With Life in Mind, a hardcore band based out of Philadelphia, will perform Friday at The Hive at the Pajama Factory, 1307 Park Ave., along with Where The Ocean Meets The Sky, Where There's A Will, Annihilus, Upon Fallen Kings and Elen Gown. The doors open at 6 p.m. and the show begins at 6:30.
With Life in Mind consists of vocalist Justin Kraus, guitarists Sean Steinmetz and Matthew Babenko, bass player Conor Hesse, and drummer Joshua Ireson, who recently sat down to chat with the Sun-Gazette.
JACKIE SZYMANSKI: What's the story behind the band's name?
JOSHUA IRESON: We knew we wanted something positive without sounding too pretentious. With Life In Mind was the name that stuck.
JS: What sets you guys apart from other bands?
JI: We hope that people appreciate the time that we put into our music and performance more than anything else. We like knowing that there's something unique and likeable about every song we write, and that kids can find meaning or inspiration in our music. We put a lot of focus into portraying that in our live show. Also, we're still just five guys who go to shows and hang out. Humility and gratitude go a long way, and we want kids to talk to us and get to know us.
JS: Tell me about With Life in Mind's first full-length album, 'Grievances." What are some of the band's grievances?
JI: For us, these things can range from fake friends to close-minded people. We've met a lot of great people over the years, but we've also met our fair share of insincere ones. I think this record is mostly about them.
JS: Have you considered following that with an album with a list of positive things, or would that be against the rules for a metal band?
JI: [laughs] Absolutely not! The only thing cheesy about writing metal music is saying, "We can't write about that - we're metal!" Nothing is off-limits. If everything was right in the world, we wouldn't have much to write about. However, I think without anger or resentment, a lot of metal and hardcore music would be kind of boring. In a lot of ways, these types of music are built around a feeling of discontent and bitterness - that's what makes for passionate and meaningful music. For us, it's all about what we feel most strongly about.
We want people to feel inspired by our songs in a good way. I think we'll always write about "negative things in a positive way."
JS: What's a typical With Life in Mind gig like?
JI: To sum it up in one word: energetic. It's important for us to have a tight performance, but kids want to see a show. If we're not about to pass out by the end of our set, we didn't do our job. We want kids to feel what we feel when we play. Hopefully you'll leave a WLIM show with a lot of aggression and anger left out on the floor, and a new perspective when you walk out the door.
JS: How do you guys kill time while on the road?
JI: Most of the time, we sleep in the van. We listen to music, watch dumb YouTube videos, pretty much anything that will distract you from the fact that you're stuck within a two-foot proximity of five other guys for weeks at a time. Last tour we hooked up a Playstation 2 in our van and just played video games in between shows. Definitely helped pass the time on some of our more than 10-hour drives.
JS: Any grievances about touring?
JI: There's nothing worse than being on tour with a band or bands that don't hang out on the road. For us, touring is just one big opportunity to meet a lot of great people, see a lot of cool new places, and hang out with friends. Who wouldn't want to take advantage of that? Lucky for us, we always end up having a good time with the bands we go out with.
JS: Do you have a favorite song to perform?
JI: I'm sure it's different for all of us, but I like to play a song we have called "Silenced." It's pretty fast all the way through and it's one of our more aggressive songs. I always feel like I'm tightest with that song.
JS: What's next on the horizon for the group?
JI: Most of 2011 will be spent touring and writing for an upcoming release. Hopefully we'll see some new states - maybe even some new countries - and put out a new record.
JS: If you could choose any venue, with any opening act, where and with whom would you want to play?
JI: We played a really cool venue in the Bronx called The Point. It would be great to play a show there with a band we're really good friends with from Detroit called All's Quiet.
