Interview: The Starting Line

I would personally like to thank Kenny and Matt for taking the time to answer some questions. We talked about many things and I would love to hear your thoughts on the interview. I highly suggest checking out
The Starting Line's new release Direction.

Before we start, I would like to thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to answer some questions. Could you state your name's and the band you play for?

Kenny: Hey, my name is Kenny and I play bass for The Starting Line.

Matt: My name is Matt and I play guitar for The Starting Line.

To start off, Warped tour is all you guys are doing this summer. How do you like the crowd’s reaction to different songs being played?

Kenny: It’s been good. It’s been getting better and better. The longer the Cd’s been out, the more we see the fans just singing along. The kids have been learning the words and it’s been exciting.

Just about a week ago, The Starting Line released Direction. How was it to work with Howard Benson?

Kenny: It was really cool. We got to spend a couple days with him and we were interested. We were held back by the ways he does things a little bit different than other producers. But when meeting with him, and realizing who you know is the best person for the job and who has a different aspect for the record. So, I think we made the best decision with going with him.

Matt: He was just really laid back and really pleasant. Um, I think it was pretty enjoyable for everyone.

Also, I read about TSL recording acoustic tracks for Direction? When can we see a release date?

Kenny: I don’t know. They just made us do that because I really didn’t want to do it. So I have no clue when we’ll be seeing a release date.

The first single off Direction is Island. Why did you guys decide to choose this song?

Kenny: We didn’t really have a choice in it. The label wanted it so we did it.

When I was listening to Direction, I realized in the song "Somebody's Gonna Miss Us" there’s a references to the 2002 release Say It Like You Mean It. What is the message in this song?

Kenny: Just not be scared of progression and or change. Like if something starts and a change doesn’t mean it’s for the bad. You know I think if kids hear something different and they don’t really dig it immediately. So they stop listening to it and just go back to our old music. It’s kind of something we always wanted to explore and I don’t think we are going back to the older style. I’ll let you get the next one Matt (laughs).

Do you guys want to send a shot to the fans? To look at you for what you are doing now not what you were doing back in the Say It Like You Mean It era?

Matt: I’m proud of the fact that none of our records are really not that similar. You know we always have had our sounds and our music has progressed. I personally love bands that progress and I think it’s important to challenge your fans and challenge yourselves not to write the same album again.

Now Kenny, we move to Person L. How is it coming with the EP?

Kenny: Uhm, it’s still in the works eight now. There five songs that I have to finish and some guitar work. It’s just a matter of getting enough time in between touring and finishing it up.

Matt, what can you tell me about The Seventy Six?

Matt: It’s just a pop rock project with a couple of my best friends at home. All it is just having a good time with a couple of friends at home. For right now, we are just taking it slow. It's fun.

Now Kenny, it seems every time I look on an album booklet, I see your name pop up as a guest vocalist. How many more releases in 2007 can we hear your voice on?

Kenny: Well, I’m on the Valencia record and I think that’s it (laughs).

What are The Starting Line's plans after warped tour?

Matt: We are doing a three week regional on the east coast and Midwest tour. Then we are going on a headlining tour in the fall with Paramore and bringing back The Almost.

Kenny, will we ever see your hair as short as it was in the Leavinfg music video?

Kenny: If you watch it, you will (laughs).

Thanks for your time guys.


The Starting Line is
Kenny Vasoli- Bass Guitar, Guitar, Vocals
Mike Golla- Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals
Matt Watts- Guitar
Tom Gryskewicz- Drums
Brian Schmutz- Keyboards, Backing Vocals


The Starting Line's Website
The Starting Line's Myspace
The Starting Line's Purevolume

Buy Direction