UN: Symphony in Peril might be a new band to a lot of people reading this. Can we go through a history of how the band came together? Obviously, the vocalist in the band was a member of Zao, which most people know by now. Were any of the other members in bands prior to SIP?

Shawn: We formed this band around the spring of 2002 but didn’t really get serious until around fall of that same year. We formed this band with the outlook of, “let’s just have fun.” We were not worried about contracts, albums or even big shows; we just wanted to play the music that we loved. Andy, Collin, and Josh all had previous bands but nothing that anyone would be able pick up in a store or anything.

UN: Does it seem like things came together pretty quickly for Symphony in Peril? You formed in 2002 I believe, and had a full length out the following year. Do you think the Zao connection raised a lot of interest in the band?

Shawn: Too Quick! Things happened so fast that we had shows before songs. The Zao connection sparked so much interest that we didn’t have time to become a real band. I really feel that we let a bunch of people down at first due to us growing before their eyes. I will be honest it was hard but we seem to be overcoming the ex Zao label.

UN: While I’m sure you are proud of the time you spent in Zao, does it seem like that face might be thrown around a bit too much? True, Zao is an amazing band, but Symphony in Peril is more then good enough to stand on there own. But like I mentioned in the last question, if it gets people interested in the band and that leads to them being a fan then it can’t be a bad thing.

Shawn: I will never forget the time I spent in Zao, it was a time in my life with four of the most incredible musicians and friends, but it was a long time ago. Symphony in Peril is so much more rewarding, I came up with the name, the title to the songs, the album title and I can do and say whatever I want with freedom and not restriction. The guys trust me and believe in what I helped form, but by far this is not the Shawn Jonas band this is our band.

UN: Let’s talk about how Facedown Records came into the picture. Did you guys have a demo that you were shipping around to labels? Would you say that Facedown is the ideal home for a band like Symphony in Peril?

Shawn: Jason and his staff have been absolutely wonderful. Facedown was a perfect fit for us and our sound, but it was not easy getting on the label. We had to send demos and videos, I leterally had to sell SIP to him. Yeah the zao backing was a bonus but our sound was not quite there yet, he definitely took a chance with us. If you listened to the Hot Topic Sampler with us on it you will know what I mean. It was not prettty.

UN: “Lost Memoirs and Pictures” I would say is probably one of the most original metalcore albums to come along in quite a while. Would you say that it was a conscious decision to try and avoid the cliches of the genre? These days especially with so many bands playing the style it’s hard to tell who’s sincere and creating music that they truly believe in. One listen to SIP and you can tell that you guys believe in what you are doing 100%.

Shawn: As a band we feel that Lost Memoirs and Faded Pictures was good starter album but not our best. It blows us away that people feel that it is different and not the typical because we feel the complete opposite. We laugh at some of the parts and say what were we thinking. I guess we just were pressed for time and did what we thought was best and if people enjoy it, “great” but it is definitely not our best. We are taking most of May, some of June and most of July off to write for our next album. We will do all the major fests and a few bigger shows so we are not completely going away but we are taking time off to write. We hit the studio in the early fall with a release date sometime in the winter. All I can say is, if you liked the first album at all you definitely will be shocked at our growth as a band with what we are writing now. We had practice last night and the stuff that is coming out of these guys is so much more mature. We have really grown.

UN: Would you say that it was also a conscious decision to make the artwork a bit more possibly abstract then most metalcore bands these days? Sometimes it’s a bit tiring to see the same skulls and blood splashes. You guys managed to get a booklet and overall look that is very unique looking. White is definitely a nice change from the standard red and black.

Shawn: Ha! I know what you mean. Some the layouts that are coming out are pretty bad. We take design work very seriously. Collin our bass player now drummer is all about graphic design and art work. His father is one of the most amazing designers in the world and Collin is definitely following in his footsteps. On the album we wanted it to be different and cutting edge and for the most part we kind of pulled it off. The cover is crisp and clean and looks really good on the shelves but the back picture is really bad. I look like a short fat hobbit that is high on crack. On our next layout we are using one of the top designing firm’s and we are so excited. I can’t wait to get started.

UN: Would you consider the lyrics a form of catharsis? They definitely seem to be a bit more personal then a lot of heavy bands these days. It seems a lot of people are all too eager to write songs about killing people, or about relationships gone wrong, or oddly enough a combination of the two. Do you think writing about the same subjects would be taking the easy route?

Shawn: I am constantly writing not always for the band but for myself. It is a way for me get off my chest what I am feeling at the moment. On lost memoirs I was able to write the way I always wanted to write and it came out pretty good. I have read bad lyrics and I have read very good lyrics but I try not to say this is bad or this is good because that is that persons feelings on paper. I do hate reading cliché lyrics that have no feeling to them whatsoever that is pretty depressing. I just hope my words can inspire, evoke, or help someone to look at themselves differently.

UN: Ok, I have to ask this. What exactly is The Quotidian Succession?

Shawn: Quotidian means Daily, and Succession means Cycle. The song mostly is about overcoming the roller coaster life by returning to your first love. The title is a little weird I hope that helps.

