Altsounds: Retribution is the 6th studio album from Shadows Fall. It's the newest, so I assume it's your favorite... but if you can lend an objective opinion- do you think it is your best?
Brian Fair: Yeah, I really do. I think sonically, every studio record you make, you learn to use the tools better. After 10 years in the band, everyone is solid in their role and can focus on their strengths. Every record is a step forward and you improve in every regard. It's an evolution and I think it's the best, so every record is a step up from the last.
So are you guys like a well-oiled machine now, just cranking out album after album, or is each recording experience completely different?
Every single one is totally different. Some records are done quickly and they're really raw. We didn't understand the studio as much as a young band and we just wanted to get the live feel. Then you want to try layering and some new techniques. When you change the environment you write and record in, it's gonna change the whole vibe of the record. You can't help but bring those influences to the music.
What was your favorite part of making Retribution?
Recording the vocals down in Virginia with
Michael “Elvis” Baskette. He's an amazing musician and producer, and he was able to get us out of our comfort zone. He makes you find new things inside yourself. It was very cool for me. I am sure the other guys would say their favorite was recording their parts, too. [laughs]
You guys have come full circle in this industry, releasing this album on your own label, Everblack Industries, after bouncing around between majors and indies... what are the differences in how business is being done now and do you prefer it?
I totally prefer it. It's a perfect situation. We are able to use the power of a label for distribution, but we control the day to day and final decisions in how money is spent. The bottom line is finally in the best interest of the band. Labels have their own stuff to worry about. We make the decisions for our own career in mind and our own longevity. Also, the royalty distrubution- we get the biggest chunk now. In a traditional label deal, you get paid last. You get the scraps after everyone else has picked it clean. Now we're at the top of the pyramid.
What about the music industry was most shocking to you when you first discovered it?
I think the overwhelming buck-passing style. Any little question has to go across a million desks before you get an answer. By the time we got decisions on things, it was too late to do anything about it.
Your video for "Still I Rise" is shot in the Affliction warehouse and features a lot of Affliction MMA fighting, just as the company is going out of business! Are you guys going to work a deal with the UFC to reshoot the video?
[
laughs] Nah, nah. We've known those people for a while through the clothing company and all that. We didn't have it tied in with any Affliction thing. It was just cool that they let us use their location. The fact that they had a ring and people to hook us up with was cool. It's a bummer how things happened for them.
I've read that The Smiths album Meat is Murder convinced you to become a vegetarian??
[
laughs] Well that's kind of oversimplifying things. That quick quote has been taken out of context and used over and over. I was listening to a lot of hardcore back then, so the information was already out there. In the early hardcore and punk scene, activism was more prevalent than it is today. Causes and even religions... I was learning that stuff as a kid and when I did my own research on it, if I was ever in that situation where it was a survival thing, I don't think I would have a problem with it. But we have so many choices today, it doesn't really make sense to me to eat animals.
Well, that's still a really strong testament to the power of music. Would you consider your band to be more influential or entertaining?
I think we try to strike a balance with both. We take it seriously on the albums, but in the live show it's all about having fun. We can talk about the heavy stuff and deal with the negatives in the world, but on stage I want the joy of the music experience.
I'm always interested to find out what metal artists listen to. Their tastes are usually more eclectic than pop artists. What have you been listening to lately?
I'm schizophrenic. I like old school metal and hardcore. I like ambient music, like Spiritualized, Spaceman3. I like old reggae and old jazz. I followed the Dead for a while. I just love music, in general.
You guys keep getting passed up for Grammys... do you care about that stuff at all and what do you think it takes to win?
[
laughs] We never expect to win anything. Getting nominated was a real surprise. You can usually tell on the sheet who is going to win. They'll go with whoever has a long legacy. Being mentioned in the same category with like Slayer, Motorhead and Ministry... that's crazy. But we got to see McCartney perform live. We saw the reunion of Morris Day and the Time. That was sick! Grammys aren't even in the furthest of the back thoughts.
Ok, Brian. I hate to do this, but we need to take things down a notch and get super serious. If you don't want to answer this, I totally understand. Take your time answering. Asha Mandela, a woman from Florida, holds the world record for longest dreadlocks- 8feet 9inches long. Think you can beat it?
[
laughs] If it was a goal, I think it would be reachable. They're close to 5 feet right now and I've been growing them for 16 years. I had to start wrapping the ends around to keep them from dragging on the ground. I was rolling over them on a skateboard. That's uncomfortable. [
laughs] The locks, for me, represent a history of important times in my life. Expanding my mind philosophically and spiritually, everywhere I've been and all of my mistakes... it's a part of me. I may move on someday, but we're going full steam in this direction right now, so they stay. If I take down the world record along the way, that's a cool photo op, but really nothing more.
With metal bands, it's kind of assumed that every day is like Halloween... but what gets you in the mood for the holiday?
It used to be getting those little candy corns in the shape of pumpkins. I don't eat gelatin anymore, so I can't get them. But those were good. The weather changing gets me excited for it, too.
Do you like playing Halloween shows, and what has been the best one so far?
Oh yeah, I love the Halloween shows. We've only dressed up a few times. On the road it's hard to put something together, but we usually go the glam metal route and come out doing Motley Crue covers. It's always more interesting to see what the crown comes as. There's a lot of Michael Myers and sexy devils. [
laughs]
What has been your 'go to' Halloween costume off the road?
KISS or Dee Snider.
Best Halloween memory from any point in your life?
This is a terrible memory, but it is more powerful than any other. When I was really young, I was running full steam from house to house, gathering candy. I was dressed up like Batman and just couldn't go fast enough. You know those telephone poles with the wire anchors that go into the ground? Well I go barreling down the street and ended up getting clotheslined on one of those wires. I nearly decapitated myself! My mom wanted to drag me home, but I COULDN'T LEAVE CANDY BEHIND! BANDAGE ME UP, MOM, WE'RE MOVING ON! [
laughs]
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The Lowdown: Brian Fair of Shadows Fall
