As Uproar starts off with its first show of the tour I had the opportunity to sit down with the members of Escape the Fate. As you may know, they have had more than their share of line up changes through the years but it has all lead them into the now. While searching for their current roster, the trials and tribulations weighed heavy as it does for a lot of bands trying to make their mark on the music industry. Through hard work and a never say die attitude it seems to have paid off for Robert Ortiz, the only remaining original member of ETF. Ortiz’s band consists of himself on drums-percussion-backing vocals (2004-present), Lead Vocalist Craig Mabbitt (2008-present), Thomas “TJ” Bell on rhythm guitar-bass guitar (2012-present, touring 2011-2012) and Kevin “Thrasher” Gruft on lead guitar (2013-present, touring 2011).
On tour supporting their 4th studio album Ungrateful (May 14, 2013) the whole band was more than grateful to sit down and discuss what Escape the Fate is all about.
Well guys let’s dive right in. With the turbulent ride through the revolving door of band members how does this current line-up differ from the past?
Robert: I’m not gonna touch that. What matters is that we are finally comfortable with what we have now. It’s not easy finding a group of guys that will at least read from the same page as you.
Craig: Dedication, direction & compatibility is the answer to that question.
I’m going to change that last question up a little bit and I’m going to ask you, Robert, since you were the founder and last man standing from the inception of “ETF”, what has the progression been like through the years?
Robert: You had mentioned movement in the band, as a unit we have gone through such big moves but I have always had the ability to take a step back to gain prospective and that has allowed me to continue forward. At one point we reached a spot where our egos had been really shot down so it forced us to dig down deeper. We had to regroup and come back out. It was very humbling and at the same time it brought out a hunger and passion in us to get back where we needed to be and continue on. So the progression has been filled with some intense ups and downs but each time it made us keep pushing forward. Making us work that much harder on our music and making sure our peers and fans alike see us as we really are, not who we used to think we should be.
Ever a time when you seriously thought that it was over?
Robert: Sure, there were a few times I wanted to say fuck it. Even with these guys everyday hits a point of enough is enough. (He says with a big smile on his face and
pushes Craig).
Tell me how this project compares to past projects you have been involved with.
Robert: Hell, this has been my baby since I was 17. Anything prior to this was garage so it would be difficult to compare.
Thrasher: A lot more rock and roll, and with that comes a lot more solos. Need I say more.
TJ: The other bands I have been in we’re much more heavy. This one tends to be much more radio friendly.
What has brought you to this point of your career?
Robert: The bands, music I grew up listening to. I wanted to do what they were doing, make music, share the life experience and be up on stage.
Craig: The fans have a lot to do with it. Their continued support thru the down side of things.
Robert: I have a specific one, Avenged Sevenfold! Watching them grow up as a band. I was there when they were playing for 20 to 30 kids to becoming a massive arena band and headlining huge overseas festivals. They made me see that it was possible to capture your dream. Instead of just idolizing the legends I witnessed them go from the bottom to the top.
Thrasher: It was Eddie Van Halen & Slash, now it’s the entrepreneurs. This is a business. We write, record and perform. Every time we release a new song it is another product of our corporation. Craig has his own clothing line. So, because of this business, doors have opened up to allow us to open other businesses.
Who would you say is the father and who is the mother of the band?
Robert: Oh shit, I’m the grandpa.
TJ: Robert is the Mommy and Daddy and we are his babies.
Robert: Really they are all college kids. I have been living in a college dorm for the past ten years and they haven’t graduated yet.
Craig: Ya, Robert just leans that big head around the corner and gives us that evil eye.
Thrasher: We see that look and we know it’s time to straighten up.
Any part of you that had to change to accommodate the future of the band?
Craig: Oh ya! A lot of things had to change to better the band as a whole.
Robert: We sacrifice a lot. Understanding that it isn’t going to be easy. You have to compromise in a lot of ways. Like losing your dignity at times. Like I said earlier, your ego gets put in check so you have to alter your perception of reality to find what is the true reality. You have to make do with what you have and just roll with the punches. When shit isn’t going your way you have to put the band in front of yourself and as a whole you have to find a way to keep it going.
What is the best and worst part of touring for you guys?
Craig: Simply, playing our music. It’s the best 30 minutes of my day. Worst part is touring. That means you have to leave the loved ones behind again.
Robert: The same thing I guess. I mean the work we do isn’t really work. Scotti, you are sitting here asking me about me and I love to talk about myself so that’s cool. There is no set schedule. Everyday there is something new. The shitty part is your gone along time, away from your family and friends and that starts to weigh on you.
Thrasher: The best part is actually being on tour. Everyday you get to meet new people. Networking and playing our music. The worst part is trying to find a place to take a shower, that can be bad news.
What band would you like to play a show or tour with?
Craig: First and foremost The Used! Also, Aerosmith and Journey. We had played a two day festival and I was really excited when I found out that Aerosmith was going to be there but damn it we played the other day so just missed it. I haven’t even had the chance to see them perform live.
