Survival Kit are on the march at the moment, with a new single that dropped a couple of days ago. But who are they? Where do they come from? And what do they think the coolest thing about being in a band is?
Simple things first – where are you guys from?
We all currently live west of Atlanta, GA. Same area that The Chariot grew and started their career in, actually. We all pretty much live in the sticks. Not much to do besides write music, work, and twerk if you find time to hit the city. We’re all about having a good time.
How did you meet?
Allen and Andrew met when they were 14/15 years old and played music together in a metalcore band. Billy (Two Times (Chewy)) & Travis both joined to play bass at some point and we all became really good friends through music. Whenever we all went different ways after high school, we all kept in touch and always felt we would write great music together again.
How long have you been playing as a band?
Officially… let’s just say January 1st, 2016.
Before you get sick of being asked… where does the band name come from?
It took like three months of tossing names back and forth in a group chat. Survival Kit just kind of fits because if we aren’t living for music… what the hell are we living for? It gives us purpose and joy to write and perform.
What are your influences?
You’ll get a kick out of this. Say Anything, Circa Survive, The Used, The Story So Far, Nirvana, Panic! at the Disco, and August Burns Red.
Describe your music. What makes you unique?
We are four guys that have chemistry on stage like no other. Our music… we write all different kinds of style and feels. I’d say the fact that you’re never going to hear the same thing twice is pretty unique.
Do you have any particular lyrical themes?
Travis is a great emotional writer and Andrew is a great story writer so the themes and situations get pulled from all kinds of different places.
What’s your live show like? How many shows have you played?
Survival Kit: Live… Get ready for an intense performance that feels like a party… and probably Travis in a pair of cheetah man-panties. We have probably played less than fifty shows as Survival Kit, but as friends in bands in the past we have played hundreds of shows together.
What’s the wildest thing you’ve seen or done at a live show?
Andrew once saw the bassist of The Chariot surf a 4×12 amp cabinet on top of a crowd while slapping his bass along to a song. I believe he’s in The Fever now.
Travis got dropped on the floor trying to crowd surf at the Waterparks/Too Close To Touch show we played. That was pretty nuts to see. He tried again and succeeded so it wasn’t a complete fail. Dude hit the ground like a rock.
What kit do you use / guitars do you play / etc.?
Travis and Andrew both play goldtop Les Pauls out of 2×12 tube amps.
Chewy plays a finished natural SUB bass.
Allen plays an SJC Custom Kit.
What, if anything, are you plugging/promoting at the moment?
We are currently pushing our single, “Stranger Things”, on Spotify with a video we made ourselves on Youtube [see below – Mosh]. Our new single, “Valedictorian”, will be available everywhere October 7th! [click here for streams now – Mosh] You can always check our show schedule on our website.
What are your plans for the rest of 2017, into 2018?
Right now we’re recording a lot and planning shows in the southeast [of the U.S.]. We are also flying to several different places to network and meet professionals that are doing the things that we want to be doing in the music industry. We believe in going after the things we want and so far we’ve made a ton of friends doing it! I’m sure we will be touring in 2018, but there are no definite dates yet.
If you were second on a three-band bill, which band would you love to be supporting and which band would you choose to open for you? A chance to plug someone you’ve toured with, or a mate’s band we’ve not heard of before!
For Travis & Andrew… definitely The Wrecks. I would love the dude’s in Kaya’s Embrace to open for us for sure.
From previous Band of the Day Sail: What’s the coolest moment you’ve had doing band stuff? What made you feel awesome and made the faff 100% worth it?
The coolest thing about all of it is that we are able to do it together as friends like we’ve always been. We finally get to go out and do all the things we’ve talked about sitting in our small town. The tour in August was the farthest north any of us has ever been in the USA. It feels like the gears are turning and this is all we’ve ever wanted so… it’s 100% worth it my friends!
From another BotD, Inquire Within: If you had to pick just one album to listen to for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Andrew: Young & Courageous – Tides of Man
Travis: …Is/Was a Real Boy – Say Anything
And from Crejuvent: Why do birds suddenly appear every time you are near?
That’s just the everlasting effects of LSD.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=la-Sgc911Fs
