Nick Brooks from It Dies Today & Frozen Ground

·1 hr 7 min·5 clips

Nick Brooks, vocalist of It Dies Today, reveals how a 2001 tour with Between the Buried and Me changed everything.

Ray Harkins opens the episode by introducing Nick Brooks, vocalist of metalcore band It Dies Today and new hardcore band Frozen Ground. He reminisces about a 2001 tour they shared with Taken, Between the Buried and Me, and Alexisonfire, highlighting its significance in the early days of package tours. Nick discusses his long-standing relationships in the music scene, noting how friendships from 20 years ago persist despite life changes. He talks about his upbringing in Buffalo, describing the city's underdog mentality and its influence on local bands like Every Time I Die. Nick shares his early exposure to punk through cousins, who introduced him to bands like Snapcase and The Clash, leading him to attend shows and form It Dies Today at age 16. He recounts the band's evolution, including incorporating melody and facing criticism for stylistic choices like makeup, emphasizing their authenticity. Nick recalls key career moments, such as a sold-out Showcase Theater show and playing Hellfest 2004, which validated their hard work. He details the burnout that led to his departure from It Dies Today, his struggles adjusting to normal life, and his eventual return to music with Frozen Ground. The conversation covers his parental concerns, his wife's support, and his ongoing passion for hardcore music. Nick explains how opportunities like Furnace Fest prompted It Dies Today's reunion and the casual origins of Frozen Ground from a TV show character name. The episode concludes with Ray teasing next week's guest, Luke Bentham of The Dirty Nil.

As heard by us

A loose catch-up that lets road stories and personal history do most of the work.

Ray Harkins keeps the conversation centered on Nick Brooks, and the best passages come when the two settle into road memories and the scene that formed him.

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Why you'd press play

Press play if you want a Buffalo hardcore hang that keeps drifting into good stories.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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