by jon bosworth jaxvillain@yahoo.com
WHAT: Radio Rebellion Tour
WHO: Norma Jean with Between the Buried and Me, Fear before the March of Flames, Misery Signals, The Fully Down, and The Confession
WHERE: Martini’s Music Hall in Murray Hill
WHEN: October 19th
I caught up with Atlanta hardcore band Norma Jean on their Radio Rebellion tour to talk to drummer Daniel Davison. They are currently headlining the Radio Rebellion tour in support of their new album Redeemer. Joining them on the bill at Martini’s Music Hall in Murray Hill is Between the Buried and Me, Fear before the March of Flames, Misery Signals, The Fully Down, and The Confession. Catch this hard rock show on October 19.
EU: Why Norma Jean? Is it a commentary on Marilyn Monroe?
NJ: Yeah. That’s what sparked the idea to use it. We thought it was unique for a heavy band 5 years ago.
EU: Musically, who are the bands common influences?
NJ: A lot of bands inspired us back in the day that still carry over into how and why we play. Helmet, At the Drive In, Nirvana, Deftones.
EU: How has the South influenced your music?
NJ: I don’t know any direct ways that it has influenced us, but we are all raised in the south, so growing up there has made us who we are. Our records are fueled by barbecue and sweet tea.
EU: Is Tooth & Nail still a Christian Label?
NJ: I don’t think they’ve promoted themselves as a Christian label, although they often work with Christian bands.
EU: Would your music be considered hardcore?
NJ: Yeah, I guess. There are so many sub-categories when you’re talking about hard music. A tough guy in the hardcore scene probably wouldn’t think of us as that, but to some people we’re hardcore.
EU: Do you see a lot of the hardcore straight-edge movement merging with the Christian movement?
NJ: It has changed over the years. More bands have dudes that are Christian mixing in with the straight edge kids. The music has broken that barrier.
EU: How open are you able to be about your faith on tour?
NJ: We try to make it as big a part of our individual lives as much as we can and that comes into the music. We pray before we play and get together to pray and read the Bible. Other bands on the tour are Christians too, and they know that we are. They will come and have Bible studies with us and stuff. It’s a cool part of the ministry, being able to hang out with these other musicians.
EU: How has recording with Ross Robinson of Korn affected Norma Jean’s sound or spirit?
NJ: I think it has helped us a lot. When we met with him, before we went back into the studio or even wrote this album, we talked to him after a show one night about music and why we were in a band. He helped us focus on our songs and the reasons we were performing. In the studio he really lit a fire under us to focus on the reasons we are in a band. He helped us appreciate the opportunity we have. He was never negative and never came down on us, he just pulled more and more out of us and united us.
EU: What is the Radio Rebellion Tour all about?
NJ: We didn’t start the tour, but they asked us to headline it, so we don’t have anything to do with the concept of the tour. But it’s about bands that achieved success without the radio. None of us are against being on the radio, but we are able to sell out shows without the benefit of radio.
|
