PRP: Just to start, the big question that I'm sure you guys have been asked a thousand times: how was Colepitz formed?
Mike: About 2 years ago, Ray (guitarist) and myself started jamming on some riffs, just for fun. We played with a drummer we knew and started getting songs together. Then we put out an ad for a singer and Rob called. From there, we started to get shows (with Rob's help) in the Portland area and the band was formed. Hahahaha.
PRP: Hehehe, sounds good. Was Rob the first person to call you?
Mike: No. There were like 2 or 3 people we knew that tried before him. They were into the rapcore thing and we really wanted to stay away from that, so it didn't worked. Rob fit in then...
PRP: I see. I asked that because I'd call you a lucky bastard if Rob had been the first person to call you. Hehehehe. He has an awesome voice.
Mike: Well, I don't mean this in any offense, but none of us were at then what we are today. I think Rob would agree. It took a lot of work for us to get the songs we have together on the disc.
PRP: I understand. Anyway, I know Colepitz had loads of drummers before Brian. Do you think that Brian is the definite choice?
Mike: Rob, you can take this one.
Rob: Brian is really...hmm...well, I guess he's just the drummer that we need to finish our sound, unlike the other guys who couldn't keep time or match rays polyrhythmic riffs.
PRP: Do you think that your intense shows has helped you to get part of the extense fanbase you have today?
Mike: Rob, you can take this one too. It's yours.
Rob: The shows mean everything. With college radio doing a lot for us, we have to have memorable shows that leave people with a feeling, an experience that they can take home with them. The shows are really intense, and we work damn hard to get them that way. The focus of our show is intense emotion, we want people to feel the music above anything else. Except my crotch. They should feel that first.
Mike: Hahahahahaha.
PRP: Ok, that WILL sound stupid, but what's a crotch? Hahahaha. (Note for the readers: Remember that I am a brazilian, so I don't know all those american slangs.)
Mike: His balls.
PRP: Oh. Hahahaha.
Mike: Yeah, fuckin moron Rob.
Rov: I'm just trying to keep it light.
PRP: Well, then I guess I should stay away from your live shows....
Mike: Haha, he's kidding.
PRP: Hahahaha, I know. So am I.
Mike: Cool.
PRP: Why "Colepitz" as the band's name?
Mike: Rob should take this one too.
Rob: Ok, Colepitz as the band's name..... during the time when we were just forming, a friend of Ray and our first drummer, Chad, passed away. He was a fan of heavy music, and his name was Chris Colpitts. He loved metal, hardcore, punk, anything aggressive and with feeling. We wanted to honor his memory and also acknowledge the shortness of life. Our time on this earth is not very long, we should do things the right way, and as intensely as possible. He was a good guy, Chris, and I know he is very much missed. We hope to bring a positive light to his friends and family in honoring the name of someone very special who touched a lot of people with a sincere love of music.
Mike: Well put.
PRP: That's a beautiful story. Ok, here's another one: Rob, what happened with your blonde hair? Hahahaha.
Rob: I got bored, and had never actually shaved my head with a razor. It's weird, your head feels really bizarre when it's shaved. It looks smooth, but when you touch it, it just feels kind of gross. I'm growin it back now.
PRP: Already got bored of being bald? Hahaha.
Rob: Yep.
Mike: He looks mean bald.
PRP: Hehehe, I guess he lost his success with the chicks. Hehehe.
Mike: Ouch! Hahaha.
Rob: Never had any to lose.
PRP: Hahahaha. Anyway, what's your opinion about the new england scene?
Mike: After pretty much being to every little corner doing shows, the new england scene to me is really good. There are a lot of really good bands out there and, if anything, it sucks that more people don't go to shows. But there are a lot of college radio stations that support the new music and I think it's really making an impact, because every show we see there are progressively more and more people, so it's definitely getting better.
PRP: Do you consider Colepitz, as, like, the most successful band of the scene at the moment? Cause I know the buzz is big around you guys....
Mike: Hmmm, not really. I'd say, in Maine our fanbase is pretty exceptional. But outside of Maine, it's hard, going back to the thing about new faces coming to shows. It seems it's always the same people supporting the music. But I'm definitely happy with where we're at so far.
PRP: Do you have anything to add, Rob?
Rob: I totally agree. We are very fortunate to have a great team working for us, that's why we are where we are today.
Mike: Amen to that.
Rob: It takes a lot of energy to make a buzz, and we are grateful.
PRP: Amen. Well, let's talk about inspirations.....
Mike: Alright. Shoot.
PRP: Personal and group inspirations?
Rob: I'll let Mike go first.
PRP: You're a good man, Rob. Thanks for letting him go first. The mankind appreciates your nice gesture.
Rob: Ain't no thing, chickenwing.
PRP: Hahaha.
Mike: Alright. Personally, I have pretty widerange of influences: Pantera, deftones, Tool, Meshuggah for the heavy stuff. Then also Radiohead, Far, Bela Fleck, Primus. I know there's more but I can't think. Rob, let me know if I forgot some.
Rob: Slipknot?
