Tone Deaf’s Neil Evans recently spoke to Joshua Moore, lead guitarist from Michigan band We Came As Romans. The band won many new fans in Australia last year when they performed as part of the No Sleep Till… tour last December. We Came As Romans will be returning to our shores later in October as part of the Dead Thrones tour, featuring alongside The Devil Wears Prada and Dream On Dreamer.
Formed in 2005, We Came As Romans have evolved from what they originally were back then. “We started off as a pop band and, frankly, we sucked,” said Moore with a laugh and a wonderful sense of candour. “As a band, we decided that we wanted to make heavier music”. One can hear many shades of influence in the band’s music, such as Linkin Park and System Of A Down. The latter definitely strikes one due to the fact that the two bands share a common trait; two lead vocalists. “Music has always been a part of my life,” said Moore. “I played trombone in high school and my dad played acoustic guitar. I started playing guitar when I was about 14 or so.”
In regards to the two lead vocalists, two very different and contrasting vocals styles are on display in the work of We Came As Romans. David Stephens specialises in a growly, unclean vocal style. Kyle Pavone, on the other hand, has a more conventional and clean vocal style. Combined, this creates a very effective soundscape. “Between the three of us, we work out what works the best for each voice. I write all of the music, so I usually have a pretty fair idea of what words will suit what voice. Dave and Kyle will offer feedback or suggestions as to how to shape and/or change something to make it better. Dave in particular is brilliant in regards to being able to shape and phrase what is sung.”
The other very striking aspect of We Came As Romans are the incredibly positive and life affirming lyrics. ‘To Plant A Seed’, the title track off their 2009 debut, is a classic example of this. Trying to live life in a positive and happy way, while both acknowleging and dealing with, the darker aspects that life can throw at people, is very much at the forefront of the philosophy of this band. This makes such a nice change from other bands similar in sound that wallow in misery and self pity on a lyrical level. “It’s something all the band members share a common belief in. We are all still very young men, I’m 22. I was 19 when I wrote the lyrics to the latest album, Understanding What We’ve Grown To Be. The fact that, as band members, we are working out not only our own lives and trying to be good people, but also the music industry and how to remain as positive as we can within it, is paramount. This is something we all hold close,” said Moore.
That progression is very much on display on the second full length studio album. The lyrics are more direct and to the point than those on their debut. Tracks such as ‘The Way That We Have Been’ and ‘Stay Inspired’ illustrate the way that people, especially when they’re young, make mistakes and hopefully learn from doing so and become better people. The band really strike a wonderful balance in that they never come off as preachy or didactic in the style that they write.
Moore has fond memories of Australia. “Last year, when we left Detroit for the No Sleep Till… tour, it was heavily snowing and about zero degrees. When we got to Australia, your summer was just beginning. The contrast between the two was insane! Also, we had only six dates on the tour. We got to see a great deal of Australia and New Zealand on our off days, which was incredible. I’m really looking forward to coming back.”
We Came As Romans have produced a very strong second album in Understanding What We’ve Grown To Be. Moore is obviously very proud of the album. “We try to avoid singing about either religion or politics, and concentrate more on the personal lyrically.” This is very much backed up with some wonderfully heaving and compelling music played by some very talented musicians.
Moore is very much looking forward to this tour. “Devil Wears Prada released their latest album the same day that we released ours. I think that we share a lot of fans between the two bands. This Australian tour should be a blast!”
Tour dates for the Dead Throne tour, featuring We Came As Romans, The Devil Wears Prada & Dream On Dreamer are as follows:
Thursday 20 October – Capitol Theatre, Perth. 18+ only. Get tickets.
Friday 21 October – Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide. Licenced, All Ages. Get tickets.
Saturday 22 October – Billboard, Melbourne. Under 18s only. Get tickets.
Sunday 23 October – Billboard, Melbourne. 18+ only. Get tickets.
Monday 24 October – Roundhouse, Sydney. Licenced, All Ages. Get tickets.
Wednesday 26 October – Hi Fi Bar, Brisbane. Under 18s only. Get tickets.
Thursday 27 October – Hi Fi Bar, Brisbane. 18+ only. Get tickets.
-Neil Evans.
