ROB: Eh...
CHRIS: Fairly well.
STEVEN M: I'm a happy guy.
STEVEN K: Doing good, how about you?
VMU: Not too shabby. What's the lineup? Where are you all from?
STEVEN M: Chris is from Newton, I'm from Alamance County, Rob hails from Fayetteville and Kessler & Gary both live in Wake Forest. All in North Carolina. The lineup is Chris Kilburn [voicebox], Steven Meyers [guitars, percussion], Rob Lee [guitars], Steven Kessler [guitars], Gary Collins [bass] & Graham Youngblood [keyboards, programming].
VMU: How many releases have you put out and who produced?
CHRIS: No official releases as of yet.
STEVEN M: However be looking for a special edition EP coming here in the next month, followed by an assault of live shows. God only knows how many burned CD's there are of us floating around here.
ROB: Just small rough demo disks that we produced ourselves to tease people with.
STEVEN K: We have no true releases out for the public and that sucks. But in the production everybody puts there input in so that it is a collective effort.
STEVEN M: And you can still go to our fan page (http://myspace.com/fromliesthatweretold) to download or stream new mixes.
VMU: Were the recordings done digital or analog? (if comps what programs)
CHRIS: Ask the guys LOL
ROB: Digital wit' Cool Edit.
STEVEN M: She dreams in digital. I've been home recording bands for years, starting back in high school with four tracks and working up to multitracking programs such as Sonar and the like. For the past few years I've been addicted to Cool Edit Pro, it's the main program I used to produce the Myspace tracks. At one point or another I've utilized Orion Pro into the mix, which is an excellent drum & wav module for any artist, period. We've got Jesse Moorefield along with Graham and myself engineering the current EP & future LP releases.
VMU: How did the band form?
Chris: Through Steven Meyers.
ROB: I met Steven while I was going through chemotherapy and dug samples he would let me hear. I was talkin' to him when he found Chris and then when they became official he offered me the spot. It was a month or so after I finished all my chemotherapy, so it was perfect timing. Meanwhile all this he held contact with Graham and was tryin' to make him a permanent member. A few weeks later he got me he got Kess' and Gary. Bunch of cool dudes...and chick. ;D
SK: Well God came down and said, "Hey you guys should be in a band together and rock the socks off of everyone." Ok, I responded to an add in Raleighmusic.com for a guitarist. I had a try out and I guess I passed seeing that I have been playing with the band since.
STEVEN M: I may have had something to do with it, I posted that ad. LOL The songs that Chris and I created were too special to not do anything with. Her voice is gold and it shines like nothing I've heard before. Why not start a band? In the end I ended up posting ads on local bulletin boards and sites, looking for what I wanted, building it piece by piece. With the lineup now, we're unstoppable.
VMU:
Do you prefer live or studio recording?
ROB: Live is always what's up.
CHRIS: Both are okay.
STEVEN: Each has their pros and cons, it really depends on what is
actually being recorded. As a preference, I prefer clean recording, so
whatever makes it the cleanest :) Best mics are budget allows, fastest PC's
known to man to run all the crap we have LOL. Most of it's a big secret
though. A voice in my head says I shouldn't tell you.
SK: Both have there positive points. In the studio I get to be a true
perfectionist and have everything come out correctly. Yet live recording, well
its live and playing in front of people is the greatest thing for the
emotional content.
VMU: How's the local music scene in your home town?
CHRIS: Everyone belongs to some sort of band around here, so I'd say it's
large.
ROB: It's pretty happenin' down in Fayetteville, not sure about the
other cities. But lately it's been a big thing compared to maybe 3-4yrs ago; a
lot of talent these days.
STEVEN M: Saxapahaw? Music scene? LMAO yeah right. Go west young man,
go WEST...
SK: Excellent, many upon many talented bands can be found in our area.
For the most part all of them are great people as well. The guys from Whacking
Day and Solaris especially.
SM: Whacking Day kicks ass. Their live show is sic.
"Music is a platform, if you want to express
what you feel more power to you, its been done for years." - SK
VMU: What do you express in your lyrics?
CHRIS: You'll never pull one over so don't waste either of our time
trying.
STEVEN M: Yeah, and we'll kick your ass too. While we trade stocks.
VMU: How do you feel about other artists expressing their beliefs in music?
(religious or political)
CHRIS: To each its own, as long as they leave me out of it! LOL
STEVEN M: Art is life. As long as anything is marketable someone will
find a staple to create their musical weapon for whatever cause they support.
I'd just rather make music for the sake of making music and getting paid for
doing what I love, not snowballing a cause with my art. That's why I love
working with these guys because we're all on the same wavelength.
ROB: I dig people that express any feeling / subject through their
music, so long as they do it for themselves really before anyone else. Don't
rant about religion, politics, or cash-money and hos just 'cause that's what's
hot right now. At least desire it first. ;/
SK: Music is a platform, if you want to express what you feel more
power to you, its been done for years. Some of my favorite bands are actually
the most political active ones out there to date. Not only are these bands
making great music they are also giving people awareness to the world that we
live in.
VMU: Could you explain in detail the gear you use?
ROB: I have a Ibanez GAX75 through a Marshall AVT275 combo amp,
accentuated with a digital delay and distortion pedal - both BOSS pedals. I
plan to add on to this set up greatly, so if you can donate to my fund, please
do. ;D
STEVEN M: No. LOL It's a secret.
