Keep Calm Presents: An Interview with Have Mercy

Have Mercy have been steadily rising in the ranks of the "emo revival," thanks to their gripping debut LP The Earth Pushed Back. The band has showed no signs of slowing since then, as they released a split with Daisyhead earlier this year with two new tracks. No journey is without struggle, however, and the band certainly learned that on their recent US tour with Major League, Seaway, and Better Off. On the tour's final stop at GameChanger World in Howell, New Jersey, Keep Calm sat down with the vocalist/guitarist Brian Swindle and guitarist/vocalist Andrew Johnson to talk about how they were holding up, how they feel almost a year after the released of The Earth Pushed Back, and what we can look forward to from the band in the coming months.

Tour Review: Major League at GameChanger World 3/08

  

    New Jersey is known for having one of the best local scenes around, usually ranking just under the Philly market for having really passionate fans and some wild shows.  The School of Rock in South Hackensack, an essential piece of the NJ punk rock scene, closed its doors in 2011 and left an entire region full of kids without an all-ages venue that supported big tours as well as the local scene.  Since it closed, I had yet to find a venue that offers a place for the younger crowd while still booking awesome shows.  Thankfully this past Saturday, the new venue GameChangerWorld in Howell is giving NJ what its lacking.  Opening up this past January, the venue has two stages, a main stage for touring bands and a small stage in the back for local bands to play in between sets (it's actually genius).  All night, I watched hoards of kids move from stage to stage, appreciating the music and having an awesome night- exactly the way I had a couple years back at School of Rock.  Also, the venue was super clean and the staff was incredibly nice which, being an old woman trapped in a 19 year old's body, I appreciated.  GameChanger is booking more shows and is in the process of really getting going so if you have a chance to see a show there or are bored one night, stop by and support this venue and your local scene.