In an industry full of gimmicks and trends, Remember Paris from the small town of Gas City, Indiana brings together a new sound filled with pure Rock ‘N Roll that could only be described as honest, engaging and deliberately captivating.
Coming off some early success with their debut EP, A Reason To Breathe (2008), the band released their sophomore record, But A Boy Can Dream, produced by John Naclerio (Brand New, Every Avenue, My Chemical Romance) at Nada Recording Studios in New Windsor, NY.
However, Remember Paris are no new kids on the block. In October of 2007, the band was chosen as the Jim Dunlop Band Of The Week. During the summer of 2009, the band was given the opportunity to play on the Vans Warped Tour to thousands of fans. In addition to that, they have shared the stage with such names as Chiodos, Silverstein, Relient K, There For Tomorrow, The Audition, A Skylit Drive, The Summer Set, Pierce The Veil and dozens more. With all of these accomplishments behind them, Remember Paris is still just getting started.
Below is my interview with the boys:
What is the meaning and story behind the name of the band?
It’s a spin off from the line from Casablanca where Rick the leading male character tells the leading female to get on a plane and she is refusing. It basically means taking the best from the time you’ve had with someone no matter the current situation.
Describe your band and sound as if you bumped into a total stranger down the street.
It’s what a band would sound like if they wanted to sound like Anberlin, were tired of generic breakdowns, really loved the band There For Tomorrow, but couldn’t help holding on the the lyrical stylings of Fall Out Boy.
Why did this band form?
For girls and money, duh! No the band formed because nothing else made sense. As generic and cliche as it sounds we all needed to get out what was and still is inside of us. If you have music inside of you, there’s nothing else that you want to do more.
What is your influences?
Great artists, talent. People who have the guts to say “I decide when it’s over, not you” if somebody tells them no or that they cant do something. We could name all the bands, artists, and people that influence us but we don’t think you guys at Noisetrend would appreciate the novel haha.
From the past to present, how has the band grew from record to record?
We’ve definitely matured. I know every band says this but to be more specific we’ve stopped TRYING to sound like bands that we like and our influenced by and have just played what we want to play how we want to play it.
Has the band changed as a band? Musically? Personally?
Musically we’ve stopped trying to fit in. Metalcore/Hardcore/
What do you think of being a signed band?
I think you feel more pressured as a whole to not regress in any area. It’s awesome to say “hey i’m in a signed band” but if you don’t learn and grow from it signing is completely useless.
Are there any regrets in the band’s history? If so would you change that?
When we first started out we NEVER had any merch to sell. That hurt us a lot in the beginning. Even if it’s just a couple tshirts to sell you NEED merch to sell, no matter what level your band is at.
Where do you think the band is headed in the future?
Hopefully Japan cause Ryan things asian girls are smokin’!!! But for real we believe if we focus on writing awesome songs and never losing focus of why we do this there’s nothing we can’t do.
Favorite venue to play at and why?
The Emerson Theater. It’s in our homestate and there’s always a ton of people that come out that want to have a good time. We like to party, they like to party so it works.
As a band, what do you guys do for fun besides writing music and playing shows?
We like to party. I don’t mean “do cocaine and throw a chair through a window” party but we love to grab some PBR and have great time. Ryan is a huge video game nerd so that occupies his time when we aren’t writing or working. TJ and Mike are avid Cubs fans so if there’s a game on no matter where we are they are watching it.
What is the most craziest thing a fan has done to you and the band?
Helped fix our van this summer on Warped Tour. We had a rough time but with small loan and help from all our fans we paid over $5000 in repairs! That to me is amazing.
If you could name bands, alive or dead, broken up – who would you tour with?
Our dream tour would be this:
Anberlin
.38 Special
Lil Wayne
Thrice
And we’d open it so we could watch the rest of the bands hahaha.
What is the most embarrassing memory on tour?
Our old drummer getting caught peeing in a hotel trashcan…it was hilarious but embarrassing at the same time.
Favorite childhood memory that led each of you into this career in the music industry?
Ryan – I remember going to a show at a local venue to watch a band named Chronic Chaos. I got to the show late and got to get in free but the show they put on that night made me realize that what they were doing is what I wanted to do. That it’s what I had to do.
Ramsey – I always loved watching my brother play music. I would sit in his room and admire all the gear and instruments he had. I loved all the different sounds they could make. And i remember always wanting to play bass.
T.J. – I thought it was cool my dad played guitar, so I took one and used to sit in the kitchen and started to teach myself things I saw him do after he played. I thought it was the coolest thing in the world to play guitar, and I never put it down after that.
Ronnie – I was 8 years old on the Christmas of ’99. After I woke up and un-wrapped my presents, my mother pointed out the window to one last box sitting on the front porch. There was a note attached that read ‘Merry Christmas, Ronald! I hope you don’t mind, this box wouldn’t fit down the chimney. P.S. Thank you for the cookies and milk! – Santa Clause’ That was the day I received my first guitar. It’s been sex, drugs, and rock n’ roll ever since.
Mike – Playing music has been apart of my family’s heritage and I remember my grandpa getting me my first drumkit and immediately fell in love.
What would you say that can tell others why you guys are different from other bands?
I would say come out to a show and see. Even if you don’t like the music you are going to have a great time. We keep it real.
What should we expect from Remember Paris?
We are heading into the studio at the end of November to record a new lp with John Naclerio at Nada Studios in New York. We are super excited about it!!!
Is there anything you like to say to us, fans, and new listeners?
Thanks for everything but we are only getting started. If you wanna party with us, you’re welcome to come along for the ride!!!
Remember Paris will be touring hard in 2011. With a UK tour already completed and traveling with The Vans Warped Tour all summer long Remember Paris has no plans of slowing down. No matter what it’s always a party with Remember Paris. Consider this your official invitation to party with them.
