Why They're About to Pop: Closure in Moscow -- vocalist Christopher DeCinque, guitarists Michael Barrett and Mansur Zennelli, bassist Brad Kimber and drummer Beau McKee -- are a progressive rock group that have already made a name for themselves in Australia. There, the five-piece banded together as high school friends in 2006, released the debut EP, 'The Penance and the Patience,' in 2008, and shared the stage with the likes of Coheed and Cambria and Saosin. However, a move to the United States seemed like the right idea when they soon after signed with American label Equal Vision Records. "We definitely lucked out in moving to what we feel is one of the nicest cities in America," frontman DeCinque tells PopEater of the band's move to Portland, Ore. With the relocation came their first full-length album, 'First Temple,' featuring the single 'Sweet#hart.' The group, named one of the '100 Bands You Need to Know in 2009' by Alternative Press, plans to keep the momentum up by "making more music and playing it," DeCinque says. "At the end of the day everything else is bells and whistles." Catch Closure in Moscow on tour with Senses Fail and A Skylit Drive this fall.
Watch the 'Sweet#hart' Video
Seven Questions With Vocalist Chris DeCinque:
When did you guys first start playing music together?
Sometime in '07 ... '06 maybe? A considerable measure of time anyways. Long enough to warrant not remembering exactly when.
How does living in Portland compare with living in Melbourne, and what do you miss most about home?
I think in a lot of ways Portland is quite similar to Melbourne. We definitely lucked out in moving to what we feel is one of the nicest cities in America. As far as what we miss most, I'd have to say the precious luxury of being able to go through day-to-day life without having Christian propaganda and ads for prescription medications shoved down your throat. That seems to be part and parcel with all forms of media here, also a scary hallmark of the current culture. We came here completely not used to that. Albeit industry still has their s--- to peddle in Australia, but we feel like there is still an innocence back home that is lost here. Something like pushing prescription meds on TV back home is somewhat of a sacred line you don't really cross. We miss being in that environment a lot.
Which song off of 'First Temple' is your favorite, and why?
For me personally, the album's opener, 'Kissing Cousins,' is my favorite. Every time I hear it, the lyrics really resonate with me and it feels almost as if I wrote them autonomously at the time of their inception, just venting whatever was in the recesses of my mind. Once the record was finished, it was as if it was a message from my future self. All of a sudden it had a weight to it and really struck a chord, as if it was by the hand of another. I was hearing it with this fresh perspective, and it took on new meanings. That feeling of the song's true meaning laying dormant, and then blossoming after a time, makes it feel quite special. What inspires your songwriting?
Determinism vs. a seemingly false sense of purpose and self importance ... and girls.
You're touring this fall. Chris, being a vegan, do you find it difficult to survive on the road?
You definitely get into a rhythm with things. But it has been pretty tough, especially in the southern states. Every day is a bit of a gamble depending on how accommodating places are around a venue. But hey, I didn't get into veganism under the false pretense of it being a breeze on the road. I knew what I was in for! The satisfaction of the implications of my choices outweighs the difficulty. What are some things you can't live without on the road?
A good book is always great company.
What else is in the works for the band in the near future?
Making more music and playing it. At the end of the day everything else is bells and whistles.
