This Time Next Year

The best way to describe This Time Next Year is good, honest pop-punk that pays homage to the pioneers to the genre. There are no electronic beats or gimmicky nonsense, just good music. Their Equal Vision debut Road Map & Heart Attacks is the perfect example of this, as it was lauded by both critics and fans of the genre. It’s safe to say that the band is poised to leave their mark on the genre. Through e-mail, we were able to catch up with guitarist/vocalist Brad Wiseman about the band’s future endeavors. And here we go:

Jerry@RRR: To start off, we have to go through the usual protocol. For our readers, please introduce yourself and your role in This Time Next Year.

Brad Wiseman: My name is Brad Wiseman – I play guitar and sing back ups in This Time Next Year.

Jerry@RRR: Last year, you released your debut album Road Maps And Heart Attacks on Equal Vision Records. With the initial nerves and excitement subsided, how do you feel the album has been received fans and critics?

Brad Wiseman: Everything seems to have been positive. The opinions that matter to myself and the band were all very flattering. I am very excited to have new songs start popping up in the near future as well. If you were excited about Road Maps, get more excited for new songs.

Jerry@RRR: What are some things that you especially liked about Road Maps And Heart Attacks? Additionally, what do you feel like you can improve upon in your future material?

Brad Wiseman: I like everything about it. I think for the time and where we were at as a band and individuals it represents us perfectly. With the new songs, we’re going to write as much as possible. If it sounds like us or not, we’re going to have it and give it a chance to soak in. In a few months when the songs are piled up we will go through the list and pick the winners.

Jerry@RRR: Speaking about future material, on Tumblr, Pete stated that you have been working on new songs for the follow up to Road Maps And Heart Attacks. What direction are the demos taking? How would you compare them to your previous material?

Brad Wiseman: We are working on a new record. The direction of the music/lyrics is going to be the same as it’s always been: real. We’re a band that writes songs that we enjoy playing and hope that we can make a positive impact on others. We have no set mold or structure to our songs. If were happy with it, that’s it.

Jerry@RRR: Tentatively, when can we expect a new record from the band? On Tumblr, it stated you were checking into the studio in early 2011. Perhaps another fall release like Road Maps And Heart Attacks?

Brad Wiseman: We’re hoping to record again in February with Brian McTernan. Personally I’d like to see the record out in the Spring / early Summer. Who knows where it will end up. In the next few months we will have a better idea on a tentative release date.

Jerry@RRR: Currently, there are no upcoming tour dates on your Myspace. Can this lack of tour dates be attributed to the writing of a new record or do you have upcoming tours that you have yet to announce?

Brad Wiseman: We’re taking time off to work on the record. We’re hoping to go back out in October/November in the states and December we’re trying to get overseas again. Everything is in the works right now. I’d keep your eyes pealed on the Internet in the upcoming weeks for more information on that stuff.

Jerry@RRR: This year, you played a few dates on the Vans Warped Tour. Overall, how would you describe your Warped experience?

Brad Wiseman: All I hope is that we get to go on the whole thing next year. That tour was a blast. We’ve never done anything like that before and it was a privilege to be a part of it. A lot of the days, we were playing very close to doors but for how early it was, kids still found our stage and had a good time. It was awesome.

Jerry@RRR: Do you have any favorite memories in particular? Don’t feel obligated to censor yourself!

Brad Wiseman: What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.

Jerry@RRR: On the Pomona stop of Warped Tour, I caught your set at the Kevin Says Stage. You guys did a great job! However, I noticed that bassist Tony Allio and drummer Robbie Coran were not present. Are they still with the band?

Brad Wiseman: Thank you! That was easily my favorite stop on the tour. Tony had a family emergency he had to attend to. Tony and his family have always been so supportive of this band and when this situation came up we supported him in doing what he had to do. He was missed and hopefully you will see him on our next tour. Robbie was at home working at a restaurant.

Jerry@RRR: As a band, it is commonly known that you strive to make music along the lines of classic pop-punk bands such as New Found Glory, Blink-182 and The Movie Life. What are your views on the current pop-punk scene?

Brad Wiseman: I love it. I think the genre is making a huge climb from old and new bands. Bands like Blink 182, New Found Glory, Saves The Day, Green Day are all touring frequently. The up and coming bands and labels are all great. Fireworks, Transit, Man Overboard, Set Your Goals, Four Year Strong, The Swellers, The Wonder Years, Run For Cover Records, No Sleep Records are all doing great and making a positive impact on impressionable kids who have been wearing too much neon and worrying about they’re image more than the honesty of the music they’re listening to.

Jerry@RRR: Obviously, the only way one can cure an ailing music scene is to promote music that is free from all the gimmicks. In your opinion, which bands in the current pop-punk scene are ones that we should keep an eye on?

Brad Wiseman: Fireworks, Transit, Set Your Goals, Four Year Strong, The Wonder Years, The Swellers, Man Overboard, The Story So Far, Second To Last, Title Fight, The Wonder Years, anything Run For Cover or No Sleep is putting out. Finding new bands is easy now. So much good music is accessible; people need to not be too lazy to check out new music. Instead of going to a record store, you can press a few keys and have these records for free.

Jerry@RRR: That’s all the questions I have for you. Thank you for doing this interview! Any last words before we go?

Brad Wiseman: 43, Walnut Creek, www.myspace.com/thistimenextyear. See you soon.

Stayed tuned for more info on the band’s upcoming full-length. Be sure to listen to Road Maps & Heart Attacks if you haven’t already. Run, don’t walk to procure it!