August Burns Red Interview
12.18.09 Interviews | by: Steve
Interview with Guitarist Brent Rambler on 11/28/09
What is the meaning behind August Burns Red?
I’m guessing that you mean the band name?? Our original singer had a crazy ex-girlfriend who got super angry when they broke up. She then lit his doghouse on fire and his dog Redd happened to be inside. Her name was august. Thus the band name was born.
What bands have influenced your music?
We all really like Between the Buried and Me, As I lay Dying and Darkest Hour, but for the most part we don’t listen to much metal music. We just play what we want to hear.
What bands are you currently listening to?
I am currently listening to The Gaslight Anthem, Explosions in the Sky, and the new Between the Buried and Me.
What inspires your lyrics?
Life situations.
How many days of the year are you guys out on the road?
Umm it’s hard to give an exact number but i would say between 200-250 days a year.
What is your favorite song to perform live?
As of now I really enjoy playing White Washed
How do Non-U.S. shows/fans differ, if at all, from U.S. shows/fans?
We are much larger in the States then we are anywhere else in the world, so they are a bit more intense on this side of the pond.
When you guys were recording Constellations did you think it would be a big a hit as it has turned out to be?
We knew it would sell well, I just don’t think we knew how well.
What do you guys doing the few days you don’t tour?
Spend time with our families and friends. I personally hang out with my wife and puppy all day long.
What would you be doing if you weren’t playing music?
I would work in real estate or be working with financial advisement. Want some advice??
I have to say that you guys put on excellent live show (I saw you this past summer at the Sonshine Festival and it was the best live show I have ever seen), so how long did it take you guys to get that good on stage?
We have been touring forever and I think that being comfortable on stage just comes with time.
Has anything embarrassing happened to you guys on stage during a show?
Yes two nights ago, the screw that holds my strap on my guitar snapped in half, and then 5 songs later I dropped my pick right as I started the opening tremelo part in Marianas Trench. It was dreadful.
What is the best show you guys have ever had? What is the craziest pit you have caused?
Sonshine Festival 2008 was ridiculous! They had to stop the show to keep the stage from collapsing. Our craziest pit was in Dubai at the Desert Rock Festival. Apparently the police were called because a large majority of the crowd had never seen a circle pit before.
What do fans do to pump you guys up while you are playing?
Singing along and crowd surfing are my favorite things to see. If people are screaming louder then Jake you know it’s a sweet show.
How fun was it to record “…Baby One More Time”? I always wanted to know how you could sing some of the lyrics without giggling or laughing?
We were totally laughing when we recorded that song. It sounded absurd.
Are there any more plans to remake another pop song or a certain pop song you would like to do?
As of now the only thing we are trying to figure out is how the heck we can write a Christmas record and another record of original songs in the next 18 months. Cross your fingers.
Where do you see ABR in five years?
Hopefully we have gone Gold, and I only have to tour 3 times a year. The rest of my time will be spent day trading stocks.
August Burns Red is:
Jake Luhrs – Vocals
JB Brubaker – Guitar
Brent Rambler – Guitar
Dustin Davidson – Bass Guitar
Matt Greiner – Drums
