THEATRE
PHOTO BY: Matt Schnetler  l  WEBSITE: www.facebook.com/Theatre.band

YOUR DEBUT ALBUM IS ON ITS WAY SOON. HAVE YOU GUYS DECIDED ON AN ALBUM TITLE YET AND HOW MANY SONGS WILL BE ON THE ALBUM?

The album will be titled “Atlantic” and will have eight tracks. We chose this title as it fits the oceanic theme in our music, representing creation and the progression of mankind. The album forms a part of a greater concept, as we will be working on a new album in the new year entitled “Pacific”.

WHERE DID YOU RECORD THE ALBUM AND WHO PRODUCED, AND HOW CLOSE DID THE END PRODUCT COME TO THE IDEAS YOU HAD IN THE BEGINNING?
 
We recorded the album with our good friend Deon Van Zyl at his home studio in Somerset West, who mixed the tracks, which were later mastered by Dean Bailey from Plumstead.

HAS WRITING THESE NEW SONGS CHANGED THE WAY THE BAND APPROACHES SONG WRITING?

Not at all. We have a methodology in the way we do things, and it has worked thus far. We strive to progress in our music, but not change our overall sound or style. The writing process is fairly simple: the songs are written predominantly by Duke, and are then sent around for open editing and criticism. Each instrument is thoroughly revised by its respective musician, and the final changes are made before the songs are brought to band practice, where they find their completion.

TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR NEW SONG RELEASED ONLINE TITLED “FIRST FLAWS IN THE MASTER PLAN”, BECAUSE IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU TURNED YOUR AMPS UP TO ELEVEN FOR THIS ONE?

This is one of our old favourites, and will be the first song listeners will hear on the new album. We thought it ideal to post this track up as a teaser as it demonstrates both the chaotic and melodic elements in our music.

DID ANY OF THE SONGS PUSH YOU TO NEW LEVELS ON YOUR INSTRUMENTS OR DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOUR LIMITS ARE AS A PLAYER AND WHAT SONG IDEAS WILL MOST LIKELY WORK OR NOT?

We believe that passion and creativity should have no limits; there is only room to expand our versatility as artists. We have learnt a lot over the last two years, and we feel that we have grown as musicians.

WERE THERE A FEW OPPORTUNITIES TO TEST OUT SOME OF THE SONGS IN FRONT OF A LIVE AUDIENCE TO SEE WHAT PEOPLE’S REACTIONS WERE BEFORE RECORDING THEM?

Because of past experience as musicians we have learnt not to be too eager when it comes to recording. The songs we have recorded are those that we have practiced, performed and edited over the course of our history, and we are therefore 100% happy with the outcome of this album.

THE MORE A BAND PLAYS LIVE THE MORE OPPORTUNITIES THERE ARE TO BUILD WORKING RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER BANDS AS WELL; DO YOU FIND THAT OPPORTUNITIES CAN COME YOUR WAY WHEN YOU LEAST EXPECT IT?
   
Sometimes opportunities just pop out of nowhere, and we end up landing an awesome tour show. We have recently been invited up to Welkom to play at King Fest 2010, and will be opening for Becoming The Archetype at the end of September. We are always appreciative of these opportunities and try to remain humble about those we are presented with. We do not want to be seen as a band who assumes they will be spotted on every big tour show.

WILL THE BAND PLAY AS MUCH AROUND CAPE TOWN AS POSSIBLE TOWARDS THE END OF THE YEAR OR ARE THERE PLANS TO DO A BIT OF TRAVELLING TO OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY AS WELL?

A bit of both, actually. We have a big love for the Cape Town scene, and will hopefully be hosting a few shows here with Truth & Its Burden in December. Though we are also planning a Durban and Jozi tour around the new year.

DO YOU LIKE IT WHEN PEOPLE FROM THE CROWD CLIMB ON STAGE WHILE YOU ARE PLAYING OR IS THAT JUST PART OF WHAT MAKES A GREAT SHOW IN YOUR OPINION?

Our shows are very energetic and we encourage crowd participation. We love it when people are able to move to our music, and are actually able to express those emotions, whichever way they choose to. When a crowd member decides to jump on stage and join in the carnage, it only fuels us more as performers.

THE BEST ADVICE ANYBODY EVER GAVE YOU ABOUT MUSIC OR LIFE IN GENERAL?

Collectively, as musicians, we have learnt that in our time as a band, we should strive towards making the music we enjoy, and not the music we may think is going to get us fame or money. Our music is who we are and we’ll continue to play hardcore shows even if we’re the last hardcore band on earth.

ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR ANYTHING ELSE FANS SHOULD LOOK OUT FOR?

We just want to thank everyone who has shown us support over the last two years, and that we can only promise more chaotic shows, crazy new songs and an awesome album launch ahead. Keep in touch with us, join our pages on Facebook, Myspace and Purevolume, and stay tuned for updates on the album, merch and shows!

Much love.
Theatre.

INTERVIEW BY NEIL VAN ZYL