This week we chat with Collins, the guitarist and vocalist of Syracuse, NY-based pop punk band closure. about a lot of our favorite topics at Concert Archives like first/favorite concerts, bucket lists, etc. The band’s debut album “I Don’t Mind” is out September 17 via Sakers Music. Follow the band on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook for more updates.
Past Shows
Backstage Pass: What’s the first concert you went to?
Collins: Technically the first show I ever went to was Aaron Carter at the NY State Fair in 2001, but my first “real” show was Haste the Day, MychildrenMybride, and Texas in July in 2010.
BP: What’s the first show you ever played? First show as closure.?
Collins: It all depends on what you call a show! I performed at bonfires and parties for friends when I around 14, as well as did the school talent show and what not around the same time. In terms of a show where I was booked and paid, I’m fairly certain it was at Funk N Waffles in Syracuse with my first ever band, Silent Scenario, around 2010. The first show with closure. was at Spark Art Space on my birthday in 2017, where we played with an old band of Tyler’s [closure.’s newly added guitarist].
BP: What’s your favorite concert you’ve ever been to? Favorite concert you’ve ever played?
Collins: It’s really hard to say which show has been my favorite. When I first started going to shows they were always incredible. I have so many fond memories of meeting people involved with the Syracuse scene, most of whom I’m still friends with today. If I had to pick, I’d say that seeing My Chemical Romance live in 2011 is something I’ll never forget, as well as the tightest and biggest live show I’ve ever seen. Seeing my favorite band who was larger than life to me at the time was such an incredible and influential experience.
There are so many closure. shows that stick out to me as favorites, but my top would be playing at The Camel in Richmond, VA. We had a show fall through last minute on a tour, and the promoter was nice enough to let us play their rap show on short notice. We met so many amazing people and had such a great time. It was absolutely one of the best atmospheres I’ve ever experienced at a show.
BP: First tour/show outside your hometown?
Collins: My first ever tour was with an acoustic project that consisted of Liam [closure.’s bassist] and I. We did a few days down the East Coast with all of our gear in the back of my old Hyundai Elantra. It was a great way to get our feet wet in the touring scene, on top of making so many great memories along the way.
BP: What’s the longest tour you’ve done?
Collins: The longest tour I’ve done is unfortunately about a week. We had much longer tours booked for this summer that unfortunately had to be cancelled due to obvious reasons.
BP: First “big” tour or show?
Collins: I honestly can’t remember the first “big” show I ever played. Liam, Tyler and I were local openers for the beginning of our music careers. We’ve opened for some big names like I Am the Avalanche, Seahaven, Wage War, and a ton more that I can’t think of. The first show where I remember being like “Woah…” was when we opened for Mom Jeans in 2018, where I believe there were about 500 kids at the Westcott Theatre. We’ve been fortunate enough to open for bands like them, Prince Daddy, Pictures of Vernon, etc. over the years, but that was the first show where I remember it being something different.
Present
BP: Have you done any live streams yet during quarantine, or plan to?
Collins: I’ve done probably about five or six live-streams since the start of quarantine, mostly toward the beginning. They seem to have tapered off a bit over the past few months. I don’t plan on doing any more for the time being. It was fun, but we’ve been really focusing on the record release lately!
BP: Favorite song to play live?
I’d have to say my personal favorite is Olympic Cryathlon, with Top Ten Anime Betrayals being a close second. They’re high energy, as well as arguably the most recognizable from our catalog so far, which is fun for the audience. I love seeing people having fun at our shows and singing along to our music.
BP: Favorite venue to play?
Collins: This is such a tough one! Locally, my favorite spot called the Badlands unfortunately no longer exists. It was a super fun, small DIY space where we used to throw hardcore and punk shows. Most of the shows of my early career were played there.
In terms of venues we’ve toured to, The Foster Home in Hamilton, NJ is such an incredible spot run by some good friends of ours. Lavender Town in Pittsburgh is an amazing space run by amazing people [editor’s note: can confirm!]. The Camel in Richmond is a really fantastic venue as well. Great stage, sound, crowd, and employees. It’s so hard to call it, we’ve played so many great venues!
Upcoming Shows
BP: 2020 hasn’t been great for shows :/ Do you have any exciting plans for when it’s safe to tour again?
Collins: We plan on touring as much as possible when it’s safe and responsible to do so. Like so many other bands, we really miss being on the road and sharing our music with everyone. We’re very excited to get back out there, and even travel to some spots that we never have before.
BP: Which song(s) from the new album are you most excited to play live?
Collins: We all love playing Call Me, as well as another track called Seasons Change. Call Me has such a cool solo that I can’t wait to hear Tyler rip to a crowd, and Seasons Change just has this energy that is so incredible to play live.
Bucket List
BP: If you could tour with any band, who would you love to tour with?
Collins: Another tough one! My Chemical Romance or AFI, hands down. Those are the bands that started it all for me.
BP: Any festivals/venues on your bucket list to play?
Collins: Playing The National in Richmond would be super tight. Any House of Blues location would also be incredible. I’m not a huge festival guy so I don’t know of a ton… but if Kevin Lyman is reading this and has been thinking about another round of Warped Tour, 100% hit us up!!
Thanks Collins for taking the time to chat with us! Be sure to follow the band on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook for updates!
Want to hear more? Be sure to preorder closure.’s upcoming album “I Don’t Mind” via Sakers Music, check out their bandcamp releases, and give them a follow on Spotify or Apple Music!