MF - I understand you are recording at
the moment for your fall release? Can
you tell us about the new cd and what
we can expect this time around?
M = True, lots of rock is what you
can expect. It's a lot more just straight
forward rock than anything we've ever
done before. Just really good
songs...I
think it's a lot better than the last
record personally.
K =Yes, it is a very nice little
rock and roll record. Not much ska on this
album, but that doesn't mean less
horns. There are still tons of horns. It's
a good rock record with lots of horns.
Musically it's somewhere in-between
Chicago and Rocket from the Crypt.
(That statement is not intended to put
ourselves on the same level as such
incredible bands, but only serve as a
stylistic comparison). Also, it comes
out on Nov 20, if people want to check
it out.
MF - Your fall tour has an amazing
lineup of new talent, John Reuben - Ace
Troubleshooter- Relient K, as well as a
sock puppet choir. Why were these
bands chosen and who's idea was the
sock puppet choir?
M = Because we like them, and the
sock puppet was Reese's idea.
K = Actually the sock puppet idea
was Frank Tate's, our record company
president. The bands were chosen for
many reasons, but the bottom line is
because they are incredible bands who
make great music.
M = Actually, it was my idea.
K= Actually, i think it came to us
in a dream. There was a great shout from
heaven and it said "BEHOLD!!!!! I say
to thee, SOCK PUPPETS!"
MF - How many trucks will all this
take, you guys must be rolling in money? :
M = Yeah.... We got loads of
cash...How many trucks are you aloud to take
out on tour 'cause more than likely
we'll do that.
K = We have SOOOO much money, we
are taking our private jet that we bought
from U2 to all the shows on this tour.
. .All kidding aside, I am sure most
the bands will be traveling in their
vans, we will be traveling in our
school bus, and the sound company will
probably have some sort of cargo truck.
MF - What part will the sock puppet
choir play?
M = The "big" part
K = The REALLY "big" part. It's a
surprise.
MF - A lot of bands that have been
around as long as you guys and have stayed mainly in the
"Christian" industry have grown increasingly
disillusioned by the things they see in the "industry".
How have you guys survived so long and how do you feel
the "inside industry" has affected you as a band
(positively, negatively, both?)?
M = Ditto to what Keith is
about to say.
K = We mostly ignore the bad parts
of the "industry". Not ignore them, but
just make a conscience choice to not
let it get us down and hopefully change
some of the things we don't like about
it. Things can change. But there are
lots of good parts about the "industry"
and those are cool.
MF - Another thing that makes you
unique is that Jeff "The Girl" is still in
the band. We have seen a lot of females
in "male dominated" christian bands
step out of the band because of various
reasons. Has it been hard or akward
in that respect or do you think it has
been helpful to the band to have a
girl in it (as far as speaking with
young girls at shows and things of that
nature)?
M = It's always good to represent
both sexes and so, yes I think it's good
that Jeff is playing with us. She's
tougher than most girls so it makes it
real easy for her to be in the band.
It's also good that girls have at least
someone in the band that they can look
up to as an equal.... Not that we are
better or worse just the wrong sex for
girls to relate to.
K = Word.
MF - If there is one thing you have
learned that has benefited you more than
any other one thing, what would it be?
K = Ditto to what Micah is about to
say. (Isn't it cool how Micah and I know
what the other one is going to say
before they even type it? We are cool
like that.)
M = That the word of God is a
treasure chest that should be dug into more
often than it is. Its wisdom and
instructions are timeless and that is a
hard thing to say about anything on
earth.
MF - What is in your cd player right
now?
M = The Wiseguys. they did
this cd called "Antidote," and its kinda like
Fatboy Slim stuff, but I think I'm
actually digging on it more. You've
probably heard it if you saw that
Mitsubishi commercial with the people
driving through that tunnel and they're
all sorta jammin' to this tune.
K = Man, I buy lots of music.
Recent things in my CD player include: Jimmy
Eat World "Bleed American", Cake (new
one), Thee Pirates, The Incredible
Moses Leroy, The Choir B-sides album
that came in the box set, The Hayden
Elders "We've Got Your Car" demo,
Johnny Cash Live at Folsom, The new
Go-Go's record, The first Believer
record. If I had a copy of Asia's first album on
CD I would be listening to it non stop,
but I only have it on vinyl, so I
need to wait until i get home from
recording the new FIF album to listen to
it. I actually need to just buy it on
CD, it's so good.
MF - If you wore makeup like Kiss, what
would yours be?
M = a crazy clown
K = ??????
MF - Parting thoughts?
M = People, you have more
influence on your surrounding than you might
think. Just your presence is important
even though you may not be the center of
attention. The center of attention is
only one dynamic to a strong
group(friends, band, church, school,
etc.), there are also the strong quiet
types, or the lovable laughable types,
or what ever. God made you special
and your role in your surroundings is
as important as anyone's. Know that, and
affect your surroundings by being you
in the positive way God designed you
to be. Love God with all you heart and
let everything else fall to the side.
It's amazing and scary how easily the
insignificant things can be focused on
way more than they should be. Don't let
your stuff/image/job/relationships/
etc. be your god.
K = Really seek what the truth is.
Don't accept what people tell you, find
out for yourself if things are true or
not. If you seek God, He will find
you. Thanks for the interview, and
thanks to all who read it. God bless you
all.
~1340mag
Five Iron Frenzy
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