Spiritfall
Questions Answered By
Anthony Stone (Vocals), Christian Spencer (Guitars)
11/29/00
Interviewed by Pedro
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Related Links:
Official Website
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PRP: So, are you guys up for the interview now?
Christian: Ok. Go for it.
PRP: Good. So, let's start with the basics: How did you all got together to form what's now known as Spiritfall?
Christian: Well... Stefan, Anthony and I have known each other since 7th grade, in Stockton. Ben joined the band after we moved to Chico, about a year ago. Anthony, Stefan and I have been together for about 3 years.
PRP: Hmmmm... prior to Ben joining the band, was there another bassist?
Christian: Yeah, we did have another bass player.
PRP: What happened to him?
Christian: Well, we all wanted to move up here (Chico), and he didn't. Before the old bass player, I played bass. I started playing guitar to write songs, but I ended up as a guitar player.
PRP: You got lucky. I know you're respected in Sacto as well as an extremely talented guitar player.
Christian: Well, that sure is cool.
PRP: Yup. Anyway, are any of the members in any side projects?
Christian: Nope. No side projects.
PRP: Lack of opportunities, or lack of interest?
Christian: Well, we occasionally talk about doing a hardcore side project.
PRP: Really? Who would sing?
Christian: Anthony would play guitar and we would find someone to scream. Actually, we used to be more hardcore, but we have kinda matured. We still love the harder stuff though.
PRP: I see. What about the band's name? Any secret meanings behind it?
Christian: Spiritfall is a symbolism for the decline of morality in society. For example: 30 years ago, a lot of the things that are accepted today would be unheard of. Kinda makes you wonder what will be acceptable 30 years from now.
PRP: What kind of things? Let me hear some examples.
Christian: School shootings, kids killing their parents, sex on tv...
PRP: Do you think all those things are easily accepted by society? Maybe sex on tv, but the other two I don't agree with. They happen, but they're not accepted.
Christian: Well, I would agree. They aren't accepted, but I don't think the event would have even happened just a few years ago. I think life itself is losing value.
PRP: Agreed. But you can't ask for society to remain stagnant. Things change, in this case for worse. We're reaching the bottom and we're not even worried. I agree.
Christian: As Coby from Papa Roach put it, people are being born without souls.
PRP: Maybe. Things are definitely fucked up at this point, and we have let it reach that. No one's to blame but ourselves. Maquiavel once said that human's nature is evil. I believe in that with all my heart, otherwise we wouldn't be as fucked as we are today.
Christian: I agree that things are getting worse, but I believe that our nature is relative.
PRP: What's your point?
Christian: Depends on your definition of wrong. Everything is completely up to us. We make ourselves as an individual and a whole.
PRP: Wrong is something you do that damages other people. Not necessarily physically speaking.
Christian: That is your definition, though.
PRP: Yeah, that's mine.
Christian: It would be a whole new perspective for someone who was raised thinking that killing is necessary to survive. Sorry, I am not trying to give a philosophy lecture.
PRP: Don't worry, I like having these discussions. It's not usual that an interview goes to that side. I think it's cool.
Christian: Ok then.
PRP: Anyway, let's move on with the interview.
Christian: Ok.
PRP: Ever considered changing the band's name to, let's say, "Pitfall", in honor of the best Atari game ever created?
Christian: Hehe, no. That has never crossed my mind.
PRP: How much strain on your personal life has the band brought upon you?
Christian: I would say that my personal life has put strain on the band because the band is what I really love doing. Everything else is something I have to do to get by. If I had a choice, it would just be the band without a lot of the other stuff. That is what we are all going for. It is our passion, joy and release.
PRP: Ok. The band has only released a 6-song CD to date, called "My Reason". If you could go back in time, would you change anything on it now?
Christian: No, I wouldn't. I am very proud of the CD, but more than that, I can see where we have progressed from the CD. I can say that we are definitely maturing faster than we ever have been.
PRP: That'd be my next question. How much do each and everyone of you think you have matured since the album's release?
Christian: We are more open to all kinds of music and it really shows in our newer songs. They definitely have a Spiritfall sound, but that sound is derived from the music we appreciate and learn from. I don't think it can really be measured, but I can say that it will be very obvious in our next recording. I think we have all grown as musicians as well as song writers.
PRP: What do you want people to feel while listening to "My Reason" (the album, not the song)?
Christian: We want people to connect to our music. Not only vocally and lyricly, but emotionally. We all put something into every song, whether it is something that can be interpreted through the lyrics, dynamics or anything else.
PRP: Hmmm, do you consider Spiritfall to be an original band?
Christian: Yes, I do. I think we are making something that we want to hear that hasn't been there.
PRP: What exactly do you find to be original in your music?
Christian: It is music that we have always wanted to hear. We try to combine the energy of harder music while creating a lot of melody both vocally and musically. I haven't heard a lot of music like that.
