FEATURED INTERVIEWS                          

Finger Eleven

Get Struck. Get Paralyzed.
By: Gian Erguiza - - December 27th, 2007 -7:00 am PST



Finger Eleven is everywhere. They are on your TV screens, internet, and radio. Their latest release, "Paralyzer," is a monster success in 2007. We caught up with Rich of Finger Eleven to talk about their latest release, the missing Ipod, and gaming.

Hey Rich can you hear me just fine?

I can hear you perfectly.

Sorry about the phone bro

That’s okay man, how are you doing?

We’re doing good! Thank you for calling in, we’ve been trying to get an interview with you guys for quite some time. I appreciate it.

Yeah man! We’re glad to be calling! This is Frantik Magazine, right?

That’s it you got it, Frantik Mag

Nice I like that name.

Alright man, you’re ready to get it started?

Let’s do this!

Them vs You vs Me it’s a huge success for you guys and it is absolutely one of the best albums of 2007. I read on your site how much work went into your latest and it’s pretty extensive. What was the hardest thing to catch on record and did you guys expect it to be this successful?

I think the whole writing process of the record took such a long time. Umm I think the reason why the album took so many twist and turns and it’s because of so many different types of songs. The simple fact that we spent a lot of time writing the songs and any time that you sit and write a bunch of songs for a whole year, you’re going to write not all of the same kind of songs. So it’s a little bit frustrating that it took so long but in the end you’ve got an added positive to the record. Just the fact that you know that you have different types of songs on the record and a lot of times a lot of bands have records that have the same type of vibe and it’s in a certain direction so I think on our record, the reason that I’m proud of it is because it has different type of sort of songs and for me, I love records like that! It’s just not one vibe. When ever you spend a bunch of time, you’re going to write a bunch of different type of songs and it added to the experience of the album.

It’s a really great album and it’s a lot better than your previous ones. It’s really great! What’s your favorite jam off the record and which one do you love to play live?

Sometimes my favorite song on the record is different from a live setting. The song Easy Life is super sweet and I probably have the least to do with that song. I consider it Joey’s song almost because it has a lot to do with the writing of that one. When I listen to it, it gives me sort of “in the air tonight,” Phil Collins vibe and I really enjoy it. We’ve never really done it live because it doesn’t really land it self so much in a live setting. The song “lost my way” is really fun to play live and it gets people going and of course, “Paralyzer,” the crowd reaction whenever we do that song is just overwhelming every night. It’s kind of cool because we have that one song “one thing,” which is a ballad and now we sort of have this rock song so it’s cool that people recognize. We now have the best of both worlds, the ballads they put the lighters up and then we have a rock song where they can jump up and down, singing along so it’s nice man! It’s just been amazing to watch the reaction of the crowd build and build and build. It’s pretty amazing!

Since we’re on the subject, I tuned in to Concert TV for Paralyzer and you guy’s tore the roof off that place!

It’s done so well and you can’t really predict what’s going to happen. That song was going to do okay than the other stuff and it’s just growing and growing and growing. It’s kind of cool because every week we get a call from a family member saying that they heard our song on the radio and we’re like “holy crap!” .

Well it comes to my next question. How do you guys deal with this? I know it’s overwhelming like you were just talking about and you guy’s are just blowing up everywhere. You’re on my TV, you’re on the Radio, in my Ipod, so how are you guys dealing with the whole thing in general?

You know what, you’re right in the middle of it. We just got back home and when you’re home, your people inform you sort of a little bit of what’s going on, kind of what you’re saying like they say, “Man you’re CD is everywhere” and you just really don’t notice it when you’re in the middle of it and it surrounds

"You just never know as a band how it’s going to do so it’s pretty amazing just to sit back and watch it grow beyond expectation. It has it’s own life and just keeps growing and growing"

you. You’re just sort of on the road doing your thing, which is nice not to think about it too much. When you’re just working away, you sort of have …. I don’t know if it’s good or bad because it’s kind of nice to see it but certainly when you’re traveling you just don’t see it as much. But when you go home and talk to your friends, that’s when you really realize the impact of what you’re doing because they sort of tell you how many times a day they hear your songs on the radio and how many times they see it on the screen and that’s when you go, “holy shit, I had no idea!” We just do the same thing everyday. Like yesterday we were in Virginia, today we are in Washington D.C. to do another show and you never really get to appreciate how good it’s going until our friends and family let us know. It’s amazing man, we’re just enjoying the ride and we’re not taking anything for granted and just having a blast.

Well speaking of Family, I’m pretty sure that you guy’s are going to take a break for the Holidays. How are you and the rest of the band spending the Holidays? All of us are going home for Christmas and New Year. It’s always nice when you spend pretty much the whole year traveling and it’s nice to go home and see your family and friends. We are grateful that we get to do this every year and it’s the perfect time to go home and to sort appreciate what just happened to you. But each Christmas we stay away from each other.

{both laugh}

Oh I bet you guys are sick of each other too!

