It’s hard to find a band as dedicated to their craft as Beartooth, especially in their three year lifespan. Formed by Caleb Shomo, after his 2012 departure from Attack Attack!, Beartooth has taken the scene by storm. Touring across the world with prolific artists and their acclaimed 2014 release, Disgusting, solidified the band’s position as metalcore stalwarts. Guitarist Taylor Lumley opened up to us about his Beartooth career, and what’s next for the group.
Beartooth has come a long way in the past year with various different tours and award nominations. What would you guys say has been the most rewarding experience over the past year?
Playing Slam Dunk Fest was pretty mind-blowing. Just seeing the number of people that were there to have fun with us during our set was so humbling. It’s one thing when it’s in the states, but to be in another country and have people singing your songs louder than you’re playing them is a pretty unreal feeling.
A few years ago, I had never heard of your band and now it seems everyone who’s anyone knows you guys. What were some of the biggest obstacles Beartooth had to overcome to get to the place you’re at?
I don’t feel like we’ve had any crazy obstacles. We just work hard for what we want. It’s made our touring schedule brutal at times, but that’s what we live for, so it’s not too bad.
Between The World Tour, South by So What, and various other tours, it seems like you guys are always on the road. What is the hardest thing about constant touring and how have you guys worked through it? What is the your favorite part about being on road? How has it felt to watch your fan base grow through the various tours?
The hardest part is just being away from loved ones, but the five of us are the best friends that we have. So that makes things way easier on us. I honestly don’t know how people can be in bands where they’re not even friends with each other.
Last year, you released your debut, Disgusting, on Red Bull Records. How have you guys enjoyed seeing fans respond? How has your label responded to your success since the release?
As long as people are there to hang out and get wild with us, we can’t really ask for anything better hahaha.
Have these various tours and experiences been influencing or inspiring new music that fans can look forward to?
Not really. I mean, we’re definitely writing new music, but we just always write music that we want to hear and play.
What can the world expect from Beartooth in the next year? Do you boys have any goals you’d like to accomplish in that time?
We just want to bring the rock to as many parts of the globe as we can!
