February 12, 2008
Austinist Interviews SXSW: The Lonely H
How did EMP's Sound Off! in 2004 change the band member's lives? How old were you that year?
Johnny Whitman: Sound Off was THE life changer for us. Before that gig we were practicing out of our basement in Port Angeles just having fun. We had no expectations for our music. Through Sound Off, we met Joe Reineke, our manager, and realized the life we could have making music. We started making that commute to Seattle and rocked the Emerald City between high school exams, which ultimately led to two albums, a post-high-school summer tour, and this three-month-drop-outta-college-killer-as-hell-winter-tour ... more or less, all of the good in our lives. That year Ben Eyestone and Mark Fredson were 14, Eric Whitman was 15, and I was 17.
Do the band members have fake IDs?
JW: What underage-touring band wouldn't have the goods? Eric's got a solid ID and went out with the gang on Johnny's 21st birthday (acting as a 23 year old). He's two years his younger brother and that card has never failed. Eric's even bullshitted his way through a conversation with a middle-aged drunk from his "hometown," Greenville, WI. He'd like to thank Jon Jon of The Wildbirds. Mark has a hilarious ID. It's all bleached mullet and expired, but it does a decent job (he scored it from a friend of his older sister's in Port Angeles). Plus, being 6'6" doesn't hurt. The guy bought alcohol at a 7-11 in Seattle at age 16. Ben's screwed. He doesn't look the age and he's ID-less, so feel free to check the photos on our website and send a similar looking ID over our way. Thanks much.
What were some of the acts that inspired the band members growing up?
JW: It'd have to be the Beatles for all of us. My brother and I first heard Hard Day's Night out at the cabin, and we dug it all. The two of us were raised (in the womb, mind you) on the Blues Brothers, B.B. King, and Bob Seger. Mark had his favorite, "Keep on Rockin' in the Free World." And, Ben grew up with the holy Boss (Bruce Springsteen) and U2. Rock had its grip on us early. Yes, yes.
Who writes the songs? What is the recording process routine?
JW: It's mostly Mark and Eric that write the riffs, the basis of the songs. After they build the skeleton, Ben and I add on the meat. Sometimes either Mark or Eric will ask Ben or I to try something specific, like a certain pattern or bass line. Then we'll jam on what we have until we figure out a nice arrangement. It's a very organic and contributive process, rarely will there be any Third Reich style dictating going on. As for the recording process, we record separate tracks all on analog. Normally, we'll do the drums first with all of us playing live. Then we'll throw on guitars, bass, vocals, and trumpets, and whatever doesn't sound like shit.
Some of you were also invited to judge the 2007 edition of Sound Off! Did you enjoy that and who were some of the promising acts you judged?
Eric Whitman: Colin (Field) and I judged the Sound Off! It was pretty funny. I was only 17 or so at the time, so I went on this big power trip and starting being a real asshole to these bands that were older than me. Honestly, I really relished the moment, I don't get to do that enough. I just starting writing down really low things like, "Where's the lead singer?" and "I haven't seen the other two bands, and I can already tell you're going to be last." The truth is that all of the bands were pretty unique and talented — For Years Blue (they changed their name) placed first, Natalie Portman's Shaved Head (yeah, I know) placed third, and some other band placed second. For Years Blue was a seven piece orchestral group, they could definitely go somewhere. Natalie was Talking Heads-esque riot. They were really fun and a great party band, they're pretty young too.
Who are some of your favorite bands right now coming out of the Pacific Northwest (or elsewhere)?
EW: We're a little not in touch with modern music — living in a van can really remove you from "the scene." But anyways, we love Kings of Leon - Caleb (Followill) couldn't sing a bad song if he fucking tried. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club whips out some solid rock. I'm huge Devendra (Banhart) junkie — I'm not attracted to men, but he's absolutely beautiful. Mark, and all of us, love The Arcade Fire, they'll only keep getting better until they rule the universe. Johnny really digs Sam Beam's Iron and Wine and his stuff with Calexico. The White Stripes are probably the most inventive and consistent band around. Ben Kweller's a wonderful man and musician — we played with him in Bellingham, WA and fell in love. Finally, I hope I'm not being cheap with this one, but Tom Petty owns our souls. Once you start, you just can't stop.
Kings Of Leon or Thin Lizzy?
EW: Thin Lizzy or the Kings of Leon? How dare you?
How was the experience of recording Hair (and the resources available to the band this time around) different from when you recorded Kick Upstairs?
Mark Fredson: The difference was quite sizable. For Hair, we were older, better musicians, better songwriters, and more comfortable in the recording studio than before, which made for quite the different recording experience. During Hair, we all went into the studio with a goal: to make a badass rock and roll record. With Kick, we were just a bunch of young guys recording some songs that we wrote, letting the producer, Joe, take the reins. Second time around, we were more involved, and we ended up with a record we were really proud of.
You guys played in Austin during SxSW 2006? How was the experience and what is your plan of attack for SxSW 2008?
MF: South By in '06 was turning point for us as a band. Before we went down there, we had not figured out what kind of music we wanted to play. With Kick, we were doing a poppy, sunshine boys type of thing, but even before that was out, we knew that wasn't us. Then, after we saw the ultra double-punch explosion show of the Hellacopters and Priestess at Emo's at SxSW, we realized in a single fit of rock fury that we were meant to rock. So, staying true to our destiny, that's what we're doing. This year, our plan of attack for SxSW is to make our music heard as loud and often as possible, so people have no choice but to notice.
Is there such a thing as a "guilty pleasure?"
MF: The Killers? No, I'll stand by them without an ounce of shame in my heart. Those guys are rock stars. But assessing that question from a philosophical standpoint, no, there is no such thing as a guilty pleasure. If you get pleasure out of it, then more power to you. Unless it harms others, then you're just sick.
Who are you supporting in the U.S. Primaries?
MF: Umm...either way I'll sound racist or sexist so.... (Lyndon) LaRouche.
Where do you want to be in 2015?
MF: Doing the same shit, but with a few more ears open and a few less backs turned.
The Lonely H: [Official] [MySpace]
The Lonely H will play various gigs in town during SXSW week.
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