Shun
Questions Answered By Bill (vocals), Cris (guitars), Richie (bass) and Jac (drums).
08/05/00
Interviewed by Pedro Einloft
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Related Links:
Official Website
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PRP: Ok, first question: How was Shun formed? For how long have you guys been playing together?
Richie: Everyone but Jac has been together for around 4 years.
Jac: I've been here for a year.
Richie: It started out like most bands: jamming in a garage.
PRP: Ok, but how you met each other, and figured out you all clicked and stuff?
Richie: Basically by being around each other 24/7. Becoming almost a family.
Cris: We were all just friends with the same desire to be something; and we all loved music. It took a while to get it all going, though.
Jac: I guess I met them through chance and fate.
Richie: Yeah, fate! You just got lucky. That's all!
PRP: Hahahahaha.
Jac: That is the easy way to say it. Punk ass!
PRP: Why have you decided to use "Shun" as the band's name?
Richie: It was actually an old song title we had. Billy came up with it.
Cris: Billy named it.
Richie: It just kinda fit us. The word / the meaning.
PRP: I've had the opportunity to listen to both, old and new songs of you guys. Your evolution is 100% notable, yet something that caught my attention is that you kinda put the heaviness, which was something characteristic in your first record, out of your today's material, investing much more in melody. Was that something natural, or something you intended to do, maybe to set yourselves apart of the whole new metal scene going on now a days?
Richie: Both really. We always wanted to do more melodic stuff. But we like heavy stuff too.
Cris: We didn't want to be caught in a trend, plus we have such a good singer that we wanted a more vocally oriented style. We all grew up on emotional music.
Jac: The sound now has feeling.
Richie: We really try to be inovators.
Bill: It's not like me to scream and be hardcore. I'm not a violent person.
Richie: Sissy boy.
PRP: Hahahaha. That's cool. I must say I think you followed the right path. I like your new stuff much more.
Jac: Thank you.
Richie: Thanks.
PRP: I know you had a lot of problems on finding a drummer for the band, auditioning loads of people before finding the drummer you have today, Jac. Do you think that the line-up you have today is the most solid you had till date, and that is one which has perfect condition to get somewhere in the music business?
Cris: Yes. We have never made music like this.
Richie: We couldn't be a better band in my opinion.
Cris: I agree.
Richie: We all just fit in the same groove...
Jac: ...when we play together.
Bill: Couldn't have said it better myself.
Richie: I don't think that anyone else could fit into this band as tight as anyone of us.
PRP: What are your inspirations? Not necessarily talking about musicians.
Richie: Emotion.
Bill: Do you mean motivation?
PRP: Yeah, that's it.
Richie: Just our environments. Everyday life.
Jac: Passion for playing and the ability to not be able to hold a job.
PRP: Hahaha, I guess that's a good motivation right there.
Richie: We're still working on that one though.
Bill: The people that have faith in me; my family; and my band. My band is part of my family and I can't let them down. Plus, we have to keep Jac from working.
PRP: Most, if not all of the band members claim to have as a influence trip-hop bands like Portishead or Massive Attack. Do you think that that influence is reflected in your music?
Richie: A little, but I don't think it's that notable.
Cris: In our verses, I feel like the guitars sometimes hold that vibe.
Bill: Not really as far as style. But I'd say that is the kind of vibe we like to portray.
Richie: There are a lot of other influences like Radiohead, Tool, Alice In Chains...
Cris: Radiohead, Cold, Tool, Deftones, Stone Temple Pilots, Alice In Chains... I have to many to list. Trip-hop bands are not our biggest influences. Mine, anyways. Billy is probably the most influenced by them.
Jac: With me, I try to do the opposite of what I listen to. It's more fun to write that way.
Richie: Failure.
Cris: Far, Sunny Day Real Estate, even Nirvana. I loved it all.
Richie: All grunge. A lot of metal, emo.....everything.
Jac: I like all styles about the same, like country, rapmetal, emo, oldies and rock.
