The split is now available on Panic Records and can be streamed in its entirely here. Read the interview below.
Before we start the interview, could you please state your name and role in the band
Mike: My name is Mike, and I play drums in Pentimento.
Chris: Chris Vocals/ Guitar, Gorse Bass, Matt Guitar, Barry Drums.
How long have you known each other and who came up with the idea to release a split?
Mike: We’ve known Young English for the better part of the year. We discovered them through facebook, and immediately forwarded their stuff to Panic Records because we thought it’d be a good fit. Panic also thought Young English was awesome, which is what prompted the release of their EP “I Hate My Friends” this past winter. After reviewing release ideas for full length records from each band, our label manager Timm McIntosh came up with the idea for us to do a split release. He wanted to feature songs on the split that would also end up on the full length albums from each band, as sort of a “teaser” to promote the upcoming records from both of us, which would also offer an exclusive song that you’d only be able to get on the split release, as well as a cover.
Chris: We've known each other for about a year.The split was a mutual idea among all three parties involved. It just kind of happened. There's no real grand origin.
How are fans reacting to the split so far. And for those who haven't heard your album yet, what can they expect from it?
Mike:We couldn’t be happier with the response to the songs on the split. We feel like these songs are a great representation of our band now, and a solid glimpse into what they’ll be able to expect from us on the next record. We’ve been so fortunate to have so many positive reviews that seem impressed with the release, and in all honesty we’re beyond flattered at the response we’ve gotten. It’s been really cool to read so many people’s opinion on what we’ve done for the split and get so much positive feedback and approval. We’re certainly thankful for how kind everyone has been to us through these reviews. It makes us feel like we’re doing something right.
Chris:Peoples response to it has been fantastic. Everytime we read something about it, people just say the most amazing and positive things about it. Were truly floored by the response so far. And people at shows have been great. Nothing makes us feel better than when kids show up knowing the words to the new and old songs. It's honestly just incredible, we've been really lucky to gather so much support so early on in this venture.
You both did a great job on the split, but what are your favorite tracks from each others side?
Mike: I genuinely enjoy all the songs that Young English wrote for this, but if I had to pick a favorite I’d say it’s the first track on their side called “Woke Up Under Water”. As you’ll read in most of the reviews of the split when talking about their half, that track is just plain explosive. It’s got excellent dynamic, great lyrics, and the ending is absolutely devastating. The first time we heard the rough mix of that song we all looked at each other with the same look on our face. All we could say was “Fuck”. It gave us the chills, and still does to this day. Their side of the split is still in heavy rotation for me.
Chris: The bridge by pentimento is just absolutely fantastic. But their whole side is great, everything theyve done to date has been great, were all so excited for their full length. Definitely expect something amazing.
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[/caption]If not Pentimento/Young English, who else would you do the split with?
Mike: There’s a long list of bands that we’re good friends with that would make for a great split. Bands like Heartwell, I Can See Mountains, Souvenirs, just to name a few. However the fact that we were able to put this together with Young English is something we feel very strongly about. Young English is a real talented band, and we think it ended up being a great fit for us sonically. They’re some of our best friends, so we consider ourselves lucky to have an opportunity to be a part of this release with them.
Chris: Hm, as far as bands that are out right now I'm currently in love with You Blew It! on Topshelf Records. It's like American football meets Northstar. I'd love to do a split with them. Check out their new record too, it's incredible.
What were the influences while writing the album?
Mike: Not to cop-out and give you an answer that every band uses for this question…but…everything is and was an influence for this set of songs, and likewise everything that has come before/will come after them. There is inspiration in everything, and I don’t think I’d be giving you an honest answer if I just chose certain subjects that made these songs what they are. The truth is that the music and lyrics pull from a billion different situations, instances, conversations, ideas, happenstances, and so on in order to take the shape they do. The only thing we try to keep in mind is being honest. A lot of times, lines in these songs are literally from things people have said during conversation, or that we’ve said to each other when we get into those deep-late night van talks on long rides. It’s important to keep in mind that if you expect the things you write to resonate with other people, what is most relatable are the things that actually take place. I find a lot of comfort in that sort of thing when I listen to my favorite bands or songs, and I can only hope that we offer something like that to the people that are kind enough to support our band and take a hard listen to the music and lyrics.
Chris: I'm just really influenced by the music I grew up listening to. The promise ring, taking back Sunday, northstar, brand new, saves the day, hot rod circuit, the get up kids, American football, jets to brazil, I try and pull from everything, then make it my own.
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[/caption]This one is for Pentimento, What inspired your cover of Dashboard Confessional's "The Places You Have Come To Fear The Most"?
Mike: The lovely Becca Lenau suggested it to me while I was on the phone with her in a McDonald’s drivethru one day, talking to her about the ideas the band was tossing around for covers. When she mentioned that song, it totally clicked for me. I immediately called all the other guys and relayed her suggestion, to which they agreed that it’d be a great idea. We sat around and hashed out ideas while we were on tour in the fall, and once we brought it to practice it came together quite nicely. It was a lot of fun to put a spin on a song that had only ever been recorded with one guy and an acoustic guitar, and I really hope for all the Dashboard fans sake we were able to do the original some justice.
Which song off the album means the most to you personally?
Mike: In a personal sense, I’d have to go with No Apology. It was written about one very specific person, within a particular set of instances that inspired the song. Although I normally don’t like admitting that sort of thing because I wouldn’t want to take away from what it could mean for someone else.
Chris: Old Wives Tale. It's about a horrible toxic relationship I was in with a girl that did a lot of drugs. Writing about your worst times is always therapeutic.
Have you been working on any new material lately?
Mike: We are currently in the studio hard at work on a full length record. It’s been a great experience so far and we’re very anxious to show everyone what we’ve come up with.
Chris: I started writing ideas for our full length but it won't truly come into itself until we get it into the practice space and hash them out into real songs.
What are your favorite shows so far together?
Mike: Any chance we get to play with Young English is our favorite show.
Chris: Hm, I'd say all the shows on the pentimento/last call/born without bones/young English run.
Thanks a lot for talking to us, anything else you'd like to add before we finish the interview?
Mike: Drop out of school. Quit your job. Start a punk rock band.
Chris: Thanks! Grab the split and look out for both our full lengths soon!
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