FOUR YEAR STRONG INTERVIEW . . .
Thanks to: The members of Four Year Strong!
What are your names, and what instruments do you play?
Alan: Vocals
Ardie: Bass
Jake: Drums
Dan: Guitar/vocals
John: Guitar.
Alan: 15
Ardie: 15
Jake: 15
Dan: 18
John: 18
FYS: It was a little less than 2 years ago, when Dan and his friend, Teddy (Ardie’s brother), decided to form an acoustic band with Dan on guitar, and Teddy singing. Then they decided it would be more fun with a full band, so Teddy recruited his brother, Ardie, to play bass. Ardie then asked his two friends, Alan and Jake, who were already in a band together to play. Dan and Alan were on guitar, Jake on drums, Ardie on bass, and Teddy singing.
Then they recruited Bryan, the singer of a local pop-punk band, to sing for them. This lasted almost a full year in which they recorded a demo and play a good amount of shows. However, over the year the style of the band changed and so did the need for a different, more unique voice. The band parted ways with Bryan who graciously accepted his let go. After some discussion, it was decided to move Alan up from guitar to vocalist in the band, which then left a vacant guitar spot. Luckily, the band had made an acquaintance by the name of John earlier that year who played guitar. They snatched him up and after a lot of practice and getting really tight, the band became what it is today.
FYS: When the band was formed by Teddy, Dan and Teddy wanted a name that described the bond that they had with their group of friends and how they would always be that way. So they came up with (A) Four Year Strong, which means friendships through high school. Then they took off the "A" at the beginning, and Four Year Strong was formed.
FYS: Hopefully, aggressive, heavy melodic rock & roll.
FYS: We have just finished recording our 5-song EP “The Glory”, which is to be released within the next few months. Two of the songs can be heard on MP3.com under Four Year Strong. The single from that will most likely be the second song “Easier to Wait and See”.
FYS: The ability to express ourselves and write music together and have as much fun as possible. We all love doing this and it is what we want to do for the rest of our lives. We love to play shows. There is nothing more exciting or fun. However, I would say the best part of being in a band would be playing a show for a crowd of people and listening to them scream the words to our songs back at us. Sometimes it makes you just want to collapse.
FYS: Relationships with girlfriends can be a little hectic, when you have to go play shows or have practice or go into a studio for 8 hours straight.
FYS: Everything we do is an accomplishment for us. Everything that happens to this band is better and better than the last. There is no single thing that we could credit as our biggest accomplishment.
FYS: Thank you for your continuous support in everything we do, you have no idea how much it really means to us. Keep supporting us and spreading the word about us and with any luck all our hard work will someday pay off. Again, Thank You. .:FOUR YEAR STRONG:.
Alan: Vocals
Ardie: Bass
Jake: Drums
Dan: Guitar/vocals
John: Guitar.
How old are you guys?
Alan: 15
Ardie: 15
Jake: 15
Dan: 18
John: 18
When/how did you guys decide to become a group?
FYS: It was a little less than 2 years ago, when Dan and his friend, Teddy (Ardie’s brother), decided to form an acoustic band with Dan on guitar, and Teddy singing. Then they decided it would be more fun with a full band, so Teddy recruited his brother, Ardie, to play bass. Ardie then asked his two friends, Alan and Jake, who were already in a band together to play. Dan and Alan were on guitar, Jake on drums, Ardie on bass, and Teddy singing.
After a few shows Teddy decided to bow out of the group, because of a lack of time.
Then they recruited Bryan, the singer of a local pop-punk band, to sing for them. This lasted almost a full year in which they recorded a demo and play a good amount of shows. However, over the year the style of the band changed and so did the need for a different, more unique voice. The band parted ways with Bryan who graciously accepted his let go. After some discussion, it was decided to move Alan up from guitar to vocalist in the band, which then left a vacant guitar spot. Luckily, the band had made an acquaintance by the name of John earlier that year who played guitar. They snatched him up and after a lot of practice and getting really tight, the band became what it is today.
How did you come up with the name, Four Year Strong?
FYS: When the band was formed by Teddy, Dan and Teddy wanted a name that described the bond that they had with their group of friends and how they would always be that way. So they came up with (A) Four Year Strong, which means friendships through high school. Then they took off the "A" at the beginning, and Four Year Strong was formed.
How would you describe your music?
FYS: Hopefully, aggressive, heavy melodic rock & roll.
Do you have a CD in the works, or a new single coming out soon?
FYS: We have just finished recording our 5-song EP “The Glory”, which is to be released within the next few months. Two of the songs can be heard on MP3.com under Four Year Strong. The single from that will most likely be the second song “Easier to Wait and See”.
What do you think is the best part of being in a band?
FYS: The ability to express ourselves and write music together and have as much fun as possible. We all love doing this and it is what we want to do for the rest of our lives. We love to play shows. There is nothing more exciting or fun. However, I would say the best part of being in a band would be playing a show for a crowd of people and listening to them scream the words to our songs back at us. Sometimes it makes you just want to collapse.
What are some of the sacrifices that you have had to make?
FYS: Relationships with girlfriends can be a little hectic, when you have to go play shows or have practice or go into a studio for 8 hours straight.
What do you think has been your biggest accomplishment?
FYS: Everything we do is an accomplishment for us. Everything that happens to this band is better and better than the last. There is no single thing that we could credit as our biggest accomplishment.
And last, but not least, if you could say anything to the fans reading this now, what would you say?
FYS: Thank you for your continuous support in everything we do, you have no idea how much it really means to us. Keep supporting us and spreading the word about us and with any luck all our hard work will someday pay off. Again, Thank You. .:FOUR YEAR STRONG:.
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