Mike: FUCK! I'm a moron. Of course, Slipknot. Fear Factory too. Damn, I'm stupid today. Must be all that crack I'm smoking. Hahahaha, I'm kidding.
PRP: Hahahaha. Rob?
Rob: I guess Portishead, John Coltrane, Radiohead, Bad Brains, deftones.... anything with great soul and energy. I am mostly inspired by the guys in the band. Mike and Ray are constantly challenging me and themselves to be better and better. I have never been better in my life, and I have those two to thank for it.
PRP: Hahahah, ok Rob. There's no need for you to kiss anybody's ass. Hahaha. I see the band has NO rapcore influences at all. Does the band as a whole dislike the whole rapcore buzz that's going on at the moment?
Mike: Personally, I probably wouldn't mind it as much if there weren't so many bands doing it. There are a lot of bands who I like who do it really well, but I can't get into some bands that are almost a mirror image of their influences. Like, Eastcide is a great band. They're total rapcore and I love them.
Rob: Run-DMC did it right back in the early 80's. What's left after that? Rage Against The Machine kicks, but I think there's not much farther that it can go, unless you combine it with other feelings, moods or genres.
Mike: Yeah. Good point.
PRP: What about your label mates, Gangsta Bitch Barbie, who you constantly tour with?
Mike: Yeah, they do it well too. Forgot them.
Rob: Hip-hop as a genre is really much more exploratory than rapcore now.
PRP: Well, I do like rapcore a lot, but I do agree that it's saturated already. My point of view though. How's the relationship between Colepitz and Wonderdrug Records?
Mike: Pretty good. We work tight with Ken, who runs Wonderdrug, and also his press department, I guess you could call it. Margie especially has been a huge help. Also Steve, who has moved to Concrete Marketing in NY, was and still is a huge help. We've worked really closely with him lately.
Rob: We love Wonderdrug and Ken Cmar. We couldn't have developed the following outside of Maine without them.
Mike: Yeah. They've been great.
< at this point, Mike had to left due to some business he had to take care of >
PRP: Ok, now it's just me and you, bro. Ready to die? Hehehe.
Rob: Ok, another couple questions? Bring it!
PRP: Is anyone in the band on any side projects?
Rob: Yeah. Brian (drummer) is in a couple of experimental things, but nothing serious. This is way too big to do anything else, and we don't want to. I am psyched to be this busy.
PRP: Hahahaha. After many years spent in the bed watching TV and scratching your balls, you finally have something to do, huh?
Rob: More like, too many years beating my head against the wall and getting nowhere in the industry. But, at least the music has always been fun. Now, besides the fun side, people go to our shows, which is just an added bonus.
PRP: How much internet promotion helped you guys to get where you are today?
Rob: I really dont know. But it's great to see people buying discs from all over the U.S. just by hearing us on mp3.com. I am sure that when we tour America, we will reap the benefits of our internet presence. Also when we tour the world!
PRP: When can we expect a new album to come out?
Rob: Right now, we're focusing on supporting this album and playing as much as possible. We are constantly writing, though, and already have enough raw material for at least one new disc, if not two. Ray is quite an industrious writer.
PRP: Ever considered the idea of adding a 2nd guitarist to the band's line-up?
Rob: We have considered it, but we haven't found the right person. There just aren't a ton of great musicians in a little city like Portland, Maine to draw from. Maybe if we get the chance to do a major label album, we could find the right person. It's also not entirely necessary, as Ray does a great job of filling in the frequencies live.
PRP: Ok, to finalize: Do you think Colepitz is in perfect condition to sign with a big label and make a huge world tour? Not only technically, but emotionally speaking as well.
Rob: Three months ago, I would have said no, but now, with a lot of communication issues opened up, and new material coming along quickly, I would say we are all very ready to start the process of going to the next level. The band is finally very tight, and I do think that we can do it, if we just get the chance. This is the first time in my life that I have ever felt this strongly about music, and the fact that what we are doing may be somethng special. The reaction to this band is not like anything I have ever seen. I just feel very lucky to be a part of it, and I'm glad to have met the other guys in the band. To make the music we make is a real privilege to me.
PRP: That's really cool, because i don't see that too far to happen. Any last comments, thanks, or anything else you want to add?
Rob: Thanks so much for your site, and for all your work in the scene, from Brazil. You're doing a great job here. The interview was cool, and I'll do one again if we catch a big break and you want the story. Thanks to all of our friends, family and fans, and all the people who have helped us get where we are. Sorry for being cheesy... but really, I just say support local music, and support and encourage young people trying to learn about music if you can. When I was a kid, no one ever took the time to help me out, so I try to help as much as possible. They say that when you die, all you have left is the effect on the people around you, and I hope to leave a legacy of positivity towards music in kids. I mention that in reference to the name of the band, and making sure to let people know that we are going to stay true to our roots.
PRP: Hahaha, that was intense. Thanks a lot, Rob.
Rob: No problem. If any kids in your town want to ask questions about music, don't hesitate to send them my e-mail address. Music is everything to me (well, not everything but pretty huge), and I love to share that with people who feel the same way.
PRP: Definitely! Thanks once again and take care.
Rob: Take care, Pedro! ROCK!
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