The Lowdown: Interview with Vic Fuentes of Pierce The Veil

Riding high on a wave of success created by their brilliant third album, Collide With The Sky, California’s own Pierce The Veil have been out touring the globe and stacking up new international fans in the process. The melodic post-hardcore foursome recently blew the UK away with an eleven date tour which included a stop in Camden, London where I was shown how there ain’t no party like a PTV party. And now they’re back on home turf terrorizing the US on a headline tour with support from buddies Sleeping With Sirens, Tonight Alive and Hands Like Houses.

I recently put some questions to frontman Vic Fuentes whilst he was still on UK soil, and what I got back from the Mexican/Irish rooted singer and guitarist was a little about the new album and their most recent cinematic music video, as well how to create a memorable live show, encountering scary dolls and deciding on a favourite sandwich chain...Just your regular interview then!

AltSounds: Pierce The Veil have been labelled with many different genres but how would you describe the band's style to anyone who’s not familiar?

Vic: I think every band hates this question with a passion haha! I've always been a fan of bands that change it up a little bit with every album and push themselves to try new things. Our most recent album is the most aggressive rock version of our band yet. We used a lot of heavier guitar tones on this one.

Collide With The Sky - AltSounds Review

AltSounds: Can you explain the thought process behind Collide With The Sky?

Vic: Well, we came into the studio thinking that we were going to write a more poppy album. And once we all got into a room together to do pre-production, things just naturally got faster and more intense with every day that passed. We were just feeling it at the time.

AltSounds: Do you have a favourite track on the album and for what reason?

Vic: I really like the song 'I'm Low On Gas And You Need A Jacket'. It has its own melancholy mood; always reminds me of driving at night. I like it when songs take on their own personality like that.

LISTEN // Pierce The Veil - I'm Low On Gas And You Need A Jacket

AltSounds: Your most recent music video, ‘King For A Day’ looked like it was a lot of fun to make! Who came up with the concept of it?

Vic: Our bass player Jaime REALLY wanted to do a heist video. He loves movies like The Italian Job and Oceans Eleven. I wanted to throw in that 80's element as well, pulling from movies like Gleaming The Cube and Point Break. It really was a lot of fun to make! Kellin (Quinn - Sleeping With Sirens frontman and guest vocalist on the track) and I just drank Jack and Cokes all day to help our horrible acting.

Men In Black - Vic and Kellin on the 'King For A Day' shoot

AltSounds: Talking of which, have you fired a real gun before...?

Vic: Well being from San Diego, I wasn't raised going hunting or anything like that!

WATCH // Pierce The Veil - King For A Day

AltSounds: You all seem like a really creative group of guys so what else inspires you outside of music?

Vic: Well I actually went to Uni for 3 years for graphic design before the band got signed and started touring full time. Tony (lead guitarist)has a new street wear clothing line called Key Street. Jaime is a yo-yo master and loves magic, and Mike (drummer and brother) rides BMX and street bikes when we are on the road.

AltSounds: So I've finally witnessed a live PTV show, but for anyone who hasn't yet, what can they expect?!

Vic: You can expect to see a very entertaining and memorable show. We push our production as far as the venue capacity and stage will allow us. We spend as much money as we can on fun visuals and stage design, just so that people will go home talking to their friends saying, "Remember when they did this?!" or "That was insane!" We grew up hating bands that looked like they didn't even want to be on the stage. We'd rather burn some awesome memories into people's skulls.

Pierce The Veil w/ Crown The Empire & The Getaway Plan @ Underworld, Camden - AltSounds Review

AltSounds: Does anyone have any nasty tour habits that you’d like to name and shame?

Vic: Our good friends in Mayday Parade are crazy gamblers! They set up poker tables behind their bus every night on Warped (Tour)to try and take everybody's money.

AltSounds: What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever been given from a fan whilst on tour?

Vic: I got this creepy old doll the other day and kept putting it under Jaime's pillow at night.

AltSounds: The opening track on the album is called ‘May These Noises Startle You In Your Sleep Tonight’. Is there anything that you were scared of when you were younger that still scares you today?

Vic: I've seen a video of my brother Mike and I when we were kids at Universal Studios. There's a part where King Kong is tearing down buildings and all you hear is my brother and I screaming and crying haha!

AltSounds: Halloween is fast approaching! Has the band got any specific plans to celebrate it?

Vic: We will definitely be dressing up for the show! We want to get the crew involved as well.

AltSounds: Following the same theme...Do you have a favourite horror movie?

Vic: I really like the Rob Zombie films. The Devil's Rejects might be my favorite.

Horror of choice - The Devil's Rejects
AltSounds: So it's safe to say that you've had an amazing year. What are your goals for the band in 2013?

Vic: We just plan on touring as many places around the world as possible and reaching new territories to spread this new album as far as it will go.

AltSounds: And finally...Quickfire Round!

AltSounds: Blondes or brunettes?

Vic: Blondes

AltSounds: Subway or Quiznos?

Vic: Quiznos

AltSounds: Summer or winter vacation (or holiday, to the Brits)?

Vic: Summer

AltSounds: San Diego Chargers or San Diego Padres? (see I did my research)

Vic: Chargers!

AltSounds: Finding Nemo or Toy Story?

Vic: Toy Story

AltSounds: Thanks Vic, take care until next time!

US fans can see Pierce The Veil on their current Collide With The Sky Tour 2012 - All remaining dates are listed below.