Richie: Country?????? Huh???
Jac: Yes. So?
Cris: John Anderson!!
Bill: "Roll, roll seminole wind." Hahahaha.
Cris: Cool with me. I kinda like some, but don't let it be known.
Jac: Cris likes "Cold".
Cris: Yeah! So?
PRP: Yeah, you try to keep it to your emotional side. That's really cool. Cris once said to me you guys are somewhat of a new grunge band influenced by the whole emo / emotional new metal music that's going on. Would the other members agree with it?
Richie: Completely.
Jac: I do agree.
Bill: Yeah, I would agree totally.
Cris: There was a new metal scene. It is time for a new grunge.
Jac: Time for something good to listen to.
PRP: Cool. The band hasn't invested much in internet promotion, but are now preparing yourselves to start working with it. Would you say that internet promotion is just as important as real life promotion?
Richie: Almost more important.
Bill: Definitely.
Cris: I really don't know much about it, but I think that, if it is, it will be much easier to reach people out there in places you regularly couldn't.
Richie: It's such an easier way to market your music in places where, if you didn't have a major label, there wasn't much chance for distribution. Now everyone can access it.
PRP: When can we expect a second album from the band, and what are your expectation towards it?
Cris: Hopefully in early to late september. A lot better music with a totally new feel of maturity.
Richie: Far more mature. More light songs.
Jac: A CD that a mother and a teen can enjoy. Old and young can appreciate it.
Cris: More of a mix instead of the same sound all the way through. I think that is where a lot of bands now a days lose me. They need more variety in their music.
PRP: The band's second album is gonna be called "Michael In Reign", which is also the name of a song of yours. Can any of you explain the meaning of that name?
Bill: Well, it's a lot about my family life. The title basically was named after a friend of ours. Also, it's my big brother's name.
Richie: Come on!
Jac: Don't rush the boy.
Richie: Gotta be a little deeper than that, though.
Bill: Michael In Reign symbolizes someone taking control of the situation. My brother raised me when my parents decided to leave the responsibility behind. I guess you could say it's kind of a tribute to him.
Cris: I like to think of that song as the band's turning point in music. We found that we definitely had a beautiful side as well.
PRP: Hmmmm, a song of yours called "Tenth Collar", appearently has lyrics related to the christianism. Do you consider yourself a christian band?
Richie: Not really. Just a morally conscious band.
Cris: No. We just believe in God.
Richie: Being from where we are (The Bible Belt), you tend to have christianism around at all times. The southeast U.S. is very religious. A lot of christian groups around to let you know about religion.
Cris: We aren't trying to portray a religious image. I'm sorry if it come across that way.
Richie: Just a decent image.
PRP: Don't worry about, it was just a question. Everything is well explained now.
Richie: Cool.
PRP: How confident are you about your music?
Cris: Very. I believe we are pioneers of something new.
Bill: Very confident.
Richie: I agree with Cris. I think that we really have something strong.
Cris: Not just the same anger that has been going around for the last few years. We are more about the passion....
Richie: ... and new.
Jac: I have shifted my life to where all I have and believe in is this band.
Bill: If I wasn't confident, I would be washing dishes at a fast food joint.
PRP: True. I guess that was a dumb question after all. Of course all of you are very confident about your music. Duh!
Bill: Not dumb at all....
PRP: How's the music scene in Portland, TN? I know you have some good bands there like 12 Volt Negative Earth, but are you satisfied with what you have there, as for bands and venues and all that stuff?
Richie: Actually, most all the bands around here are in Nashville, but I think that a lot of bands around here are catching on to what we're doing and this 7music is really starting to grow.
Cris: There have have been some really good bands and venues here, but they don't seem to last...
Bill: Yeah, the scene is fairly weak as far as venues...
Cris: Nashville is a huge town for music. There are so many musicians here...
Jac: I like what the scene is turning into. I am slow and I can't type.
