blessthefall

Mikey Frisby and Matt Traynor's high school jam sessions paid off. In 2004, the guitarist and drummer, respectively, formed blessthefall after graduating from school. Three years later, the "screamo" rockers secured a record deal and spot on the Vans Warped Tour with bands like Paramore, MxPx and Coheed and Cambria. blessthefall is currently working on the follow-up to their debut album, His Last Walk. We caught up with the Phoenix-bred band to talk about religion, going postal and their love for JT.

You recently found a new singer, Beau Bokan. Was he hard to find?

It was extremely hard. Not only were we looking for talent, but someone who had the perfect personality to match with ours. We searched for close to nine months, and were having doubts. But the key was to never give up and keep working hard. We found the perfect singer for our band, he is funny and weird just like us and has great talents to help us grow.

You've got a few hip hop inspired beats in your music, what else do you think separates you guys from the hordes of screamo bands out there?

We love the hip-hop beats, can't get enough of them. We give it our all when we hit the stage. Our energy explodes on stage so we can give the best performance possible. We never give up. There were plenty of times we could have just turned away and do something else with our time, but our situations have only made us stronger.

There are a lot of screamo and metalcore bands powered by Christian faith. Isn't rock supposed to be anything but that?

Rock can be whatever you make of it. I personally like it better when bands are faithful and don't live the sex, drugs and rock-and-roll life. I'm not into bands that sing about degrading women or smoking weed or any of that. We live our lives to the fullest, but keep out of all that garbage.

Do you ever feel you have to play down the religious aspect of your music?

We like what we do and don't plan on changing for anything. Bands have to stick to their roots. Change is good, but selling out is not.

You're working on your second album. Is there anything you would like to do that would be considered too 'out there' by your label or fans?

The next album will be a much more mature version of our last. We are very proud of what we have written so far.

In your video for "Rise Up," someone in an office snaps and breaks away from the other drones. Have any of you almost gone postal at a job?

I think we have all snapped while being in the band, things were not so peachy in the past. But we have been having so much fun lately, I can't see us going postal again anytime soon.

What would be your dream collaboration?

blessthefall and Justin Timberlake. You have his number? We would love to have him sing on a song! [Laughter.]