Early in the millenium, Houston hip-hoppers caught the attention of the music industry and the entire world. It seemed that talent flowed as freely amongst the MC's as the "purple stuff" they heralded in their music. But what many don't realize is that Houston has a lot more to offer, music-wise, than freestyles and hot 16's. Put simply: Houston ROCKS. The bands that call Houston home are hotter than ever and poised to take the industry and your ears by storm. Case on point: A Dream Asleep...the 5-piece embodies the new surge of life in The Bayou City's music scene. These dudes definitely have it and they never disappoint. This Saturday (11/28), A Dream Asleep will celebrate the release of their EP, "We Are The Juggernauts," by playing a show at the legendary Fitzgerald's in Houston, along with fellow WANLS faves American Fangs, Peekaboo Theory, thelastplaceyoulook and Cavernous. Seriously, this show will be like sticking your face in a bowl of liquid awesome. Houston, you don't want to miss this. I know I'll be there. I've wanted to interview these guys for awhile and am really glad to be able to bring this to you. A Dream Asleep...they rock, I just roll....let's go!
WANLS: Tell me the name of your band, how it came about, if you ever went by another name and how you guys formed a band.
ADA: A Dream Asleep - It is a metaphor for unrealized/forgotten ambition. After PM Theory split, the brothers Girth picked up Aaron who was in The Kidnap Soundtrack, Justin from A Royal Tragedy and Mike who had been PM Theory's videographer.
WANLS: Introduce me to the band members and whether they play/sing/etc.
ADA: Mike Seals - Vocals; Ryan Girth - Bass; Erik Girth - Guitar/Vocals; Justin Smith - Guitar/ Vocals; Aaron Perez - Drums
WANLS: Throw your sets up! Fill in the blanks: We love living in ____________, because ______________.
ADA: We love living in the past because its comfortable...haha...but really we love living in Houston because its flat, ugly and stanky but we have alot of good friends and family here.
WANLS: Do you guys identify with a particular genre?
ADA: Hardcore
WANLS: What are your musical influences?
ADA: Things and stuff, alot of Punk Rock and Core. Maybe "SOME" Metal... Barbra Streisand and your various barber shop quartets.
WANLS: How would you describe your music to someone who has never heard it before?
ADA: Loud, aggressive and energetic.
WANLS: Do you have or are you signed to a record label?
ADA: Nope.. no label as of yet.
WANLS: What are some of your most memorable shows?
ADA: A dream Asleep vs. Skeleton Dick. At Rocbar. Both bands were on stage the whole time. We battled song for song and it was badass!! Also, making our own stage at the last Westheimer Block Party by setting up on the street and just playing was fun too
WANLS: Who writes your music?
ADA: everyone... including you!! and you!!
WANLS: Tell me about the in-studio/music making process for your band.
ADA: We usually start with guitars or drums and work around it until Ryan writes a hook or bridge. Refining comes more when we are sure of what we want from the song.
WANLS: What direction do you see the band going in 2010? Any specific plans?
ADA: Touring!! Everywhere.
WANLS: Which do you prefer: studio time/creating new music or touring/live shows?
ADA: Live shows honestly! That's what we work for mainly.
WANLS: Your fantasy show or tour line up?
ADA: Every Time I Die, The Gallows, Norma Jean... and Barbra Streisand
WANLS: Describe what its like to experience your live shows.
ADA: Intense! Its high energy and the music as well as our stage presence makes you jump with it!
WANLS: Fill in the blanks: If it hadn't been for _______, we would have _________.
ADA: If it hadn't been for music we would have a livable wage! Can you spot me a sandwich?
WANLS: Do you have any new music being released soon?
ADA: Yes!! November 28th we release our EP "We Are The Juggernauts".
WANLS: Do you have any upcoming shows?
ADA: We have the EP Release show November 28th at Fitzgerald's in Houston with American Fangs, The Last Place You Look, Peekaboo Theory and Cavernous. We will roll to The Abbey Pub in Katy December 3.
We also are playing a Punk Rock AIDS awareness show call Destroy The Disease on December 6 at The White Swan in Houston.
WANLS: Are there videos to any of your songs?
ADA: We are about to go into production for Horus -vs- The Juggernauts in 2 weeks and we have a gang of live footage at our YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/adreamasleep.
WANLS: What's the #1 priority for your band right now?
ADA: Getting things ready for tour and finishing the kicking and screaming EP and our EP Split with Skeleton Dick. "A dream Asleep vs. Skeleton Dick"
WANLS: Plans to tour any time soon?
ADA: January we are off!!! We'll the locals and dates listed soon.
WANLS: Where can we find you on the web?
ADA: www.adreamasleep.com; www.myspace.com/adreamasleep; Facebook; www.twitter.com/adreamasleep; and about another dozen social websites that waist our lives away!!!
WANLS: How can we buy your music?
ADA: At shows and online soon on iTunes and Amazon and all those neat places.
WANLS: How can we contact you for booking?
ADA: booking@adreamasleep.com
WANLS: Fill in the blank: People would never guess that ________________.
ADA: People would never guess that Justin strips part time on the weekends and sometimes on Tuesday.
WANLS: Best thing about being in your band?
ADA: How close we all are. Its like a family. We all get along well.
WANLS: Fill in the blank: one day they're probably gonna name a ________ after our band.
ADA: One day they're probably gonna name a beer or a dildo... or maybe an s.t.d. after our band.
WANLS: Last and most importantly, if you were stranded on a desert island with your band mates, who would go cannibal first?
ADA: Ryan's hungry ass!!!
Yeah, they're cool...admit it...you're a little obsessed now. Find more A Dream Asleep here:
www.adreamasleep.com
www.myspace.com/adreamasleep
www.twitter.com/adreamasleep
or find them on Facebook!
Sierra Says: Thanks again, ADA! I appreciate you guys...see ya Saturday!
Photo Cred: Heather Sterling
