Jeffrey Nothing Interview
Chad Bowar: Do you have any specific expectations for the album?
Jeffrey Nothing: Yeah, but you really can never tell in this world of "why buy." It's funny because I often wonder how the basic consumer thinks. A band, any band, first has to beat the incredible odds of ever making enough noise in their city just to get regional. And then there's a lot of right place, right time and dumb luck and of course, having good songs, to ever get your head above water and experience any level of radio or record sale success.
Hundreds of bands from everywhere never even get this far. So as you're downloading that CD or copying your friend's to save yourself some money or feel like you got over on the man, just think: maybe I wanna be the next anything someday and people out there you don't even know say the hell with what you made or wanted to make yourself, I can get that s%&t free. So we'll see and someday they will too.
How did you decide on the title?
I originally had "Six Seas Of Sorrow" and then "Savior Self" followed by the hybrid Savior Sorrow which was the one that stuck and said the most. It can be taken a lot of different ways. It also includes the Roman numeral for 6, VI in the word Savior to continue our backwards countdown. It's also a play on words "Save Your Sorrow" and with all the things that have happened along the way to try to stop us. It's our group's response to the band and people who felt otherwise. We're fine.
What are your upcoming tour plans?
The full U.S. from the end of September through Thanksgiving weekend, with more stuff in the states to follow soon after and if all goes well, Europe again, and hopefully Australia and Japan.
The response out there has been the best so far.
Did you change the band's masks for this album and tour cycle?
Yes. We have planned for a while to go to a mix of "X face" oriented masks so the eyes and teeth were still a common thing for the most part, yet there were obvious differences as well. Pig went back to his namesake but with the x face now part of the design, and the same with some of the other masks. What's the point of not using our roots even in the visual aspect? We did it first, it's only natural to come to where we had enough of not being ourselves. Anyone who doesn't like it must not know of our origins and maybe you should have a look and you may be amazed how we didn't copy anything. Maybe other people should think about that.
Does having so many members create any logistical problems while touring?
I know some clubs have tiny stages. But, no, we make it work and have really had no problems. We have one less now too so it even makes it easier. If you wanna give a real show no matter what, you find a way to make it happen.
With several albums under your belt, does that make it easier or harder to create a set list for each tour?
It makes it harder for everyone to play or hear everything they'd like to, but it's a good problem to have. We are doing 7 or 8 from the new one with a spread of the rest to keep it fresh yet career-covering as well.
Are most of the band members still living in Cleveland?
Yes, all of us and even Waylon (from NC) calls Cleveland home now.
What's the metal scene like there these days?
It's alive and well and I think record companies have paid a lot more attention to home since we came out.
How did you get started in music?
I was singing in the mirror at 6 with my hairbrush mic and played in a garage band at 14. I was hooked. I tried to play an instrument and never got it together but I've been singing about half my life, so it was the right choice.
Who were your musical inspirations?
Maiden/Priest, Faith No More/Bungle, Bjork/PJ Harvey. Never ending really as I sang everything I ever heard on the radio, but never country music.
Who are some current artists you admire?
Deadboy & The Elephantmen, Atmosphere, Black Flood Diesel, The Not So Good Ol Boys.
Anything else you'd like to add?
Try to check out some music you'd normally never listen to. There's great stuff out there if you have an open mind. Instead of going after the same things you always do.
Jeffrey Nothing: Yeah, but you really can never tell in this world of "why buy." It's funny because I often wonder how the basic consumer thinks. A band, any band, first has to beat the incredible odds of ever making enough noise in their city just to get regional. And then there's a lot of right place, right time and dumb luck and of course, having good songs, to ever get your head above water and experience any level of radio or record sale success.
Hundreds of bands from everywhere never even get this far. So as you're downloading that CD or copying your friend's to save yourself some money or feel like you got over on the man, just think: maybe I wanna be the next anything someday and people out there you don't even know say the hell with what you made or wanted to make yourself, I can get that s%&t free. So we'll see and someday they will too.
How did you decide on the title?
I originally had "Six Seas Of Sorrow" and then "Savior Self" followed by the hybrid Savior Sorrow which was the one that stuck and said the most. It can be taken a lot of different ways. It also includes the Roman numeral for 6, VI in the word Savior to continue our backwards countdown. It's also a play on words "Save Your Sorrow" and with all the things that have happened along the way to try to stop us. It's our group's response to the band and people who felt otherwise. We're fine.
What are your upcoming tour plans?
The full U.S. from the end of September through Thanksgiving weekend, with more stuff in the states to follow soon after and if all goes well, Europe again, and hopefully Australia and Japan.
The response out there has been the best so far.
Did you change the band's masks for this album and tour cycle?
Yes. We have planned for a while to go to a mix of "X face" oriented masks so the eyes and teeth were still a common thing for the most part, yet there were obvious differences as well. Pig went back to his namesake but with the x face now part of the design, and the same with some of the other masks. What's the point of not using our roots even in the visual aspect? We did it first, it's only natural to come to where we had enough of not being ourselves. Anyone who doesn't like it must not know of our origins and maybe you should have a look and you may be amazed how we didn't copy anything. Maybe other people should think about that.
Does having so many members create any logistical problems while touring?
I know some clubs have tiny stages. But, no, we make it work and have really had no problems. We have one less now too so it even makes it easier. If you wanna give a real show no matter what, you find a way to make it happen.
With several albums under your belt, does that make it easier or harder to create a set list for each tour?
It makes it harder for everyone to play or hear everything they'd like to, but it's a good problem to have. We are doing 7 or 8 from the new one with a spread of the rest to keep it fresh yet career-covering as well.
Are most of the band members still living in Cleveland?
Yes, all of us and even Waylon (from NC) calls Cleveland home now.
What's the metal scene like there these days?
It's alive and well and I think record companies have paid a lot more attention to home since we came out.
How did you get started in music?
I was singing in the mirror at 6 with my hairbrush mic and played in a garage band at 14. I was hooked. I tried to play an instrument and never got it together but I've been singing about half my life, so it was the right choice.
Who were your musical inspirations?
Maiden/Priest, Faith No More/Bungle, Bjork/PJ Harvey. Never ending really as I sang everything I ever heard on the radio, but never country music.
Who are some current artists you admire?
Deadboy & The Elephantmen, Atmosphere, Black Flood Diesel, The Not So Good Ol Boys.
Anything else you'd like to add?
Try to check out some music you'd normally never listen to. There's great stuff out there if you have an open mind. Instead of going after the same things you always do.
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