Every Time I Die: Definitely metalcore

The band’s singer describes their music as aggressive rock.

By JOHN BENSON

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

Metalcore bands rarely show a sense of humor. 

However, don’t tell that to rising act Every Time I Die, which recently released a tongue-in-cheek video for its new song “We’rewolf.” Included in the clip are references to ’80s movies “Bachelor Party,” “License to Drive,” “Risky Business” and “Teen Wolf.” Really, “Teen Wolf?” That’s not metalcore.

“Neither are we,” singer Keith Buckley said with a laugh, calling from a tour stop in Raleigh, N.C. “It’s one of my favorite movies of all time. I guess I just like the idea of being an animal in certain situations.”

More so, Buckley channels his inner George Michael for the video, which finds him dancing and prancing around stage with a porn-ready mustache.

“That mustache is horrendous,” Buckley said. “It’s a real mustache. And yeah, it’s gross.”

As for Buckley’s denying Every Time I Die’s place in metalcore, don’t be fooled. The Buffalo-based band is undoubtedly hard and heavy. One listen to the group’s latest disc, “The Big Dirty,” and you’ll hear uncompromising riffs and bombastic percussion able to cause eternal deafness. What’s more, the group decided not to capitulate to commercial pressures.

“We knew that we did possess some sort of sensibility as far as melody is concerned, the stuff that would get radio play,” Buckley said. “Obviously, it’s a one-in-a-million shot to get on radio, but we weren’t even going to try that.  

“It’s not the one that’s going to break us in the mainstream or anything like that. That’s not necessarily what we’re after. If anything, it just solidified us because it’s our fourth record, and we’re still relevant somehow to some people, so I think it’s good for us.”

Aggressive rock music is how Buckley describes the type of music Every Time I Die has been performing for the last decade, as well as what can be found on “The Big Easy.”

“I think we stepped a little bit farther away from the whole idea of metal as far as ripping solos and long hair goes,” Buckley said. “We kind of went back to what we knew we were good at. We decided to go back to our punk roots.”

Time will tell whether Every Time I Die rises to major headliner status. Buckley said he considers the quartet a success as long as it means he doesn’t have to get a day job when not touring.

On the road is exactly where the band is now. You can see Every Time I Die open for Killswitch Engage on Tuesday at the House of Blues. Dillinger Escape Plan is also on the bill.

Cleveland has so far proved to be a good place for Every Time I Die, with Buckley pointing to last summer’s rousing reception at the Sounds of the Underground Tour.

“Oh yeah, Cleveland rocks,” Buckley said. “I just remember starting off being really nervous and by the end, the crowd was the best of the tour.”

So what is it about Buffalo and Cleveland that love Every Time I Die?

Said Buckley, laughing, “Same drinking water, Lake Erie.”