by Kenneth Morton

Based out of the Update New York area, Heal These Wounds has just released a new CD on Hotfoot Records entitled Ambitions. The band has shared the stage with some of the very best - Hatebreed, Bury Your Dead, All That Remains, Shadows Fall, Darkest Hour, amongst others. And that is when they are not on the road wrecking havoc and causing mosh pits all across the country. Here is a recent interview we conducted with vocalist Andy…

Where is the band based out of and what is the music scene like there?
We are based out of Albany, NY. The music scene here is very hit or miss. Sometimes shows are good and sometimes they are bad. There is definitely a huge divide and we have a mass of people with a big city attitude even though we are far from it. Lots of noses in the air.

How would you describe your music to an inquisitive elderly relative?
Shot of smooth jazz with an AC/DC chaser

Is there any story or concept behind your CD title Ambitions?
Well with this record, I went a different direction lyrically. I used to be very political and social in our lyrical content. But this time I wanted to go a little more personal and delve into my own experiences. The title Ambitions just goes along with the idea (as cliched as it will sound) that if you put your mind to it you can accomplish anything. This band has been amazing to me but at the same time it has been a constant uphill battle. The record is definitely a concept record in that aspect as the songs all relate to my experiences touring and meeting people with different ideals. I'm sure everyone will interpret the songs differently but will definitely find something they can relate to.

Have you ever played out in the Los Angeles/OC area or plan to do so in the future?
We have played the area. We played some bar in North Hollywood on our last tour. Our friend Ahmad helped us find a show on an off date. It was definitely a different show for us and a lot of people who thought they were more important than they are were there. But it was cool to meet Logan Mader and Mikey Doling (so random). Not to mention the sweet truck with the Mexican food parked outside.

How did you wind up signing to Hotfoot Records?
They drugged us and told us we would die in a fire if we didn’t sign on the dotted line.

What was it like opening for Hatebreed and did you get to meet any of the band? Were they cool to you guys?
We've played with Hatebreed a few times. Never met any of them – they were always in their dope bus. But their crowd is always awesome.

Tell me about your previous EP Deconstruct The Confines. What is the inspiration for the title and how has your music progressed since the EP?
Deconstruct The Confines was our first attempt at a record. Those songs were very immature both musically and lyrically. I don't like that record at all and we aren’t even the same band. From line up changes to influences we have taken about 2 billion steps forward. I definitely feel like we have finally found our sound.

What could one expect from a live Heal These Wounds show?
Loud music, "sic" mosh bro. Bad jokes about people with Slipknot tattoos and lots of posi jumps

What is the best and worst part about touring and being on the road?
Not showering is the worst, Stealing food from 711 is the best, We don't have 711 where we live and its a shame. Another bad part is zero alone time (if you know what I mean).

While on the road, some guy offers you $100 if you play a Britney Spears cover. Would you do it, and if so, what Britney song would you do, and why?
100 percent we would absolutely do it....100 bucks is like 40 gallons of gas...definitely worth it....I would want to do that song where she was getting air humped in the video. Ill be damned if I know the title, but at the time she was really hot. I definitely tossed off a few to her.

What's up next for Heal These Wounds?
We have a few tours coming up...one with Settle The Sky and Corpus Christi and another with Kill What I Adore and Seneca. We plan on going to Canada in July and more U.S touring for the rest of our lives....shits about to hit the fan.

Any final words of wisdom?
Don't take any crap out on the streets....Don't take any wooden nickels....And definitely wash your armpits daily!

Heal These Wounds links

Heal These Wounds on Myspace: The Official Myspace Page for Heal These Wounds!
The Highwire Daze Home Page: Return to the Main Page!

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