Garrett: Everyone wants a new CD stat! Tell me how that is going right now. Are you in the middle of recording or writing or anything? You got that new Demo Teaser out right now, are those the only 3 new songs that you guys have up your sleeves, or are we in for something way bigger that what we had originally thought?
Andy Hoffman: We are smack dab in the middle of writing, recording and anything involving the two words. The Demo teaser is a message to the world saying we aren't dead! The new songs are done, and we are finishing up the vocals of the 3 songs. Is that all we have? Do you really think that is all we have? For now, we are going to release the 3 new songs for your listening pleasure, but there are tons in the works.
Joel Schneider: We are in the process of finishing up tracking and mixing of the new album set out in the near future here. We have tons of treats for all those patient kids out there; we love you all for your undying support!

Garrett: Is the new record going to include most of the tracks off of Until We Have Faces [EP] or will it be mostly newer, or a mix between the two? Any album titles floating around yet?
Andy Hoffman: The new album will have the 5 song EP on it as well as about 5 -6 new songs, eventually. Right now, we are extremely focused on getting an even larger fan base in Orlando.
Joel Schneider: Well officially we've just decided to combine our old 5 song EP with the 3 new songs we were working on, and 2 fresh ones straight out the kitchen! Plus we've added an acoustic cut of one of our songs as a bonus. (You didn't hear this from me but "Found Broken In Our Dark Places" is sounding mighty good right now!)

Garrett: Tell me about the writing process between Joel and Brandon, and even Andy. How is it structured? How do you usually go about writing songs? Does one focus more on lyrics the other on music? Please explain.
Andy Hoffman: Honestly, Joel is a stinkin' machine. He has so many ideas, concepts and odds and ends where the kid never ceases to amaze me. As for me and Brandon, we add our parts and change what needs some spice. Unfortunately for us, Brandon is leaving in September to go back to New Jersey. No hard feelings, but life must go on right? We are currently teaching our friend Mike in hopes he can pick up where Brandon is leaving off. As for that, me and Mike are starting to write more seriously because Joel can't do it all.
Joel Schneider: It usually starts off with me bringing a structurally completed song to the group and we hash it out together. Not intentionally, I usually write all the lyrics, although Andy's got some stuff coming out pretty soon!

Garrett: Joel, describe your experiences so far at Full Sail College. I've considered that as one of my options when out of high school next year. Is it worth it? Please elaborate.
Joel Schneider: Well pretty much I haven't slept for that last year and crammed my brain with so much knowledge that my heads is about to explode. All in all it was totally worth it. I've come out so far ahead of where I though I would and learned so much.
Andy Hoffman: Full Sail? More like Fool Sail! Go Val State Baby!

Garrett: Congratulations Joel on being a married man. How do you think this will affect the band, if any affect at all?
Joel Schneider: Thanks buddy! Well as of now I am married, and if anything, its made the band situation a lot better in that I get to see my girl every day and don't have to try and find time to spend with her. Before it was tough to juggle school, Trina, and the band but now it all seems to work together.
Andy Hoffman: Since we have been slacking on getting these answered, Joel has been married for about 6 weeks. It hasn't hurt the band at all, if anything, it has helped. At first, I thought the NES would slow down, but it has stayed consistent and the band has actually much more serious.

Garrett: Rate your collective laziness on a scale of 1-10 as far as the band goes. Andy Hoffman: 213344343446324 x 10^9. We are slackers, we all are. However, we are lighting some fires.
Joel Schneider: Wow. Not gonna answer that one! But seriously I think we're gearing up for the best we've seen from this band and we are so stoked you guys are a part of our amazing story.

Garrett: Unfortunately we are Rain City Ambience as opposed to Winter Park Ambience or something along those lines. What is the Winter Park music scene like down there? No offense but you guys don't seem to have very many shows booked at any given time, are you busy with school and/or making money or what?
Andy Hoffman: The central Florida scene pretty much sucks. People come for one band, then leave. It is so disappointing. Seattle was awesome, I love those kids! Also, shows aren't exactly easy to get down here. Clubs are "exclusive" and it gets hard.
Joel Schneider: To tell the truth, school has ruled our lives for the last year (40 hrs a week on a 24-hour schedule! Yikes!) But when this album is done you'll be seeing a lot more out of us.