PRP: Hahahahahaha. Ever considered relocating from Portland to somewhere where you could get more attention with your music, like Cali, for instance?
Jac: I would love to make it out of a small town.
Cris: We live in a huge gathering of record labels. Nashville should be a prime place for a band. The only problem is that you have to be country.
Bill: I think that Cali is getting played out.
Cris: There are probably just as many labels here as in Cali.
Bill: Maybe so.
Cris: They just don't seem to be into our music.
Richie: I feel that we have a pretty strong chance of pulling some attention away from California.
Jac: I think we can do it.
PRP: That's cool. In my mind, I thought that Portland was a very small town.
Richie: Portland is, but we mostly play around Nashville.
Jac: Portland is, but Nashville is getting big.
Cris: Portland is right next to Nashville.
Bill: Yeah, it's only an hour away.
Cris: Nashville is one of the 3 biggest music scenes in America. New York, Los Angeles, Nashville.
PRP: Hehehe, who are your favorite country artist? Billy Ray Cyrus is country, right? Hahahaha, I don't have a clue.
Bill: Yeah, country is boring.
Cris: I don't have any favorites, although I once heard Billy sing "Don't Take The Girl".
Jac: I like Patsy Cline.
Richie: We don't really get that far into that scene, as you may be able to tell.
Cris: Tim McGraw.
Bill: Patsy Cline is awesome because she is spooky.
Cris: Yeah, we thought of covering "Crazy".
Richie: Kidney Thieves already did it.
PRP: Ever considered mixing up your new grunge style with country music, and creating something new and unique?
Richie: NO!!!!!!
Cris: I haven't.
Bill: NO!!!!
Jac: We did. You could not tell.
Cris: No country ever.
Richie: No country.
Bill: Country is for old people.
Cris: I agree!
PRP: Are you big fans of CMT?
Bill: No!!
Jac: Yes.
Cris: Is that a railroad company?
PRP: Hahaha, ok. Looking back on your first release, how much do you think you guys have evolved from there?
Cris: I think that our influences were easily noticed. We were young and our song writing ability was not near of what it is now.
Richie: I think that our new CD will speak for itself in that manner.
Cris: I agree.
Bill: I think we have matured a lot since our first CD. I have changed a lot lyrically.
Richie: And vocally, overall.
Cris: The guitars are probably some of the best I've ever heard.
Bill: Cris is conceited.
Cris: I'm serious.
Bill: j/k.
PRP: Hahahahaha.
Richie: The music is more dynamic than the Promising EP.
Jac: The drums sound a lot better.
Cris: It is like Atari to Playstation 2.
Bill: Hahahahahaha.
Cris: Good comparison.
Bill: Good analogy.
PRP: Atari used to rock back in time. Pitfall must be the one of the most pleasant games I've ever played.
Cris: Yeah, but would you like it now?
Bill: E.T. kicked ass.
Jac: No. Ping pong!
PRP: Hahahaha, how about River Raid?
Bill: I still have an Atari.
Cris: Did you ever get the point of Pitfall?
Bill: Hahahahaha.
Richie: Hahahaha.
PRP: Hahahaha, never!
Cris: Well, quit fucking up my analogy! What about Tomb Raider and Metal Gear?
PRP: Metal Gear is the best game ever. Hehehehe.
Bill: Or Resident Evil.
Cris: Yeah.
PRP: I wanna play "In Cold Blood".
Bill: Never heard of it.
Cris: Would you play Atari now, or Metal Gear?
Richie: I like Tetris.
Cris: You're a geek.
Bill: Hahahaha. Tetris!
PRP: Hahaha, ok, I guess you have a point.
Bill: 10/4. Good buddy.
Jac: Good butter.
Bill: What the hell is "butter"? Jac has been calling me that all day?
PRP: Billy, your lyrics are extremely personal, but very beautiful when we can figure out what they mean. Some of them are a bit hard to understand, though. What do you usually write about? Do you believe in the "you can only write about something you have experienced" philosophy?
