Terrible Things Interview

Is rock 'n' roll still alive? It's a question Terrible Things have been asking every night on tour to crowds across the country.

It seems fitting, too, as the "supergroup" trio comprised of Fred Mascherino (Taking Back Sunday, The Color Fred), Josh Eppard (Coheed & Cambria) and Andy Jackson (Hot Rod Circuit) put out what's probably the scene's most honest rock 'n' roll record of the year in late August.

Backstage Press caught up with lead singer Fred Mascherino last Saturday in Hartford, Connecticut to see just what life is like in the infant stages of Terrible Things.

"This is like my dream band," said Mascherino. "And it's turned into this thing that kind of gets us away from writing about boyfriends, and girlfriends and broken hearts and more about something that means something to me, and ultimately to all of us."

Terrible Things is certainly a step toward a more mature direction for all three members. With the scene that Mascherino, Eppard and Jackson helped develop in their previous bands all but dead and moved out of their parents' house, it was time to recreate themselves musically. Terrible Things was their answer.

The self-titled, 11-track record is a call to arms of sorts. While it's main theme deals mostly with a series of fires in Mascherino's hometown of Coatesville, Pennsylvania, he explained that parts of the record also address the will to get up and make a change in the world around you.

"Jason Elgin, who produced the record, was really good at keeping us not so specific to Coatesville, but to make it something that could still be relatable to everyone," said Mascherino. "For example, 'Revolution', to me, is the anthem for Coatesville, but it's also got a message to it that anyone can jump into."

"It's about making a change when you see something you don't like about your life or the world," he continued "Don't just sit there and watch more TV, you know? Go out and make those changes you've always wanted to do."

Making a change is certainly something Mascherino and his bandmates know well. All three left behind the bands that helped them peak their musical careers for something a little more meaningful. And though the battle to win those fans over to Terrible Things might be a steep uphill, don't count these guys out.

With a powerful rock album already under their belt, a slew of tour dates set and the drive to build an empire from the ashes, it seems that rock 'n' roll is still alive and well.