Lambgoat's Sara Kafka met up with Hopesfall guitarist Dustin Nadler in a drab mechanical room prior to a recent show at the Knitting Factory in New York City.

A lot of Christian sites reference you, like www.christianrock.com and christianpunks.com. How do you do feel about being associated with religious sites, and the following in general. And are you a Christian band?

I mean, personally I have no problem with being followed or being watched by Christian sites or whatever. That's not a problem. But no, Hopesfall when they started were a Christian band way back in the day. And Josh explains it as, he's like 'dude I started a band. I was like 16, 17'... he's like 'I just didn't know any better. And this is what I thought. I had a Christian up-bringing. And this is just what we were at the time.' But now, Hopesfall is 100% a secular band. We have no problem with Christian people who follow the band or whatever. But I don't wan't people to think we are to be correlated with that, cause we're not. We're just a band, and we're in it for the music. And by no means am I going to stand by and bare witness to other people, you know what I mean? It's not something that we do. We just want to play music, so no Christian label at all... no, no.

For the record, it's just fucking music kids?

Yeah, it's just fucking music.

Alright, on to your newer album. Why does A Types sound so different compared to your other releases?

You know, when I joined Hopesfall I never considered them a hardcore band. I mean, they were aggressive music... screaming. You know the, occasional... occasional breakdown type thing. But I always listened to them like a good heavy rock band. The riffs they would write, the stuff they would do... you know? But Josh and I had a really big, long talk about this. And we both decided... we're like, as a band actually, we decided that we just want to write heavy rock songs. And we want to write stuff that we want to hear. Things that we're into. One of my favorite bands of all-time is the band Hum. Like I love that band so much it's not even funny. But it's like we did what we felt. And we did what we wanted to do. And we were appeasing a part of... or I guess, catering to a part of our musical taste. And a musical interest that we had not done before. So it is different. I mean, I understand that it's very different. But instead of linear songs, with like 15 different parts. Out there, that's cool and I apreciate what the band did at time. And what they did for The Satellite Years. But we don't want to just keep releasing the same record. So we decided, that we wanted to try and write more formulated rock songs. You know, write good, heavy, full songs, you know? And that's just kind of what we did. We started writing some guitar riffs, and then Jay was like, "you know what man, I wanna sing more." And we were like, 'ok, cool. Go for it man. Whatever's gonna make you happy.' So we didn't even really know the extent to how far Jay would go with it. Because in practice we put this album together in two months. Yeah. And so in practice everyday, we would be in there. We'd be having this stuff out... do we like this? Do we not like this? And we realized immediatly that it was going to be different. But we re-decided, you know what? Fuck it! We wanna play this. This is what we wanna do, you know? Hopesfall is not a band that is gonna sit down and alter or change our songs because we think other people might like them more if we do that. That is never the case, and it never has been. Although a lot of people might hear me say that and listen to the record and say that it's complete bullshit, but it's honestly the truth. So we just started doing it. And Jay's vocals... we had a little shitty PA in the practice space. And we would play, and he would be like 'Hey, I kind of have an idea for this.' Like 'it's kind of coming to me. Here's what I'm thinking.' And he would try it in the practice space, but we can't really hear it, you know? It's like 'yeah, it sounds pretty cool... with what you're trying to do... alright, Yeah man, awesome!' And it wasn't until pre-production, which was a week before we went into the actual studio before Jay actually got up to a mic in a studio. It was one of our friend's studios where we recorded all the songs to listen to them and think about changes that needed to be had before the studio. And when Jay did that, everybody was like whoa, it's different... it is so different. And Jay was happy with it. We were happy with it. You know what, no problem. If that's what you wanna do, that's what makes us happy. We're gonna do it. And to be quite honest, A Types was just a big collaberation of us doing what we wanted to do. And it coming together from all five members just putting their twist on it. And this is what came out. And to be quite honest I had no idea the record would sound as it did. You know when we started writing the riffs, but that was almost, that was our goal. Let's just do it. Let's fuck it. Let's just go for it. We wanna do it. It could be the biggest step backward we could ever make, but we will be happy. So that's A Types pretty much.

Are you playing a lot of songs from A Types tonight?

Yeah, it's pretty much half and half. I mean, because our new record is still just out. And we understand that we've built up that fan base from the old records. And we love that. We still love our old songs. We're not by any means shunning our past away. No way. We will always play old songs... always. But it's... you know Hopesfall is kind of just growing up, I guess. We're working on a different side. The other side of our musical taste. And if you don't... if people like The Satellite Years so much you can always listen to The Satellite Years, you know? But yeah, it's half and half right now.

