The semester may be ending, but for local band While I Breathe, I Hope the celebration is just beginning. This hard rock band is preparing for their cross-country summer tour, which officially kicks off in Memphis on May 13.
Even though the group has two local gigs prior to the beginning of their summer excursion, hitting the road is something they can't wait for.
"We love playing and touring," said Kyle Wagenschutz, bass player and senior management information systems major at The University of Memphis. "There is no day job out there that beats the freedom of playing in a new town every day."
Aside from their upcoming tour, While I Breathe, I Hope is readying the release of their debut album "Long Live the King," on Smithseven/ Armada In Flames Records. Remaining true to their southern locale, the hard rock disc was recorded in the famous Ardent Studios in Memphis, a studio in which Jack White of The White Stripes and other popular performers have recorded recently.
When it comes to both recording and performing, members of the band are their own biggest critics, according to Wagenschutz. This commitment to producing quality music has held true since the band formed in late 2002.
Most of the songs the band has recorded thus far address both political and personal ordeals. The desire to bring these issues to the forefront of their live shows and their album likely stems from their punk rock roots.
"Most of us grew up listening to underground punk, indie and hardcore bands," Wagenschutz said.
Some favorites amongst the band members are: Braid, Fugazi, Piebald and Hot Water Music.
These bands may be familiar to some, but in the event that their albums are not part of your CD collection, Drew Ryan, the drummer of While I Breathe, offers up an easier comparison.
"When I try to describe our sound to my co-workers and classmates that haven't heard of a lot of these bands, I just say Foo Fighters," Ryan said.
Although a comparison to this Grammy Award-winning rock group is a lot to live up to, members of While I Breathe said that they'd rather have a unique and strong sound rather than legions of fans.
"We are a rock 'n roll band plain and simple," Wagenschutz said. "We are also realistic in that we may not succeed to a level that can support ourselves solely with the band."
For lead singer Jeremy Townsend, however, he said the group could make it big.
"We love playing and touring. It's our dream and we'll keep doing it until everyone's sick of it," he said.
Whether this summer tour solidifies While I Breathe, I Hope as an up-and-coming band throughout the country remains to be seen. For now, at least, each member is enjoying the ride.
"I don't think any of us are set on this being our life-long career," Ryan said. "But we're pretty content with playing hole-in-the-wall venues, driving our crappy van, and being in debt."
For more tour date information log on to www.whileibreathe.com.
