November 19, 2006 - Recently we chatted with Patrick McBride of Hourcast, the up and coming band from Boston, Massachusetts,
who's currently on tour with Godsmack and will be on tour later in the year with Sevendust. Below is what he had to say to us.

Hourcast

FES: Could you please give our readers not familiar with Hourcast the band 411?

Patrick: We're a band based out of Boston, Massachusetts. We are currently on the road with Godsmack and Breaking Benjamin. Our [debut] album "State of Disgrace" is available in stores and on iTunes now. We have a video for our single 'Freeze' which is a fully animated amazing piece of work that is on MTV Headbangers Ball, MTV 2 and Fuse TV. We are currently touring the country to let everyone know who we are and what we are about.

FES: How long did it take the band to record State of Disgrace?

Patrick: We were actually very, very prepared going into the studio. In fact when Fran Flannery [Creed, Fuel, Limp Bizkit, Quik Sam Flip, etc] who was our engineer on the record walked into the studio he said, "My god you guys are one of the most prepared bands I've ever seen." We had done all our preproduction. We had produced the record ourselves. We had all our computers with us and everything was laid out. We spent a lot of time on this album really crafting the songs bringing them to life strangling and killing them and then resurrecting them again and just going over it with a fine tooth comb and the results are what we have out on the market today.

FES: Going into the studio how many songs did the band have and how did the band decide which ones would make it and which ones would not?

Patrick: We went into the studio with about 20 tracks. We just kind of felt them out as we recorded them. It's interesting when you go back and re-record this material in a studio and you’re in a different environment different things happen to the songs whether it be with the guitars or the vocals. We picked the ones that seemed have the best life and best energy to us and told the story the best.

FES: What went through your mind the first time you heard one of Hourcast's songs on the radio?

Patrick: [Laughs] It's always an amazing thing to hear your music broadcast in a public forum like that. It was a very, very exciting thing for us. We had been working really, really hard in Massachusetts for a couple of years before any of this music was released. The first time I actually heard it nationally broadcasted was on hard drive. I was laying on the couch with my girl in Kansas City and we heard it come on and we gave each other a big huge said, "Wow, maybe this is finally going somewhere."

FES: What was it like when you saw the video for 'Freeze' on Fuse and MTV?

Patrick: Very similar. We're very proud of that video. The guy that did that video for us is Vincent Marcone out of Canada. We've worked with Vincent since the very beginning of this band. Our Icon The Driller he created that out of the blue. We sent this guy a record and he sent us back this icon and said, "This is how your music makes me feel when I listen to it." We just knew right then and there this was our guy. He's done everything for us from our EP cover to our album cover. Then he approached us and said, "Look I want to bring this world that I created on the album I want to bring it to life and fully animate it in a computer world." He worked for about six months on the video and storyboarded it with us. When we got the final product back I was blown away. We're not even in the video it's fully animated and we just really wanted to let the art speak. It's been getting amazing, amazing response from both MTV and Fuse.

FES: Do you feel being on an indie label like Alkamedia Records has given Hourcast more artistic freedom than if the band had signed with a major label?

Patrick: Without question. In fact, I don't think we would have put out the same album had a guy in a suit who thinks he's dialed in with what the kids want telling us what songs we can put on the record trying to shape the band saying "Look we want 10 songs that sound exactly like this single." With this album we were able to do a song as heavy as 'God Failer' or '3rd of July' and turn around and do an acoustic track like 'Memories and Lies' put something a little more emotional on there like a 'Lunar' and we had complete control of our future with this band. It's a great thing to have I really think it's going to be the way of the future because the major labels, as we know it are crumbling. As we meet these big bands like Godsmack, 30 Seconds To Mars and Breaking Benjamin and they hear what we did they're all like, "Wow, you guys are doing this thing right." At first we weren't sure because everyone was telling us you have to be with a major label to make things happen and in three years that situation has done a complete 180. Now the major labels don't hold all the cards anymore and we absolutely love it.

FES: What are your thoughts on Hourcast's music being featured in the Saw III Soundtrack?

Patrick: Well I have to tell you all of us love those movies. We think it's a cool concept and it was an honor to be part of this last installment of the movie and I think they picked a really perfect track for it.

FES: Earlier you mentioned to me your from St. Paul, Minnesota. What was it like for you to perform live in front of your mother?

