Long Island band shows its ‘Might’ on tour
November 21, 2003
Far from home, four men from Long Island, a current hot-spot for up-and-coming bands, are hanging out in a city — a city, like Long Island, which was once a mecca for musicians.
Standing on a street corner outside a record store on a surprisingly nice day in Seattle, On the Might of Princes drummer Chris Enriquez ponders the band’s newfound direction and success.
The new album, released two months ago. The contract with a reputable label. The tour in mid-swing. But at the moment, the band is more concerned with sightseeing.
“We just came from checking out Kurt Cobain’s old house,” Enriquez says, talking on his cell phone as he and his bandmates tour the city.
After signing to Revelation Records, the band took its time to put out “Sirens,” its first release for the label. Having just signed to Revelation, the members definitely felt the pressure to get it finished. But they wanted to do it right.
“That’s why it took so long,” Enriquez says.
“We didn’t want to rush ourselves and put it out just for the sake of putting out an album.”
Lighting a cigarette, Enriquez talks about how the band has the most fun playing live and being on tour. This is their first major tour in almost two years and it’s safe to say each member has developed a slight case of cabin fever.
“It is awesome when you are done in the studio and you can go out and play for people,” Enriquez says.
After pausing for an incredibly loud man walking down the street, Enriquez switches the topic to how the band’s music is being referred to as post-hardcore. He says the band’s sound is very diverse and has always been the oddball when playing hardcore shows. Post-hardcore may just be too simplistic a term.
“All of our songs are completely different from one another. In fact, on numerous occasions — especially on our second album — people say some of our songs don’t even sound like us,” Enriquez says. “We have three different singers that sometimes sing lead; that dynamic can throw people off. We just try to mix it up a lot.”
Enriquez pauses to remind the rest of the band, who just came out of the record store, that he can walk and talk at the same time and should continue toward the next tourist trap. Moving on, Enriquez starts discussing the process of putting the latest album together. “Sirens” is special because it is the first disc that was a collaborative effort of all current band members. Enriquez passes the phone to lead singer Fontana, who wants to add his two cents.
“This is the first album with all of us from start to end as one unit. It is a really good representation of us as a group,” says Fontana, sounding a little out of breath from the walk.
Cooperation is an important trait for a Long Island band, considering some of the more publicized feuds between East coast neighbors like Brand New, Straylight Run and Taking Back Sunday. Coincidentally, Enriquez was a bandmate with current Taking Back Sunday bassist Eddie Reyes during Reyes’ pre-Movielife days.
Enriquez takes control of the phone again and says he’s shared his childhood with many of the members in other Long Island bands and is happy for any successes they’ve found.
“Long Island bands have a good sense of community,” Enriquez says. “There are a lot of bands doing something different and getting the recognition that they deserve. That’s an important message that we are trying to get out to people.”
The people seem to be noticing. Enriquez says the band has always wanted to travel overseas, and a European tour has just been confirmed to begin in April. It’s obvious, however, that the musicians’ main goal is it to enjoy what they’re doing right now for as long as possible. These are four men out to have a good time and play music. And, of course, see the sights.
As the band continues its way through the streets of Seattle, Fontana grabs the phone one last time to give his version of the band’s mantra.
“People should stop taking things so seriously,” Fontana says. “Love life day by day.”
Who: On the Might of Princes
Where: Archie Brooks Community Center, 2100 SE 5th St., Des Moines
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Cost: $5