J: We first got it because we didn�t have a name at all. We came up with our name after our first show. So a couple years later, Christian our guitar player came into the band and said how the name Acceptance sucked so we went through a process of coming up with a new one which didn�t work so Acceptance just stuck. It was a spur of the moment thing and so there�s no meaning behind it.
CC: How long has the band been together and how long has each member been playing music for?
J: We�ve been together for about 7 years and I�ve been playing for 7 years.
R: I started when I was 14 so I�ve been around music for 11 years.
CC: With the new release of your cd, Phantoms, how is the band going about promoting it and how did you decide on chosing, Phantoms, as the cd title?
J: (Interuption phone call from Ashley) Jason �Hi Mom�
...For us the only way to promo is going on tour whether it�s playing in big cities or Chaleroi. We came up with name when we were going through and looking up words to describe love because that�s what the meaning behind the cd was. I was going through word searches and all that and I found Phantoms and saw the definition and it was what we were looking for.
CC: Companies have labaled bands based on genre, what genre do you consider yourself to be and how do you think you stand out from the rest of the bands in that genre?
J: That�s a good question
R: I consider us to be a pop-rock band. I�d say the scene we are in is not like any other pop rock bands. There�s no other band out there that sounds like us.
J: We don�t break down, we don�t scream, we go for a pop rock sound.
CC: Have there been any bands or musicians that has influenced you the most?
R: Yeah, all kinds, we wouldn�t be doing this if there weren�t
J: Everybody�s different between U2, Metallica, The Beatles of course, there�s soo many sounds out there to influence us.
CC: What�s your favorite venue/city to tour in?
R: Aneheim, California..we fill at home there!
J: It�s starting to get competetive, at first it was Seattle obviously, but now it�s definently the west coast, but when we get to other cities and places we wouldn�t believe going, the turnout is amazing and the kids sing along and it�s just amazing.
CC: You are signed under Columbia Records, one the worlds largest record companies, how does it feel being signed under them and what made you decide to choose Columbia Records?
(Instead of answering the question) ...
J: Stop playing with the gun dude!
R: There�s no bullets in it!
J: Yes there is dude that�s why I told you to stop cocking it and shooting it in the RV! Dude, you are strattling this guy! (referring to John)
R: Yeah I know, I like him
J: I�m going to shoot you
R: No, don�t shoot me! .....Columbia records, the name speaks for itself, when you got names like Bob Dillan, Mariah Carey signed under the same label, all these artists that have legendary catelogs and to be a part of that when you never think you could achieve that.� -Ryan
J: I agree with him, it�s definently helped us. There was a time when we got caught up in all the politics and we just said screw media, screw all this stuff and let�s just go out there and play and do what we love, and remember that every single night. I think we signed with columbia because we felt they were honest and supportive of music. We�ve been with them 2 years now.
CC: How does it feel, whether on a personal or image level, to write a song and have the crowd sing it back to you?
J: Well I gotta say, that was a good segue first of all, I don�t know how long you�ve been doing this for, but we have interviews from people that have been doing this for a while, and we haven�t had any as good as this guy, you�ve got the questions, you�ve got the segues, I like it man! It�s unbelievable, it�s the fact that you can make music about what you�re going through whether you were confused or upset and have people out there that have gone through the same thing and use our music as inspiration to kids and to people as corny as that sounds. I feel like we make a difference and do more than music.
CC: After this tour, is there another tour planned and can we expect to see you back here or in the Pittsburgh area?
J: We have a headlining tour coming up and we�ll be on warped tour starting August 10th for 6 days on the last leg. We don�t really know after that or where we�ll be.
CC: Anything you want to tell your fans?
J: For me, one thing I noticed about our fans, I feel they are really loyal and know what our band is about. I thank them for making us great in supporting us.
R: Same thing for me too. They help us to be awesome and the fact that we have guns.