Once I pulled off on a nearby exit, I was able to chat with Scott about the latest tour, preferences of hip-hop, and his desire to get back to the band’s sunny Southern California home. Here is the interview:

AM: You guys seem to be in a new town every night on this tour, how are you coping?

SV: Well, it’s not too bad yet since we’re only two days into the tour. But we’ve done this before, so we’ve gotten quite used to it. We’re on tour for the next month, until February 18th, and the final week is all near home in California, so that makes it good.

AM: Do you have any favorites in the hardcore music genre right now?

SV: I like both new and old bands in hardcore. Some of my favorites are bands like Madball and Sick of It All, but I also like newer hardcore bands such as Death Before Dishonor and Donnybrook.

AM: How big of an influence has Sick Of It All been to your band?

SV: We just finished touring Europe with them, and it is a great experience to tour with those guys. It’s the second time we’ve toured with them. Touring in America with them is great, but in Europe, they play to bigger crowds and get more respect than they do in America.

AM: You’re a big hip-hop fan. How much of an influence has hip-hop been on your music?

SV: I don’t think its directly related to the music because the guys in the band listen to a lot of different music. I was listening to hip-hop before I really ever got into hardcore. But the music may influence our energy and attitude while we’re on stage.

AM: What attracted you to your current label, Trustkill Records (a very up and coming metal/hardcore label)?

SV: We went with Trustkill because we were able to get a more short term deal with the label. Most records, including some bigger labels wanted us to sign our lives away. Also, Trustkill only has 10 or so bands on the label, versus 70 or 80 bands on a label, so there’s more attention. With a shorter deal, we can reassess our situation quicker and see what the next move will be.

AM: How was the Sounds of the Underground tour for you this past summer?

SV: It was a better time than I thought it was going to be. I am not crazy about playing outdoor venues and having the sun beat down on you all day. But it was good, because I would say that 90 percent of the people at the show hadn’t heard of us. So, we enjoyed ourselves and converted some of those people into fans.

AM: The Always the Hard Way album cover seems very classic, what was the inspiration for the cover?

SV: Well, it seems like everybody does the same album cover, and it’s very generic. Our last album cover fell into that category. The only decision behind it was to make it look different than any other album cover out there. Also, it makes for a great concert t-shirt!

AM: You all will be touring with Hatebreed in Australia in March, looking forward to it?

SV: Australia is one of our favorite places in the world and its gonna be a good time. We are only playing five dates with Hatebreed, but we have many headlining dates on our own. We’re also playing a few festivals with Suicidal Tendencies and the Deftones, so we are looking forward to that as well.

Terror will be headlining at the Magic Stick TONIGHT (January 22nd), with The Warriors, All Shall Perish and Stick to Your Guns opening. Tickets are on sale for the show, on Ticketmaster or at the door. Terror’s “Always the Hard Way” album is out on Trustkill Records.