Mike McKenna did this interview for me in the spring of 1998.
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1. First off, tell me who’s in the band and who does what?
Sean plays bass, Bryan plays the drumkit, Anthony and Justin play the guitars, and Chris sings.
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2. Give me some bio information if you could?
Well, personally, I played in Mouthpiece for several years and then started a band called Hands Tied. After quitting Hands Tied, I got together with Chris, Bryan, and Justin and started Saves The Day in the late spring of 1997. Anthony did a band called Purpose previously to joining Saves The Day.
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3. I know some people dog you guys because they say you sound a lot like Lifetime… if I was in a band I ‘d take that as a complement! What’s your reaction to such criticism?
I think that comparison comes up because we do a style of music that not a lot of bands do anymore so kids automatically reach for the one band in their very narrow musical outlook that has a similar style. I think our new record will put an end to that comparison.
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4. You guys have a demo out now and were supposed to record for Special Forces Records, but you ended up signing to Equal Vision. How did this happen?
Well, the demo was done the very first day of this band’s existence. Very soon after Aaron (Special Forces) asked us if he could release the demo as a 7”. We thought it was a cool idea. Almost immediately following we got quite a few offers from lots of labels. Since I worked with EVR in the past and knew they would be the best thing for us, we signed to them. No hard feelings with Aaron we still think he is great. It just came down to recording budgets and distribution.
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5. You’ve just finished recording your LP for Equal Vision. What will it be called?
Can’t Slow Down
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6. I noticed at shows that you guys play songs off the demo but also have some new material. Will the LP have mostly songs from the demo or more of the newer stuff?
There are three songs from the demo and eleven brand new gems.
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7. People have been making a big deal about the New Jersey scene, particularly the NJHC scene. Do you feel that bands like Vision, Ensign, and Lifetime have made NJ respectable?
Those bands are great and there are many more great bands from this area. The kinds in the NJ area have, for the most part, great attitudes and make the scene one of the best.
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8. I know that you guys have plans to tour out west in March. Any other shows lined up?
We have a lot coming up. Plus a full summer tour.
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9. Are there any types of shows you’d rather play (i.e. hardcore, punk, or emo) or is that irrelevant?
We will play wherever we think we will have fun.
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10. What albums are you looking forward to the most in 1998?
Fastbreak, Automatic, Floorpunch, and Madonna.
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11. What made you want to play in a band?
Mike Ness from Social Distortion at City Gardens.
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12. Closing Comments?
Nah, I’m alright.
