``I try to be a good person, I think I was raised with a pretty good moral compass. I'm only human though, I make mistakes just like anyone else and you learn and keep growing as a person.``

Questions answered by Josh Lyford, Synth / Vocals

Dan O'Connor - Guitar/Vocals
Alan Day - Guitar/Vocals
Joe Weiss - Bass
Jackson "Jake" Massucco - Drums
Josh Lyford - Synth/Vocals

http://www.myspace.com/fouryearstrong

mym: What does the band name, Four Year Strong, signify to you?

It signified a bunch of dudes I watched play a show at a bar in Worcester then joined. Now it signifies the friends that I tour with 10 months a year.

mym: What a great album cover of your new album, Explains It All! Where did the idea come from to include pics of all the band members’ childhood photos?

I can't remember exactly the moment we decided to do it, but as soon as it was brought up I think we were all into it. I love the way it looks, I think my mom likes it too. It was funny going through childhood photos with her. I also love how obvious each of us were as children, we are basically identical. Plus, I love Alan’s lip gloss, or popsicle residue...

mym: Did you always want to be musicians? If yes, did you always think you’d get to do it?

I think for the most part, yes. Jake, Alan and Dan have been playing music together since they were in elementary school. Joe has been playing music his whole life, I've always rattilly tried to play music. I never expected that l'd stop driving straight trucks and go on tour with a band though, if you had said this to me when I was growing up I wouldn't have believed you.

mym: What’s the best part about touring?

Seeing new places and meeting new people all over the world. Its a strange feeling to eagerly await going back to distant countries to see a friend from the other end of the earth. I didn't think id ever be able to hold a koala, or chill out with kangaroos or see ancient Japanese temples, or castles in England.

mym: How do you feel about being able to affect and reach others through your music?

I don't think about it a lot to be honest. I try to be a good person, I think I was raised with a pretty good moral compass. I'm only human though, I make mistakes just like anyone else and you learn and keep growing as a person.

mym: What inspires your music?

Magic: the gathering tournaments.

mym: Is there a certain song that best exemplifies a certain type of struggle in your life?

I think all of the songs have a certain tongue in cheek positivity in them, sort of saying yeah life gets gnarly sometimes, but you just have to be gnarlier.

mym: What would you want to say to someone experiencing a hard time that may be unsure about reaching out for help?

Don't be afraid to ask for help, even a timber wolf may find itself with a caribou that it can't take down without help from his pack. Yikes.

mym: What gives you hope?

Getting on my bike and going cruising in the sun, a good session in the early fall when the leaves start to turn. Meeting new kids at shows, falafel, and thinking about how awesome dogs are.