New Found Glory formed in 1997 and had a record deal within three years. While the almighty record deal is often painted to be the end of the rainbow for a rock band, it is actually the beginning of the hard work ahead for a musician. 15 years after Drive-Thru Records re-released its debut album Nothing Gold Can Stay, New Found Glory is not only still a heavily-touring and somewhat-prolific group – three cover albums and plenty of EPs, singles and side-projects beyond their eight studio albums — but arguably one of the most popular pop-punk bands in the world.
Currently touring in support of the re-issue of Resurrection – which features two new songs, in addition to a version of “Vicious Love” with Paramore singer Hayley Williams – New Found Glory comes to town with an October 24th show at The Best Buy Theater. Resurrection, as released last year, was the quartet’s highest-charting album, debuting at #25 on the Billboard Top 200 chart. Per my Q&A with drummer Cyrus Bolooki, beyond additional touring in early 2016, new music may not be too far ahead from NFG.
Apologies are due to Cyrus for confusing the band’s hometown of Coral Springs for Coral Gables. But at the very least, you the reader have a small history lesson in another celebrity-friendly part of Florida.
What do you wish more people knew about New Found Glory? Do you feel that there are any misconceptions out there about the band?
Cyrus Bolooki: I think the biggest misconception is that we are these huge rock stars, which I feel like we have spent our entire career trying to dispel those rumors. Anyone who has met us can attest that we are normal people and very approachable, and that we are extremely humble and very grateful to have the opportunities that we have and to have been given a chance to succeed in a career in music.
Coral Gables also gave the world Thurston Moore, Juan Alvarez and Mimi Rogers, and I believe is currently home to Dave Barry, Alonzo Mourning and Jeb Bush. Have you ever encountered any of these people and talked about being from the same place?
C: We’re actually from Coral Springs — about 30 miles north of Coral Gables — but South Florida in general has given the world plenty of celebrities, both good and bad. It’s a huge melting pot of different cultures and definitely has its own way of life and I think all of that attributes to the wide variety of people hailing from there. Unfortunately I haven’t met any of the people that you mentioned, but I am definitely proud to know that I’m from the same area as them!
What should be expected from your gig later this month at the Best Buy Theater show in New York? A hit-driven setlist?
C: We always try to put on entertaining shows, no matter where or when it may be. New York shows are some of our favorites, as that area was one of the first and still one of the biggest parts of the country for us as far as audience reaction/reception. Picking songs for a setlist is never an easy task, especially as the years go on and we add more and more songs to our catalog. We always try and play a wide variety of songs spanning most of our albums, but there are definitely plenty of “hits” that we pretty much have to play, or else most of the crowd would really get upset with us!
That being said, it is fun to change it up every now and then, and we do always try to find places where we can add in a random “gem” of a song or a fan favorite that isn’t necessarily the most popular song we’ve released. So I think for this tour you’ll see a nice spread of songs spanning our catalog but expect one or two surprises in there; hopefully there will be something for everyone to enjoy!
I was at one of your first Long Island shows, which was in 2000 in Garden City at the Ethical Humanities Building. Was it always the plan to be a band for the long-term?
C: I think that was the Long Island Fest! I remember that show, and in general that time for us, as it was when things really started to change from us playing small shows to actually gaining a following in certain areas of the country. We did start the band for fun, and we bonded over a mutual love for music and for playing songs that we loved. However, it was always a dream for this to become long-term. It was definitely a goal, but not one that we ever thought would happen.
Instead we really tried to just focus on smaller, more achievable goals like touring outside of our local scene, releasing our own records, and trying to get on other bands’ tours however we could. The fact that this has turned into a long-term career is something that we are very grateful for, yet something that we never expected to happen.
When people refer to New Found Glory as “veterans” of the punk scene, is that okay with you?
C: I think it’s flattering to be referred to as the “veterans” of the scene, because that statement is usually preceded by something alluding to our influence and contribution to this style of music in general. We’ve been a band for almost 20 years and many of our inspirations and peers have unfortunately stopped making music, yet for some reason we’ve been able to continue on.
We’re now at the point where there are quite a few bands that cite us as the reason why they even started a band, and that’s something that we never expected when we first got together. I think it’s amazing that at a time when we might be referred to as “veterans” we’re still active in the scene, touring and releasing records, staying relevant, and sharing the stage with many of the bands that wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for us. That’s one of the most rewarding things about all of this.
Once this tour is over, what’s ahead for you?
C: After this tour we’ll be taking the rest of the year off to be home for the holidays with family. We already have a few things in store for early 2016, and we’re in the process of making more plans for additional shows and tours throughout the summer of next year. As for after that, we’ll have to see as the time comes, as we might either continue to tour or maybe start to work on our next record. But we have a lot of time — and touring before then — so in the meantime we’ll just enjoy all of that while we figure out what’s next!
Is there anything you miss about being on a major label?
C: Come to think of it, not really. All labels are different, whether indie or major. And, fortunately for us, within reason all of our labels have really understood us and what we stand for, and haven’t really gotten in the way of our vision for our band. Although being on a major sometimes meant more resources at your disposal, it also came with a little more politics and a LOT more people to deal with, and that’s usually not the same with an indie label. Sometimes having less people is better, as everyone is more focused on the job at hand and making sure that you have the attention you deserve. So, in general, we’re happy with our current label, Hopeless Records, as they’ve been doing an amazing job with our band and they’re super awesome people to work with. We’re also very proud to have worked with every single label that we’ve had the privilege of working with throughout our career.
Might we ever see another release from International Superheroes of Hardcore?
C: You never know! There’s no plans as of now, but who knows when “they’ll” get the itch to return to right the wrongs in the scene! (laughs)
When you’re not working on music-related projects, what do you like to do with yourself?
C: I actually became a father seven months ago, so that’s pretty much been my main focus these days. But I’m also into recording and making my own music at home, whether it’s for fun or for others. So, between the two and also touring and recording with NFG, that takes up all of my time!
Finally, Cyrus, any last words for the kids?
C: I just want to show my sincere appreciation for everyone that has supported us throughout the years, especially in the Northeast. We’ve always felt like that area is a second home to NFG; we’ve had some of our most fun and memorable shows in that part of the country, and we always look forward to playing anywhere in the region. I’m very happy to have been doing this for almost 20 years, and looking forward to many more years of recording and touring to come!
-by Darren Paltrowitz