Modern metalcore new comers, Feed Her to the Sharks have got new tunes underway with the release of their new album "Fortitude". The follow-up to 2013's "Savage Seas", since that release they have gone on to getting signed to Victory Records with so much more in-store especially touring! Frontman vocalist/piano/keys Andrew Vanderzalm discusses this debut release for their new label home and them wanting to tour all over!
1. How did your band form?
Andrew: After playing in a different band, Chewy and Andy got together and started writing some songs in a different direction. From there, the guys found some like minded people and thus began Feed Her To The Sharks.
2. Tell us the brief history of your band.
Andrew: As I said before, in the beginning, it was just Andy and Chewy writing some songs. After the first album was released (The Beauty of Falling) and a few tours later, the band went through a few lineup changes but for the past two and a half years the lineup has been stable but working hard.
3. What's the story behind your band's name Feed Her To The Sharks? Does the name actually have to deal with actual sharks and who is "her" refer too?
Andrew: The name actually came from the first song ever written by FHTTS. It was the opening lyrics to the song Misery which we still play live. Nothing to do with actual sharks, and “her” can refer to anything/anybody. Everyone has wanted to feed someone to some sharks at one point in their life!
4. How do you describe your sound to people who ask you what your band sounds like?
Andrew: We mix a few different styles to create FHTTS songs. The sound is first and foremost heavy, mixed with catchy, melodic grooves. A bit of electronic samples and some shredding guitars. Aggressive and musical - That’s pretty much what we are about!
5. Who are your influences and heroes (music-wise)?
Andrew: Heavy bands like Killswitch Engage, Machine Head, Bring Me The Horizon have definitely influenced us. Also bands like Limp Bizkit and Linkin Park are ones we look up to. Them and Lady Gaga, she’s awesome!
6. What are your songs about? (What specific themes do they cover?)
Andrew: A lot of the songs on Fortitude especially have a very positive theme behind them. Many are about overcoming the struggles you face in everyday life. We try to write lyrics that are very relatable to everyday people. After all, that’s who’s listening to our songs!
7. Do you write your own songs? (Discuss the songwriting process in detail.)
Andrew: Yes, we write all our own songs. When we write, we try to do it as a group. We all get together in a room and throw ideas around. Hardly any writing gets done without other people there. Sometimes, someone will come to a writing session with a riff or two, but everything else gets worked out while we are all there. It does take longer sometimes, but it also ensures we got the best and biggest range of ideas down that we can and everyone has input on the songs.8. When did Victory Records come into the picture? Are you happy with what they have to offer?
Andrew: We first got in contact with Victory Records in late 2013. After a while of back and forth we signed with them in early 2014. Since then they have been really good to us. Definitely was the right move for us joining with these guys and they are really going to help with the future of the band!
9. How does "Fortitude" vary from past work?
Andrew: It was the first time that all five members came together as one to write a record. So having different members writing the music definitely influenced the record. Although we wanted to keep the FHTTS sound, we mixed it up a lot with song structure, production and instrumentation compared to the previous albums.
10. Has anything happened since your previous works, that you feel will influence the mood or lyrical content, on this release?
Andrew: As the first two records were released independently we worked hard trying to push the record on our own. Now with label backing we feel we are writing for a greater audience which did, in a way, influence how and what we wrote.
11. Did the band have any definitive goals they were shooting for before the recording process began for this album?
Andrew: We really just want to tour. It’s always been our goal in this band. To play our music all over the world to many different people is really the goal of the band. So we wanted to write an album that would translate well on many different stages!
12. Are you using any new instrumentation you've never used in the recording process before?
Andrew: Not so much in regards to instruments. We still have 2 Guitars, Bass and Drums, but we did delve into different synth sounds. Lots of your typical piano and strings etc, but also moving onto modulated gates, and sweeping EQ’s through the synth for different effects.
13. Can you discuss why you choose "The World Is Yours" was a single? Will there be a video accompanying it?
Andrew: We choose that song because it really gives the listener a good idea about what the whole album is about. It’s heavy, it’s melodic, it has fast riffy sections and slower, bigger chord bits so it’s really a good song for people to hear first. No film clip for this song, but clips for others!
14. What are the expectations for this album?Andrew: Hard to say. We just want people to hear it. If someone picks up a copy and likes it, that’s good enough for us!
15. What are your upcoming plans for this year?
Andrew: Tour, Tour, Tour!
16. Anything you'd like to add/say….
Andrew: Hope everyone enjoys the new record! We had a blast writing it!
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