Chances are, you’ve heard of Unlocking the Truth over the past year. The heavy metal rock band is made up of three friends from Brooklyn, NY who built a steady following (and over one million Youtube views) by performing on New York City streets and participating in Afro Punk Battle of the Bands and Amateur Night at the Apollo Theater. The kicker though, is that they are barely teenagers and have already opened for Queens of the Stone Age and Guns N’ Roses and played festivals like Fun Fun Fun Fest and Coachella.

We caught up with them at this year’s Vans Warped Tour, which they were playing for the first time. Days later, they signed a $1.7 million dollar record contract with Sony.

1. Tell us about your earliest musical memories and influences. How were you introduced to metal?

Jarad Dawkins: I would be watching wrestling and also Japanese animated shows like Naruto and the music in the background inspired me to play metal/rock music.

Malcolm Brickhouse: My earliest memory is of listening to Disturbed.  I found them listening to music on a wrestling game and listening to Disturbed made me listen to other bands.

Alec Atkins: My earliest musical memories and influences were my grandma always listening to and singing gospel music, my dad always playing and listening to all types of music on his DJ system at home and the radio. I was introduced to metal by watching anime shows and hanging out with Malcolm and Jarad at Malcolm’s house.

2.  At what age did you each start playing your instruments and how did you form Unlocking the Truth?

Jarad: We formed Unlocking the Truth in 2007 when I asked Malcolm if he wanted to start a band since we were attracted to metal…so basically it was from there on. I started playing drums at two years old.

Malcolm: I started playing the acoustic guitar when I was about five or six years old and I was about nine when I started playing the electric guitar. We formed Unlocking the Truth when Jarad asked me if I wanted to start a band and I said yes. 

Alec: I started playing the bass when I was twelve years old. I did not form Unlocking The Truth, Malcolm and Jarad did. 

3. You’ve received a good deal of press since a Youtube clip of your band performing went viral. How do you balance things such as school and family with your music career?

Jarad: Well mainly it’s all about being focused and prepared. School is our first priority so if our grades aren’t up-to-date or where they are supposed to be then there’s no band other than that. Family is okay, we get to see our family very often.

Malcolm: The way I balance school and the band is that I go to school during the week. I do my homework first and then I pretty much practice on and off for the rest of the night. Most of our gigs have been on the weekends but that is changing. I spend time with my family too.

Alec: I go to school Monday to Friday and spend time with my family in the evenings when my parents get home from work and between gigs that the band may have on the weekends.

4.  You just finished up playing a few dates of the Vans Warped Tour. How was that experience?

Jarad: That experience was great. It was very hot because all the Warped tour dates are outside so that was the only problem a little. Other than that the crowd was great. They were new to us but it’s always great to gain new fans that didn’t know about you.

Malcolm: First, I couldn’t believe we got on Vans Warped Tour because we are so young and there are a lot of bands out there who could have taken our place. Our best performance to me was at Jones Beach because there was a lot of crowd interaction and that’s what makes a show good for me.  

Alec: It was a great experience because it allowed me to visit cities I hadn’t been to before, meet new people, and allowed us to gain more fans.

5. You’ve performed to crowds everywhere from Times Square to the Afro Punk Festival to Coachella. What venues and festivals would you love to play in the future? 

Jarad: Download Festival, Rock Am Ring, Rock and Rio, the Grammys, Madison Square Garden, Times Square on New Year’s Eve, and more.

Malcolm: I would love to perform at the Download Festival in the United Kingdom, Rock Am Ring, and Wacken Festivals in Germany.

Alec: In the future I would like to perform at Madison Square Garden, our own show at Barclays Center and perform at music festivals all over the world.

6.  You’ve opened for some big names in music. What is the coolest band you’ve met so far?

Jarad: The coolest band I’ve opened/played with was Queens of the Stone Age.

Malcolm: I think Guns N’ Roses was the coolest band so far because they are legendary.

Alec: The coolest band I have met so far is Motörhead.

7. Do you ever get nervous before a performance?

Jarad: I really don’t get nervous. None of us in fact get nervous either.  We just perform to the best of our ability. 

Malcolm: As a matter of fact, I do get nervous before a performance but I listen to my favorite songs and jump around like I’m at a concert to take my mind off of my performance.

Alec: I never get nervous before a performance.

8. What advice would you give kids who are trying to start a band?

Jarad: I would tell them if you are going to make a commitment like that, do it to the best of your ability and never give up. Dreams do come true.

Malcolm: Try to put yourself out there. Keep doing what you love to do no matter what people say and do not get discouraged.

Alec: Stay true to yourself and never give up on your dreams no matter what others may think or say about you.

9. What are your plans for the rest of the year?

Jarad: To record so we can get a full-length album or EP out so we can have music out to give and share to the world.

Malcolm: We’re going to work on our CD, promote our CD on some gigs, and keep up with our school work.

Alec: My plans for the rest of the year are to release an EP and a video.

10.  Where would you like to see Unlocking the Truth in five years? 

Jarad: 5 Grammys, world tours, and platinum or gold records

Malcolm: I would like to see our band headlining our own tours around the world.  I would like for us to keep making new music and also producing other bands.

Alec: I would like to see Unlocking The Truth become one of the world’s biggest bands.

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All photos © Angela Datre and Andy Jimenez/How We Are 2014