Driven Far Off

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Archives for 2007

The Rocket Summer Interview

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You’re about to put out a new record and it will probably blow up but what inspires you and keeps you moving?

I know that I play music to try to bring hope. I went through some rough times in my life where I feel like I was pulled out of a lot of crap supernaturally so when people say that this music has affected them in terrible times of their life, that’s what keeps me going.

What is the record “Do You Feel” about? Is there any constant themes running through the whole album?

There are definitely different themes on the record. But as far as the song Do You Feel as well as a few others the theme of wanting to do greater things for our world but not because our own daily issues get in the way is a theme that goes throughout the album. It’s something I’ve been dealing with in my own life so naturally it came out in this record.

I’ve heard brief things as to what the song “a song is not a business plan” is about but for those haven’t can you go into a little about what it’s about and how the song came about?

I wrote that song on a day where I felt a tad discouraged about my hard work and feeling the pressures to write music like_________ insert brand new cutesy emo band names that all sound alike that had just formed. I wrote it after my van broke down for the 100th time on the side of the road. Ha, it’s definitely got a hint of bitterness. But it’s something that I got over but was immortalized in a song ha.

You played all the instruments on your other records, is that the case for the newest one as well?

I played all of the instruments on “Do You Feel” except for the Horns on So Much Love and High Life Scenery. We got some slammin good dudes to play those, actually the guys who played on Stevie Wonder’s Sir Duke.

Is touring something that has become second nature or something that you get excited about? What are some of the hard things about being gone for 3 months at a time?

Touring is honestly my life. We are freakin road dogs. We play hundreds of shows a year and it honestly doesn’t really get old, it’s what I do. The only thing that gets old is when you get sick and need to go the DR. or need a check up or something and you have zero days off and you’re across the world. It’s harder to take care of yourself.

Who are some of the bands that you are good friends with have they influenced you music at all?

We’ve toured with a lot of great bands, hellogoodbye, Relient K, ash, the format. Tons of bands! As far as if they have influenced the sound of my music, probably not but they are great dudes who write great music so … maybe?

Let’s talk about “to write love on her arms” for minute. How did you get involved with the charity and why did you?

Renee, the girl who it was originally based on is a friend of mine so it was natural to get involved. TRS is very much a thing that is full of wanting to help so we try to get involved with things like this as well as invisible children and other things.

What are some of the records you’ve been listening to lately? What have been some of your favorites to come out this year?

I love the new Ryan Adams record and I LOVE the new Wilco.

Was the jump to a major label simply a progressive one in the time line of the band or were there more reasons? If so what are some of the things you hope to accomplish by being on a major label?

It was time I think. I think I’m ready for the challenges of being on a major and hopefully more people will hear the music because of it.

What are your thoughts on the music industry, what are the problems that affect you as an artist?

It’s definitely changing and I’m thrilled that I’m in a place where I can do this for a living. There are plenty of problems with it though so I don’t know where to start. My record comes out in 4 days that I have put my life into for a year; I have no room in my life for negativity about the music industry. I can’t afford it, must be all good vibes!

Everything is moving in the digital direction, do you have any thoughts on the DRM (Copy protection) issue?

I think if a record has affected you and you like it, then you should buy it. It’s not easy starving to make records. I would love to continue to make music and people; it’s in your hands.

Foo Fighters Tracklisting

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Taken from foofighters.com

Tracklist for Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace is as follows (sequence TBD):

The Pretender
Let It Die
Erase/Replace
Long Road To Ruin
Come Alive
Stranger Things Have Happened
Cheer Up, Boys (Your Make-Up Is Running)
Summers End
Ballad Of The Beaconsfield Miners
Statues
But, Honestly
Home

The Album drops on September 25th

#’s Game

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With the release of a bunch of high profile albums this Tuesday I was trying to guess how many each would sell. My guesses are below, add yours in the comments

The Rocket Summer: 10K
MxPx: 5K
Yellowcard: 23K
Rooney: 15K

Boys Night Out Interview – July 13th, 2007

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Boys Night Out

Thanks so much to Jerry from Warm Fuzzy PR, and Connor of Boys Night Out for their time!

Thank you for the opportunity for this interview, could please state your name and role in the band.
They call me Connor. I sing for the rock & roll outfit known as Boys Night Out. Thank YOU for the opportunity to enhance my typing and communication skills.

As it says in your bio, the self-titled album is a definitive statement. Is this the direction the music will be taking in the future?
It does say that in the bio, doesn’t it? Neat. Well, for us the ultimate goal when writing this record was to have a collection of songs that we would want to play over and over again; something that defines us as we are at this moment in time. Having achieved that goal, who’s to say what the future holds? I generally prefer to leave the future to its own devices and instead, focus on the present. Maybe the next record will be a collection of campfire songs. Who knows?

