www.myspace.com/starringjanetleigh
www.starringjanetleigh.com
www.metalblade.com
www.youtube.com/user/starringjanetleigh
Hey guys Congratulations’ on becoming signed to Ironclad Recordings.
Q. I was amazed to see the action packed energy in your live videos Ex You and Spectrum how does the singer and the drummer keep up to all the mean guitar players?
A. Pure talent haha! Funny you should mention that, a lot of times people say to us on guitar, “how do you keep up with that drummer?” All kidding aside, we practice between 3-5 days a week to make sure we’re on top of our game.
Q. Where on location were these killer live performances videos filmed at?
A. These videos were filmed at Duffy’s Tavern in Toronto, Bloor/Lansdowne Area.
Q. Having played over 140 shows, touring across Canada for the last 5 years is there one favorite city or venue that quickly comes to mind or any candid funny moments that you would like to share while travelling on the road?
A. I’d say our favorite town to play is definitely Windsor. Fans there are really into their metal and are really intense. We’ve made a lot of great friends there over the years both fans and bands alike, and it’s always a riot each and every time. As for funny moments…..hmmmm….w e were touring through Quebec and got in late to a town called Matane. For some reason (we found out later that Matane has no Rogers towers) my cell phone didn’t work so we couldn’t reach the promoter or the other band we were touring with. So we decided to stick it out in the van in a shopping mall parking lot. A combination of watching Dodgeball, drinking beer, and restarting the van 4 times during the night kept us warm in the subzero temperatures. The funny part was that we had a motel room 2 blocks away and didn’t even know it! Needless to say the following night we took full advantage of the motel room and partied hard where it was warm!
Q. Has the current lineup been with Starring Janet Leigh since 2003?
A. The lineup for SJL has changed many times over the years. We’re on pretty much second and third of everything. Sometimes the guys who start out with are not the guys you end up, but the lineup we have now is the best we’ve ever had, and I think the music and live show reflect that.
Matt Zadkovich: Guitar
Aaron Pozzer: Drums
Matt Nimmo: Vocals
Chris Sokoloski: Guitar
Justin Brown: Bass
Q. Do all the band members share similar influences for their music and do they like to experiment and try new things and is everyone fussy or have high standards when producing a certain riff or sound quality in all the band’s music production?
A. Our influences are all over the map really: metal, hardcore, jazz fusion, and everything in between. For the most part we are pretty open-minded about the riffs we put into songs, but it all comes down to the same thing - what works best for the song; no egos, just gotta do what sounds best. The editing process depends on how happy we are with the initial version, but I always find that over time as we get a better feel for the song as a whole with all members playing it, little bits of fine tuning always happen.
Q. Long awaited Spectrum unleashes a sound in an ordered array of components and precision unlike I have ever heard before how long has it taken to produce this great masterpiece of sound from the laying of the song tracks to the recording process?
A. Writing of the album began back in 2003, with some initial versions of the songs. The songs were written from 2003-2006 at various points, throughout the process of changing members. Over time they altered as new members joined, and as the sound of the band went in a more death metal direction. The recording process was done through all of June 2007, one week in July, and one week in September. It was then shipped off to mastering. As with any recording process there were some challenges, but as many challenges as we faced, there were so many things that went smoothly and came out better than we expected. All in all, the recording process was probably one of the best experiences we as a band have ever had. We were also privileged to work with Greg Dawson of BWC Studios (www.myspace.com/bwcstudios). Greg really has a way of bringing the best out of the musicians he works with, and had some great production ideas that really influenced both the songs and the record as a whole.
Q. Has there been any challenges in the hard work the band has put into Spectrums journey to achieve this sound?
A. The journey to where we are now/the completion of this record was a series of struggles, everything from losing band members again and again to tours that did not go the way we planned, you name it we’ve faced it. At the end of the day, one thing is clear: if you throw enough mud at the wall, eventually it’s gonna stick. We’ve had plenty of struggles in getting this record out, but all in all, well worth it. If we stopped every time we hit a bump in the road this band would have been dead a long time ago.
