Connecticut's Throne have been performing and touring up and down the East Coast since 1995. The band most recently opened for N.E.R.D. and Fountains of Wayne at Bender Arena on Friday.
The band's latest release, "Balladry" was co-produced by fan and friend Billy Martin of Good Charlotte fame.
"Billy produced seven of the 11 tracks on the new CD," said Throne bassist-vocalist Derek Trafton. "It was really cool working with Billy because he knows the direction we want to take our music."
The band is aware of the pros and cons that come with working with a fellow musician as a producer rather than an exclusive professional, but overall they felt good about working with Martin.
"I can work with someone we are close with as long as they weren't afraid to make comments because a lot of times the friendship will get in the way," Trafton said. "That was the cool thing with Billy because he didn't sugarcoat anything. He gave his input and if we liked it we used it. There is no room for sugarcoating anything when it comes to the studio and song writing because you are only pleasing yourself when you do that. You want another pair of ears."
Writing music is something that Throne feels is important but cannot be rushed.
"A lot of bands can crank out a song a day," Trafton said. "We aren't like that. I like to write lyrics on tour but as far as writing music, we don't really like to be around anyone. We can't write a song during sound check. We like to close ourselves in and write."
For an up-and-coming band like Throne, downloading music can either be a curse or a blessing. For Throne it is the latter.
"I think downloading is great for us now," said guitarist Casey Trafton. "Right now it can do nothing but help us. But I can see the negative side, where people download but don't buy your stuff. I like to have the CD and the art so I think it's cool to download and then if you feel it, and then buy the CD."
With tongue firmly in cheek, Trafton thought up a more severe alternative to lawsuits.
"I don't think we'd ever sue anyone but we would instead go to their house and slaughter them," he said.