Earlier this year Kirby Unrest sat down with drummer Isaac Fratini of Killing The Dream for a little Q&A. We apologize for taking so long to get this one online.
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Name/age/band position/favorite Adam Sandler movie?
Hello, my name is Isaac. I play drums in Killing the Dream, and my favorite Adam Sandler film would most likely be 50 First Dates.
Where are you from, what do you have out currently, who else is in KTD and why/how did this band form?
We are from northern California, around the Sacramento area. As of right now, we have a demo, a cd/7" on Rivalry, a 7" on Deathwish Inc, and we recently put out a full-length on Deathwish Inc. as well. Phil, Dj, Chris, Eli and myself are Killing The Dream. This band formed because we had nothing better to do and wanted to do a fast melodic hardcore band.
When you began, did you have a distinct sound you were aiming to create, and how do you think the influence of two individuals coming from a fairly metal background, and three from the hardcore/punk scene helped to shape your songs?
Our original guitar players play in a 'metalcore' band. So some of our songs have a metal influence on them. We just wanted to play fast angry melodic hardcore, that's it. I dont like metalcore, I don't really think eli or chris do either, but what came out worked for us so we just stuck with it. If anything, I'd say it helped us to develop our own sound.
On a similar note, were there any particular lyrical objectives and what are your thoughts on kids getting tattoos of your words, or ink of KTD artwork?
If somebody has a tattoo of our band or because of our band, I'd say that it's very flattering. As far as the lyrics go, we made it a point to NOT be an issue oriented band.
If someone asked you to describe your band, what points of reference and/or metaphors would you utilize?
I'm not really sure. Phil Jones likes dessert pizza though.
The Sacramento scene has a pretty rich history and diverse roster, in hardcore and outside of it. How has it affected Killing The Dream and what has the reaction been like at shows with different hometown bands like 7 Seconds, Hoods, Red Tape, U.S. Roughnecks, The Divine Romance, Five Minute Ride, etc? I also remember you guys opening for Avenged Sevenfold a couple years back, but I took off after you played to go see Madball at another venue. How did that show end up going?
Sacramento is a best kept secret if you ask me. We love playing hardcore shows with The Hoods, but we also love playing more punk rock shows with our good friends The Whiskey Rebels, Pressure Point and Hanover Saints. All good people. I think we dont really do as well with the punk crowds, but i think thats just because the punk crowds really arent as accepting to hardcore bands. But its the same with hardcore kids too. Hardcore kids dont always like sitting through long sets and dealing with punk rockers. Its all the same to me, punk and hardcore. When Pressure Point covers Cro Mags, everyone goes off together. The indie rock shows arent really that great because kids are there just for the fashion and status. Dj is there for the babes, maybe chris too. Madball was great. The avenged sevenfold show sucked because of fights and the crowd was kind of a bummer. It was expected though.
Speaking of shows, KTD has a fairly rabid following and I've heard of kids flying and driving many miles just to see you, especially since you really haven't done a huge amount of touring outside the West Coast. What are your plans for the road in the coming montsh, what has been your favorite show you've played so far, and do you have anything in place to head overseas? Also, best compliment received from a fan?
We did an east coast tour last November with Crime in Stereo and No Trigger. Both great bands and great people. We just then did a west coast tour with Comeback Kid, Ignite, First Blood and Sinking Ships. We are doing a US tour this summer with Ruiner, who are awsome. And in August we head to Japan for 10 days to promote our record that was also released over there. The best compliment would have to be from this dude wearing a Rise Against shirt at one our boardwalk shows. I believe he said something like “kick ass shit. Mosh pit was brutal dude, fucking brutal." Haha, yea.
Early in your career as a band, Comeback Kid took you out on the road for a string of dates with Scars of Tomorrow and With Honor, as did Embrace Today. What were those experiences like, especially since in the case of the former your label debut had just been released, and with the latter, the demo was only a couple months old. Did you feel like the odd men out, the complete unknowns or did kids still go off regardless?
That tour with Comeback Kid, With Honor and Scars of Tomorrow really helped us out. We owe so much of this band to the guys in Comeback Kid for believing in us and helping us out tremendously. We were still new at the time, so any reaction that we had was great. That tour was rough though because we did not have a good mode of transportation, we had to borrow gear, and Eli threw his voice out. I think we were still young and not very experienced on the road. Regardless, the tour had its ups and downs but was one of the greatest times of our lives and we cannot thank those bands enough for their constant support.
KTD is now on Deathwish; how did that deal come about and what is your relationship with Rival(ry) Records these days?
Basically because of a friend, and Embrace Today, we are on Deathwish. We couldn't be happier. They are easily the greatest, most diverse label in hardcore. Rivalry did the vinyl version of our latest record, and we also just played Rivalry Fest, which was good.
What was it like recording with uberproducer/Converge guitarist Kurt Ballou?
It was a great experience to work with Kurt. He really helps you with the songwriting process, as well as the recording process. He actually wrote and helped structure some songs on our new record. He has a great ear for music.
Was there a reason you guys elected to do a 7" first and then cut a full length? Did you have any plans to re-record tracks from your demo for either DW release? I've heard many kids ask that since they hit the streets.
I guess you could say our Deathwish 7" was sort of like an ‘introductory' release for us being new to that label. There really is not a particular reason for why we did that, but we are glad we did. We are proud of that release and the way it came out in the end. We rerecorded the songs from the 7" onto our full length that we were most proud of. The only song we did not rerecord ended up on a comp. We have no plans to rehash older songs to re-release. Some bands can pull that off I suppose, for us that just doesn't seem relevant. Furthermore, I think the band now sounds completely different then what we originally sounded like early on.
