Antebellum review | Deathway home

Deathway: I understand that you guys recently changed your name from Carolina to Antebellum. Why did you guys feel the need for this change?

Geoff Peck (lead vocals, guitar): One reason was because of the change in our style. We’ve been playing shows as Carolina for a year, and we have matured quite a bit. We figured we would change the name as we release our new CD to showcase the change in style. The other reason, which is kind of a lame reason, is that there were 8 other bands with the name Carolina.

DW: What else is new for you guys?

Kory Baxley (bass, vocals): Well, we have two brand new, amazing songs. We’re going to try to go up to Atlanta over Spring Break and record two or three songs to send out to labels.

DW: What is a record label that you would choose?

KB: I would say Esperanza, because it’s more of a friendship. It’s a non-contract label.

Richard Humphreys (guitar, synth): It’s totally a DIY label.

DW: What brought you guys together?

GP: Truthfully, I did. I played in a band with a couple of other guys. I didn’t really like their styles, and we didn’t really mesh well. I called each of these guys and asked if they wanted to jam, so they replaced the other guys. I’ve been called “the glue that holds the band together.

DW: What inspires you guys? What makes you want to write a song?

KB: Well, I write the lyrics, and that’s basically how the song starts. I’ll write a small part for Geoff to play.

Jeremy Broxson (drums, vocals): Anything can inspire Kory to write a song.

KB: Yeah, anything, pretty much. I have a lot of doubts with myself and with the world period, so it makes for good lyrics.

GP: NO girl songs!

KB: Yeah, no girl songs.

GP: Almost every single one of our songs talks about God and how we’re not doing what we’re supposed to be doing. We have a new song called “Breathe In, Breathe Out” which is from the viewpoint of someone standing in the crowd at Christ’s crucifixion. But, musically I write my best stuff when I’m stressed out.

KB: Our songs would be absolutely nothing if it weren’t for Richard knowing insane blues scales and Jeremy being an insane drummer.

DW: Well, Obviously you guys are pretty open about what you believe. How do you view spirituality and the separation of “Christian and secular” music?

KB: I don’t want to say that there’s a difference, because I know so many kids who never go to church and don’t believe in God who love the Tooth & Nail bands. There’s no line between either one of them.

GP: Once that line is created, it's limiting for music and music fans.

RH: When people say, “I’m Christian, so I can’t listen to secular music," it’s pointless. They’re being naïve, and no one will respect their opinion. It’s very closed-minded.

KB: Someone once told me about the band Bright Eyes, that seeing someone else’s opinion makes you reflect on your beliefs and opinions. Seeing him be negative makes you be more positive.

DW: Why do you play music?

GP: For me if I didn’t have it I would go nuts. It’s one thing that gets everything out of my system. Like if I’m mad or upset about something I can either A: write a song or B: play a song, and it’s this release of emotion.

KB: It’s like a break from your everyday life. You can go up on stage and do pretty much whatever you feel.

JB: For me, it’s my passion, I’ve always wanted to play musi,c and I always have played drums since I was a little kid. And I always will, unless I lose my arms and legs.

DW: Do you guys feel like people can connect with your music?

KB: There are people that love our music and want to see us every time we play. We’re not so different, but we’re not what is popular right now. A lot of people like to listen to us, but they don’t want to get too into it, because it’s not trendy.

GP: They don’t like it enough to buy our CD. With indie songs you’re not trying to find a catchy hook; we’re just reaching out to people and say, “take it or leave it."

DW: Do you guys ever feel like a sort of hero on stage?

GP: We’re not like rock stars with the groupies. I don’t think that people should look up to us, because we’re not the most perfect people in the world. But we have NO rockstar attitude.

KB: We see bands give a testimony on stage, and that’s cool if that’s what you feel you should do. We don’t give a testimony on stage, because we feel like if we do we’d be setting ourselves up to let people down. It can also be a good way to break up a band. If there’s one guy in the band who’s a super strict Christian, and the other guys aren’t at all, if that one guy speaks a testimony, he speaks for the whole band. That isn’t right.

GP: I don’t want to be looked up to, because I don’t want to let kids down.

DW: When are you guys the happiest?

KB: On tour, playing music, I am the happiest person. At that point there are no worries, being with my brothers. The only worries are how much longer until we get there and where will we stay.

RH: …and whether or not that will be a shady hotel in Ft. Lauderdale…with crackheads.

JB: For all of us, we’re the happiest when we’re around music, listening to it or playing it.

DW: Touch on your influences for me.

GP: In my CD player is Colour Revolt, Frodus…

JB: I’m probably the most generic person in the band. I listen to everything, but I mainly stick to metal and hardcore.

KB: I’m listening to Colour Revolt, Cursive, Frodus, and Criteria.

RH: Well, it varies but right now it’s the latest Decahedron CD, Cursive, and the Refused.

All: Yeah, the Refused.

GP: So you can see how we easily mesh together.

DW: How would you guys personally like to change the world?

KB: To really enforce the expression, “Do unto others what you would have done to you." It’s like you go out of your way for people, and the next day you need help for the same thing and they do nothing. I just wish I could make people stop from selfishness in their lives.

DW: What do you guys see on the horizon for Antebellum?

KB: Recording soon, hopefully.

RH: We’re going to try to get some out of town shows.

DW: What do the phrases “Dead to this world” and “to die is gain”, mean to you?

RH: It’s not worrying about material things of this world and worrying about when you’re going to die and your money. None of these things are going to matter; we’re all going to die. We’re not going to have the material possessions we desire after we die. It’s understanding that there’s something more.

KB: Everyone is part of the world, but that doesn’t mean that you have to get caught up in all the worldly things.

JB: Of course you want things—everyone does—but there’s more to life than that.

DW: Awesome. Thanks so much for your time.

All: Thanks.

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