Us Versus Them
Tuesday, January 15th, 2008
Moshable.com interview with Us Versus Them’s lead singer Matt Romero.
The first thing that should be said is that Us Versus Them also known as UVT was actually founded back in 1999 solely by Matt Romero establishing itself on MP3.com the following year with the first ’solo’ album. The solo version of UVT stayed this way for several albums until the final band lineup came about last year. While there is quite a history with Us Versus Them surviving after all this time, the true band that it was always meant to be and really the goal of Matt for UVT from the beginning was finally achieved with this lineup. Guitarist Richard Noe along with Matt are the first bricks of the foundation of the band with the duo writing and producing the debut album ‘We Will Expire’ from there on in they found their band mates in bassist and Berklee College of Music student Phoebe Danskin and drummer and also Berklee student Joseph Schwarz. Finally but not least you have UVT’s talented lead-guitarist Vasta Curpen whom ability with the 6-stringer compliments Rich’s songwriting perfectly. All in all you have a strong band with experience and the potential that you can begin to hear on their debut as well as new songs from their upcoming second album. Influences are far and wide with Us Versus Them. At the beginning the first album done only by Rich and Matt basically combined a metal side (Rich) and a rock side (Matt) along the likes of Kill-switch Engage and Inflames to Stone Temple Pilots and Days of the New. While the debut ‘We Will Expire’ was a learning experience and a little rough around the edges, you can already start hearing the band’s potential in newer songs that have noticeable sleeker production with a polished edge on the performances.
What are your favorite bands?
Let’s see, to name a few: Meshuggah, Porcupine Tree, Circa Survive, Jill Scott, Soundgarden, Soilwork, KsE, Protest the hero, August Burns Red, mr. Bungle, dillinger escape plan, between the buried and me, foo fighters, p!nk (lol), alison krauss and the union station band, D12 (they need to release something new), almost anything michael nyman does, including soundtracks, nevermore, evergreen terrace, Mae, Outkast, Demon Hunter, Mushroomhead, Korn, Nine Inch Nails… (That is quite the list you going, but I know scince I have come to moshable mine has grown much, much larger-B)
Is there a story behind the band name?
The name, which was created by Matt, means a lot of things. Mainly it stems from the age-old battle of fighting outside forces to achieve your goals and dreams. Sometimes you fight them alone and sometimes you fight them together with others. We face battles everyday whether it’s your career, school, roommates, relationships, family, within yourself and everything else in between. But recently or perhaps once again has UVT taken up the cause to a global level, focusing on larger issues and looking at the big picture. You’re going to hear a lot more about that, as already done with ‘We Will Expire’ that looks upon today’s society as changing in ways that may end up destroying everything including humanity. (Some of that can be heard in the new song post, The New Gold Rush-B)
What’s the biggest show you’ve played?
Well separately, I believe our guitarist Rich has played the biggest shows such as a sold out Worcester Palladium show main stage and has played along Unearth and Diecast with his former band Days Gone By. As for Us Versus Them, well we haven’t played any shows yet although as we speak the band is set to start within the next week or so. (When you come to the west coast look us up-Moshable Staff)
OK, because Im a car guy as well, I gotta ask what’s your dream car and what do you drive now?
Well I (Matt) drive a white Scion xB which I love, although everyone calls it the ’shoe box’ (I call them toasters lol-B) hopefully affectionately. Rich drives a big Lincoln I believe, and Vaz drives a Rav4. As for dream cars…well unfortunately I don’t have an opinion from the other members on this but I love my Scion, I would probably customize given the funds to do it.
What’s your favorite movie/ tv show?
Gilmore girls… just kidding (liar)…I watch a lot of CNN but not too much else. As for the rest, ah I have to guess on this one…better not.
What are some of your favorite foods and drinks?
Beer and some good food at the local restaurant around from the club venue…we’re not too picky.
Have you or your fans gotten hurt in a mosh pit?
Although I don’t see us as the typical hardcore/metal band, I would like to see a mosh pit but we’re more about the energy, however you express just don’t hurt anyone. (Haha we will get one started-Moshable staff)
What is the greatest experience you’ve had so far?
Getting this damn thing together finally and playing with the band!
Have you ever forgotten lines to a song during a show?
Oh, a question for me…like I haven’t answered everything else, well yes I have, but I’ve gotten better now I hope…
How did you cope?
At first it would be stopping mid-song…which is a big no-no…then after learning not to do that it would just be improvise and keep going, chances are no one ever notices. (I noticed-Eli)
Who is the craziest fan you’ve had?
Heh…UVT has had some interesting online fans over the years…but they were all really great in every sense even if some had some issues…
Do you have any hobbies outside of playing music?
Speaking for Rich, he enjoys some PS3 action, such as Call of Duty 4, he’s kicked all our asses…as for Vaz, well he’s really busy with work and school all the time, but he likes nature and hiking. Phoebe and Joe…I would have to ask them…next time. As for me, I love flight simulators and really get into them, among other computer games, I also enjoy the outdoors given the chance.
How long have you been playing before being in the band?
Everyone has been playing for years and years, Rich has been in bands since high school and I’ve been writing and recording under UVT since 1999. Vaz has also been in a lot of bands, as well as Phoebe and Joe. We’ve all done studio work in some shape or form too.
Do you have plans to tour in the future?
Hell yeah. (Like I said keep us posted!!)
How about an album?
Currently we have one full-length album ‘We Will Expire’ available in dozens of online locations including I-Tunes. We also had a single but yet to officially release pending publisher approval, it was a cover of ‘My Favorite Things’ of which had gotten some great reviews. You can check us out at http://www.myspace.com/usversusthemband there you can find links to all our other sites including Facebook and purchasing CDs.
Alright, thanks Matt and a big thanks to Us Versus Them!
Check out more of Us Versus Them’s song’s and shows on their Moshable Profile.
1st off is there anything you would like to say about the band?
