Q & A with Death by Stereo

Today, Southern California metalcore outfit Death by Stereo released their fifth album, Death Is My Only Friend. The band has been rocking since the mid '90s, and their following has steadily grown thanks to their high-powered performances and gripping guitar work. Lead singer Efrem Schulz was kind enough to answer a few of our questions:

What do you like most about the new album?
I like that it is honest and in your face. We always try to make every record as different as possible, and I think we have achieved this on the new album. Jason Freese expanded our minds and showed us things we never knew we could do. We pushed our limits on this one. There are some of the fastest songs we have ever done alongside some of the slowest and most melodic. I am so excited for everyone to hear this!

Does Death by Stereo have any favorite films or other art forms that inspire your music?
Well, we love the movie The Lost Boys. It's where we found our name. Also, I am a DJ, and the other guys are into so much different stuff—anything from hip-hop to jazz to metal to punk. We are inspired by everything we hear and see! Great painters, street artists, and creative people of all kinds inspire us.

If you could hang out with a cartoon character, who would that be and why?
Fritz the Cat, because he's the nastiest!