At times, October 31st can be a bit depressing. You are in candy overload, which for a woman means a grueling workout the next day. But, fear the November morning blues no more because this month’s upcoming album releases will bring back the excitement into your post Halloween lives.
Let’s start with the forthcoming album, “In Some Way, Shape or Form”, from Four Year Strong. Following the group’s 2010 release, “Enemy of the World”, this new album will drop November 8th via Universal Republic Records. The quartet, which currently consists of vocalist and guitarist, Dan O’Connor, vocalist and guitarist, Alan Day, bassist and backing vocalist, Joe Weiss and drummer, Jackson Massucco, formed in 2001 and have steadily delivered album after album, totaling to three studio album releases. “In Some Way, Shape or Form” will mark number four.
With a new album, an Alternative Press cover and as headliners of the 2011 AP Tour Fall, Four Year Strong are ending the year with a bang. The Worcester, Massachusetts natives are touring the country from coast to coast alongside, Gallows, Title Fight, The Swellers and Sharks and are splashing each city with their melodic rock tunes as they pass through.
Check out our interview below with Day and get some inside scoop on “In Some Way, Shape or Form” before it drops!
How was the photo shoot for the AP cover?
The photo shoot was great! It took place in our hometown of Worcester, MA at our bassist Joe’S house, so it was a very comfortable environment. A lot of fun.
What has been the highlight headlining the AP tour so far?
Actually just being able to do this. We’ve been a band for a long time, but headlining a tour never gets old. Playing for these kids is great, and making new friends and fans is a blast.
What do you listen to on your iPod while on the road?
Right now I’ve been listening to folky singer-songwriter stuff a lot. I think it’s because of the seasons changing I like to listen to more mellow sounding stuff in the fall like the The Avett Brothers and Bon Iver.
Any cities in particular that are the bands favorites to play in?
We love playing in our hometown of Worcester and the Boston area because it’s a blast having friends and family with us out at the show. I also really like Chicago, LA and NYC. And London is one of the best places in the world to play.
Does your set list include many songs off your November 8th release?
Right now we’ve been playing four new songs from our forthcoming album “In Some Way, Shape, or Form”, which have all been released online. Once the record comes out, we may start playing more from it.
Can you tell me the meaning behind the album title?
The name “In Some Way, Shape, or Form” refers to how we’re going in a different direction with our music. We are still Four Year Strong and still have the same mentality, but just with a different sound.
The cover art is really interesting. Can you tell me how the meaning of the album is reflected in that?
The cover art goes along with the fact that Four Year Strong is just us. All of the items in the artwork are our actual belongings. We brought in stuff that reflects our personalities. For example, I brought my uncle’s military dog tag and also a cupcake because I’m obsessed with dessert. Joe brought his hockey stick since he loves hockey, etc.
How does this album differ lyrically and instrumentally from your previous album?
Our new album differs in a lot of ways. The music is different. We take a lot of risks we haven’t before. There are some darker songs, some mellow tracks, and they have more of a movement from beginning to end rather than just one note all the way through. Lyrically we are touching on new subjects, and bringing more personal things into the songwriting.
What’s the story behind “Only the Meek Get Pinched”?
I love that you asked about that song. It’s actually my favorite on the record! That song is about, indirectly, how the music industry is going to shit, but it’s not going to stop us from doing what we do. As far as the tempo, it’s just what the song needed. It was one of the last songs we recorded for this record. It really fits for me.
What will the next single be?
I’m not sure. We’ve talked about it, but nothing is set in stone yet.
What release day plans do you have?
We are doing an in-store acoustic performance in LA, playing a show, and other cool stuff.
by Lonnie Nemiroff
