I see those bands going nowhere. They don't have the grassroots ethic or support from a loyal fanbase. Thrice has definitely been good about spreading the word and getting a lot of people behind them. This isn't just due however to the guys in Thrice being nice - you have to have something innovative. The only reason I'm getting response from labels is because the guys have written some really amazing stuff.
Labels get boxes and boxes of crappy music.
Trust me, I've seen the process that the demos go through. It's important for a band to hone their skills before approaching anyone. That's some good advice, and Nick explained that he has getting a pretty positive response from the people that have heard the band, so we can only hope for the best. For those in the Southern California area, you don't have to wait until then - Thrice keeps a fairly full schedule of local shows, so be on the lookout for them appearing at your local club. To wrap up the interview, I asked the guys to tell me what to expect from a Thrice show, since I have not been fortunate enough to see them live.