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| | The following is a mini interview of generic questions that we posed to all bands that wanted to answer:
Gracer
1. How did you get your band name?
I'm obsessed with Jeff Buckley. One day I was watching his live dvd and before the song "Grace" he has a nice little freakout in which he says "Shit's happening now, it's all about now, now now now. Bigger, faster, sweatier, skinnier, whiter, blacker, Gracer." So we were trying to come up with names and I heard that, called the other guys, and they were all down with it. It's just kind of an homage to Jeff Buckley. Everyone should listen to Jeff Buckley.
2. How did this band get started?
We started back in 2003/04, had a million line-up changes, solidified a lineup, got signed to an indie label, recorded a record, toured a ton, members came and went, until now. Gracer is now a two piece with some help from computers and keyboards and tons of effects. I started as the singer/guitarist. Now I sing and play drums at the same time, Paul plays guitar and keyboard and mans the computer.
3. What bands are you influenced by? pretty much everything influences us.
I'm big into the old prog stuff from the 70's. My all time favorite band is Genesis. everyone always asks if I like the Gabriel era or the Phil Collins era. I love it all. Paul and I both come from very different backgrounds but also do enjoy a lot of the same music. So I'd say we're influenced by everything from genesis, led zeppelin, the beatles, to jimmy eat world, radiohead, the foo fighters, elliott, jeff buckley, sunny day real estate, eplosions in the sky, hum, rx bandits, texas is the reason, blind melon, nirvana, etc. etc. I could go on for hours.
4. If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would it be and why?
For me it would have to be Genesis. To watch those guys play every night would blow my mind. I actually got to see them 3 times in my life and each time it was like a religious experience haha. Some others would definitely be led zep, foo fighters, jimmy eat world. Paul would probably say new found glory, which to be honest with you would be pretty unreal haha.
5. If you were a furry, what animal would you be? Why that animal?
I'd have to go with a koala bear. I used to like this cartoon show with these magical koala bears that lived outside this kid's bedroom in a tree.
6. Why should people listen to your band?
I'm not the best salesman, but if you're in the mood for some honest atmospheric rock and roll then we're right up your alley.
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?
Hmm, this is more Paul's department because he's obsessed with video games. I think this new song we're working on would be pretty cool to be on there, lots of quirky guitar parts and our debut of a proper guitar solo.
8. If you won a Grammy, who would you thank?
My family, friends, and just a ton of musicians that have influenced me throughout my life.
9. If you could change something about the music industry, what would it be?
That they stop signing bands that sound exactly like each other. Nothing is honest anymore. It's all carbon copies. But I guess that's what the kids like. It's like trading cards now. Bands come and go faster than ever nowadays. I feel like only bands from before 2000 have any lasting power at all. Take Radiohead for example. I can't name half the bands that are "big" right now, but Radiohead will always be there to school everyone.
10. Memorable tour experience?
Playing a show at Chain Reaction in California. It was awesome. Totally packed. Our label at the time came out to the show and it was just an awesome vibe.
11. What does AP.net mean to you?
Hmm, I don't really know 90 percent of the bands talked about on ap.net and 5 of the remaining 10 percent I don't enjoy. Basically, if there's news about jimmy eat world, radiohead, or magically an announcement that sunny day real estate is getting back together, it's mainly there for me to find out what bands are "making it" and see what kids are digging, and realizing that we are so out of the loop with all that goes on. But I mean, as far as a news source for those kinda bands, it's the top of the line. Can't argue that.
12. What is your favorite song to play?
Well, we're writing a new record now and none of the songs really have titles, but there's this one song that kinda sounds like static prevails/clarity era jimmy eat world, and the bridge is really fun to play on drums.
13. What is your vacation spot of choice?
I'd have to say Montauk. Growing up on Long Island, my family would go there every summer and you don't even feel like you're in the same country. So relaxed and beautiful. Nothing beats that place.
14. What music reminds you of your childhood?
My parents were always playing music for as long as I can remember. Whenever we were in the car, music would be blasting. I guess my dad showing me an old Phil Collins record is like my first memory of music. It kinda just snowballed ever since. Tons of beatles, james taylor, led zeppelin, billy joel, crosby stills nash and young. So much amazing music that I still listen to to this day.
15. If you could have any super power, what would it be? Why?
I think I'd want to have enough limbs to play guitar and drums at the same time. It would make my life a whole hell of a lot easier.
16. Do you feel that your band has "made it"?
In the industry sense, absolutely not. But for my own personal definition, totally. We just had an hour long documentary filmed about us for the independent film channel, so I have to think that someone out there cares. But really, all it took was a message on myspace from a fan that said really amazing kind words to me about what our music does for him and how its helped him get through tough times. We've heard that a bunch, and every time its like, whoa, I guess we're doing something right.
17. What is something that most fans don't know about you?
I think because our music is so intense and moody, people think we're gonna be these dark introverted musicians. But that couldn't be farther from the truth. We still act like we're 15 years old. I think the new record will show we have a fun side, while still keeping it interesting.
18. What's your favorite holiday?
Maybe Thanksgiving. It's always good to go home and see my family, and food is always a plus. So, yeah, Thanksgiving. No pressure to get gifts, just good ol' hangin out.
19. What do you like to do in your spare time?
I wish I knew what spare time was. We've been completely immersed in music this year, between building our own studio, writing the record, recording the record, filming a documentary up in Toronto, it flew by. No complaints though. If i did have spare time I'd still be picking up the guitar and writing songs.
20. What kind of hidden talents do you have?
I can cross one eye and keep the other one straight, looking right into your soul. Creeps people out.
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01:23 PM on 10/08/09 | I've been waiting for their new CD forever!
Most impressive band I've ever seen live. | | |
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