UN: Let’s go through a history for Alove for Enemies. How did all of the members meet? Were any of you guys in bands prior to Alove for Enemies?

Erich: We actually met through a series of strange circumstances and some mutual friends, all of us were in other bands, but never really ran into each other until ALFE started.

UN: The band has just moved up from Strike First to Facedown. How does it feel to be a part of the bigger label now? I’m sure the extra push will help spread the name even further within the hardcore scene.

Erich: It feels awesome just to be part of such a great label. Jason and the staff there are beyond helpful and always there when you need them. It is nice for the band to have the support of the label which will definitely help with getting our music and our message out there.

UN: Has the recording of the album started yet? I was curious to ask if you guys would once again be returning to Atomic to record. The production on Broken Pledge is amazing.

Erich: The record is still being written. The recording will start in early winter (roughly) as for where we go, not 100% sure yet, but Atomic is certainly a good possibility. Dean and Matt at Atomic are excellent guys and very good at what they do.

UN: Obviously your faith plays a big part in Alove for Enemies. Is it important not to candy coat what you guys have to say? I guess some bands might try to stay a bit more ambiguous to not alienate any non-Christian listeners. Is that something you guys worry about at all?

Erich: We are a Christian band, our message as well as our mission by itself is not alienating at all; so we are not afraid to stand up for who and what we are. Hardcore is supposed to be a forum for people to share their beliefs regardless of what they are. We’ve noticed you get more respect for not being afraid, and taking a stand, so that’s what we strive to do.

UN: The name of the bands itself is from the Bible. What exactly about the passage stuck out with you? It’s definitely a band name that you hear and want to find out where it comes from.

Erich: It’s weird, because when and our first drummer Aj and I were thinking about what to name the band, we jokingly opened the Bible and put our fingers down on the first page we opened. That page turned out to be Mathew 5:44. The name jumped at us because the hardcore scene needs more love and positivity, so we adopted it right away.

UN: Would you say that it is important to keep things positive? A lot of bands think that if they are playing heavy music the lyrics have to be negative and hate filled. I for one am not always pissed off and would rather try to think of ways to change things then just kicking the same dead horse over and over again.

Erich: Negativity changes nothing. The only thing that accomplishes is making more hate, more intolerance. We try to take a negative situation, and point out how to make a positive from it, sort of that old saying, “what doesn’t kill you” The kids in the scene today need inspiration, hope, and encouragement. They need to know that they can do anything with their life; everyone has that power. The scene as a whole needs a healthy shot of positive thinking.

UN: Do you think that the scene could try and give back more? What I mean is, I think we need to see more shows with can food drives, and more shows with a cause. Hardcore doesn’t really seem to stand for much these days. It’s all about Hot Topic and the right haircut. It needs to go back to more of a ground level, and remember what is important.

Erich: That is EXACTLY how I feel about it. Hardcore used to be separate from popular culture, and the world. We used to have a purpose, a set of convictions that set us apart. I would love to see the scene get back to that. I try to encourage kids when we play to go out and get involved with something more that the music. That is what makes hardcore great.

UN: Alove for Enemies is a very heavy band, but you still fall within the hardcore genre. Do you think the walls between metal and hardcore are becoming even more blurred these days? There are bands that could easily fit into both categories, but I think the attitude of the band determines which genre they fall into.

Erich: We have been categorized in every genre you can think of. I think being hardcore is having a purpose, something to say. It should not matter if you sound like in flames or earth crisis. I think hardcore is a state of mind rather than a genre of music.

UN: If I’m not mistaken your Facedown debut is slated for sometime in 2005. Will the band be on the road as much as humanly possible in the mean time?

Erich: We have been on the road all summer, from June 18th and ending on September 5th. When we get home we will write, record, and then get back on the road again.