Bill: Pretty much, but a lot of the time, I take an experience and see it through someone else's eyes. Kinda like a story.
PRP: Has anyone besides Billy written any lyrics for Shun?
Cris: I have occasionally, but I don't know if they were used.
Bill: Cris helps me write some.
Richie: Gary Smith!
Bill: Hahahahaha.
Richie: Hahahaha.
Cris: Old joke. It's all Billy. Sometimes we all colaborate on names.
Jac: Hahahaha. Cris' are deep.
Cris: Fuck you!
Bill: Hahahahaha.
PRP: Hahahaha, I didn't understand any of the jokes, but it was still funny. Hahahaha. All time favorite band of each?
Cris: Hard question.
Richie: Very.
Bill: Huh? Damn, that's the hardest question of the day.
Jac: Very hard.
Cris: I can narrow it down to about 3, but I don't have an all time favorite.
PRP: That will work, Cris.
Cris: Alice In Chains, Deftones and Tool. I could name a lot more that would be very close.
Jac: I like to much to have a favorite, or even get close. Dave Matthews Band and Deftones are some.
Bill: Failure, Far, Sunny Day Real Estate, Stone Temple Pilots.
Richie: Tool (Ænima), Radiohead (Ok Computer), and all those Billy listed.
Cris: That is a very hard question.
Bill: Portishead, Deftones......Jesus, I could go on and on.
Jac: Shun.
Bill: Shun. Oh, and don't forget about Mad Season.
Richie: Queensryche.
PRP: You're cheating by saying "Shun", but I'll accept it as an answer. What about a favorite unsigned band? If you answer "Shun", you might just be shot in the head.
Richie: Minus.
PRP: Wow! Good answer. You have my respect.
Richie: What I've heard of them is very good.
Bill: Lowboy, and a band called "mle".
Cris: Lowboy.
Bill: Minus is awesome too.
Cris: Peel, Minus, Dredg....
Jac: I like Peel a lot....
Bill: Yeah, dredg is good too.
PRP: Hehehe, Cris knows of the goodies!
Cris: There is another really good one hear in Nashville that we've only seen once. I can't remember the name, but they sounded like Radiohead....
Richie: Haole.
Cris: Yeah. I liked them a lot.
PRP: I believe that once Shun broke up and Bill joined another band, which I'm not recalled of the name. Whatever happened with it?
Bill: "Born Silver".
PRP: That's the one. Has it turned to a side project of yours or something?
Bill: Nah. The guitarist that started the band decided he didn't want to stay in Nashville, so he went to Seattle.
Richie: He's now in 12 Volt Negative Earth, actually.
Bill: He moved back here and joined 12 Volt Negative Earth.
Cris: They never released anything. We are all only in Shun. No side projects.
PRP: What happened with the band's material, then? Any possibilty of Shun getting it for possible using in the future.
Richie: No.
Bill: No.
Cris: No no no.
Jac: 52. You love it.
PRP: Ok, here's a good one: Do you think that the band as a whole is ready for fame and pressure?! I mean, are you all emotionally ready to sign a record deal, tour the world, give autographs, be on MTV and have groupies running after you?
Bill: That's a good one.
Cris: Yes. I think me myself can handle the pressure.
Richie: Is anyone ever ready for that? I'm ready to try like hell.
Jac: I'm ready and waiting.....
Bill: I think I can handle it, but I'm not all about MTV though. MTV makes good things burn out. It's almost like Nickelodeon.
Cris: I like videos. I just don't like Real World.
Jac: I would like to see music on it for once.
Richie: For some reason people start hating you after you get a video.
Bill: Like, now the Deftones are getting big (I'm glad), but people see you everyday on TRL and they get sick of you.
PRP: Hahahaha, I actually like Real World. Should I be lynched?
Cris: Nah... Jac know the brother Lynch Mob.
Jac: Well.
PRP: Hahaha. Really?
Cris: No.
Jac: Talked to him yesterday.
