Reddit You Ready? It's Four Year Strong! Ask Us Anything.

Will you guys do a 10th anniversary tour for Rise Or Die Trying when the time comes?

maybe! could be sweet!

Can you please tell me what the hell bada bing wit a pipe means ? Love that song

plsrespond

it was just something stupid my friend damian said one day. it made us laugh. so we named a song after it. the full quote is.."so i clocked that bitch BADA BING wit a pipe!"

-ALAN

What is your relationship like with the guys from the Wonder Years? I know you guys did some awesome guest vocals on Suburbia for them and I'd love to see you guys co-headline a tour together.

They're great! we've known them forever! took them on tour and now they are way bigger than us. thats life.

-ALAN

I live in Worcester. You guys live in Worcester. Where do we go from here?

lets hang!

-ALAN

How did you pick which songs you were doing on Explains It All?

What inspired you guys to do that album?

we had a list of like 80 songs and narrowed it down that way

Does it really suck to be Four Year Strong right now?

nope and it never has.

-ALAN

Hugge fan here!

1) What's your favorite cities to play in, outside of Massachusetts?

2) Are you and ADTR still not cool? I'd love to see both of you on tour in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

3) Who is your favorite band to be on tour with?

4) What does "a great show" mean to you guys now?

Thanks for the music, it's fucking awesome!

1) I love playing Chicago, London, Toronto, San Diego, NYC, and a bunch of others 2) I have no problems with them at all 3) I love touring with tons of bands, but my favorite to watch every night was Bad Religion. Im having a great time with Story so far, ETID and Saves the Day 4)It means everyone leaves with a smile on their face and no voice left! - Dan

What happened with them and ADTR?

We did NOT write any song about a day to remember, someone made that up one day and now everyone thinks its the truth. the internet is a crazy place! just hung out with the guys in chicago the other day!

-ALAN

We did NOT write any song about a day to remember, someone made that up one day and now everyone thinks its the truth. the internet is a crazy place! just hung out with the guys in chicago the other day!

-ALAN

You guys have been my favorite band for a few years now. Love the new EP and enjoy watching you guys grow as a band. How has Warped Tour helped your friendship with other bands and is there a chance of a tour with TSSF?

Id love to tour with TSSF, we both have a bunch of stuff planned, but hopefully someday we can make something happen - Dan

Big fan of you guys, I've been listening ever since high school. Love the new EP as well. Do you guys have any tips for growing a magnificent beard?

DONT SHAVE!!!!!

Hey guys. The acoustic bonus tracks on enemy of the world are amazing. Any plans on doing an acoustic album with a bunch of songs from each record?

For sure! I love doing that shit! We will totally be doing more! - Dan

When you listen to your old songs vs your new songs what do you think stands out most about how the bands overall sound has matured?

our voices! puberty is a bitch! - Dan

What's your weirdest encounter with a fan?

I met you guys in April and asked Dan to write "My Name Backwards (my band) sucks" on a piece of paper which I later laminated, so I wonder if I'm up there.

Edit: Here is said paper. Dan added penis good which I liked.

A kid today told me he collects hair and stores it in his journal... thats a bit weird. - Dan

After Warped tour, do you have plans for a headlining tour? Thanks guys.

YUP! cant say exactly what yet though :/

I have a question for Alan. Its a bit strange... A few years back my sister contacted your girlfriend and asked to send some FYS merch for me for christmas. Along with the merch she kindly sent there was a bag with her hair. Did she ever successfully get it to locks of love?

hahaha. i think she still has it actually. that was a funny little mistake. sorry!

-ALAN

Love you guys. Rise or Die is one of my favorite albums of all time. You and Set Your goals are two of my favorite bands and I know you used to tour a lot together, so do you guys think another US tour with them could come again any time soon? I'm aware they aren't currently playing but a guy can dream.

I don't think they are doing anything anytime soon. I love those dudes very much. Id love to watch them play again. - Dan

Hey guys love the new EP & of course all of the old stuff as well :) I was wondering why you guys have never posted any Learn to play videos or books to learn how to play the parts. I love playing guitar and would love to be able to play your songs!!! Any plans for something like this in the future?! Thanks, Rock on! Chris, from Worcester Massachusetts

we've never really discussed doing something like this, but it would be awesome! maybe we'll post a video on this tour?

How much money would someone have to offer to shave the beards?

$20. it grows back.

-ALAN

Who are your favorite label-mates?

New EP kicks major ass by the way. Can't stop listening to it!

