For some readers who may still be unfamiliar with Of Mice & Men, can you tell us a little bit about the formation of your band, and what you sound like? I started the band in Columbus Ohio, and shortly after getting signed came to the conclusion that I needed other members. I packed everything I could into my car, the rest into a storage unit, and drove all the way to Newport Beach California to pursue the "American dream." And our sound is fast, heavy, melodic, and.... heck, fun! We sound like "Of Mice & Men" and that's something I'm really proud of. In our short career of only 3 years that name has become my family.
How is the new album The Flood going down live, and what songs are you enjoying performing live of the album the most? Our fans have shown such a great response to our second release "The Flood!" It was a major step for us musically from the self titled, and we actually got to sit down and write it together, opposed to the debut which was thrown together almost. I love playing all of these new songs. Product of a Murderer, I'm a Monster, and Still YGD'N are probably my top three live though.
How did your tour go with the huge As I Lay Dying, and what part of the tour was a particular highlight for you and why? The tour was great! Being direct support to such an influential band was a great experience. The Ghost Inside was also on that tour, and they are one of my favorite hardcore bands, so all in all I couldn't have been happier with it. Ha, one of the best highlights for me was when Tim Lambeis himself came up to me one night and asked me for advice about vocal health when sick. I was listening to the guy scream when I was in 6th grade, and then here he was asking ME about things. All the guys in AILD became good friends of ours, and I have not a single negative thing to say about them.
You have suffered a lot of issues with your heart, so how would you say harsh times like this have brought you closer together as a band? Loads of issues. I'm the reason they created the game "Operation"... It's like all these doctors are using me over and over again for practice haha. I left the band for about a year to get my open heart surgery done, I had an enlarged aorta valve and they had to go in and give me a brand new one. From even waking up after the surgery, to being able to re-join my family again and tour, has given me the craziest outlook on life. Just the fact I get to get up every day and be alive is enough for me. Being able to do that, and then do what I love for a living, is the icing to the cake. Life is crazy. And I wish everyone could cherish it the way I do. I really just hope I can use the band and our music to reach out to people in that way. To let people know that it gets better. And yeah, it may be bad for you, but I guarantee things are worse for a heck of a lotta people out there. If you wake up with a roof over your head, and food in your kitchen, you're already leaps and bounds ahead of most.
You had to leave the band for this issue briefly, but when you re-joined the band, was it a natural process, as in when you re-joined were there ever any worries that it wouldn't be the same as before? When I re-joined it was like hopping back on a bicycle after a year without. Bringing Alan to the band as well really brought a since of friendship and family to the entire group. I came back and things were even better than before. I missed my friends, and I really think that shows when we play as well. We have a blast. If we fall off and fade away, at least I can be happy with knowing I had that.
Does being in a full time touring band ever affect your heart at all? Sometimes it does, yes. I actually got a viral infection inside of my heart for part of a tour in October/November. I was on some crazy medications that made it so I couldn't drink alcohol and party, eat crazy food, and go as "hard" as I would usually like. But I really have no complaints, we have an amazing group of friends/crew that work with us, and I don't have to do anymore than I need. They always go above and beyond to make sure I'm comfortable and healthy. Our team is the best.