Repeater Music

Sikth, August 06

2006-12-03T12:24:00.000-08:00

You seem to have been away for what seems an eternity since the 'The trees are dead and dried out' ‘era. First I feel I should say welcome back and ask what you've been up to during your time away?

It’s good to be back. We’ve been crafting an album that we are proud of. Signing a great record deal in America and recording our album out there. Putting this album out and some touring. That kind of shit.

Your new album ‘Death of a dead day’ has recently been released. How was the recording process this time out and how has it been received so far?

The recording process was long and painful but ultimately worth every bit. It’s been received brilliantly.

You chose to produce this album yourselves. Is this a process you feel most comfortable with and something you will continue to do? Or is there someone out there who you would really like to work with?

Colin Richardson wanted to do it but he was busy with Bullet For My Valentine. I spoke to him on the phone to try and make it work but we couldn’t compete with their budget. So we went down the route of recording it ourselves with a great engineer. I do a lot of recording anyway so I know my way around pro-tools.

I would love to work with Andy Wallace – or even Ross Robinson, preferably both.

For people that have heard your predecessor what can they expect from this album? Some bands make a conscience effort not to re-create their previous album? Is this something that was ever on your mind?

We make a conscious effort not to re-create previous songs, let alone previous albums. No SikTh song ever sounds the same. That’s why our albums take so long to compose. We went through many moods and many seasons with this album but the general vibe was faster, heavier and more evil without losing any originality.

How do you feel the metal scene has progressed since you've been away? With more bands embracing technical ability in their song writing and with the emergence of websites such as Myspace, does it feel easier in terms of gaining recognition and exposure. Does it feel any different?

I think the emergence of Myspace is fantastic if you have something ‘good’ to say with your music. Obviously the bad side is the difficulty in escaping the utter rubbish that exists in modern metal as it’s thrown in your face now.

I don’t feel that ‘Metal’ has progressed at all. Sure, there are the underground handful doing something unique, but generally ‘metal’ these days is terrible as it’s lost its purpose in music.

Great Metal used to be created to spark a reaction – to unleash anger – to make you think and was always (along with jazz and classical composing) at the forefront of pushing music forward technically. But these days it is purely created by the masses as a career move… hmmm… Teacher? Fireman? Astronaut? Heavy metal guitarist? It’s a fucking joke.

Some people would say you have quite a unique sound compiled from a number of influences. Who are your biggest influences and who would you note as your most bizarre influence?

We collectively love Pantera and Metallica. They are our TRUE influences. Then we branch out into our own wild tastes… Level 42, Stevie Wonder, The Doors…

One aim that we share while writing is creating original, challenging metal without being abstract and indulgent. We want people to listen to SikTh and enjoy it – not be offended by it. That desire comes from years of listening to Pantera and Metallica, two bands that could be extreme, dark and really aggressive without losing their focus on the main point - ‘the song’.

What were you reasons for leaving Gut Records and moving to Bieler Bros. Do you feel a smaller label such as Bieler Bros are able to offer you more?

Gut had lost control of what they wanted from SikTh. We weren’t willing to stay but they weren’t willing to let us go. We had to walk from a lot of dosh to get out of that deal but shit happens. Protecting our name as a band is far more important than money to us. Being on Bieler Bros. is a different entity altogether – they ‘get it’, they have been long-term fans and their patience has not only been satisfying but heartening; it’s good to know that not everyone in this industry is an impatient prick. Jason Bieler knows he’s on to something special with SikTh – it could blow up for him or be a complete commercial failure – he is aware of that more than anyone. We will not fail though - it’s not in our nature to fail.

You recently played the Download Festival. How did that go?

Download 06 was the greatest SikTh gig to date. I’m told the security had to stop letting people in due to over crowding. It ruled and we were tighter than a nun.

You have a large tour coming up in October. Did you miss being on the road?

Yes – very much… but we have been touring quite a bit. Japan, France, UK.

What else is in store for Sikth in 2006?

New video for the telly. A US tour hopefully too, return to Ireland… also we have started writing Album Three for fun.

Quasi, August 18, Bristol Cub

2006-12-03T12:06:00.000-08:00

A band passing the 10-year mark in today’s climate can be considered a success in its own right, irrespective of musical achievement. It can be said that Quasi have found this landmark more than a little challenging. Divorce, (the original White Stripes in more ways than one), poverty and side projects basking in critical acclaim are just a few of the obstacles placed in Quasi’s path. This makes their 7 studio albums and 13 years as a band particularly admirable and a lesson for those too readily to give up. On tonight’s evidence there is a little sign of hard times or inter-band drama. What we capture is an honest rock band enjoying what they do and enjoying each other. Tonight I caught up with front man Sam Coombes for the run down on all things Quasi (and Sleater Kinney).

