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| ::Interviews:: |
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| review & interview content, as well as web site graphics & design, copywrite 2003-2004 Euphonia Online. use of materials granted only with reasonable purposes. |
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| interviewed by robby sumner |
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| Interview with Anthony July 10th, 2004 |
Julio Marin - Vocals J.C. Lopez - Guitar, Vocals Ariel Arro - Guitar Anthony Lopez - Bass Nate Van Dame - Drums |
| E: So Anthony, with everything that has happened since the band started, would you say that Glasseater has been a success so far? Anthony: Yeah, of course. E: What is it that the band has accomplished that you think helps classify it as having been successful? Anthony: Well, we've played tons of festivals... Warped Tour, several times... toured the entire U.S. numerous times... released four records... and we've gained a huge fanbase. We're going to Japan, we've met tons of bands, and we've played with tons we never thought we would. And we've made lifelong friends. E: Everything is Beautiful When You Don't Look Down is the name of the most recent album by Glasseater, which was released almost a year ago... do you think that, with the new experiences you've had since that last album, the material on the band's next release will have a more mature, refined sound? Anthony: It's still too early to tell what the new stuff is going to sound like... but I wouldn't say it will be more mature, because our recent release was very mature. If anything, the sound will evolve or take different shapes depending on how the songwriting process goes, and what else happens between now and then. E: The band is a member of Victory Records... how does the label help make the songwriting/recording process easier for the band? Anthony: Well, they front the money for the recording, so that counts for something. E: Is the band generally aware of the ongoings of the more dull, business-related aspects of the band's career? Anthony: Of course--it deals with us. Why wouldn't we know? E: With all the time the band spends touring, do you think you feel more at home in a house or in a van/hotel? Anthony: That all depends... we'll usually stay with friends, and we usually prefer that over a hotel... a hotel is always nice, but we prefer hanging out with friends. The van sucks, 'cause it has no A/C... but sometimes we have to sleep there, 'cause we're either broke or we have to drive overnight. E: Glasseater has been on a series of different labels since it got started--how many differences are there between one record company and the next? Anthony: There's a ton of differences in every label, since all labels have their own way of dealing with bands, finances, support, marketing, etc. E: How extensive have you found your fanbase to be? Anthony: Japan... Indonesia... South America... the U.K.... Hawaii... Canada... Australia... Taiwain... E: What characteristics define a "good" or "true" fan? Anthony: One that supports us in any way possible. E: How do bands help each other out, both at home and on tour together? Anthony: Well, for home, I'm guessing by trading shows, networking, and setting up shows or tours together... on tour, bands are pretty much like your roommates--you hang out at the show and sometimes go out to eat together or caravan... exchange stories and all that kind of stuff. It's pretty neat, 'cause sometimes you're in a city where you barely know anyone, but you have the other bands to hang out with, talk to or whatever. E: Are the relationships you form with members of the band different from most other relationships? Anthony: Yes and no. They're different in a sense that when you're on tour, you experience and see things that you wouldn't normally see with other friends, so you develop this kind of bond with bands... which is cool, and you have tons of memories to last. E: Have other bands you've been involved with affected your music at all? Anthony: Nah, I wouldn't go so far as to say any band that we have been on tour with has affected our music... but we definitely learn a lot from bands that we tour with. E: Can you remember your first time on an extensive tour? What's different now? Anthony: Hmm... not really--we've had so many... but I can tell you the difference. Back then we were paying for things on our own... this time, it's a little easier, but still somewhat of a struggle to manage the finances... and at first, we missed our families and friends dearly. Now, we still miss them the same, but it's easier to say "Bye! I'm leaving on tour!" than it was back then. E: Are there specific stories the band finds time to tell, or does the whole lifestyle seem to blur? Anthony: Nah, there's tons of stories to tell... from Julio getting arrested to a random Good Samaritan lending us his truck to finish a tour to eating for four hours at the Bellagio to our old roadie calling an escort... etc. E: Has the band's food gotten better since it started? Anthony: Yeah, slightly better, but there's only so many places to go eat after shows late at night. E: What about the band has stayed the same? Anthony: Our attitudes and ambition towards what we do... our random stupid jokes... Julio not having a license... Ariel still smelling... J.C. still being the dad... and me still being Chinese. E: Do you think that the bandmates knowing each other as well as they do has an impact on the success of the group? Anthony: I'm sure it has some kind of effect, considering that we're all great friends and know how to deal with each other and work problems out. E: Would it be possible to be as close as you are if all of you were never in a band together? Anthony: Could be possible... but doubtful, because we met each other through friends, 'cause J.C., Ariel, and Julio were starting a band, and that's how I met those guys. So if it weren't through a mutual friend introducing us for that matter, we wouldn't have ended up being friends. E: When the band eventually comes to an end, what do you hope to have left the world with? Anthony: I dunno... friendship, inspiration, an open mind, and a fond memory of who we were and how much we love what we do. E: Well, thanks a ton for talking with us. Anthony: No problem, man--thanks for the interview. |