Oh yeah, When it comes to break, we stay away from each other.

So my associates and I are avid fans of gaming over here and you guys did a show, actually the first show for the Xbox 360 live, how did this come about and are you guys big gamers or occasional players?

No, we are all pretty hardcore. If I go to the back lounge you’ll see us playing, one on the Xbox and one on the Nintendo DS and if I go to the back lounge I’ll be on my PSP or playing a Playstation 3 game. There’s games going on all sections of the bus so yeah we’re big gamers. Although we haven’t played a lot lately…. On the back of the bus you can play four on four and it kills a lot of time during the day instead of just sitting around not doing anything, just waiting for your life. Thank God for video games. I don’t know if it wasn’t for cell phones or video games what exactly is there to do, God! I guess that’s like when the girls and drugs get you in trouble like the video games.

{both laugh}

You guys also have this awesome contest about winning an Ipod nano for writing a review on your latest release on Amazon.com or iTunes.com. Now that’s what I call giving back for the Holidays, how cool is it that you guy’s are going to make someone’s Christmas that much more interesting?

I think that anything you can do… stuff for the holiday is really cool. All those contest and stuff in the end that give everything away, that’s kind of cool man, especially, this time of year. We are always doing stuff like that and it’s nice to be interactive with your fans and anybody that gives a crap about your band.

I’m actually going to join in on that and write my own review.

I hope you win it man!

{both laugh}

Speaking of things, what are you currently spinning on your player? Any recommends?

I wish I could tell you but my Ipod is missing on the bus right now. I lost it on the last tour and I’ve been searching for it but I think someone is hassling me. The only thing that I’ve been listening to is the frustration in my own brain and wondering who the hell is hiding my Ipod from me.

{both laugh}

They hijacked your Ipod man, I’m so sorry!

Someone did and I’m pissed. Someone is going to get it!

Alright Rich, there’s this question that I ask all musicians and artist on their perspective on this issue and here it goes. What are your thoughts on the current war between digital downloading vs physical purchase?

You know what I think it’s just a sign of the times. I think it’s just amazing and I don’t think you can keep denying it. Obviously the people have spoken and digital downloading seems to be the way. Record stores are sort of fading. I think the consumer will sort of lead the charge and the people are choosing to get their music through the internet and I think you just need to roll with that if it works for you. You can’t just sit here and complain or argue like “I wish it was like 20 years ago,” it’s useless. It doesn’t do you or your band any good. You need to move forward with the times and do whatever you can to get your music heard. In this day in age it’s digital and I see nothing wrong with it. The only thing that would be wrong with it is if you fight it or ignore it and you’re sort of hurting yourself. You got to do whatever you can to get heard. Kids these days they only know iTunes or they only how to download your record for free. You can’t get mad at them and you just got to make it work for you and your band and keep them really interested until the next ten years and see what happens. With all these record stores closing, record sales are low or down… it’s interesting because it might get rid of all the crap music and only real bands will survive.

{both laugh}

I agree man. Sorry to say but there is a lot of crap music out there and those are very good points you just pointed out!

Yeah there’s a lot, I know.

Alright man, please enlighten our readers that have not seen a show from you guys what they can expect from your live show

Well that’s pretty cliché. Most bands would say, “We’re high energy, da da da,” Honestly we try to play as if it’s our last show every night and we really give it. There might be some wrong notes, some missing drum sticks, but guess what, it’s going to blow your brains out.

Since we’re on the subject, what type of drums do you beat on and which part of your drums do you value the most?

I play Pearl drums which are really great, but fortunately in the music industry you get these endorsements when things are going great which is really nice because they give you free stuff and they want you to play their stuff so fortunately, I get to play the stuff I really loved when I was a kid for free now which is really crazy. I think the most value thing for me on stage is the bass drum. There’s nothing better than hearing a bass drum through a PA System. You hear the loud thump blasting through and you see the kid’s hair in the front row blow back when you hit the bass drum because the pa is so loud. I think a powerful thumping bass drum to me would be the most valuable piece of my drums.

Alright, I got two more questions for you, since I know you are a busy man so I’ll let you off the hook after two more questions. So how do you guys relax when you guys are just passing the time?

You know everyone’s got a girlfriend, our loved ones is really important and when you’ve been traveling for so long and you don’t get to see them, we hang out with our wives and our girlfriends. Going home and seeing your friends. It’s really nice to go home and really appreciate it. It’s really nice to go home and just chill out for a little while and sort of get insight of what’s going on and really appreciate the magnitude of how well things are going so I just step outside of it and stare back in.

Alright man, before I let you go, do you have any additional comments?

No, not really man, Anyone that is reading this, come out and support the tour, thank you for all the support for the last year. A big thank you and a shout out to anyone that’s interested in our band!

Well Rich, thank you so much for doing the interview man, you are a gentleman and a scholar, best of luck to the band and keep up the good work!

Thank You!

Thanks Rich!



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