MORBID SOUL: How would you describe ABR to someone who has never heard the band?

JB BRUBAKER: I'd say we're a fast and heavy metalcore band. We do our best to play tight/interesting rhythms along with metal riffing and no clean vocals.

MS: What would you say your biggest influences are, both musically, lyrically and personally?

JB: Musically: Between The Buried And Me, A Life Once Lost, Unearth, Glass Casket Lyrically: I don't write the lyrics so I can not say.

MS: You've just signed a deal with Solid State Records. First off, congratulations. How did you get in touch with them? Will this change your approach to recording and can we expect more touring as a result?

JB: Thank you very much! We were fortunate enough to be contacted by SS last November and things just kind of went from there. We kept recording new demos and keeping in touch, and eventually we solidified a deal. Our approach to recording hasn't really changed. If anything has changed it is the level of seriousness that we now have towards practicing, and making every part the best it can be. You can most definetely expect more touring. When we finish recording in mid-July we will start up the touring machine and be on the road full time.

MS: Which do you prefer: Writing and recording or playing live?

JB: It's funny because right now we're totally in "writing and recording" mode. That's what we've been focusing on since thats the next item on our agenda, however we love playing live. Playing live is much more fun than recording, but it's always exciting to hear the "finished product" when we're in the studio. I like them both, but for different reasons. How's that?

MS: What are your collective favorite bands, both old and new? And if you could choose any bands (past or present) to tour with, who would they be and why?

JB: My favorite bands are The Get Up Kids, Nada Surf, Between The Buried And Me, Matt Pond PA, NOFX, Bury Your Dead, Falling Cycle, Abulia, One Dead Three Wounded, Jimmy Eat World, and This Day Forward. The perfect tour would be Between The Buried and Me, Unearth, and Nada Surf. Why? Because it'd be like a dream come true to tour w/BTBAM and Unearth and Nada Surf is my favorite band.

MS: What advice can you give to bands that are just starting out?

JB: Save your money and buy decent equipment, then play shows and save your money for a quality recording. There's going to be tough times and the bands that make it through those are the ones who are successful.

MS: A few questions, just to break out of the routine...

What's your favorite cereal?

JB: I love cereal so this is a great question! I can't pick just one. I love Apple Jacks, Kix, Cap n' Crunch, Frosted Flakes, Golden Grahams, and so many others.

MS: What are your favorite old-school videos games?

JB: I'm a sucker for Bomberman and Zelda on gameboy. That game was so good.

MS: What cds are in your collection that you are ashamed to admit you own?

JB: Oh man. I'm not ashamed that I own these, but I guess I'm kinda embarrassed. I have 4 Dashboard CDs, a slew of mediocre punk cds, a synth driven band called Shy Child, and that Everclear record w/that song "Wonderful" on it, just to name a few. (I still love my old Everclear CDs)

MS: Is red the new black?

JB: Psh, no. Brown is the new black.

WEBSITE: http://www.augustburnsred.com