Q. When I think of the Albums name Spectrum a vast range of related values, qualities, ideas or activities come to mind can you give us a little hint on the lyrical content are they based on past experiences, social or political issues plaguing our environment what messages does the band want to convey with their new Album?
A. “Spectrum” as an album title is actually the title track, and more than anything I think the word in and of itself gives a good idea to the listener about what they can expect listening to this record. We do experiment a fair big in melding genres and use a lot of different ideas in each song, so it is definitely a spectrum of sound. Lyrically each song is really its own piece. There was not one specific theme to the lyrical content of the album, but man: personal experiences, the struggles we’ve had as a band, artistic takes on the darker side of the soul, each song is really something of its own in the spectrum that is the album.
Q. What motivates or inspires the songwriter to come up with the lyrics and do all the band members contribute to the lyrical content?
A. Our rule is: whether it’s lyrical or instrumental, a good idea is a good idea regardless of which member it comes from. Lyrically most of us contribute to the songs, but the final lyrical editing goes to the Captain (Matt Nimmo – vocalist). I know the lyrics I wrote on the album were different from song to song, ranging from personal views and struggles (Noire, Mistress) to an artistic take on man’s brutality (Wrath). Some other lyrics were from the perspective of a murderer (Odium), some about our destruction of the planet (Decay).
Q. How did the band land the opportunity to work with Greg Dawson of BWC Studios and Alan Douches for mastering Spectrum?
A. I’ve been a fan of Greg Dawson’s work for a number of years (The End, Mare, Moneen, The Junction) and actually planned on working with him for some time. When I spoke to him about working with us he actually seemed very into the idea. Little did he know what he was in for haha! With Alan Douches, because of the number of albums I liked that he had worked on, and the amount of artists I know that recommend him, I knew he was the guy for the job. Both engineers really took the time to make this album exactly what we wanted in terms of the quality and clarity, but also in preserving the dynamics of the recording and not sacrificing that for the sake of just being loud haha! It was a pleasure to work with both Greg and Alan, it felt like they really put their personal touch on it.
Q. I’m curious who did the incredible Artwork for the cover of Spectrum and is this same Artist that designs all Starring Janet Leigh’s cool merchandise?
A. It’s our drummer Aaron “Paz” Pozzer who does all our designs. He’s an animator as well as a drummer, and he’s been our design guy from the day he joined. I couldn’t be happy with the artwork he put together for the album, I really think it suits the music perfectly.
Q. Does the band sell Starring Janet Leigh merchandise at all their killer shows and what songs are the most popular in the bands playlists fans request?
A. Yeah all our merchandise is sold at shows and on our website/myspace. We’re working on having some new merch for the CD release as well. As far as requested songs, I’d say Ex You, Wrath, Spectrum get a good chunk of the requests, but we have a handful of fans that always request us to lay Decay whenever we’re in their town.
Q. When Spectrum is unleashed on May 12th what is the bands focus for 2009 will the emphasis be on a major tour to promote your new Album?
A. Touring will definitely be a main focus for us in 2009. Our first tour will be across Ontario and Quebec, the areas where we’ve enjoyed the most success thus far. After that we’re planning on a handful of tours through the northern US, a trip down to Florida and back, and to make it to California and back before the year is out. More than anything we really want to bring this album to the world in a big way so people can really get an idea of what we’re all about, big recorded and live. After that: Europe? Japan? The USA again and again? Sounds like a plan J. Tours will be announced in the very near future.
Q. How about writing new material for another Album any in the works currently?
A. We have about 3 finished songs with 2 more in the works for a new record. The new material is very different from what we’ve done before, but still embodies the sound that we’ve become known for. I’m really excited to see where the new material will take us, and I think it’s only getting better and better.
Q. Before we wrap up our interview does the band have any shout outs to friends or fans?
A. There are so many people who’ve helped us over the years, we couldn’t possibly name them all. Anyone who’s ever come to a show, bought merch, given us a place to sleep, or at all helped us keep this dream alive and take it to the next level, THANK YOU. It means a lot more to us than you’ll ever know. Stoked to hit your cities with album in hand!
I want to thank Starring Janet Leigh and Metal Blade records for this interview opportunity. Horns High
You Rock!!/m\HMTV Canada
