With the release of their debut full-length, When Goodbye Means Forever, on Hand Of Hope, along with a fast growing fan base, Adelaide, Australia's I Killed the Prom Queen's unrelenting blend of hardcore and metal is making many ears take notice. With this interview, singer Michael Crafter gives insight to When Goodbye Means Forever, life in the Land Down Under, and why there's nothing better than the sweet sounds of hardcore.
Fake Train: How did you come up with the name I Killed the Prom Queen? I have to say the moniker complements the music perfectly.
Michael: Basically I used to watch heaps of bad TV shows like Twin Peaks and also the prom night movies…I just kind of thought it up one day. I thought it sounded pretty cool.
How did you hook up with Hand Of Hope for your first full-length? And how has it been working with them?
Chris [Brown] from Evergreen Terrace talked to us when we where touring with them in Australia. He said he had a new label starting up and he was keen to work with us. I think what Chris and John [Wylie of Eulogy Records] have already done for IKTPQ is great. We are really happy with what they are doing with us.
Overall, are you happy with how When Goodbye Means Forever turned out?
Yeah, like we always go into the studio stressed. It was a long month for us, but all in all it worked out good. We just wanted it to be heavy and we feel it is.
What sparked the idea to name the release When Goodbye Means Forever, and how does the title tie in with the rest of the lyrical content on the release?
At the time we where recording, my grandfather had a stroke, one day I just straight up said "Are you doing to die on us?" He told me basically when he says goodbye to me that's when its lights out. I think any kind of life is precious. You can't take what you have for granted. If something bad happens someday something good might happen the next. Life is one big up and down.
It seems like you've been receiving a really good reaction from your debut full-length.
Yeah, it's really good. We went on tour before the CD came out at home and it was slow. Then when the CD was out it all picked up. As for out here in the States. Shows have been good. Some kids seem to be into us in some parts. So we are really happy.
You guys worked with Caleb Olsen of Bootcore Grafix, who's done album layouts for Albert React, Life In Your Way, Trauma, The Prisoners Dilemma, XDiscipleXAD, among others. Can you describe how the design for the album came about, and how its significance connects with the music?
We had no idea what he was going to do. We just let him go with it. And it's awesome. With artwork we never really have much of an input. Our idea's usually suck.
I Killed the Prom Queen just finished up a summer tour with Evergreen Terrace here in the States. Was this your first tour in the U.S., and how did the touring experience go? How well was the audience response towards you guys?
Yeah, first time out of Australia. It was tough, we learnt a lot. Kids are good out here. Like lots of kids dance at shows and seem to like the bands they go and see. It's more serious out here. It's a lot different. Like at home it's more like fun. And less stressful. Bands here have to tour to live. And that is a hard thing to do. We loved every minute out here. We can't wait to get back next year.
I didn't realize there was such a thriving hardcore scene in Australia. Can you give a little insight on the underground music down there? To be totally honest, I Killed the Prom Queen is the first Australian hardcore outfit I have heard.
Well, yeah it's good. We do good tours and most shows are anywhere from 200-700 kids at shows. Sometimes. It's no different in the USA. Kids love hardcore, kids love dancing and kids love going to shows. Day of Contempt are from our city, Shot Point Blank are from our city and Parkway Drive are from Byron Bay. Those three bands are going to blow up anytime soon.
It must be a great opportunity to be able to tour all over, be able to visit numerous cities, and travel to different countries. Would you say that there's nothing better than playing hardcore and doing something that you're passionate about?
We have given up everything we have for this band. There is nothing better than playing in a band with your friends and playing to new kids every night. I seriously don't even know how this all happened. Some times I have to really think about how good we have it. Hardcore is our lives. I would rather be doing this than working some shitty day job.
I Killed the Prom Queen's sound definitely contains rich influences from both hardcore and metal, but what would be some records or bands you guys listen to that fans would be surprised to find out about?
We listen to a lot of Euro metal stuff. Like In Flames, Soilwork and also a lot of American stuff like Killswitch Engage, etc. We listen to a lot of hardcore stuff as well like Bury Your Dead, Bleeding Through, and Unearth. We like stuff with mosh parts and blast beats. Evergreen Terrace likes blast beats [laughs].
Through all the touring, playing shows, writing music, and having this kind of emotional outlet to be creative, what have you been able to learn about yourself, not just as musicians, but as individuals?
Basically I learnt not to take advantage of what you have. Don't get caught up in this whole rock star bullshit like a lot of people do. Remember who the fuck you where yesterday, today and tomorrow. Cause you shouldn't change just cause your band is big or whatever. Cause when the hype and fame is gone. You will end up like some washed up rocker that no one will ever remember.
What bands that are no longer together do you regret not being able to see live? I know I have a slew of outfits on my "I wish I could have seen" list, Seam, Jawbox, Refused, Unwound, Shudder To Think, Acme, among many others.
Earth Crisis, Path of Resistance, Mourning Again, Culture, and Another Victim. Those bands where all amazing and influenced so many bands that are in hardcore these days.
What's life like in Adelaide, Australia, especially for those who never had the opportunity to live or travel to Australia?
It's small but we like it. The scene there is good, lots of new kids coming to shows. When we aren't touring we hang with our friends mainly. Come to Adelaide and hang out with me people.
What band or album really sparked your desire to play and create music?
I saw Day of Contempt in 1999 and I was like I wanna sing in a hardcore band. And not long after I did. Probably before that Force Fed Nine in like 1996-97, they made me start going to support the hardcore scene in our town. And probably Earth Crisis when I was like 14 and 15 got me into being vegan and straight-edge.
Are there certain films, books, or paintings that have really opened your eyes and inspired you as an individual, and as a musician?
Nothing, [laughs], no answer.
What do you want people to feel when they listen to I Killed the Prom Queen?
I guess feel happy and wanna come to a show and sing along and dance. I want kids to listen to IKTPQ and go and support hardcore. If our CD makes you happy then we are happy.
What's the near future hold for I Killed the Prom Queen? More touring, or are you guys going to concentrate on writing new material?
Lots more touring back home, hopefully to Europe and Japan. Back to the States next year. We are working on a new CD for next summer. Its going to be more metal, more mosh and heavier. [Laughs] We hope. [Laughs] But we are going to work hard with touring and writing and see what happens.
Any final words?
www.dayofcontempt.com
www.parkwaydriverock.com
www.shotpointblank.com
Kids support ya scene and support hardcore. Thanks for the interview.