Hopesfall formed in the late 1990s because of the Seattle bands Nirvana, Alice in Chains and Soundgarden.
"I always liked the Chicago band Smashing Pumpkins, too," said Hopesfall vocalist Jay Forrest during a phone call from Tempe, Ariz. "We wanted to emulate our idols and I think you can hear it in our music."
Hopesfall — Forrest, bassist Mike Tyson (not to be confused with the fallen pro boxer), drummer Adam Baker and guitarists Dustin Nadler and Josh Brigham — recently released the new album "A Types." It's the band's most personal to date.
"The album was recorded by a band who had just come off of two years on the road," said Forrest. "It was written over 1 1/2 years and we only had to write two extra songs for the album.
"It was like we had eight songs ready to go, but our producer (Steven Haigler) said we needed two more songs. 'You have seven hours to write those songs,' he told us. So, instead of going to bed, we stayed up and wrote the songs. Steven knew what he was doing when he told us to write those songs."
Still, the band would rather write songs in members' own time, said Forrest. "We are always progressively thinking. We come up with riffs and lyrics and share those with each other.
"If we don't progress together, then the band becomes stagnant," said Forrest. "And there's nowhere to go."
That thought continues to gnaw at Forrest's mind as Hopesfall's career continues.
"Our ultimate goal is to become an established band that is recognizable," he said. "I mean when you hear a Pumpkins' song, you know it's them. If you hear a Nirvana song, you know it's Nirvana. I'm not saying we're as great as they are, but I would love to have someone say to us, 'When I heard your song, I knew it was you.' "
To reach that goal, however, Hopesfall is continually taking its live show on the road.
"That's the hard part," said Forrest. "We're apart from family, friends and our homes. But then again, we're seeing places we've never thought we'd see. And we're playing music for people who like our music. So, it's a double-edged sword."
If you go . . .
What: Underoath, the Chariot, Fear Before the March of Flames, Hopesfall
Where: Lo-Fi Cafe
When: Thursday, 7:30 p.m.
How much: $12
Phone: 467-8499 or 1-800-888-8499
Web: www.smithstix.com