bsj:
|
Have you been pleased with the response to the California EP and
The Lassie Foundation? |
WE: |
Yes. So far. Our first show went really well. A lot of
people showed up. |
bsj:
|
Why
did you choose the name The Lassie Foundation? |
WE: |
The majority of the songs are about girls, lasses,
lassies. We thought it would be a good foundation for a name.
|
bsj:
|
Is
Andy (Prickett) an official member of The Lassie Foundation?
|
WE: |
Since Andy worked on the record, he is a part of the
Foundation. But, we're not sure of the long term stuff. Anyone who
works with us is in the Foundation. |
bsj:
|
Is
the California EP a one-time release or will there be future
projects released by The Lassie Foundation? |
WE: |
Hopefully there will be future projects. The time frame is
uncertain. |
bsj:
|
Will The Lassie Foundation be touring as such? |
WE: |
There are no touring plans. We prefer to stay in
California. Our only out of California show may be at Cornerstone.
|
bsj:
|
When were the songs on California written? |
WE: |
Most of them over the last three years, and they were
finished by recording time. |
bsj:
|
Who
wrote the songs? |
WE: |
Eric and I. |
bsj:
|
The
cd liner notes credit "Cush" as the producer. Who is Cush?
|
WE: |
Eric, Andy and I. The concept of Cush will eventually turn
into a band sometime in the future. |
bsj:
|
California doesn't sound like anything The Prayer Chain released.
Was this a conscious effort, or did it just happen that way?
|
WE: |
It's just the way it happened. Eric and I don't really
play guitar, so, when we did that's how it came out. I think it
was a good experimentation. |
bsj:
|
Would you say California is another progression from what you were
doing in The Prayer Chain? |
WE: |
No. I believe it was us playing our unusual instruments.
We had a lot of spirit and just wanted to write some pop songs. We
don't really feel it's groundbreaking music, but we feel it is
enjoyable. |
bsj:
|
Many songwriters do not like to discuss their inspiration and/or
the meaning of lyrics. Would you care to discuss what the songs on
California are about? |
WE: |
Even though the inspiration is there for me and Eric, it
might not be the same for everyone. I'd rather let people come to
their own conclusions. |
bsj:
|
One
song in particular, "Walking Spinning Backing Free," has a sound
very reminiscent of the looping guitar work of My Bloody
Valentine. Did they influence your work? |
WE: |
Yes. Very much so. It (WSBF) probably showed a little too
much influence. |
bsj:
|
At
the end of "Save Yourself And Watch You Win," someone sings what
appears to be a Mike Pritzl line from the latest Violet Burning cd.
Does this have any significance? |
WE: |
Actually, it IS Mike Pritzl. We recorded over a Violet
Burning tape and it just came out, so we left it. The lyrics
seemed to somewhat apply. |
bsj:
|
I
have to ask this ONE MORE TIME...is there any chance The Prayer
Chain will eventually regroup? |
WE: |
No. |
bsj:
|
It
just seemed that you guys were getting better with each release. A
lot of people, like me, were very influenced by the work of The
Prayer Chain. I know you were one of the first bands I recall
thinking, "Now there is a Christian band I can listen to." I
consider Mercury one of the best things done by any rock band.
Christian or not. |
WE: |
Shawl was very popular. So, we knew the audience would
diminish when they heard Mercury. We play for individuals -- the
people who understand. It just wasn't very commercially safe. I
feel the question of us breaking up has been covered a lot. Tim
preferred the Shawl sound and we didn't. |
bsj:
|
What prompted you to join Starflyer 59? |
WE: |
I met Jason at a Prayer Chain show and he asked me to play
drums at a Starflyer show the next weekend. That was about 2 1/2
years ago. I've been playing ever since. |
bsj:
|
What influence do you think you have had on the Starflyer sound?
|
WE: |
I think I've made it sound less calculated. Silver sounded
real precise. Gold was a little more dirty, and Americana has a
more desperate sound, especially live. |
bsj:
|
Both you and Eric been invloved in other projects since The Prayer
Chain. You recorded with The Choir and worked on the My Friend
Stephanie release. Eric produced Satellite Circle. Are there other
outside projects you can discuss? |
WE: |
I've done some additional production -- on Plankeye's
"Commonwealth" although I wasn't credited. I also co-produced
Steve Hindalong's solo record. I will be working on an authentic
disco record with Frank Lenz (Fold Zandura). |
bsj:
|
What music are you listening to these days? |
WE: |
I really like Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On," Tricky, and
"Pet Sounds" by the Beach Boys. |
bsj:
|
If
you were stranded on a deserted island and could take 10 records
or songs with you, what would they be? |
WE: |
Verve - "A Storm In Heaven"
Curve - "Radio Sessions"
Radiohead - "The Bends"
Metallica - "Injustice for All"
LSU - "Shaded Pain"
U2 - "Unforgettable Fire"
Sex Pistols - "Never Mind The Bollocks"
Abba - "Gold"
My Bloody Valentine - "Loveless"
|