Western Courier

Issue date: 7/5/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Courtesy photo of The Showdown

The differences between a band's first and second album are almost always noticeable to its fans. For August Burns Red, the changes were more subtle.

Guitarist JB Brubaker said that although the writing process of the band's sophomore effort, "Messengers," was similar to the first album, the collaboration between group members increased on this record.

"We were all writing," he said. "We're doing a lot of new stuff we couldn't have done the first time around."

Brubaker credits some of the changes to the growth of the group as musicians and calls "Messengers" a "more technically advanced album."

The group has a unique sound, and where most bands can easily name their influential factors, August Burns Red has essentially created its own.

"I don't think we have a lot of outside influence affecting what we do," Brubaker said.

The band made its second appearance at Cornerstone this year, and Brubaker said he was "super excited to come back and play again."

Another band who has drawn its influences from listening to heavy metal music growing up is The Showdown, who performed at Cornerstone for the third time and will perform at Ozzfest. Bassist Eric Koruschak took the time to chat with the WC about the band and its unique style of music.

Feana Kotter: Do you have any advice to give groups starting out about how to avoid the vices of being on the road?

Eric Koruschak: I'd say the main thing is just to be on the road with good friends and always keep that in mind. We are all best friends and we only use our friends for crewmembers. You have to be surrounded by people that you like and that are like-minded and always remember what your goals are. You have to be determined to not let anyone stand in your way.

FK: How would you describe the sound of your band?

EK: Hard-hitting, rude, pyro -- a heavy metal wrecking ball.

FK: What are the major differences between "Temptation Come My Way" and your freshman album?

EK: "Temptation" is an honest representation of what we are into, where we are as a band and who we are as people. It's a much more cohesive album than the last, which was more scattered and basically us just writing separately.

FK: What bands, if any, have influenced you or your bandmates as musicians?

EK: Metallica, Pantera, Motley Crue, Cinderella, Testament, Exodus, Stone Temple Pilots, Sevendust.

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