FrontLine interview

e-Mo Magazine chats to Liam Price and Dan Theaker from FrontLine about supporting Army of Freshmen and their debut album.

e-Mo: How did the band get together?

DAN- It first started off with Sam and Woody originally from a previous band. Then I was given an audition on drums to become part of the group they were starting! I played to a track they had already written and they liked my style. So we started writing songs together as a trio before we bought anyone else in. So we had a guitarist, bass player and a drummer.After getting a few songs together,we then had to search for a vocalist.

LIAM- My nan actually pointed out to me that there was an advertisement in the paper from a pop/punk band that were searching for a singer. I really wasn't keen on the idea to start with but decided to give it a shot and go meet the guys.Cutting it short,straight after my audition,they decided to take me on board. As we started playing together we realised there was something missing,we needed a second guitar player,that was when J stepped in and just fitted the bill perfectly,we really come together nicely and FrontLine were ready.
 
e-Mo: You're going to support Army of Freshmen on their UK tour - are you excited?

LIAM- It's going to be the best thing ever for us!! people are already taken note of who we are and we've been overwhelmed with the amount of mail we've had from Freshmen fans that have now become our friends! We just know how good Freshmen are live and how much of a party the shows are going to be. So personally,I can't wait for the dates!
 
DAN- HELL YES! The biggest thing for me is just playing our music to more and more people and meeting so many new friends! There's one thing we love and that's talking to all the kids that have been to the shows and showing interest in the band!Also it's gonna be great to see Aaron [Goldberg] again!
 
e-Mo: You've recently completed your debut album with AOF's Aaron Goldberg (who produced the album). What was it like working with Goldberg?

DAN- It was amazing,possibly the best thing we ever have done as a band. Reason being for me, he gave me so much advice about techniques and all sorts of better ways to record the drums like hitting them a lot harder to come across on the recordings and live! Also it's so good to have an outsider looking in on your music because you may be a band but it's great to have someone there just putting things in the mix and offering alternatives to your music.
 
LIAM- He's just so organised and full of inspiration and experience. He had so much to offer and most importantly he is just so honest about everything. If he doesnt like the sound of something,he's gonna tell you and make it sound 1000 times better. He's a professional who's recorded and toured a lot of the world with his own band and that experience really rubbed off on us in the studio. We were priveleged to have him here and would definitely work with him again in the future!

e-Mo: What can we expect from your album?

LIAM- We've really gone all-out on this record in terms of our musical ability,diversity and budget, lol! Basically we've made it sound the best we could and took a lot of time writing the songs and we've kinda dipped into a couple of different genres..obviously we see ourselves as a more pop sort of band but there's elements of punk and rock in there also. People that know our music should be prepared for a couple of surprises,people that don't...well we think you could really get into it!
 
e-Mo: Are you going to be doing any more tours this year?

DAN- Touring will be a great road for us to take when the record is complete as we really want to get ourselves well known around the UK. At our stage though it's all about funds, so if the record does well there's a good chance we could set something up or get in touch with some bigger bands that are coming over to tour to back them up as well!
 
e-Mo: Who would be the line-up for your fantasy festival and why? (artists can be dead or alive)

DAN- Blink 182 - they may have gone but those guys did wonders for pop/punk and put it on the map! Starting Line - A band that never fails to amaze me musically but still stay so well within the pop/punk genre. Matchbook Romance - I love there songwriting ability. As a band they gel so well!
 
LIAM- This one's tough! I would start with the best bands around at the moment then get on to the real legends! All Time Low - their songs are completely irresistable; when I switch on my iPod,they're the first band I always want on! Blink 182 - exact same reasons as Dan! They're just legends of pop/punk. The Mile After - they're not very well known YET! I say yet because they are geniuses at what they do and again,their songs win me over. McFLY - HAHAH,they're my fave band, lol.....all you haters should get happy! Michael Buble - I know everyone's gonna laugh but the guy is amazing. I look up to him so much as a vocalist and before singing in a pop/punk band, his sorta thing was my style. His band are amazing also!
 
e-Mo: What's been your best and worst gig to date?

DAN- Our best gig ever and Liam will say the same,was Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton in the national BOTB final. We really put a show on ie: confetti canons and trampolines on stage for the guitarists lol!! We were the bouncing band for the night. Plus it was a capacity crowd of like 1,200.Everyone was going crazy!
 
LIAM- Our worst gig was our first gig I suppose at the Mars Bar, Worcester..basically we played terrible due to inexperience! But we still look back on it and say it's where we started! Oh yeah,the stage was like 20cm wide lol. Gotta start somewhere though eh..?
 
e-Mo: Where do you see FrontLine in a year's time?

DAN - I would really like to see us touring with a band that can appreciate the music we write. More than anything playing to the same kids we play to today that have stuck with us through everything but on a much bigger scale like an arena tour!
 
LIAM - I believe in this band's ability so much and we work so hard for every little bit of success we get, I don't know where we will be in a year's time. But if we carry on with our work rate and effort,I'm sure it won't do any harm!
 
e-Mo: Finish this sentence: FrontLine are like...

LIAM - A circus act live, lol! You will never be bored or dissapointed at our show.
 
DAN -  A soundtrack to your summer!
 
e-Mo: Fans sometimes give bands some really odd gifts. What kind of presents would you like to receive from your fans?
    
LIAM - UNDERWEAR WOOOOOOO!! Nah jokin', any gift that means something to a fan to give it to us,reason being I remember giving things to my favourite bands and artists and when they look happy to recieve it,it makes your day.
 
DAN - Just any gift that I could take on stage with me everytime,like a little mascot to sit on my base drum or something.
 
e-Mo: And finally, the burning question: Cadbury's Cream Eggs - how do you eat yours?
     
DAN- I bite the top off the egg and lick the centre.

LIAM - I YAM IT IN ONE!
 
For more information on the band check out www.myspace.com/frontlinepop