CHRIS: A microphone and my vocal chords. :)
SK: Fender Princeton chorus amp. Jim Dunlop Cry baby wah, DOD Supra
Distortion, Boss Flanger, Zoom 510 multi effect, Boss Acoustic simulator.
Gibson Gothic edition SG.
VMU: Who are your musical influences?
ROB: Hm, musically, there are a lot..., too many to mention. But probably
as far as my guitar playin' goes, I'd say Glassjaw, Deftones, Norma Jean, and
my boy Rusty from Forever July (a Fayetteville local band).
CHRIS: I have musicians that made me want to pursue singing but I doubt
I sound similar to any of them lol. These are: Pink Floyd, Heart, Sarah
Mclachlan, Jewel, and of course Fuel! (too many to name)
STEVEN M: Nine Inch Nails, Faith No More (big Mike Patton fan, Mr.
Bungle, Fantomas, the Dillinger album), Dillinger Escape Plan while I think of
it, Type O, Genitorturers, Marilyn Manson, Postal Service, I could go on and
on.
SK: Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson, 7 Seconds, The Clash, Velvet Acid
Christ, Black Flag, Local H, Boy Sets Fire, The Offspring, Spineshank, Minor
Threat, Deftones, The Mars Volta, The Cure, System Of a Down, Dave Navarro,
The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Snake River Conspiracy, Dead Kennedy's, Reel Big
fish, Blood for blood.
VMU: Any tours in the works?
CHRIS: Not as of yet.
STEVEN M: Oh yes there is. Right after we drop the EP. <wink>
SK: Hope so.
VMU: How did you do the recording process live or 1 on 1?
CHRIS: I'll have to go with one on one.
ROB: 1 on 1. I'd LOVE to record while playin' live though.
STEVEN M: All of the vocals were recorded at Chris' house. I drove out
there and she laid them down over a period of two sessions. The instruments
were all done at my house. And now we're recording the EP & LP in Chapel Hill
with state of the are studio equipment.... in a house. Home recorders unite!
SK: One on one sometimes... One on two, Kinda kinky is it not?
SM: LMFAO
VMU: How do you feel about the mainstream music scene? (USA and overseas)
ROB: It's mainly declined in a lot of ways to me. I prefer underground /
indy bands. Even underground rap artists. It seems most bands just stop tryin'
so hard when they've got it made. Not sure if I blame them, it's just how it
is. They make changes just tryin' to make the next big buck, switchin' up too
much; just bad corporate-like decisions. I donno...
SM: Too many pre-fabricated pussy-pop bands that sell whatever happens
to be in the Hot Topic window. Straight out. Like I'm gonna sell my soul for a
dollar. Maybe my liver... now that's an idea. Anyone want a liver?
CHRIS: It is what it is I guess. If you like it awesome, if you don't
great. I like alot of what's going on and theres plenty that I don't like
about it. Then again who am I to give my opinion on it lol.
SK: It is hard to find true talent these days when music is pooped out
of an giant industrial machine called pop music.
VMU: Any deals in the works?
STEVEN M: Are you offering? Don't think we're gonna eat the first meal
that comes to us because we're hungry.
CHRIS: My hands are just itching.
ROB: Any record label that likes the sound we provide and can make a
good deal - shoot it our way, we're interested. I emphasize GOOD DEAL.
SK: Hopefully.
VMU: New recordings in the works?
SK: Many!
ROB: Yes, we're gonna come out with all sorts of shit. We're attacking
the scene sans mercy very soon.
CHRIS: When isn't there?
STEVEN M: Yeah for real. We're doing the EP & LP now, and if you want
to know more about it stay posted to our Myspace fan page. We made it for you.
:)
VMU: Any advise to other indie bands?
ROB: Utilize all there is to promote yourself. Not just one thing or the
other.
STEVEN M: Don't quit your day job. You'll need it because all musicians
are dirt poor before they attack da bling bling. Just because we're in a band
that everyone happens to love and we kick ass doesn't mean we're rich. If
there's any money we've made from popularity, I haven't seen it!!! WHERE DA
MONEY??!! I needs my Oodles n Noodles.
CHRIS: If you really want it, stay focused on what it is that you do to
make yourself stand apart from the rest. Most importantly never ever try to
imitate or keep up with influential artist because you'll just be known as
another one of those.
SK: Get out of our way or we will stomp your faces in. Be talented, and
have a good drive or you are not going to get any where.
SM: And take some damn pride in your band. Don't be afraid to say what
is on your mind, and have the balls to back yourself up. And don't be afraid
to take corrective criticism from those who have been there and know what it's
like. And last but not least, live like the rockstar that you are.
VMU: Do any of you own a home studio? (what gear)
SM: Just a simple home setup. I won't let you peek.
SK: Mine was abducted.
VMU: Why do you do what you do in music?
SK: It is honestly like breathing, I just do it, and I must do it to
survive. To live a day with out hearing or playing music would be death.
ROB: I love creating and expressing myself. I've lived art all my life
and I've devoured every medium. This medium will pay me one day.
CHRIS: Simply because I have to.
STEVEN M: Because if I didn't, I'd kill people.
VMU: Thank you so much for your time!! Any last words?
SK: Make sure you zip your fly or seagulls will get ya!
ROB: Wish us luck.
STEVEN M: We're gonna take over the world.
CHRIS: Thanks for the opportunity to voice my opinion and your taking
an interest in us.
VM UNDERGROUND
FEB 23 2005