Philly's own, A Life Once Lost is a band that is well loved and respected not only amongst their fans (and for good reason) but also by their peers: Lamb of God, Bury Your Dead, The Red Chord, God Forbid, Unearth, and Norma Jean just to name a few. Please join me in my email interview with the band's lead singer Bob Meadows as he discusses the Sounds Of The Underground Tour, the band's newest release entitled Hunter, (which is due to hit the shelves on June 28^th), working with famed producer Rob Caggiano, Lamb of God's Randy Blythe, artist Paul Romano, etc.

Thanks for doing the interview!

NO, THANK YOU.

My apologies in advance, how was the name A Life Once Lost chosen?

It was a suggestion from a friend of ours that put together our first web site. The three kids that started the band decided it was cool and kept it. They are no longer in the band. 

How do you think you will fair with the Sounds Of The Underground Tour? What are your projections for it?

I think this tour is going to be a huge step for us as a band. We are playing in front of thousands of people a night and a majority of these faces are seeing us for the first time. This tour is going to change the way the general mass of people view metal and hardcore music. This is only the beginning… 

How's life on Ferret? How did you come to sign with them?

Ferret has done nothing but support us in every way possible. I have known Carl for about seven or eight years now. I used to put together shows and booked Nora a few times in the past. Carl has also been a fan of the band so it just made a lot of sense to work with him.

How's the local scene in Philly? Is it very supportive?

It is unreal. The Philadelphia music scene is only growing. The kids can sometimes be very fickle when a band progresses into another direction. Shit happens but you have to keep trucking.

What was your main motivation behind the creation of Hunter?

As a band, we wanted to step way beyond what we created with A Great Artist. We made the decision to work with Rob [Caggiano] as a producer. We practiced five days a week, six hours a day. We were totally focused on making the most intense album we could. From music to the lyrics to the artwork, everything is intense.

Are you satisfied with the end product? Did it take you long to complete it?

It took me a while to put everything together. It usually does. I am never fully satisfied until I see the final product sitting in my hands, I am pretty sure that this will not disappoint me.

How was it working with Rob Caggiano [Anthrax/Cradle of Filth]

Like I said before, it took some time to get used to. The end result though was completely unreal.

Was there a lot of pressure to produce the album?

This was the first record that we ever worked with a producer on. It took some time to get used to having this person standing over you and making sure that every hit was perfect, every riff was crushing and every word was understandable. Looking back on the whole time working with one, I would have to say that we will use a producer again.

How does Hunter differ from A Great Artist?

Don’t expect the same record. We took A Great Artist and progressed into Hunter. The recording is different. The song structures are more mature.

What's your favorite song off Hunter?

Every song on the record is good but that is what everyone says. I am feeling “With Pitiless Blows” right now. We just started playing that song more in our set.

What is the meaning behind Hunter?

The idea behind Hunter is about the struggle in finding peace of mind, safety, & security in life and happiness through relationships. I felt as it the title Hunter fit perfectly with what I was trying to get across.

How did you get famed artist, Paul Romano [Trivium, Dead To Fall, Mastodon] to handle packaging for the June 28^th release? Please elaborate.

We asked him. He said yes. It was that easy.

You guys have a lot of fans amongst your peers. In an interview we had with Randy Blythe [Lamb of God] he mentioned he would love to see your band blow up. It must be sweet to have the respect of your contemporaries.

It is. When you have bands like Lamb of God, God Forbid, Unearth, Norma Jean totally into what you are doing, something has to be going in the right direction. Maybe we look tough and they are all scared of us or they feel bad for us.

I hear that Randy appears on "Vulture". How did he come to do guest vocals and additional vocal production? What did the "additional vocal production" entail?

We did a few dates on the Lamb of God/Fear Factory tour and during the tour; I asked if he would be down for singing on the record. He was totally stoked that I even asked him and that was that.  The additional vocal production was us going through the songs one by one. Me showing him what I came up with and him giving me ideas he came up with. It helped me out a lot and forced me to step up as singer. Everything worked out and I would love to have him help me again.

What are you listening to in the genre right now?

I have been listening to a lot of Fugazi, Led Zeppelin, Sonic Youth, and Miles Davis Lately. I am waiting to get an iPod so I can stock up on some good tunes.

What mark/legacy would you like to leave on your fans?

That we were real. We never tried to pull something off that wasn't us. It has been that way since day one.

If you could go back and change the hands of time, what would you go back and do differently?

Nothing.

If you could commission your favorite band to do ALOL cover, which song would it be and who would do it?

Fuck  man, I dunno. I'd love to hear Tortoise put together a remix of "Nevermore Will I Have An Understanding…In Anything Done Under The Sun" It was song four and five on A Great Artist. They are an amazing band.

We will be interviewing Carl Severson from Nora & Terror; do you have any questions for them from you to them?

Ask Carl what his middle name is. I just want to know, if that's okay. Ask Scott if he would smoke a blunt with me on the Sounds of the Underground Tour. That is all.

Any final words?

The questions on this interview are the best that I have received to date. Thanks for your time. New CD is out June 28.

Again, thank you for doing the interview!

Thank you!

Click here for photos of the band during the Chicago SOTU show