PRP: Sounds great. The band's current manager, Bill, is actually one of the member's father. What are the pros / cons of having someone from the family managing you?
Christian: He drinks too much whoop ass!
PRP: Hahaha, that should be taken as a pro since you have enough whoop ass to build a house.
Christian: Not anymore. He drank it all!
PRP: Hahahaha.
Anthony: Personally, I don't mind it because he's not my dad. It's cool because you don't really have to get used to some new guy and the bitching doesn't hit you so hard because you know him. You don't take critique as personally.
PRP: How confident are you about your music? Do you feel that you got something really strong and unique going on, and feel that people will enjoy it??
Anthony: I'm very confident in our music. I believe that, in our music, you can hear all of the influences, but in the end it comes out as something that is fresh and original. I think that it might take people awhile to get used to our music because it's a little different.
PRP: Ok, but what do you think that there is in your music that puts it apart from the others, calling it "a little different"?
Anthony: When you listen to our music, you can enjoy it if you like metal and hardcore, but at the same time you can like our music if you like emo. To me that makes our music original. It display a bunch of different styles and can satify a wide range of listeners.
PRP: I agree. Hmmm, are you already able to earn some money with the band?
Anthony: The one thing that sucks about being in a band that is not signed is that you lose money. I spend more money on the band then I do on gas, rent, food and utilities. We do end up making a little of it back, but not really anything to get excited about. Money is getting a lot better now that we are get exposed a little more.
PRP: What is the most negative/optmistic thing the band has been through to date?
Anthony: You play a lot of bullshit shows that you end up losing money on. There are usually 5 people that are more concerned about drinking beer than hearing music. That is when you are paying your dues, though. Every band has to do it, but it sucks. As you get respected, though, you get better gigs, and money gets better. There are good things, however. We are hearing nothing but good things now about the band and the CD, and I really feel that we are not far from a record deal. It feels really good.
PRP: Sounds good. You guys mostly play around Sacto, right?
Anthony: Yeah. Sacramento and Chico. Around where we live, there really aren't any towns to play in that matter or can get you a following
PRP: Is there anything you do to put yourselves apart from the other bands in Sacramento / Chico?
Anthony: Yeah. If there is one rule that you always follow as a band, it is that you don't talk shit at all. Bands are always talking shit on each other and pissing each other off. We get a lot of shit talked on us, but we just ignore it. You would be surprised about how much respect you get by just keeping your mouth shut.
PRP: I couldn't agree with you more. That was an answer I wasn't expecting to receive. Right on. Anyway, as far as influences go, who inspired you the most to start singing initially?
Anthony: As far as singers go, I was most inspired by Jim Morrison of the Doors, Don Henley of the Eagles, and Jonah of Far. All of those singers put a little extra into their music that made it really special, and stand apart from everybody else.
PRP: Don Henley? Whoa! If some girls on the street mistook you for Justin from N'Sync and asked you for autographs and kisses, would you hook them up?
Anthony: Fuck no! First of all, it would never happen, and if it did, I wouldn't be down to pretend I was someone that I wasn't.
PRP: Well, what if they were hot, hehehehehe. Ok, what about internet promotion? How important is it in the band's opinion.
Anthony: To be honest with you, the internet has done more for us than all of the shows we have ever played. We really have exploded since we have been exposed on the internet. It's great.
PRP: That's awesome. What are you currently listening to?
Anthony: Linkin Park, the Deftones, Frank Sinatra, the Doors, the Eagles, Far and Refused.
PRP: Holy shit, Frank Sinatra? What album? Duets II by any chance? There's a duet with Antonio Carlos Jobim on that album. Antonio was a big artist in Brazil. He died a few years ago.
Anthony: It's The Best of the Capitol Years CD. Haven't listened to Duets II.
PRP: That was a good album. Frank Sinatra was awesome.
Anthony: What are you currently listening to?
PRP: Flicker, the Smashing Pumpkins, Papa Roach, dredg, Hamlet (ESP), Max de Castro (BRA) and you guys. Hmmm, what would you say is on the horizon for Spiritfall now?
Anthony: In a perfect world, I would like to say nothing but good things. In the music business, though, you can never really say. I can, however, guarantee that we will work hard, keep making good music and hope for the best.
PRP: Great. Do you think you're all in perfect condition, not only physically, but especially mentally, to sign a record deal with a major label and tour the world? Are you ready for fame and pressure?
Anthony: Mentally, I have been ready for a long time. Physically is a different story. Touring is hard on the body for every seasoned professionals. I really think that it is something that you have to do to get used to. As far as fame and pressure goes; it has to be better than delivering pizzas 5 days a week!
PRP: Hahahaha, good answer. I guess we're done, my friend. You have any last comments?
Anthony: Yeah. Far is one of the most under rated bands ever! Buy their CD if you can find it!
PRP: Hahaha, right on. Thanks for the interview.
Anthony: I just want to thank you for helping us achieve our dream, and for believing that we are doing something good.
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