Denver natives Breathe Carolina, the electronica screamo duo of David Schmitt and Kyle Even, played at Jerry’s Pizza in downtown Bakersfield on the night of Feb. 12 to a sellout crowd.

Breathe Carolina last played in Bakersfield at the 2008 Rockin’ Roots festival. Apart from Schmitt singing and Even screaming, both members write and record the music.

“We were just making music and having a good time. That was pretty much it,” said Schmitt swiftly about how Breathe Carolina formed in 2007.

Hundreds packed into Jerry’s to catch Breathe Carolina’s “No Check Points in the Jungle” tour featuring L.A. up-and-comers Hyper Crush, Let’s Get It, Queens Club and Breathe Carolina member Joshua Andrew’s (guitar/vocals/piano) own band, The Spin Cycle.

“We weren’t too sure where we were going and that’s just where we were booked at. We’re stoked,” said Schmitt.

Even said after the Jerry’s performance, “It was hot down there. It was fun. Kids were rowdy. That’s our goal; I think that’s any band’s goal: how rowdy you can get a crowd. We play Jerry’s, we play anywhere, it doesn’t matter to us.”

Schmitt said, “I’m not sure if we are in southern California anymore. [Playing] Bakersfield, the second time in a long time. For not ever being here (Jerry’s), it’s a good turnout.?It seems cool. [It’s] more [of a] quiet town compared to Denver or L.A.”

The Denver band has been touring consistently since inception.

“I’m pretty used to it. It gets rough being away from people for so long . this is what we do now,” said Schmitt.

Even added about touring, “You just go with the flow. [We] just take it as it comes. Two years deep [touring].”

Even reflected about Breathe Carolina’s off time compared to their time on the road.

“We feel worthless when we’re at home. We just sit around, watch T.V., play video games and kick it with our friends,” said Even. “Touring gives us something to fill ourselves with. It gives us our purpose. It’s just something different; it’s hard to describe the feeling. It’s surreal.”

Schmitt said he knew Even before the band’s beginnings.

“I knew him (Even) from other bands. Our old bands had played shows together [in Denver]. He was older than me so he would buy me cigarettes when I couldn’t buy them. We ended up moving in together and I was dead broke,” said Schmitt.

Schmitt added about their first demos, “I already had some songs where I just sang on them. I loved how he screamed. I said, ‘Just see what it sounds like [to scream on my track]’ and he did it and we were like ‘Alright, this is cool’ and kept going with it. It was kind of an accidental thing but it all worked out for the right reasons.”

The Denver music scene has been great to Breathe Carolina according to Schmitt.

“I love the Denver scene. The kids are really open to any kind of music down there, so it’s really cool. Anything really works there.”

Breathe Carolina played all of last year’s Vans Warped Tour and the duo expressed their feelings about the 16-year tour, which they are playing again this year.

“I always try to get really healthy before I go on Warped Tour. Last time, I went to the doctor and made sure everything was legit just because it’s one of those tours where your body is unhealthy as hell,” said Schmitt.

Schmitt added, “We were in a bus, we could sleep, but partying is out of control on Warped Tour. You’re in the sun all day long. You don’t want to sleep, so you just don’t and you’re sweating all day. Constantly, [you’re] dehydrated. [You’re] constantly drunk. [It’s about] just preparing your body.”

Schmitt talked about the differences between Warped and their own tours.

“It’s just different vibes. Warped Tour is like a festival everyday. So, [you] see all your good friends all the time. There’s like fifty plus bands, so it’s definitely intense doing it everyday. I think they’re both fun in their own way.”

Fan criticism of Breathe Carolina and bands alike (Brokencyde, Millionaires), since last year’s Warped Tour have been made evident.

“I think it’s funny that so many people get worked up over it. If this genre wasn’t doing what it is doing, no one would even care to hate enough. People take time out of their day to write blogs and trash [online]. It’s like ‘You really must have nothing to do, you just sit at home and talk shit all day.’ It’s like ‘Sorry, we’re out doing our thing and you’re stuck at home writing trash.’ Talk good or talk bad, I really don’t care. It’s good both ways,” said Schmitt.

Other bands on Warped Tour have been vocal as well on their thoughts about the genre of electronica recently.

“It’s annoying when other bands talk shit about other bands. Honestly, we’re all here doing the same thing. Just because we have different music . it doesn’t matter, it’s all the same,” said Schmitt profoundly.

Schmitt said honestly about his future, “I think I will always do something with music. These days, bands and lasting forever, it’s like a fashion: it comes and it goes. We’re just going to ride it out for as long as we can. I have no idea. It could last for a week or five years.”

Schmitt had a dream that gave the duo its name.

“I actually had a dream in ninth grade, and it was this lady named Carolina living my life and I could see everything she was doing. It was a weird dream . she kept telling me to breathe and it kind of just came like that.”

Schmitt’s musical likings vary widely, as he said, “I’ve been into John Mayer a lot lately. Lil’ Wayne, I always listen to Lil’ Wayne all the time; definitely a mix. I just like a good song, I don’t care. Like Miley Cyrus, any of that shit. If it catches my ear, then it’s good enough for me.”

When asked what advice Schmitt has for younger bands, he replied, “Just do whatever you want to do. Not try to sound like another band. Just do really want you want to do. That’s what is going to make you more successful, when you’re true to yourself. All the fans will be true to you, as well.”

Even reflected on his musical upbringing, and when asked what his influences were he said, “Backstreet Boys, man,” Even said with a laugh. “[In] elementary school, I had this teacher; he pushed me to do solo stuff [in choir]. I don’t know what it was about me why he chose me when I was in fourth grade.”

A popular shoe chain is where Even first began screaming.

“I was working at Journey’s, and I said to my manager, ‘Teach me how to scream,’ [then he said], ‘First, you just got to try it,’ so he put on some music and it was blaring out of Journey’s and I’m just trying to scream, it was funny at first.”

Even added, “It took a long time for me to finally figure out how to do it without killing my voice.”

Even’s main influence to scream came from metalcore Florida band Underoath’s vocalist.

“Spencer Chamberlain from Underoath, kind of evolved of how I scream. I haven’t done lows [like he can]. “Define the Great Line” really inspired me to try do something different with my voice.

I heard that when he did “They’re Only Chasing Safety,” he was just trying to mimic their old singer’s style [Dallas Taylor]. After I heard that record, I was like ‘let’s evolve’ and see what happens. I definitely can’t get as low as [Chamberlain].”

Even said with a carefree sense, “I have fun trying and trying to do something new.”

Breathe Carolina plans to keep touring and recording demos simultaneously until they reach Warped Tour again in late June.?