Garrett: Florida Music Festival, describe this whole thing? How did you get to play there? What did you expect it to be like?
Andy Hoffman: FMF this year was a blast. To get there, you have to pay some bucks, and then get put into a panel to where someone listens to you and decides if you can play. It's very hit or miss. Our show went exceptionally well and we got some new fans out of it. That's all you really can expect, you know? Got some awesome feed back from some major labels and we hope the down the road it will beneficial.
Joel Schneider: It was a great experience. We got some good label attention, so at least they know were here.

Garrett: Obviously you have a past in Seattle, but more so Florida now. And I know that it has been tough for you guys to sort of get the ball rollin' or so to speak. Where do you feel that you stand now, as opposed to only a few months ago? Also have you ever considered moving back to/to Seattle?
Andy Hoffman: Still getting the huge fan base we want. Orlando is a town picky about its bands. I know we have and can have a huge following and I know that will change in the upcoming months. We all are heads it the game and it just took a little to carve out our name on the wall. As for moving to Seattle, if my good friend can't get me to move there, I don't think much will. I'm an east coast fo' life!
Joel Schneider: It's been a tough time trying to rebuild everything but things are only beginning for us. I'm not planning on living in the NW anytime soon but we are probably heading to SoCal in the future.

Garrett: State your position in Never Ending Studios and just how that is going right now.
Andy Hoffman: In Never Ending Studios, I am artist relations, as well as Never Ending Story. Since NES is in the beginning stages, I also recruit and shamelessly plug the studios. Eventually, I will act as a studio manager, for better use of words.
Joel Schneider: I take the job as the engineer and owner of the operation. Things are slow mostly due to our own activities but having graduated school, much more time will be spent with this portion of our lives.

Garrett: What's your focus more geared towards as of right now, Never Ending Story or Never Ending Studios?
Andy: Definitely Never Ending Story. Never Ending Studio is something that will come with time. NES itself needs to get off the ground and the studios will follow.
Joel Schneider: I think Andy put it best that they really do work together, and as one succeeds the other will also flourish.

Garrett: Any plans for a tour in the near future? Perhaps this winter or something maybe with... Tysen!
Andy Hoffman: Tysen and us have a past and we are good friends. As for touring, we'd love to!!! We hope to talk to Tysen about it soon, and we will most likely be back to Seattle over Christmas again. We had a blast and we must give the people what they want. Besides, kids in Seattle just plain out rock the socks.
Joel Schneider: That's the plan. We love those boys like blood. Don't worry you guys will be the first to know of any confirmed plans!

Garrett: Would it be all right if I were to come visit and stay with you guys?
Andy Hoffman: Actually, my question to you is why haven't you been down here yet?
Joel Schneider: I'm gonna go with Andy on this one… you better hurry up and get your crap down here! Fo' we change our mind!

Garrett: What sparked the removal or leaving of the two members?
Joel Schneider: Well, Brandon is moving back home to Jersey and Billy is looking to work on a solo career. Both are mutual decisions we've made, and no one has any hard feelings. In fact I think we all get along much better than we used to, which is rad because we all love each other.
Andy Hoffman: Brandon is heading back to Jersey. He is finishing school then going home. He actually leaves September 1st. sad day. It sucks, I love that kid. As for Billy, he is doing his own thing. I think we started feeling differently about the direction of Never Ending Story. He also wanted to do more studio type work so…. that's that. There are no hard feelings. We all love each other and we want to keep it that way.

Garrett: How do you feel the band will grow with these two new faces?
Joel Schneider: Quite well, they have already picked up everything so quick, and it adds a new element that I think will help make us something to be watching out for.
Andy Hoffman: Really good. The few practices we have had with the new guys have gone exceptionally well. The writing process has become more diverse and we all add our little something.

