Forced to Change on 07-13-2000 by propheci

Forced to Change is a South Jersey metalcore band. They have influences such as Shai Huld and Converge. Although they haven't had any major publicity yet, they sound great and have potential. This interview was done on AIM and taken word for word. Of course, bold lettering is me and not-bold is Mike.

1) who are you and what do you do for Forced to Change?
my go by the name of "mikey tyler" and i sing for the band. i go by i meant. lol

2) how long has the band been around?
about all together 3 years about...

3) were you a part of any other bands before this?
yes a fun rapcore band called "headtrip" *rock on to all the old school fans*

4) who are are in Forced to Change?
the band consisted of 4 people all together..Leo Breslin, guitar; Anthony DiNatale, bass, Jose Grajo, guitar; and Chris Maclachlan, drums.

5) how did you guys meet?
well mostly through school... and around town. we used to hang out do shit together... times have changed, but they are still my best friends.
cool.
yup yup.

6) how many records have you released?
records? well we sold cd-r's to people and a 6 song demo tape. we sold like so many... it was great. we are deff. thinking of doing a real cd soon... *if anyone wants tapes e-mail me at XxXmktXxX@aol.com*
yeah, i meant tapes/lps/cds/etc.
yeah. it was mostly tapes... and some cd-r's
cool
yup

7) what are the bands' influences? or yours, whatever
well my influences are: converge, shai hulud, cave in, poison the well, sense field, and fortheloveof mostly.. mostly anything thats really hard and melodic... or can put me in a really good mood. i think the rest of the band can speak for that to. mostly... metal/hardcore/emo influences...

8) who have you toured with or played with?
we haven't quite toward yet.. but we did play with a few good nj/philly bands.. such as "blueskiesfade, david's burning, this day forward, dark day dawning, gene pool, haha and we were supposed to play w/ nj bloodline but that didn't work out..
oh yeah can u add "a life once lost, and as we grow" in there too?

9) what do you do when you're not playing for the band?
well i take voice lessons.. i try to learn how to play guitar haha.. i hang out with my awesome friends and girlfriend jenn. mostly drive around and do what a normal person does.. but my main thing.. is to write poetry.. i love to do that.
btw, how old are the band members?
we age through 15-18 years of age... it sounds young... but we know whats up.

10) is the band straightedge, vegan, Christian, etc.?
well i am straight edge and the other guitarist jose is too.. and he is christian as well. we all have a bunch of different beliefs and respect each other for what we do..like brothers.

11) what do you think it means to be "hardcore"?
to tell you the truth.. i don't even know what the deffinition means anymore. i know that if you want to be hardcore... you should stay positive and respect people for what they do.. but that has changed. we have a bunch of different meanings now.. thats what i like to beleive... respect your brother... and treat him how you would like to be treated in return.

12) what's the band's music writing process like?
well... to tell you the truth. a few of the guys did write some of our best songs... *drunk* haha but thats not how we usually do it. they usually get together and write the riffs quietly and add drums to it. i would take home a tape of what they made and fit rhythims and lyrics to it..thats how we usually work.

13) what do you think about the general hardcore scene? any changes you'd like to see?
yeah... less fights..
like less moshing?
no hardcore dancing and moshing is fine.. i love to see that. but i hate when crews come and fight people and start riots... it happens alot. and i can't stand it... over the stupidist reasons..
i hear that...

14) what do you think of the new Earth Crisis?
honestly... it makes me laugh..... karl what happened to you?
lol..yeah, it sucks
haha deff

15) name the top 3 cds in your collection
the top 3 cd's... shai hulud "hearts once nourished with hope and compassion", converge "petitioning the empty sky", and sense field "killed for less"

16) everyone has some bands they listen to that they don't want other people to find out (me? Tori Amos). you've got one you'd like to share?
hmmm... silverchair.. haha
lol
=]

17) what's your favorite superhero?
hahaa i love these questions.. ummm...i would have to say "spiderman".. he rocked. he had those web shooters.
yep..he can certainly rock
hahah deff.

18) what do you think about the whole mp3 thing?
i think its great... napster rocks.. winamp rocks haha. its cd quality... and i lost all respect for metallica..
yeah, they suck, too.
haha