Back in late September, pop punk outfit Veara released their new album ‘Growing Up Is Killing Me‘ through Epitaph Records. We caught up with Brittany from the band around the album’s release to tackle our Hotseat questions, you can check out her answers by expanding this post. The band will be back in Australia this week as part of the Vans Warped Tour playing all dates. Tickets are available now. You can pick up a copy of the new album now on iTunes [Here].
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THE BASICS
Name : Brittany Harrell
Band : Veara
Job In Band : drummer
Website Address : www.facebook.com/vearaband
HOME
Hometown : Augusta, GA USA
Hometown is best known for : The Masters Golf Tournament
Best venue in your hometown : Sector 7G
Favourite show you’ve played in your hometown : We’re about to play our record release show in our hometown so Im hoping that will be my new favorite!
THE BAND
How did the band first come to exist? Our bass player Bryan and I went to high school together. We started jamming together and later met Patrick through a mutual friend. We had other singers come and go up until Brad joined up with us in 2008.
How long has the band been going? Veara started in 2003 by playing covers at friends birthday parties. We’ve technically been Veara for a decade.
Any particular story behind the name? There is a local music store here in our hometown called “Jays Music”. One of the owners is a lady named Vera who is super mean. Shes kicked some of us outta of the store before so when we decided to be a band we thought it’d be cool to name it after her out of spite. We added an extra in there for no particular reason. We were just young and the name stuck, haha.
What’s your most recent release? Tell us a little about it… Our most recent release is “Growing Up Is Killing Me” and it comes out on Epitaph Records on September 24th! We are BEYOND stoked on this record. It’s aggressive Pop-Punk. Check it out!
Got a personal stand out achievement of your band to date? Playing Soundwave 2011 in Australia was a Huge one for me. I’ve always wanted to go to Australia and I would have never guessed that I’d be going there to play with my band on an amazing festival. Stoked to be coming back there this year for Warped Tour Australia!
OFF THE STAGE
What was your first introduction to music that made you think seriously about playing it? The band Hanson is why I play the drums. I remember seeing MMMbop on tv. I was 9 years old at the time and I was hooked. I later found out that the drummer was pretty young. I thought to myself “if he can play drums in a band that young, so can i!”. So I started playing drums at the age of 9 and it’s stuck with me ever since.
Any particular band / album or song that you personally credit as a major influence? Blink 182 Enema Of The State and Take Off Your Pants and Jacket changed the way I look at drumming and music.
Your first band name, and what style did you play? Veara was actually my 1st real band!
Most prized music related item you own? I love my snare drum. It’s an SJC custom snare drum and they put wood badges of my two corgis on it for me. I love it!
When you’re not doing band related stuff, what are you usually found doing? I work part time at Taco Bell. I practice drums on my own a lot, and I like to hang out with my family and friends!
The thing you most look forward to just before a tour is… Getting to play shows and see the world!
The thing you least look forward to before a tour is… I miss my family, friends, and dogs
ON THE STAGE
When on offer, what’s your one must have item on the rider? Some sort of food for fuel!
Favourite place you’ve toured… and why? Australia! I’ve been obsessed with Australia since I can remember and when we got the chance to come over and be apart of the Soundwave tour in 2011 I was so stoked. I love the atmosphere there and it definitely lived up to everything I dreamed it would be
Most memorable show you’ve played? and why? Groezrock festival in Belgium in 2011 was absolutely insane. It’s been my most favorite show we’ve played to date. There was 2,000 kids singing and stage diving with no barricade. So sick!!!
Got a favourite song to play live? Honestly I love playing them all. Each song has a uniqueness to it that makes it fun. If I had to pick I reckon id say “We Have A Body Count” just because it’s high energy
Any embarrassing on stage moments come to mind? Not for me personally but our guitarist Patrick one time busted his tail on stage in France when we were on the Eastpak antidote tour with Sum 41. There was over a thousand people there and I laughed butt off
Any pre-show rituals? I am the most superstitious person you’ll probably meet. I have to warm-up and play certain rudiments at certain times before we play. I also have a luck dime (10 cents) that I wear in the sock of the show on my left foot. I also have a pair of dog tags that I wear around my neck from my mom to bring me good luck. I have to do a series of stretches before playing as well. I also like to drink a beer before I play to relax my nerves
What do you find is the hardest aspect of touring in a band today? Gas prices are killer
RIGHT NOW
Last song you listened to? Boxcar Racer “I Feel So”
Last album you acquired? Actually it was my own bands! Our CDs came in the other day haha
Which band or album is currently on high rotation? I’ve really been into Stick To Your Guns lately
Tell us an up and coming band or artist you think we should go and listen to right now? We’re good friends with State Champs and they have a new record coming out soon. They’re awesome!
What’s on the cards for the next few months for the band? Our new CD “Growing Up Is Killing Me” came out on September and we’ll be touring in support of that. We are coming back over to Australia for Warped Tour at the end of November and we have some other tours in the works right now that have yet to be announced.
IF ONLY…
You can pick any one album for your band to cover in full, what would it be and why? Fall Out Boy “Take This To Your Grave”. That is one of my favorite Pop-Punk records of all time. I think it’s perfect
You can pick any one band / artist to cover one of your albums in full, what would it be, and why? I would like to see New Found Glory do our songs. They’re also another band that Im a HUGE fan of that I think would do something cool with out music
One band you wish you were able to see live but never had the chance? Off the top of my head I’d say Hanson. They got me into music and playing the drums but I’ve never seen them live
One venue you have yet to play that you would love to? Chain Reaction in California
The chance comes up to fill in for a member of a band for one tour, which band would it be, and why? Blink 182 but Id be nevous as hell trying to live up to what Travis Barker does
A headline tour overseas comes up, tell us two bands you’d take along to support your band. Our Last Night and State Champs
PLUG TIME
Got any final words? Our record “Growing Up Is Killing Me” comes out on September 24th on Epitaph Records. Be sure to go and pick that up! Also, we will be over in Australia on The Warped Tour starting at the end of November!
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VEARA – Growing Up Is Killing Me
Available now through Epitaph Records.
Grab the album on iTunes [Here].
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