Fresh off of a US tour with August Burns Red and Silverstein, up-and-coming metalcore outfit Texas in July have a big year ahead of them. In addition to a headlining tour and a spot on the Bamboozle festival in New Jersey, they are one of this year’s featured acts at the Launch Music Conference, performing on Saturday, April 28th.
“It’s my most anticipated upcoming show. I can’t wait to play. There are so many bands to see and so much to do. If you are a local in the area, Launch Music Conference is a must do,” says bassist/lyricist Ben Witkowski.
Texas in July hails from Ephrata, PA, and formed in 2007 before any of the members had even graduated from high school. Their first full-length record I Am, featuring the single “Hook, Line, and Sinner” was released under Lancaster record label CI Records in July 2009. The band was picked up by Equal Vision records less than a year later. Their sophomore release, One Reality, was released in April of 2011 and was very well received. This album features more of the same heavy guitar hooks, pounding vocals, mean drums, and in-your-face breakdowns that Texas in July is known for. The first single, “1000 Lies,” definitely sets the pace for the band, and their remaining work does not disappoint. Other favorites of the band to play live include “One Reality” and “Magnolia”, both off the new record as well.
They’ll be departing for another headlining tour to showcase One Reality before potentially getting back to work on a new album. The Last Reality Tour begins on March 30th with special guests Like Moths to Flames, The Air I Breathe, and Hundredth.
“We are ready to get back out there again and bring our fans a new CD,” says Witowski.
They’ll be wrapping up the tour with the Launch Music Conference, close to home in Lancaster County. The August Burns Red/Silverstein tour which ended this past month also concluded with a local show in Philadelphia and the band members are certainly excited to do it again.
The band is looking forward to the upcoming Bamboozle festival as well.
“We were supposed to play last year but the tour we were on at the time conflicted with the dates of Bamboozle so we couldn’t play,” says Witowski. “It feels good to get a second shot at playing. Bamboozle is something that we have been patiently waiting to play as a band for a long time. I have never attended either so I have no idea what to expect, it should be awesome!”
Photographer: Natalie Bisignano
Hardly newcomers to the festival scene, the band has plenty of festival experience in addition to their lengthy tour history. They’ve been featured on the Purple Door festival, the Ice Jam festival, and many more.
“Festivals are always exciting. They are so different from being on a tour in the same routine every day,” says Witowski. “When playing a festival, you are most likely going to be seen by a lot more people and able to see more bands. We always love playing a fest.”
The Bamboozle, however, may be the biggest one to date and is sure to be a good time.
With several headlining and supporting tours under their belts, the band’s members have established themselves as a mainstay in today’s metalcore scene. It is no doubt, however, that the scene has changed in the past few years – something to which all bands and fans can probably attest.
“I remember it being a lot different locally, back in the day, but there are still bands here in our hometown playing shows and putting out new music, so the scene isn’t dead. I just think there are all types of music coming out these days- techno, dubstep and now also those genres are being mixed in with bands that have clean singing and breakdowns,” says Witoski. “There is a lot going on out there. People will continue to love metal and screaming music, it’s our generation’s music. New people will catch on even though other fans might stop buying tickets. The cycle moves on.”
Photographer: Natalie Bisignano
Witowski has an optimistic view for the local scene, and with all of the success Texas in July has had in such a short time, he could hardly be wrong.
Written by: Alaap Parikh
