|
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" |