On my arrival to the venue I could hear Quasi sound checking in the adjacent room and clearly having a blast. When I question Sam about the secret of a fun soundcheck he protests somewhat obviously ‘Soundchecks can be pretty miserable. We got caught on a good day. On this tour we brought along our own sound engineer. It’s helpful because both he and we knows we have to deal with this situation every night of the tour.' Later on as the band take to stage it’s clear for all to see that the tour has started in high spirits.

It was somewhat intriguing that Quasi opted to hook up with David Friddmann to produce their latest effort. Friddmann was of course the producer on the final Sleater Kinney LP, whom Janet drummed with. Sam is quick to play down any significant connection. ‘We were going to do it ourselves with a friend of mine in Portland. I don’t think it would have occurred to us to just give him (Dave) a call. Our friend had just built a brand new studio and it was a nightmare, we couldn’t get the sound good. Then Janet said lets call on Dave. We were lucky because he was able to squeeze us in.' Lucky indeed for Friddmann is a man in high demand having worked with many alternative rock heavyweights over the years including The Flaming Lips, Weezer and Janes Addiction.

On the new record ' When The Going Gets Dark ' there has been a common conception among fans that the new album has brought out a darker experimental sound to Quasi. Sam disagrees whilst also denying the overall influence of Friddmann and his previous work with Janet/Sleater Kinney. ‘We didn’t track with Dave. The music was already finished by the time it got to him. We kinda told him what we were thinking. He does some kind of experimental stuff to get away from processes and stuff.' Sam is equally surprised at the experimental tag that the recording has picked up. 'There’s a couple of moments where it’s a little busy you know where its not straight up rock or pop. I’d say propositional is probably a better word. We played a lot more freely. It was experimental maybe to what we were doing a couple of albums back but experimental to the types of music around the world for the past 20 years of music? I don’t think so.' Sam is laughing at this point suggesting that this isn’t a direction he wishes to pursue any time soon.

So what actually does influence Quasi? 'You know we’ve been going a long time. We’re pretty old. We’ve been influenced by a lot of bands but we pretty much now do our own thing now. I don’t really listen to much of the (new) stuff now. Recently, I don't think I'm really influenced by anyone.' Quasi's brand of indie-pop is unique and although they are by no means alone, you'd be hard pressed to find a band with a similar sound. Unfortunately this lone ranger status may have hindered Quasi’s progress in selling records. Something that they seemingly wouldn’t object too.

A quick peek at Quasi’s website reveals a passionate onslaught on the present political environment - although by Sam's own admission this is somewhat out of date. When I question how this translates over to the music Sam is quick to play down a connection. 'I don’t think it’s a big part of our music specifically. It enters into it every once and a while. People that are trying to create honest human music that communicates ideas and makes some sort of positive connection with people is potentially a way to make real positive change. Politics don’t really work. It's like damage control. You have to get involved in politics for damage control. You’re only going to change the world with politics. That doesn’t mean to give up though. Voting is just a small part of it and you've got to do a lot more than that but if you don't do it its worse. Vote for candidate B over A. Go with the lesser evil.'

Tonight’s gig is the first of a new tour and Quasi are aching to play. 'We haven’t played for so long. Usually our first show is not the best show what with messing around with the equipment and jetlag. Usually after a week we hit our peak but you never know. This year is the first year we’ve been touring with Joanna.' Joanna has of course recently joined the band after taking a vacation from bass duties with Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks. She wasn’t involved in the writing of the new album. On touring the UK Sam points out that they came here specifically resisting the lure of the rest of the continent. 'The shows around in the UK are usually a lot better for us than other Countries apart from (the U.S.). Obviously we have worked a lot harder in the U.S. Prompted by Sam’s admission of good shows on these shores I ask if Quasi have sold out the venue tonight. He laughs and then utters in a typically modest manner, 'I doubt it.'

The gig takes place in the unfamiliar surroundings of a cinema - an odd circumstance that isn’t lost on either the band or the audience. Throughout the set Janet playfully assumes the role of a college lecturer reciting questions and offering encouragement to the crowd as if they were her own students. The audience are a lot more reluctant to join in with the performance choosing to sit back in their cinema seats enjoying Quasi’s beautiful melodies and frequent ‘propositional’ outbursts.

Before we leave I find time to ask Sam about the widely publicised Sleater Kinney hiatus. Although perhaps not the best qualified to ask he provides us with an honest enough answer. 'Never say never but I don’t expect to see them regroup anytime soon.' As if Janet miraculously heard us gossiping from the other room she makes a series of monkey noises to Sam’s amusement. Initially I wasn’t sure if she'd overheard the gossiping surrounding her old band but from closer inspection it turns out she was just eating a banana. It doesn’t look like Quasi will be facing the same demise as Sleater Kinney any time soon and I for one am glad.