So what’s with the pop? Turns out ‘Monsters’ was inspired by, and created in response to, the numerous labels who came a-knocking after ‘Ribbons’’ success. Listen to this EXCELLENT reason for going mellow and radio-friendly with hooks galore: “What we wanted to do with this record was make something that was super-pop in our own style, and songs that had choruses, and NOT because we wanted to sell more records or anything,” but rather as a proverbial slap in the face to all those labels “that have come out of the woodwork,” telling GAD they’re a great band, but they want some – what else? – radio singles! So, basically, they’re telling the guys they do in fact like and appreciate the band’s style, but want them to change by incorporating choruses and following the tired and cliché radio single-songwriting format so they would appeal to more people.

Of course our heroes in GAD, who embrace their creativity and make music THEY want to make, would have nothing of this and instead signed to Fearless, for whom they will now start writing new material for an upcoming full-length, which at the time of our conversation, they had about three songs written and a concept/theme wasn’t clear yet for the record (these guys are literate, intelligent, and as seen with the EP, like to build their entire albums around a central, unifying theme), but things were “developing,” with the material written already “flowing together very well thematically and lyrically.” Of course he wouldn’t go too deep into the matter and risk ruining the surprise for everyone.

But back to the concept of the EP… With lyrics speaking of “integrity” and beckoning, “filthy beast, sing nice to me” (as found on the finale “The Dragon of Pendor”), the whole EP then, both musically AND lyrically, deals with their relations with these pesky labels, and, in Bobby’s words, is “basically telling [them] to fuck off.” Since they didn’t want the whole concept to be overly apparent, but rather more “artistic” and “satiric,” they created “songs more like what the labels wanted to hear.” And here’s the catch: when these labels (that shall remain nameless) hear these songs, perhaps they’ll think GAD took their advice, but of course instead of following the label’s requests in the pursuit for overnight popularity and all the superficial nonsense that comes with it, they’re basically making fun of those same labels, to put it nicely. “We just did it for a departure for the EP just because we thought it would be a good in-joke to poke at those people,” he says with a laugh. “Hopefully the point gets across.”

And the songs played from the EP are being well-received live, exudes the guitarist. Even the aforementioned “You Stole My Story”, which despite reservations to incorporate it into the set because it’s “very mid-tempo and slower” in comparison to much of the guys’ back catalogue, which Bobby describes as “very energetic and crazy,” was welcomed by audiences. “It’s definitely been the highlight of the set every night,” he says with great contentment. “It’s really cool to have them embrace the different sounds we’ve been playing and take it with open arms.”

The guys have had plenty of chances to bring this new material to the masses, as they’ve been touring extensively this year. Most recently, they’ve been out for a while with Acceptance and The Snake the Cross the Crown and will wind things down September 19th. Though they’ll be heading home after this current stint and aren’t sure if they’ll be hitting the road again in the fall or rather take time off to finish up material for their Fearless debut, this self-described touring band will surely be out again before you know it.