The Common Men Interview
January 7th 2008 14:06
Q: Tell me about the origins of your band - when it began, why, how you chose the name…
A: The Common Men started out as a solo project back in late 2004 when I started to amass a collection of songs I had written since 2001 that reflected my interest in Post-Punk music. I was a lead guitar player in a hard rock band but I was looking for something different. After being kicked out of that band, I devoted my full energies to The Common Men and getting band members.
The name reflects how arbitrary band names can be. I was thrown off by the overly-profound names found in many new bands. I wanted something simple.
Q: Have there been any style, sound, or line-up changes since you began?
A: We have been very consistent in our style of Post-Punk. We hope to grow and expand upon our main "style," but we realize what we do and we aim to do it well.
We have changed bass players once since our inception.
Q: From the music I have heard so far, I would describe the music as vocally-centered, body-moving, and lyrically enticing - how have other people explained your sound?
A: One reviewer has called us "Driving Downer Music," and some people have called it "Violently Perverse but Insanely Catchy." Many people are, however, at a loss to really describe us.
We do base our music in very dark and taboo themes, but we are not afraid to get catchy, twistedly sentimental or poppy.
I base a great deal of the melodies and progressions I write in music theory. Music theory is essentially setting up expectations and either meeting them or deceiving the listener. I believe that makes our music a bit more engaging because in a very instant gratification we challenge our listeners to be patient in a Post-Punk context.
Q: What plans lie ahead of you - any tours, style changes, recordings, etc in the diary?
A: We are currently in a state of redreaming the dream and revitalizing ourselves. After two and a half years, we look to refine our goals and work together to achieve them. We hope to tour California towards the end of the year. We are also currently working on new material and releasing a small EP is in the works as well.
Q: What are your favorite venues to play at? Are there any places you really don't enjoy giving a show?
A: We put on the best show we can every time we play.
Q: What would you consider to be your highlight so far?
A: Signing autographs and taking pictures with fans after a show is an unexpected surprise.
Q: Can you recommend a few local bands for Bay Area music fans to check out…
A: There are a variety of local bands worth checking out. Butch Versus Femme, Der Spazm, Chemical Angel, Razorblade Monalisa, The Catholic Comb, Mister Loveless and Telepathy are a few. We managed to cover indie, punk, rock and electronic music with that list. The Bay Area is a very diverse music scene.
The band can be found at: Really Long Link
A: The Common Men started out as a solo project back in late 2004 when I started to amass a collection of songs I had written since 2001 that reflected my interest in Post-Punk music. I was a lead guitar player in a hard rock band but I was looking for something different. After being kicked out of that band, I devoted my full energies to The Common Men and getting band members.
The name reflects how arbitrary band names can be. I was thrown off by the overly-profound names found in many new bands. I wanted something simple.
Q: Have there been any style, sound, or line-up changes since you began?
A: We have been very consistent in our style of Post-Punk. We hope to grow and expand upon our main "style," but we realize what we do and we aim to do it well.
We have changed bass players once since our inception.
Q: From the music I have heard so far, I would describe the music as vocally-centered, body-moving, and lyrically enticing - how have other people explained your sound?
A: One reviewer has called us "Driving Downer Music," and some people have called it "Violently Perverse but Insanely Catchy." Many people are, however, at a loss to really describe us.
We do base our music in very dark and taboo themes, but we are not afraid to get catchy, twistedly sentimental or poppy.
I base a great deal of the melodies and progressions I write in music theory. Music theory is essentially setting up expectations and either meeting them or deceiving the listener. I believe that makes our music a bit more engaging because in a very instant gratification we challenge our listeners to be patient in a Post-Punk context.
Q: What plans lie ahead of you - any tours, style changes, recordings, etc in the diary?
A: We are currently in a state of redreaming the dream and revitalizing ourselves. After two and a half years, we look to refine our goals and work together to achieve them. We hope to tour California towards the end of the year. We are also currently working on new material and releasing a small EP is in the works as well.
Q: What are your favorite venues to play at? Are there any places you really don't enjoy giving a show?
A: We put on the best show we can every time we play.
Q: What would you consider to be your highlight so far?
A: Signing autographs and taking pictures with fans after a show is an unexpected surprise.
Q: Can you recommend a few local bands for Bay Area music fans to check out…
A: There are a variety of local bands worth checking out. Butch Versus Femme, Der Spazm, Chemical Angel, Razorblade Monalisa, The Catholic Comb, Mister Loveless and Telepathy are a few. We managed to cover indie, punk, rock and electronic music with that list. The Bay Area is a very diverse music scene.
The band can be found at: Really Long Link
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