A little bit more on that subject... did the Hopesfall kids react to the new album the way you expected them to? And what do you say to kids who say you change your sound too much?

Yes, personally the overall reaction from the record, from the previous record....

I mean, I know it just came out in November...

Yeah, November 2nd. So actually, just out a month. Yeah, the reaction was pretty much right on to what I thought. I think that we caught a percentage of our fans. And they were like 'ok, it's super different, but I mean I'm going to give this a shot. I'm going to listen to it.' And to the other extreme, people thought that we just were complete sell-outs. And what we'd just done was so generic and lame. And I understood that. I was waiting, I knew. And I almost hope that people understand that by us knowing that that was gonna happen, goes to show that we by no means meant to do this. Like for, for trying to get big or for that. We did it for us. We're not writing a record for anybody but us, you know? So of course we're gonna have people who hate it. People who love it, and people who are like 'eh, cool it's alright.' You know? So we did what made us happy. And we got some really really critical... some critical mail... right when the record came out. And kids were like 'What are you guys doing? What is this?' You know? And they would go as far as saying they hated it, and we were complete sell-outs. They're not going support our band anymore. And we were actually suprised, because then even some of those people after a couple weeks would listen to it. And then this girl's like 'I hated it. And then the more I gave it a chance, I bought one for my house, and for my car, and for my work.' So it took its course. And I think if people get it, and they like it, then it's good. But everyone who took offense to it, and everybody who looks down on it. And looks at us as sell-outs... that's fine. We accept criticisms all day long. And we value peoples' opionons. But by no means do we mean to have this record be a slap in the previous band's faces or we mean to totally change our style and try to get big. Hopesfall's always had the sense of being melodic, and the sense of being a heavy rock band. And to me, it's still a spin off of it. It's just different. And it's where we all grew up to... and where we all came from. So to all the fans out there, we still love you. And if you hate us to death, we're still just doing what we want to do. And if our new record is not for you, then we apologize. But thanks for at least criticizing it, I guess.

You went on a European tour. How was that? And are the shows and the kids different then they are in the States?

Yeah. Well, the European tour, to be quite honest, was probably the funnest, most overwhelming, surreal thing ever. It was absolutely amazing. Landing there and starting the tour, and actually being a foreigner... it feels really weird. And it was good though. But as far as how the shows square up, they were pretty much on par with shows in the US. The kids knew... the kids still kind of reacted the same way. It kind of had its same vibe, you know? I dont know, to be quite honest it was... I maybe expected it to be very different. But for the most part, it still felt like a show. It still felt like I would be playing a show here, except talking to the kids afterwards was a little bit tougher because sometimes I didn't understand the words. But yeah, it was awesome. It was very very similar to the US.

Alright, answer this the best you can. You also did a tour with Coheed and Cambria and The Ataris. And then you also did a short tour in the beginning with Eighteen Viisions. What was it like to tour with them? And who are you mostly likely to tour with again?

Oh, we would tour with anybody. We don't ever really set standards on bands we will and won't tour with. Unfortunately, I was only on the tour with The Ataris. The other tours were before I was in the band. Those were a long time ago. But no, I personally know the Eighteen Visions guys... I've met them. And I've met the Coheed and Cambria guys... hung out with them. They're fucking great dudes. And The Ataris tour was great. It was fun. It's really nice sometimes to be able to get the opportunity to step out and play in front of a different style of music. Even though you know you're little bit more hard pressed to turn heads. Especially, when you're on a tour with a band as big as them. You definitely got the fans that are there to see that band.

How did they react to that?

Good, really good. First hand, being on The Ataris tour... it was great. We did really well, much better than I expected we would. So um I don't know, I like the eclecticism of a lot of the fans today. The way they just accept it, and just listen to whatever pleases their ear, you know? So with that in mind, we would never neglect any tour or not take it just because we think Hopesfall won't fit well with that. We look at it as it's gonna be a completely different fan base... let's go out there and give it a try. Let's give it a shot, see what happens. Almost as a challenge almost, you know? So we love touring.

Does Hopesfall pay your bills yet? And if not what do you do?

Oh for bills? Oh uh, well uh, let's see... none of us really have jobs. So when we're at home, we're all... I'm trying to think... we're all male escorts for downtown Charlotte. Prestigious older women will...

You serious right now?

