Band Interview: New Medicine while on the UPROAR Tour 2010

Edited and Interviewed by Morris Goodwin and Chelsey Goraczkowski of STILLCODA

While hanging out between buses and watching people put the Jager stage together, we sat down with all the boys of New Medicine. Needless to say, we love it when hometown bands play on National Tours this big.

(Jake: Frontman, Brady: Bass/Vocals, Dan: Guitar, Ryan: Drums)

STILLCODA: SO LET’S GET THIS UP AND RUNNING. FIRST TIME, FIRST TOUR…

J: First day ever, kickin off the Uproar tour. It’s pretty awesome.

STILLCODA: AND YOU GET TO START OFF ON A GOOD NOTE TODAY.

J: Yeah, we’re in the best town right here…Minneapolis (laughs)

STILLCODA: AND RACE TO THE BOTTOM IS YOUR FIRST ALBUM. HOW ARE YOU GUYS FEELING ABOUT IT?

J: We are very proud of the album. It took a long time for us to get what we wanted, but in the end we worked very hard and we worked with great producers. We recorded six songs at once and then took a year and half to get the best sound and the best recording that we really wanted. We feel that it is a demonstration of our dedication and we are very proud of that.

B: It’s definitely a record without filler. We came into it with something that was true to us and something you can listen to front to back. We recorded a year ago and were confident in what we made. It sounds great and we are really proud.

R: We’re excited we worked with a lot of great people and excited to get it out there for everyone to hear.

STILLCODA: TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR RECORD LABEL, PHOTO FINISH?

J: It’s owned by a guy named Mac Alley. He actually discovered My Chemical Romance when they were nothing and brought them to Warner Brothers and they blew up from there brought on a lot of other great bands that we can all name. We were looking for an agency and they kinda found us one day and was signing first time bands said you guys have a great sound and we hit if off right away. Every other label was so formal. We knew they (P.F.) were with Atlantic, which is one of my favorite labels anyway and we’re definitely a band that knew what we wanted and it was cool that we could go to New York City and he say, ‘I want to sign you guys right now.’ Now that’s how you do a record deal. (laughs)

STILLCODA: YOU GUYS HAVE 3 SINGLES OUT. TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT THEM, SPECIFICALLY LITTLE SISTER?

J: Well little sister is about my sister, she passed away when she wasn’t even a year old, so I wrote the song about her. This year would have been her 18^th birthday, so I wrote the song on what it would be like now and how it would be different and how she would have effected my life and have her be her own person.

STILLCODA: WHEN YOU ARE OUT ON TOUR, WHAT ARE A COUPLE THINGS YOU LOOK FORWARD TO AND THAT THE FANS TAKE AWAY WITH THEM?

J: It’s been really great. All the tours we’ve done in the last year, we’ve been the opening band and it feels like a lot of people go to shows that are really excited to see the headliner and some come for the whole thing and its our job to pump everybody up. It’s always really validating and exciting to be that first act.

B: We don’t want them thinking they can just sit there. We’ll say something, like “get up”

R: And that’s the cool think about touring. You find all these little pockets of people that are willing to rock out with you. It’s wild.

STILLCODA: SPEAKING OF PLACES, WHERE’S YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO GO?

J: We love New York and California is awesome. The weather is great there. But at the end of the day we love the coasts, but the Midwest is it. We feel at home here and going to places like Oklahoma and Canada, Chicago, Kansas City, Minneapolis. That’s where we like

STILLCODA: WHAT WAS IT LIKE AT THE BEGINNING CREATING THE BAND?

J: We all split off from another band. I (Jake) started writing songs for a new band and Dan came from the same band and we decided to stick together. Brady came from another band. Dan and I used to watch him play (bass) and he’s also an awesome frontman. Ryan was actually tuning our old drummers drums and I was like ‘wait, why isn’t he in our band.’ (laughs) We are a hybrid of everybody and started this new band and its definitely better and got along right away.

B: The band may be new, but we’ve known each other for a long time. So it happened pretty naturally.

STILLCODA: HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THE NAME, NEW MEDICINE?

