The Casting Out

Diatribe: We’ll start off with a pretty standard and painfully obvious interview question- how did The Casting Out get started?

Nathan: Well, I have been writing songs on the acoustic for many years now. Just writing, rewriting and saving them. Once Boy Sets Fire broke up, I figured it was about time I did something with them.

Diatribe: Obviously you knew Josh from playing in Boy Sets Fire, how did you come in contact with the rest of the band members?

Nathan: Lee and Chris were both roadies for Boy Sets Fire at one point or the other. Pat and Kevin were just old friends from the area, and Dana is the newest member, who my friend Rob got me in touch with when Darby left.

Diatribe: The Casting Out, musically, is quite a departure from Boy Sets Fire. Was it a conscious decision, on your part to stray away from a hardcore sound?

Nathan: I don’t know if it was a conscious decision as much as it was just what came out. I’ve always been more partial to the catchy, singing side of punk and hardcore than the screamy metal stuff.

Diatribe: Were there any particular albums that you were listening to that influenced some of those initial Casting Out songs in any way?

Nathan: Definitely. If I were to sight album influences, I would say-

Samiam – “Billy” and “Astray”…dare I say “Clumsy” also?
Jawbreaker- “Unfun” and “24 Hour Revenge Therapy”
X- “Los Angeles”
Bad Religion – “Suffer”
Elvis Costello –“My Aim Is True” and “Spike”
The Clash – “The Clash”
The Buzzcocks- “Singles Going Steady” and “Flat-Pack Philosophy”
Dag Nasty- “Can I Say” and “Wig Out At Denko’s”
Superchunk – “On the Mouth”
Hot Snakes – “Automatic Midnight” and “Suicide Invoice”

That about covers it I think… hahaha.

Diatribe: Gauging by your songs alone, I’d guess that you all have eclectic tastes in music. Do you think anyone in the band has albums in their collection that a fan would find surprising? Any secret Ashlee Simpson fans or anything like that?

Nathan: Funny enough, I own both Kelly Clarkson albums. Cant help it, ‘Since You’ve Been Gone’ is solid fucking gold!

Diatribe: I wouldn’t say I particularly like Kelley Clarkson, but I must admit that she has some super catchy songs. I’m more of a Genesis fan myself. Okay, I ask this question to pretty much everybody I interview- How would you describe The Casting Out’s music to someone that’s never heard it?

Nathan: Probably with the list of records I just cited. Unless they didn’t know those bands, then I would just say Indie Rock/Punk with keyboard and piano parts.

Diatribe: In the past you’ve been very vocal about politics. Would you say that this band in any way continues to showcase your beliefs and sense of activism?

Nathan: Not so much. I think this band definitely highlights a much broader spectrum of beliefs and feelings. We are definitely not a political band, but that doesn’t mean that such thoughts and feelings will never be a part of it.

Diatribe: Right now you have a downloadable EP, is there any plans in the near future for a proper ‘hardcopy’ release for those of us who crave albums?

Nathan: We already have a hardcopy, but you gotta come see us live to get it.

Diatribe: With the departure of Darby fairly recently, have you been successful in acquiring a suitable replacement?

Nathan: Yep. Fortunately we found Dana Dilullo. She has taken over and is doing great. It finally feels like we are done switching up members.

Diatribe: You just recently toured with I am The Avalanche, Daggermouth and Sadaharu, how was your experiences on that tour?

Nathan: It was great. All the bands were very friendly and cool. It felt like a big touring family by the time we left, and it was very sad for us to have to leave the tour.

Diatribe: You had to leave the tour early?

Nathan: We were only on the tour for 6 days. That was the deal.

Diatribe: Ah. I see you’re going to embark on a European tour in February…Any idea who you’re playing out with over there?

Nathan: Just be us, with a number of local bands, except in the UK, where we will be playing with our friends in a band called Tribute To Nothing.

Diatribe: I read Josh Latshaw is recuperating after receiving some severe injuries due to an on the job accident. How’s he doing?

Nathan: Doing good. He can’t tour, hence Kevin is now with us. But he is doing way better then anyone could have hoped. Makes it interesting having three guitarists at practice.

Diatribe: Are you guys shopping for a label right now? Any news in regards to that?

Nathan: We are definitely looking, and have definitely gotten interest from a couple labels. Nothing concrete yet though, and right now we are just concentrating on getting out on tour and showing people what we can do.

Diatribe: I’ve listened to your songs quite a few times now and in my opinion the songs stand on their own, but I was wondering if you’ve ever felt that the band being pigeonholed in one of those ‘featuring members of Boy Sets Fire’ kind of way? Have you had any lunkheads in the crowd screaming for you to play ‘In Hope’ or anything?

Nathan: Haha, actually only my friends say shit like that, ‘cause they think its funny. Fortunately so far, this band has broken away pretty well from Boy Sets Fire.

Diatribe: Besides the Euro tour, what’s next for The Casting Out? Any plans for a full length soon?

Nathan: We will be doing a tour of part of the US at the end of January. We are gonna focus on touring for right now, while we talk to labels. That’s about as far as we have planned I think… haha.

Diatribe: Thanks for doing this with me Nathan, hopefully you guys can make it out to Columbus soon…I’m buyin’ the beer. Anything last words to finish this out.

Nathan: Thanks! We are always open to free beers, and we will actually be in or around Columbus in early February. Should know the date and place in about a week.

Diatribe: We’ll be there!