Yeah. Um... we'll call, we have like an agency set up downtown. And they call the agency, who pays for the nice outfits and stuff. And so when we're at home we'll get a call... it's kind of random. And most of the percentge goes to the agency. But like we'll meet at a certain time downtown and get dressed up, and they give you a layout of what you're going to be doing. A lot of times it's dinners and business events that the woman will make you do. So we go in and we just do that, and we kind of just split the money that way. Well, I live with Josh, so Josh and I do a lot of double things too. Like we go downtown, it just depends. Also, at the end, it's kind of weird...

(laughing)

No, I'm being serious...

Ok... you worked with Steven Haigler. And he mixed and produced your record. His credits include The Pixies and Brand New. How was it working with him?

Awesome, really awesome. It was really good to have someone sit back who was stictly critiquing it. And helping us become better at what we were doing, and better players overall. It was great, he definitely knew his shit. We got in there, and he was like 'Yo, here we go... this is what's gotta happen.' It was really good because I think without his presence in the studio it would have come out much different, obviously. And we were, I mean we were under-prepared getting into the studio. We only had eight and a quarter songs done by the time we got to the studio. So he pretty much lit a fire under our asses and made us get it done. So he made it happen, and it was really, really good. He did an amazing job. We had no idea how it was going to go, but he was a great guy. And when he needs to make things happen, he can. So it was really, really good.

What song are you most proud of as a Hopesfall product?

That's a really good question. You know, you like to say that you're not partial to any song because they're all your songs. Um... most proud of... give me a second. You know that song, "It's Raining Men"? We did a cover of that song one time for a special show. We did a cover of "It's Raining Men," and I think it went over really well. I think that was probably my favorite song Hopesfall has ever done.

If you had to pick one off of the albums?

Oh, ok. Obviously, I'm going to be biased, because I only helped write A Types. I only played on A Types. So Ryan was everything else, which he did an amazing job. But of course I'm gonna be biased to the ones I actually helped on. On the new album... my favorite... I'm gonna have to say I'm most partial to "Manipulate The Eclipse." I think it's track... fuck, I don't even know... I really dont. But I know that it's called "Manipulate The Eclipse."

You sure about that?

Yeah, yeah I'm sure about that. But that would probably... when I listen to the record. That's the one I'll still throw in the record, up against other records, older records, just to hear production and just kind of listen to it again and just be like did we make a good record or not? And you know, I'm usually pretty pleased. I'm just like, 'ok, I think it turned out ok.' But that's definetly the one I really like.

Talk some shit on Josh Trustkill. What's he about?

Um... Josh Trustkill... you know, it's like when it comes down to it, Josh and Hopesfall have a band-to-label relationship. That's pretty much how it is. So, to be quite honest, there's no shit to be talked on Josh Trustkill. He does his thing. We have a fine relationship. We do what we can. I think he was pretty excited about the new record. So we're just going to work together to try and make it happen, you know? It's a lot of work on both peoples' parts. You know, we're so goddamn busy with always touring and stuff. And Trustkill I think takes care of their buisness. So it's fine... it's just your typical record company band relationship thing.

So he only calls when he wants a song?

Well, everyone wants a piece of the pie, so what can you do...

Favorite part about touring?

The 24-hour spas.

Oh yeah?...

And playing the shows.

Oh, ok, that too?

In that order.

Worst part about touring?

The 24-hour spas. No... being sick.

The elderly ladies calling you to have you be escorts when you're not there?

Yeah, missing out on our job. Like missing out on escorts at home. But yeah... and being sick. Yeah tour's great sometimes. It gets a bit monotonous, but tour is good.

Craziest band you ever toured with, and why?

Craziest band ever toured with... I would have to say Every Time I Die. Those guys are absolute genuises. Overall, the stunts I have seen that band pull... like I'm gonna have to go with them.

You're not gonna give us any insight on that?

Um... no.

No?

No.

Alright.... best band currently in exsistence?

Why?! Damn you people! I just love so many bands... you cant do that! Ok, it's [bands] in existence that I listen to that are still doing their thing. I would have to say the band that started it, that's been extremely influencial to me, would probably be Radiohead.

Yeah? Favorite album? Go!

Fuck, I honestly don't know if I can name it. Probably, Ok Computer overall. But that's just overall. Because like The Bends was fucking amazing. But that's just more of that side of them that I'm like 'fuck yeah!'. Kid A... I mean, like Jesus Christ. Hail to the Theif, amazing. Amnesiac was good, Amnesiac was probably the one that sets under the most. I think it was much more of a mood album. That one charged me up the least. But it's Radiohead. Straight up that band is fucking genuis. And they could do whatever they want to do. And they're brilliant... they are just brilliant. So I love so many bands, but when it comes down to it, pound for pound that band fucking rocks dicks off.

