Bursting
out of this world of musical diversity comes five outlandishly
varied guys whom have joined all talents and imagination together
to create this uniquely powerful band called ADJACENT
TO NOTHING. Within every song and action these guys make
lies aptitude and creativity, so when I got the chance to hang
out with ADJACENT TO NOTHING a while I was rather
pleased to speak with them about their music and themselves. These
five different aspects (that strangely enough are quite diverse)
inner correlate themselves together for a great time and an exciting
mix. Being rather impressed with such a solid and ravishing album,
this was a rather exciting moment to learn and experience where
their music was stemming from.
Stacie:
First and foremost, congratulations on an exceptional album. How
does it feel to finally have this material released?
Mike: Well, we are definitely pleased with what we’ve
put out on Enfermo. The thing is that
we’ve been writing such great songs since this release,
that it feels like we’ve progressed to the point that what
we just put out already needs to be updated.
Stacie:
Where did the name ADJACENT TO NOTHING come from and what does
it represent for your band?
Spencer: The name "Adjacent To Nothing" came
from a conversation we had several years back as we were trying
to come up with a name to represent the sound we had. We were
tossing out names that sounded kinda cool and "equal to nothing"
was one of them. But since we strive to have more of an intelligent
approach to our music, "Adjacent" sounded much more
appropriate and just seemed to have that edge we try to incorporate
into our music. Honestly it doesn't really hold a lot of deep
meaning to us other than we feel that our songs are singular and
we want that to be the focus, not the band or it's look or it's
name. We'd rather let our songs take the focus and have us be
like nothing. We're about writing and performing good solid songs,
songs that make you feel something, songs that mean something.
Stacie:
With the many switches in the band’s line up, how do you
feel the music has been effected and how does your fans react
you the new members?
Dan: This line up is making better and more emotional
music than we ever have. Our music now is slightly more complex
and progressive, but sill makes you bob your head, and our fans
love our new member (Jake). Everybody does, he’s a social
butterfly.
Stacie:
Do you feel this line-up change will be successful?
Cam: YES! There’s a great vibe we’ve got
going on right now. This is the line up that finally feels right.
No one is expendable or replaceable. So knock on wood.
Stacie:
How does it feel to have shared venues with such legends as Type
O Negative, Pissing Razors, Ill Nino, Drowning Pool, Flaw, and
others?
Mike: It is an honor. These are bands that we listened
to before ADJACENT TO NOTHING was even thought
of. We appreciate the opportunity to share the stage with them.
At the risk of sounding cocky it has helped us to realize that
we can hold our own with just about anyone.
Stacie:
For being local to Utah, how has your responses been from larger
musicians and bands that have played with you guys on a show?
Spencer: Everybody has to start somewhere, and most of
the bigger acts remember that and have been very hospitable to
us. Some have even let us on the tour bus with them to hang out
and give us pointers and insight. Some have even continued correspondence
with us afterwards. Some of them have even given us props at shows.
It’s pretty cool to hear someone you look up to and have
listened to for years mention to a screaming crowd that they appreciate
your band in particular.
Stacie:
If you could pick, who would be on you ‘dream list’
bill to go on tour with?
Mike: Tool, Metallica, Black Sabbath
Dan: Soulfly
Cam: Tool, Korn, Slipknot
Stacie:
Who would you say you have gained influences from, who does you
music resemble in various ways?
Mike: Tool, Korn, Deftones, Mudvayne
Spencer: We all have different influences, but
I don’t think our sound really takes after any particular
one band. For example:
Cam grew up on death metal, but currently is a diehard
Slipknot fan. Yet his sound is all his own. Jake has influences
more in the In Flames, Dream Theater and Lacuna Coil, but try
and tell me whom he sounds like when he’s going off on the
crazy shit he can do. He is his own sound.
