It was announced that Taylor left Handguns just yesterday and that Tyson Evans from Second To Last would be filling in for  him, so we thought it would be great timing to catch up with Tyson on PropertyOfZack. Tyson and I discussed his future in both Handguns and Second To Last, whether he struggled with the decision or not, what he’s looking forward to, the creative process for Handguns in the future, and more. Read up and enjoy, it’s a good one!

Second To Last are literally finishing up a show with The Story So Far in Seattle right now, but the news of today is that you will be replacing Taylor of Handguns on vocals for the band after they finish a tour with I Call Fives. Can you clarify whether or not you will be leaving Second To Last completely to join Handguns permanently?
To be honest it’s a question that at this point I can’t really give a complete answer to. Second To Last is a band that I started when I was 15. It’s what I’ve always known and loved even with all the member changes and what not. Everyone in the band is equal in terms of importance and everyone has played a significant role but at the end of the day it’s always been me giving forth the motivation and the most work. So all I can say is that whatever happens will happen. I’ve learned what happens when you jump into things too fast and expect too much at one time so I’m trying to take this one step at a time and savor it. But as to putting an end to Second To Last, I don’t think I’m going to be the one to make that call. If my best friends want to make music and take it as seriously as Handguns does I’m going to be behind that and support it as much as possible.

I believe Taylor notified the guys in Handguns not too long about him wanting to leave the band, which means you got asked to fill in on vocals even sooner. How quickly did this all happen for you?
We were driving to Eugene to meet up with The Story So Far when Jake called me. This happened literally right after I got a call from my mom telling me that someone who had taught me how to play music and helped shape who I am had killed himself. So it was all just kind of a strange mix of emotions. I started thinking about how I wouldn’t even be playing in a band if it wasn’t for Brian and I realized that it would be wrong of me to not further myself in music and fill in. Originally Jake said I would be starting in October but he called me the next day saying that Taylor wanted to go home as soon as possible and that I would need to meet up with them July 3rd in Salt Lake City. So it all happened in a gnarly short amount of time.

Did you mull over the decision much, or was it an obvious one for you to make?
Well when he first told me I was really excited. I jumped at it. But the b-side to all of this is that this is probably the best tour we’ve done as a band so it’s a little bittersweet leaving for half a year or however long this cycle is with really no notice to the dudes or to my close friends at home. But everything will pan out and this is happening for a reason.
 
Handguns don’t have a ton of material, so it’s not like you have to learn dozens upon dozens of songs for live shows, but will it be weird for you regardless to be in a van with a group of completely new guys singing songs that aren’t yours?
To be honest I’ve been dwelling on that. But every time I start to I realize that Jake and I have the same heart for what we do and love it endlessly. So I think i can relate to most of the songs and hopefully I’m able to deliver what Taylor did and bring more to the table to benefit Handguns.
 
Handguns are a band that have been gaining more and more exposure and popularity in recent months. Are you excited to spend time with them and help them continue to grow?
I’m very excited. They have a lot more in the works that I’ve dreamed of doing. So it’s definitely exciting what the road ahead has in store.

Second To Last to have an EP called The Waiting Game that has not officially been released by anyone yet. Is it going to be tough to sort of put that on hold and focus on a different project for now?
That has been hard to think about. But to be honest we were never really gaining much from those songs. I don’t regret them at all but I think Logan, Preston, and Kris should get busy jamming while I’m gone so that we have something more to offer to everyone next time around.

Are there still hopes of formally releasing the EP on a label, or will that be unlikely right now with your focus being Handguns?
I don’t really know to be honest. I’d like to see those songs get out there because those are my words and my stories and i never want anyone to not be able to hear those. So whether we just release the other two through the internet or someone approaches us to put it out doesn’t really concern me personally. Just as long as they get out there. The songs are all that really matters at the core of it.

You’ve built Second To Last up over a long period of time and are continuing to, but there are obvious limitations with the band because some members are in school still. If you are staying in both bands, how do you plan on managing your time and creativity?
Like I said. As long as those dudes continue to make music together, which I doubt they’ll not, I hope to be involved in some way or another. My heart with be with them simply because they’re my friends and we’ve seen alot of things together and have learned alot together. So I think for once it’s up to them to figure out their schedules because I’ve always been the one to have to work all the fill in guitarists and shit like that out. If they want to keep it going they will. I hope they decide to take it further and I hope I can add something through out time.

If things with Handguns don’t seem natural after a trial basis, will you continue to work on Second To Last and make it your top priority once again?
Again. It’s just one step at a time. I’m going to try and look at it from a positive perspective and also apply what I’ve taken from past experiences and incorporate it into Handguns’ already brutal work ethic. If things don’t go the way I planned then they don’t. It’s another stepping stone in life. So we’ll just sit back and see how everything pans out.

If things with Handguns do go well and you become a permanent member, have there been discussions yet whether you would be part of the creative process for a future EP or LP?
Yes, definitely. I love writing music and there are a lot of songs that I’ve written over time that I’d really like to see the light of day. Even before all this occurred I had ideas of starting something new that I’d have more of a creative say in. So hopefully if everything is up hill I can bring something to the table as far as writing goes.

This is sort of a new start for you in many ways. Are you excited for the possibilities that could come from it?
I’m very excited. I’ve had a hard couple of years and the last year has been especially rough. I can only take working shitty minimum wage jobs and laying in bed until 12 everyday when I’m not for so long. Every day I wake up I have anxiety attacks because I’m so uncomfortable with the life that most people are comfortable with. I hate complacency. I hate the mundane life style. There’s something really awesome about getting the chance to see the country and other countries and do that through music. So this is kind of the light that I’ve needed for quite some time. I’m very thankful. I hope that my friends out there take this as an example that you really can do what you set your heart on. The Story So Far says goodnight by the way.