Before We the Kings took the stage last Thursday at Autumn aLive, Travis Clark, lead vocalist, had a chance to share the story of We The Kings with the Torch and talk about what continues to influence the band today.
Here is a glimpse of how We the Kings started, what they’re doing now and how their fans will always be one of their biggest influences.
Q: How did We the Kings get started?
A: We the Kings got started the day after I saw Jimmy Eat World, Blink-182 and Green Day. I realized that was what I wanted to do. I loved the show and all three bands were incredible. I realized that starting a band might be a way for us to get a girlfriend, not a single girlfriend, but for all of us to get girlfriends. So we started a band.
Q: How long ago was it when you started your band?
A: Eight or nine years ago. I mean, it took us a while to get to where we are today. Sometimes, when people hear a song on the radio for the first time, they think that we just came out of nowhere or whatever, but we’ve been doing this for a while. It doesn’t seem like it because the road has been so fast and crazy and it doesn’t seem like it’s been that long. We were all in high school when we started the band but we started playing music when we were all in middle school. That was kind of the reason why we named the band We the Kings, because we all went to King Middle School, so it’s a sentimental band title.
Q: What inspires We the Kings?
A: I think at this point in our lives, it’s a lot about the fans. Everybody has a different story of how they heard about We the Kings or how our music has touched them in a certain way that has been positive. I think that’s a really cool thing to be able to say that not only am I playing music that I love, but I’m playing music that helps people realize that there’s more to life. Our music has always been really uplifting and positive. We try our best to keep that going.
We’ve grown along with the fans. It’s not that our music won’t change, develop and grow with everybody else, but it’s always about friends, family and the place you’ve grown up in. That’s a big part of the influence.
Q: On Twitter you mentioned you just had an acting audition. What is that all about?
A: Yes, I moved out to Los Angeles and I’ve been out there for a couple months recording the new record. I decided I would try my acting skills out for a change and see what happens. I did an audition yesterday and killed it; it was awesome! I have another one I have to film today and send it in to the casting agents. It’s really fun; I like it. It makes me really nervous and I like that feeling of being nervous.
Q: Do you guys have anything else coming up?
A: We’re recording a new record right now and hopefully that will be out next year. Other than that, we’ve been doing college shows, planning tours and we’re also getting ready to go overseas again.