For Fans Of: New Found Glory, I Call Fives, All Time Low

Social Sites: Facebook, Twitter, Bandcamp

&amp;lt;a href=“http://atexband.bandcamp.com/track/just-a-phase” data-mce-href=“http://atexband.bandcamp.com/track/just-a-phase”&amp;gt;Just a Phase by At The Edge&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;

Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.

George - Vocals

David - Lead guitar

Rene - Rhythm guitar

Art - Drums

Mando - Bass



What’s your hometown (or what are your hometowns)?

George: We’re all from the Montclair area, Inland Empire, of Southern California. Except David. (laughs).

David: (Laughs) Yeah I don’t fit in. I’m from Whittier. But its cause there was no music scene in my area so I had to go out to find a band. That’s why I started our whole SoCal pop-punk thing. At the time, we had 3 members from the IE, one from Downtown Los Angeles, and one from the San Gabriel Valley. We were no longer from a specific place. It was all over Southern California; that’s what we all had in common.



How did the band come together? How long has it been?

G: My brother Art, our drummer, was in a shitty pop-punk band. I was in a terrible fucking Jonas Brothers rip off band; the kind of band where we had a manager and you’re told everything to do. What to write, etc. So I quit because I wanted to play hardcore music. Ended up stealing Art to start a pop-punk band. So ATE started, in its earliest beginnings, around 2008. That’s about 4 or 5 years.

D: I’ve been in it about 3 years. I joined the band as I got out of high school. I decided music was what I was gonna do with my life. I had to find a band and since everyone in my area was just fucking raving or getting high, I had to look elsewhere for bands. I was a fan of ATE, saw they needed a guitarist and tried out. It just really fit to be honest. I loved the guys. We got along well and now we’re here.



Why should people listen to your band?

D: To be honest it doesn’t matter if anyone listens to us. That’s not to be rude or anything, it’s just that, this is what makes us happy. Playing shows, making music, is our escape from the world. It’s not for anyone else but us. If people happen to like it, then that’s even more fucking rad.

G: We’ve played shows to 3 kids, it doesn’t change it. It’s the love of playing music



How have you grown since you started?

D: Our condom sizes are just slightly bigger now (laughs). But really, we’ve just all improved as musicians in each of our trades. And personally, I’ve seen when writing, it’s become more of writing what the song needs. Not what we think would be a sick riff or fill. It’s all about a collective effort; not 5 separate ones.



What sets you apart from other bands?

D: I don’t know if it shows, but we try to be super high energy. At least live, for me, it’s not about hitting every note or getting everything perfect. It’s about the energy. That’s why I listen to bands like Minor Threat, Black Flag, etc. It isn’t about getting everything perfect; it isn’t about angelic singing voices. It is that they have something to say. It is the energy and passion they put into it



What’s the best part about being in your band?

D: Just being able to make music with dudes you love. Family. Every time we play, I get to escape from everything else. When you’re on stage, for those 30 minutes, nothing else matters. There’s no other stress or responsibilities. It’s fucking great



More times than not, influences tend to bleed through. What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?

D: My first cd was Enema of the State. I was like 8, so Blink will always inspire me. And I’ll always wish I wrote “Going Away to College.” Like I said, Minor Threat, Black Flag, Pennywise. As far as current bands, The Story So Far are killing it. A little over a year ago, we were playing a shitty little back yard in Downtown LA with them. Now they’re taking over the world. But they’re doing it the RIGHT way, not selling out for anybody. They just inspire me to go for it.



What would you say the band has already accomplished and what do you have your eyes set on next?

D: I’ve been able to accomplish so many things with this band I never thought possible. If you told me 4 years ago that I’d be doing this, I’d have laughed in your face. But, I guess I’d say my next main goal is Warped Tour. That’s been a dream of mine since I was a kid.

Thus far, what’s a favorite memory or something quirky that’s taken place with the band (in-studio, onstage, or elsewhere)?

D: Favorite memory so far would be our show at Chain Reaction with Handguns. It was just great, so many kids singing our music, playing with bands that are our best friends. Best show, yet.

Is there anything in particular that you’d like people to take away from listening to your music?

D: Do what you want, never lose hope. I should be in college right now, working to get a degree so I can sit behind a desk for the next 45 years. But FUCK THAT! I’ll do what I want and you should too.



If you could change something about the music industry, what would it be?

D: Put REAL fucking music on the radio. It’s so sad what society is spoon fed nowadays. It pains me so bad that a kid can’t turn on the radio and listen to punk rock music anymore.



How did your band’s name come about?

D: It had something to do with the dudes thinking about life. They were right outta high school. Kinda thinking they were right at the edge of their lives.



What’s the biggest mistake someone’s made while playing?

D: (Laughs) mine sucked. We were playing in Canoga Park and had to tune up right before we played “Deep Blue Sea.” I tuned and was overly pumped that I forgot to click off my tuner. So played the whole song wondering why there was no sound coming out of my amp. I blamed it on the sound guy. I feel bad now (laughs). This is the first time I’ve told anyone that



Any pre-performance rituals?

D: Go to the bathroom. Secure shoe laces. Tune. A lot of the times I don’t eat before our set too.

G: No soda or anything that’s going to mess with my voice.

D: I’ve seen George do push-ups right before a set! (Laughs) buff guys…



Is there anything else you would like to add?

D: Just thanks so much to everyone who’s ever taken a second out of their day to listen to us. Anyone who’s ever come to a show, bought our music or merch. Anyone who’s ever shared us with a friend.

We’re currently wrapping up our new EP, so stay tuned!

*If you would like your band to be featured on a POZ Showcase, email us.