Epidemic Interview
9/23/02
We got the opportunity to talk to Boris, the lead singer of Epidemic, while he was out on the road. We talked about the success of their hit single "Walk Away," their upcoming tour and lessons learned on the road. Check it out!
Noize Pollution: You guys used to be called American Murder but did the events
of 9-11 make you think about changing your name?
Boris: Yeah, Absolutely. We were called American Murder back then and we got
signed under that name. But after 9-11, it started to change.
NP: So, all the members are from all over the place � then everyone relocated to LA
� how did you all eventually hook up?
Boris: Well I was playing in a band called Trigger Pimp and playing around town.
I had just moved to LA. The other guys were together already as American Murder.
I put out the word that I wanted a new band and I met them. I listened to their
stuff and I liked it and they liked my stuff and we started jamming together.
And that's how the band started.
NP: So how long have you been playing together as a group?
Boris: In this lineup, I would say about 3 years.
NP: I read in an article, In Spirit, at least Epidemic is as far away from LA.
And I was wondering what you meant by that statement?
Boris: I don't think we actually said that but what I think it means is like we aren't
the typical LA band. We really never fit into the scene there you know, we played our
gigs and all but we didn't interact with a lot of other bands. I guess that's what that
means. Most people think LA is a town full of people that are always trying to better
themselves. I love LA man, I love living there!
NP: Right before your CD came out, you landed a huge tour with Nickelback
and Jerry Cantrell. That's pretty sweet for your first ever tour.
Boris: Oh yeah! For the first 3 weeks before our record came out, we hit the
road with Nickelback. That was a good start for us. After that, we've been
basically touring by ourselves and trying to find your own audience. But
it was a good start absolutely! It was cool to see them every night.
NP: How did the tour go? And did Nickelback or Cantrell offer any advice to you or
give you any compliments?
Boris: Yeah Jerry Cantrell gave me some advice and compliments. I talked
to him about certain things.
NP: You've been touring pretty extensively for a while �. Is there
anything you have learned or changed as a band since you first hit the road?
Boris: Yeah, in the beginning we went into it blind. But now, we've learned
to dose my energy on stage and how to treat myself on the days in between
shows. In the beginning I would just do whatever I felt like and I wouldn't
get enough sleep or something and my voice would drop out. But now I've
had some vocal coaching and do things healthier.
NP: Do you have any tour plans with label mates Blindside or
Systematic in the future?
Boris: Not yet, I was hoping to go out with them. That would be great but we
are going to go out with Breaking Benjamin in October. We are doing a Miller
Tour with them. That's going to be pretty cool.
NP: In "Generic the Norm" the lyrics say "Show me to my pre assigned seat in
this life help me find away to be content while invisible."
Boris: I've always had a problem with just being a bystander and watching
other people doing things. The song is also about the lack of ambition in
musicians these days. It just seems the music scene is in a very tired
state right now. There are a lot of cool young bands coming out but I
think we are in a good spot really. So that's where the lyrics came from.
I wrote the lyrics to that a long time ago when I was in Holland. I did
not like being there and I wanted to get out.
NP: What's the scene like in Holland?
Boris: There is no such thing. I just look at music and bands in general and
there is not good music being made in Holland. They are trying but there
aren't a lot of good things going on there. The overall musical culture is
terrible! The radio doesn't play rock at all. It's so depressing.
NP: So that's why you had to get out of there right?
Boris: Absolutely!
NP: What would you say a typical Epidemic live show is like?
Boris: A typical Epidemic live show is in an amphitheatre with about 50,000 people
(laughs) No just kidding, It's just playing our songs really hard. They all sing
along and make noise, we don't have pyro technics. It's pretty basic actually.
Pretty dynamic and advanced.
NP: Your self-titled debut came out soon after on June 25th�how did it feel
to finally get your music out there?
Boris: It felt great. Everything we did relatively quickly. Because we got
signed in October and we put out the record in June. We wrote it, recorded it
and mixed it in 6 weeks. We worked so hard for this and it's definitely a
milestone in our eyes. Especially the radio that's the most intense trip.
I heard the single and it was totally full circle. I remember writing those
lyrics in my truck and a couple of weeks ago, I was driving to San Diego
and I heard the song and I thought it was the coolest thing ever.
NP: After listening all the way through, your record is a swing on emotions but
straight ahead rock�.did I hear an orchestra in there somewhere?
Boris: Absolutely, there is an orchestra on "Burden of A Thought" the last song.
David Campbell he arranged it for us and scored it and we did it in Capitol Studios.
We distorted the Cello in the mix and tried to spice it up. I think it came out pretty
cool. But the rest of the album is straight up rock and roll. A lot of people ask me
to describe our music and I always tell them its rock and roll. I don't believe in the
sub-genres.
NP: Your first single "Walk Away" is blowing up all over the place! It's a damn
catchy song�can you explain what it's about?
Boris: Well I don't want to explain what it's about but I wrote the lyrics in a
very turbulent time for myself and the rest of the band and all the people around
us. So I scaled down life and took a good look in the mirror and see what is
wrong with my life and what I'm doing wrong. To seek the solution and it tells
you something on a personal level.
NP: Tell us about the video shoot and how that went being the band's first video?
NP: That song was also featured on Madden 2003 football game and I hear it all
the time cause I love that game. How did that happen?
NP: What's happening now for the band? We know you are on the Miller Side Door
Tour�who's on that besides Breaking Benjamin and you guys?
NP: We also checked out your website but there aren't any tour dates�
What's up with that?
NP: What can we expect next? Another video? Another single to hit radio?
NP: Anything you want to add or say to any fans?
NP: Well thanks for taking the time with us and good luck on
your upcoming tour! Interview by: T-Bone & Suzy To view past Interviews and Favorites click HERE. Official website:www.epidemiconline.com www.epidemicband.com | ||||||
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