Kicking off the week with another in our long line of Bands of the Day…
Where are you guys from?
The band is based in Columbus, Ohio, but individually our hometowns are scattered. Some from Columbus, one from Canton, one even from Canada. We’re a very diverse group.
How did you meet?
Absolute Hero formed a few years back when lead singer, Sarah Nichole wanted to pick up where she left off in her former band which broke up due to creative differences. Originally the band consisted of Sarah, Justin and Seth, the former guitarist, but over time changes were made. Landen came out of the blue to join the band, and Cody and Chris were longtime friends who jumped in when the time was right.
How long have you been playing as a band?
Three years since we started in 2015.
Before you get sick of being asked… where does the band name come from?
We dabbled with a lot of different theories on the name, but finally came to conclusion with Absolute Hero. Most band names that have the word “hero” in it are speaking in terms of actual superheroes, but our definition refers to real life heroes. Fire fighters, doctors, police officers, even musicians themselves, who save our lives with their words and their songs.
What are your influences?
What’s so great about this band is that we all come together with our influences to form our own sound. Our current influences are A Day to Remember, Halestorm, and Beartooth.
Describe your music. What makes you unique?
I think what makes us unique is that we don’t try too hard to be unique. We spent a long time trying to find who we were, but then realized that we just needed to focus on writing what we feel. Let it just come to us. That’s the best way to be unique.
Do you have any particular lyrical themes?
Not particularly. Lyrics are always relatable to us and the fans. Words for the songs always come with the feel of the music as well.
What’s your live show like? How many shows have you played?
Over time, our live shows have gradually become a lot better. Some things are scripted, like Sarah dropping down to her knees during the words “It brings you to your knees” in our song “These Tables Turn”. Other than that, we just let loose and move with the music. It’s hard to say how many shows we’ve played, though it’s definitely been a lot over the years.
What’s the wildest thing you’ve seen or done at a show?
Actually, at our most recent one, the lead singer of a band called The Up All Nights jumped up on a table, poured beer on his head, then put his head through the roof. That was pretty wild.
What kit do you use/guitars do you play etc.?
Landen uses a Bugera T50 Infinium head, Bugera 212ts cabinet and a Schecter C-1 Hellraiser. Chris uses a Fender P Bass. Cody uses a Mesa Boogie Rectifier cabinet, Les Paul Standard Fender Telecaster Jim Root. Justin uses a T&K custom drum set and Soultone cymbals.
What, if anything, are you plugging/promoting at the moment?
We’re currently promoting our new single, “Death of Innocence” which will be released on February 9th, from our upcoming EP Gone Bad which will be released in autumn 2018.
What are your plans for 2018?
We plan on releasing our single, touring, releasing Gone Bad and so much more! We have a busy year ahead of us.
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!
We’d love to tour with A Day To Remember, they seem like fun guys to roll with! As for an opening band, it would have to be I Fight Fail, they’re really talented guys!
From previous Band of the Day, King Bison (UK): If you could join any band on stage, for one song, who would it be, and what track would you play?
- Sarah: “Little One” By Highly Suspect
- Justin: “Walls” By Emery
- Cody: “End of Heartache” By Killswitch Engage
- Landen: “Jesus of Suburbia” By Green Day
- Chris: “Lifeboats” By Senses Fail
From another BotD, Cinders: What is the craziest thing you have had to do on stage to fill time?
Usually we talk in between, but our set up is usually coordinated to where we play out time perfectly. If someone loses a string, or messes up in the middle of it, we just keep going. The craziest thing we’ve done is have Landen do a cool solo for the crowd.
And from Boobs of DOOM: What would you get paid in, if you couldn’t have money, and why?
The experience of playing music for people who need to hear it and need something/someone to connect with, that’s the biggest reward, and better than any amount of money. Music is therapy.
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