PRP: Hahahaha, that Lynch Mob dude is now doing the worst rapcore music you'll ever have the opportunity to hear in your entire life.
Cris: Yeah, they suck.
Jac: It's a he. You know of brother Lynch Hung?
PRP: No, I don't think I'm mentally ready for brother Lynch Hung.
Jac: Oh...
Richie: I'm with Pedro.
PRP: The question about fame and pressure would be my last one, but I just came up with another.
Jac: Cool.
PRP: What's the band's opinion about the whole rapcore / rapmetal buzz going on at the moment? Do you think that it deserves that much attention it's getting?
Jac: No no no no.
Bill: Not really. I think it is going to die out soon (hopefully.) It was cool at first when there was only a select few, but now it's just getting ridiculous.
Richie: I think it did, but 10 years ago when it started: Suicidal Tendencies, Rage Against The Machine, etc... It's just way over blown now.
Jac: if you listen to it, most of it lacks in one of the sides, like good rap / bad music, or vice versa.
Cris: I think it was cool for what it was, but personally, I'm ready for something new. It seems like a good time for a change in music.
PRP: Hey, your new grunge style might get saturated in the future as well....
Bill: True.
Cris: Yeah, but we will keep evolving. For now, it will be better than Limp Bizkit.
Richie: We never stop. I think we're always going to be a step ahead of the pack.
Cris: Plus, emotional music never seems to fade out like trendy music.
Richie: We're all too picky to be trendy.
Bill: What about you, Pedro? How do you feel about the rapcore?
PRP: Well, I like rapcore / rapmetal, but I like the good bands of the bunch. I think there are too many bands of that style now a days, and especially, too many untalented bands out there.... Kid Rock is a joke.
Richie: Amen to that.
Bill: Amen, brother.
Cris: I agree
Jac: Kid Joke is a rock?
PRP: Hahahahahaha. Ok, how about each of you tell me a favorite quote? Questions are over, I have no more.....
Jac: "I can't wait to eat away this fear of being old." - Some guy.
Bill: "Just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to, doesn't mean that they don't love you with everything they have."
PRP: Good ones.
Bill: "Two tears in a bucket, so fuck it." Hahahaha.
Jac: "Take it to the bridge."
Bill: "I did it all for the nookie."
PRP: Hahahahahahahaha.
Richie: "Hello me, it's me again."
Jac: "Where did all the sunshine go?"
Bill: Gotta go. Daughter is crying....I've had fun though.
PRP: Take care, Bill.
Richie: Later, Bill.
Bill: Thanks for the fun, Pedro. Keep in touch.
PRP: You too. It was my pleasure.
Jac: See you tomorrow, Pedro.
PRP: Hey, hold on: Are you all going? Where are my last comments? I want someone for the last comments, hehehehe.
Richie: I'm still here, barely.
Cris: I'm here.
Richie: We're the smart ones anyway.
PRP: Hahahahaha.
Richie: Hahaha.
Jac: Jac at peace of shit webtv.net.
Bill: I'll be back in a second, just have to feed the baby.
PRP: Ok. Last comments anyone?
Cris: I just hope that, out of all we have put into this band, someone out there hears it, realizes what we are about and can relate to our music, like I have related to so many bands in the past. And I think this speaks for everyone of us.
Jac: I can. I feel your pain.
PRP: Hahahahahaha, don't worry: Jac is here to relate to the music. Hahahahaha.
Cris: The biggest step to me that we could ever reach would be to play on MTV Unplugged. That would be the greatest.
Richie: Ultimate goal. I agree.
Cris: Yeah. Seriously.
Richie: Super Bowl of music.
Cris: I think that would be when we have completed our full task.
Jac: Music Bowl XXXIXXXIXXXIXXXI
Cris: So many great bands accomplished their best stuff unplugged.
Bill: Ok, I'm back. I had to throw the baby into the wall. Hahahahaha, j/k.
Jac: Did you hurt the wall?
