Interview: Brett Rasmussen of Ignite

Ignite are a melodic punk band from Southern California. After a 10-year break, the guys are back with their new album, A War Against You, and Legendary Kids Press was able to speak with bassist Brett Rasmussen about the release.
How would you describe your sound to those who have never listened to the band before?
Well, that depends on who I am talking to. If I am describing the band to somebody who is schooled in punk rock and hardcore, then I usually say that we take influence from bands like Uniform Choice, Bad Religion, Bad Brains and some rock influences as well, like Quicksand or Helmet.
If I am talking to somebody I am sitting next to on an airplane who watches American Idol as their means of staying current in music, then I simplify it down to something like a mix of the Offspring and Metallica.
You guys formed in 1993. 23 years is a long time for a band to stay together, especially in a climate where being musician isn’t necessarily the easiest job. What would you say is the secret to Ignite’s longevity?
It really comes down to the songs. Our songs seem to strike a chord with people and that has given us our longevity. I mean, if the people out there in the world didn’t connect with our songs then we wouldn’t be able to tour and keep the band going. People would stop coming to our shows and thus make the band irrelevant.
Vocalist Zoli Teglas was also the vocalist for Pennywise at one point. How was his experience with the band, and did he learn anything that he’s transferred to Ignite?
It is always a great opportunity to play with different musicians and experience new things. I think it makes you a better musician and songwriter to collaborate with different people.
You released your new album, A Way Against You, this past January. It’s your first release in 10 years. Why did the band wait so long between releases?
We originally started working on new songs back in 2009, but then some things got delayed in the process. Zoli joined Pennywise for three years, [while] myself and the others in Ignite were playing in bands like Into Another, Strife and Nations Afire. But there was always the intent of writing, recording and putting out the next Ignite album, we just didn’t know when we were going to have enough free time to put the necessary work into making the album the right way.
In early 2013, when we all had time again, we started talking about writing [a] new album. We entered the recording studio in May 2014 and finished recording the new Ignite album last year.
The album’s been out for almost two months. How has fan reaction been thus far?
I guess there are always heightened expectations when there is a long wait between albums for a band. We were very happy [with] how many people loved Our Darkest Days, because we liked it when we finished recording it. We had the same feelings when we finished this album… We liked it and that’s all we can really do: be happy with what we have created. The reaction so far has been incredible from our fans and from the press.
Did you approach anything different this time around when it came to recording?
The writing and recording experience was very similar to the previous album. The team that we had - producers Cameron and Sergio - the same recording studio here in Orange Country and the same band line-up gave the whole recording process a very comfortable feel.
In the approach to this album, we reminded ourselves that there are things that Ignite fans expect from us and we feel it is important to keep a link to our previous work, but at the same time, it is very important to surprise our listeners with new and exciting elements that they do not expect. I believe it is important that bands re-create themselves somewhat on each album and keep the energy and creativity fresh. That was always the biggest challenge during the recording process, to create something exciting and fresh without losing the sense of the band.
The album’s lyrics are very honest and touch upon political issues that the world is currently facing. Some bands shy away from these topics out of fear of controversy and backlash. Why opt to cover them?
For us, it is important. However, we believe if you put in the years of work to be in a touring band, then nobody should tell you what you should say or what message you should spread. Some bands are just out there to have fun and party.
For Ignite, however, that wouldn’t work - that’s not how we are wired. We feel we have been given the opportunity to share a positive message to people around the world, to inspire people and to possibly open the eyes of people on subjects and issues that maybe they haven’t heard or or haven’t thought about.
Will you be touring in support of A War Against You?
We just finished a European tour with Terror, H2O, Wisdom In Chains, Iron Reagan and a bunch of over great bands! We are making plans now for the rest of the year. I’m sure we will get over to Europe for some festivals and hopefully get out on a US tour soon.
Being in a band for 23 years must mean you’ve learnt quite a bit about the music industry. Is there any advice you’d give to up-and-coming bands?
You have to really work hard at every aspect of being in a band and you have to be good. There is so much competition out there, with all the other up-and-coming bands in the world, that you really have to shine brighter than the bands you are competing with. When you see a great band that you have never heard before and they blow you away with a live show or [with] a certain song, it is impressive and it is undeniable.
Practise playing, practise writing [and] work hard on everything.
Any last words?
Check out:
- http://www.seashepherd.org
- http://earthfirstjournal.org
- http://www.pelicanrescueteam.org
- http://www.msf.org
A War Against You can be purchased via iTunes. Those wishing to follow Ignite on social media can do so via Facebook and Twitter.
