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"Interview with Steve of 40lb Head"
NEPAExposure.com (nolonger online) — August, 2002
1. In order to get the standard fave out of the way before we get to the meat of the interview, lets start out wit a brief summary of how the band formed?
in short, it was formed to have fun. i was a drummer at the time looking for a job with an existing band. i soon found that all of the bands seemed to be trying to fit a sqare peg in a round hole. with a push frm my buddy Z, who now plays drums, we decided to get together and jam some tunes in the lab basement. i was screwing around with guitar a little at the time. i later told my 2 brothers to come down for a couple of drinks, and in short...J ended up singing, bri learned the bass, i learned guitar, Z beat the drums, and we were formed. we NEVER expected to be where we are today.
2. What particular sound were you all initially striving for? And do you feel that you have, indeed, accomplished it?
well, when a song comes to me, i get exited, it kind of flows into me. after polishing it, recording it, and hearing it thousands of times, it loses something. but thats how i am with all music. i never write music to fit into any particular genre, its the mood and the people who put it there.
3. What music icons have most influenced your sound, stage persona, crime fighting superhero alter egos, bedroom role play, etc?
haha, thats a wierd one. i really dont know. basically, my goal is to capture an emotion, turn it into music. if i dont feel something when i listen to music, i dont enjoy it. its hard for me to relate to cookie-cutter pop bands and all the anger-hatred crap going on today because it seems so fake...like what does Korn have to cry about? they're millionares. how many times do bands hop onto an emerging style of music in the hopes of being the band that the competition record company is looking for. a record co. takes a chance on nirvana, they go big, then every other label out there is looking for a nirvana. its pretty pathetic. the market is asking for it, and bands are coming out of the woodwork with the whatever nonsense they can write to sell thier product. thats not why i write music.
4. Your band is playing the Electric City Redroom Concert series on Sept 16. What are your thoughts on what Electric City is trying to do with the Redroom concert series & what impact, if any, do you feel it will have on the NEPA music scene?
man, i think its a beautiful thing. NEPA has alot going on. over the years that we've been playing, we've seen very good artists and bands in every circuit, some play in corner bars, some have propelled themselves to stardom. to have an outlet like this is a great way to generate more interest in whats actually happening. we all have great pride in where we live, and this is a great way to bring things into the light.
5. What do you feel the NEPA music scene is lacking?
hmm, honestly, i thing opportunities like the redroom concerts are unfortunately few & far between. i would love to see more shows like this because our area has a great scene in the making...i really believe that
6. Describe for us the perfect gig?
i love to see the crowd getting involved and when you can tell that they are really enjoying it. when we play the outdoor shows throughout the summer, there are thousands of people who come for the music and the festival. to see them singing along to your music and being so involved is very rewarding. there is often a sense of community and unity.
7. What is your all time favorite song to cover, and why?
thats a tough one. maybe 196. its a happy head tune from "savior self" that is often requested. at the end theres a really melodic part that just makes me feel like im coasting or something. people seem to dig it
8. If you had the opportunity to tour with any group of your choosing, who would it be and why?
its easy just to say U2 or something, but id love to do something with a band from around here. we've developed friendships with some great people in other bands, and to do something with the badlees, fuel or something would be a lot of fun
9. Where do you see the group within the next 5 years?
i think we'll still be playing, definitely. where? i have no ideawe've been going up for 5 years, but there has to be a top somewhere.
10. What level of success would you be satisfied with?
we are extremely satisfied to have the success that we have now. we never expected anything like this, and we really appreciate it
11. What type of individual do you feel your music is directed at?
its middle class kind of stuff, nothing that is sharply in any particular direction i guess
12. What can we expect from you in the future?
well, the redroom concerts is great timing because we have a new CD coming out at the end of sept. called "third shift". Its being mixed & mastered at the badlees "saturation acres" right now. i dont think itll be done for the concert (maybe), but we'll be playing alot of the tunes from it. we're really exited about this one.
13. If any of the core members of the group decided to leave the band, do you feel the rest would opt to continue or disband?
we would disband almost definitely
14. David Bowie or Ozzy Osbourne?
bowie
15. What is the most embarrassing moment you’ve experienced (pertaining to the band)?
we were playing a show once, and i was trying to be cool by climbing on the front monitor while playing. i slipped and fell right on my ass. broke my guitar chord, and had to stop the song. talk about tomato head. haha
16. Motley Crue or the Clash?
clash
17. Elvis Costello or Elvis Presley?
costello
18. Who do you think would win in a Kung Fu / Fist Fight, Kip Winger and Jonathan Davies or The Nelsons Twins?
no clue, but id buy tickets to see it
19. What do you think was the greatest record of the 1980’s?
u2 joshua tree. that was 80's right?
20. Have you ever considered relocating the band in order to better expose your music?
nope, we had an offer from a record company to move west & tour alot, but we have too many connections here and the $ didnt warrant it
21. Anything Further you would like to add?
thanks for having faith in the nepa scene, and thanks for the opportunity. KEEP IT UP