What does the title, "In Place, Apart" mean to you, personally/collectively and which track off of it are you most proud of overall?
Well, the title is open for interpretation, but to me...Often times everyone feels like their life is falling apart. Sometimes you might get to a point where you realize that things arent meant to be the way you wish they could be, and that where you are is really where you are supposed to be...if that makes any sense. I like 30 Glisan because its about some of the greatest people we have ever met, and there is a good story behind it. You should ask the dudes in Verse, Sinking Ships, The Answer, or I Quit (the physical challenge) about it.
How do you feel you've evolved from the demo to "In Place, Apart" musically and/or lyrically, or even just from the 7" to "In Place?"
I think that maybe the music has gotten a little darker and angrier. It has also gotten a little more melodic at times. Everything seems to be flowing in a natural progression.
The record seems to have gotten a really good response. I even read in Alternative Press that it was "the best hardcore record of 2005." Did you expect such a positive reaction from the critics? What kind of feedback have you been getting from kids at shows to the material from it?
We did not know what to expect. We are very proud of the record and how it came out, but we knew that it was different from previous records, so we were nervous. So far everything seems to be positive though.
I've heard you do covers from Kid Dynamite, Operation Ivy but it's been quite a while since I've seen you play. Any others that you're performing now?
We did a Nerve Agents cover a few times. One time we did Minor Threat. I want to do a Filth cover. Nobody can agree on anything though.
How did the recent tour with CBK, First Blood, Ignite and Sinking Ships go?
The tour was short and I wished it didn't have to be. Regardless, the shows were incredible in both size and atmosphere. Comeback Kid have helped this band so much since day one. We are forever indebted to them. They are like family to us. The same goes for Sinking Ships. Watching that band every night is awesome. First Blood, I am convinced, are the hardest band alive right now. Above all, it was an honor to share the stage with Orange County legends Ignite. They are very nice people and an incredibly talented band. Their new record is REALLY really good, you should check it out.
Last year, KTD saw the departure of guitarists Bart Mullis and Joel Adams, both of metalcore titans Embrace The End (Abacus Recordings.) If you don't mind me asking, what were the reasons for the split? Was it just conflicting schedules or were there other factors at work? I know that Joel Adams was one of the primary contributors to the songwriting process. Were you able to start writing again immediately or did it take some time? How did the search for replacements go and could you talk a little about the newest additions to the KTD fold?
When it comes down to the bottom line, they did not have time for the band, which is fine and worked out ok in the end. As far as being able to progress as a band with a new lineup, its worked out very well so far. There was a ton of kids who offered to step up and try out, but we went with dj and phil because they had probably played just as many ktd shows as joel and bart had becuase they were always filling in. dj played in an indie rock band called five minute ride, and phil played in Cross The Line. Phil likes desert pizza and burritos. DJ likes girls, fighting, weird shower tendencies, and girls. Both like beer, which makes chris happy.
Being big Stay Gold fans and also sonically similar, what was it like to play their final/reunion show?
It is an honor being asked to play any big show, particularly this one. Stay Gold was a special band to Chris and Eli. So for them to ask us to play their last show is very flattering.
Does Killing The Dream have any social/political beliefs as a band or individuals (veganism, straight edge, etc)?
Not as a band, no. Phil is vegan, Eli is a vegetarian. Eli and I are the only straight dudes, meaning we dont drink or do any serious drugs. Everyone has different beliefs, but we all respect each other as individuals.
How do you balance touring/recording with members' obligations to other projects and what does everyone in the band outside of it (work, school)?
Simple: we just don't tour much. We would like to. I think/hope that once school ends this year, we will be able to hit the road more often then we have been. Work is also a factor in our tour schedule or lack thereof.
I don't know if it conflicts with pack doctrine, but can you talk a little about your involvement/membership with the Pizza Wolves?
I won't say much except that Wolfs hunt every day, and leave no slice behind.
On the topic of food and outside of the pizza realm, is there anything greater than the eats at Chang's Mongolian Grill in beautiful Folsom, CA?
In Folsom, if you enjoy pizza then check out Romas III. It's a staple to our community. Almost everyone in KTD has worked there. That place has a hardcore history. Aside from that, Changs has been on top for years.
Honestly, how many shows have you almost missed because Eli (Horner, vocals) was playing some installment of the Madden video game series, couldn't find his favorite American Eagle ensemble, or because he was out of Skittles?
Haha, oh man. Well everyone has been late/missed a show for one reason or another. We try our best, most of the time. On a side note, i skipped a final and flunked a class becuase i was playing a video game once.
All time favorite Pugar The Terrible tale?
There was the time he engaged us with his conversation about “humping girls to Death Threat".
Alright, that's enough inside joke stuff. Last words/shout outs/etc?
Thank you very much to Kirby Unrest. You have supported this band from day one. You are a friend unlike any other and I love you for that.
Big ups to: Deathwish Inc., Pressure Point, Whiskey Rebels, Hoods, Trash Talk, Defiant Voice, Drugs of Youth, Ceremony, Life Long Tragedy, Verse, Comeback Kid, First Blood, Ignite, Down To Nothing, Crime In Stereo, Blacklisted, Sinking Ships, The Answer, This Is Hell, Ruiner, Hanover Saints, and the kids who make northern california a good place for punk/hardcore.
Thanks.
