INTRODUCING LOS ANGELES BASED ALT/POP/ROCK BAND, SYMMETRY....
This innovative band consists of Michael Campbell (vocals), Jared Hara (guitar), Will Weiner (bass) and Max D’Anda (drums). Symmetry formed in early 2013. Later that year, they released their debut full-length album 'Frozen In Time', produced by James Paul Wisner (Dashboard Confessional, Paramore, Underoath).
Guitarist Jared lost his eyesight at 12 before ever picking up his first guitar, but now is living proof that tragedy can reveal hidden potential. “Sometimes in darkness, we find ourselves” says Jared.
Their debut album was widely supported in the US. A breathtaking debut was completed when they were awarded the ‘Best rock Song’ award by Hollywood Music in Media.
We caught up with Mike and Max to chat about Willy Wonka's Chocolate River, valentines cards and not putting baby in the corner, here's how we got on....
You say that your musical influences are ‘music of today’, which band made you want to get your own band together?
Mike- First real rock concert that I ever saw was an American rock band called Thrice. Ever since that show, I dreamed of being on the stage and touring the world.
Max- For me it was KISS. Their live show was insane and looked like crazy fun, so naturally I wanted my own band to be crazy with and have lots of fun.
You recently supported Room 94 on their ‘Dirty Dancing’ tour, have any of you ever tried the move from the film ‘Dirty Dancing’ where Patrick Swayze lifts Jennifer Grey up in the lake? If not, give it a go and let me know how you get on….
Haha no we haven’t but we will have to try it with our bass player, Will.
Is there a song from the film ‘Dirty Dancing’ that you would consider covering in your rock style?
We really like the song, "I’ve Had The Time of My Life", and we could probably do something really cool with it.
Who in your opinion has produced the ‘perfect’ record?
Mike- Probably Paramore’s album Brand New Eyes. Backstreet boys album Millennium was a great one too.
Max- And the Glass Handed Kites by mew is the best album of all time to me.
A question for Jared, you lost your eyesight when you were 12, why did you decide to learn to play the guitar?
I was a hockey player and I dreamed of playing pro. I loved being apart of team. When I lost that I looked high and low for something to take its place. I decided to give the guitar a try, I soon fell in love with the chaos that was coming out of my amp and I literally spent hours a day working to master the guitar so that I could be apart of a Team/Band again.
You amassed a large fanbase in the UK when you toured with Room 94 in 2014, do you get many messages from fans looking forward to seeing you play this time around?
Jared- The messages from fans flow as consistently as Willy Wonka’s chocolate river. And we love chocolate
What was the first gig you ever went to and the most recent one (as a paying customer)?
Mike- Technically the first concert I ever went to was a worship concert at an arena, but I consider my first real rock show at The Showbox in Seattle, WA. One of my all time favorite venues.
Max-My mother went to a lot of shows while she was pregnant with me, including a nirvana concert. So I like to consider that my first show.
Tell me a fascinating fact about one of the band members
Will’s hygiene is literally the best we’ve ever encountered. One wiff of his hair and you might as well say goodnight to the lads.
Have you had any ‘Spinal Tap’ moments, if so, please share one with us?
We always turn up to 11.
Why did the chicken cross the road?
To get a late night kebab.
What do you love most about the UK (apart from our great accents)?
We enjoy when our accents are welcomed too. Especially with the females.
James Paul Wisner produced your debut album ‘Frozen in Time’, he has worked with the likes of Paramore and Dashboard Confessional, what did you learn from him?
The importance of keeping it simple while still maintaining originality.
Who normally receives the most valentines cards?
Max for sure receives the most love letters from fans. He melts like a girl when he reads them too.
You recently played a good number of dates in the UK, which venue were you particularly excited about?
London 02 Arena! We’re being joined by Mungo Jerry’s Ray Dorset. He will be singing his wonderfully famous track In ‘The Summer time’ with us while we support Mcbusted.
Do you guys follow the UK Premier league (Soccer), if so, which team do you support? Are you going to try and catch a game whilst here?
We love to play FIFA on Playstation 4! We have made it a very high priority to catch a game while we’re over here. Hard to pick a favorite team, we just love the sport as a whole.
What do you enjoy most about touring?
Waking up in a new city every morning and obviously playing live throughout the country is special for us all.
You did a cool cover of ‘Roar’ by Katy Perry, have you anymore covers up your sleeves for the UK tour?
We do have other covers but the fans have loved our Katy Perry cover the most so we aren’t shy about playing that.
Are you guys planning to attend any UK festivals during 2015? If so, which ones?
We would love to!! None to announce as of yet though.
We didn't want to let the guys go without putting them through our quickfire question round, we had to restrain them a little and bribe them with some candy but we got there in the end...
Recording studio or stage?
Stage
L.A. or New York?
L.A.
Snowboarding or Sunbathing?
Snowboarding
Tattoos or Piercings?
Tattoos
Beanie hats or Trucker Caps?
Beanies
American Wrestling or UFC?
UFC
Santa Monica Beach or the Hollywood Walk of Fame?
Santa Monica Beach
Baby Ruth bars or 3 Musketeers bars?
3 Musketeers
Dogs or Cats?
Dogs
CD, Vinyl or Cassette Tape?
CD
Blondes or Brunettes?
Mike- Brunettes
Max- Blondes
Basketball or Ice Hockey?
Both
Burger King or McDonalds?
Both
The Beatles or The Rolling Stones?
Beatles
Robert de Niro or Al Pacino?
Bobby D.
God or Google?
Our bass player Will
We'd like to thank the guys for taking the time to sit through our endless questions and we wish them every success in the future, please take a moment or two to check out their social media pages, they're all below, all you need to do is point and click....
SOCIAL MEDIA
Interview by Steve Muscutt