Patrick: [Laughs] Well that was a trip. I wasn't sure if she was going to disown me after the show. It's funny, we're polar opposites like most kids are from their parents. She's a first grade teacher and first grade teachers traditionally can't be really edgy kind of people. We have a joke that when I was born they must have gotten the kids switched in the delivery room or something because I'm so opposite of her. I put this spotlight on her and I got this arena of about 6,000 people to scream "Hi Mom" and got a chance for the first time to thank her for all the support she's given me over the years and I told her from the stage, "The trumpet lessons really paid off didn't they?" [Laughs.] It was a monumental night for me to have my mom there and play a huge show in an arena with her there. A huge milestone for me.

FES: What's it been like touring with Godsmack?

Patrick: Well, I'll put it to you like this, Godsmack could take any band that they want on this tour with them. This is one of the most coveted tours happening right now and they chose us. If that is any kind of testimony as to what Sully and those guys are like I don't know what is. Here we are a fellow band from Boston virtually unknown to most people and they are letting us get a shot to be exposed to their fans that they've been building for the last almost ten years. It's an honor to be here. Those guys really wrote the book on making it happen locally and turning it into something that ended up being global for them. We look up to that a lot and we're out here to learn from these guys.

FES: After the Godsmack tour the band goes out on the road with Sevendust. How many shows will be on this tour?

Patrick: We have about 10 dates left on this tour then we're going to take a short break and we will again be out with Sevendust. We've toured with them before. Sevendust was the first band to really embrace us and give us a shot on the road which was last spring. That was our first taste of getting out there and playing in front of some big crowds. Morgan and LJ [are] just super guys. We are very happy about being reunited with those guys on the road again.

FES: How do you feel about playing New Year's Eve In Florida? [Show is at Jannus Landing in St. Petersburg, FL]

Patrick: [Laughs] Are you kidding me? It's going to be sick! I can't wait to get down there to the warm weather. The Florida crowds we have played in front of before have just been great. Super good people down there they really know how to have a good time. I couldn't think of a better place to spend New Years.

FES: Has the high cost of fuel effected how Hourcast plans any of their tours?

Patrick: Not really. We actually don't do any of the planning. We're still a baby band at this point. We just kind of follow wherever the tour is going to go. That is based on what happens with the headliner and the promoter and those kinds of things. So pretty much they give us an itinerary and we do our best to get our Asses there however we have to get there.

FES: Do you tour on a bus or a van?

Patrick: We are lucky enough to be able to have a tour bus. Our entire band and crew ride on it.

FES: How often do you meet with fans at your shows?

Patrick: We meet our fans every single night. We stay until every fan has had what they want signed. We really make a point of it. They’re the reason we are here.

FES: How important does Hourcast feel playing shows in Florida are in contributing to the overall success of the band compared to playing shows in other areas?

Patrick: I'm starting to learn now that we're getting the chance to go to all these different states and tour this country. That everybody in different zones of the country have a different attitude. I think that when you get in the east coast people are a little more like the kind of guys with their arms crossed saying okay buddy what do you got. They're a lot harder to get through to. We found as we head south people are really there just more about the experience they seem to be much more open to just letting loose and having a good time and really just being there to have the experience and not so much staring at you with jaded eyes you know like we've experienced in Boston you know what I mean?

FES: Coming from Boston, I know exactly what you mean. One thing about Florida if you give them a good show the fans do appreciate it and they will embrace and support you. It's too bad the major labels do not consider Orlando a major or even a secondary market because the fans here are very loyal. They'll buy your records and they'll come to your shows even if it means driving 200 miles for it.

Patrick: As far as the major labels go they're missing it all over the board man. Not only with not developing new bands but just missing markets and all those things. We're all about the fans and meeting new fans. We're stoked to get down there again and especially with Sevendust. Those guys are like hometown boys all over down there [Florida.] You know what? I think not only in terms of the live shows but in this industry in general I think the fans the people are claiming this business. The people are running this business and of course to a certain extent they always have because they buy records but with the Internet and with everything that is going on today in the music industry they're controlling it you know what I mean? They're the ones buying tickets to the show that are making the demands; they're the ones that are picking the bands they want to listen to. I think the major labels have less and less control as time goes on. Wait until three years from now when people have Internet in their cars and they don't even have to tune into terrestrial radio anymore, it's game over. The people are fully going to have choices as to what they want to hear and whom they want to see and when they want to see it. You know what I mean?

