James caught up with Austin Dickinson and Josh Hammond from Rise To Remain to talk about their recent line up change, new material and plans for the rest of 2012.

Since we last interviewed you in September 2011 on your headline tour, what have got up to?
Austin: Since then we did a UK/European tour with Inflames, Trivium, Ghost, us and Incense, that was defenders of the faith and that was awesome! We had a line up change and we’ve recorded 4 brand new tracks for the US release of “City of Vultures”, apart from that we’ve just been keeping busy writing, practising and just getting stuff done in the Rise camp, it’s been interesting.

You’ve recently endured a line up change, why did this occur?
Austin: We toured with those guys for like 3 years and touring does change people, situations change and by the end of it I think we were all just different people, it ended as a mutual decision and we wish them all the best because you know they are still our best friends. You’ll be hearing from Joe soon enough he’s got an interesting project coming soon.

We’ve now got this wonderful guy Josh, who is bass king. This guy fucking comes in and just canes it, we auditioned like 60 people across a week from different music colleges, he just walks in with his beanie like “Hey guys what’s up, I’m in the right place” and just killed it. Adam the new drummer is also fucking destroying it, wicked dude as well so we’re all happy.

Have you got around to writing anything with the new members yet?
Austin: Yeah we just did 4 tracks with Dan Weller, who did our “Bridges Will Burn” EP actually. We went back to him because he gets the best out of us and he’s a really good friend, when you’ve got a friend behind the desk you all want to work harder. All 4 tracks turned out really well and we’re very very pleased.

You’re currently embarked on a lengthy UK tour with Heaven Shall Burn, Malefice, Adept and Cyota, how did the tour come about and did you choose the supports?
Austin: All handpicked, actually Heaven Shall Burn we asked if they’d do it and when they turned around and said yes we were like, freaking sweat you know? It’s a great line up we’re all excited, so josh how do you feel on our first tour with us?

Josh: Urgh, how do I feel?

[Everyone Laughs]

Josh: One day I was on the dole, the next minute I’m in the best band in the UK, it still hasn’t quite sunk yet.

Austin: He still thinks we’re shit.
Josh: No I don’t!

Austin: Don’t lie, what did I say about lying? [Everyone Laughs] We’re just really excited about this line up its been a while since we’ve seen our fan base as a headline act and we’ve established a lot since then so we’re really excited.

Josh: Personally today is special for me, not just because it’s my first show/tour with Rise To Remain, but this is like a hometown show, I’m from Dudley just down the road.

No way! As do I!
Josh: No way where abouts?!

Austin: LET’S NOT GO DOWN THIS ROAD! [Everyone Laughs]

Josh: I come from K’ford

Austin: Let’s totally leave this topic please haha!

Tonight is the first date, I know Heaven Shall Burn aren’t on the tour yet but have you had a chance to hang out with the other acts?
Austin: We turned up second actually, Cytota were first as they’re local to here. Malefice we know from a while back, we played shows with them before we were Rise To Remain, Heaven Shall Burn are yet to get here, Adept we just me who were wicked. Its gunna be one of those tours where everybody has a bit too much fun haha!

Are you looking forward to any particular date more than others?
Austin: Tonight, mainly because its Josh’s home show and last time we did Birmingham it really went off. Everyone lost the plot and we love this place, great place to kick off the tour. After that, shit I’ve really gotta pick haha; Manchester because it’s really good to us, London because it’s my home town and Glassgow! I love those guys.

Josh: The Scottish do love their metal don’t they?

Even though it’s soon off the release of “City of Vultures” Have you made any plans towards a next release?
Austin: Well we don’t know what to do with these 4 tracks, we’ll get them out as either an EP or on a re-release of “City of Vultures” we’re going over some ideas but we’re on it.

What are your plans for the rest of 2012?
Austin: We’re doing warped tour, it’s the first US tour we’ve done, it really does take you everywhere. We have a main stage appearance at Download Festival which I can’t even describe how it feels, I’ve been to Download Festival like 7 times, 3 of which I’ve played and even that still hasn’t sunk in yet because I still don’t believe it, to do main stage is ridiculous. Sonisphere Spain, Rock AM Ring, Rock IM Park, a whole bunch of stuff.

Josh looks terrified.
Josh: Yeah... [Everyone Laughs] I’ve never actually been to Download, I’ve always wanted to go but deadlines for coursework and stuff always meant I couldn’t; now I’m playing the main stage.

You’re going to kill this poor kid Austin.
Austin: We’re about to kill him right now haha!

Josh: What’s this I hold in my hand?

Austin: Oh shit a bottle. Smash. Remove Trachea. Slap in the face with throat.

Josh: Remember the consequences of your actions mate. [Everyone Laughs]

Austin: Look at this guy! Only been in the band a couple weeks and he’s threatening me haha! It’s alright I love him.

It’s that Dudley thing isn’t it

[Everyone Laughs]

Austin: Feeling quite lonely over here haha!

One last random...
Austin: Is this that fucking Giraffe question again?

Yes.
Austin: It’s still a fucking giraffe! Haha!

Yes but Josh hasn’t heard it yet has he.
Austin: Fiiiiiiiiiiiiine.

question that we ask every band, if you could be an animal out of a zebra or Giraffe which one would you be and why?
Josh: Think I’d be a zebra, good old stripy ‘orse.

Austin: My reason for being a giraffe was something like sucking God’s dick or something, may want to delete that haha.

Josh: Maybe you can make him bleed, Ooooooooooooh! (Reference to song “God Can Bleed”)

Austin: Ha yeah and other stuff. Yeah I’m still a giraffe and he’s a zebra.

Thanks for your time, is there a message for your fans reading the interview?

Austin: Thanks for the support we’ll see you out there!

Interview by James Webb