April 26, 2004
[interview by Alexa]

Estrella: State your name and what you do in the band.
Brandon: My niiizame is Brandon and not only am I the singer of the band but I also have to keep my band mates off of eachother and keep them in line because the do some creeepy things...[Alex and Reeder like to get naked and run off sometimes and hide..but shhhh thats between you and me]

Estrella: How did you come up with the band name, American Diary?
Brandon: Well, WE RIPPED OFF MY VERSION OF A DIARY!!! No.. Just kidding. Ok, here we go..AHEM.. About a year ago I wrote a song called, "America's Diary," so when I started this band I decided that I wanted to play this song and it was the first song we played as a band. But we still couldn't think of a name so Matt said, "Fuck it , let's just call the band, America's Diary" and I said, "No, you foool!, let's call the BAND AmeriCAN Diary and change the name of the song", and we all liked that so we kept it.

Estrella: How long has the band been around for?
Brandon: Not very long at all. Like, maybe a month, but it's been in the works for several months, [shh... that's another secret.] But I was in another band at the time so I put all my energy into that band. So yea, IT'S BEEN AROUND IN MY HEART FOR 20 LONG YEARS!!

Estrella: Why did you start a band?
Brandon: Well when I was about 9 or 10, I remember watching Nirvana unplugged In New York and I just got goosebumps. It was amazing to me. And nothing has EVER touched me like Kurt Cobain's voice and his songs, it just gave me chills. So, I don't know it was weird, I guess I figured that since I have never felt soo strongly about something as I did when I watched that. I knew I wanted to make music.

Estrella: How did all of the members meet?
Brandon: Well, Matt and I went to school together from 6th grade up until 12 grade, when we both dropped out. And I met Ryan and Ben at some show in Naptown and we became good friends, then Alex and Reeder were both in the same band with Ryan and Ben so I met them through Ryan and Ben.

Estrella: Who are some of your influences?
Brandon: Chino from the Deftones, Nate from Finch, Daryl from Glassjaw, Kurt from Nirvana, Daniel from Silverchair, the Beatles, Justin from Anti-Flag......Umm.. I dunno.

Estrella: Who writes most of the songs, lyrically wise and musically wise?
Brandon: That would be mostly my department, Matt does alot of writing with me though and Ben will throw in his 2 cents every now and then. But for the most part, I just sit at home and write poetry and then make music to how I'm feeling and it all comes together.

Estrella: Lyrically wise, how do you find your inspiration?
Brandon: Hmmm..... Well, my life hasn't been super great. I was addicted to cocaine for quite sometime, my mom left me when I was a kid, I don't have that great of a relationship with my dad and my poor little heart has been broken a few times. So, I mean I just think about my life and certain things that has happened to me and I will light a candle and just lay down and write how I am feeling.

Estrella: How would you describe your music to someone who has never heard it?
Brandon: It's awesome ;).

Estrella: What would you be doing if you weren't in a band?
Brandon: I would be laying in a coffin.

Estrella: What do you enjoy most about being in a band?
Brandon: Letting people know how I feel without being a "Drama Queen" and hanging out with my best friends, all the time. I also love it when someone connects to me with a song of mine or maybe it might be just one lyric. But just touching different people's hearts in many ways makes me want to just hug everyone ...hehe.

Estrella: What do you like about your fans?
Brandon: Everything....

Estrella: What are you currently listening to?
Brandon: The Blood Brothers

Estrella: What are your goals for the band?
Brandon: To get as many people to hear us as possible and tour with my best friends.

Estrella: Do you have any closing statements?
Brandon: Give me a kiss :-* xoxo.