PT: Hey Guys, who am I speaking to?
Andrew Everding. Keyboard player
PT: How are you and where in the world are you today?
AE: I’m well, I’m eating breakfast in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, New York.
PT: Did you have a nice Christmas? What do Thursday get up to in the holiday season?
AE: I had a lovely Christmas, Thursday took a break for the holidays. We were supporting Rise Against in Canada before Christmas. We usually do a Holiday show in New Jersey, but for unforeseen reasons, we decided against it.
PT: We’re all very excited about the new Thursday album here. How would you describe the overall sound of ‘Common Existence’ compared to your earlier albums?
AE: Overall, I think it’s a bit of a faster record for us. There are a few songs with genuine Thursday equations, and some songs with insight into the future of Thursday. I think we managed to finally capture the intensity of Thursday with Common Existence. I saw a review that said we were doing our best to shed our “screamo roots” for a new “neo-punk” sound. I don’t know how much I agree with that.
PT: What are your favourite songs from the album?
AE: ‘Circuits of Fever’ and ‘Beyond the Visible Spectrum’ are my favorites, I think they are an unobstructed view into the future of Thursday. I think the standout is ‘Friends in the Armed Forces’, it’s a powerful traditional Thursday song with some complex subject matter.
PT: Where did the album title come from?
AE: A variably good question for Geoff. My guess is that it came from our regressing attitudes, as you progress in life you realize moments the equalize you to similar states of your peers.
PT: Geoff has said before that it’s a record that looks at the world from a more ‘adult’ perspective. What events have inspired the lyrics this time around?
AE: Growing older for one, not having a secure footing in reference to normal lives. Watching the American public fall apart, and the world’s resulting anger for what we’ve done. Watching the earth become angrier. An adult loss of innocence.
PT: The record will be coming out through Epitaph on February 16th. What brought you to working with Epitaph?
AE: Our deal with a major label was an obvious mistake after the last record. We had the opportunity of meeting with a number of labels after our departure from Island/Def Jam, and Epitaph stood out. They were excited about us, and are willing to work hard as long as we work hard.
PT: As soon as the album’s released you hit the road for a good solid couple of months with the Taste of Chaos Tour. How do you deal with such long stints on the road? Any touring tips for other bands?
AE: Touring can be really hard on your physical health, especially when you get older. So you have to be good to your body. We try to be comfortable, and being on a tour bus certainly helps. Tips for other bands… Stay friendly with your bandmates, nothing is worse than fighting on the road. Plenty of sleep, water, food, and clean bathrooms.
PT: How has life on the road changed since the days of “Waiting” & “Full Collapse’?
AE: Much more comfortable. Tour buses instead of vans. Being able to eat and sleep on a regular basis.
PT: You’re heading the Taste of Chaos bill this year. What are your thoughts on this year’s line up?
AE: To be honest, I’ve never heard any of the bands we’re playing with. I’m going to go listen to them after this interview.
PT: You’ve got UK upstarts Bring Me The Horizon on the bill with you. Are there any UK bands that you’re really digging right now?
AE: Radiohead – always have always will.
PT: Have you any plans to return to the UK in 2009 yet?
AE: We’re talking about it right now, hopefully you’ll see us a few times this year.
PT: Election Day 2008 also saw you release your split with Japanese legends Envy. How did that come about?
AE: We were introduced to Envy by Mogwai. As a band we love what they do. When we came off tour from ACBTLD we met Jeremy from Temporary Residence who happens to put out some of Envy’s records in the States. We’ve always wanted to do shows with them, but it never materialized. I guess doing a split was the next best thing.
PT: Was there significance in releasing it on US election day? Has there been much political motivation in the writing on the split and the new album?
AE: We’ve always been a political band, but it doesn’t always focus on governmental politics, a majority of the songs have to do with interpersonal politics. We watched most of the American election process while writing and recording Common Existence, and I think you’ll be able to hear the concern of what was going on in some of the music. Friends in The Armed Forces is pretty explicit in this regard.
PT: It’s coming up to Thursday’s ten year anniversary, and it’s been one hell of a decade for you guys. Do you have any plans to celebrate?
AE: The ten year mark already passed. I don’t think we really did that much celebrating. We should probably make up for that while on tour.
PT: Where do you see yourself in ten years from now?
AE: Composing, playing occasional shows. Having a self-sustainable farm somewhere.
PT: Thanks for taking the time to answer some questions for us! Anything you’d like to add?
AE: Anytime. Hope to see you at the shows. Buy the record if you can, the money is going to good people this time around instead of the nasty major labels.
Thursday‘s new album, Common Existence is out February 16th through Epitaph.