TJ: That moment has happened! Iron Maiden!
Robert: We have shared the stage with a lot of great bands but the one that eludes me is Metallica. I am kinda glad though because I would like to keep them on that pedestal rather than become semi peers with them.
Thrasher: AC/DC but I’m not sure if I will ever have that opportunity.
At what point did it hit you and you thought “Wow, we made it”?
Craig: For me it was the first time we played “Download Festival.” We got the opportunity to play on main stage. That was it for sure.
Robert: “Soundwave Music Festival” in Australia. We were backstage making jokes and being ourselves with no idea what was going on out front. I looked out front and was like “Oh my God.” To this day it’s still the biggest crowd we have played in front of. We will be there again in 2015.
Craig: Ya, that was amazing! Everyone knew who we were and was excited to see us. While we were playing the crowd was singing our songs. The energy was there.
Thrasher: Success to me is being able to do what you love to do. It isn’t about money and shit like that. I have felt successful my whole career.
TJ: Playing with Motley Crüe and Bush at the Sunset Strip Music Festival.
If I were to grab your phone or MP3 player, who would I find as the last song you listened to?
Craig: Attila! As wasted as I was last night I wouldn’t have been surprised to find the Backstreet Boys on there.
Robert: Sad But True by Metallica.
Thrasher: Gaslight Anthem.
TJ: Avenged Sevenfold.
From the full “ETF” catalog what is your favorite song?
Craig: “Until We Die (2013)” off of our recent album.
Robert: I guess it continues to be “This War is Ours (The Guillotine II) (2008).” It captured us early on, it’s nostalgic, still an anthem and it’s still hard to play.
TJ: All the heavier stuff!
Thrasher: “This War is Ours (The Guillotine II)” and “Aftermath (The Guillotine III) (2010).” Those have some banging solos.
You guys have definitely paid your dues. You have been successful up to this point. Your goal was obviously to get to where you are now. Where do you set your sights now, the next point you want to reach?
Craig: I want to get back to the point before we started losing it all. When I say losing it all I mean losing ourselves. Getting lost in all the bullshit and certain people started showing their true colors. It seemed like when we got to a level where we wanted to be it was as if we started to intentionally self destruct, setting ourselves up for failure. We had to find people that we could connect with and be able to work with. Now that we have the right chemistry, the right personnel I would like to see us get back to point we were in late 2009. I think that is the common goal for all of us involved.
You are enjoying the success of your latest album, Ungrateful, which is, in my opinion, your best overall written full length recording to date. From the lyrics to the music and the message within. Who or what would you consider is the strength behind your writing success?
Robert: That’s a really good question.
Craig: I would have to say…
Robert: You already know what Mabbitt’s answer is going to be. Wait for it.
Craig: I would definitely have to say its me.
Robert: I didn’t even have to say it. So he keeps in this good mood I will concur but really it came down to our determination.
A return to the studio must be getting close. Can we expect the same determination and the same Craig Mabbitt attitude on this next effort?
Craig: All joking aside. Time to get serious. Absolutely! We are going in there with the attitude of not caring how many songs we have to write. Be it 50 tracks, we will walk out of the studio with the best 11 songs we can possibly write and record. We will hold ourselves to the highest standard. That’s what we along with the fans expect and deserve. We could sit down and write for us but the fans that have stuck by us through thick and thin are hands down what have kept us going to this point.
Have you ever put something you had written back when you were a kid just beginning to write material into one of your ETF songs?
Robert: Not anything that I had written but I do get inspiration from Lars of Metallica. He is a true artist and I have used a fill or two from him on occasion. Still put them on in my car on the way to record to remind myself what a big influence he has been to me and my drumming style. “Sad but True” still gets recognition within the ETF songs. From five years old until now I’m still thinking about it.
TJ: I haven’t recycled anything. It is new stuff all day!
Thrasher: I have been influenced by a lot of great players and reworked their licks so all of those influences are there but like TJ said, I like to keep it fresh.
Well unfortunately we have to rap this up but before we do can you tell all the “ETF” fans out there when we can expect your next release.
Robert: We are actually doing some pre-production right now. The plan is to head into the studio right after Christmas.
Craig: We are all on the same page. I think this is going to be one of the hardest albums to date.
Anything you would like to say in closing?
Robert: To the Escape the Fate family, thank you so much for your support and undying loyalty. Keep listening to our music, keep coming out to see us and we promise you that you will always get nothing less than 100% from us.
Craig: Well said brother! Oh, and thank you to you and RockRevolt Magazine for helping to spread the word. All is well and the next generation of ETF is upon us! Stay tuned!
Well there ya have it. Escape the Fate is definitely alive and well. Looks like we will have some new material to listen to in Spring of 2015 and with new material comes a new tour. Until then make sure you catch them on the Rockstar Energy Drink Uproar Festival in a town near you!
Rockstar Energy Drink Uproar Festival 2014 – DTE Energy Music Theatre – Clarkston, MI
August 15, 2014 – Interview by Scotti Moore
