Day without Dawn/ Biclops Interview 9/12/2008
1. Tell how Postman Syndrome morphed into Day without dawn and why???
Well we had a couple lineup changes, first with the replacement of our drummer in 2004 and then when Matt (guitar/vocals) quit in 2005. After that second change we decided not to replace Matt and scaled down to a four-piece lineup.
2. Day without dawn has grown from what I would call a straight out Emocore band early on became something so much more with elements of Neurosis, Ulver and bands like Polvo and Slint to name a few. There is a dark side and flowing element to it all?
Yeah we weren’t that happy with the first self-titled ep. We liked it at the time but it was written very quickly. The flaws started to present themselves over time. But every song of ours is intentionally supposed to be different from the ones preceding and following it, so maybe in the course of a longer record those songs would’ve had a place. On their own though I don’t feel like it was strong enough, or substantial enough, but time’s passed now and I’m proud of what we’ve done since then.
3. Your final release is released on Forgotten Empire - tell us how you came to work with them.
We were contacted by them. They’d heard our previous material and wanted to put out our next record. Not much to it really. The new East of the Wall record (a band comprised entirely of Biclops and/or former Postman Syndrome members) is coming out on Forgotten Empire as well.
4. Do you feel Day without dawn is a hard band to promote being you cross so many textures, sounds and genres of music?
That’s been the problem that all of these bands have faced. It’s not really that we cross genres, but more that we cross underground with mainstream sounds. We’d have an easier time promoting ourselves and fitting into shows if we either ditched the more singable vocals entirely, or if we fit them into a more straightforward verse/chorus structure.
5. Your now gone from Day without Dawn to Biclops and the sound seems to have gone even more avant and post hardcore in sound very much in the Isis, Kayo dot, Mastodon feeling - would this be correct?
That was intentional. It was partially due to the lineup changes, as Jim’s taste leaned more towards less aggressive material. We couldn’t deny however that we needed to have a new vocal focus since we lost our primary singer. A conscious decision was made that we’d place more emphasis on, for lack of a better term, “bringing the metal,” and utilizing more screamed vocals. Kevin and I both do some melodic vocals but they’re less of a centerpiece now. There’s more of a balance between the instruments.
6. What brought the end to Day without Dawn as I think "understanding consequences" is a stellar release and would have made the band very well known. It reminds me of this band called Bigwheel from NC actually. You could check them out - I think you would love them.
7. What are you hoping to achieve with Biclops?
I’d like to become CEO of the Earth and pile the hewn corpses of my enemies into a vulgar skyscraper. However I’d settle for constant touring while cash and women’s undergarments are showered upon us by the crowds. I’d also be nice to release a record that’s not associated with the breakup of a band.
8. What will 2008/2009 bring for Day Without Dawn/Biclops
Well 2008/2009/etc won’t bring anything for Day Without Dawn. That band’s done. Throw it into the fire. Pour salt on the ashes. However for Biclops we’ll spend the rest of the year finishing the record and playing as many shows as we can. By 2009 we’ll be recording said record, finding a label to release it, and then touring on it. I may also buy a new tie.
9. Thank you for the time any closing thoughts please here.
Thanks the interview. Our website is Biclops.net because Biclops.com is owned by an engineering firm, but I’m sure they’re nice people.
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