Farmville, Virginia’s alt / nu metal tinged metalcore band I AM THE KID were young and active from 2008-2014, when they either started families, pursued careers and grew up. They may of released a single or two there after, but it wasn’t the same. “I’ll be 36 this year with three kids and trying to remember how to be heard again is overwhelming” – says the band’s Anthony Nicholas. The band’s new EP FRSHMNYR takes them back to when they were in freshman year of highschool and feels like a snapshot of a band in transition.
“Our upcoming release is special to me ‘cause it was the result of a pandemic.” – continues Anthony. “The isolation. Strain on our sanity. The unknown. Coming back together during quarantine was the result of needing some kind of release.”
“It’s ironic that as whole we were able to come together without ever stepping in the same room together. From promo’s to a music video you won’t see all 5 of us together in the same shot, but I believe what we created is something special since it represents expressing ourselves artistically to keep our sanity To occupy our minds when we were out of a job. Home with our kids doing virtual learning. Wonder how we were going to pay our bills. If we were going to give up our teaching career ‘cause parents and the school system stopped holding their kids responsible for their work. Strains on family and friendships over political and ethical beliefs.”
Asked about how it feels to be back after so many years, Anthony admits that they have been out of the scene for so long it was weird writing music with little consideration of their fan base or how it would be perceived live. “Are we still metal, hardcore? Is it weird for a bunch of 30+ year olds to even try?”
FRSHMNYR is what it implies then. Everything that inspired them to be musicians when they were in freshmen year of highschool.
“It made more sense for us to write those songs musically we couldn’t get quite right 20 years ago when we first picked up a guitar or drum sticks.” – says Anthony.
Due to pandemic and being cautious, the band wrote about 10+ songs only involving 2 members. “Fine tuning via video texts. Emailing scratch tracks. Facebook messaging lyrics and agreeing on 5 tracks to record. Unfortunately still never being in the same room at the same time.” – comments Anthony.
“Unlike our previous releases due to many circumstances this was the first time we sat on songs before finishing recording where as young adults we were too anxious to release whatever song the 5 of us wrote as a unit in a garage.”
Lyrics
You get what you give
Forget what they did
I can’t seem to get away
I’m not so sure
That I’ve got what it takes
To make a change
‘Cause lately it takes me
Longer to admit
Exactly how I’ve learned to deal with it
It’s always the same
My confidence takes on a fragile
Form and shape
My fear gets the best of me
You get what’s left while I’m restless
I crash and burn in my dreams
One day I hope
To be reflected on a frame
That claims a space on your shelf
Maybe you’ll talk me off the ledge
On to your balcony instead
I can’t describe how I feel
Is it wrong
Is it real
My minds been at it again
Creating tension with friends
I feel like I’m doing too much
Even though it’s never been enough
My minds been at it again
Blend in and pretend it’ll end
I always thought something was off with me
But I was wrong
I always thought that I’d be missing things
But I moved on
Now that I know happiness
Begins with me and my choices
I’m trying to be brave enough to speak
On the days that I feel voiceless
You said you won’t give up
But I already did
I had every intention to mention
That this was it
I’m not falling behind
I’m just wasting time
They say you get what you give
So tell me how to deal with it
It’s always the same
My confidence takes on a fragile
Form and shape
My fear gets the best of me
You get what’s left
I’ve only got myself to blame
I’m not ashamed
Even though I’m still afraid
I need to be up when I’m down
And stop fucking around
It’s all one in the same
One day I hope
To be reflected on a frame
That claims a space on your shelf
Maybe you’ll talk me off the ledge
On to your balcony instead
