Interview Nick Walters SoTheySay

SO THEY SAY

Line-Up: Joseph Hamilton - Vocals David Schroeder - Guitar Joe Hoermann - Bass Justin Hanson - Drums Nicholas Walters - Guitar

Warped Tour 2006 8/20/06 Interviewer: Maggie Solum Additional Questions: Karma E. Omowale

“Who would show up to my funeral if I died?”

So They Say have been everywhere lately and taking Warped Tour by storm with their charming looks and even more charming musical talent, these alternative rockers are currently overtaking America on the Lights Out Tour with Halifax, Sugarcult, The Spill Canvas and Maxeen. I caught up on the World Wide Web with So They Say’s guitarist to talk about their newest release Antidote for Irony, life on the road and curing the incurable.

Maggie Solum: Thank you so much for doing the interview! Who are you and what do you do in So They Say?

Nicholas Walters: Hey what's up, this is Nick Walters, and I play guitar in So They Say.

I was looking through your tour dates, and you're still cruising on Warped Tour. How was that for you guys? I know the bands that play it usually have a pretty good time.
Warped Tour was a blast this year for sure, every show was great and it seems kids are catching on to the album. Everyday there were a lot of kids singing along so we are definitely very stoked!! Plus a lot of our friends’ bands were on the same stage as us - the Smartpunk stage was the place to chill this year. And we made a lot of new friends as well.

You're on the road through October with quite a few different bands - how do you feel about being so booked?
Yeah, we have toured with Halifax before and we are super stoked to be with them for the next couple of months - the ‘Fax dudes have definitely became some of our really close friends; we party like fuckin’ crazy. And we just met June and The Classic Crime, and they are cool as shit too. And we can't wait to start this Sugarcult tour! We met those dudes when they were filming their music video the same day as us! It was crazy! Cannot wait to party with those guys for sure! But yeah, we definitely love staying on the road playing for kids... we just want every last person to hear our band and hopefully enjoy it.

I know you have three guitarists in your band - have you always had three? How do you think it enhances the band's sound?

Actually we don't have three guitarists anymore. We tried it out and thought it was best to keep Joe (Hamilton) out front and in peoples faces at all times, keeping them hyped.

Where did the name So They Say originate from?
It was just a name we came up with that means something to us. It could be used in so many different ways.

Who created the cover and sleeve art for Antidote For Irony?
A very sexy man by the name of Josh Clancey. We love that dude. (Links: www.anatome.net and www.toothjuice.net)

If you could turn back the hands of time, what would you change about Antidote…or would you?

We are very happy the way it turned out; we are stoked on it for sure. But just like every normal musician there is always some things you pick at.  But that's just a part of being an artist. The only thing I would change would be to add a couple guitar riffs that I just recently thought of haha...but oh well.

Are you thankful for the benefits of online communities like PureVolume and MySpace, where more kids have the opportunity to hear your music?

Oh, for sure! Myspace and PureVolume is a life saver!

Does your band run your MySpace and PureVolume page?
Yeah, we run it as much as we can.

In the past week or so, what's the craziest thing that's gone on while you were on the road?
Well for me. we were driving to the first Halifax show from the last day on Warped Tour, and it was like 4am, I was driving and I was so fucking tired; about to pass out. Next thing I knew I heard a loud BANG and looked to my left - we had been paintballed by some random car that had its lights off and flew by doing about 100mph. The scary thing is that my window was half open and if my window was rolled down ANY more, the paintball would have hit me right in the face. That woke me up for sure. Haha.

Have you had any time while touring to write new material?
Oh yeah... Dave (Shroeder) is always writing lyrics, and Dave and I have been playin’ around on new riffs during sound checks and stuff. And we sit in the back of the van and jam as well.

What are you most excited about that is happening to your band this year?
Touring with Sugarcult and playing House of Blues shows! Haha, that has always been my dream for a while. AND our music video comes out!

In the song, "In Loving Memory Of', it seems like an ode to someone, yet it has a cocky attitude to it as well. What is the song's actual concept?
Well, it’s not supposed to come off as cocky. I guess it could have a special meaning to anyone. But as far as the concept goes just ask yourself this question: “Who would show up to my funeral if I died?”

Who contributes to the lyrics in your songs? Is it a group effort, or do the vocalist's usually cover it?
David does, then it turns into a group effort.

So the name of your debut album is Antidote For Irony. If you could create an antidote for anything, what would you want to cure?
Cancer.

What CD’s did you bring along for the Warped road trip? Who’s in your CD player?

I have been listening to a lot of Jeff Buckley, Cave In, Tool, Slayer, The Mars Volta, Unearth, Deftones, Björk, Refused and some hip hop when I'm in the mood haha.

Whose name would you like to see next to yours on a marquee? What would you consider to be the ultimate bill from Hell?

Hmmm Slayer!!  Haha no but seriously it would be legit to have our name next to the All American rejects, Foo Fighters or Blindside. 

If you could do a cover tune of any band, which band would you choose and which song would you cover?

We have been discussing covering "Love Shack" by the B-52's. 

Role reversals: If you could hear a So They Say song covered by anyone, who would do it and which song would they cover?

I would like to hear Björk covering "Act Like Your Listening Till Its Your Turn to Talk." 

If you could interview a band, name one that you would love to find out more about and what would be the one thing you'd want to know?

Refused........and I would ask......so when you getting back together? Hahaha

Looking ahead, what are your immediate plans, band wise?

Tour as much as possible, meet new people and make new friends, make new fans and drink some Guinness.

Thanks again for the interview! Is there anything you would like to add?

Thank you to anyone who has purchased our album, gave us a listen, or watched us play live - we love you so much thanks for the support! Check our website for upcoming tour dates, and be on the look out for our music video for "Antidote for Irony." Now I'm gonna go play a show and get drunk with Halifax again. Thank you so much for the interview! Peace --Nicholas Walters

We'd like to thank Nicholas and the SoTheySay camp for making this interview a possibility!