Through The Eyes Of The Dead - Justin Longshore
Interview Date: May 01, 2006
Associated band: Through The Eyes Of The Dead
First of all, there’s been a huge buzz for the Sounds Of The Underground tour, even from before the line-up was announced because of the sheer success of the tour this year. Now that the line-up is complete and dates announced, how do you guys anticipate the tour will be this year?
JUSTIN LONGSHORE: We are really excited for Sounds of the Underground this summer. We’ve never done a festival tour like this so it will be something new for us. I think the tour itself will do really well because the lineup is really good. There are less bands than last year, but I think it’s for the better.
Are there any bands in particular that you are excited to share the stage with during the summer’s tour? I know you guys are influenced by Cannibal Corpse, who are one of the headliners of the tour.
JUSTIN: I’m really stoked for Cannibal Corpse and In Flames. I’ve been listening to them for a long time. They are big influences on our band, and to share the stage with them is a dream come true. I’m really stoked on seeing Behemoth as well.
How do you guys feel about playing a huge tour like this when you’re accustomed to smaller venues? How successful have the latest tours been, which include a tour with A Life Once Lost, Scarlet, and Cephalic Carnage?
JUSTIN: It’s going to be very different. It will probably take a few shows for us to get back into the groove of things. It’s sort of like how the Children of Bodom tour was for us. We only played in smaller venues before to 200-300 kids, and then we do that tour and there are 2,000 people at the first show. We were like holy shit. We really learned a lot from that tour business and performance wise. It helped us to see what happens on those big tours and how to interact with a different crowd.
Are there any plans for future releases from Through The Eyes Of The Dead? What can we expect from new material from you guys?
JUSTIN: Yes. We are actually working on the new record right now. It’s more thrashy so far but still heavy. We are sticking with our sound though, nothing is changing. We are just growing as musicians and songwriters. The songs are structured better and the musicianship has stepped up a lot. We are VERY excited to put out something new since we have a new drummer and bassist.
What is the band’s touring plans for after Sounds Of The Underground?
JUSTIN: We are supposed to do a direct support tour with a band I can’t really mention just yet. Europe will be shortly after that. After Europe we will do another headlining tour. That will be the final tour for Bloodlust and then we are going to complete the writing process and record.
How has Prosthetic Records been as far as supporting the band in its endeavors and releases?
JUSTIN: Prosthetic has been really awesome to us. A lot of bands can’t say that about their label but we are very happy. It helps a band out tremendously when their label backs them 110%.
Why did you guys particularly choose the name Through The Eyes Of The Dead?
JUSTIN: Our old guitar player who played on the EP came up with it. I don’t really recall the story. A lot of people think we took it from the Cannibal Corpse song title “Staring Through the Eyes of the Dead,” but that’s just a coincidence.
Do you have any comments to fans who are reading this or people interested in coming out to the Sounds Of The Underground tour this summer?
JUSTIN: Check out the dates and come rock the fuck out at the shows. After the show come hang out with us! Check out our websites for upcoming news and dates for TTEOTD.
