Flawless Design was in my home a week ago. I recorded the conversation in its' entirety. The following is a running account of the evening, including some sound clips of the highlights. I hope you enjoy it!
The conversation begins simply enough. Guitarist Jon Tobin and vocalist Patrick Lucas arrive before the rest of the band. The two of them, my coworker Brett and I begin some basic chat, getting to know each other, that kind of thing. Gradually, we start talking about the band.
We start with the basics, as Jon begins the story of how the band came to be. He talks about his first band experiences and his first attempts at forming a band. He speaks in detail about the many band members and incarnations they have gone through. I can relate to him on so many levels. He is talking about experiences that most bands go through. How some people flake out, others start strong and fade, others talk a big game but can't deliver and so on. He is honest as all hell. He knows he's being recorded, but that doesn't matter to him at all. He wants me to know. He wants me to understand. And I do... quickly.
As he reaches the point where Patrick (his cousin) joins the band, Patrick jumps into the conversation. It doesn't take long to feel where Patrick is coming from. He is sincere. He is a nice guy and it shines through. He is quickly interrupted as Jon works the phone trying to get the rest of the band over. The conversation shifts a bit to talking about Brett and I, our living situations and work. We tell them about us. They seem genuinely interested. They take interest in Brett's schooling and my (quasi) musicianship. After a few moments the other vocalist, Mason Lowe, arrives.
The conversation shifts back to the band. It doesn't take long to establish that in this band Patrick is more of a “singer” and Mason is more of a “screamer.” Having established this, I am fascinated by the dynamic. I start thinking in the back of my mind about all the things I want to ask them about how they make it work. Why does it work for them? I want to know. I catch myself and realize that patience is the key here.
As Mason joins the mix they continue to talk about the drama of how the band came to be. They talk at length about the many characters and musicians they came across, worked with, etc. Stories about people auditioning that couldn't even tune their own instruments, a bassist with only one pectoral muscle... these guys had gone through so much.
Gradually, the stories of how each band member came to be are revealed. I am riveted. The picture is coming together one piece at a time.
Along the way, some funny stories are told, both about the band and about myself. One golden note was Patrick talking about the importance of stage presence and putting on a show. “People want to be entertained,” he proclaimed. He touches on it early, but before the night is over it is clear that this is a core value of his.
The topic of where the band name comes from is discussed. Listen to that story here: (clip 1)
Bassist Blair Deleon and drummer Derek Rauh finally arrive, a stylish 45 minutes late. We all break. Mason has a cigarette. Vodka and shot glasses come out of the kitchen. With one stroke, the night becomes much more social and casual. At the same time, the arrival of the rest of the band means that more business is ahead. We are one hour into what turns out to be a three hour conversation.
Everyone reconvenes in the living room and the talk resumes.
We quickly jump around from Slipknot's tendency to bang on kegs, to Seal somehow landing Heidi Klum, to my loud cat, to the Sunday night Football game on the TV in my living room. Jokes abound about the guys and a good time is had by all. We talk about recent shows we've all seen. I vow to match Mason shot for shot (which only turns out to be three).
I am not surprised that it takes several minutes to get out of the fun talk and back into the music.
Soon enough, Derek is telling a story about how he met Patrick, which was backstage at a show where their two bands were playing.
Next comes a conversation about the six songs on their website. Each song is discussed. I ask them a lot of questions about the writing and recording processes. We talk about their favorite songs to play. Listen to that talk here: (clip 2)
They tell me all about how they write and record on their own. They pay for their own studio time.
They have fielded requests to be signed, but at this point are not ready to do so. I am surprised at first that they would shrug off such an opportunity. As I listen to them talk, it becomes clear. They have the desire and ability to do it on their own. They want to use current media formats, such as iTunes and myspace, to expand on their own. When the time comes and they are big enough, they will pursue management. Until then, they will self- promote, keep the overhead down and make it happen. They do not speak of this in loose terms. They have a plan and are happy with how they are carrying it out.
This leads to a talk about forms of media, how the technology has changed the business and how artists can use this to their advantage. The end result of this is the realization that 'albums' as we know them are dead. Hear that conversation here: (clip 3)
Next we discuss everyone's day jobs, such as students, personal trainers and health care workers. We share our stories of poverty, hard times and how they actually lead to greatness. We talk about a universal desire to be known as musicians and how nothing in the world matters more than music. Mason even claims he has known he wanted to be a musician since he was three years old (he follows this with another shot). It dawns on me that we are all bound and drawn together by our love of music. Looking around the room, it is in the air and we can all feel it.
Somehow we end up talking about my grand theory of how to change the world. This is a theory that revolves around making “Master of Puppets” and “Cowboys from Hell” required listening in High School. (Look for the details of that theory in a future column)
Next, we all talk about the band's influences. They range from Jazz to blues to classic rock to European metal. Mudvayne, Incubus, Blink 182, Buddy Rich, Tool, Led Zeppelin, John Lee Hooker, Rage Against the Machine, many many more.
From there the conversation moves to their interest in writing a ton of music early on. We talk about the “sophomore slump” that most bands go through. They want to record three albums before being signed. In doing so, they will maintain the sound, energy and hunger that they have now. They will have a wealth of material written before they gain fame and fortune, which will inevitably change them This seems like a novel idea and concept. I think it just might work.
We talk at length about the writing process. I probe them about how most of their songs come about. The unanimous sentiment is that the songs basically all start with Jon's guitar playing. They agree that Jon is the most established musician and the source of most of their original material.
Is Jon over their heads as a musician? Listen here to find out: (clip 4)
Eventually, I ask them about their favorite songs to play. I had spent many hours listening to their music and so I wanted to know what it feels like for them to play. In their response, I end up getting a story (mostly from Patrick) about the concepts of the band, their artistic vision and “The Flawless Design.” Here are their thoughts on this: (clip 5)
This closed out an incredible night. I learned so much about these guys and this band (and maybe myself as well). I see big things in their future. You can count me in on their bandwagon. These guys are going to be stars. They are going to change the world. I am blessed to know them so early on.
Learn more about Flawless design at: http://www.myspace.com/341964248
Check out part one of this article for more.
Listen to their single, "Rooted down" in the free music section of this website.
Look for a review next week of their show this Saturday night at the Boardwalk in Orangevale, Ca, here as always, in the Continuum.
