From: New Jersey, US
Sounds like: Saves The Day, Taking Back Sunday, Far
Website: www.MySpace.com/LastDaysOfEmpire
Thrash Hits verdict: There seems to be an awful lot going on in New Jersey right now - not only did we stumble across the hardcore rock’n'roll of Chambers, but now we can also add the post-hardcore soundscapes of Last Days of Empire to our 2009 discovery-list. We pinned down LDoE vocalist/guitarist, Michael Depho, to fill us in.
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How did you guys meet?
“The story begins back in 1996, when Cory [George, guitars] and I first met through mutual friends. We were both in bands at the time, and we had a common love for bands like Deftones, Quicksand and Weezer amongst others. We eventually started our own band with some friends. When it came time for the first rehearsal, I at the time, had a ton of gear, and I brought it all to the rehearsal. After all of the gear was divided up, I was the only one without an instrument. The only thing left was a microphone. I was scared to death, as my only prior band experience was playing drums and guitar in riot grrl and alt-rock bands. I was so nervous to be put on the spot like that, that I delayed as long as I could and eventually agreed to sing only if I could hide in a closet with the mic. And of course, aside from writing an original song, the other guys decided it would be best to play a song we all knew. Of course this was a Deftones song. I guess they liked what they heard, we were kids, and I’m sure it was terrible, but, I have been singing ever since.
“Some time had gone by and we had grown up a bit, and Cory and I both moved to different parts of the US. But when we both returned to New Jersey, we just had to start writing together. So, around 2003 we started writing the first Last Days of Empire songs. We auditioned some friends, started playing shows, had some lineup changes, recorded three EP’s, and here we are today, about 6 years later.”
What made you want to start a band?
“I had always loved music since I was a kid, and when I was a teenager, I became obsessed with finding new music and going to shows. For me, the natural progression was to start a band. I loved the whole scene/show culture and network of bands and musicians, and I truly wanted to be a part of that. Being able to express yourself musically as an art form is a very gratifying and amazing experience.”
Where does the name come from?
“It was a quote that was at the end of a book our old guitar player Drew was reading. It stuck, and totally spawned imagery and the concept for the theme/pseudo-story behind our music. For a brief time, we were called Tomax and Xamot, as we were all obsessed with G.I Joe when were young.”
Did growing up in New Jersey affect your music?
“Totally. NJ is the home to so many accomplished and great acts. I grew up with Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Naughty by Nature, and The Misfits. And more recent underground bands like Saves the Day, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Thursday, God Forbid, and Lifetime really influenced me and helped pave the way for a lot of up and coming bands from our general area. Now The Gaslight Anthem has grabbed the torch, and they are doing a great job representing where they came from.”
So far, what has been the best thing about being in a band?
“Probably connecting with 4-6 different people at the same time on the same thing. It’s a beautiful thing when dudes can connect on something as emotional as music. Playing shows and meeting fans and other bands is also very rewarding.”
With which band would your dream support slot/tour be?
“For me, that’s simple…Deftones/Last Days of Empire tour. I think a Glassjaw/At The Drive In Reunion Tour would be mind-melting, as well as a Sunny Day Real Estate/Hum Reunion tour.”
What bands do you consider as part of your scene or as your peers?
“In our general area of NJ, I’d have to say Chemtrail, Communication Redlight, Chambers, Grand Alto, Brock Murdock, Aphonia, River City Extension, Everything She Needs, Ecotone, Socratic. Those are the bands we play a lot of shows with. I hope I didn’t forget anyone.”
Watch the video to ‘Hunter/Killer’ by Last Days Of Empire
What marks you out as different to other bands around at the moment?
“I guess the fact that we have a lot going on musically. 3 guitars, keys, samples, beats, 4 vocals….we bring a lot of gear with us when we play. Also the story theme to the music. To me, some of the songs are soundscapes to different scenes or glimpses into the story. We also try to be as professional as we can possibly be with everything we do, so we can be taken seriously by our fans, promoters, and other bands. A lot of unsigned acts don’t, and sometimes they are not taken seriously as they should be.”
What’s the best show you’ve played?
“The best show we have played was the last show of the recent Far Reunion Tour at The Mercury Lounge in New York City. Not only were we completely honored and flattered that the guys in Far took us with them for their East Coast Reunion Tour, but this show was special, maybe a little magical. It was near our hometown, and all of our friends were there at a sold out club with us as the direct support for Far. We played great, Far played great, the tour was great, but seeing how proud our friends and families were for us, knowing how influential and important Far is to us, was just inspiring. Getting to hang and play with Glassjaw and Saves the Day at a festival in NJ was pretty amazing too.”
Tell us a joke.
“Tom Cruise is from New Jersey.”
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Last Days of Empire have a few more live dates to play before the year is out, so if you happen to find yourself in New Jersey this side of 2010, you might want to consider checking them out.