Humble and understated. Describing the efforts of Rise family members The Color Morale can be easily summed up. Their label and tour buddies may certain reputations but The Color Morale stands out among the crowd not only in their beliefs but in their sheer ability to write a solid record. My Devil in Your Eyes has successfully avoided the dreaded sophomore slump and instead offers a more mature yet heavy as all get out sound not seen by many coming out of Rise Records today. As far as their faith goes, vocalist Garret Rapp makes a good point; no where in The Bible does it state that we have to be perfect to ask for salvation. This sentiment rings throughout the new record which will soon find the way to the top of your album heap.

The first track I was able to hear off the new record was “The Dying Hymn”, I’m sure this caught the ears of some of your more faith based crowd. Can you talk about the idea behind the track?

Garret Rapp: The Dying Hymn was an local Christian Hardcore band from our area around 10 years ago.  It’s crazy to think of how long we’ve been doing this, micro scale or nationally.  I’ve seen a lot of things in this last year of touring and I’ve had a lot of questions and struggles about why there is a genre labeled “christian hardcore.”  I sometimes grow very disgusted with the idea of religion being used as a marketing tool or a demographic grasp for a band.  While we were in the studio I did a lot of spontaneous improv writing.  Although I had an entire notebook of lyrics written for this second album, I felt that being more urgent and honest with what I chose to be vocal about the best option.  Any time you don’t think and just speak, two things can happen. You can write something from somewhere so real that it impresses you yourself, or you can bomb and write something awful that you will always have a problem with (as it’s now a song).  This song touches on issues/struggles I’ve had since childhood, but I chose to be honest and talk about them instead of ranting about my opinions on religion, faith, music, etc.  My goal in songwriting is to connect with those who need to hear it, as I needed to hear it from myself.

It seems like everywhere I turn lately I’m seeing your guys’ name. Is there any sense of pressure or nerves within the band as you prepare to release this record?

GR: There’s always pressure, stress, and struggle of some sort when you tour full time.  We try to keep focused and play as hard as we can every night.  Honestly, when I see the faces I’ve met from touring time and time again in new cities and hear the stories I’ve heard about how our music/lyrics have helped people, it becomes less about you and more about how people need what you’re doing.

Talk to me about the new record. What are you most proud of about it and what can we expect to see that wasn’t on We All Have Demons?

GR: This album is a lot cleaner and more mature.  It’s still very diverse and our goal was to leave the listener questioning “what’s next?”  We always try to think outside of the box, and in a day and age where it’s so much easier to try and sound like something, we try to push ourselves to be more unique and creative.  This album is honest, has it’s progressive points, has what kids in a live setting love, and has a ton of diversity.  That’s how we roll!

And I have to ask you the meaning behind the very interesting album title…

GR: Opinions, they are a foundation for everything everywhere.  Music, friendships, religion, mistakes, styles, tastes, creativeness, etc.  Sometimes when you see someone’s hurt sincerely from how they’ve been affected by someone else, it leaves you reminiscent and reflective of your own shortcomings.  We are all imperfect, we all have our own opinions, but the point in between is where we find our inner self and it’s constant struggle with it’s own surroundings.  It’s something I’ve had to deal with since childhood.  There’s is no man in this world that can say they try their best every day, not one.  Sometimes you are forced to see the hurt in someone else to know what you need to change.

Was there a sense of thinking you had put out a record that you knew people loved so maybe you could take some liberties on this one? Or do you feel like you played it pretty safe?

GR: We don’t spend too much effort thinking about that stuff.  We try to write the best music we can, music that pleases us and that we know our crowd wants to hear.

What is the most difficult part about being a band your size? What I mean by this is that you’re certainly out of the basements and signed to a well known label but maybe you’re not headlining yet or selling out venues.

GR: We play the exact same show to 10 kids or 800.  Sometimes it’s like we don’t necessarily always play because we want to, we play because we have to.  It’s inside of us, and there are people (not just kids) out there that need to hear it.   I know this because they tell me so, that’s why we play.

I like that you guys are a faith based band but rarely we see you on all the typical tours. I know you guys did Scream The Prayer awhile back but other than that it seems like you kind of steer away from that scene. Would I be correct in saying that? If so, why do you think its important to maybe branch out from that world a bit?

GR: Well, we aren’t a preaching band.  We have beliefs and we are a faith based band.  I’ve had plenty of conversations about all sorts of things like this (laughs).  Honestly we are who we are on any tour we’ll be a part of.  I’ve felt just as in place on any tour as the next.  Just because one has thoughts and opinions (on anything) in no way makes him an elite being to another.  I’ve definitely seen Christians judge others, and hold themselves to a higher standard, it really bums me out.  I don’t remember a time in The Bible where Jesus said to come to Him if you were perfect only, I believe He said to come dirty.  We are all imperfect, lazy, and stubborn at times, no matter what we’re “labeled.”

Rise has a bit of a reputation for having some pretty hard partying bands. What is it like on the road going out with bands that may have a completely different outlook on life and band life than yourselves?

GR: There are good apples and bad apples, but for some reason I seem to get along with all of them equally as does our band.  I know plenty of good people despite what their opinions or beliefs are.  I have yet to really meet a fellow musician on tour that I just don’t get along with personally.  Everyone has their reasons for who they are, you gotta be open minded to that while not letting it change who you are.  You are who you are for a reason too, even GaGa says so, so you have to believe that. We aren’t in any place to judge people.

Well we’re really diggin’ the new record. What is up next for The Color Morale?

GR: Tour Tour Tour!!!  We have the Smartpunk tour, then the Welcome to the Jungle tour, then our co headliner with For All Those Sleeing, stoked to see everyone on the road!  Thanks a lot for the interview!