Basement might be UK-based, but many people have big expectations for the band to explode in the US this summer with their debut full-length due out on Run For Cover Records. Andrew had the time to answer a few questions for PropertyOfZack regarding touring, new music, future plans, and more. Enjoy! 

For the record, could you state your name and role in Basement?
Andrew, I sing in Basement.

Last month the band went out on a tour with Hostage Calm and Daylight in the UK. How were those dates?
It was a great tour. It was cool to meet people in bands that I respect. Was our first time out in Europe properly and it was a great experience. Actually, it was a first for all the bands involved…when I think about it like that, that’s cool. RFC goes on holiday!
 
Is beginning to get close to some of the other Run For Cover bands something that has turned out to be a plus in terms of touring options?
I guess, in the sense that I get to tour with bands that I like listening to. We’re lucky that the bands we’ve met off the label that we didn’t already know personally beforehand have all been so nice. It’s a great community on that label. 
 
You also just finished up a Mainland European tour with Brutality Will Prevail and More Than Life, which is a different kind of lineup than the last tour. Was that a nice change?
It was great. It felt kinda homely. We started out playing hardcore shows because that’s all we knew and that’s where we’re from. Recently we’ve been given the chance to play more musically ‘appropriate’ shows and that’s great too, but it felt cool to be able to play to kids that don’t feel uncomfortable getting wild. Hardcore shows will always have this indescribable energy that you just don’t get at other shows. It was great to go away with some of our best friends and make new ones at the same time. Both bands are amazing.
 
How is Basement received in the Mainland?
It was cool. We had mixed reactions. Some shows we were literally unheard of, but at other’s people knew who we were and even knew the songs. It was insane. If even one person knows a song I think it’s wild. Thank you to everyone that took the time to come see us or picked up a shirt, record or zine. You paid for chocolate milk, peanut puffs and Maxibons.
 
The band is currently recording its Run For Cover Records debut. How long ago did the writing process for the record start, and what are some themes that we can expect throughout the record?
This record was started last year. The live demos we released on a tape on City Of Gold have been rerecorded for the LP, so that shows how long it’s taken to finish. We’ve been playing a few of the songs live since last autumn as well. 
 
I don’t like to go into detail about the songs I write, because it’s very personal, plus if I explain too much then it’s not really anything anyone can relate to. The less you know, the more you think you know. I feel I make myself pretty clear most of the time anyway. It’s basically about some people I knew.
 
How would you compare the sound and writing to previous releases?
The writing process was a lot less focused than the 7”, but a lot more intense…if that can make sense? With the 7” we wanted the whole thing to have a specific audial theme, but we wanted the full length to try a whole bunch of different things. We definitely experimented. I think you can tell that from listening to it. It’s still us, but it’s different.
 
Have you guys enjoyed your time in the studio so far? Who have you been recording with?
We have been recording with our good friend Ian Boult at Stuck On A Name studios in Nottingham. He recorded the 7” as well and he’s the best. We love going up there with him. I tell you what I didn’t enjoy…staying at Alex’s old house, which is now covered in mould. Shout outs to Joe Hall, Chris Ford and Thom Sailsbury for putting us up tho. 
 
How many tracks should we expect to see on the release?
Nine on the CD, seven of which have never been recorded before. There will also be a bonus tenth track which will only be available on the vinyl release.
 
If the record’s currently being finished, can we hope for a mid-summer release date?
That’s the plan. If all goes ahead without a hitch, it should be out by the end of the summer at the latest.
 
Many US fans are hoping that the release on Run For Cover will really begin to open up doors for you in the States. Not many bands in this genre though often make their way over here from the UK. Does Basement have plans to tour in the US at least once this year?
Absolutely. We are currently in talks with bands to make this happen before the year is out. Keep checking our facebook/twitter/tumblr for updates on this.
 
What do you think signing to Run For Cover will allow the band to do in ways it could not before?
It will get our music out there to people that would otherwise have never had a chance to hear it and for that, we are so very grateful. I love this label and I have done for a very long time. Being a part of RFC is awesome. Jeff is my boy.
 
In terms of playing shows, Basement was recently added to Slam Dunk. How stoked are you to play that festival with all those other great bands?
Less Than Jake was the first real show I ever paid to go and see with my friends when I was about 14. My older, punker friend and the time went and bought us all beer and I don’t think I’ve ever been so excited… except maybe when I went to see Anti-Flag a year or so later. I saw AF about five times in all when I was younger. It’s safe to say I am sufficiently excited. Punk is not dead.
 
Will you guys start implementing new tracks into your set?
We try to mix it up without alienating people, but the newest stuff will always be what a band wants to play. I’m looking forward to getting this record out so we can start playing these songs more frequently.
 
When can we start seeing some new tours announced?
Soon. We are in talks about a few things at the moment. Like I said, check our relevant social networking sites. Haha.
 
Thanks so much for your time, is there anything else you’d like to add or that we should be on the lookout for?
Keep an eye out for our zines which Alex and James put a lot of effort and time into. The next issue will include a review of toilets. Also, RIP Joie De Vivre.