INTERVIEW BY JOE FITZPATRICK
PHOTOS BY TRAVIS ILAPIT AND THROUGH IT ALL PHOTOGRAPHY
For the past four years, the guys in HONOUR CREST have been on the rise with their unique blend of metalcore and electronica. Formed by guitarist Chad Orange, drummer Cory Beaver, bassist Jimmy Dillon, guitarist Zach FitzPatrick (no relation), and vocalist Lucas Borza, the band has set the stage to be one of the most energetic and successful bands in the metalcore scene today. Born and bred in Virginia Beach, the members of the band have been making huge successes in their music careers in record time. I recently had the opportunity to talk to Borza and Orange about the band’s secrets to success, their recent addition to the Rise Records family, and what is next for them.
When HONOUR CREST formed in 2009, there were very few metalcore bands that combined electronica music into their songs. How has that helped set you apart from other metal bands in the scene?
Well we knew right from the start that things were going to be different, since we were only a 2-piece “band” (3 if you include the laptop, haha). And our writing process has always started with a solid electronics foundation, so we take that and build off of that, instead of just throwing random samples on top of a song.
What are some topics and/or themes that you guys write about most?
We’ve always written about our past experiences and how certain parts of our lives have changed us, whether it is for better or worse, and how we’ve dealt with that change.
Recently, your band signed with Rise Records, which is a major accomplishment for you guys. How did you go about attracting their attention?
As soon as Metrics was released and we were out of our contract with Indianola Records, we got a line of communication with Sean Heydorn from Rise Records, talking back and forth over the next year about possibly joining the Rise family and what routes we could take with our future in mind.
Can you tell us anything about what fans can expect from your upcoming album?
We definitely tried to appeal to both old and new fan bases, having similar song structures while creating a new feel to what we’ve written in the past. We’ve also joked about calling a few songs “Cinemati-core”, if that makes any sense. But we’re definitely looking forward to releasing it and collecting feedback.
In addition to signing to Rise Records, you also recently joined The Artery Foundation and The Agency Group, which is one of the world’s leading booking agencies. How does it feel to be making such huge leaps and bounds in your career?
We know that we’ve been given the tools to be a successful touring band, now it’s our turn to use them to our advantage and show the world we’ve got what it takes.
Will you guys start doing music full-time soon?
It’s definitely a goal of ours.
Do you have any advice for aspiring bands in the Virginia music scene hoping to achieve the level of success that HONOUR CREST has achieved thus far?
Be a part of the scene. Involve yourself with others, and don’t wait around for things to happen. Take initiative and start being the band that you’d want to be.
Are there any Virginia bands in particular that you think have a good chance at a music career as well?
Honestly, there’s a lot of great artists in Virginia, and they appeal to a wide variety of listeners. We’re definitely proud of where we live and think that if a band devotes themselves to their music, then anything is possible.
Do you have any upcoming shows our tours in the near future?
Other than a few weekend tours, we’re currently working with Artery and The Agency Group on our first national tours, and even some potential out-of-the-country dates.
