Where to start with “The Path We Tread”, I cannot remember being more excited to hear a new band than when I put the new xLooking Forwardx CD into the stereo and hit the play button, it just screamed the sheer definition of why I love old school youth crew so much, the sing a longs, the positive anthems everything! I can envisage myself diving from the stage at a show so there was no way I could miss out on the opportunity to interview the guys…

I need the basics first, I know you’re a youth crew band, your super positive, straight edge and Christian but who are you? Where did you grow up? Were you brought up as Christians?

Kevo: well i'm Kevin O’Brien, I play drums for the group and I grew up most of my life in Bel Air MD. my parents never pushed religion on me they let me learn things on my own which ultimately makes me who I am today , I actually first started going to church with josh and Justin , we would go to a show sat. night and wake up by 9 or so Sunday to hit church before the Sunday matinee show somewhere.

There are not many bands out there that have such close family ties with Justin & Josh being brothers and Kevin being the cousin and then you’ve got Kevin (O’Brien) who’s a close family friend in the band too. This must serve as a positive cause you’ve grown up around each other and already know your annoying habits so its not like your discovering on the road something that bothers you lol…Do you think your past history’s growing up together helped to form a stronger bond for the band?

Kevo: It sure helps on the long tours, knowing when to let one of the guys have their space or just grabbing a snack they like makes the days seem less like work and more like just hanging out with your 3 best friends

Your latest release “The Path We Tread” on Facedown Records is actually your third album, over time how have you progressed musically? and from the original goals you might have set when you started the band do you feel you’ve now surpassed what you originally set out to do?

Kevo: as far as progress I can’t thanks josh enough for helping me become a better drummer and pushing me from a cookie cutter punk drummer to a more rounded cookie cutter punk drummer, ha no really josh stayed with me at the studio during the last record and really helped get me to where I needed to be. Our producer also made me play to a click track which really tightened up the drums a lot. Never in a million years would I have thought I would be in a band that has so many opportunities to travel and meet people and bands along the way, we have been blessed

I love it when shows get out of hand, kids are singing along, hardcore seems to have such a fanatical following – why do you think such an aggressive form of music could create such positive underlying themes such as clean living and staying true to yourself, ideals of family and friendship?

Kevo: it’s easy to become involved in hardcore. There are bonds made on and off the dance floor that will last for ever and the flip side is there are friends I have made that have just vanished. Hardcore has always been aggressive, it’s not really how you say it its what your saying.

Tell us about some of your favourite touring experiences, where are your favourite places for shows and what ambitions have you got for future locations?

Kevo: One of my all time fav tour stories was in davenport Iowa our good friend out there Keith invited me to a bible study when I walked in Pat Miletich and Jens Pulver (two guys from UFC) were there and they were so cool to hang out with and after the study Pat took time out of training Tim Silvia and Matt Hughes to come see XLFX.

San Antonio TX is one of my personal favs, everyone there is so nice and it’s always a treat to see our boys in O.C.D. I would love to play in Europe sometime and would love to see Ireland

Christianity features heavily in your music and your also signed to Facedown Records which is known as a Christian hardcore label, at what ages were you introduced to religion and how’s it affected who you are as people?

Kevo: I guess I was 16 or so when I started seeing god working and it was like wow this is real … it has made me think a lot about my past and future , I find myself able to deal with things in a comfortable when I know I always have god to turn to.

My favourite song from “The Path We Tread” (although I adore the entire album) is “You’re Worth It” I have been going through some hard times recently with my girlfriend which led to us breaking up and that song really picked me up when I felt low, particularly the lines “you’re a beautiful creation, no matter who you are, moulded in the image of a living and loving god”. It’s so funny because every hardcore album I have or song reminds me of particular points in my life like when a friend drops the edge (oh and “I Ain’t Mad At Cha” is awesome too!) makes me think of Bane’s “Count Me Out” or when my dad had his first heart attack a few years back I was listening to Madball's “Hold It Down” album and the song “Show No Fear” got me through.

Do you find solace in music and hardcore in that way? And what sorts of lasting impact do you think it will have for you in the long-term?

Kevo: Just last Feb we lost a close friend and I found myself listening to Reunion by N.I.V. It just reminds me that as Christians we have hope even over death. I have an email saved that a guy sent to us saying he had contemplated suicide and use hardcore and XlfX as an escape, that really is why hardcore will be around forever

Have you ever been to Europe, or more specifically Rome? Or even Somewhere like Jerusalem (Israel)? Do you have plans to visit any of these places? And while were on the subject of travelling any internationally touring plans being talked about yet?

Kevo: Were trying to make Europe happen, it’s on my list of things to do before I am too old to enjoy it.

Can you remember when you first heard about straight edge? Why do you think the movements expanded so much to its current degree and do’s seeing a room full of kids X’ed up put a smile on your face? (I know it do’s me)

Kevo: unfortunately most kids are sxe for a very short period of time; some kids just don’t get it. I am a punk rocker so minor threat is where I heard about it but an old friend helped me make the choice by doing so many drugs he almost died ….Twice. And my first band ever our singer died from a heroine overdose so I have no interest in drugs .

What appealed to you most about becoming straight edge? Do you have any edge related tattoos?

Kevo: Sxe was something I did already; it wasn’t hard to not do drugs or drink. I have “Straight Edge” tattooed on my back and 3 X’s on a heart on my chest.

What messages over the years have been most important to you to express through your lyrics? And as you’ve grown up through the band since its initial inception in ’99 have any of theses messages changed or matured?

Kevo: Justin writes most of the lyrics and we stick to the basics, live your life with no regrets. I’ve heard Justin say this before but ill say it too. Most people that have a mic in their hand have nothing good to say, we look at out time on the stage as a time to let people know there may be things out there they are unfamiliar with and if they hear something and want to know more come see us after the show and we will talk.

What have been the most positive aspects of forming xlooking forwardx? And how has being in the band helped you to grow as a person?

Kevo: the Family. the other 3 guys in this band are my brothers no matter what happens in my life I know they will be there for me .being in a band on tour really teaches you how to cherish the time you have with people, some nights you only have 30 mins to get to know someone or hear their story before jumping back into the van.

Thank you sincerely for your music so far, its had a huge impact on me and i'm sure many others…if you ever need a roadie give me a shout I may be in the UK but the us in only a flight away haha

Take Care Phil

Kevo: thanks Phil Take care