PropertyOfZack is thrilled to finally be posting our new interview with Lionize. The band recently toured with Streetlight Manifesto and A Loss For Words and PropertyOfZack was lucky enough to talk to Nathan about the tour, their new record, Destruction Manual, and Warped Tour, among other things. Read up and enjoy!

For the record, could you state your name and role in Lionize?
Nathan, Guitar/Vocals.
 
The band recently finished up a tour with Streetlight Manifesto and A Loss For Words. How did those dates go and how did fans receive you?
The tour was one of the best tours we’ve ever done. The streetlight fans are really incredible. They have an energy like none else. They are young but very smart.
 
What was your set like on the show?
We change our set list every single night. Each member takes a turn writing a set list, and we tend to improvise something new every night. It keeps it from getting stale and I think that when it keeps you on your toes that translates to the crowd.  
 
You guys started the tour just days after your new album, Destruction Manual, was released. How has the reception been to the record so far?
The reception to the record has been really incredible. We never expected people to review the album so positively, so we’re really happy that people dig it. We are very proud of this one.
 
It was produced by J. Robbins. How did working with him come about and how was the experience?
J.Robbins has produced some of the best sounding records in the last few years.  Clutch’s Robot Hive Exodus and Strange Cousins from the West are a couple examples of how records should sound. Live, warm. They’re perfect recording quality and his ideas in production are fantastic. He’s really a song arranging genius. We asked him to do the record with us and he did. I think Jean Paul Gaster of Clutch put us in touch, we sent some demos and J. was all about. It was by far the easiest and most productive experience we’ve ever had in the studio.
 
What was the writing process like for the record?
The writing process is usually the same every time. We get home from touring, we get in a room together with some lyrics and some riff ideas and jam. We bring some more formed ideas together, or just improvise and see how many things we can come up with. There’s no set way really.
 
Did you guys do any tracks that didn’t make it onto the record?
We never really write songs in the studio, and we usually have all the tunes for the record set before we head in. We don’t have that kind of budget. We want to trim the fat and keep things concise.
 
It was released on Hardline Entertainment. How is your relationship with them so far?
 We love Hardline. They have treated us very well and we can see working with them on more releases very soon!  We have a close relationship with the Label and Management side. Ken Seaton who is our manager and runs the label is the man. He is our guy 150%.
 
A music video for “You’re Trying To Kill Me” was made to promote the record. How was it shooting that?
This was our first every music video. We have kind of avoided it until now, but Hardline made it possible to do something tasteful for the single, so it was the right time. Making the video was fairly effortless and all around easy, although somewhat awkward. Doing anything besides actually performing or recording is awkward.
 
After playing this kickoff party, there’s nothing quite on the schedule before Warped. Are more dates in the works?
We have one really special date that we are going to announce in the coming week, but other than that we are writing and recording another record. Some might say it’s relentless, but we just get bored really easily. We just finished three straight months out on tour, so the two months home is much needed.
 
And how excited are Lionize for Warped? Are you guys mentally prepared for the challenge yet?
We are beyond stoked for this. It’s going to be amazing. The reception even thus far has been incredible. If it’s going to be anything like the kick off party in Brooklyn, then we are more than ready for it. Everyone seems to paint the tour as a challenge, and while I’m sure anything festival style and in the heat is tough, every tour we were ever on was a challenge. We’re a crew of 6 riding around in a van with no windows, heat or money. We sometimes can afford hotels and we often eat sandwiches and cereal because we’re broke. So, being on a tour with thousands of kids where we get fed 3 times a day…that’s a walk in the park if you ask me.

What’s going to happen after Warped? Should we expect constant touring?
We will figure out what to do with some records we have. You can expect some vinyl and video releases and some other cool things we’ve been sitting on for a while. And yes, as always, you can expect more touring. That’s all we know how to do at this point.
 
Thanks so much for your time, is there anything else you’d like to add or that we should be on the lookout for?  
Thanks for everything. Nothing more to push. Just glad you took the time to even ask a band like ours questions!