I’ve really enjoyed listening to the album this past week. Did you intentionally attempt to make a catchier, possibly more commercial records?
First of all, thanks for enjoying your listening experience. As far as an intentional foray into the “commercial” realm is concerned, I would say no. To this day I still think that most of what’s considered modern “commercial” music is – for the most part – boring and unoriginal. Obviously there are exceptions, but those exceptions just help prove the rule. Now, making a “catchier” record? I’m for it! Sign me up! I’ve always liked songs that I can sing along to, but that ultimately has something to say. This record is definitely more “chorus based” (hookier? Is that a word?) than our past efforts. In the end, if commercial radio wants to come hang out with us…hell…we’re down – but, we wouldn’t want to have to sacrifice our own voice to have a seat at their table.

Lou Giordano has been responsible for so many hit records, when you were writing the album did you feel that you wanted him to produce it?
Actually, working with Lou was a happy accident. Originally we had planned to do the album with somebody else (who ultimately had to back out in order to work on something more “lucrative”). After that, we learned that Lou happened to be available and enthusiastic about working on the same kind of record that we were looking to make. After we had looked into some of the other albums he had produced we decided that it would be a goddamn foolish mistake to pass up a chance to work with somebody of Lou’s caliber. He’s amazing at what he does, and he understood exactly where we wanted to go with this record. It was a great pairing.

What is the song writing process like for the band?
Generally somebody (Jeff, most often…but, more recently Dave and Andy as well) will bring the beginnings of a song to the rest of the band and we’ll all build something around the skeleton. One of my favorite things about being a part of this band is that everybody brings something unique to the table for every song. Once we have the instrumental foundations ready to go, the song is mine to do whatever I want – lyrically – with it. There are variations on that process, but that’s how it’s usually done.

Individually, what are some of your musical influences?
We all grew up in the punk rock / hardcore / emo / indie scene of Southern Ontario in the early to mid 90’s and some of us had even spent time playing together in various other bands. Our music has always reflected that musical upbringing. On top of that basic, underlying foundation we pretty much all enjoy listening to pretty much anything from old folk / gospel / country / music from the 20’s and 30’s to classic rock from the 60’s and 70’s to metal bands from the 70’s and 80’s to well… basically we dig music in general. On any given day, in our van you’ll hear anything from The Carter Family to Pantera. From Bob Dylan to Cap’n Jazz. From CCR to Third Eye Blind. From 7 Seconds to Joanna Newsom. We like jams…we LOVE jams.

Do you feel that an old vibe is back in the group with Ben Arseneau returning?
Definitely. It’s essentially like a family reunion with Shitty Ben back in the band. He’s the Bees Knees.

How has the current tour been? Also what are the future touring plans for the rest of the year?
So far it’s been a blast. The shows have been great and all the dudes in June, Emanuel and Olympia are always down to party. We had to cancel today’s show in Baltimore due to me getting my damn-fool-self sick and not being able to sing, but other than that it’s been totally radical. Once we finish this headlining tour we’ll be meeting up with Scary Kids Scaring Kids and touring with them until the end of August. After that we’re planning on traveling across Canada and then possibly heading down to Australia for a week or so. Basically our schedule is jam packed for the rest of the year.

How do you spend your down time while on the road?
It varies. Sometimes we’ll go out to a bar or two. Maybe have a hotel jam. Read a delightful novel. Play some Scrabble. Maybe even take in some fine cinema. Any time’s a good time for anything.

Is there a big transition from playing in Canada to playing in the U.S.?
Not at all It’s remarkably similar actually. Our Countries may differ politically or what have you, but a rock concert is a rock concert no matter what side of the border you’re on.

What gave you the idea to create the mockumentary “Dude, You Need to Stop Dancing?”
Uh…Well… we’re idiots and we like making fun of ourselves. We then combined that love with a parody of bands we’ve met and toured with who take themselves way too seriously. What you end up with is what came out of “Dude…”

Who created the concept for the new video for “Up With Me”?
That would be the brilliant and charming Marc Ricciardelli who also happened to direct the video. Visually, the video portrays – eerily well – what the song was saying musically and lyrically. Marc was also responsible for the video to our song “Medicating.”

I found Trainwreck to be one of the best concept albums made; do you have any desire to write another one down the line?
ThankYa kindly. That’s some pretty high praise, dude. Would we make another one, though? Perhaps. We’d have to have a really strong story to tell before we even thought about it, though.

What is the story behind the song “Let Me Be Your Swear Word?”
There’s no real story, really. It’s more of a collection of stories. I’ll leave it at that since I’ve never really been a fan of explaining lyrics too much. Take from that puppy what you will.

I cannot thank you enough for your time; do you have any final thoughts or statements for our readers?
You’re welcome. It was my pleasure. It was a good way to spend some time while I rest up and get ready for tomorrow’s show in Virginia Beach. Final thoughts or statements? Well…uh…check out our new record. Check out our website (http://boysnightout.com) for tour dates and come say hi. Check out the video for “Up With Me.” Also… remember kids music is everywhere. Some of the best music out there isn’t being featured in magazines or played on the television/radio. Seek it out. Rock and roll.