FEATURED INTERVIEWS 07                         

Escape The Fate

There is no sympathy for the dead and dying is your latest fashion. Escape The Fate is proving that they're the real thing by headlining the The Black on Black Tour and releasing an undeniable and fantastic album, "Dying is Your Latest Fashion." Escape The Fate is well on their way to being the biggest thing. Robert takes a quick moment with Frantik and answers some of our burning questions.

By: Gian Erguiza

Gian: Alright Robert, how cool is it that you guys are about to embark on a Fall Headlining Tour?

Robert: We're super stoked to be doing a headlining tour. We finally get to see how many fans we've made this last year since up to this point we've only supported bands or co headlined so the fans weren't only ours. It'll be interesting to see.

Gian: Are you guys looking forward to any particular spots for a number of reasons?

Robert: We always love playing anywhere in California. People there just get who we are.. Chicago is amazing.. And for me it's my first time officially playing in my hometown of el paso, texas. It'll feel good to play for my whole family

Gian: You guys are on tour until mid-December.....What are you guys doing to keep yourselves amused and to keep it interesting while out on the road?

Robert: It depends on who you ask if you want to know what we do for fun. Monte money and I are very healthy and we love working out and staying in shape. So we spend a lot of time looking for health foods and gyms. And the other guys love drinking and partying and having a good time. But, all of us always love playing halo.

Gian: Let's talk new album. Are you guys currently writing new material for a new album? If so, what can we expect from it as far as production, sound, style, etc.?

Robert: It's hard to say what to expect from the next record. We've spent a good amount of time just trying to find out who we are and where we belong. This last record left us several paths to choose from. Our fan base seems like its split down the middle with kids that are in the "scene" and like to "dance" or "mosh" or whatever the fuck it is, and with those kids that like to sing along and like our pop sensibility. I think we're pretty split on that too. So I think you'll probably see the same diverse sound, perhaps just formulated together better. We have lots of ideas but nothing set in stone as of yet. All we know is we want to go all out with this. We've learned a lot from the last record and we're going to put that knowledge to use, the next record will be no bullshit!

Gian: Are you guys planning to shoot any Live DVD's or New Video anytime soon?

Robert: We actually just shot a video for "Situations". We've been going over some of the first cuts and it looks amazing. We had so much fun making it; it was like a dream come true making that video. I'm pretty sure everyone will get it and it should be no surprise as to what to expect from that video. I also have had a video camera with me for almost a year. It's hard to say whether I have anything good enough to put on a DVD, but it's definitely something we've had in mind and have tossed up ideas for.

Gian: Your live shows are pumped.....you guys got some wild energy while onstage, how do you guys prepare for each show?

Robert: Again this depends on who you ask. I personally spend a lot of time practicing and warming up. By the time I hit the stage, I've already been playing for over an hour. I don't know why I do this but I'm really superstitious. I don't feel comfortable if I don't. My hair has to be washed with the conditioner left in so when I rock it stays moist. I don't really think the other guys have rituals. They just sort of wing it and it all comes out once you get up there

Gian: Okay now take us through this: A typical day in the life of ETF on tour......What do you guys do day in, day out?

Robert: Fuck, I don't know. Touring is an interesting time. You go to sleep somewhere then wake up and everything is different. So there's nothing typical about it other than trying to adjust yourself to your surroundings. But with Ronnie and Max in your band, something crazy always happens and it makes you a little nervous that night. The next day everyone laughs about it though. I can't really say what goes on in a typical day, some places are boring as fuck and we just get the hell out of there. Other places we blow all our money taking in the sites.

Gian: Tell me Robert, which song gets the crowd going? Is that the favorite song that the band loves to play live?

Robert: There's a few but I think the two that really get everyone going are "The Guillotine" and "Situations". "Guillotine" just gets those kids off that have been waiting for that break down to swing their fists around. But when those two notes hit, everyone within a few miles can hear people sing "Situations".

Gian: You guys got some loyal fans! How do you guys keep in touch with your fans and how important is it to keep in touch with your fans?

Robert: Well, we all definitely appreciate the fans and we owe them everything. But sometimes it's hard to show them how much we appreciate them just because of the simple troubles of everyday life. You have a bad day and don't really want to sign some shit and then they call you an asshole. But that's alright we don't really give a fuck. I still appreciate what they do and I know that they don't understand what we might be going through and all they care about in their life at that moment is a single handshake or for you to scribble your name on something. So for me to turn them away, it hurts. So I don't get mad if they say something about it. I was in their shoes not so long ago and I still am.

Gian: Sex, Drugs or Rock N' Roll? Pick One.

Robert: Sex

Gian: Robert, please explain to our readers why they shouldn't miss your show?

Robert: Cause there's nothing better in life.

Gian: Thanks Robert!

Make sure you guys pick up a copy of "Dying is Your Latest Fashion" out now on Epitaph Records! ETF is also blowing up You Tube with their new video for "Situations," watch the video now! Be sure to also catch Escape The Fate on tour now on the Black on Black Tour coming soon to a town near you!