Yellowcard's Ryan Key on musical inspirations, doing covers, and Circuit Fest 2013

MANILA, Philippines - American alternative rock band Yellowcard will be headlining Circuit Fest: Music and Skate at the Circuit Makati, the former 21-hectare Santa Ana racetrack next to the Pasig River, this Saturday.

Their hit single “Ocean Avenue” reached #37 at the Billboard Hot 100. Before their return to Manila, Philstar.com caught up Yellowcard singer and guitar player Ryan Key for a quick chat.

How did the name come about? Are you guys football fans?
The band needed a name before its first show and didn't have much time to decide. Yellowcard was a term used within the group a friends to denote a party foul of any kind. Much like a player receives a yellow card for a foul in football. So someone spilled a brew, got a Yellowcard and the rest is history. Some of us are massive football fans, yes.

When did each you realize you wanted to do music?
I was about 19. I was frustrated with my studies at University and went off to California to join a band called Craig's Brother. I only lasted about 9 months before I had to retreat back home, but I knew at that point that I wanted to play music and see the world.

Which artists growing up do you consider as an inspiration?
So many that its hard to list. Nirvana, Green Day, Weezer, NOFX, Lagwagon to name a few.

I loved your cover of Mumford & Sons I Will Wait and it was really pleasantly surprising that you did that. In that regard, where do you consider yourself to be at in terms of your music? Is this a direction that Yellowcard might consider taking?
We thought it would be cool to throw a cover in the set. Everyone knows Mumford right now and rightfully so. They write great tunes. I wouldn't say it's a direction we are heading in necessarily. We will still bring the rock.

What can your fans expect during Circuitfest? Also, will you guys be doing more than performing on stage like, say, skate with your fans?
Someone will get hurt if we try to skate. As far as the show, we will be playing some songs from our new record, Southern Air. One of them may even feature a guest vocalist from a fellow Hopeless Records artist. We just can't wait to be back in Manila.