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I just wasnt in a place to take something on like that, he says.
It was a heavy prospect to consider.
Gales death had left the community devastated and the bands future uncertain.
Part of the bands approach this time stems from encountering newer Power Trip fans over the last four years.
just play, Ibanez says.
Thats what its really about at the end of the day.
Theres some unfinished business for all of us.
Blake, you initially asked Seth to mess around on a few Power Trip songs.
And then in the lead-up to that, we got asked to do the No Values festival.
So we had already planned on doing the songs, and the fest offered us to play that.
Chris Ulsh (drums):We were just waiting for the right thing to come along.
We didnt want to just say yes to the first thing that came through.
The reaction was really positive.
We felt pretty confident we could pull this thing off and do it justice.
Were you concerned initially you werent going to pull it off?B.I.
:I mean, I wasnt really concerned.
Me and Seth have played together for a while now; hes sung over material Ive written.
The other thing is hes been fronting bands as long as weve been a band.
Im sure he wouldnt have said yes if he didnt feel like he could do it.
With Seth and all his history in our scene and with me, it was a no-brainer.
But I didnt feel like it was gonna bomb.
We can play our instruments all right still.
I really cant put a word to how I actually felt about it.
:We finished playing the Fugitive set, and I was kind of gassed.
Id put a lot into that.
But then there was this rush of doing this again.
I was battling to get more energy, but also getting hyped up.
And, like, obviously, all the nerves of playing the songs again.
I noticed Seth gave the mic a couple of times to people in the crowd at the Austin show.
I was moved by that it felt like it was as much their show as yours.
Is that something you intended to do?S.G.
:It definitely felt like the right thing to do.
I mean, as soon as it started, it felt insane.
But I realized,Oh, this isnt about me.
Can you tell me more about how you came to be part of the band?S.G.
:Blake was like, Hey, would you be interested in this?
About a year later, we had just finished a Fugitive show Nick had played in San Antonio.
I think within that week, Blake had come over and asked again.
And I was like, Yes, absolutely.
:Wed been playing as Fugitive for a couple years.
Its not like,Who the fuck is this guy?
:It feels really organic.
I mean, I dont even know how long Ive known you, Seth.
Like, over ten years?
S.G.:Probably close to 15. :Seth used to beat Nicks ass at basketball back in the day.
N.S.:Maybe.
We dont have to talk about that.
S.G.:For the record, I didnt beat his ass.
It was a pretty close game.
Seth, why did you say no at first?
Did you feel like you werent ready to take something like this on?S.G.
:It was obviously a huge undertaking.
And at the time, I dont think I really had the confidence to do it.
It was just a little too soon.
And then I got more confidence playing shows, doing something on a bigger scale, like Fugitive.
What kind of job?S.G.
:I was working for a company that worked alongside insurance.
So I was basically storm chasing.
I was completely overwhelmed at the time.
:He was risking his life then.
Has there been anything thats been helpful for you in that process?S.G.
:Ive just tried to make it not about me.
Its about the legacy of the band.
I could never replace Riley.
He was a one-of-a-kind guy, and its really just trying to pay tribute.
You know, he was a huge influence on my life.
He was a titan.
So as long as I can make it not about myself, thats been the biggest key.
Has the dust settled with that?
Has he reached out to you guys with these shows coming up?B.I.
:I think everythings cool.
It seems like hes happy that the bands playing and going to spread the gospel and honor Rileys legacy.
I think thats what everybody wants.
I cant say were talking all the time.
That stuff just fueled us to be motivated to continue to want to play more shows.
:I think were just vibing it out, seeing how the shows go and letting that simmer.
Well take it one step at a time.
Its all unknown at this point, but were really excited for the shows.
Hopefully we dont fuck them up.
:We leave it all out there.
And we feel it after the show for sure.
:I feel it after the shows more than I used to.
So Im not looking forward to that.
:A lot of neck exercises are going to be in the future, for sure.
Like, I have to be physically in shape to get to pull this off.
:Were all doing extra stuff right now for sure to not pass out onstage.
Was that a coincidence?B.I.
:Yeah, it was a total coincidence.
:I think we were originally supposed to play earlier that month, and the date didnt work out.
We were shocked when we found out like,Oh, wow, that is the same date.
We had no idea.
:Its a nice way to memorialize Riley and his legacy.
On that day itll be emotional for fans and for us as well.