B: We came up with it in the studio. One of those last minute last day... We’re out in New York recording the album for three weeks. We decided that we wanted to keep it straight and have a name, so we all snap out pen and paper that first day and write every band name. We thought we had it and then the next day we’re like ‘that was bad.’ We’d go back and forth and it was a tumultuous process. We got down to a list of three or four and New Medicine just kept coming back up and coming back up and we figured out that was definitely our name in the end.

STILLCODA: TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT JOY 2 THE WORLD AND WHY YOU WANTED TO BE A PART OF THAT ORGANIZATION.

B: When I was in college at the U (University of MN) I did a study abroad in Ghana and it was a real wake up call to see these women work for less than nothing. I wanted to give back, so playing music and being there really made it happen for me.

We’re in the studio hanging out and went on the internet and doing research about Ghana, we found Joy 2 The World. So we started to bring some people in to work together to support Joy 2 the World and it’s a great opportunity for us to be a part of something larger. I went last January to Ghana and do some work down there with these women and it was just a great experience.

J: Maybe we should tell them what Joy 2 The World is (laughs)

B: It’s a small non-profit that gives loans to women in Ghana that they can use to start to create small businesses and gives them the means to empower themselves.

STILLCODA: IF THERE WAS ONE THING YOU WERE TO TAKE AWAY FROM THIS TOUR WHAT WOULD IT BE?

All: 3 meals a day…. Catering!!!

MAKE SURE TO SEE NM OUT ON THE 2010 UPROAR TOUR! TO KEEP UPDATED ON THE BAND AND UPCOMING SHOWS, CHECK OUT:

MYSPACE:
www.myspace.com/newmedicine

FACEBOOK:
http://www.facebook.com/newmedicine

2010 Rockstar Uproar Tour Review

This year, the only thing so many of us couldn’t wait to come was August 17. Why do you ask? Why would you ask is my first question? But then again, I think it depends on where you live and if this is coming your way. Which it’s coming all across the United States, so it damn well is coming your way! That’s right; I haven’t told you what “this” is. One music festival: Rockstar Uproar Tour. Yeah, that’s right. Now you know why so many of us couldn’t sit still the week before Uproar kicked off it’s very first show here in Minneapolis MN. Celebrating another year of amazing music, Uproar grabbed the best line up so far: Disturbed, Avenged Sevenfold, Stone Sour, Halestorm, HELLYEAH, Airbourne, New Medicine and Hail the Villain. Damn fine line up for those of us that have already seen this fist pumping, mosh breaking, attitude wearing crowds.

To start off the day, we journeyed a few blocks away from the Target Center where the outside festival would kick off this year’s tour. A massive crowd has already pushed its way to the lot, grabbing a few Rockstar Energy Drinks along the way. While everyone so “patiently” waits for the music to begin, several of the sponsors are getting things underway too. Best Buy has a line built up for meet & greets of some of the festivals bands; the Marines are testing some daring crowd members to test their strength; Jager is getting the party started for those of us old enough to partake of course; and all the various bands and other sponsors merch tables are filled with eager fans grabbing up t-shirts.

To hit the stage first is Hail the Villian. And do they ever get the crowd going. Being a “neighbor” to us “Minnesotans,” we’ll pretty familiar with the way bands hit the stage while they’re here. And we’re never disappointed. Gearing the crowd up the rest of the day is a huge responsibility few will partake in unless necessary. You would never know they were the openers. High energy, strong vocals, gritty guitars, pulse pounding bass and drums is only the beginning to a great day. (Make sure to check out our interview with HTV too!)

Up next is our local favorite band New Medicine. I didn’t think there was a way for the crowd to expand more, but apparently people started to find a way to crowd themselves in. Amongst the crowd are fans and family that have come out to support NM in their first “big time” tour. The second the music starts, everyone “gets” why they’re on the bill. There’s no denying these boys have talent very few possess and few ever will. Pleasing the crowd with everything they have to give and more is exactly what catches everyone’s attention. If you were to look at your leg, you’d notice it was automatically tapping to the beats and you’d find yourself humming the tunes. They’re that damn catchy! The funny but edged guys have a way with the crowd that only proves they’re in the right spot. (Make sure to check out our interview with NM too!)

