This Romantic Tragedy: The Gamble Pays Off

Based out of the Las Vegas music scene which brought the world names such as Escape The Fate and The Higher, This Romantic Tragedy has been making a name for themselves over the last few years.  After winning a competition to play Extreme Thing 2009, the band was signed by Tragic Hero Records.  A tour followed, and then the loss of two of their core members occurred, including a singer.  Willing to gamble it all, replacements were located, and This Romantic Tragedy has now burst back onto the scene with brand new songs on their Myspace and an unbeatable lineup.  Now in the midst of writing and recording a brand new album with new lineup in tow, we decided to check in to find out more about about this up and coming band from the Sin City…

Introduce yourself, tell me what you do in This Romantic Tragedy, and how long the band has been together.
- My name is Chad and I do the screaming and I am David and I play guitar and sing in This Romantic Tragedy, the band has been together for 3 years, and with the latest line up 4 months.

What is your music scene like in Las Vegas, and are there very many local places to play?
- The music scene here in Las Vegas is struggling; there are a lot of problems with venues and city laws. The music scene is better than it was about a year ago but its not the way it has been in past. However the fans are great, and very supportive of us and all of the bands.

The first time I saw your band was at Extreme Thing last year. What was that experience like playing Extreme Thing?
- It was a great experience. There we’re so many people, and such a huge audience to perform for. Even though we’ve played plenty of shows before, it was still nerve wracking but we saw it as a test to see if we could control a large crowd and we succeeded. It was awesome that so many fans we’re singing along and getting so into it. Just wait till the new and improved TRT hits the next one!

How did you wind up being signed to Tragic Hero Records?
- It was sort of a chain of events. It started with our producer for Trust In Fear, Cory Spotts. After the CD was done he shopped it out and introduced us to our old manager Stewart Teggart that in turn got us the hook with Tragic Hero Records and we then worked out the deal. Unfortunately Stewart passed away in February. We miss you Stewart!

Since being signed, what kind of touring have you done? And what has been the best and worst part about touring and being on the road?
- We have only had two tours so far are about to embark on our third. Both of our previous tours were with our label mates and friends Confide all over the US. The best part is seeing the world and traveling while doing what you love with your best friends and playing in front of all the fans that follow and support us. There really isn’t a worst part for us but if we would have to say so it would be the summer heat or winter cold.

After being signed, how difficult was it to replace members, especially a lead vocalist?
- It was tough but the fact that we we’re signed really helped get the word out there. We had a lot of tryouts and support but we weren’t going to settle for just anyone. We searched day in and day out for vocalists and held video tryouts. Things happen for a reason and after months of searching we came upon two amazing front men.

Where did the new vocalist come from and what past bands have they been in?
- While we on our last tour we we’re already having a bunch of problems with our vocalist at the time, so we decided it be best to start looking around. We were playing a show in Romeo, Michigan where we noticed a band called ‘Call It Karma’ that was playing with us and Sean was the singer. We took note and a few months later found him on myspace and sent him a message. A month later he flew out, loved it and joined the band and Chad was one of our good friends. We we’re holding tryouts and he tried out and had some awesome vocals, knowing the Sean didn’t scream, it just worked out perfect, Chad had never been in an official band before.

I wanted to talk about the two new songs on your Myspace. Where did you get the idea for the lyrics to Such Simple Words?
- We got the idea for Such Simple Words from our drummer’s girlfriend. The song is basically about any negativity in relationships, it pretty much goes to the typical Las Vegas girls and how most just want their way.

Where did you let the idea to the lyrics for You’re Just A Trend and how did Joel Piper of Confide become involved with the project?
- Basically You’re Just A Trend is about our old singer but it also talks about the drama that went on, and saying what is done is done, and to move on from the past and look into the future. Joel from Confide was the one recording the new demo’s and we asked him if he wanted to do guest vocals on the song and we told him to sing the part. But he is in no way part of the incidents that went on with our previous singer.

Overall, how close are you to releasing an album of all new material?
- We are writing music for our first full-length record right now and we will be entering the studio in July/August with a projected release date of late 2010.

What could one expect from a live This Romantic Tragedy show?
- Cuts and bruises. Lots of energy and movement and an all up-in-your-face show. We try to sound as good as the CD and better but add even more to the performance.

Do you have any messages for you fans in the Los Angeles/OC area?
- We just want to say thank you to all of our fans and supporters, and keep on doing what you do. If it wasn’t for you guys we wouldn’t be hear so thank you! See you all real soon!

(Interview by Kenneth Morton)

This Romantic Tragedy on Myspace