PRP: I'll start with the usual question: How all of you got together to form 5lb. Bag?
Mark: We started as separate bands. Me, Greg and Scott in one and Gause and Maxwell in another. We liked each other's music, so we started hanging out, and everntually started playing toghether. Larry Lohr replaced our first bass player who went away to go to college.
PRP: That's cool.....How long have you been playing together?
Mark: Me, Greg and Scott started in 1994. The bag the way it is, started in 1996.
PRP: Ok. You sing because you can't play any instrument, or there is another explanation? Hehehehehe.
Mark: I started as a bass player that sang in my first band. Greg and Scott convinced me to just front. The main reason I sing is because I care very much about the lyrics. What you say is important in music.
PRP: That's true. I like that in a band...a band which says something in the lyrics. That's pretty important, can't disagree. Anyway, have you had any singer who inspired you to sing?
Mark: Let's see: Prince, Anita Baker...All of 'em. Not their voices really, but their messages and convictions to their songs. Everyone inspired me.
PRP: That's cool. I can notice that you're very open-minded to music, since you're in a rapcore band and digs Prince. Which would be your favorite band ever?
Mark: Ever? Damn, that's asking a lot. I'd have to say that if I died and had to take one CD to heaven or hell, it would be a Prince album, but I love so much what's out today, from Wu Tang to Deftones. That's not a fair question. haha. I mean, I love most music. Yesterday, today and tomorrow. I think assholes die-hardly convicted to a "genre" are doomed to write the same old shit.
PRP: I agree. I'm open-minded to music as well, but I gotta say I'm not really into Prince at all. hehehehe, I respect the ones who do, though.
Mark: Prince is not the point. I like him, but if I don't listen to anything but Rapcore, then I have nothing to offer that is different.
PRP: You guys have anything released?
Mark: Yeah. We have a self titled disk out, released in late 1998.
PRP: Through any small label or something?
Mark: No. So far, it's just our meager means of distribution at shows, the website and local outlets, but, and I know every band you have ever interviewed has said this, that will be changing soon. We do have some European interest going on right now. I probably shouldn't elaborate, but hopes are high and it looks good. We have sold about 8000+ disks, though.
PRP: 8000 disks? Damn it, and you call it meager? Hehehehehe.
Mark: Compared to Prince, yeah. Not that we wanna be Prince. Hahahahaha.
PRP: LOL. Who's the lyricist of the band?
Mark: That's me again...
PRP: Where do you usually take inspiration to write?
Mark: Things that I know about. Things that are close. Things that I can be passionate and real to people about. You won't find me writing about drive-bys or shit i haven't dealt with, but you can bet I'll write about the shit I know.
PRP: And how's the process of composing songs? The lyrics are written for the music, or is the music made for the lyrics?
Mark: It all starts with us drinking beer in the practice shack. Somebody will play a riff and that will turn into an idea, and then I'll leave with the tape and write the lyrics. Sometimes it works off an idea that I wrote away from practice. I write constantly, just to make myself feel better sometimes. It's all pretty honest. We don't think about writing "hooks" or anything.
PRP: I hear you. Well, what about the band's name: 5lb. Bag? Where you took it from?
Mark: A drunk friend of ours left a message on Greg's awnsering machine saying he scored a "five pound bass". We thought he said "five pound bag" because his speach was so slurred. So we were all trying to get up with him. I guess you had to be there....it was really funny at the time.
PRP: Hehehehe, that's cool. A lot of band's names are generated from some drunk speeches.
Mark: You know a "bass" is a fish, right?
PRP: Yeah, I know...hehehe. (NOTE: Actually, I didn't knew, but it's ok...LOL). Anyway, what's in the cd player now?
Mark: Tool.
PRP: Which CD? Undertow, Ænima or Opiate?
Mark: Ænima.
PRP: Cool. I love this CD. Undertow is also amazing.
Mark: I think a lot of that band. They are unsung heroes. Not enough credit. I like both CD's.
PRP: I agree. About the new 5lb. Bag cd, how will it be? Tell us about it, hehehehehehe.
Mark: It is a much higher quality recording. The first one was done in a garage on an 8 track. This one is done in a bigger studio that will allow us to do a lot more. The songs are still heavy as shit, but employ a little more melody. That's not to say it's not still blatently rapcore, but there are some places where I'm actually singing more and Gause still carries the chatterbox vocals over it. There's alot more experimental shit going on too; wild ass tunings, samples...shit like that. It will be the shit. If we ever get done.
PRP: Is there any possibility it won't get done? don't tell me there is.....
Mark: We'll still be here. It just takes so long. I'm very impatient about it. I want it to be finished NOW. Studio can be a slow process sometimes...waiting for people to duplicate them and such.
PRP: I see. Well, will you guys do out of state shows after the CD's released?
Mark: FL, GA and VA so far. We have some European dates scheduled for Fall. I think this should all happen by next month.
PRP: Fuck, man. That will rock! I wish you'd come to Brazil! Hehehehehe.
Mark: I'd like to see Rio! THAT would rock!
PRP: I'm from Rio! Hahahahahahaha. Rio de Janeiro kicks ass. Anyway, What are the lyrics of Resistance about? I'm just reading it....
Mark: It's about people who pre-judge other people. How it pisses me off to walk into a place and have people give me a different atttitude than they'd give someone else because I look strange. About someone assuming they know me or what I'm about. I have only one judge...I don't judge them.
PRP: Fuck, I couldn't agree more. I hate it. What would be the tour of your dreams? Your band plus.... ?
Mark: Deftones or Tool. I love their shows. We might not fit real well, but while we're dreaming....
PRP: I'd go to this show! Hehehehe. Best underground band out there? 5lb. Bag doesn't count.
Mark: Jones Family Reunion. We played with them a few months ago in Greenville. They have 3 vocalists: two dudes and a fine assed chick. They rock in a different way completely. Plus a DJ, guitar, bass, drums...rockin shit.
PRP: I'd like to hear their stuff....
Mark: The chick gets ILL. She needs to be love slave for 5lbBag!
PRP: Well, she may be tempted by the offer when she reads the interview. Hehehehehe.
Mark: Just joking. I really did like 'em though.
PRP: Any of 5lb. Bag members are in other bands?
Mark: Nope. All about 5lb.
PRP: Which was the last show you went?
Mark: Us, Scrap and 5 times down last weekend. Crazy as hell. We drank too much & they drank too much & poured beer all over the stage, so when we went on after them we were all sliding all over the place busting our asses.
PRP: LOL. Any shows booked?
Mark: We are booked solid through August. I have to go play in a minute as a matter of fact.
PRP: Well, any last words then?
Mark: 5lbBag thanks everybody supporting us so far. Everyone has been so devoted. We need that, and wouldn't be around without the folks that come to our shows regularly, patronize the site and buy cds. We hope you'll keep your eyes on us, cause we won't give up. We wanna make you proud! Peace to all! Thank you too Pedro. Keep it up, man.
PRP: Thanks man. Good show!
Mark: Cool. You have a good night! Gotta rock the house...
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