Roll of the Dice: 8 questions with Capstan

Roll of the Dice is a short interview format with a variable amount of questions. A pair of dice is rolled and the total, between 2 and 12, is the amount of questions we can ask. All questions are given to the interviewee(s) at once, and no follow-ups are allowed. The interview may be lightly edited for content and clarity.

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Progressive, post-hardcore Floridians Capstan recently released the new music video “Misery Scene,” announcing the upcoming Fearless Records release The Mosaic. As we all get acquainted with the new single and prepare to get our hands on the record, guitarist Joe Mabry joined TGEFM for the latest of our Roll Of The Dice interview series.

Thank you so much for agreeing to this interview. Congrats on the release of “Misery Scene.”  What can you tell us about Capstan and what has everyone been up to since the release of “Separate”?

Thank you for having us!  We’re really excited to be releasing new music again.  After  Separate was released we did a couple of tours that first year, and then we began to dive into what would be the most extensive writing process that we have ever undergone.  During that time, most of us became fathers, so it’s been a very transformative couple years for us as a band.  

What album or band or significant singles made you go “Yeah, this is what I want to do”  Not just an influence but who or what was the catalyst?

Linkin Park’s Hybrid Theory, we were all nine or ten when that came out.  Fast forward to a year later and add Toxicity by System of a Down into the mix and I think all of us were hooked for life.

We’ve all got a few, what is your biggest regret? A gig you turned down, advice you didn’t take, what one thing do you wish you handled differently as a musician?

This is a tough one to answer honestly.  Signing to the first manager who came along.  Being naive for far too long and not realizing the importance of running a band like a business.   

After the lockdowns and isolation of the global pandemic I feel like there was a change in the live energy, more gratitude for being able to experience it.  3 years since venues began opening back up, do you feel a different energy at shows?

The very first shows we did post-pandemic certainly had an intense amount of energy, people really did go extra hard after being starved for live music for so long.  I would say that initial energy may have subsided a little bit, but there is still that huge amount of excitement that’s always present at a live show!

What have been some of the most memorable moments or experiences as a touring musician so far? What’s been the most unexpected? The weirdest?

My personal favorite highlights include touring Europe and Canada, performing on the last Warped Tour in ‘18, and seeing all of North America for the first time while in a van with my friends, doing what we love. The weirdest thing that ever happened on tour was when 3 members of our crew, including myself and our vocalist Anthony, all had a dream that we drove our van off of a cliff and crashed under practically the same circumstances, all in the same night, while also all sharing one king bed.  Spooky.

One of our obligatory questions in these interviews also tends to be the one I have found most important on a personal level. Who are some bands on your radar that TGEFM readers may not know about, but you think they should?

Honey Revenge.  Closure In Moscow.

Now that the world has its hands on the single,  what’s next for Capstan?

There’s plenty more new music coming!  Our new record The Mosaic out May 24th!

What do you wish I asked about or that you had more of an opportunity to speak about during this interview?

We’re on tour this summer!  Come check us out live and let’s be friends!