Sanctity are one of the hottest bands around at the moment and are currently on tour with label mates Trivium and with a debut album coming out we just had to catch up with front man Jared for a chat.
R13: You have a new album coming out 'Road To Bloodshed' what can you tell us about it?
Jared: It's our debut album, our first full length for Roadrunner Records and we've been working on it for quite a while. Almost all the songs from our demos before we signed to Roadrunner are on the album, we recorded the second half of the album after we signed to Roadrunner. Some of the songs are really old songs that we rehashed and others are brand new. Musically, it has a good mix, there's some thrash, some rock, some really heavy parts and grooves, there's aggressive vocals and big singing choruses.
R13: What inspired the new album?
J: We like to make songs that we'd like to here and we like to have fun with our songs. I think one of our strong points is that we're a good live band so sometimes we write songs that fit that. All of us in the band write so because of that we have a wide range of influences. I just write from personal experience or you know, questions I'm asking myself.
R13: Do you enjoy the writing and recording process?
J: Yes, yes, it's one of those things. Being in the studio gets a little tedious but always in my brain I know it's worth it. I like it, it part of the process it has to be done and I always try to keep in mind what the final result is going to be. As songs take shape I get more and more excited. It's different, it's one of those things, when you're on the road for a long period of time you want to be at home or in the studio, then when you're in the studio you wish you were touring.
R13: Why did you decide to release Beneath The Machine as the first single from the album?
J: It just rocks. It was one of the ones that people at the label really liked. When we first wrote the song I was like "Dude, lets play that again, I like that song." It's really driving. As far as the subject matter goes it's about tattoos and stuff, so it's something I can relate too. I just think we did a really good job writing that song. The label also felt it was a good song.
R13: Did you feel pressure to make this album better than previous album and demos?
J: Well yeah, Roadrunner's past and present roster is extremely impressive so that adds pressure. But even our demos we recorded had sounded better than anything we've ever done. We did feel pressure, but it wasn't too bad we usually don't let it get to us, the next album will be the one where we'll feel pressure, it usually is for everybody. It's a time cruncher. Hopefully we can avoid the sophomore slump.
R13: What lifestyle differences have you noticed now your signed to Roadrunner in comparison to when you were independent?
J: Well before I was working a 40 hour a week job and driving about an hour on the way to work and on the way back.
R13: What were you doing?
J: I worked in a flat glass shop. I cut and replaced glass, like huge sheets of glass for windows and mirrors. Back then I was getting a very steady paycheck. Being out on the road makes it more difficult to send money home. We get paid for all the shows and stuff, although even if it was minimal I would love it. The routine is a little looser on the road.
R13: Yeah, sleeping, drinking...
J: Yeah, sometimes I drink sometimes I don't. When I was at home I was up at 8, out the door at a certain time, back home at a certain time, I could plan my day. Now I just get to hang out with my friends all day pretty much.
R13: How did the video for Zeppo come about? Wasn't it filmed in an old abandoned prison?
J: Yes, yes it was. As far as the concept goes it just kind of turned out that way. Our producer had the location. As it turns out the video fits really well. It was our first video so it was kind of experimental but I think it turned out really great.
What was the old jail like? Was it quite freaky?
Actually, you know what, there was lead paint on everything, all the walls, and the paint on the ceiling was peeling off and hanging down, it looked like sunburn when it peels. It was kinda creepy looking and dusty and for two weeks afterwards all of us were sick and nasally, it was pretty dusty. It wasn't that freaky, but we were told that in part of the jail there was an underground passage for the plumbing and there was a radon leak. I didn't hear anything about it being haunted but it was pretty cool in there.
R13: How much do you think your friendship with Trivium has helped your career?
J: Well, Matt basically took our demo and gave it to Roadrunner. He didn't hold our hand or anything or record our songs. He gave us a leg up and we climbed and climed and worked really hard, although our friendship with him has been really important because we got to tour with them previously. We've been talking for a while about coming over here with them, and it's been great, we love hanging out with them.