As the stage changes, Airbourne makes their appearance. Being here just a few months ago, the band keeps creating more and more fans just by putting on one helleva show. Grit bearing guitar solos, pushed rhythm and fast paced drums keeps your eyes on the stage. There’s nothing better than seeing a guitar player climbing on various things while grinding out a sick solo. It’s a signature move you can’t wait to see.

What’s history without it’s influences right? The final band to play on the Jager stage is one that is filled with so much talent; it almost pukes it out cause it’s too amazing to try to control. But that’s exactly the point, there’s no reason to contain anything. HELLYEAH is that band the burns the word contain into a pile of ashes while laughing as they do it. The crowd goes insane and you expect nothing less. Your jaw drops and your eyes don’t blink for fear of missing this band perform right in front of your face. Very few words can be spoken that would come close to how amazing it is to watch HELLYEAH. The crowd walks away in a numbed happiness a few probably haven’t felt in awhile.

Everyone walks back to the Target Center and is back to the anxiousness they feel every time they wait for a show to start. The floor is full, seats are filled up and the concert begins with a bang.

Halestorm enters with voice first. You hear Lzzy singing while trying to find out where she’s hiding. She enters the stage and everyone goes crazy! A fan favorite for so many, they know how to bring a crowd. As they play their set, everyone’s adrenaline gets pumping, hearts start racing and excitement builds. All of the sudden, the entire band breaks down to play the drums in a show stopping performance. It’s no wonder Halestorm is wanted by every guy and girl in the crowd, there’s something about their confidence and charisma that stands out to even the quietest sections of the Center. (Make sure to check out our interview with Halestorm too!)

Who comes on next except a band that has made waves in the industry for it’s collection of talent? Stone Sour. That’s all that really needs to be said. While Slipknot fans aren’t seeing the entire band in costume, they are seeing a few of the real members face to face. There’s a whole new meaning to the word elation when Corey is fixed on the crowd. His raw voice and fluid connection with the crowd is one very few bands have. Jumping over speakers to reach the crowd is exactly what was ordered. Let’s all get 5 orders of that please!

Now the real drama begins. The crowd starts chanting “Sevenfold” until their voices are raw and their neighbors ears are punctured. The sheet is withdrawn and the stage is…well…speechless. Filling the stage is an amazing set of arched gateways and brick posts with changing backgrounds. Smoke rolls off the floor and pryos begin. Once each band member walks on stage, there’s no turning back for either the band or the crowd. Connected to one another as Family is what they’re known for, but until you feel it yourself, you don’t quite understand. Playing several songs off their new record is a tribute to their late drummer, The Rev. Every single beating heart in that venue is one and bows their head to a lost one head dear to so many. Each song is a testament to why this band has gotten so far and why their “family” is everywhere. Stage theatrics are only the icing on the cake for most. The spell binding guitar solos from both Gates and Vengance are impacted into your limbs as nothing other than exactly that: spell binding. Shadows controls the attention of every single person while Christ owns the entire stage. While remembering their lost brother, their performance is perfected by that very brotherhood. A7X’s soul crunching performance is why every single person came to this tour.

What better way to end a historical night than to end it with a “little” band called Disturbed. The die hard band and it’s fans tend to always create a few memories neither are willing to forget. Debuting a few songs off the upcoming record, the crowd grows wicked. Moshing is now in order and sweaty people are happily being pushed into the people on all sides of them. Each song turns up the tempo. Playing the mixture of new upcoming songs with the favorites is successful for Disturbed. Everyone craves the new cd and once they get a taste of it, the need of getting it drives them crazy. Releasing all that pent up energy is good for the soul most say. I quite agree.

As the shows come to a conclusion, each person to walk out of that building has left changed even if it’s only a tiny bit. They’ll forever remember what it was like to be apart of this tour. When they’re at work, dreading the next few hours, all they’ll have to do is think on this night and know there are things worth waiting for. Until next year, we’ll all keep a count down until the next Uproar tour is underway.

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Make sure to get your ass to an Uproar show near you!