Greg Thimmes
10/01/04, 11:11 PM
WHO ARE YOU!
My name is Jonathan, and I play guitar and sing in Down To Earth Approach.
Right off the bat, where did you come up with the band name?
John was in a Psychology class that had a chapter in their textbook with the name. We couldn't think of anything better at the time. It's a pretty disappointing story- i know.
How long have you guys been playing? What’s the story how you became a band.
We got together in 2000. Ryan, Pete and I had been in a band for about 4 years before this one, and we just kind of wanted to start something new.
Let’s start from the beginning, before you were signed. What was probably the hardest thing about getting your name out?
Before we moved from Batavia to LA, we were somewhat of a big fish in a small pond. Moving to California was the best thing for us as a band, because we realized that we didn't mean shit to the rest of the country. We ended up throwing out all of our old songs, and really worked on growing as a band.
How did becoming signed with Vagrant come about? Were there others? Why Vagrant.
We were looking at other labels, and I was actually working at Vagrant at the time. I was trying to keep our band a secret, because i didn't want to be "that guy". Rich ended up getting a copy of our demo from one of my friends who works at the label as well. When I found out that they were interested in signing us, there really was no other option. I trust everyone at that label more then anyone else. It doesn't hurt how close we all are as well... its cliché, but it really is one big
family. We wouldn't have it any other way.
Is this what you always dreamed of doing. Touring and being rock stars. Or did you guys have other ambitions.
This is what I’ve always dreamed of doing. I think i can safely say the same for the rest of the guys. This is all I’ve ever wanted to do, and I'm just really happy with where i am in my life right now.
What was the motive behind writing for "Another Intervention?"
I think it was in that whole re-write period of our life that we were in. All of a sudden, songs just started coming together that we really loved. Vagrant was awesome at encouraging us in the whole process of writing the record as well.
How did you come up with the idea for the awesome "Exhibit of the Year" video idea because it fits the song so perfectly and it really strikes a chord will all my friends (girls AND boys.) Please tell the story. (fan submitted)
Matt and Maureen (who shot and directed the video) actually came up with it. They are fucking amazing. We just wanted them to roll with whatever idea that they had, because we trust them so much. They did one of my favorite videos of all time (Saves the Day- Freakish)
What can we expect in the future from down to earth approach?
A lot of touring. We just want to stay out on the road, and have people discover us!
How is it touring right now with the bands that you’re currently with?
It's really great. It was actually a little scary at first, because we are sort of the odd men out on this tour (right now we’re out with Emery, Brazil and From First To Last). Everyone is fucking amazing, though, and we are having an awesome time!
A huge thank you to Down To Earth Approach for being so totally awesome.
Down To Earth Approach (http://www.downtoearthapproach.com)
My name is Jonathan, and I play guitar and sing in Down To Earth Approach.
Right off the bat, where did you come up with the band name?
John was in a Psychology class that had a chapter in their textbook with the name. We couldn't think of anything better at the time. It's a pretty disappointing story- i know.
How long have you guys been playing? What’s the story how you became a band.
We got together in 2000. Ryan, Pete and I had been in a band for about 4 years before this one, and we just kind of wanted to start something new.
Let’s start from the beginning, before you were signed. What was probably the hardest thing about getting your name out?
Before we moved from Batavia to LA, we were somewhat of a big fish in a small pond. Moving to California was the best thing for us as a band, because we realized that we didn't mean shit to the rest of the country. We ended up throwing out all of our old songs, and really worked on growing as a band.
How did becoming signed with Vagrant come about? Were there others? Why Vagrant.
We were looking at other labels, and I was actually working at Vagrant at the time. I was trying to keep our band a secret, because i didn't want to be "that guy". Rich ended up getting a copy of our demo from one of my friends who works at the label as well. When I found out that they were interested in signing us, there really was no other option. I trust everyone at that label more then anyone else. It doesn't hurt how close we all are as well... its cliché, but it really is one big
family. We wouldn't have it any other way.
Is this what you always dreamed of doing. Touring and being rock stars. Or did you guys have other ambitions.
This is what I’ve always dreamed of doing. I think i can safely say the same for the rest of the guys. This is all I’ve ever wanted to do, and I'm just really happy with where i am in my life right now.
What was the motive behind writing for "Another Intervention?"
I think it was in that whole re-write period of our life that we were in. All of a sudden, songs just started coming together that we really loved. Vagrant was awesome at encouraging us in the whole process of writing the record as well.
How did you come up with the idea for the awesome "Exhibit of the Year" video idea because it fits the song so perfectly and it really strikes a chord will all my friends (girls AND boys.) Please tell the story. (fan submitted)
Matt and Maureen (who shot and directed the video) actually came up with it. They are fucking amazing. We just wanted them to roll with whatever idea that they had, because we trust them so much. They did one of my favorite videos of all time (Saves the Day- Freakish)
What can we expect in the future from down to earth approach?
A lot of touring. We just want to stay out on the road, and have people discover us!
How is it touring right now with the bands that you’re currently with?
It's really great. It was actually a little scary at first, because we are sort of the odd men out on this tour (right now we’re out with Emery, Brazil and From First To Last). Everyone is fucking amazing, though, and we are having an awesome time!
A huge thank you to Down To Earth Approach for being so totally awesome.
Down To Earth Approach (http://www.downtoearthapproach.com)