Having known my fair share of bands, I’ve heard more than a few stories from the road, most of them concerning the dichotomous nature of touring. They love the fact that they’re constantly playing shows, playing before their fans, and traveling the country as they do so. But the flip side to all of the musical bliss is that the band is far apart from their families and friends for long stretches of time, trapped in a van or small bus rolling along seemingly endless stretches of highway. It’s an alternately frustrating and rewarding experience, one that some bands deal with better than others, one that can fracture friendships or bring the musicians even closer together. Thus, I recently had the opportunity to talk with Sean Malkin of Yellowcard, discussing all manner of things: touring, making music, and the band’s new album Paper Walls.
How’s it going today Sean?
It’s been a good day. I’m getting the chance to rest after two very busy days in Toronto.
What were you guys doing up in Toronto?
It’s been crazy. We were up there promoting the new album Paper Walls and were going non-stop. We traveled up there for a late-night promo gig, and then we had to wake up for a morning show. That meant arriving at the studio at 7am for sound checks before going on at 8am. Following that, we had to prepare for our headlining show that night, wake up the next morning, and go through customs to get back into the country. I’m just glad that I have the next couple of days to spend with my lady.
Wow! You were quite busy. What was it like being in Toronto?
Well, Toronto is the New York City of Canada, so you have to make the whole media tour, since everyone wants to talk to you about what’s going on with the band. It can be hectic, but it’s all for Yellowcard, so it’s worth it.
I read that you guys recently did a live taping for XM Satellite Radio. What was that like?
For me, it was great, since I was able to chill out at home. Ryan Mendez (lead guitar) and Ryan Key (vocals, guitar) were doing a radio promotional tour for two weeks talking about Paper Walls. They said that it went well though.
Very cool. That brings me to my next topic. Tell me about Paper Walls. Who’s the producer? What kind of theme or direction do you have for the album?
It’s an album that’s energetic, where we’re comfortable in our own skin as a band. Neal Avron produced the album - he’s amazing. We call him the undeclared 6th member of the band, since he’s produced Paper Walls, and our earlier two albums, Ocean Avenue and Lights and Sounds. He’s also produced for New Found Glory and Fall Out Boy. He just knows how to really direct our sound. As a band, Yellowcard has a moving forward feel and Paper Walls is a strong presentation of that moving forward. Ocean Avenue is all about the searching the entire band was experiencing, where Lights and Sounds was a darker album where we felt somewhat lost on the search. Paper Walls is all about the members of the band finding ourselves, about the growing up we’re doing as men. The album has traditional Yellowcard melodies and hooks blended with searing rock - this is the finest that Yellowcard has to offer.
What’s it been like touring with Sum 41?
It’s been great. The two bands are a good match for each other and the audiences have been great. Everyone’s enjoying making music, hanging out with each other, hanging out with the fans. We’re enjoying being on the road and we’re just taking every day one at a time.
Who’s been opening for you two?
Amber Pacific and Monte Are I.
RI?
Yeah. Monte Are I. The “Are I” is kind of like a play on words because the band is from Rhode Island. But yeah, it’s been great on the road so far.
What are your thoughts about your upcoming tour with Blue October?
It will be a great chance for us to play before some new fans who might not have really heard Yellowcard’s music before, mostly because the two bands come from different ends of the rock spectrum. But we’re looking forward to getting out there on the road, playing our music for people that love music.
You guys have been known to tour a lot. What do you do when you’re not touring? Being from Florida, are there things that you love doing when you’re not on the road?
Well, since we’re a full-time touring band, it’s hard to say where home is sometimes. We do call Jacksonville, FL the home of the band, but we’re really a bi-coastal band these days. Pete and Ryan live in New York now and I live in California, so we don’t really spend much time in Florida itself. But in general, when we’re not on tour, we get away and do whatever we can to relax, whether that’s hanging out with our ladies or engaging in our personal hobbies.
That makes lots of sense. So, since you have strong fanbases in Florida and California, where’s the one place in the rest of the country that the band can always rely upon for a great show, for a great audience?
Well, as strange as it sounds, Salt Lake City, UT has always been a great place for us. There’s a strong Yellowcard fanbase there and we’re always very hopeful and excited to get to play there.
So instead of SLC Punk, it’s more like SLC Pop-Punk.
[laughs] Something like that. Salt Lake City tends to be a place that loves Yellowcard and finds time in its schedule for us.
What kind of hopes and dreams do you have for the record? What are you looking forward to with Paper Walls?
We’re hopeful and positive about where the album will go. We’re happy right now. We’ve achieved more than we ever hoped for in our wildest dreams, so we’re in the sustaining mode right now, building longevity. We want to embrace each day, so we’re learning to have the patience to stop and enjoy each show, enjoy each moment. We’re just having a good time being Yellowcard and we always love hearing the positive feedback from our fans.
Well, I want to thank you for the interview Sean. I’ve really enjoyed talking to you today.
You’re welcome. It’s been fun.
--Adam P. Newton
Photo: Bill McMillin
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Yellowcard's Paper Walls is available now on Capitol Records.
http://www.yellowcardrock.com
http://www.myspace.com/yellowcard