UN: Would you say that the bands faith comes into play at all with the lyrical approach, or possibly even the bands approach to music in general?

Shawn: Yes and no. Yes God is an inspiration to our lives but when we write that is not always the focus. To be honest and not a liar we just write what comes out. Some of it sounds brutal and heavy and sometimes we have melodic undertones that could be taken as worshipful but for the most part we just let God direct our hearts. We don’t try to make the music direct God.

UN: A little bit off topic as far as the band goes, but I’m curious to know the answer. I was actually wondering if you’ve had the chance to see The Passion of the Christ yet? If you have, were you offended by the movie at all? It might possibly be a bit too realistic visually for a lot of people.

Shawn: I did, and it was the first time people got a glance at what really took place. Believe it or not Mel Gibson held back from how much worse it really was. It says in the Bible that he was marred worse than any man, and that was written thousands of years before it even happened.

UN: A lot of bands seem all to keen to make things overly complicated and lose a lot of power in the process. SIP has it’s share of more chaotic riffing, but it never loses focus and always seems song oriented. Would you say that it’s an important thing for the band to keep things memorable?

Shawn: When we write songs we don’t go at like, “hey lets write a song that kids can kill one another dancing in!” We write music! We want it to be something that we can look back on and be proud of not ashamed of. Yeah we love a good breakdown but why write all mosh that would get boring.

UN: I think the one band I’m reminded of the most at times by you guys is Coalesce. Musically you guys have very little in common, but I think it’s the fact that you guys are mainly mid tempo and aren’t afraid to repeat riffs. I think the vocal approach is similar as well. Are you guys Coalesce fans?

Shawn: I am embarrassed to say this but yes we are and yes he is a main inspiration to my vocal style. I love Shawn’s vocal style mostly because it was so heavy and chaotic. I also was inspired by Jason Stinson of Overcome his vocals in my mind are the best.

UN: You’ve been involved in the scene for awhile now, so I’m curious to ask who you’d say were some of the first bands to lay down the foundation for metal core music. One of the obvious ones I can think of is Deadguy, who were playing heavy music combining hardcore and metal in the early 90’s. Does it seem weird that this style of music is getting this much attention right now?

Shawn: Here is my list of Metal Core Legends: First and foremost Unbroken! They were amazing, Life, Love, Regret is a must have to any metal core fan. Next would be bands like Mean Season, Dead Guy, and one that most people know of today Converge. That to me is the foundation of what we are doing and continue to do today.

UN: Do you feel distanced at all from the entire Hardcore community being from Ohio? I’m sure the state has an excellent scene, but it seems like the hotbeds for this style of music are California, and Florida. Do you notice a difference in receptions from city to city? Any favorite places to play?

Shawn: By far it is the most fun to play on the West Coast. The shows are bigger, the crowds are fuller, and the people are amazing but don’t be fooled into believing that Ohio and the East Coast is not where it is at. Actually Straight Edge and Courage Crews foundations were on the East Coast and in Ohio. The scene is not what it use to be but it is not dead by far. The reception from the audiences on the west coast are a lot better but its good to always respect where the foundations lye. The problem is venues never stay long on the East Coast and that always is a discouragement. I always laugh and say that the West Coast is spoiled. Ha! I love it out there. As far as metal core goes it is real hit and miss. In Ohio and certain parts of PA they love Old School hardcore but in Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin they are all about metal core and technical metal. It is real up and down all over the East Coast and into the mid west.

UN: I was trying to come up with what Symphony in Peril could possibly mean, and while I’m probably off this is what comes to mind. Possibly no matter how much peril you face in life, be it a job you don’t like, putting up with abuse etc. There are always things that can make those things go away. To me, I’d say it represents throwing on your favorite record and forgetting about your problems. Care to explain the meaning behind the name?

Shawn: You are very close. It for the most part means living a beautiful life in the midst of chaos. When I think of symphony I think soothing music that brings peace in the midst of a storm. It all comes together when you combine in peril, because peril means chaotic time. I guess I am too poetic for my own good. Or just plain confusing to people. Quotidian now Symphony in Peril maybe I should just get simple.

UN: What can we expect next from Symphony in Peril? I’m somewhat assuming that you guys still have a lot of touring to go putting the word out about the band and your debut album.

Shawn: Well not really. We are actually going to take a little break to write. Mostly because we want to really focus on this next album. We believe it will be what pushes us beyond where we are at right now. From the artwork to the music to the lyrics everything is going to be different, and more mature. We are putting everything into this next album.

UN: At the end of the day, what do you want people to get out of Symphony in Peril? Are there certain emotions you hope for someone to experience while listening to the band?

Shawn: I just hope we can inspire people to look within themselves and see that there is more to life than money, beauty, fashion, and fame. That there is a reality before them, a heaven to gain and a hell to avoid. That there is a life that can bring them peace on a daily basis. I just want people that listen to us to get real and to stop being a thermometer and start being a thermostat, stop allowing the world to change them and start changing the world. This world can kill you if you let it.