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December 07,
2002
Interview by Shane Macaulay
Somehow
Hollow originally started out as a side project from Grade,
correct? Did you ever feel that Somehow Hollow would be come
more of a full time thing, rather then just a side project?
Well
the band actually started with my brother Mike, Kent and Drew
well I was playing in Grade. They asked me to join and play
on the first record. I thought it would fun to do something
different from Grade and more closer to my punk roots. Eventually
Kent was asked to join Grade and Mike and Drew did some filling
in on some tours. The band kinda just sat for a while until
Grade broke up. I think that the band was always going to
be a full time thing eventually.
Do
you currently have any other side projects that you are working
on?
Not
really. Me and Greg from Jersey have a studio were working
on that should be up and running soon. We've already decided
we are going to collaberate on some stuff more for fun than
anything else. I'm sure lots of stuff will come from that
studio.
After
being signed to Victory Records, has the band made any changes
to their music or their performance?
Just
to be alittle more proffesional. I mean a lot of money went
into the record so there is a lot more riding on it this time
around. We'd like to see this project work so were giving
110%.
What
do you think of Ontario's punk rock scene? Has it died, or
is it coming alive?
I
think it's coming alive. Every band is doing fairly well and
the interest shown from U.S. labels just proves that. I think
there will always be a strong scene in certain areas.
I
don't like to compare yourselves to Grade, but just out of
curiousity, how come Somehow Hollows sound is so different
than Grades? Who are your influences?
Well
I've always played in punk bands as has everyone else in the
group. The Grade thing just kinda fell into my hands so I
went with it. I do enjoy playing the more aggressive hardcore
stuff as I've always been a metalhead. Somehow Hollow is more
aggressively melodic I think theres more going on. I think
some people would disagree with me but I think the song writing
is more advanced. Were not relying on the standard "heres
comes the breakdown" and "heres the soft clean part" of Grade
so theres more thought into it. Like I said thats my opinion.We
are more proud of this project. Theres alot more heart.
You
started out on a smaller indie label, East End Industries.
What kind of role did they play in the past? Did they have
a big effect on the road you have come down?
Well
they were kind enough to finance our first record. which is
cool. I mean there wasn't much distro going on but they did
there part. We actually have the rest of that pressing in
our hands which we will be selling exclusively at shows. After
it's gone will see what we want to do with it, whether we
put it back out ourselves or Victory wants it.
Who
was the female vocalist in the song "Someday", from your first
full length on East End Industries? Will she be playing a
guest role in the future?
Her
name is Jake Leiske. She sings in a well known country band
called Farmers Daughters. The producer was dating her at the
time so Mike put down a scratch vocal track and she went over
it after we were gone. I never actually met her so I doubt
she'll be back.
Where
does the inspiration to write a song come from? Do you write
from personal experience? How do you put so much emotion into
a song? Sometimes I feel like I am going to cry!
Well
we don't want anybody crying. That goes against my belief
system! To be honest with you Mike comes up with the words
and he's quite secretive of what there about, although most
are obvious to us.
The
song Fall Leaves, is that about a real death? Do you mind
sharing more of the song's meaning?
Well
your probably refering to the "I'm sorry you had to die so
fast you were oh so young 21 and already past your prime"
I think it's really about someone thats lived a little to
"loose" if you know what I mean.
What
kind of plans do you guys and the label have for Somehow Hollow?
Do you find the shows and touring any different from when
you were unsigned?
Well
they are better organised. We have a real booking agent who
takes care of that. No managers and publicists and that other
bullshit though cause thats not what we are about. Hopefully
they'll do there part in advertising the shit out of the new
record. I've already seen ads for it so thats cool.
Will
you be re-releasing any of your previous tracks? If so, can
you tell us which ones, or are you still undecided?
Yeah
still undecided. We'll see how this record does.
Sometimes
when a band gets signed, they change their sound. Will we
be hearing something completely different in any of the new
songs?
The
songs on the new album were written before we got signed and
they sound different from the first record. So it wasn't an
influence at all. I think it's natural to want to do things
differently every record. Grade did that well and so does
Somehow Hollow. The difference is we wrote 14 or so new songs
without any idea of what was going to happen to the band and
who was going to sign us. I wish younger bands did that more
often these days. To many bands are more concerned with recording
a demo and "shopping" it rather than just being a band with
your buds. Just write good songs, don't worry about the leaches
and evilness of the "music biz".
Thanks
for taking the time to do this short interview for OntarioPunk.com.
We
all cannot wait to hear new stuff from Somehow Hollow.
Thanks.
Be sure to check out "Busted Wings and Rusted Halos" Jan.
21 2003.
Peace
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