Describing themselves as ‘Soft Rock’, The Threats, in fact, create a glorious, chaotic, melodic aural journey into the backstreets and alleyways of the post-hardcore sub-genre with unpredictable, captivating song structures that pull you in like a moth to a burning lamp.
OD – Give us a brief background on the band and the particular sub-genre that best describes who you are?
BRYAN – The band started over the internet. We’re all longtime friends and a few of us played together in The Chariot. We just wanted to play shows again. We wrote our first EP over the internet and recorded in February 2018 with producer Matt Goldman. Some people might call our music metalcore or post-hardcore or something like that. We call it “Soft Rock”.
OD – With reference to a discography, what exists already, and do you have anything coming out in the near future?
BRYAN – Our debut EP is called Saboteur (Pictured below)and it was just released in October. We shot two music videos that are out now. You can find all of that on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, etc.
OD – Was there any one particular band/musician that inspired you to get involved with music and if so, who?
BRYAN – This project was inspired by a lot of the heavy bands we’ve grown up listening to. The Chariot, Every Time I Die, Fear Before, Norma Jean to name a few. We’ve played loud music together for years and I think we really just wanted to move forward with the same energy we’ve captured in the past, but to take it in a new direction.
OD – How supportive has the local underground scene been for you and has it helped the band in any way?
BRYAN – We haven’t been a band for very long but we have received great support from the underground scene. Our first two videos and singles were shared hundreds of times and that was key in getting us a lot of exposure as a new band. We’re really thankful for the support and positive feedback we’ve received so far.
OD – With the dramatic change in the way the music industry has evolved, how are you experiencing the current climate with being a band starting out and what would you like to see change in the future?
BRYAN – I think we just have to adjust to the ever-changing music world and find what works for us. Spotify is something that has been so helpful in gaining fans and listeners. Our singles were placed on a few playlists and brought thousands of listeners that probably wouldn’t have found us otherwise. It has helped listeners all over the world find our music.
OD – With regards to the process of writing material, is there a particular method that works, and if so, please let us know?
BRYAN – Since a few of us live in different states, we write everything over the internet. For this EP, we started with David’s drum tracks and wrote guitar, bass, and vocals to those. This method was new for us but it worked really well. There may have been a different dynamic if we were together writing in a room. But I believe that having the time to really focus on our parts separately and then fine tune them together, really brought out the best from everyone.
OD – If there was one band that you could tour with, who would it be and why?
BRYAN – For me, it would probably be Fear Before.
TRAVIS – Living? Kamasi Washington hands down. In a perfect world, Fela Kuti. Just selfishly so I could see them kill it every night.
DAVID – At The Drive-In
JON – Neil Young and The Promise of Real
OD – Tell us your favorite album and why it’s so important to you?
BRYAN – Colour Revolt’s ‘Plunder, Beg, and Curse’ was a huge one for me. When I heard that band, everything I was writing at the time started to sound like them. I wanted to play THAT kind of music.
TRAVIS – There’s never one, but today I’d say Sigur Ros – Untitled. Not many albums are that moving.
DAVID – Brand New – Daisy
JON – Queens of the Stone Age Songs for The Deaf. Great riffs and a great concept and a unique sounding record.
OD – What are the plans for the remainder of this year?
BRYAN – We’re playing our first hometown show in Atlanta in December and planning to do some more short tours next year. In the meantime, we are beginning to write for our next release.
OD – Where can we discover more about the band?
Everybody can check out our website here, for updates, vinyl, merch etc. Also, we put a lot of stuff up on Instagram, which can be accessed via this link.
Oran O’Beirne
www.overdrive.ie 2018
