Advent Interview
12.10.09 Interviews | by: Steve
Interview with Advent Bassist Johnny Smrdel on 11/25/09
Why the name Advent?
A band called STRONGARM put a record out called “Advent of a Miracle” around 1998 or 99 and it changed the history of spirit-filled hardcore and our lives. We wouldn’t be a band if it wasn’t for STRONGARM. It’s a way of saying thank you to one of the best hardcore bands of our time.
What kind of music do you play? Metal, hardcore, punk or???
All of the above…ha-ha
What bands have inspired your music?
Man, so many bands past and present. Everything from classic rock to worship.
Um…. I’ll give a list of bands that make a good rotation in the van when we are on the road. Strongarm, turmoil, madball, converge, BTBAM, John Mayer, Leeland, Black Sabbath, U2, Shai Hulud, JesusCulture.
What inspires your lyrics?
Joe writes all the lyrics but I can say we are all inspired by our God, his word, this corrupt world, family/friends and Shai Hulud!
What kind of fan reaction have you received about Naked and Cold?
We just did a weekend and it was the first thing we’ve gotten to do since the record came out. Joe has been out with his other band (the almost) so we haven’t even played a home show since its been out. This weekend was insane. 3 of the best shows we’ve ever played. Remove the Earth was a decent record but it didn’t seem to grab peoples attention. Naked and Cold seems to be different, this is the first time we’ve really had people singing along to the songs. things have been great and we appreciate it so much
Are you guys totally exhausted after each show?
Only if the club doesn’t have water for you and you have to play for 30mins and sweat a couple gallons of water and not have anything to drink…..seriously this happens so much.
What do fans do to do pump you up during a show?
Giving me a high five while doing a double back flip into the crowd. Or if Tony hawk came to a show and brought a vert ramp and did a 900 when we were going into Revival!
What is the craziest or most nuts pit you have caused?
We played a nursing home/daycare center once in Fargo, ND and
It got real rowdy! It was awesome until a crew of 4 year olds ganged up on the quilt club. We tried breaking it up but they smashed all our gear and ruffed us up. Lucky insurance cover our losses.
What do you guys do when you are not touring?
We are home more than we are away…. thank the Lord!
Joe and I are married to 2 amazing women. Joe works at a awesome music store called Don’s Music City. Joe also plays in The Almost so he is gone a lot with that. Mike works part-time at Whole Foods and is in another band called Low Sky and they’re awesome. I work full time at Whole Foods and my wife and I are expecting our first child January 3rd!!
What would you guys be doing if you weren’t playing?
To be honest I don’t have a clue. God gave us this talent and its hard to think about not playing music. I know Joe loves cake decorating and Mike always talks about becoming a Police Officer…. I’d probably live in San Francisco and teach yoga.
What is the best show you have played?
We’ve had a lot…all these cities have blessed us more than we could say:
McAllen, TX/Greenville, SC/Johnson City, TN/Pittsburgh, PA and Jacksonville, FL
What kind of reaction have you guys received to your new album?
We have had a lot of awesome people really encourage us and that means more than any magazine saying anything. The music industry is worthless and can ruin the art of music. We don’t care what magazines/MTV…etc say about us good or bad.
Do you guys have any shows/tours lined up for 2010 to promote the new album?
Man, we’ve talked about a tour with Shai Hulud…. we’ll see. We aren’t a full time band so between a new baby and Joe doing The Almost we’ll see what happens.
What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you on stage?
Thankfully not too much. I fall down a lot. Joe has lost his voice…and Mike sporadically solo’s through entire songs…more embarrassing for us than him.
What is the worst thing that has happened to you on tour?
Praise the Lord not too much.
If you could book a mega tour, what bands would you love to play with?
Easy: Strongarm, Turmoil, For The Love Of, Stretch Armstrong and Converge!
Everyone has at least one album in their CD/mp3 collection that they would never ever want anyone to know about. Care to tell us yours?
Um… My wife has a couple Taylor Swift cds and the new one ain’t to shabby!
Want to snitch on anyone else in Advent?
Nah….we don’t have to many skeletons in our closets.
Where do you see you guys in 5 years?
Band wise I don’t know. It would be cool have a couple more records out but not knowing makes life so much more fun!
Advent is:
Matt Harrison – Guitar
Johnny Smrdel – Bass
Joe Musten – Vocals
Chris Ankelein – Drums
Mike Rich – Guitar
Check out our review of Naked and Cold here.
