Michigan natives Famous Last Words are a band that if you haven't heard of them by now, you're fucking up. Their sound is addicting and refreshing. A lot of post-hardcore bands sound similar but Famous Last Words stands out from the rest. Currently they are touring on their newest record, The Incubus. If you haven't seen them live, I highly suggest trying to make it to the show. Recently I had a chat with their frontman, JT.
LJ DeWitt: The last time I heard the name Famous Last Words was when they were playing at an antiques mall in Georgia with Farewell, My Love. Something that feels like it was just yesterday, but in reality was over a year ago. What have you guys been up to in that time? JT Tollas: We actually took a break from touring after that run to focus on our new album. It was funny because a lot of people apparently thought that we were on a hiatus. So when we toured a couple of months ago, we saw a lot of, " they're back!" comments. We had no idea we ever left. LJ: Your new album will be dropped on the 30th. What is your favorite song off the album and why? JT: My favorite track on the album is probably “The Judged”. That song has one of my favorite choruses I've ever written. I'm really proud of how that song turned out with the lyrics, the dream metaphors I used, and how I split the lyrics into two characters; the screaming being the lawyer character, and the singing being Christine. The two-character thing is something I've always wanted to do, but didn't really figure out a good way to do it until that song. Plus, the song is just a ton of fun to play. LJ: What’s your favorite song to play live? JT: Like I said above, I’m extremely excited to play “The Judged” for everyone. But our new song “Maze In My Mind” is also a favorite to play. They both have really high energy and are a blast to play live. LJ: You are a seasoned touring band. So far what has been your favorite city to play? What’s your dream city or venue to play someday? JT: We always have good shows in Florida and Texas. I wouldn't say I necessarily have a favorite city though. As far as a dream place to play, I'd have to say anywhere in Europe. We all would love to go across the pond and finally play for some EU fans. That's definitely a bucket lister right there.
Michigan natives Famous Last Words are a band that if you haven't heard of them by now, you're fucking up. Their sound is addicting and refreshing. A lot of post-hardcore bands sound similar but Famous Last Words stands out from the rest. Currently they are touring on their newest record, The Incubus. If you haven't seen them live, I highly suggest trying to make it to the show. Recently I had a chat with their frontman, JT.
LJ: Good, bad, or just plain weird, what’s the most memorable thing that’s happened at a gig? JT: One of my favorite things to happen on tour actually happened on the last headliner run we did with Outline In Color, It Lives It Breathes, and Open Your Eyes. On the last day at the last show on our last song, the whole package came up to the stage and just raged with us. This has happened before, but what made this time so special was the picture our photographer, Justin Conant, got. It was the PERFECT end of tour pic. With every single person on stage, you could see their personality shine. One of the most honest and real tour pics I have ever seen. LJ: Most of the band has a good amount of ink. Would you ever dare to get a tour tattoo? If so, in what city and what would it be of? JT: Of course! Getting tattoos is always fun (and slightly addicting). Plus, it's always fun getting a tour tattoo to commemorate the tour. LJ: Have you ever “lost” a band member right before a show? If so, where was he to be found? JT: The last time we toured Canada, which was some time ago, we stopped at a gas station before crossing the bridge into Canada. I took off towards the bridge and once we were driving over it, I got a phone call. It was our bass player at the time, and he goes, "You assholes fucking left me here!" I immediately turned around to see his empty bench. LJ: Finally, is there any last random facts, statements, or words of wisdom you’d like to leave with your fans? JT: I just want to say thank you to all of our fans, old and new. We couldn't do what we do without all of your support. And if you really want to support us, it would help A TON if you went to famouslastwords.merchnow.com. There you can order an album and help us get our first week sales numbers up, which will open up so many more opportunities for us to tour and keep going as a band. Thank you!
e. Tamara Grant