The Word Alive

Seemingly the "bad boys" of the poppy Fearless Records roster, The Word Alive stand poised to burst open the doors of the post-hardcore scene with their first full-length effort Deciever. In preparation of the release of the new album, we were given the opportunity to touch base with front-man 'Telle' Tyler Smith to discuss the inner workings of the band's full-length opus and how he feels the band are taking the proper steps to not be written off as post-hardcore fodder.

Shawn@RRR: First things first. Would you give your name and role in The Word Alive.

'Telle' Tyler Smith: Telle and I'm the vocalist for TWA

Shawn@RRR: Your first full-length album, Deceiver, was released August 31st courtesy of Fearless Records. Would you guide us through the writing and recording process for the album.

'Telle' Tyler Smith: Well we wrote most of the record while on tour over a 8 month period. It was awesome getting to do pre-production for all the songs off Deceiver. I think it really helped us to create a really strong album. If we didn't like the songs we were working on, they were scrapped. We didn't want any filler tracks on this CD. The recording process with Andrew Wade was almost a month in the studio and it was even better the 2nd time around. He's really a great producer/engineer and we're all not only friends, but have a lot of respect for one another. He really understands our direction and helped push us the perfect amount.

Shawn@RRR: Obviously, your debut EP Empires was met with overwhelming praise from both fans of the genre and critics alike. How do you feel the band has grown since the release of the debut? You've certainly seen your fair share of ups and downs since then…

'Telle' Tyler Smith: We've definitely gone through some changes both good and bad at times, but we learn from everything and try to become a stronger band through it all. We're so blessed to have had the fan support over the last year and a half which has been a big part of our success. We've grown as musicians, friends and a band. When you spend as much time together as we do, it'll either make you or break you. We chose to overcome everything that has tried to slow us down which has created a unbreakable bond.

Shawn@RRR: Earlier in the year, the band released a sneak peek of the album in the form of the song "Epiphany," for which the band proclaimed that the track was "one of the faster, heavier songs on the album." What were some of the initial reactions from fans?

'Telle' Tyler Smith: We've had amazing crowd responses to "Epiphany." I feel that song is gonna be one we'll be playing for a very long time and is the defining turning point for our band. It was just a taste of what the rest of the album has as a whole though.

Shawn@RRR: Do you believe that, with the expectations set forth by Empires, the band have truly met (or exceeded) said expectations with the new album?

'Telle' Tyler Smith: I feel that we always have been underestimated as a band, so in our minds we've surpassed them and then some. We really are proud of what we've created, and worked hard to make an album we feel all of our fans will really enjoy.

Shawn@RRR: It's been said that Deceiver has a reoccurring theme within several songs regarding various levels of deception. What fueled the lyrical content of these songs?

'Telle' Tyler Smith: Well from being betrayed by friends, to personal struggles, to views on different kinds of people, etc. There's been a lot we as a band have had to endure and overcome, and even more so it feels like for me personally. I really struggled with some issues for a while over the last year, and I used our album as a sort of therapy almost. I vented about what I needed to, and I let loose on some things that have been bottled up.

Shawn@RRR: Having written a majority of the new album in your hometown of Phoenix, AZ and while on the road, what advantages/disadvantages do you believe each setting brings (in relation to the writing of music/lyrics/etc)?

'Telle' Tyler Smith: Well being on the road was nice because you actually get to have less distractions. For me when I'm home it's easy to do what I'm used to as opposed to the road where my environment is constantly changing and the only constant is that I get to focus on my world, my thoughts, and really write out everything I think and feel.

Shawn@RRR: It was recently announced that the band would be contributing a song to the upcoming Punk Goes Pop 3 in the form of Kanye West's hit single "Heartless." How did the selection process go down when choosing a song for the compilation? Was "Heartless" your first option, or did you have a few songs in mind before making the final decision?

'Telle' Tyler Smith: We actually almost went with a few other songs, but when Tony and Zack, who ultimately picked the song based on what would be best for our style of writing, heard "Heartless", they felt the vibe was perfect. I'm really excited for people to hear it because I actually really like what we were able to do with it. Thanks Kanye!

Shawn@RRR: It's no secret that the post-hardcore/metalcore scene has been under fire as of late due to the rapid over saturation of the genre thanks in part to bands looking to make a quick buck, using the genre merely as a gimmick. What steps has the band taken since it's inception to avoid being written off as such a band? What are your thoughts on the current state of the genre?

'Telle' Tyler Smith: Well, we definitely don't settle for what's been done. We want to do something original and unique. The guys write until they feel the songs are stronger than anything else out right now. It's awesome because they work so well together that I'm always more impressed with how well the songs come together. It's really hard to not look at our genre though as a whole and not lump us all together. We get that. However, we work very hard to show we're not just like everyone else, and hopefully people will see that.

Shawn@RRR: In early September, the band we be embarking on the Anti-Hero Tour in support of Bleeding Through well into October. How excited are you to finally hit the road once again? What are some of your favorite aspects about being on the road?

'Telle' Tyler Smith: Well we have enjoyed our almost two week break since Warped Tour, but it's definitely gonna be exciting to go on tour playing more new songs and playing with such great bands. I feel this is a test for our band, because we'll be playing with some heavy bands. Our new album is heavy, but we do have quite a lot of melody in our songs. Hopefully it goes over well.

Shawn@RRR: With the Anti-Hero culminating in early October and the final months of 2010 looming, are there any tour plans in the works to round out the rest of the year?

'Telle' Tyler Smith: Yeah we're about to announce a tour with Miss May I and Confide as well as some other bands. We've got some headlining shows before and after both tours, so we'll be busy until Christmas break! We're actually booked up until early March as well, and can't wait to announce our start into 2011, it's gonna be huge.

Shawn@RRR: Aside from the initial release of the album and the touring that comes alongside it, what should fans expect from the band in the coming months? Perhaps a new music video?

'Telle' Tyler Smith: I would love to shoot a music video for any of the songs off Deceiver, we're gonna wait until the lead single separates itself from the pack so to speak. We're going to let the fans decide.

Shawn@RRR: Ultimately, what do you want people to take away from listening to Deceiver, or anything by The Word Alive for that matter?

'Telle' Tyler Smith: That there is power in confidence and that if you search for the truth in your life, and don't settle, you can have a wonderful life filled with so many awesome experiences.

Shawn@RRR: Thank you for taking the time to answer a few of our questions. Is there anything you would like to add?

'Telle' Tyler Smith: Just to go out and pick up Deceiver if you can, and to all our fans all over the world, thank you!