Thus,
The Almost, following Underoath’s lead, plays in major mainstream venues often
with general market acts, like the wild and wacky, punk-driven multi-band
“Warped Tour,” which The Almost is playing all summer (with Underoath picking
up a few dates near the end). Underoath left the tour last year in controversy
as some press suggested that Fat Mike of NOFX had taunted the band for its
faith, causing the band to walk away. Gillespie denies Fat Mike’s impact on the
band’s decision, saying they had been on the road for nearly eight years and
desperately needed a break to rest and regroup. The fact that they’ll return
this year makes his point.
As
for the other labels that can perplex a band, reviewers have been quick to
label The Almost as “emo,” while Underoath was deemed “screamo.” “Those terms,”
explains Gillespie, “were an attempt, five years ago, to describe emotional
rock or emotional rock with screaming.” Gillespie finds this unhelpful. “Would
someone call Led Zeppelin emo? But can you think of more emotional rock than
that? Anyone who’d call [The Beatles’]
Abbey Road an emo album would be laughed
at. Those titles are meaningless. Most good rock is emotional by definition,
but I’ve been blessed by a love for all kinds of music.”
A
reference that has greater resonance are comparisons to former Nirvana drummer
Dave Grohl’s first effort as Foo Fighters, where he similarly recorded solo,
playing most of the instruments.
Southern Weather rocks in the buoyant pop/rock
style of the Foos, with an emphasis on melody, space between the guitar riffs
and variation in pace and tone. “Say This Sooner,” once called “Johnny Cash”
because of its rockin’ train rhythmic shuffle reminiscent of his work, packs
plenty of guitar punch but skitters to a halt and shifts gears to create
something original and appealing. It’s nothing like the more aggressive and
extreme voice that dominates Underoath.
I'VE GOT 4 FRIENDS AND A CROWBAR
In the end, it was the music and love and
respect for Gillespie that brought the other members into The Almost. Jay
Vilardi (guitarist) plays the role as second-in-charge so that Gillespie can
maintain his active role in Underoath, which is complicated further by his job
as a guitar tech on the road for Underoath. It’s one thing to get new bands to
commit to music they’re making as they go; it’s quite another to form a band
around music that one individual has written and recorded from his singular vision.
Still, Vilardi says, the band—which also includes Alex Aponte (bass) and Kenny
Bozich (drums)—practically runs itself these days. “I’ve never worked with a
more enthused and supportive group of guys. Given Aaron’s and my schedule, a
lot of this depends on them picking up the pieces, and they’ve been great about
it.”
