May 25, 2009
[To hear acoustic session and the audio for this interview, check out
the Addicted to Shows podcast on itunes or at www.myspace.com/addictedtoshows].
-Jackie
This interview was done with David James, Rob Pierce, Chris O’Keefe and Alvaro Gonzalez of the band Fate
Under Fire. Having just started out on their first tour, I asked them some questions about themselves and being out on the road.
Jackie: So where did you guys come up with the name, Fate Under Fire?
Rob: Well our perception of fate is sort of like a dead fish floating
downstream and we don’t really believe in that. We believe you kind of have to be motivated by yourself and accomplish things on your own. So Fate under Fire means we’re kind of putting fate in second place, under fire. And anytime you put fire under anything, it moves and fire is what’s under our butts and moving us.
Jackie: You guys are currently out on the road touring for the first time, how has that been so far?
David: It’s been cool. We’re only on our second show, I think.
Rob: You can tell it’s good when you don’t even remember how many days you’ve been doing it.
Jackie: Ok, this question may not work so well, but what’s the best venue you guys have played so far?
Chris: I liked Club Retro in Sac
Jackie: Do you guys have a dream venue you would play at if you could?
David: Staples Center. Actually, I like amphitheaters a lot. Playing
out during sunset or something
Chris: I think the Fillmore in San Francisco would be cool. It’s good size but it’s still personal and not too big.
Rob: I don’t know, Friar Tucks [in Pomona] was pretty awesome.
Jackie: You guys just celebrated the release of your EP this past Friday. How was that?
David: It’s good. It was really stressful getting it out on time, but I’m really proud and happy and all those good feelings.
Jackie: In a recent interview you mentioned recording the drums separately on your album like bands such as The Beatles used to do. How do you think that worked out?
David: Yeah we did that for some tracks, not all. We did it on “The Simple Things.” We would do just the drums snare kick and lay down that take. Then we would go back and go over it with the cymbals. Lots of bands do that: Queens of the Stone Age, Jimmy Eat World. It’s just something to play around with.
Jackie: “The Simple Things” is probably my favorite song. It’s very energetic. What inspired you to write it?
[band laughs]
David: It’s kind of a funny story actually. I had a warrant out for my arrest and had never had one of those before. And I know that’s the way the state does things to kind of convince you to do what they want you to do. But I had gotten a ticket on my car and one of my buddies was an officer so I had him sign off on it. Then I realized I could be getting my buddy in trouble by
bringing him into the situation and I didn’t want to be dragging him down with my own life so the song is basically about dragging someone else down with you.
Rob: The song evolved like crazy. It started out really simple and it
kind of turned into what it is now over a few months.
Jackie: Do you guys have a favorite song on the EP?
Rob: I like “Not Like You,” because I got to be extra creative on [the drum] parts. When I get to come up with stuff, it’s always really fun.
Chris: I like “Remember,” it’s just new and fresh.
David: I don’t know what mine is. I hate ‘em all. I’m tired of ‘em all from hearing them so often when we were mixing the album.
Jackie: Is there one person that does all the writing or do you guys share it?
Rob: Dave does the bulk of it. We all collaborate on hooks and pauses and starts and stops and all that stuff but, for the most part, the base of the songs are Dave’s idea. We do the typical band thing where we’ll start off with a riff and kind of branch off of that. After that, it’ll turn into a beautiful creation that millions of people can enjoy.
David: Yes millions of people, immediately.
Jackie: Ok, one more question: You’re on a deserted island with one record, a record player and one other person. What’s the record and who is the person?
Rob: Alvie hasn’t said crap so he gets to answer this one.
Alivaro: Record like right now of all time?
Jackie: It can be of all time.
Alvaro: I’m just gonna go with what I’ve been listening to lately. As for all time, there’s just no way I could pick. I’d take with me the new record by The Gallows because it’s just an awesome CD. The one person I’d take, since he’s the one that introduced me to The Gallows would be my buddy Andy. He’s a good friend and I always wanted to be surrounded by good company and by good friends. Kind of like I am right now.
[everyone lets out a simultaneous “Aww”]
Jackie: Alright, well thanks guys. I think we are
going to try out a little acoustic session here.
Released on May 22, 2009, Fate Under Fire is celebrating the release of their first EP The Simple Things.
