"Protest The Hero: Interview"

Protest The Hero

Yet again WGTS magazine has the privilege of chatting with a member of rising metal titans, Protest The Hero. This time, we have guitarist Tim Millar back stage at the 2008 Vans Warped Tour. We had a little talk regarding the tour, their latest record, aliens, and much more.

www.myspace.com/protestthehero

Rody Walker: Vocals
Tim Millar: Guitar
Luke Hoskin: Guitar
Arif Mirabdolbaghi: Bass
Moe Carlson: Drums

WGTS: This is Mark form WGTS Magazine and I’m chatting with Protest The Hero’s Tim Millar. How is the tour going thus far?

Tim: It is going alright, we knew what we were getting into. There is a lot of music all the time, so you cant really escape getting blasted by music from all ends, but overall its been going pretty good. We are having a good time, and we are having the best turnouts we have had so far on a Warped Tour, so I’m pleased.

WGTS: What is the biggest difference from the last time you did the tour?

Tim: The turnouts, for sure. When we did it in 2006, it was our second tour of the states and we were just beginning to break new ground and make new fans. But now we can see that we are getting more established, so its always nice to play for a decent sized crowd.

WGTS: Are there any stand out shows?

Tim: Yesterday was really good in Detroit. A lot of people come down from Sarnia and Windsor, so it was nice to see some Canadians. Texas was really good as well. We have neglected Texas a lot, so now that we are finally back there you could see people were excited. One guy came out with a cardboard electric guitar and started air guitaring, so that was pretty cool (laughs).

WGTS: Who are your favorite bands on the tour this year?

Tim: As I lay Dying are great but they left yesterday, Dillinger Escape Plan came out for a week. There is a band called Oreskaband form Japan who play ska; it is just the happiest stuff I have ever heard. I am also really excited to see The Human Abstract who are coming on the tour soon.

WGTS: I know you guys have toured with the Human Abstract, are you guys close?

Tim: Yeah, we toured with them for a bit. I think they have had some line-up changes, but it’s going to be good to see them again.

WGTS: Do you consider Warped Tour better or worse than a regular tour?

Tim: It seems to be the tour that everyone loves to hate on, but I find it really easy, we have a 25 minute set, and food is catered, so we cant complain.

WGTS: Regarding your latest album “Fortress”, do you have a favorite song from it?

Tim: Umm, I am really proud of all of them, but I love to play “Limb From Limb” live.

WGTS: How did you guys choose your first two singles?

Tim: Umm we don’t have a method; we never consider a song a single. Sometimes the length needs to be considered as well as lyrical content. But since we played “Bloodmeat” a lot before the record came out we were very comfortable with that one. Basically it is whatever song fits the criteria.

WGTS: Now, we are going to do something that we usually don’t do on the site. This part is going to be for all of the guitar players out there, would you mind talking to me about your rig?

Tim: Yeah for sure. I Use the Peavy 5150 II and usually a Marshall cab, but on this tour I have to use a Krank cab, which isn’t bad, I’m just not a fan of Krank heads. My main stage Guitar is an ESP Eclipse. I have used a lot of LTD guitars before but the ESP I have just feels and plays amazing. I also use some pedals such as max overdrive, a tube screamer, and a delay pedal.

WGTS: Did you use the same gear when recording the record, or did you switch guitars for different songs?

Tim: We had different guitar set ups for different things. For example, we rented a couple Gibson Les Paul Customs: the really thick ones for rhythm tracks. We also had one guitar that was good for tapping, and one guitar that was good for other things. It just depended on what each part needed.

WGTS: Simpsons or Family Guy?

Tim: Family Guy

WGTS: Backstreet Boys or *NSync?

Tim: I’d say BSB. I haven’t heard the newest album yet, but I was excited for it (laughs).

WGTS: Would you rather live through the zombie apocalypse or an alien invasion?

Tim: Alien Invasion, just so I could have the chance to get probed and taken away to another planet.

WGTS: Do you have any last comments before we wrap this up?

Tim: All Canadian men should grow big beards.