Linda Ferreira
07/27/09, 07:29 PM
The following is a mini interview of generic questions that we posed to all bands that wanted to answer:
THE STILETTO FORMAL - [myspace (http://www.myspace.com/thestilettoformal)] [ap.net profile (http://www.absolutepunk.net/artists/showlink.php?l=2644)] [purevolume (http://www.purevolume.com/thestilettoformal)]
1. How did you get your band name?
Before dropping out I went to school for English and wrote a short story called, “Murder at the Stiletto Formal”. It was about a ball in the early eighteenth century and a stereotypical Snidely Whiplash type villain that creeped around and killed everyone. We named the first song that we wrote after it and decided that we liked the title. The word “stiletto” was supposed to reference the knife not the shoe but it makes sense that people would assume the other way around… that and Cattle Decapitation was already taken.
2. How did this band get started?
Paul, Jimi, and I were in another band that just kind of fell together. It was more of an excuse to put on a raucous show than anything. We decided to start experimenting with different sounds that we wanted to get serious about pursuing music and out birthed the Stiletto baby. I had known Sunny for awhile and decided to see how a cello worked instead of another guitar. We got lucky when we found Pat. Our drummer had quit to do the family thing and he was recommended to us by some friends. We flew him in from Nebraska with two weeks to get ready for Warped. He ended up fitting better than we could have hoped.
3. What bands are you influenced by?
All of us have drastically different tastes. Classic rock is the major common thread. We have a 6-disk changer in the van and I think we have: Al Green, The Black Keys, Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, The Living Legends, and Minus the Bear in right now.
4. If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would it be and why?
It’s really, really stereotypical to say Led Zeppelin… really stereotypical. But besides the fact that they rule they did some crazy shit. I would love to see it in person. Or Black Flag because Henry Rollins is insane.
5. If you were a furry, what animal would you be? Why that animal?
A platypus. Who doesn’t wanna screw a platypus?
6. Why should people listen to your band?
We hire writers to write all of our songs and play the instruments in the studio. We have a very strict formula and make sure that every song is palatable to soccer moms and geriatrics. We then go to malls and gather test subjects to listen to them and rate their listenability. We rework the songs until words like flaccid, generic, and redundant are on 87% of the response cards. That’s when you know you have a hit. We’re working on a guest appearance by the Jonas Brothers.
7. If you were chosen to be in Guitar Hero/Rock Band, what song would you want in the game? How hard do you think it would be to five-star on expert?
I’d say “Fiesta, Fiesta, Fiesta, Fiesta” because I’d love to see how they map out some parts with awkward time signatures. We don’t do any crazy Dragon Force riffs but I don’t think it’d be the easy song that you have your mom play when she wants to have family time.
8. If you won a Grammy, who would you thank?
The Jonas Brothers for not putting out a record that year.
9. If you could change something about the music industry, what would it be?
How much time do you have? I’d change A LOT of things. Music would more innovative and people would reward that. Everyone would be like the dudes at Eyeball.
10. Memorable tour experience?
We took a trip to LA to record some demos and neglected the detail of a place to stay. After we left the studio we were to tired to really think through any legitimate options so we crashed in the parking lot. Half of us were in the van, Paul and I spooned in the trailer and Jimi crashed in a sleeping bag in the lot clinching a bottle of Jack…in West Hollywood. Security wasn’t at all happy and the guy who ran the Asian food restaurant below the studio came out and screamed at us like we had deflowered his daughter.
11. What does AP.net mean to you?
AP’s been good to us since day one. It is a huge reason we were able to gain momentum nationally. You guys were the first to report on us.
12. What is your favorite song to play?
“50cc’s of Anything Potent”
13. What is your vacation spot of choice?
Rocky Point
14. What music reminds you of your childhood?
Sports Center
15. If you could have any super power, what would it be? Why?
We have had this debate many times in the van. I’m the douche who would read people’s minds and I’d be sure to let everyone know. That way I could hear them thinking about the fact that I can hear what they’re thinking.
