State your name...
My name is Adam. Duh.
What kind of equipment do you use?
I have a DW drum set with Zildjian cymbals and DW hardware. I have an 5.5x14" Steel Ayotte snare and a 6.5"x14" brass Pork Pie snare that I play as a back up.
Do you play any other instruments?
Not well.
How old were you on the cover of the Dork 7"?
About 15 or 16. I can't remember.
Why did AFI name this album "Dork"?
Look at the photo.
Did you know that the band was going to use your picture on that album cover?
Yes. I thought it was pretty funny.
Where were you when AFI formed?
I lived in Ukiah, CA. Dave, Mark, Victor and I were all friends. We were really bored with Ukiah and decided that playing music sounded like a fun thing to do. I had no idea that ten years later I'd love it more than ever.
When did you join Tiger Army?
I recorded the first 7" with Tiger Army and played a handful of shows in 1996. Between tours with AFI, I would play with Nick 13 and learn some of his new songs. When Tiger Army got a record deal with Hellcat, I was really excited that Nick asked me to play on it even though he knew I probably wouldn't be available to do any touring. The line up of TA right now is great. Geoff Kresge is great on bass and the legendary London May makes me look like an amateur.
Describe the drumming you do in Tiger Army. Is it more difficult than the AFI style?
I approached the Tiger Army sessions trying to help move the songs without getting in the way of the music. Psychobilly is a really rhythmic music but not all the percussion is coming from the drums. The slap of the strings on the bass is really loud and adds a load of syncopation to
the music. I had to be careful not to get in the way of that. The drums and bass had to lock at all times and listening back I think it came out well. I tried to make the parts interesting but in a more subtle way. I tried to vary the textures of the drums and just play solid. It's similar to AFI drumming in many ways but just a little more restrained.
Why did you leave Tiger Army?
I didn't necessarily leave Tiger Army. I always knew that Nick was looking for a permanent drummer and I honestly couldn't devote the time necessary between AFI's recording and touring schedule. I'm just happy that I was able to be a part of the Tiger Army and make music with my friends.
Which album is your favorite?
Art of Drowning
Which song means the most to you?
Probably God Called in Sick Today, Morningstar or Days of the Phoenix
Which album cover art is your favorite?
Art of Drowning
Which AFI song is the most challenging to play?
"Smile" is a really technical song and difficult to play accurately. Some of the slower songs are hard to play with an even tempo. Most of them are pretty basic though. I'm more concerned with playing solidly and helping the song go somewhere than with showing my bag of fills every second. Usually every song will have one section where the beat changes and I have an opportunity to screw around a little bit.
Why don't you sport makeup like the rest of the guys?
I do. I'm just in the back.
Which venue is your favorite to play, or where in general and why?
The Phoenix in Petaluma is probably my favorite just because that is where I saw most of my first punk shows and there will always be a special place in my heart for it. Tom Gaffey, the guy that runs it, is a really really good person who has given so much to Petaluma and the Nor Cal scene. He gave me five bucks for gas once before I ever knew him when I was stranded I like to play Gilman, though we haven't played there in a super long time. The last few shows kind of sucked because by the time we played it was so hot and crowded we couldn't really enjoy it and neither could the crowd. The Filmore in SF was super exciting to play. We've played there three times and each time I freaked out thinking about the history the venue has. Other venues that I love are the Ogden in Denver, the State Theater in St. Pete, The Palace in Hollywood, -I don't know there are quite a few.
What are some of the things you do before you go on stage?
I usually stretch out a bit -I get super stiff sitting in the van all day- and then work out on the practice pad for ten minutes or so. I try to work on my rudiments but it usually degenerates into a few patterns that probably drive my band mates nuts. Dave makes these god awful noises warming up his voice so I'm not too concerned if my tapping bothers him. After the pad I just jog around a little to get my blood going. I treat getting ready to go on-stage like warming up for a track meet or something. I play a lot better if do it. Sometimes I get distracted and don't warm up well enough and can totally tell the difference throughout the show. Finally, I drink a
couple of Red Bulls. This is sort of a new part of my regiment and one I've tried to curb because Red Bull makes me feel like shit a few hours later. Lately those little vials of Ginseng have been doing the trick. They taste horrible though...
Name something you've been listening to.
My friend Thadd gave me a Rolling Stones collection that I've totally gotten into. I like Elliot Smith and Built to Spill. I like At the Drive-In (Who doesn't?) Neurosis, and Radiohead. I just got this Sony cd player with a 400 disc carousel so lately I've just hit the shuffle button.
If you could be in another band, what kind of music would this band play?
It would probably be pretty similar to AFI. I like dynamic music that is quiet and dark and somber and then erupts into something angry and intense. Hopefully this band would be like that. Something like Radiohead meets Nick Cave meets Deadguy meets Green Day. Actually that could really suck...
How do you feel about AFI being on the radio?
I've listened to the radio my entire life. I have memories of listening to the radio from before I was in Preschool. My mom would buy me 45's from Ukiah's only record store of the bands I especially liked. I remember getting The Eagles "Heartache Tonight" and Tom Petty's "Refugee" and a bunch of others. Anyway, when I hear AFI on the radio I get really excited. It
really pisses me off when someone gives me shit for being on the radio. It's like they're trying to deprive me of this really happy experience. I understand that mainstream radio rotation can do crazy things for bands. The radio can take your favorite band and make them so huge you can't connect or relate to them anymore and you have to share them with the rest of the world
but people need to realize that most likely this won't happen with us. I really don't see us fitting the mold that a mainstream band has to fit into to be megasuccessful. I want as many people as possible to hear our band. Did I answer the question? Um, I like hearing AFI on the radio.
Would you like AFI to be on the radio everywhere?
Yes.
What do you think about MTV?
Pretty much the same. MTV exposed me to rock music I normally wouldn't have seen. I remember seeing The Clash's "Rock the Casbah" and buying Combat Rock. When you're ten years old you really don't know enough about anything to seek out underground music. I didn't even really realize it existed until I was a little older. Watching MTV for close to twenty years shaped my musical knowledge and initially made me want to be in a band even though it didn't happen until ten years later.
Do you have any funny tour stories?
Lots.
Are you vegetarian or vegan?
Vegetarian.
Have you ever written any lyrics for AFI?
A couple lines of Rizzo in the Box and Key Lime Pie I'm ashamed to admit. Shortly after I realized the lyrics were in better off in Dave's hands.
How do you feel about Napster?
What's that?
Do you like Pirates?
I am a pirate.
Do you know the mysterious story of The Push Up Girls?
I'm familiar with it.
Any last words?
Overhaul me words, matey, for what I say be true. Blessed ye be with a strong character and a forgivin' nature. These shipshape qualities have steered ye safely through squalls to the captivatin' shores of the Magic Kingdom. I see favorable winds and a pleasant passage if ye charts yer course through the sea 'o life by this golden rule: Avoid common gossip and shun' the bilge rats what live by it. Mark well me words, matey: He who chatters to ye, will chatter about ye!
Actually, the domain name is owned by the same person...ahem, me, Tiffany Star. Moving forward, It has been dedicated to my own art. That was always going to eventually happen since the whole reason for moving to the bay area was to go to CCA and create art. The old AFI art site was just for fun. Thanks for the credit and good luck to your blog, it's great!
ReplyDelete-Tiff*