Favorite song from Radiohead? One that you're most likely to play over and over again?

Ok, I'm terrible with track names, ok? Track numbers, um... the last song on Kid A. It starts out with the organ, "...I think, you're crazy...", over and over again. It makes me think of uh... my ex-girlfriend.

Totally got side-tracked. Best band of all-time? I'm fucking killing you right now.

You ARE killing me right now. Man, these fucking questions. It's like, hold on I gotta think about this. All time, what band does it for me completely?

I'm talking goose bumps, erections, total chaos...

Another one, record after record, that I've just been... as far as guitar goes, that everything about them rocks... Smashing Pumpkins. Everything they've ever fucking done. They're another example. I'm gonna say as far as all-time, yeah, they may not be the best band of all-time. But, to me, the most influential to what got me into today. Yeah, Smashing Pumpkins.

If you could do an ultra-tour with anyone you wanted, who would be on it?

How many bands can I pick?

Fucking... ten thousand...

Ok, it would be a traveling festival, of... um, obviously we're on it. With The Deftones, Smashing Pumpkins, Radiohead, Bjork, The Muse, Sigur Ros, Mineral, who'd get back together and play, but absolute props to The Gloria Record! Um, what I just named would be amazing. And, oh, Tori Amos as well. We need another rad female, yeah, that and Wu Tang.

Alright, well, I'd be there. Favorite city to play in?

Favorite city? Um... New York City.

Fuck that. Favorite city!

I'm not partial to cities. I know that sounds bad, but I'm not. We love everywhere, like we really do. If we didn't, we wouldnt play them. But, most memorable city and favorite city that I have played in, and this as nothing to do with Hopesfall, is Geneva Switzerland.

Worst band of all time?

Ok, you know. Wasnt it The Crash Test Dummies that did that "mmmmmhmmm mhhmmm" song? Yeah I've never really listened to that band, but that's the one sticking to my head right now. Because that's just fucking atrocious. Like, what the fuck, how did that happen? How? How? So that one is definitely up there... Limp Bizkit is definitely up there.

When kids ask you what kind of music Hopesfall plays, what do you say?

I just say that we're just a heavy rockband. I usually be pretty vague. Genres are what they are, and I understand why they're there. But I usually just say we're a heavy rock band, check it out. So they can decide for themselves what kind of music we are.

One thing you would change about the hardcore scene?

It would be one thing that I would change about any scene... the amount of just open-minded and like eclectic people. I wish sometimes, this just goes for everybody, not just for hardcore, just scenes in general... I wish that they would listen to all kinds of music, and don't just think theirs is the best. Because there's talent in all walks of life. That would definitely be the number one thing, you know? Because that's one thing that really, really bothers me. I think a lot of these kids show up at a show, and pretend that they hate everything else. But I honestly believe that in their own time they listen to other stuff.

What's your view on the election that just passed?

My view on the election... for as much as I could follow it on tour and as much as I watched, I took a step back and just threw myself in third party. Because I didnt think there was anyone worth voting for. I think things are really fucked up right now. And things are extremely unfortunate, and this election, I think that it was sad. Haha, and that's all I have to say about that.

Where will you be in ten years?

Ten years... December 3rd, 2014 at 7 pm. So that makes me 33.

Married with children and pancakes...

Yeah, and birthday parties. I am very homely, and very sensitive on this. So in case any girls read this they'll be like 'Hey, there's a keeper..."

Drop a cell phone number.

Haha, yeah... no, I'm not gonna do that. No, hopefully, with a family, supporting myself, and others that I love. Yeah, realistically. In a fantasy world I will be playing rock music. In ten years, as long as I'm a decent human being and like what I'm doing, I'll be doing just fine.

Any last words?

Um, did you guys review the newest record?

I dont do reviews bro...

I dont even think you reviewed The Satellite Years...

Really? I think you're wrong. [editor: sorry Sara, he's right]

I don't know. I might be. No... last words, I appreciate Lambgoat a lot. I really appreciate what you guys do a lot. I think it's really cool, you know? Good reviews, bad reviews, whatever. I think it's a really cool place that kids can go and check it out and see what's going on, kinda get your guys aspects on things. And stay updated with these bands, know what they're doing and how they're doing. And, help support... get bands names out there and let kids decide for themselves what they like. So, yeah, that's about it. Thanks for the interview and the attention.