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Scream Hello have had a productive year. After releasing an EP earlier in the year they came back to finish strong with the release of their full length, Everything is Always Still Happening. These guys immediately caught my attention with their ability to create a record that flows so fluidly, despite using many different styles as a reference point. Scream Hello crafts records that everyone that can enjoy utilizing elements of punk, indie, alternative and a little melodic hardcore…even Gilmore Girls fans will be stoked! What follows is a brief exchange, via email, between Scream Hello vocalist/guitarist James Caverly and me.
You guys have had a busy year so far; releasing the Smart & Stupid EP earlier in the year and now Everything is Always Still Happening, are you planning on adding more to your plate with any touring?
Right now we are not touring. We are focusing on writing and recording new music. We have a 7″ coming out next month and we'll be recording again in December with Joe at Exeter Studios. Other creative ideas are currently in the works as well.
What can you tell us about the album, for the benefit of those who have not heard it yet?
It was our goal to not have any song sound like any other. However, we maintain consistency in the lyrics as well as the overall approach; make it sound big! This is not a concept record, but the "everything is always still happening" idea pops up from song to song. There are plenty of elements to the record that'll pop up after the 20th time you listen to it. We've been having a lot of good feedback with this approach. We're very happy with it.
I really dig the fact that the new album is musically very versatile; Scream Hello obviously draws from a deep well of varying musical inspiration. Do you think that Everything is Always Still Happening has an underlying theme or lyrical direction?
The theme is the concept the title suggests, that everything is always still happening, which can and should take on many interpretations. Lyrically, there is no overlap; however, if you look at each, you'll see that each deals with an aspect of our environment, whether it's physical, mental, or inter-dimensional.
The song "Bullets" really surprised me; it's an absolute kick in the teeth and very enjoyable for a melodic hardcore fan such as myself, but definitely stood out against the rest of this album. I have not heard your first CD, The Infinite Son, is this a style you worked more with in the past or is this a new experiment?
Ah yes, "Bullets". The first record is not that style at all and I wouldn't call the song experimental because we were all previously in punk and hardcore bands. The style of this song mirrors the lyrics. They are of anger and fear and the vocals reflect that. If I would have sung it in any other style, it would have been insincere.
I understand you guys are having some copyright issues right now with one of your songs, what's going on with that?
Totally lame! Myspace said we are breaking our own copyright by posting our own songs, and they are taking forever to fix the glitch.
Interviewers are well known for eventually asking about musical influences and, sadly, I am no different. Could you pinpoint a certain band or album that solidified the fact that you wanted to play music?
Collectively we have an incredible range of rock influences. The list could go on forever, but I'll name the stuff we all agree on: The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Iron Maiden, Van Hagar (5150 is king!), Dag Nasty, Enkindel, The Replacements, Guilt, Good Riddance, Jackson Brown, Queen, Strife, Simon and Garfunkel, The Foo Fighters, Jeremy Enigk, Dinosaur Jr., Superchunk and so many more.
One fun fact is that when we record, Dan and I bring the engineer copies of Pearl Jam's Vs and Jimmy Eat World's Bleed American to emulate the distorted guitar tone, and The Promise Ring's Nothing Feels Good for clean tone.
And off that last question, I will ask you a question that I ask every band. How would you describe Scream Hello's music to someone who's never heard it?
Blow a balloon up until it pops. Our sound is much like the short moment of silence immediately following the pop.
What's the deal with your Gilmore Girls themed video for "You Have Good Taste"? Are you guys really fans of the show or are you just trying to corner the 13-20 year old female market?
Dan and I are big Gilmore Girls fans. And for clarity, it's not just the video; it's also the song, which is about the show. The funny thing is Dan and I rarely like those types of shows, but for some reason, we are crazy fans of Gilmore Girls.
The show has fantastic character development, which is what makes good film and TV, in my opinion. I wrote the lyrics, and they are a bit of an exaggeration for how I feel about Rory and Lorelai, but it's pretty much the truth. There's the line in the chorus, "I know how hard it is to live without," in regards to Rory and Lorelai needing each other, but it also reflects the idea that I need that show in lonely or dull times in my life.
We all do this with TV and film, that's why it's such a popular medium. The funny thing is, and I was hoping this would happen, everyone likes that song regardless of liking the TV show, because people relate to the idea of entering the world of a TV show or film, sometimes without even realizing it. This song points this occurrence out with the utmost honesty. Also Gilmore Girls message boards and social media groups love the song and video! I'm happy about that.
For the sake of public record, could you please state the name of a celebrity, past or present, that you would have loved to punch in the face and why?
That's easy, Mel Gibson, because he's an Anti-Semite. I'm a peaceful dude, but that shit deserves some violence sometimes… plus it would be a lot of fun in the case of punching Mel Gibson.
What's next for Scream Hello in the immediate future?
Recording and getting as many songs out there to enter the ears of anyone who pays attention. These recordings will also be new approaches, but will still sound like Scream Hello. Scream Hello is a band, but more so, we're a team that makes music and whatever comes out, comes out. We'll hear what it sounds like!
Everything is Always Still Happening is getting massive play at my house, so I appreciate you letting me pick your brain over it and some of my other ridiculous questions. Anything to say in closing?
Just that we hope people enjoy the record and receive the messages we tried to send through beats, notes, and poetry. We hope you get lost in it and travel through a forty minute day dream.