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Nevea Tears Prove Keyboards in Hardcore Do Rock
An Interview with Keyboardist Jeff Metajan
by Fake Train
Why Southern California is a punk-rock breeding ground for a countless amount of groups is anyone's guess. Bands start up each and every day, but there's one outfit that's trying to stand out from the rest. Nevea Tears' blend of hardcore, punk-rock, and electronics pushes the envelope of the constant hybridizing of rock. With the recent release of their debut album Do I Have To Tell You Why I Love You? on Eulogy, keyboardist Jeff Metajan discloses information about the new album, So-Cal, and what the future holds for Nevea Tears.
Fake Train: As I understand it, Nevea Tears has only been around for a couple years. How did you hook up with Eulogy for your first full-length Do I Have To Tell You Why I Love You?
Jeff: From the internet, John used to just sit there and bullshit with labels all day and try to get them to listen to a couple songs of ours. Eulogy was one of the labels that we have always loved and would be dearly honored to work with. So we are very excited about Eulogy.
How did the origin of the Nevea Tears moniker come about?
Well I wasn't in the band at that time, but I was there when they came up with them name. We were all at IHOP one night with a bunch of friends and just started naming random stuff. After hours of nonsense, Nevea Tears was born.
What sparked the idea to name the release Do I Have To Tell You Why I Love You?, and how does the title tie in with the rest of the lyrical content on the release?
One night of just arguing with the band about stupid crap and just getting all our anger out of the band, we started telling each other why we love what we do. So after all the fighting was done we were like, "We should totally name the album that," so we did. The lyrics represent everything we have gone through for the past couple years as a band. Most people think they are just about girlfriends and heartache, but read closer kids. We paint pictures, we don't write books.
Can you describe how the design layout for the album came about, and how its significance relates with the music and lyrics on Do I Have To Tell You...?
We feel the album as a whole is a lot different then a lot of albums out there. So we wanted the layout to be just the same. We don't think we are very hardcore so we didn't want a hardcore looking album. Our music or lyrics are not very dark, but I think they are very emotional. We wanted the cover to represent the band as best as we could.
What do you have to say about people that really have a negative attitude towards the progressive hybridization of hardcore and punk-rock that incorporates keyboards into their sound? You think they just fear change?
I don't think it's that they fear change; I think they fear liking something no one else likes. A lot of kids like what we do, but there are always the buff cut off sleeve hardcore schmucks who thinks it's not hard enough when a band has keyboards in it. Kids shut their ears to a lot of amazing bands just because of image or what kind of instrument is in the band, which really sucks. But whatever, it doesn't really matter, I guess it will always be like that and hopefully kids will give us a chance.
Why is Southern California such a hotbed for music? Is it mandatory for all high school kids to take a Punk-Rock 101 course to graduate?
Dang, I don't know, go to music school, learn some technical 17/4 to the 9/16 timing and becoming the next Dillenger Escape Plan [laughs], really, I have no idea.
How do you feel about the music in So-Cal and how would you say Nevea Tears fits into it?
Music here in So-Cal is so saturated. There are so many scenes going on here. There's so many bands trying to fit into something, we don't want to. We always try to be different from everyone else. Play any shows and hopefully win some fans over with our music and live shows.
Nevea Tears emits an aggressive output that fuses great qualities from hardcore, punk-rock, along with keyboard driven sounds. Where do you see Nevea Tears' music progressing and what future goals do you have set for the band?
Probably a little more towards the electronic side and more driving and rocking. We always try to make good music that makes us all happy and hopefully others dig it. As to future goals, just touring and supporting our new record.
What do you want people to feel when they listen to Nevea Tears? What do you want to offer listeners that they may not have heard before?
I want people to feel exactly what we feel when we hear it. We want the music to hit you so hard where you just know exactly what we were feeling when we wrote it. We just want something new for ears and for people to know what Nevea is all about.
So, what have you been listening to lately? Anything that fans would be surprised to find out? What one album from this year have you been listening to the most?
Um, I'm loving the new Head Automatica [Decadence], and The Dillinger Escape Plan [Miss Machine] album...and Sade, oh that girl rocks my world.
Any albums you've picked up recently that you were really disappointed with?
Probably the new Morrissey [You Are the Quarry] that came out recently, don't get me wrong I love everything that he does, but I didn't get that same feeling I did years ago listening to all his albums
Any plans to venture out to the east coast for a string of shows?
Yeah were planning to do a west coast/east coast tour in November. It's the Eulogy/Hand of Hope tour that we're really, really excited about.
What band or album really sparked your desire to play and create music?
Lots of Depeche Mode and Radiohead. They make some amazing stuff
Why do you love music?
Because to me, it's the greatest feeling in the world either listening or making it. There's so much great music out there waiting to be heard, so many bands that don't get enough recognition. I just love experiencing and hearing new things all the time.
Any final words?
As John our singer would say, go buy some damn merch! Oh and as for me going to one too many shows, "Go support live music." See everyone on the road soon!
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