R13: Is that how you got involved in this tour?
J: Yeah pretty much, we have the same manager as well. Matt's been doing serious touring since he was 16 or 17 so he's been through a lot more than we have. His friendship means he can give us tips and critics, it's just fun you know.
R13: Is this your first time in the UK?
J: Yep, UK and Europe.
R13: How are you finding it?
J: I love it here, it's great. It's a beautiful country, I sat in the front seat of the bus driving through Scotland and it's just so beautiful. All the kids over here are really excited and love music in general, everyone just really kind. Then you've got all these old buildings like this one (Portsmouth Guildhall) that I love, I love all that stuff.
R13: Can you notice any cultural differences?
J: As far as shows go everyone over here is so much more responsive if you say "I wanna see your hands up!" everyone puts their hands up. In the States everyone just goes to see the headliner. Another thing is when we come out after the show to do some signings and stuff in the States no one cares, but over here it doesn't really matter who you are the kids are happy with a handshake or a little hug, it's something that makes their day and it's such a little thing for us to do we don't mind it. They get so excited it's actually infectious.
R13: Do you find the kids over here are more open-minded whereas the kids in the States are just into one scene?
J: Yeah, yeah, I see a wide array of kids coming to shows. Although you can spot the Metal kids but there's other kids and you cant really tell what music they're into whereas in America there's a definite difference between Emo kids, Metal kids, Punk kids and it's like there's a few that will go to a lot of shows, but it doesn't happen as much and I wish it happened more. Music is music and if you like to go to other stuff that's cool but if we're at a show together there's something there, we're there for a common reason. There is a definite difference.
R13: Does it bother you when you get labelled?
J: No not really, if someone's like "There's a metal guy" that's cool, even if it was something else I would be like "whatever", I know what I am and that's all that matters.
R13: What crazy antics do you get up to on the road?
J: We're only about a week into the tour so I haven't had time to get up to anything too crazy. Sometimes we get a little rowdy after a few drinks. Last night there was an unofficial after party at a small bar down the street from the venue and I was in there with Gojira and a couple of guys from Trivium and they were playing our songs and we were in there just drinking a few beers and jamming. There's been nothing too crazy yet, although I'm working on some pranks, trying to formulate some good jokes to play.
R13: What have you got up your sleeve then?
J: I can't tell, it's top secret, I don't even want to tell my other band mates (laughs)
R13: How does this tour compare to the tour you did last year with Protest The Hero and Dragonforce?
J: That was great, it was our first real American tour and it was Dragonforce's first American tour. We learned a lot about our stage show and audiences. This is so different because Trivium are friggin' huge over here. Actually, it's a little bit the same because when Dragonforce came over that time every single show sold out. We made good friends with those guys. I actually went to see Dragonforce play a show with Killswitch Engage and Chimaira just before we came over, I got pretty rowdy backstage, it was fun. Every tour is different, and the response we've gotten over here is a lot better, over there it was our first tour and no one really knew who we were.
R13: Have you noticed any effect from touring over here? Have you got a lot more friend requests on Myspace?
J: Yeah, we used to get five to ten requests a day now we're getting five to six pages of requests a day. It's a good way to speak to people and keep in touch with our fans and there's no doubt in my mind that sites like Myspace have helped our career.
R13: Are you playing any festivals over the summer?
J: I believe we just got signed up for Download and I think we're playing on Friday but I don't know when or what stage or anything.
R13: What do you have left to achieve?
J: World domination. Just to be successful and play music, and to be able to travel and meet new friends and see new places. I want to be able to keep myself grounded if I ever get a huge ego I will have to revaluate myself, I don't agree with the "rock star ego" being in a band doesn't make you better than anyone else, people who have huge egos need to remember what it's like to be the kid at the show. But if I can make a career out of our music then I'll be happy.