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The Devil Wears Prada

21.05.2008 | KYS-Cam | 9 Comments

Leading the charge of faith focused metalcore bands in 2008 is Ohio’s “The Devil Wears Prada”.

In the lead up to the band’s maiden Australian tour, Jeremy (Guitar/Vocals) was kind enough to answer the following questions…

For the record, can you please state your name and what you do in “The Devil Wears Prada”?

Hi, I’m Jeremy and I play guitar and sing in The Devil Wears Prada. 

I’m sure you’ve been asked this a thousand times, but can you explain your band’s name?

Yes, I have been asked this a thousand times… But we got the name from the book, before the movie, and we put our own meaning to it. To us, it means that there are more important things in life than material posessions. 

Was there any legal red tape when it came to registering the band name? I don’t suppose it scored you free tickets to the movie’s premiere and a chance to meet Anne Hathaway?

Haha, no, we didn’t get any tickets or anything. We’ve had no problems so far. 

Name aside how did you guys actually get together?

Well, a few of the guys made the band just as something to do, and put up a myspace for it. 

The 6 members of “The Devil Wears Prada” are all quite young, was that ever an issue in the bands early days? Did other bands or promoters ever give you a hard time and assume you couldn’t cut it because of your age?

Always! We couldn’t tour much due to highschool, so the band wasn’t able to be full time until we all graduated. 

What’s your local scene like back in Dayton, Ohio? Are there any other bands from back home that you think kids should be checking out?

The scene is pretty good in Dayton, there is an awesome band called From the Shallows from Toledo, OH. You should check em out! 

Your most recent album “Plagues” has quite an open biblical element to it. Were you (as a band and as an individual) ever concerned that you could deter secular musical fans from listening to your band?

No our lyrics aren’t really that biblically open. But some with other beliefs might feel uncomfortable.

Christian bands are nothing new but traditionally they seem to deal with the more positive aspects of their faith, yet “Plagues” features a particularly ominous bible verse (Exodus 7:12) on the back of the artwork. What do you hope to achieve by portraying the more vengeful elements of the bible?

Plagues was to reflect the fear and wrath in god. 

Obviously retribution isn’t the only lyrical subject that TDWP cover, do you think there’s a healthy balance between positive and negative in your music?

Honestly its more negative, but we do have songs based on optimism.

A lot of bands have comical song titles, but do you think something like “HTML Roolz Dood” might discourage listeners from taking the band’s message as seriously as they should?

Possibly, BUT we are not worried about it! A serious message doesn’t require serious song titles. 

Your Rise Records debut, “Dear Love: A Beautiful Discord” received an overwhelmingly positive response. Did you expect the record to be as well received as it was given that you’ve openly stated that the band “isn’t here to push the envelope or do anything different” and that you just want to “write well”?

No we didn’t expect that at all. 

“Plagues” showed a marked maturating in song writing. Were there any influences within the band that weren’t present a couple of years ago?

Yes for sure, we’re always into new bands. 

TDWP have been able to tour with an extremely diverse group of bands, having clocked up shows with everyone from Maylene & The Sons Of Disaster to Whitechapel. What’s been your favourite tour so far and why?

The Silverstein tour and our first headliner ‘The Ultimatour’! 

Have you ever encountered any backlash from other bands because of your faith?

Sometimes, but mostly no. 

In a few short weeks you guys will be hitting Australia for the first time. What are you looking forward to most from this tour? Have you heard any tour stories from any friend’s bands who have been here before?

Im looking forward to koalas and kangaroos, thanks to Maylene. 

What can Australian audiences expect from a TDWP live show?

Hopefully good energy. 

What are your 5 favourite records that you’re listening to at the moment?

Oh, Sleeper – When I am God

Underoath – Define the Great Line

Anything Interpol

Anything Jimmy Eat World

Anything Sage Francis 

That about wraps it up, is there anything else you’d like to add?

See you soon!

For more info on The Devil Wears Prada head to www.myspace.com/tdwp or check out a full list of tour dates/venues HERE.