INTERVIEW:

Oregon screamo-ites Dear Whoever have had their fair share of DIY success; selling over 1000 copies of their self-released EP "Sound The Trumpet" in less than 2 months, receiving over 407,000 plays on their Purevolume site, and having over 10,000 chums on Myspace. Unsurprisingly then, Broken Line Records offered to re-release the EP. Kill The Noise interviewed guitarist Jason Garner to learn more....

How would you describe Dear Whoever to those who haven't heard you guys yet?

We are a post hardcore / screamo melodic quintet from Portland, Oregon.

How did the band start up?

Guitarist/Screamer Jason Garner started the band with Singer Aiden Franklin, later they went through member adjustments, and landed on the quintet of Jason, Aiden, Sam Snow on drums, Kenny Leake on bass, and Mark Woodbridge on lead guitar/back up vocals.

Who would you say are your main influences?

The Bled, Norma Jean, Lorene Drive, Hopesfall, Every Time I Die, As I Lay Dying.

Your Purevolume and Myspace sites have been extremely popular - were you surprised by the high level of response? Have you any idea how this came about - was it a side you actively promoted?

It’s always nice to see that people enjoy our music and come out to our shows, myspace and pure volume have been a good tool for the band to get our name out there.

How big a part would you say the internet has played in the band's success to date?

Well without the internet, we would all be in the dark of a lot of great bands that are around today. Music influences would be a lot slimmer, mainly everything on the radio. So to answer the question, yes, a very large part in our success to date.

What do you think separates Dear Whoever from the multitude of new screamo bands out there?

Although the market for screamo bands is very broad, we feel that our material that is out, and our newly matured sound will help us leave a dent in the music industry.

How did you come to be on Broken Line?

Zach and Stephen from Broken Line contacted us about doing a re-release of "Sound the Trumpet" and have also been a great help for a lot of other agendas such as booking, promotion, etc.

Have you written much new material since the Sound The Trumpet? Any plans for the next release?

Yah we're like 6 songs deep into a full-length. We recorded 2 of them for demos. You can actually go listen to one of them on Purevolume and Myspace.

What were your favorite records of 2005?

Minus the Bear - Menos el Oso
Hopesfall - A Types
The Bled - Found in the Flood

What's your dream show line-up? And where would it take place?

Underoath, Hopesfall, The Bled, Journey and Iron Maiden for sure.

Do you have any scandalous tour stories you want to share?

Ummmm not really. We're pretty much about business when we're on the road. We don't go party and whatnot.

What's next for Dear Whoever?

Planning on recording our full length this summer and just touring, touring and more touring.

Sound The Trumpet is available now on Broken Line Records. Links: dearwhoever.com / brokenlinerecords.net / more interviews