First off please could you tell me who you are and what you do in the band?
My name is Jamie and I do lead vocals for The Subtle Way
When/how did the band get together?
Technically the band started when we were in 10th grade, but I’m the only member that was in the band back then when “The Subtle Way” first started, and we actually started being serious about making this our career in 2006, our senior year. The Subtle Way first started when our old guitar player and I were on the same city soccer team (coincidentally every year for over 4 years) and became friends and started jamming together.
What artists do you take inspiration from?
My biggest inspiration would be Thrice, and I have to admit Dustin Kensrue is my idol for being an amazing lyricist and songwriter, but other than that we all grow from listening to bands from Dillinger Escape Plan, to Nechrophagist, to Copeland, to Hans Zimmer.
How would you describe your music in three words?
Super, Cali, and Fragilistic
Which bands have you toured with and which band is your favourite to go on tour with and why?
We’ve only toured with a handful of bands, mainly touring on our own in the past, but recently we’ve toured with Mozart Season, Look Alive, and in the spring we’ll be touring with Ice Nine Kills, but I’d have to say we’ve had the most fun with the guys in Mozart Season. There were a good amount of pranks and jokes on that tour. We kept each other on our toes.
If you could tour with any band (past or present) who would you choose?
I would personally want to tour with Thrice, but as a band, and after reading Dirt and having the mantra “WWMCD” (What would Motley Crew Do) for the majority of the sticky situations on tour, I think my boys would want to tour with them… I’d be scared
What can't you live without on tour?
My iPhone! Not just because it’s an iPhone and it’s awesome, but because it’s my cell phone and being homesick is a big part of touring and it’s often the best way to stay in touch with everyone at home. I can’t imagine touring back in the day using payphones to call my mom and my girlfriend.
Which festivals have you played?
We haven’t played too many festivals but we’ve been lucky enough to play Taste of Chaos with Avenged Sevenfold, Bless The Fall, and Atreyu, which was amazing! The only festival that I can think of that we’ve played is Rockin’ Roots in Bakersfield, which we’ve done a couple of times.
What are the best/worst things about touring?
The best thing about touring hands down is getting to play shows every night. Every show is potential to raise the bar and I feel like we get more and more solid every time we play, which I love. The worst part would have to be the homesickness that we all feel throughout the tour. I think that’s the main problem with tour. Usually we have to sleep in the freezing or burning van and not shower for days and go hungry for a night or two because we have no money, but all of that just seems to outline our homesickness.
You're from San Francisco, also known for bands such as Metallica, AFI and Machinehead. What's the scene like there now?
The scene in the Bay Area has been great for us, and has given us a foothold in the scene. Although in the actual city of San Francisco we haven’t had the best luck, but we have had a few really fun shows there. The kids are awesome all over the bay and know how to have fun at shows.
Which other San Francisco bands should we look out for?
You should definitely check out our label mates in La Circa! They are growing fast and are awesome dudes.
And finally what are your plans for the rest of 2010?
For the rest of 2010 we plan on touring throughout the spring and summer and writing the next record, and then more touring!
