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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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Alex Bars - Guitar, Vocals Brendan Brown - Bass, Vocals Nate Patterson - Guitar Casey Crescenzo - Keyboard, Guitar, Vocals Andrew Cook - Drums |
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| Interview with Alex, Brendan, Casey, and Andrew February 18th, 2004 |
| E: The Receiving End Of Sirens offers a distinct and dangerously energetic sound that takes fierce control of its listener. How would you say the band came about developing its sound? Brendan: I think one thing that gives us the sound we have is the multiple influences we each bring to the table. I mean, we each listen to different stuff, and when we blend it together, it makes TREOS. Andrew: There wasn't any planning involved when we started the band as far as how we wanted to sound... we all come from a variety of influences and different musical backgrounds. Luckily we just found that we had a good chemistry when it came to putting our ideas together. E: When it comes to songwriting, is it usually a group process with everyone in the same room working together? Or does one person come up with a basic concept, and everyone else adds to on their own time? Andrew: Our songs usually stem from riffs that either Brendan, Nate, or now Casey will come up with. Alex: A song will start with a guitar riff or chorus or breakdown idea... we will then develop the idea further in the apartment with the guitars and bring it to the practice space. Andrew: Exactly. Brendan: Lately as far as melody goes, Andrew has been writing a lot of the lyrics, and we have all been sitting around working on the melodies and whatnot. E: Once a song has been recorded or is deemed "ready to record," is it generally left as it is? Or do you think that a song can still be altered afterwards for live shows and such? Alex: From what we've experienced, before we record the song we have made many changes, and altered various parts. Before we record the song, we all agree on the basic form. After we recorded the demo, the songs basically remained the same. Andrew: We are always tweaking little parts of our songs. We are very hard on ourselves when it comes to making songs the best they can be. Brendan: We are alla bout making the song live up to its fullest potential, and if it means reworking it for months and practicing it over and over again, we are down. In the end it is well worth it. Andrew: Most definitely. Casey: We won't record a song until we feel as though it is the best it can be. So by the time we record it we have pretty much all come to the conclusion that it is the best we can make it at the time. E: How much time would you say is spent working on a song before it's deemed ready to record? Casey: I think it depends. Some songs are ready after only a few times of trying them out. Alex: Could be weeks, could be months. We don't record until we believe the song is at its maximum potential. Casey: I think that it depends on a case-to-case basis... some songs just come together so easily and feel right all the way, though. Alex: Agreed. Casey: And some songs, there is always something that bothers us, that we have to keep going back and working out. But for the most part, even when we are happy with a song, I think we push and push to make it better, until there is a deadline to record it. Brendan: You guys have summed it up perfectly. Casey: Sometimes the rock is overwhelming, and we have to turn it down a notch. E: What do you think is the strongest aspect of your career as a band? Casey: Live show! Alex: Live show. Andrew: Yeah, I think the live show... and our relationships amongst ourselves. Brendan: But I think we have a pretty unique sound... and songwriting. As you will see with our new material, I think we are also touching upon something that has never been done before. That in itself will draw attention to us. E: So would you say that you can always find ways to improve on a band? Andrew: Definitely. Brendan: Most certainly, as we will prove to everyone as soon as our first show back. Alex: I think that's a safe bet. We're always maturing musically. E: Do you think that improvement comes naturally through experience, or are there ever specific flaws that you sit down and address directly as a band? Andrew: Both are true, I think. Alex: Both. Brendan: I think it's a mixture of both. We learn from our mistakes but we still have a ton of work to do. Each practice we try and address a few things to hone in on, though. Andrew: As far as things we sit down and address... there is the issue of us fooling around at practice and wasting time. We hate when we do that... but somehow we always end up doing it. Brendan: Except Nate. He is always very focused. Andrew: But I think natural improvement comes when bands in general grow close as friends and become closer and closer and more comfortable with each other. E: Is TREOS different from other experiences you've had as musicians? Andrew: Most definitely. Brendan: Yes. So much different. Alex: It's definitely the most serious band I've been in and the most talented group of members. Brendan: As far as songwriting