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Harvey



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Rachel: Introduce yourself and what you do in the band?
Justin: My name is Justin Butler and I am the percussionist.

Rachel: How did the band form?
Justin: Harvey formed in late 2004. Our guitarists Jake Fleming and Mike Burk had played in a band together since 2001 and our singer Nate Fleming was in a different band at around that time. Then again so was I. We all played completely different styles of music back then but all those bands had a falling out and broke up. So, Nate joined up with his brother Jake, and Mike, and they started "Harvey." They had try outs for drummers and I just so happened to make the spot. We played as a four piece for a little more than 2 and a half years before we decided to make Nate the front man. That is when Matt Beilsmith joined with us to play bass. Now our line up is solidified.

Rachel: Whats the story behind the bands name "harvey"?
Justin: One time during high school, I don't remember who, it was either Jake or Mike. But, they forgot to write their name on one of their papers and the teacher wrote in the name "Harvey Feeblebustinstein" instead. I guess they thought that was pretty funny. I never really understood why but the name Harvey has grown on me over the past 3 years.

Rachel: What are some of the bands major influences?
Justin: We have many influences but Saves the Day I think would be one of the bigger ones. Them and Gatsby's American Dream and Armor For Sleep. Two of my biggest influences as far as drumming goes though are definitely Aaron Gilispe from Underoath and Circa Survive's drummer.

Rachel: How would you describe your sound to someone whos never heard you before?
Justin: I'd say we play rock with catchy lyrics and melodic guitars with an indie feel to it all.

Rachel: Pick one of your songs and tell us the meaning behind it?
Justin: I'd have to pick our song "Moonbeam." It definitely has the most meaning behind it. Nate and Jake are brothers and a little over a year ago their mother passed away. She had gotten cancer and it was a hard time for them and everybody they knew. We all loved their mother very much she was a great woman. Nate wrote Moonbeam after her death and it ended up being one of the most moving songs I have ever heard.

Rachel: What is your favorite song to play live?
Justin: My personal favorite song to play live would have to be the song "Waves." It is a very up beat song and I just love to rock out behind my kit to that song.

Rachel: What song gets the best crowd response?
Justin: "Moonbeam" definitely gets one of the best responses from the crowd when we play it. Everybody loves it. But, then again so does "OhMyGod" and one of our older ones, "I've Seen You Naked." We usually do not like playing "I've Seen You Naked" but after we end our set the crowd usually ends up screaming for us to play it. It is actually a wonderful feeling to have people want to hear our songs that much.

Rachel: You guys have played shows with some awesome bands such as My American Heart, Gym Class Heroes and Hawthorne Heights, how was that?
Justin: It has been awesome playing with some big national bands. Gym Class Heroes was amazing I will never forget that. All the guys in Hawthorne Heights were really nice guys and Brazil and 3 were amazing as well.

Rachel: If you could have your dream tour, which three bands would you chose to go on the road with?
Justin: Me personally, I would have to say Saves the Day, Circa Survive, and Saosin.

Rachel: You seem to always be on the road, whats your favorite and least favorite thing about touring?
Justin: My favorite thing about touring is just getting to play and see all the different cities that I have never been to. Getting to meet new people is awesome its always a fun time. I'd have to say though I like to shower everyday and sleep in a comfy bed and sometimes we don't get to shower for a few days and definitely never slept in a comfy bed. One night in Minneapolis us and our tour mates Whisperwall stayed in this bands practice space in a warehouse. It was the smallest space ever for 12 guys to sleep in.

Rachel: Are there any places that you would like to play?
Justin: I would really like to play at the Pageant in St. Louis again that was awesome. The House of Blues in Chicago would be awesome too. Also, the Roxy in L.A.

Rachel: What can we expect next from you guys?
Justin: We are currently working on writing a full length record this fall and in November we will be going back to the studio to record it. After thats all done expect another music video to one of the new songs. Also expect me to be playing behind a sweet Shine Custom Drums kit. I should be getting my kit within the next couple weeks....very exciting.

Rachel: Any last words?
Justin: I would like to thank Rachel McMahon for conducting this interview it was great. I'd also like to thank all of our fans for listening and being around for us these past 3 and a half years. Its been a great ride.





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