by Kenneth Morton

Broadway is a hardcore/screamo band based out of Florida who has released their debut CD for Uprising Records entitled Kingdoms. About to go on tour with Alesana and The Bled, Broadway recently completed a high profile cross-country trek on The Atery Foundation Across The Nation show headlined by Emarosa. We caught up with the band while on the road to find out more about the day and nights of a band called Broadway…

Being from Orlando, FL, what made your band decide to choose the name Broadway for their moniker? What does the term Broadway represent to the band?
The name was decided through an earlier incarnation of the band; none of us were really a part of it. But the name is so common and strong, so we kept it.

Is there any story or concept behind the Kingdoms CD title?
It was first named "This Kingdom We've Built", because we had all worked so hard, and put our lives into this project. We're very grateful of our fans and following and consider them a part of this, and that's where that name came from. Though, a lot of bands at the time were doing a "Built" motif in their album titles; so we shortened it to just Kingdoms.

Where did you get your ideas for some of the lyrics? Please cite a few songs on the new CD and what they are about.
(Misha) All the lyrics are based on my personal experiences. They're just about life, relationships, and dealing with compromising situations with tact and positivity. The Last Saturday in particular is about my best friends; and how they've supported and pushed us to do our best, even through the toughest times of our career. The Same Thing We Do Every Night Pinky is about being at the bottom of life, and making the conscious decision to do something with yourself. So all the songs are really forward thinking.

How did the Artery Foundation tour go and what had been some of the highlights?
The tour's been amazing, kids have been swarming out and we've received a lot of new fans in return. We're grateful for all these established bands for taking us out with them. We would say the highlight would be, something not life threatening happening to us on tour for the first time, haha.

What advice would you give a band about to go on a cross-country tour for the very first time?
Make the best of every show big or small, because every fan counts and makes a difference.

How did Craig Owens of Chiodos become involved with the song Same Thing We Do Every Night Pinky? Has he ever performed it with you live?
Craig was introduced to us through a mutual friend, and that friend showed him our album a year ago. Upon listening, Craig fell in love with it and Jack started talking to him on Myspace. Craig said, “Too bad the CD is already finished because I would've came in and did a cameo.” We freaked out and were like, dude we'll unfinish it! Come out! After months of coordinating, we told him what we wanted; he went in the studio and knocked it out like a pro. We're all extremely pleased and grateful for his help.

Being on tour with Emarosa, has Jonny Craig ever come up onstage and performed Don’t Jump The Shark with you guys?
No, we decided not to put the song in our set; it would've been cool though.

Looking back on the accident you had in your van last February, what are your memories of it now? Any other road horror stories since then?
Jeez, we remember every detail, haha. Definitely the scariest moment of our lives. Since, we've blown a transmission and been stranded, blew a couple of tires, got into an accident in which our trailer was smashed and unusable and now one of our benches is loose and falls out of place occasionally haha.

If Broadway had to cover some famous song from a Broadway play, what song would you do and why?
I Just Can't Wait To Be King from the Lion King, haha. The Lion King rules.

Any aspiring Broadway actors in the band?
Jake.

With you guys being on the road so much, do you have any girlfriends or wives who wish you were home more often?
Of course, haha.

Any messages for those reading this interview right now who might want to check your band out?
I just read question out loud to the band and the response I got was, "Just say some Disney stuff," haha. I would say please give us a chance; I know the music market is flooded with a lot of bands, especially in our genre, but we promise you won't be disappointed.

BROADWAY links

Broadway on Myspace: The Official Myspace Page for Broadway!
The Highwire Daze Home Page: Return to the Main Page!

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