THE STORY SO FAR BABY!

-ALAN

Who is your favorite current pop-punk bank or artist?

Also wanted to give a big thanks! You guys were the start of my obsession with cover songs. I use to listen to Explains It All on repeat!

Love the new EP. Keep up the good work!

THE STORY SO FAR!!

-ALAN

Safe!

Alan! First off thank you for doing this. I have 2 questions 1. How did you like the tour you guys did with rise against and bad religion? 2. What band have been your favorite to check out while on warped this year?

the rise agains bad religion tour was one of my favorite tours we've ever done! everyone in both bands were so awesome and so good to us, and the shows were incredible! wish we could do it again! the best bands on warped this year are the story so far, ETID, saves the day, bayside, and bad rabbits!

-ALAN

What is your recording process like? I've been a fan for years and I've always been amazed with the production. Is there some sort of secret voodoo that Machine has going on?

once all the songs are done, we start with drums, then bass, then guitars, then Alan and I sing our vocals, then we do harmonies for each other. Machine is just an awesome dude!

Do y'all still sell the Hawaiian shirts? Or did I miss my one and only chance to snag one? Yalls music is the shit on toast, keep up the good work gentlemen.

I came here to ask this too! I seriously regret not buying one.

we sold out of them on this tour! mabye we'll do it again someday but no plans right now! sorry!

-ALAN

What's in the box?

yo momma

First of all I just wanted to say that I am really enjoying the new EP. My question: If you were stranded on a desert island for one year with all of the necessary equipment to survive and you could take 1 book, 1 album, and 1 movie, which would you choose?

Book - Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton Movie - Jurassic Park directed by Stephen Spielberg Album - Jurassic Park soundtrack - John Williams - Dan

I've seen you guys hanging out with The Story So Far recently around warped and on Instagram...You guys are also label buds...Would you guys tour with them? That would be siiiick.

that would be so awesome. i'm sitting with will right now. we're sucking eachother.

-ALAN

My first experience crowd surfing was to Wasting Time while Dan was screaming the vocals at me. Just dropping by to say cheers for that!

Also, any plans for any more covers?

Explains it All was the bomb

we loved making the cover record, but everyone hated it when we released it! maybe when we sell all of the leftover copies that no one bought we will make another!

-ALAN

Dan, Alan, and Joe: what have been your go-to gear as of late, in terms of live and on the new EP?

this is alan! i've been using a soldano avenger, orange OR50, and a les paul custom. cant go wrong!

• Are you gonna repress Enemy Of The World anytime soon?
• What brand/size sticks does Jake use?
• What's your favorite kind of pizza?
• Do you like Taco Bell?
• What is the etched b-side on Go Down In History?
• Is anyone in the band straight edge?

1. i don't know, the label that released it folded.
2. Vater don't know the size.
3. Blue Jeans on Park Ave in Worcester, MA
4. No
5. The GDIH logo
6. Yes, Alan and I are edge

do you guys still talk to Josh?

sure do! see him all the time when we're home in worcester!

-ALAN

Hey guys! Been a fan for almost half a decade!

Do you feel that the lukewarm reception to In Some Way, Shape, or Form helped you grow as a band?

we loved that record, and we learned a lot about ourselves as songwriters and as a band, so yes the reaction from the fans definitely helped us grow. if we didnt make ISWSOF we wouldnt have made Go Down In History and that is my favorite thing we've done to date. no regrets baby!

-ALAN

Writing ISWSOF was a growing experience for our band.

How did you guys meet blink-182, and what's it like to be able to play them?

We met mark when we were on his show on FUSE, playing with them was insane. Would love to do it again. - Dan

What inspired you guys to become such beardy muscle machines? :)

our dads

-ALAN

Favorite pizza?

buffalo chicken hawaiian

-ALAN

Saw you guys in Glasgow on the Kerrang tour and absolutely loved the show, I was just wondering what really happened which led to Josh leaving the band? Do you miss different the style that the synth brought to your music?

Life happens man, some people come in and out of it. thats it. I love where our band is now. - Dan

To be honest songs like "sparkle Motion" are among my favorites of yours. Why do you think you have moved towards more "hard core" or "high energy" songs and away from the beautiful ballads. Dont get me wrong, I love all the new stuff, but songs like "This Summer Session" and "sparkle Motion" always gave me a lot of feels. Love you guys, seen you 4 times in concert now. Keep it up!!!?

those are some of our favorite songs too! and theres plenty more ballads that got written over the years that never got released. maybe one day we'll just release them all as a ballads record.

