SHREDnews

Jay Rowland: How did you guys get started in music?

Bobby Vaughn: My brother was in musicals and I followed everything he did. I was in musicals and then he started a band, so I started a band. Eventually, we had a band together. That’s how we got our guitarist, Daniel. Then my brother started his own band. Now I am in this band, The Promise Hero. Jeff joined in when he met Dan.

Jeff DiLorenzo: I got started because of my parents. They got me piano lessons when I was really young.

Jay: What made you decide to start a band instead of doing anything else?

Bobby: I just wanted it because my brother did it. I don’t have to apply to be in a band. It follows what I’m doing, so if I don’t want to do anything all day I’m allowed to. I can chill. I like to chill and my band allows me to chill.

Jay: How exactly did the band get started?

Bobby: Daniel and I were best friends in high school for a couple days. Then we hated each other. I would see him in the hallway and he would be wearing a shirt I let him borrow. I would say, “Hey! Nice shirt.” He thought I was making fun of him, but I really thought it was a nice shirt. It’s kind of like a girl friend that you dated. You tested them out and didn’t like them, but then you try them again and fall in love. Daniel isn’t even here and here I am talking about our love fest. So, we became best friends and started the band.

Jay: How did you get started with TDR Records?

Bobby: It’s Michael Holland’s record label. There were three different ways we hooked up with them. We got the opportunity to record demos with the lead singer of Saves The Day which is our favorite band in the world. I was like, “Let’s see if we can get a label to back us up real quick on this and maybe sell this.” So TDR Records is one of the ones I sent the demos too. Then there is this band called Barely Blind and I was on their MySpace and they had TDR in their top friends which caused us to start looking into TDR more. Then the thing that made everything come together was when I was whoring myself and I ran into Mike at a show in Toledo and tried to get him to like the band. Eventually I guess he just remembered all these different things that I had tried interacting with him and he came to us.

Jay: Are there any plans for a new album?

Bobby: We have so many new songs which I will be playing tonight. We want to make a new album. We want to do something better than Wait For The Sun. We’re basically waiting for some one to call us and say ok let’s do it. Until then I’m on tour.

Jay: How’s the tour going?

Bobby: Today is technically the second day. It’s just me doing acoustic solo. It’s really different then our live shows. We don’t talk as much then. I look around and see Jeff looking at the ground and Dan ready for the next song. Right now I am up there all by myself. I can do what ever I want and I stop a lot and I change the tempo. I can change they key in the middle of the song. I make it so comfortable to me and I interact with people. I try to make people involved as much as I can. People look like they are having a lot of fun and so far that’s a little different then our regular shows.

Jay: How’s it feel to be on stage for either of you?

Bobby: Right now it’s so comfortable. I started by doing the whole Hot Topic thing where I was by myself with no other band members. It’s a lot more comfortable when I am just able to relax and say what ever I want to say and not worry about time.

Jeff: I’m pretty comfortable.

Bobby: Jeff only does things that are comfortable for him. If you see him doing something you should know that he is probably reaching terminal comfort.

Jay: Any interesting stories?

Bobby: We have run into a lot of interesting things. We ran into an African tiger once at some ones apartment. He was just walking around us.

Jay: What was that like?

Bobby: It just smells you like a cat. We went there to see it, but we didn’t know it wouldn’t be on a leash. It was jumping over our bodies. We were pretty sure it was gonna eat us. But that’s ok because it’s such a beautiful creature. We were only donating to something so beautiful.

Jay: The tour looks pretty intense. You play almost every night. What do you do to wind down?

Bobby: I’m always doing something for the band. My phone has become my new marketing tool. I’m constantly texting to our fans. And they are my friends now. I keep in touch with every single person. I have consistent sixty or more texts at any time. People want to be our fans but as soon as you meet me you’re sucked in. You’re gonna be my friend, so sorry in advance.