16. Do you feel that your band has "made it"?
No. I don’t think I will feel that way for years, and I haven’t toured Japan
17. What is something that most fans don't know about you?
I love the Dallas Cowboys (bring on the hate mail)
18. What's your favorite holiday?
Arbor Day
19. What do you like to do in your spare time?
Jonas Brothers
20. What kind of hidden talents do you have
Nunchucks. Honest to God.
www.eyeballrecords.com (http://www.eyeballrecords.com/)
THE STILETTO FORMAL - [myspace (http://www.myspace.com/thestilettoformal)] [ap.net profile (http://www.absolutepunk.net/artists/showlink.php?l=2644)] [purevolume (http://www.purevolume.com/thestilettoformal)]
1. How did you get your band name?
Before dropping out I went to school for English and wrote a short story called, “Murder at the Stiletto Formal”. It was about a ball in the early eighteenth century and a stereotypical Snidely Whiplash type villain that creeped around and killed everyone. We named the first song that we wrote after it and decided that we liked the title. The word “stiletto” was supposed to reference the knife not the shoe but it makes sense that people would assume the other way around… that and Cattle Decapitation was already taken.
2. How did this band get started?
Paul, Jimi, and I were in another band that just kind of fell together. It was more of an excuse to put on a raucous show than anything. We decided to start experimenting with different sounds that we wanted to get serious about pursuing music and out birthed the Stiletto baby. I had known Sunny for awhile and decided to see how a cello worked instead of another guitar. We got lucky when we found Pat. Our drummer had quit to do the family thing and he was recommended to us by some friends. We flew him in from Nebraska with two weeks to get ready for Warped. He ended up fitting better than we could have hoped.
3. What bands are you influenced by?
All of us have drastically different tastes. Classic rock is the major common thread. We have a 6-disk changer in the van and I think we have: Al Green, The Black Keys, Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, The Living Legends, and Minus the Bear in right now.
4. If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would it be and why?
It’s really, really stereotypical to say Led Zeppelin… really stereotypical. But besides the fact that they rule they did some crazy shit. I would love to see it in person. Or Black Flag because Henry Rollins is insane.
5. If you were a furry, what animal would you be? Why that animal?
A platypus. Who doesn’t wanna screw a platypus?
6. Why should people listen to your band?
We hire writers to write all of our songs and play the instruments in the studio. We have a very strict formula and make sure that every song is palatable to soccer moms and geriatrics. We then go to malls and gather test subjects to listen to them and rate their listenability. We rework the songs until words like flaccid, generic, and redundant are on 87% of the response cards. That’s when you know you have a hit. We’re working on a guest appearance by the Jonas Brothers.
7. If you were chosen to be in Guitar Hero/Rock Band, what song would you want in the game? How hard do you think it would be to five-star on expert?
I’d say “Fiesta, Fiesta, Fiesta, Fiesta” because I’d love to see how they map out some parts with awkward time signatures. We don’t do any crazy Dragon Force riffs but I don’t think it’d be the easy song that you have your mom play when she wants to have family time.
8. If you won a Grammy, who would you thank?
The Jonas Brothers for not putting out a record that year.
9. If you could change something about the music industry, what would it be?
How much time do you have? I’d change A LOT of things. Music would more innovative and people would reward that. Everyone would be like the dudes at Eyeball.
10. Memorable tour experience?
We took a trip to LA to record some demos and neglected the detail of a place to stay. After we left the studio we were to tired to really think through any legitimate options so we crashed in the parking lot. Half of us were in the van, Paul and I spooned in the trailer and Jimi crashed in a sleeping bag in the lot clinching a bottle of Jack…in West Hollywood. Security wasn’t at all happy and the guy who ran the Asian food restaurant below the studio came out and screamed at us like we had deflowered his daughter.
11. What does AP.net mean to you?
AP’s been good to us since day one. It is a huge reason we were able to gain momentum nationally. You guys were the first to report on us.
12. What is your favorite song to play?
“50cc’s of Anything Potent”
13. What is your vacation spot of choice?
Rocky Point
14. What music reminds you of your childhood?
Sports Center
15. If you could have any super power, what would it be? Why?
We have had this debate many times in the van. I’m the douche who would read people’s minds and I’d be sure to let everyone know. That way I could hear them thinking about the fact that I can hear what they’re thinking.
16. Do you feel that your band has "made it"?
No. I don’t think I will feel that way for years, and I haven’t toured Japan
17. What is something that most fans don't know about you?
I love the Dallas Cowboys (bring on the hate mail)
18. What's your favorite holiday?
Arbor Day
19. What do you like to do in your spare time?
Jonas Brothers
20. What kind of hidden talents do you have
Nunchucks. Honest to God.
www.eyeballrecords.com (http://www.eyeballrecords.com/)