FES: I know exactly what you mean. It's almost there now with satellite radio and I think sadly the CD will go the way of the dinosaur.

Patrick: No question. We've met kids out here who haven't even seen CDs. A couple of them will buy them but you talk to any 12, 13 or 14 year old and they're like what? I want a file. I want something for my iPod, I don't need a disc, I don't need to carry that around it's not going to fit in my backpack and I'm not going to take a huge collection of them around. I want to say something about radio too and this might get me in trouble but I don't really give a [damn] to be honest with you. It's really interesting being a new band and having people court you to radio stations. We've placed some of these venues and there are some indie radio stations who are really cool that are willing to take a chance on spinning new music instead of the same ten bands on a loop every hour on the hour. It's interesting to see these old guard of industry radio guys and how much power they think they have and I'll ask them "are you guys spinning the new record?" No we're not spinning it. "Well why not?" You’re not on a major label. So we have nothing to offer them we can't send them tickets to go fly out to the MTV music awards. We can't give them all sorts of concert benefits. They don't care about playing Hourcast. They could care less. I ask them "are you guys spinning the record?" No were not spinning the record. And I'll say, "Well okay I hope you do," and I'll shake their hand and I'll walk away but in the back of my head I'm kind of laughing because I'm thinking to myself in five years you guys are done and I don't need you. We will play our shows. We will win new fans by playing live the way it's always been done. We'll sell our CDs out of the back of our bus if we have to. We have guys that are supporting the band and taking chances. There are a very small handful of stations out there that are willing to go out on a limb and play new music because that is what the people want. As far as I think about radio they're great for morning shows, big deal, that's all they have other than that people are listening to their iPods and they know it. They know it. We did the approach of let's get out and try to push the record yada yada yada and some picked it up and some don't. At the end of the day it's all about that show man. It's all about reaching that kid that's looking up at you from the front row or whatever row he's at and making that kid feel it and get to shake that kid's hand after the show that's what is real. And that is what is going to make this band go somewhere. It surely isn't paying some fat ass fuck with a suit to get our song played on the radio.

FES: It's a shame radio stations won't play more local music.

Patrick: A perfect example, this band we're on tour with right now Godsmack. WAAF [In Boston] took a chance and started spinning that band and broke the band. They supported this hard working local band that's out there busting their ass and you just don't see it anymore and it's sad. But you know what? It will turn against them eventually.

FES: Where do you see Hourcast say five (5) years from now?

Patrick: I think were going to continue to develop our sound. We are going to continue to tour our Asses off as much as we can. I just think it's so important to play as many as you can and that's what we're going to continue to do. We're going to do it on this grassroots level. Even though playing these huge sets with Godsmack we're still doing this on a very homegrown woodshed kind of level and it's a good thing. We're going to continue to build that momentum and write the best music we can write and the band is going to evolve.

FES: What are your thoughts on online publications such as Florida Entertainment Scene helping to promote bands such as Hourcast?

Patrick: I think it's key. I can't thank you enough for being able to do this interview today. It's nice to have people that are helping to spread the word and it's something that's real and isn't a bought advertisement. It's a good thing and I feel very lucky to be able to participate in it.

FES: Do you have anything to say to your fans that read or listen to this interview?

Patrick: Yes I do. First and foremost, thank you so much for believing in the band and supporting us. We are a brand new band and it's really interesting to play these shows coming out on a stage that 90 percent of the audience has no idea who the fuck we are but by the time we finish our last song I see hands in the air and I hear people screaming and it's an amazing, amazing feeling to have people respond to this band and give us a chance on a live level like that and to be converting these people one show at a time.

FES: Makes you want to do it another day doesn't it?

Patrick: [Laughs] I can't wait every single day to get up and play a show. It's the best job in the world man.

FES: Patrick Thank you for your time. I wish the band much success.

Patrick: Thank you very much Michael.

Hourcast is:

Patrick McBride - Vocals
Dave Henriquez - Guitar
Dave Sullivan - Bass
Jerry Clews - Drums

Hourcast is from Boston, MA and tour on a regular basis. For more band information log onto the official Hourcast Website.

To sample music visit the Hourcast page at myspace.com. Hourcast's debut record "State of Disgrace" is now available on Alkamedia Records.

Musician Interview by Michael Montes - Copyright © 2006 Florida Entertainment Scene - All Rights Reserved.