WTBU Intern Ben Brondsky got to interview Steve and Jordan of New Found Glory before their recent show at the House of Blues. Check out the transcript below:
Ben: So, first question, when did you guys start this tour?
Steve: The tour started October 16th in Santa Cruz, California.
Ben: Wow, you guys have been across the country, how is it so far?
Steve: It’s going amazing. We’ve hit some bad weather the past couple days, but the shows have been great. Lots of kids have been turning out and having fun. Rockin’ out.
Jordan: Rockin’ out, rockin’ out. Rockin’ the house man.
Ben: Yeah, it seems like there’s a big crowd tonight. When we got here there was already a big line. The openers for tonight are: Set Your Goals, The Wonder Years, Man Overboard, and Next Time This Year. So, going on tour with younger bands, does it reinvigorate you guys?
Steve: It’s just nice going on tour with our friends. And going on tour with bands that work hard, bands that put on good live shows. It’s inspiring for us because that’s what we did when we first started so we want to take out bands that do that. And because we bring a lot of kids to the show it’s nice to get more people to hear of these bands. It’s almost like a festival.
Ben: A lot of newer bands consider you guys role models. How do you guys feel about that?
Jordan: It’s definitely flattering.
Steve: It’s not something we take for granted. We feel like Green Day and Blink 182. They’re like the Godfathers just because they’re way older than us, but we still feel like a young band. We’ve been holding the flag of this genre of music so it does feel like a lot of bands started because of our band. It’s a good feeling. Hopefully they take our work ethic and use it for good.
Ben: You guys are touring in support of your newest LP, Radiosurgery. How do you still find new topics to write about? Do you think your writing has matured over the years?
Jordan: There are always going to be things to write about because what we talk about is all stuff that’s always going on in our lives so you can’t run out of material.
Ben: Right, people can always relate.
Jordan: Right. You might have an issue of having a way to get it across, but there will always be material because everything is written from right here, man (pounds chest).
Ben: I remember when I was younger; I use to think I could write songs but I couldn’t. It’s definitely a skill. How did you guys come up with the name Radiosurgery?
Steve: It kind of came up farther into the record because we were thinking of titles and Chad was like “Hey, I’ve noticed a theme throughout the songs in this album. I’m kind of thinking it’s like that movie the Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. The idea where you have to get a person out of your head. We googled different words with surgery and brain and Radiosurgery came up.
Jordan: The music’s the surgery, man.
Steve: Being pre-med, is the name kind of smart or sort of cheesy?
Ben: No, I think it’s pretty cool.
Jordan: That person’s the tumor and the music is going to remove that tumor.
Ben: Do you guys have any personal favorite New Found Glory songs?
Steve: Jordan’s favorite song is doing the Titanic cover song that we did.
Jordan: Steve’s favorite song is to play all the B-sides that we never play.
Ben: So how does your writing process go?
Jordan: It all starts with the chords from Chad [Gilbert, lead guitarist]. Then he’ll present it to everyone and we’ll make a basic verse chorus verse type of song. Then Steve will go and write lyrics and think of melodies. Then him & I will videochat and we’ll figure out the song together. It snowballs into what it becomes on the record.
Ben: My one regret is that I was never in a band.
Steve: But you’re going to be a doctor, man. You’re going to save people’s lives.
Jordan: [Jewish New Yorker accent] My son the doctor. We’re so proud of you.
Ben: Since you guys have toured all over the world, do you guys have any favorite countries you love going to?
Jordan: I personally love Japan just because it’s such a different culture and it’s really fun. I like the food and the people. And South America is insane too; like Brazil and Mexico.
Steve: Japan was my favorite, [to Jordan] you stole my favorite. He’s a jerk.
Ben: Do you guys prefer bigger venues more or smaller ones?
Jordan: I guess both for different reasons. In smaller venues everyone’s up close and it’s personal. But in places like this [House of Blues], where the stage is bigger the sound is better.
Steve: We get good lights.
Jordan: And nice dressing rooms and showers. And we’re playing for almost 3,000 kids.
Ben: Are there any songs out right now that you wish you had written?
Steve: That I whip my hair back and forth song. I really think that’s my jam right now. No, Mumford & Sons write some good songs. The Avett Brothers.
Jordan: Yeah but they’re just good at their instruments, we’re not. That’s why we suck.
Steve: It’s punk man, I write three chords. There’s some good songs out.
Ben: Yeah, people always say that music’s dying but there are always good bands and artists coming out. Speaking of the music industry, what are your opinions on what’s going on right now?
Jordan: Yeah, we’ve been on every type of label. Ups and downs.
Steve: We kind of just stay out of it and keep doing what we’re doing. And we’re able to do what we do because we never relied on selling millions of records. It’s always been about touring and our fan base.
Ben: Do you guys have any advice for upcoming bands?
Jordan: Yeah! I tell them this: I say, listen..uh…what was I going to say? Oh! I got it. If you’re trying to make it in this world…music…
Steve: [To Jordan] What are you talking about man? Just make a demo and bring it to shows. That’s what we did. If your music’s good you’ll get noticed.
Jordan: And don’t wait for it to just happen. I feel like a lot of bands now think that because they have a million followers on facebook that they’re going to be popular. You have to put the work in. Play shows everywhere.
Ben: Do you guys have a set band leader?
Jordan: Steve’s the leader [laughs]. No, Ian’s the leader. He’s the leader because he’s the oldest [laughs].
[Ian walks in]
Steve: Right Ian, you’re the leader? Because you’re the oldest.
Ian: Yeah, I’m the oldest in the band. I’m going to die first.