Bill: I hope not!
Richie: New paint. Hahahahaha.
Jac: Shit is hard to paint.
PRP: Hahahaha, you guys are insane.
Cris: I'm the only serious one.
Richie: Yeah, whatever. He walks around in a thong.
Bill: Hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.
Jac: He is deep.
Bill: Don't let him lie.
Jac: Hey butter.
Bill: What the hell is "butter"?
Jac: I start with your hair.
Bill: Jac has lost it.
Jac: Then your nails....
PRP: Hahahaha, ok. Now I want to know why Jac is calling Bill "butter". Hahahahahaha.
Bill: That's what I want to know. Jac?
Jac: Don't we all? Butter.
PRP: Hahahahahaha.
Bill: Fuck you! You look like James Hetfield.
Cris: Jacnasty.
Bill: Has Pedro seen the Jacnasty website?
Jac: I kill butter with search web.
Cris: We all have nicknames.
PRP: Yes, I have seen it. Hahahahaha.
Bill: It's hilarious.
Richie: Where's Gary Coleman when you need him?
Bill: Hahahahaha.
Jac: Me and Gerry.....ooooooooyea!
Cris: Gary.
Jac: No. Gerry. He likes it that way.
Bill: Hahahaha.
Cris: Gerry Coleman...
Bill: What bands do you like, Pedro?
PRP: Damn, too many to mention....
Bill: Same here.
PRP: I'm more into the emotional side of music.
Cris: Cool. Then you like Shun?
PRP: Of course.
Richie: Well, guys.....I gotta get some sleep. I'm running on zero. Anything I can say to wrap up?
Bill: Yeah. When do you give voluntary blow jobs? I'm hard up, dude....
PRP: Hahahahahaha. You guys are sick. Jac is insane.
Jac: Who?
Bill: You should see him in person.
Jac: Shut up, butter.
Richie: Wait until you meet David...
Jac: Look over there.....
Bill: Yeah, David is weird with a capital "W".
PRP: Hahahaha. I'm laughing my ass off.
Cris: Who called my house and sung "Go Away" by Cold?
Bill: Not me. But I wish I would have.
Cris: That is the worst version.
Jac: Well, butter buddies boys, I have to go. Peace.
Bill: Later McNasty.
Richie: Me too. Later.
PRP: Later Jac. Later Richie.
Jac: Peace. Bye bye, Pedro.
Cris: Later, man.
Richie: Good to finally meet you, man. Thanks so much.
PRP: Don't worry about it.
Cris: Hey I think I sung it.....
Jac: See you, Cold. Bye Bob.
Richie: G'nite all.
Cris: Really, how did someone get that?
Jac: Get what?
Cris: I think someone has got a very embarassing tape of me singing.
PRP: Is Jac's nick name related to that "Shasta McNasty" show?
Cris: No idea.
Bill: Me either. I thought you were leaving?
Cris: Who?
Bill: Jac.
Jac: No hope in that.
Bill: Hahahahaha.
Cris: Who did it? It isn't funny. I want the tape back.
Jac: That was me singing. Beeatch!
Cris: Oh really??
Jac: Yeah.
Cris: I thought you had a tape of me.
PRP: I want a copy!
Cris: No, you don't.
Jac: 75 dollars.
PRP: Hahahahaha.
Jac: 74 for you.
Cris: You suck, Jac.
Bill: Well guys, I'm out.
Cris: See you tomorrow.
Jac: Leave, butter. Bye bye.
Cris: Well man, I'm out too.
PRP: Later, Bill. Take it easy.
Cris: See you, Einloft.
Jac: You too.
PRP: See you, Cris. Take care of yourself.
Cris: I'm going to save this and go to bed.
Jac: Haaaaaaaa. Hello.
Cris: What? Jacnasty.
Jac: Now I have the room for control.
Cris: I'm the manager.
Jac: Nooooooooooo.
Cris: Everyone is still here.
Bill: Later.
Jac: Ghfjk.
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