-ALAN

DC or Marvel?

Marvel 4 LYF!

Hey guys,

What are your favorite theme parks?

Disney World, are you fuckin stupid? - Dan

CEDAR POINT! went there yesterday instead of going to the AP awards. it was awesome!

-ALAN

Hey guys! If you had to see a small local band cover one of your songs which song would you prefer it to be? (cough cough)

tread lightly

-ALAN

I love all your stuff guys. Do you plan on continuing FYS for while? Where do you see the future of the band?

takin it to the moon baby!

-ALAN

Any chance of you coming back to Australia?

Someday!!! For Sure!

How big of an influence was Dan "The man" Sullivan on you guys? And would you say that Doherty Jazz Band is really where you guys really zoned in on your musical prowess?

SULLY IS THE BEST PERSON EVER! my complete lack of trumpet playing skills are all thanks to that man!

-ALAN

Any shows that went completely wrong?

Hevy Fest!

Who is your favorite band to hangout with on Warped Tour? Also, Beatdown in the Key of Happy is my favorite song by you guys :)

TSSF, STD, ETID just to name a few. -Dan

Hey dudes! So, I just met you guy the other day in Chicago, I noticed an said something to Dan about your tour manager being the same as The Wonder Years. Is he manager for The Story So Far as well? AND do I smell a TSSF/FYS tour? I would be forever happy. Long live Hawaiian shirts, peace!

he does not tour manage tssf, but we would love to do a tour with them! maybe someday!

-ALAN

What is personally your favorite album you guys have made?

go down in history. hands down.

-ALAN

When did/what made y'all realize that music was the future you each wanted to pursue?

i've always known! any picture you see of me as a kid i'm holding a guitar or a microphone or something. i've been in bands since i was in the 4th grade. i wouldnt ever want to be doing anything else

-ALAN

From all the bands/groups you covered on Explains It All, which would you like to have cover one of your songs? More specifically, which song would you want them to cover?

smashing pumpkins should cover any of our songs. they would probably make it way better!

-ALAN

What was the main inspiration behind the new EP? Love the songs and keep kicking ass!

life baby. life

-ALAN

Any plans to come to the UK soon?

i hope so! UK is one of my favorite places in the world to play!

-ALAN

Hey fellas, what guitars did you use for the amazing tone on GDIH? What were your favorites? Dan, being a new father, and touring musician, any advice for those of us musicians who want both the family, and the tour life?

We used a couple LES Paul Customs. Its very hard to be away from my family but they know that playing music is a big part of who i am, I'm just lucky enough to have a family that understands that. - Dan

Favorite stops on the warped tour?

Loved playing MA, also Toronto and Chicago!

Do you guys fold or crumple?

Crumple, thats why i have a clean asshole. - Dan

FOLD FOR LIFE!!!!

-ALAN

Crumple. - Joe

What do you miss most about playing in smaller venues like Forward Hall in Erie, Pa. rather than bigger venues?

we still play small venues all the time! hope to do it a lot more in the near future. we like when things get rowdy.

-ALAN

How did Dan and Alan lose so much weight?

we havent! you must be mistaken. i'm fatter and more unhappy that i've ever been in my life.

-ALAN

Was it a conscious decision to be more riff heavy on this EP? Can we expect that more in the future?

Please say yes.

we will from this day on be the riffiest we've ever been. mark my words

-ALAN

Hey guys, love the new EP! Are you advocates for music education? How has music education affected you as musicians?

thanks! i definitely think music education is important! if i didnt take music classes in highschool i dont know where i'd be.

Are you actually going to be releasing eps from now on but like 2 a year or something?

we've thought about it. we're just going with the flow. whatever we feel like doing we're gonna do. who knows whats next!

-ALAN

What is your favorite Cheech and Chong movie?

The one with the weed

I was just wondering what your favourite song is to play live?

right now its probably find my way back. or the new track go down in history. fun to play on guitar, fun to sing, and the crowd seems to enjoy them as well!

-ALAN

What bands would you say are your best friends, from the years of touring?

too many to name! we've been very lucky to have made so many amazing friends over the years!

-ALAN

I'm not the first person to think of calling you guys "Four Beards Strong", am I?

OH MY GOD THAT IS THE MOST AMAZING THING HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THAT?!?!?!?!?!

are you guys going to be selling copies of Go Down In History at the FYS tent for the rest of warped?

hell yeah we are!

-ALAN