Interview with For Our Lifetime

 For Our Lifetime is a Pop Punk band from New Jersey that formed in 2009. You can check out their newest ep "Have You Lived" on their facebook http://www.facebook.com/#!/forourlifetimemusic/info. I got the pleasure to interview them.

 

TTEC: Who are you're influences?

For Our Lifetime:There are many bands that have inspired us musically. From pop punk bands like "New Found Glory", "Blink 182", to hardcore bands such as "Lion Heart, Come Back Kid, and Close Your Eyes. We appreciate music period, and grew up going to local shows of all genres. We all incorporate our favorite musical styles, which we think gives us a great blend. The local bands we play with motivate us to expand our sound.

TTEC: How did you guys start?

For Our Lifetime:The band started in 2009 in the fallout of a former local screamo band "My Eyes Just Closed". Vocalist Charlie Blackwell decided it was not time to quit music but to start something new with a positive message. It ended up to be an upbeat, fun style, that happened to fall into the pop punk genre. The new goal was to just have a great time playing fun music and fans were immediately attracted to the vibe and feeling of being a part of something. John Defillipo joined the group from responding to an add on Craigslist looking for a guitar player. After the first meeting, a bond was formed and a strong shared interest for the music. Drummer Nick Palmer went way back with Charlie playing shows in different bands in the scene and when the opportunity came up to work together, they jumped right on it. Connor Monroe was playing drums in a metal core band at the time we were looking for a bassist. We played with his band a few times becoming friends with one another. Not to our knowledge, he was a great bass player as well and jumped on board when we told him we were looking for a permanent bassist. The lineup was solid now but something still felt missing. Charlie was looking to put down the guitar for a while to concentrate on just singing and interacting with the crowd. A close friend to the band said he new a dude that was awesome on guitar, recently available, and looking to join a new band. The band met with Dan Cordi and personalities clicked. He learned the songs quickly and took over the second guitar position. The band was and now is, complete.

TTEC: How has the feedback been on "Have you lived"?

For Our Lifetime: We've had really positive feedback on the album. It has gained us new fans and opened many doors for us. Which we couldn't be more grateful for. A lot of people, when they think of local bands, don't expect the song quality in recordings to really be that good, but we think we really set the bar high for our next record and We're excited to out-do "Have You Lived?"

TTEC: Any tours going on now? If so with who? If not any coming up and with who?

For Our Lifetime: We just got back from a tour in Virginia, with our friends from "Battleghost". Next, we have a show at the Stone Pony in January, then we are playing with "Me Vs. Hero" and "With the Punches", in February. We have also begun writing new material for a new EP, then plan to tour again in the summer.

TTEC: What is you're favorite and least favorite thing about being in a band?

For Our Lifetime: Our favorite thing about being in a band is basically having fun doing what we love and sharing it with people. We've created a whole new family of fans and friends and it's great.

Being on the road for extended periods of time can sometimes be hard for us. We all have friends and family at home who we miss when we're on the road. The drives between shows can also be rough, but once the show starts we realize that the drive, no matter how long, was worth it.

TTEC: .Since I am from Jersey I personally think that besides south jersey, the jersey music scene is not very good

but what do you guys think of it?

 

For Our Lifetime: Honestly over the past few years the music scene in Jersey has died down a lot and it's really upsetting. We do still enjoy the people that do come out, as we attend as many local shows as we can to support the scene, and hope others will follow along.

TTEC: Anything else you want to share with everyone?

 

For Our Lifetime: Check out our music at forourlifetime .com and if you like what you hear, come see us the next time we come to your area.