SHREDnews

http://www.myspace.com/auburnmass

Interview By: Nicole Bradley

Straight from Massachusetts, Auburn’s southern sound screams in the faces of its listeners. Through their strong faith and gritty, energetic performances, Auburn is selling out their music fast. They are making their way up to the top, and you can miss them at big named festivals including Cornerstone and Soul Fest.

SHRED: When and how did Auburn get started?
Vinnie: Auburn got started at the beginning of 2006 as a Pop Punk Band. The only original members are me and Rocky. In late 2006 we decided we didn’t want to do pop punk anymore and were looking to do more Hardcore/Metal so that’s when we found Brian & Ricky. They were looking to start something along the same lines as what we wanted.

SHRED: Any story behind the name?
Vinnie: There are so many stories behind this name. My personal story behind it comes from when I was driving down 495 one day. I was coming home from my brother’s house in Shrewsbury, MA and passed an Auburn Exit sign and thought to myself that would be a cool band name and brought it to the guys and they liked it.

SHRED: When did you start playing guitar? Have you ever changed instruments?
Vinnie: I got my first Guitar when I was about 6 years old it was a miniature acoustic. The following year my parents got me my first electric guitar. I didn’t start taking lessons till I was about 13 years old, and by the age of 16 I was in my first band. I have played drums for a while as well when I was in the middle school band and marching band. I still play drums, but not as much as guitar.

SHRED: In your opinion what do you think makes Auburn stand out?
Vinnie: In my opinion what makes us stand out is that we love to have fun and when we play we try to bring a lot of energy to the performance so us and the crowd can get into it. I know when I go to a show and just see a band stand there and not move, I get bored watching them.

SHRED: What genre of music do you consider your band to be?
Vinnie: I would have to say Hardcore/Metal with some southern riffage.

SHRED: Select Hot Topics and Newbury Comics are carrying your CD, have you ever gone in and bought a copy? And what’s it like having a CD that fans can buy in store?
Vinnie: I have never gone in and bought our CD at any store. To me its surreal having our CD in a store I go to to buy music. It’s awesome that kids actually go out now a days and buy CDs since the digital music world is starting to takeover. Just the other day Rocky and I were in Hot topic at our local mall and they were sold out of our album. That’s nuts.

SHRED: You’re EP, “Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth” just came out earlier this year, how was the recording process?
Vinnie: The recording process was probably one of the best times of my life. We worked with Ricky Tonzi over at Attic Sound in Franklin, MA and he’s one of the nicest and coolest dudes I’ve ever met and is very good at what he does. We had a lot of input on this EP from our good friends Kayoum Franklin of Sounds Like A Funeral Music, Brandon Davis of Lions Lions, Mikey B of 80-ss, Max Prussner plus more. We wanted to make this EP enjoyable for everyone.

SHRED: Do you guys plan to record a full length CD in the future?
Vinnie: Yes we sure do. We actually just started writing it. We have so many ideas for this full length I cant wait. We will be posting a brand new song on our myspace in the middle of June produced by Jay Deluca @ 3D Productions. So keep checking back on that.

SHRED: Are there any summer tour plans for Auburn? If not, what do you guys plan to do over the summer?
Vinnie: In the end of June we are actually playing Cornerstone Festival out in Illinois with a bunch of amazing bands. After that we are touring for about a month an a half with our good friends The Year Ends in Arson, Florida. We are also playing Soul Fest this year with Norma Jean, As I Lay Dying and so many more.

SHRED: Anything else you’d like to add?
Vinnie: Keep rocking and support local music!!