1. When did you start the band/act?
The Band was started by Al and Lance in 2004, went through a bunch of lineup changes etc etc and finally found its first solid lineup in 2005 when we started touring for the road to singapore (Our first EP)
2. Who are the band/act members?
Brian Yuhas
Drew Matz
Steve Zimmerman
Billy Brock
John Thompson
3. Who are your influences?
As a band we’re influenced by a wide range of genres and bands but I’d say our top influences are Converge, The Dillinger Escape Plan, The Appleseed Cast and maybe Owen?
4. What was the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a band/act?
At first it was finding a drummer, we went through about 8 trying to find someone that was serious about the band as well as good enough to play our songs. After finding a drummer we’ve faced all sorts of problems like van trouble, and just about anything you can imagine a touring band with no label support might run into, which may or may not be limited to our starter for the van going out while we were in utah..
5. Favorite part of being in the band/act?
Probably getting to hang out for extended periods of time together, and play music to people who may not have heard anything like us before. The band is our life. So we like just about every part of it.
6. Albums, shows, or works that are up coming.
Well, we have a new album coming out on Creep/Blackout Records in March called “Frontier”. It’s our first new record in 2 years so we’re pretty excited about that. We have a tour in march also coming up to promote the album, as well as various tours and regional shows in between now and then.
7. What are your favorite songs/skits to perform at shows?
Its always fun to play the older songs that kids know like “The Blue Period” or “Miss Elanious” Just because people sing along and it’s a good time. As far as the new material is concerned probably “Ursa Major” or “Wet Warthog” are the two most fun songs to play.
8. Funniest thing to happen to the band/act at a show.
That’s a tough one, we’ve had a lot of funny things happen. Once Nick our old drummer had a fish thrown at him at our cd release show for the last record. That was pretty funny
9. What are your goals for 2009?
We’re looking to make a move to a bigger label as well as tour more, but thats what we do every year. We’d like to get overseas by the end of the year, we’ll see if that happens.
10. What are your thoughts on the local scene?
Lancasters local scene is probably the best right now I have ever seen it. I can remember going to shows in 2001-2003 where there were maybe 15-20 kids at shows and sometimes you’d have 50-60, now a bad show will have 50-60 kids and most of the shows are 100+, so it’s definitely on the upswing thanks to all of the dedicated people in our community that have helped build it for years now.
11. Does the band have any good luck charms or traditions that you do before a show (like drinking a beer before going on stage, not wearing underwear, ETC.)
Be late, Smoke Beers, Smoke Cigs, listen to Al Green’s greatest hits.
12. What do you do to prepare for a show? (when do you rent the venue, when do ask other bands or acts to join in on the show, how do you raise the money for the venue, how do you determine the price of the show?)
At this point we usually go through promoters who handle most of the above. When we book our own shows in town, which rarely happens, We typically just get the bands that will bring in the most kids all together. Then we just promote the shit out of it with flyers, posters, myspace bulletins, texts and email our mailing list. Basically anything we can do to generate word of mouth buzz, which is what works the best really.
13. Any advice for smaller acts/bands?
Work Hard. Practice a lot. Tour.
14. How can our readers contact you or learn more about you?
They can go to our myspace page which we frequent at www.myspace.com/theheartland
15.Anything else?
Smoke weed!