When I first picked up the guitar, I was very influenced
by Metallica, Pantera, and Rage Against The Machine, but after
a while of writing\playing your own songs you start to develop
your own unique sound as an instrumentalist. Of course I’m
on the bass now, so I just try to come up with dark grooves and
shit that makes you either wanna shake your ass, or kill something.
Stacie:
Any plans for a world or Northern American tour? Or any plans
for larger shows?
Jake: Hell yes! As soon as we can get a decent deal landed,
I’m sure we’ll tour all over the US. We want to tour
the entire world. That will come when the exposure and money to
do so does.
Stacie:
How do you feel your band image (for being very eclectic and different)
effects your fan base and music?
Dan: If they haven’t heard us before, they don’t
know what to expect when we hit the stage, so they become intrigued.
It’s kinda funny because we’ve had people come up
to us and tell how they were taken off guard because they would
see Mike get onstage and they thought he was a roadie doing mic
checks, and then he let’s out one of his brutal screams
as we start our 1st song. We each have our own style visually
and musically, but the music is always the main focus.
Stacie:
I heard a rumor that Kenny G was an influence on the band…
What would your response to this be?
Mike: Sure, he inspires us not to make sappy and shitty
music and provides some anger for us. All kidding aside, though,
mainstream music is in a sad sad state and it does actually anger
us that some of the shit is passed off on the radio and MTV as
music. So we strive to make something worth listening to.
Stacie:
What are the bands plans for the future?
Cam: Get signed, put out a killer CD, go on a worldwide
tour, and make a big dent in the industry. Personally, I want
to drink beer and party in every country, just to say that I did.
Dan: I’d really like to be responsible
for putting good Hard Rock and Metal back in the place it should
be in the industry. There are too many shitty substitutes for
good music that are getting all the exposure, while the good stuff
gets bypassed.
Stacie:
What does such musicians as yourself do in spare time or for fun
besides jam? Any side projects?
Spencer: what’s this spare time you speak of? Just
kidding. I really like playing computer games, especially war
and strategy ones like Age of Empires, or Rise Of Nations. I even
have a friend who is putting together an ATN video game for us
to sell at shows. It’ll be a Street Fighter type game where
you can pick anyone in the band and our crew as your fighter.
Jake: Wake Boards and girls. Lots of girls. Preferably
18+.
Cam: Outdoorsy things (fishing\camping\hunting),
partying, good times, and lots of sex.
Mike: Poker Tournaments. I do quite well in those.
Stacie:
How would you describe ADJACENT TO NOTHING to those who haven’t
taken a listen?
Spencer: Well, we do have our own sound, but each song
has it’s own sound\vibe\message to it. I’d say the
best way to describe our music is that we use varying degrees
of brutality and beauty to describe how we feel about something…
whether that be that be brought to life by a guitar, bass, drum,
vocal sound, or the absence of these.
Stacie:
For all of you, what’s one CD in your player right now?
Dan: Soulfly
Spencer: HED pe
Jake: Tech N9ne
Cam: Slipknot
Mike: Lords Of Acid
Stacie:
For the ladies reading this, do share who is involves and who
is not?
Mike: Semi involved, but available (depending on who
you ask)
Dan: Involved
Spencer: Involved, she’s HOT!
Jake: I’ll take as many women as possible,
please.
Cam: Bring on the ladies.
Stacie:
Mike, for being the handsome front man, do you have a problem
with selling your looks to get a new fan base or for promotional
matters?
Mike: I don’t know if I should even take this question
seriously or not, so I will respond as follows. I would have no
problem with it. I think prostitution is acceptable. There’s
much more integrity in it that a career such as a lawyer, car
salesman, or insurance adjuster. Plus it would all go to a good
cause like feeding the starving children in Africa. Most of them
are Cam’s anyway (that’s a joke by the way)
Stacie:
Any final comments?
Mike: We sincerely appreciate our fans.
Spencer: If you’ve seen us live, then you
know why you’ll see us again. For those who haven’t
seen us live yet, come and see why they will.
Thank
you for the chance to catch up with you, I hope to see you on
tour very soon! |
