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"What's aHEAD: Summer tour and a cause close to their hearts."
Gene Padden - Local Sounds
The Weekender — March 22, 2001
40 lb. Head is one of eight bands playing the third annual Concert for Karen, a memorial show to benefit Leukemia patients. The show is on April 25 at 6 p.m. at the Voodoo Lounge, Luzerne. More information can be found by calling 570.829.7131 or online at www.icontech.com/karen.
We spoke with guitar player and vocalist Steve Egenski about playing the show, and a few other things they're HEADing into.
Gene Padden: You released your second CD recently. How has it been selling?
Steve: Very well thanks to the great people who support us. This area has supported us more than we ever imagined. 40 lb. HEAD really feels that there is a push in this area for original material. I think the the people around here know music that comes from the heart. The stuff that we put out is not from different musicians who have different styles, who just met, and are trying to blend something together somehow, it's a product of ourselves.
We're just friends. We're not trying to impress anybody with our riffs, recording quality, screaming, anger... if something comes into our HEAD that has meaning and emotional quality, it goes on the CD that way. I think people hear our honesty and can relate to us, that's why the CD's have been selling so well and the scene has been so great for us, both in the clubs, and during the all-ages-tours.
Gene Padden:Any prospects for record deals? Tours? Etc.? (This is your chance to drop names)
Steve: Well we have been introduced to a couple of record labels, and they have made their proposals, but we are very content being in the position we are in. All we need is people who support us in our corner of the world here in PA and we're happy. The deals just didn't seem right, and we're not dying to sign the line. We're doing great without making any fat cat record company rich.
We do have a tour coming up this summer. It's a summer outdoor tour. We're playing 10 or 15 shows at fairs, festivals, and bazaars. We are extremely lucky to have broken numerous attendance records at a lot of these fairs. I think these events should be put in the spotlight more. They are the essence of PA. It gives kids and families something to do over the summer, and their patronage helps the organization that is holding it. Most of these churches, fire companies and towns rely on the money to make it through the year. It's a totally great time, and this summer is going to be our biggest ever, I guarantee it. The tour schedule is posted on our web site at www.40lbhead.com .
Gene Padden: What distinguishes 40 lb. Head from other area bands in the scene?
Steve: There is a lot of bands that have musicians that have been recycled 20 times from other bands, bands that have come and gone in three months, and bands that really don't want to connect with their crowd. I don't think we fall into those categories. At our shows, everybody seems to know everybody. We are all friends. We have had our original members since our inception. People know what to expect, and know who they'll see out. Our fans are the coolest people ever, and we can say that because we know them.
Gene Padden: What is you favorite thing about playing in NEPA?
Steve: Well in the last two questions, I praised the people of NEPA pretty well, and I can't say enough. People are kind, exciting, friendly, crazy, loyal, and thoughtful. As for NEPA itself, we're sitting on a beautiful chunk of land. This area is booming and HEADing in the right direction economically and enviromentally. We love getting in the van and leaving to play a gig out of state too. It's a change of scenery, which is always good. We have a ball together, and then we can't wait to come home.
Gene Padden: What are you favorite songs to play?
Steve: I'd have to go with "Hanging by a Moment" (Lifehouse), "Paranoia" (The Kinks), "Minority" (Green Day).... maybe "Pure Energy" (Information Society). I like palying the songs that we've twisted up somehow, which is most of them.
Gene Padden: What's been your secret to lasting so long?
Steve: Our friendship to each other and our loyal fans. We don't even like calling them fans. It's funny how many friendships we've seen develop over the years among out crowd. They're all our friends.
Gene Padden: Who is your favorite local band?
Steve: Hmmmmm, the Clove guys are really cool people, they've been hanging in there for as long as we have and they have some great origianl tunes. The many times we've played with them, we always end up hanging out. They seem very similar to us in many ways. I like all the bands that are playing in Concert for Karen, so I can't wait.
Gene Padden: Waht's the next big show or event 40 lb HEAD is looking forward to, other than Concert for Karen?
Steve: We can't wait for the summer tour. Last year we had anywhere from 3,500 to 9,000 people at some of these firs. It's ben something to see. It's a milestone for us and NEPA
Gene Padden: Waht does it mean to 40 lb. HEAD to be playing Concert for Karen?
Steve: We've been doing this for a couple of years. We got our start at Jitterbug's. It seems like yesterday when it was open, and we would see Karen behind the bar. Either we'd be there drinking or playing or both. Those are the days and people that we'll never forget. This concert is an incredible effort by many people, and you know who they are. Karen acts as a great symbol for the need for leukemia research and funding. We personally have lost not only Karen to this disease, but a family member as well.