Interview: Dan of Stand Your Ground

Submitted by Kevin S.

IP Media - First off, tell us about you and your bandmates.

Dan - I’m Daniel, founder of the band and guitar player. The other members are Brandi on vocals, Jonathan on bass, Micah on guitar, and Troy on drums. We’re all in our mid 20′s (ish) [Laughter] Brandi is the youngest I believe. She’s 22, and I’m the oldest at 27.

IP Media - How did the band first get started?

Dan - We started out being in a praise and worship band, it grew from there as we all listened to heavier Christian music at the time, P.O.D. , Blindside, Norma Jean, Underoath. Pretty much any bands on Solid State Records.

IP Media - Where did the band’s name come from?

Dan - Like I said we started out as a Christian band and Stand Your Ground comes from the Book of Matthew talking about putting on the armor of God. Now it really just means that no matter what you believe, and no matter what situation, to Stand Your Ground. From something small like keeping your word to a friend, to your beliefs about religion, sexuality, drugs, politics, no matter what the case may be.

IP Media - How did you guys get hooked up with Rite Of Passage/Mediaskare Records?

Dan - We just sent baron our demo. He listened to it, got back to us and said he really liked it and wanted to put it out. Simple as that.

IP Media - You guys have what two recordings under your belts – tell us a little about them.

Dan - Our first album was done on a small label out of Canada. It has a completely different sound, with a different line-up, save Jonathan and myself. It was more of a metalcore sound Haste The Day, Emery, Underoath and a few other bands from that time frame kind of shaped our sound back then. Despondenseas was much more of what we sound like now, and what we will continue to sound like moving forward. However we are writing new songs currently and they will be a little different… heavier and more melodic.

IP Media - You guys have done a fair amount of touring which have been your favorites so far?

Dan - It Prevails are killer guys, Ian is a fantastic musician and a good dude, tons of fun to hang out with. The dudes in Life on Repeat are killer as well. Recently we’ve done tours with ERRA, Adaliah, Seeker, and a few others. We get along with anyone as long as they’re not squares [Laughter] . We like to have fun and break balls so… some people are put off by us at first, but we’re all super easy to get along with. We’ve got some cool stuff in the works for spring/summer. Our first Canadian tour with As Hell Retreats (ANGR Recordings) and Havenside which should be fun, and then a couple weeks with our buddies in We The Gathered (Strikefirst/Facedown)

IP Media -  You guys changed vocalists not so long ago what prompted the change and what’s it like having a woman in the band now?

Dan -  It’s pretty cool actually. We weren’t sure what was going to happen with it at first, but when our old vocalist stepped down suddenly, Brandi was the only person we knew who could fill in that short notice. We didn’t practice with her at all, she just showed up, knew the words and we haven’t looked back. She’s worked out great. Also she’s straight edge so it helps having another person who is responsible in the band [Laughter]. I’m the “Dad” and now she’s “Mom”.

IP Media -  A few months ago you filmed your first music video for Nautilus, and the video got some negative comments on it. Are you guys happy with how it turned out?

Dan - Haters are gonna hate. It’s not a great video, but it’s better than a lot of what’s out there. The simple fact is that it’s the first thing we released when we announced Brandi was our permanent vocalist. People bashed that video for 3 reasons. One – we got a new singer, and its different than what we’d released previously. Two – she’s a girl. Three -  it’s the first time they’d heard anything she’s recorded. People hate anytime a band changes singers, people hate on girls in hardcore, and people just hate for the sake of it. Look at lambgoat.com. It’s a dick measuring contest to see who can be the biggest asshole [Laughter]. It’s comical to me, but it’s what’s cool I guess.

IP Media – What do you guys have planned for the near future?

Dan - Recording the new album and some touring over the spring/summer.

IP Meida - How would you describe the band’s sound to someone reading that hasn’t heard you before?

Dan- Melodic hardcore.

IP Media - Who are some of the bands biggest influences?

Dan - Bands we sound like… I don’t know man, uh… The Ghost Inside, Misery Signals, and Comeback Kid.

IP Media - Finally I like to end things on a light note so what’s your favorite TV show right now?

Dan - Always The Simpsons and The Office