INTERVIEW BY JOE FITZPATRICK
PHOTOS PROVIDED BY BUDDY BRYANT AND CHLOE MURO
Virginia is known for many things, but one of the things it is most known for in the hardcore scene is a huge number of quality hardcore bands making a positive impact on the genre across the U.S. One of the bands making the biggest impact is PAPER TRAIL, which currently includes guitarist Devan Albers, drummer Joey Glover, bassist Buddy Bryant, vocalist Lunch Stein, and guitarist Alex Young. Since forming the band in May 2011, the band has made a name for themselves as one of the hardest working bands in the scene. Albers filled us in over email about the band’s recent performances at Shaka’s in Virginia Beach and other age-restricted venues in regards to the impact it has had on the local music scene, as well as their upcoming self-titled album due out later this year.
On February 12, PAPER TRAIL played its first show in a long time at Shaka’s in Virginia Beach. How did that show go?
It went extremely well. We played Shaka’s in November with SICK OF IT ALL and have played Virginia Beach more recently at age-restricted venues.
From February 26 to March 1, you guys will be hitting the road for shows in Nashville, Dayton, Ohio, Altoona, Pa., and back to Virginia Beach. What are you most looking forward to about this run?
[We are] definitely looking forward to just being out to new places and hanging out with INCITED more. I think it will be a good run in all; they booked it and have hammered out places and made friends and good contacts.
I’ve heard about how there been several bars at the Virginia Beach oceanfront that have been opening their doors to hardcore bands. Do you think that this is a good thing?
I think that is a fantastic thing. I mean, age restrictions suck for sure because kids of all ages, especially under 21 come out and are willing to pay for the show, but the laws at the oceanfront are crazy. The constant [stream] bands coming through [the area], big and small, is really cool no matter where in Hampton Roads.
Your bassist Buddy told me that you guys are currently working on a new album. How much progress have you made on that?
We have five songs down. Two are the Cycle of Light EP, and we’re gonna do 3 or 4 more ASAP. We have album art and a new member too. This full-length is going to be badass.
Is there anything on the new record that listeners might find unexpected?
It’s pretty straight forward PAPER TRAIL stuff, but I feel like it’s all of our previous releases all put into one and with more BLOOD FOR BLOOD and DEATH THREAT style hardcore too.
Have you decided on a title for it?
It’s just gonna be called Paper Trail.
What are your thoughts on the current state of the Virginia hardcore scene?
My thoughts on the current scene is it’s still alive and just in the slow season, per say. We have a ton of stuff coming up for spring and summer. The Virginia Beach hardcore scene has been and is one of the best because most other scenes rely on venues or bands to make it what it is, but we’ve never had consistent venues or bands. [There is] still a lot of talent and places all over letting hardcore and shows in general happen.
