Interview — Withheld

Skratch Magazine

Do you ever feel like you just want to scream? Do you sometimes have so many emotions and you just want to let them all out? Withheld is the release you’re looking for. Each member of the band befriending each other at young ages, and all who don’t conform to society’s idea of “good music,” they fit together like puzzle pieces. With songs like “Pity You” and “Crooked Zen”, Withheld relate to every angst-filled rocker ready to set it all free. Withheld is a mighty fitting name, wouldn’t you say? Well according to them, starting the band makes them withheld no more.

SKRATCH: I’ve noticed your band logo is the Withheld W in an eye. What is the meaning of that?
NOAH: Well, our main logo is actually the W within the eye. But the eye does represent focus and captivation, on both sides of the stage. When we perform, we have a certain mind set or focus. For however long our set time is, we are in our own world. It’s almost like we have switches that instantly turn on when the first note is struck and don’t flip off until we finish playing.
The captivation is from the fans, which is not meant to sound pompous. Our music, presence and passion overflow onto the crowd, consuming their thoughts until they have our same focus. We have had several fans approach us to say that they can’t get our songs out of their head, such as Pity you or Crooked Zen.

SKRATCH: I read that growing up, the band members felt withheld, thus, coming up with the name. What made you realize music was your release and way to go with your life?
NOAH: The name Withheld represents not knowing how to respond or react to things. All of us grow up in life and have points where we don’t know what we can do to contribute to the world. We go through trials and tribulations of things happening around us, and either don’t know how to express our emotions or are unheard in doing so.
With most musicians, the realization of the value of music comes from the first time you set foot on stage. All of us have been playing in bands and singing since we were in high school, and each of us can agree that life’s problems seem to be non-existent when we are performing.

SKRATCH: With your lyrics and music having so much emotion, how does it feel to play a show and release it all?
NOAH: Draining. But in a good way! It’s great because once the show is over, you leave it all on stage. No matter if the song was written about something difficult to get through, you leave the stage without negativity. You let it all go through the blood, sweat and tears of the performance. Everyone should be so lucky to have this type of release.

SKRATCH: What’s your favorite thing about playing a show?
NOAH: There is nothing better than having your lyrics screamed back to you when you’re playing a song. That is quite a rush. Basically, when a ton of people are interacting with the band on stage, it is pretty moving.

SKRATCH: What song of yours means the most and why?
SHELBY: Who Are You? – It is not about recognizing the person you have become, but not wanting to go back to the person you were.
CHAD: Somewhere the Sound – The first time I heard this song, I knew that I wanted to be in the band.
NOAH: Pity You – The first song that brought the band together. I wrote this song three years ago, and it contains a lot of personal emotion.
CHRIS: Fall Away – Written about how things of this world are only here for a short time. This can move people of any background or religion
STEVEN: Til its Gone – This is our newest song, and the music is very driving and thick.

SKRATCH: What’s a song you’d love to remake?
NOAH: Hard to pick just one, but here are a couple:
Come Undone by Duran Duran
Losing My Religion by REM

SKRATCH: What are some of Withheld’s major influences?
NOAH: We have gone through quite a gambit of influences, but there are a core few that have stuck with us. Some of bands that we are inspired by are:
Sevendust
Breaking Benjamin
Atreyu
Flyleaf
Killswitch Engage.

SKRATCH: Is Withheld a full-time band, or do the members have day-time jobs?
NOAH: Each of us has a full time job, currently. But we are hoping that is going to change one day very soon.

SKRATCH: The songs you have on your myspace are great! Should fans be expecting an album anytime soon?
NOAH: We have recorded an EP with 3 tracks currently. We are planning on recording a full length album very soon, possibly the end of this year or early next year.

SKRATCH: What does the band do for fun outside of music?
NOAH: Normally, we all just enjoy hanging out with each other. We support local music quite often, and enjoy a good show. Some places we frequent are Fox and Hound, On the Border and any local hookah bar.

SKRATCH: If you could be any mythical creature what would you be and why?
NOAH: The most relevant and applicable to the band would be a Siren. In Greek mythology, Siren’s were part human, part bird. They sang melodies so beautiful that sailors would steer their boats into dangerous terrain just to get close to them. Often, the sailors would jump head first into sharp rock just to follow the sounds.

SKRATCH: M&Ms or Skittles?
NOAH: Both, depending on the mood and how long they have sat in the heat of the car. There are some of the band that stick closer to the gummy persuasion.

SKRATCH: Black and white photos, or colored?
NOAH: Both. Black and white can be a little more serious, but are a bit cold and metallic sometimes. Color photos bring warmth, and passion can be found in this warmth.

SKRATCH: What’s your favorite music related movie?
NOAH: Airheads is a good one. How much more creative can you get than taking over a radio station with hot sauce filled water guns?! Spinal Tap is also a good one too. Someone said it did for rock and roll what “The Sound of Music” did for the hills, and we agree.

SKRATCH: Is there anything else you’d like Skratch readers to know?
NOAH: http://www.myspace.com/withheldnomore
Check out our schedule, come check us out! We do not disappoint. We hope to meet you all soon at a show sometime.

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