**This article can be viewed in Issue 16 of Substream Magazine**

Hitting the road on the Squash the Beef Tour and Atticus Tour this fall, Of Mice & Men are excited to get back on stage and give the fans what they deserve. Ever since this up-and-coming band has played their first show, the response from the masses has  singer Austin Carlile thrilled.

“I will never forget playing our two songs we have posted [on Myspace] and having the fans sing along to every word,” he says. “I’m just some kid from Ohio; we are in California and they know all the words!”

The five-piece ensemble, put together by Carlile (former Attack Attack vocalist) and bassist Jaxin Hall from New Zealand, is a recent addition to Rise Records and is recording a debut album as we speak. According to Carlile, their experience in the studio thus far has been a struggle, but nothing short of an adventure.

“From having to take a week off, to the water being shut off, to having no air conditioning… it’s been something like a camping trip.” However, the guys are making the most of it while they can.

Along with producer Joey Sturgis at Foundation Studios, the band is laying every instrument down and tracking vocals randomly. Carlile says a few surprises can be expected once the album is released. Above all, fans can look forward to an up-front message and upbeat sound. “We wanted to make something fun to listen to and something that didn’t beat around the bush with the points we are trying to get across.”

Carlile and Hall teamed up with drummer Tino Arteaga, and guitarists Phil Manansala and Shayley Bourget to form the band that Carlile claims is difficult to classify into one specific genre.

“We aren’t hardcore or metal…and screamo is an overused term already,” he says. “I would say we are different from any band because of how much we all want this.”

In previous bands and with this new project, the five members have been promoting, selling tickets at malls, handing out demo cds, and paying their dues for years. The payoff is this opportunity to get a taste of what they have been working hard to accomplish. “So, what sets us aside from other bands? Heart.” says Carlile.

With the secured backing support of big operations such as Rise Records and The Artery Foundation just after the first two songs were released on Myspace, Of Mice & Men have been anxious to line up tour after tour and do what they love most. “We are honestly blessed with this chance, and just want to show everyone how much we want this and that we are here to stay,” says Carlile. The band will be on the road without a break until late December, and have plans beyond then as well.

The opportunity to tour with bands such as Dance Gavin Dance and Emarosa has given the group a boost onto the scene at an early stage. “The Agency and The Artery crew did an exceptional job at getting us off on a solid start,” the vocalist says. And when asked about the likelihood of a tour in the future with Attack Attack, Carlile simply replied: “I honestly would have no problem with it. Let’s do it.”