
1: how long has the band been together
6 years
2: in only one sentence describe the sound of your band to someone who has never heard you before
Heavy, energetic, catchy metal influenced hardcore
3: who are some of the bands main musical influences
All Out War
Dying Fetus
Santa Sangre
Old Metallica
Hatebreed
Pantera
Cold As Life
Turmoil
Merauder
Buried Alive
Death Threat
Cannibal Corpse
4: when on tour and driving along the interstates what is some of the weirdest shit you have seen happen or pass by
Running over armadillos, stupid signs that say "wear seat belts next million miles." we just kill time by making fun of everyone we see and laughing our asses off every day.
5: the term hardcore has become so overused that any band putting a breakdown into a song is considered hardcore but explain to the readers what hardcore means to you.
As cliche as it sounds it is seriously a lifestyle. Being true to yourself, supporting bands (regardless of what label they are on or what bullshit hype that they have or don't have), having a good time hanging out with your friends and real people ragging and fucking each other up to good music.
6: what do you base your lyrics on when writing new material
This next album is really based on freedom of thought. Its about thinking for yourself regardless of what society tells you what to be. Questioning everyone and everything. the lyrics are just pissed off in your face, fuck everyone, and think for yourself.
8: is this the original lineup and if not what is the current lineup
We have 3 original members since day one in 2001. Captain- vocals, Ryan "Face"-drums, DJ- Guitar. We picked up our permanent bass player, Brandon "skey", in 2003. We have finally picked up a permanent second guitarist, Tristan, 6 months ago.
9: is this your first time playing Tons Of Fun in Las Vegas
Yes
10: how many Cd's eps split cds 7 inches and demos has the band currently released
A 3 way split with 2 other San Diego bands
2 songs for a Blood and Ink Records/Facedown comp.
A 3 song demo to hand out at shows
1 song released on Mike Hoods label WCWW
Our MCD "Sentenced" Released on 1917 Records in 2004
11: who are some of the bands you enjoy touring with
We haven't done as much touring as we've hoped to. But touring with Hoods and Blood Stands Still was an awesome week. We always enjoy playing the countless local shows with Uprising AD (Tijuana), Wages of War, and Everyman 4 Himself.
12: is there a large and thriving scene in the San Diego Fallbrook area of California right now
Fallbrook has died in a way and we are trying to rebuild the hardcore/metal scene there. San Diego is full of young excited kids who love all types of heavy music. I'm curious to see how many of them will be around in the next few years. Shows have been amazing lately and we cannot complain. We need more local venues that aren't run by greedy fucks.
13: how were you first exposed to the scene and what made you say i want to be in an band
We were all into going to local punk and metal shows and were finally exposed to hardcore. Some of us are more into metal and some of us more into hardcore. We grew up listening to "underground" music and most of us have played in bands since we were 12-13 years old.
14: How did the band come to be named Life or Death
It's no philosophical statement. Its simple and catchy and what many of our decisions are based around.
15: is it difficult touring on the road with bands who like to drink or experiment in other ways especially being that the band has members who are straight edge.
It is not difficult at all. Most of our band members are not straight edge. Those of us who are straight edge don't ostracize ourselves from everyone because of that. We are a group of friends who are in a band together. We respect each other and don't impose judgment upon others because of our personal decisions.
16: where do you see this band in 3 years from now
Touring worldwide, releasing 2 more albums, and playing heavy music that we love in spite of what other bands are playing and what music is hyped at the time.
17: are any of the members in side projects other than Life or Death
No. This band is our life and we are all really focused on this project.
18: When the band is on tour in the van what is usually playing in the cd player
Everything from Decapitated to Hootie and the Blow Fish to Death Threat and Blink 182. We listen to MOSTLY heavy music but we gotta switch it up!
19: How can the readers outside the USA contact you about ordering merchandise
http://www.myspace.com/lifeordeath They can send us a myspace message and we will definitely ship ANYWHERE.
20: What is your most memorable show and why
There are a few. Playing with Hatebreed and Madball was amazing. Two bands that we have been into for years and have a lot of respect for. Shows in Tijuana Mexico are right there as well. TJ is our home away from home and we have many memories that we won't forget.
21: What advice can you give to some of the newer bands starting out that maybe having a tough time and thinking about giving up
Work hard and play music that you love. Stick it through, stop bitching, and stay together! Life Or Death has had our share of problems that we could have given up on years ago. Time will separate the men from the boys.
22: what is your favorite city and state to play shows in and also your least favorite and why
New York City was amazing. The people there welcomed us like family and we witnessed the most violent pit without one single fight. But Tijuana and San Diego are our home so we can't forget to shout out to them.
23: Where else other than myspace can the readers go to find out about upcoming shows and other band related information
www.myspace.com/lifeordeath is the only form of networking we currently have! you can call us on our cells if you have our number
24: Who are some of the bands that you enjoy sharing shows with when you are not out on the road Uprising AD, Wages of War, Triumph (San Marcos Bands), Carnifex, Imperil, Vendetta, and more...
25: where do you think you would be right now had you not been exposed to the hxc metal scene
Hardcore and metal have changed each of our lives completely and made us the people we are today. I honestly don't know where we would be. Going to school and working some shitty 9-5 job. Actually have money in our pockets!
26: who are some of the up and coming bands from the San Diego / Fallbrook area of California that we should be on the lookout for
Uprising AD, Wages of War, Carnifex
27: Do you have any upcoming shows that you would like to tell the readers about
We are finishing up a US tour right now and are planning another one for September/October. Add us on myspace and check it out regularly for any updates.
http://www.myspace.com/lifeordeath 28: what is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to the band when playing a setA couple sets with wasted band members. Our guitar player completely forgot a guitar riff that starts a song in Watertown Wisconsin a few years ago. In TJ I jumped off a speaker and didn't know the ceiling was so low and I knocked myself out and woke up on stage and had no idea what happened. My friend Ric pants'd me at showcase theatre at a pretty big show. I think that sums it up!
29: if you could setup a world tour with any bands who would it be and why
Bands that are out right now: Turmoil, Slayer, Hatebreed, Hoods...This 5 band package would rage!
30: Is there anything else that you would like to add that i may have forgotten to ask that the readers should know about
We are recording an upcoming full length in July with Tim Lambesis from As I Lay Dying. We are sick of all the shit that is being put out right now. We aren't fake, we don't fuck with trends and we are ready to release some bad ass new material for everyone to bang their head to. Look out for this 13 song album later this year!
http://www.myspace.com/lifeordeath Again i would like to thank Captain Frith and all of Life Or Death for taking the time out to do this interview with Worldwidetakeoverzine