The Plot In You Frontman Says Divorce, Slipknot Influenced New Album

Metalcore masters The Plot In You were formed as a side project of former Before Their Eyes vocalist Landon Tewers. Originally from Findlay, Ohio, the quintet is about to release its second full length album, a raging collection called Could You Watch Your Children Burn, on Jan. 15.

The Plot In You also just hit the road on the Brothers of Brutality Tour, which also features Whitechapel, Emmure, Unearth and Obey the Brave.

Noisecreep spoke with Tewers yesterday (Jan. 8), first day of the tour.

Landon, is there pressure as you set out on this new tour and debut songs from the new album?

There's definitely pressure. This is the biggest tour we've ever done so far. We're used to sort of C-market tours playing before about 150-300 a night, which is great. But this is different, on a whole new scale. And we're playing behind two awesome headlining bands so we've all stepped up. For example, our drummer has been practicing more than ever because he knows how good the other drummers are. We're all kind of looking at it like that; how can we really be our best to prove ourselves on this tour?

How did you approach this album, from a writing standpoint?

For this album I think we were way more spontaneous. I actually stared writing right after the last record. I didn't want to do a concept record again and so every song was written months apart. I was listening to a lot of heavy stuff I love during that time, Slipknot, Marilyn Manson, Rob Zombie, a lot of Eminem. It all really help set the mood for what I wanted to write about, which got into some really intense personal stuff.

The last album [2011's First Born] was pretty intense, too. What areas did you go into this time?

Well last time out, we were writing a lot about child abuse, a topic that hadn't really been written about a lot in our genre. This time though things got really crazy in my life. My parents divorced while I was on tour. They had been married for 25 years. I wasn't at home to help deal with it, and it was all very emotional for me. But the pain is reflected in the music. I also had some pretty shitty relationship situations happening that also forced me to struggle with a lot of beliefs and religion. It was a serious time but it's all in the new music.

So you channeled all of the emotional challenges and made something of them.

Exactly. And being alone, writing, many times was the only time I could escape from the bullshit. When I listen to angry records it makes me feel so much better. I know that sounds weird, but when I know someone is of the same mindset or I can truly relate to what they are going through, it gives me comfort.

What records growing up influenced you?

I loved Underoath's They're Only Chasing Safety. I loved other bands like As I Lay Dying, too, but that Underoath record just blew me away.

Any particular concerts you saw growing up that affected you?

There were a couple of local shows, small shows I saw that were totally badass and made me want to do this. But the first really big show I remember was Skillet. I saw them at a youth convention and they put on an amazing show. They cared about what they were doing and that meant a lot to me.

The Plot In You's Could You Watch Your Children Burn will hit stores on Jan. 15 via Rise Records and can be pre-ordered at this link.

Brothers of Brutality Tour with Whitechapel, Emmure, Unearth, Obey the Brave and The Plot In You:

1/09 - Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade

1/11 - Houston, TX @ Fitzgerald's

1/12 - San Antonio, TX @ White Rabbit

1/13 - Dallas, TX @ The Door

1/16 - Phoenix, AZ @ Nile

1/18 - San Diego, CA @ Soma

1/19 - Pomona, CA @ Glasshouse

1/23 - Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theater

1/24 - Seattle, WA @ Studio Seven

1/26 - SLC, UT @ In The Venue

1/27 - Denver, CO @ Summit

2/02 - Minneapolis, MN @ Brick

2/03 - Chicago, IL @ Mojoes

2/05 - Detroit, MI @ St. Andrews Hall

2/06 - Toronto, ON @ Danforth Music Hall

2/07 - Montreal, QC @ Club Soda

2/08 - Worcester, MA @ Palladium

2/10 - Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre of the Living Arts

2/11 - NYC, NY @ Irving Plaza