MANSFIELD — The first show I Prevail played as a band was in front of 40 people.
The rock metalcore band has since grown to 4.5 million monthly listeners on Spotify and launched itself to a worldwide stage.
A six-piece band with two leading vocalists, founding members Brian Burkheiser, Eric Vanlerberghe and guitarist Steve Menoian formed I Prevail in Southfield, Michigan in 2013.
I Prevail took the Yard Stage at Inkcarceration in Mansfield on Saturday evening. Vocalist and songwriter Eric Vanlerberghe talked with Richland Source reporter Grace McCormick about the band’s roots, metal scenes worldwide, the emotions that went into the band’s “TRAUMA” album and more.
Richland Source (RS): Can you introduce yourself and tell me what position you play in the band?
Eric Vanlerberghe (EV): What’s up, my name’s Eric and I’m one of the singers for I Prevail.
RS: And how long have you been with the band?
EV: I’m one of the guys who started the band back in 2013. Going on … 10 years.
RS: You’re from the Detroit area?
EV: Metro Detroit area, yeah.
RS: I saw you in particular like to do fun facts during your set. I was curious where those come from — where you get your fun facts.
EV: Those, for some reason, just stick in my head. I’m like a human Snapple bottle as someone once commented. For example, did you know that wombats poop a square?
RS: I did not know that. I saw on your TikTok that apparently most American car horns are in the key of F too.
EV: Yeah, someone tried to tell me it was the key of E, and they were wrong.
RS: Nice. So tell me, do you think your Midwestern roots influence your music at all, being from Detroit?
EV: It’s a good question. I think it does. The industries that are in the Midwest, especially when we were growing up, were more blue-collar, automotive.
There’s something about that common man, blue-collar factor. Detroit was not known as the best city, it was on the decline or whatever labels you want to put on it.
But having that tenacity to keep grinding — I think you see that in a lot of other bands too.
There’s a big metalcore scene in the Midwest. You have The Plot in You, Beartooth, Attack Attack! We Came As Romans — the list goes on — all from this area. They’re all super influential. They all stem from the Midwest, so I think there’s something in the water.
RS: Is there any place — I know you’ve been all over — that you noticed has a really cool rock and metal scene that maybe people wouldn’t expect?
EV: Germany and Australia have insane metal scenes. The festivals there are enormous. One that I think not many people think about is Japan. We went over there for the first time and it was awesome.
RS: When were you most recently there?
EV: Just this last fall, so coming up on a year ago. We did three shows there, a show in Thailand and a show in Jakarta. All with Bring Me the Horizon up over there.
RS: That’s really cool. Have you been to Inkcarceration before?
EV: This is our third time, I believe. Third or fourth, I want to say third.
RS: What’s the difference in a festival vibe than another gig?
EV: We typically don’t play outside of a prison. So that’s pretty rad, and being a tattoo convention is pretty sick. There’s not really anything that I can think of like it. This festival is awesome. I love it. We’re glad to play this one, the lineup is always sick.
RS: You’ve toured with a handful of people who are here also, right?
EV: Yep, right now, we are on the road with Fit For A King, Hollywood Undead and Halestorm. We did a tour with Godsmack who’s on, Flat Black, Acacia Strain — there’s a bunch of bands. It’s cool seeing people we haven’t seen in two or three years. We’re all playing, but it kind of feels like a get-together hanging out backstage.
RS: I’ve lived here for two-ish years but this is my first Ink, so I’m looking forward to it.
EV: Awesome, welcome.
RS: Thank you. I was listening to some of your songs and I really liked the album TRAUMA. It seems very cathartic to listen to. I don’t know if it was to write — can you walk me through that album a little bit?
EV: Yeah, so after our first record Lifelines, we started doing this full-time — going off and going through those growing pains.
Especially when you’re on the road so much, you start realizing how many funerals, weddings and everything — all the life passed by. We had some stuff in-between with the band and in management with pretty major life events.
So, we wrote a message that it’s OK not to be OK. We’re not OK right now. I think that really related to where a lot of music right now is ‘Hey, keep your head up. It sucks, but it gets better.’ I think ours stood out a little bit because we had more of a message of ‘I don’t really like myself and it’s OK because I’m not alone in feeling that.’
I appreciate you saying that, because moving to the next record, that was how we found our strength was through putting ourselves out there like that … Every record since ‘TRAUMA’ has had something really special leading that ship. That was a really special record.
RS: Do you notice if your audiences respond differently when you play songs from different records?
EV: I know a lot of people miss the old stuff, and we play it from time to time. But I think it’s really awesome that the majority of our fans have taken this ride with us as we experiment and try new things and expand our sound. Our fans take the ride with us.
When we come to these festivals, we have a shorter set time, so instead of doing a full headliner, we’ll pick a highlight of the last couple of records and maybe some from the past. I think it’s awesome that our fans take that ride with us and they sing every word. We haven’t gotten any complaints yet.
RS: Do you have your personal favorite I Prevail songs to play?
EV: I think Bow Down and Self Destruction have been my favorite to play recently.
RS: How do you keep your voice strong on the road? I noticed some tea back here in the backstage tent, I don’t know if that’s part of your routine.
EV: For me, lots of water. Knowing when I’m not at 100% to just give what I can and make sure I’m not yelling and screaming drunkenly with everyone on off days — just knowing when my voice starts going to give it a rest.
A shot of whiskey and some water before going on stage, and that’s about it.
RS: What do you hope that your audience gets out of the set once you step on stage?
EV: I hope they get a break from everything going on in the world. Everything that’s got you pissed off, angry, what’s upsetting or hurting you — this is where you can step away from it and give yourself an emotional and mental break and enjoy something for a little bit.
Not to say forget what’s going on, but take some time for yourself. Live in the moment, you’ve got time to worry about everything else later. Take time for yourself and enjoy the time you’re in right now.
RS: Is there anything else you wanted to share about Ink or your band?
EV: Ink’s awesome. Whoever’s watching or listening, thanks for welcoming us back. For everyone who’s been listening for the last 10 years — whether it’s been 10 years to the day or just the past couple of hours, thanks for giving us your time.
I Prevail at Inkcarceration 2024
Photos by Rob Stroul
Visit the Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival page on Richland Source for stories and photos from the festival.