Garrett: Do you feel that this line up will last?
Joel Schneider: LOL, although I've always felt that whatever lineup we've had, is the one, were totally stoked about these new guys and the chemistry we have is amazing and totally refreshing.
Andy Hoffman: I hope so. I think Joel and myself have had enough changes for this band. It takes so much time and effort to get new guys ready - it's a pain. Ian and Mike are the exact personalities we were looking for in replacements. They can both play, have great attitudes and they both want to succeed.
Ian Evans: Yeah, this line up is 'til death. Don't know how to explain it, but things worked out too well for the new lineup for it to be a coincidence.
Mike Rahme: I feel that we all have the same drive and want to get to the same place in our careers. We all gel with each other really well and have a solid friendship. So yea, I believe this could defiantly be the line up that lasts.

Garrett: What is something that we can look forward to in the future of Never Ending Story?
Joel Schneider: Big things hopefully!
Andy Hoffman: A load of metal!! We have a lot of new stuff and hopefully something awesome!
Ian Evans: NES is adding a few tracks to the 5 song EP to make a full-length album, which will be awesome. God only knows when, but NES should be taking off in the near future and playing everywhere and anywhere.
Mike Rahme: More solid music for you kids to pump through your Ghetto Blasters!

Garrett: Is there any pressure about trying to fill the existing shoes of the old members?
Joel Schneider: Nah, everyone is cool with the old and new guys, in fact we were all friends before this all happened.
Andy Hoffman: I don't know. I have the fortunate position as a member already. As for the other guys, I don't think so. I think they will bring a new level to the table.
Ian Evans: For me, a little pressure is still there because fans will miss the old drummer, but I don't see it as Mike or myself having to fill any old shoes, I see it more as a new beginning for NES. My musical and spiritual connection with the guys from day one was unexplainable and I knew right then that I was called to be in NES.
Mike Rahme: I have the personal pressure I put on myself for just wanting to do my best and also wanting to keep a well-established band happy. I don't really feel pressured as much as I would have as we all ended on great terms with Brandon and he defiantly gave me his blessing before leaving us.

Garrett: What do you think sets you apart from the old members?
Joel Schneider: Although I will never regret the people we've played with, and they all added their own elements, the new guys add something that's new to us and I feel its something we have been lacking.
Ian Evans: Well I think Billy and I differ in many ways stylistically when we bang the kit. Most of my musical influences lean more towards the harder side, so I think that I am more of a metal drummer. I guess you can say that Billy was a "little more hands" and I'm a "little more feet." When it comes to playing live, I don't hold back, so there will be many broken drumsticks and many nights of giving myself whiplash.
Mike Rahme: Well really, I think Brandon and I can both agree that I am way sexier (laughs) but seriously we came from two completely different playing styles so we each have our strengths and weaknesses.

Garrett: Usually with new members you can count on a little different sound to the band, do you think that this will be the case or are you going to try and keep your sound close to home as possible?
Joel Schneider: I think over the past year our sound has changed a lot on its own and I think that they will add their own dimension, but it's a very natural progression.
Andy Hoffman: These new kids will most defiantly change our sound. It's a welcomed change at that. We have progressed for pop punk types, to screamo and a lot more metal. It's fun and funny in a way. I absolutely love the sound we are going after right now. It's the root of what everyone loves but at the same time, new and refreshing.
Ian Evans: Well no matter what, NES will be known for having their own unique style. With the addition of Mike and I, I think that the music will get a little harder and more technical in some ways. With the freshness of new members joining, it gives more time to practice and come up with new ideas, so only time will tell really which direction we go next.
Mike Rahme: Well the newer stuff is much deeper sounding than past NES but all in all it's still the same heart with two new faces.

Garrett: What do you think that you can contribute to the band? What do you have to offer? Why do you think they picked you over someone else?
Ian Evans: I am a perfectionist when it comes to music, so as the backbone of the band, I will make sure that everything will be as tight as possible. Just like Joel, I have millions of musical ideas in my head everyday, so when it comes to the writing process, I will be right next to him helping him lay down the next face melting song. Other than that, my passion for band succeeding and growing with my band members is all I can offer.
Mike Rahme: Hopefully I can just bring some added energy to the bands already furious live act... I'd have to say that they defiantly picked me because "I bring the thunder."