We recently had the chance to talk with Red Bull Records metalcore band, Beartooth. We talked about their new record, the current band lineup and what the future may hold for Caleb Shomo and crew.
IVM: Please give your name and duties in the band.
Oshie Bichar: I’m Oshie, I play bass.
Caleb Shomo: I’m Caleb, and I sing in Beartooth.
IVM: Beartooth has been around in one shape or another since 2012. Can you give us a quick history lesson on Beartooth?
Caleb: Yeah. Beartooth was a project I was kind of working on by myself, in the middle of 2012 while I was in my previous band (Attack Attack!). It was an outlet for me to get some emotion out. I wanted to write different songs, in a different musical styling that I was passionate about. From that, I didn’t plan on doing much touring or anything really with it, maybe a couple of shows during a couple of weeks during the year. Long story short, some people asked me if I’d like to start touring again, taking this project seriously and getting signed or whatever. I asked some of my friends if they wanted to play a few shows with me, didn’t think it would be a ton of shows. We played a few shows, had some members change, and now we are where we are! Our full-length came out in June, we have an EP that came out within the last year and we’ve been touring around on Warped Tour this summer.
IVM: You’ve recently released “Disgusting”. What kind of feedback have you received from you fans & your peers?
Caleb: It seems to be received very well. It’s gotten some really good reviews from several publications with people I really admire and respect the opinion of, so that’s cool. It has been doing very well, and that is reassuring.
IVM: What was the inspiration specifically behind the album “Disgusting”?
Caleb: Honestly, just a lot of me dealing with depression, anxiety and other negative things that I turned into high energy music that translates through loud Rock & Roll .
IVM: Why did only one track (I Have A Problem) make the transition from the EP to the LP?
Caleb: Honestly, I don’t know. The label was like “We really like this song”, and I thought it would be kind of cool to keep it going. We came to an agreement to throw it on there. No real particular reason, we just liked the song.
IVM: You’ve been on Warped Tour for most of this summer, can you share a story of how your music has impacted a fan in a way that completely blew your mind?
Caleb: I think we both have a story for this one, but I’ll go first. I’ve people come up to me and tell me that said they deal with self-harm and suicidal thoughts, which is something that is very personal to me and that I have a big soft spot. They’ve told me that our music has helped them cope with the suicidal thoughts, in various ways.
Oshie: Yeah, we have people continuously telling us everyday how our music has had a positive impact on them. Just that in itself is pretty mind-blowing!
IVM: You must have been nervous to release a track such as “Sick & Disgusting”. How do you feel after seeing the fan reactions to that song? Are you glad with your decision to release it?
Caleb: I’m glad. I’m glad I recorded it, but I’m still questioning if I should have put it on the full-length or not. All in all, I think I’m glad that it is on the record. I was very nervous to put that song out, it’s letting anyone who wants to listen to it know about a very personal part of my life, which makes me uncomfortable. The reality is that if it can help someone, I’m glad that it’s out there.
Oshie: Yeah, the response to that song has been overwhelming. I think that even for a very dark song, many of our fans are happy that it made it on the record.
IVM: Is the current line up an ‘official’ line up or will there be rotating touring members?
Caleb: Nope. This is it! This is band. This is gig. We’re rocking!
IVM: Ever plan on having the other dudes record with you on future albums?
Caleb: Probably not. I mean, the way it started was pretty much me writing song by myself in my basement. No offence to the other guys in the band, but that was something that was agreed upon before we even started touring. They’ve known since the start that this was how it was going to work. Beartooth is a two part thing, I don’t want people to think it’s a Caleb Shomo show with random peoples playing the songs I wrote. If you want to hear me making songs, listen to the record. But, if you want to actually experience the full Beartooth experience, then come to our shows or listen to a live session. You’ll be able to get the full other side of the experience. Because when we’re on stage, everyone is of equal importance. Everybody’s energy is just as upfront, it’s a very shared experience. And I think it’s a way more intense experience than listening to the album.
IVM: Who would be your dream guest vocals cameo on the next album?
Caleb/Oshie: Steve Winwood. We’d cover “Valerie” or “Higher Love”, and he’d just drop in with a vocal track. People would be asking themselves “Who is that?!?”
IVM: Would you ever consider touring with Of Mice & Men or any other band with ex-Attack Attack! members in it?
Caleb: We already have. We toured with OM&M a couple months ago. They’re great guys and we’d certainly tour with them again in the future.
IVM: Thanks for taking the time to stay in touch with your fans at IVM. Is there anything else you’d like to add to this interview?
Caleb: Turn it up to 11 and rock till you’re dead. Come out and watch a show, or pick up our record. Come hang out. We like good friends, good tunes.