Sitting on the epic end of the punk spectrum

IT WAS five years ago that Philadelphia rock band Circa Survive sped through Australia as support act for My Chemical Romance.
Now, on the eve of recording their fourth album and making just their second trip Down Under, Circa Survive’s frontman Anthony Green is a little confused about the band’s tactics for the tour.
“I would hope that we’d be able to try one or two new songs out during Soundwave, but I guess since we’ve only been over there once pretty much anything we do is gonna be new,” Green laughs rather nervously.
“I don’t know what the hell the fans over there wanna hear because I’m so out of touch. It’s hard for me to even subscribe to the belief that we have any real fans over there! I guess I’ll believe it when I see it.”
Green is probably underestimating the dedication of Circa Survive fans. The band sits on the epic end of the punk spectrum, Green’s voice a soaring, often devastating instrument. It is emotional stuff that listeners can fill with meaning.
Indeed, after the release of the band’s 2010 album Blue Sky Noise, people were reading so much into the songs that Green was inundated with calls asking if he was OK.
With a new baby on the way, Green should be more positive on album No.4. Should be.
“I’ve been trying to focus on placing more emphasis on stuff with a hopeful light, and … it’s really difficult,” he says, laughing.
Blue Sky Noise, Green says, “was hard on me, because of where I was” the singer had to seek treatment for his mental health during its creation.
“But this time, because of lessons learned, we’re cruising,” he swears.
“I feel great, I’m really happy with my life, I’m really proud of my family and I’m super proud of Circa Survive … I think a lot of it is just the tones in the songs. We have these darker-feeling songs that just evoke something else, a feeling of loss or regret or lament. Maybe it’s my way of releasing it, and I know that sounds super-cliche. But hope’s there, you can’t deny it.
“But hope’s not the easiest thing in the world to see, so maybe that’s why it’s not the easiest thing in the world to sing about. Most of the songs will be more about trying to find it than actually finding it.”
The band has taken extra time to write more for the album it will not be recorded until Green releases a new solo album (his second) and finishes a solo tour of the US, after which the band will head this way for Soundwave.
Whatever reaction he finds in Australian audiences, one thing is guaranteed on stage, Green will leave nothing behind.
“Sometimes you’re pretty drained for a little while,” he admits.
“But I think if you do it right, you can conserve just enough energy and maybe regenerate with a good night’s sleep and maybe a little time for yourself.”