and everything, it just feels much more comfortable and natural. Andrew: Definitely. It's the first time I have ever been in a band where I truly liked everyone in the band. *Laughs* E: What do you think is necessary when it comes to starting a group? Alex: Getting along. Andrew: And that you have the same goals in mind. We kind of messed up on that the first time around. Brendan: Loving music and music loving. Loving each other, and similar future goals. Andrew: You really have to make sure that if you want to have any sort of future making music together that you are in it for the same reasons. And want to do similar things. Brendan: You must have ROCK in your blood. E: How do bandmates differ from regular friends? Brendan: I think the biggest difference is the amount of time you have to spend with each other. Andrew: There is just that extra something there that really draws you closer to them. Reason being, I think music is--or should be--a very personal thing, and when you share a big part of yourself with someone--anyone--it automatically brings you closer together. Brendan: And there is a special bond you share with each other when collectively creating something held so close to all of your hearts. That isn't like any other friendship. Andrew: Yeah, totally. E: How do you think living together affects the band? Andrew: Now there are no limits on when we can work together. Ideas are always flowing. Alex: Much more communication as songwriters and as friends. Brendan: We have a ton more time to work on the music, and it becomes more of a group effort. Before it was like... we would be calling each other and trying to play parts over the phone. That gets old real fast. Casey: I think it forces you in a good way to work out your problems. E: What character traits must be present... what must be accomplished... for a band to make it on the scene? Alex: Ability to compromise, work well with others, see others' points of view. Motivation... the drive to create the best music possible. Everyone in the group needs to connect with the songs. Brendan: I think genuineness and sincerity are two very important things both the music and the members of the band must have in order to make a true connection with their fans. Casey: I think to make it into any given scene, the audience needs to see that what you are doing is straight from your heart. That you didn't manufacture any part of it... so they can connect with you, and not just something you do. Brendan: Along with extreme passion and determination. Just these past few months we have gone through so much... most people would have given up, but we have made a life decision to make music not just a hobby, but a career. E: How would you say that music is comparable or different to other forms of art, like painting or poetry? Casey: I think that the best music is like the best painting or poetry. The really good stuff appeals to all the senses. A good painting makes you feel like you are there, and you can smell and taste and feel and hear what is going on. Brendan: I couldn't agree more. And they are all obviously positive ways people express themselves. E: Do you think the musician is born different than those destined for other careers? Brendan: I think that some people were born with a natural advantage over others. Some people are more musically inclined than others, genetically and all. But I don't think that should limit anyone. Alex: True. Casey: I believe all artists are born different. They are the ones who look past what can be felt or seen. They look for that extra side of life... I just mean they are born with the drive. Some people are perfectly fine living in a geometric world. Some people want to bend the shapes. E: Do you feel that music does something to shape those who play it? Brendan: I think that the person moreso shapes the music. Music is a piece of all of us. But I guess it can go both ways. Alex: Music evokes certain emotions that may not usually be seen in a person. Casey: I think that if it's powerful enough, you can't help it. But I do think that the music brings out a side of us that isn't usually there. E: Is the band your current aspiration, or do you have plans beyond it? Casey: To take this band as far as possible is probably the common goal. Alex: All of us would like to make a living off of music, and as long as we have enough money to support ourselves, we will be happy. Brendan: Exactly. As of now I think we all have a bunch of different aspirations seperately, but as for a group thing I think making TREOS successful is our main aspiration. E: Do you expect the band to change as the scene surrounding it changes? Casey: No. Brendan: I would say no. Casey: I think the music will change the scene. Brendan: I think we are a completely separate entity from "the scene," as far as how our music sounds. We play what we love and will continue to do so. As time goes on I'm sure our collective tastes will as well. E: Well, it's been an enjoyable and thought-provoking interview. Anything else you have to say, anyone to thank? Brendan: I think we're all set. Sorry for taking so long to get this done--you were a great interviewer. It was a pleasure. Casey: Indeed. Alex: Thanks, man. |