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| Hint: Have a band you'd like to see interviewed? Tell us. | | Flip The Switch - 04.13.05 | First off, why don't you begin by telling us who you are and what you do in Flip The Switch ?
My name is Robert and my job in FTS is playing guitar & managing the band. I've been run'n the band ever since I started it back in the summer of 2002.
How long have the members of Flip The Switch been playing together, and how did the band form ?
The only real members left besides myself is Daniel (Wil) our trombone player, and The Good Luck Duck (our mascot). The other guys... wow... a lot of ins and outs. Basically our saxophone and bass player have both been with us for 2 years. Our drummer and trumpet player, joined about 6 months ago. I think. It sucks ass going through members. I think we have gone through, what? 4 or 5 different guys in the past 3 years. We have so many songs and the process of practicing & having someone new learn the songs takes FOREVER!
I know FTS has played with a bunch of well-known bands in the ska scene, but is there one band in particular you're dying to hit the stage with ?
Of course... Reel Big Fish. That's always been mine. They were the reason I started the band and got into ska music back in 97. The other band would be the Mad Caddies. Thats our bass players favorite band. We just had the opportunity to play with them, but were kicked off the bill! I guess the Caddies have a rule.. they don't play with other ska bands! It doesn't make sense! I think the other band that we would die to play with is Less Than Jake. They are another BIG influence on all of us.
Where do you get your influences from when it comes time for the writing process, and what's the writing process like for you guys ?
Fist off, our influences on writing songs come from everyday life. Most songs we do have a true story / message behind them. Second, back in the day either Wil or me would write the songs then present it to the band. Now, since Josh joined (our bass player) he writes most of our stuff. He has a great talent for writing songs. Feel free to check him out at www.MySpace.com/JoshGoodman and at www.MySpace.com/TheJosh
Does the band have any big plans for the remainder of 2005 ?
I would hope so! lol We plan to release our well waited new full length CD in May. We would also like to tour either end of summer or in December. Not sure yet... it depends on how much money we have. So remember, ska isnt popular and most ska bands are poor! lol
You guys do an awesome, hilarious cover of "Hot In Here", and i've been wondering, where the hell did you get the idea to put a ska twist on a Nelly song ? Haha, it's not something you see every day.
Josh came up with that one. He is a fan of Nelly and wanted to do a cover of it. He's been trying to work on a solo full rap cover ska album. Maybe someday you will hear us doin another rap song. We do plan on making a cover album sometime this year. Each member will pick like 2 songs and we will try to do them ska. It should be fun!
Compared to most of the bands i've interviewed, FTS are a relatively small band (for now at least). What do you think sets you guys apart from other up and coming bands ?
Like I said before... we play ska music. It's pretty much underground. I think we are very good and it's a shame that no big record company has came up to us yet. Hopefully after the new album comes out... if not then, ska is a lost cause! lol
If you could take any band on tour with you, who would it be and why ?
Wow, good Q. There is so many bands. I would say Reel Big Fish. lol I hope the other guys in the band don't get mad... im sure they would love to tour with them too. If not the Fish, then most definitely Snoop Dogg!
When do you guys plan to release some new material, assuming you haven't hit the studio again yet, and if so are you stoked to be back recording new stuff ?
Awh man... we have been puttin off this new album for like 3 months now! The place we recorded our 3 song demo at back in November 2004 closed down! So yeah, we have been trying to find a new place. No matter what, we will start recording this month or next! The new album is gonna be one of the greatest albums of the year. I'm serious. Everyone loves the 3
song demo... and our single 'Punk Rock Girl'. The whole album is gonna be IN YOUR FACE catchy kickin' tunes!
This is a really random question, but in 5 years from now, where do you plan to be and what will you be doing ?
Me personally, i'll be managing a band & will also still be supporting the ska scene. Someone has to keep it alive. lol For the band... i'm not sure. I wish I could say we will still be around, but the chances of that will be slim. If we end up getting picked up on a label this year or next... i'm sure we will be around in 5 years.
You and I both know that ska isn't the hot thing amongst the mainstream right now (not that it matters even the slightest bit), but personally do you see it making a comeback, to the point it was at in the 90's ?
Deep down, I really wish it would come back! I don't think it will ever though... at least not as strong as it was in the late 90s. The mainstream keeps it underground. We would of thought our Nelly cover would have gotten us on MTV. I guess not. lol They don't know good music even if it slaps them in the face!
Well, I won't keep you all day. Thanks again for doing this interview, and do you have any last words you'd like to leave our readers with ?
Yes, thanks so much for picking us and for supporting the ska scene! It means a lot to me when someone does something nice for us. I'm sure the rest of the guys feel the same. Oh, and don't be shy in adding us as a friend on MySpace: www.MySpace.com/FlipTheSwitch Much love to all our fans and SKA ON! |
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