E: Chris, you drum for Junction18, a band that had a pair of releases off Fearless Records back in 2002 as well as an acclaimed split with Over It... recently, though, you seem to have dropped slightly from the eye of the scene. How would you explain the slow-down in band attention, and when do you see yourselves hitting the spotlight again?
Chris: Well, we've been staying home here in Boston, keeping low and writing songs. We�re just getting older. It�s hard to tour 10 months out of the year when you have rent to pay and other bills. We�d all love to do the band full time, but it's very rare that a band earns a living off of just being a band. And touring has expenses and we just can�t afford them all now, especially now that we're not signed. So I see us getting back in the spotlight when we put out our new record. We�ve been playing around the northeast and some of the new songs are getting a really good response. I think it'll be a solid record.
E: Do you think you'll be looking for a situation similar to what you had with Fearless when it comes time to release a new album?
Chris: We just want to work with someone who likes our music. That�s what comes first. It could be a major label or some indie label that�s only put out one record. At this stage of our careers we just want support and someone who believes that we're a good band.
E: How will the sound and style of your previous recordings prepare fans for what you're releasing in the future?
Chris: Well, I think if you follow the releases of Junction18, you can kind of sense what may be coming next. We�ve evolved with each release. But we always have that sound. People know Andy�s voice, and they can always expect melodic rock songs. The new stuff is different, but it has the same sort of flavor to it.
E: A lot of bands talk about how their style evolves between records. Do you think that this is the simply the natural result of time producing more experimentation? Or are there other factors?
Chris: That�s a good question. I can't really say what other bands do between albums, but I know our taste in music has changed as we've grown up. We don�t listen to the same music as we did six years ago, sometimes not even the same style. And personally for me, as a songwriter, when I hear a song that really moves me I want to try and incorporate some of the things that I think are interesting into one of my own songs. I guess that�s how music evolves. You play off of other artists. Some people think it's ripping bands off, and I suppose some are more blatant about it. I really just think most people in bands are music fans first and that definitely is how our sound changes or matures or whatever you want to call it.
E: Does the songwriting process change along with the style?
Chris: The process never changes for us. Andy�s the main guy. He writes all the lyrics. He comes up with 75 or 80 percent of everything we do. Sometimes it's a whole song, sometimes it's just an idea and the rest of us throw in our two cents. And then for every release we've done I might have one or two songs that I�ve written. Then everyone throws in their ideas over it. Our guitarists change the voicing of chords. Or nice guitar lead or solos put in there. And then we always try and tweak the arrangements until it feels right. You can always kind of tell when a song isn't quite finished. We try and work on that until we have a solid arrangement and hopefully, the best version of that song.
E: Are you hoping that what you write now will continue to impress the fans of what you wrote before? Or will the style change isolate some people?
Chris: I�m not sure how people will react to it. I�m sure our fans will like it. And anyone who likes good, poppy rock music will like it. That�s all I consider us to do, we write pop rock songs. I do figure that there are fans who only like our first record and want us to just recreate that over and over. But we couldn�t do that. We�re not looking to win critical acclaim. We just like hanging out and playing music. That�s always been what Junction18 is about to me. Being with some of your best friends and playing music, which I think is the most fun thing to do in the world.
E: So is your priority right now recording new material over touring?
Chris: Yes. You have to have a good product before you go on tour. I think the most important thing is just having good songs. Then bands will ask you to go on tour with them or you'll get offers from promoters to play shows. To me, the music always comes first and that's what will bring people out to see you a lot of the time.
E: What would you recommend as the best way to check out what the band's been up to, for those who are wondering "Whatever happened to Junction18"? Besides this interview, of course.
Chris: Well, if there are people who like our band that much, we're very accessible. I�ll even talk to fans through AIM, or email. And on myspace.com/junction18. Myspace is where we post our news and show info now. Other than that, I think it's up to us to get out and play when the record's finished. You know, show some people that we're a good band and that we are still around.
E: Great, well thanks a whole lot for taking the time.
Chris: Not a problem. |
