The Devil Wears Prada - February 23rd, 2008

1. Before we begin, can you please introduce who you are for the readers and what you do in the band?

I am Mike Hranica and I do vocals and lyrics.

2. Can you provide a brief history of the band?

We formed and then we played our first show in October of 2005 as a four piece. Then we obtained Andy and Jeremy basically through myspace and became a six piece. We got signed in early 2006 and did our own booked tours that summer. Chris and I were still in high-school during 2006-2007. Since we've graduated we have been touring full-time since summer of '07 and we've put out two records.

3. I have read that you guys are inspired to play music mostly by faith, can you elaborate on why and at what point you decided you would play music for this reason?

We started the band out of fun. I went to church with Dan and thats how I actually got to know him and I asked him if it was okay if I wrote lyrics about God. It was fine and so then we just started claiming a Christian band and that's how it came about.

4. You will be on tour for the next few months, when do you find time for writing and could you explain the process and amount of time that goes into it?

Chris and I were still in high-school when we wrote the last record so we just worked on it everyday after school. As far as now, I think we're taking time off after we play Warped Tour to have a few months to write and stuff.

5. Do you feel any pressure to sound a certain way, especially with being apart of this music scene which is so largely based around negativity and morbidness?

There's a lot of pressure coming up for the next record and trying to make it sound good and trying to do something a little bit different. As far as playing shows I know I try and do my best. We do have shows where we don't do our best like any normal band.

6. What are your best influences in the music you choose to write and play, including other bands.

When we started out it was Underoath and Still Remains but now we just draw influences from all different bands that we're into at the moment.

7. The new album "Plagues" was released roughly six months ago, I've looked into the album and it has some pretty interesting song titles with quite a few plays on words, do you care to explain what went into picking these titles?

About 5 seconds just thinking of the most stupid titles we can fabricate. So, absolutely no meaning or anything into the names.

8. You gentlemen have been around since 2005, considering some bands have clearly been around for much longer, is there a certain point you want to see your band get to while you are all together?

Yeah, big as possibly I guess. Just to play bigger tours and sell a lot of records, like any band wants I suppose.

9. You just began touring with Silverstein, what are you most excited about when it comes to playing these shows?

A Day to Remember because it's my favorite band and they're the best people in the world. Silverstein and Protest the Hero are also really nice and it's a blessing to be on this tour. It's only been about three days and I think it's the best tour we've ever done.

10. You are scheduled to play the entire Vans 2008 Warped Tour this summer. How do you feel about playing such a large tour and are you nervous?

We will probably get nervous because I hear it will be big crowds or whatever but we're all real excited. We've done 6 and 8 week tours so as far as the length it shouldn't be too bad.

11. I have read that you manage a clothing company called SHIPSHAPE Clothing with which you sponsor and endorse other bands. What has inspired you to start this side project?

I started it after a summer of touring and just because I was back in school and I need to keep as busy as possible. I've always made my own buttons and tried to sell them to people and stuff. When the band got bigger I thought it would be a great opportunity and a good crowd to get my t-shirt line out. I just wanted to keep busy and make shirts that I enjoyed.