pipebombPIPEBOMB INTERVIEW

Where does the album title 'Still' come from? It could mean ‘on-going’ or it could mean ‘placid’. What do you want people to think when they hear the title?

pb: pipebomb has always been about progression; a start point and an end point. Our first CD "Half Price Beatin" was the initial beat-down on those unsuspecting/potential fans. Our second CD, "How Bout Now" acknowledges the fact that we just put you on your back and now simply ask the question, How Bout Now? After 11 years, we answered that question with, yup, STILL!


What do you want people to think when they hear the title?

pb: We want them to know, without a doubt, that pipebomb is still here. Of all the bands that have come and gone through the years, we are not going anywhere. We feel we have a relevant sound which has been missing from the airwaves for a while. In other words we’re trying to pick up where the scene got watered down and stagnant, and bring our version of metal to the next generation and people who are out there looking for good music.


How do you think the album art work is reflective of the music on Still?

pb: After years of that old house being weather-beaten and burned by the sun it still stands. We are much the same, no matter what the world throws at us we are STILL here. We have stood the test of time.


Is your song writing mostly developed from imaginary scenarios, or do you mostly write about your real life experiences?

pb (Dan): I know Shark likes to write primarily from personal experience. I definitely write from personal experience as well, but I also get inspiration from books, movies, and television. For example, the song "Dead" was inspired by the character Nino Brown in the movie "New Jack City".


Do you think your songwriting is more about story-telling, or about creating energy?

pb: We have songs that do either or both at the same time.


Did you go into the Still recording sessions with all the parts written, or did the songs really get pulled together in the studio?

pb: Our songs usually go through an extensive metamorphic period before we record. We analyze, demo, and play them at shows, So all the parts were written but a lot changed in the studio.


Did you record additional material that didn’t make it onto the album?

pb: We have a solid scrap pile of material that was either not polished enough or just didn't feel finished yet. Some really good tunes that I'm sure we will return to in the future.


How much input do you allow the people turning the knobs to have on your sound? Do you always know what you want, or do the engineers and producers working with you help to shape you?

pb: We collaborated extensively with our producer. As songwriters, we create what we think is a finished product, which has been listened to extensively by all members of the band. At that point the fresh ear and opinion of the producer is always welcome. When you are recording at Millbrook Sound Studios, you’re surrounded by smart people. It pays to listen to them. Ultimately all decisions are made by the band in the end.


Of all the bands you've shared the stage with, Which is your favorite? and why?

pb: I would have to say Sevendust. We’ve been fans of theirs for a long time. The energy of their show just kicks ass! Very inspiring. Clutch was equally as awesome. The energy and intelligence of both bands songwriting and stage performance set a very high standard.


Over the past decade, you’ve built a huge following throughout the Hudson Valley region where you live and where you have roots. Have interactive networking sites like MySpace and Facebook been of help to you in building audiences elsewhere?

pb: Absolutely! The days of plastering flyers is a thing of the past.


We hear pipebomb's celebrated first cd "Half-Price Beatin' is being re-released on Poptown Records. When will it be available?

pb: Digital Downloads are now available online at popwtownrecords.com as well as iTunes and all the other major digital download sites. Hard copy CD’s will be available by June 1st.


If Still were to be captured on film, what movie would you compare it to?

pb: For the most part it's like "Tales from the crypt". ‘Still’ is like a bunch of short stories that end up bad for the main character.


Having two lead singers is a big part of your sound. How do you decide who sings what and when?

pb: Whoever writes the majority of the lyrics usually has that figured out. Trial and error will also point us in the right direction during the writing process.


What current cd's are you guys listening to?

pb (Kevin): The new Alterbridge is a great CD.
pb (Mike): Fear Nuttin Band, Deftones,
pb (Dan): Soundgarden- Live on I-5, Ken Nordine - Colors.
pb (Shark): I’m stuck on Clutch right now. Lately, I’ve been revisiting early Iron Maiden. The relevance of Maiden still persists after all these years.


Will there be any videos for this album? For which song?

pb: Probably ‘Motivational Song’ or ‘Shot’. We have to discuss which song, and weather we are doing a theatrical video or live footage. We should have something done by the end of the summer.


What was your best experience with pipebomb so far?

pb (Dan): Opening up for Judas Priest. We walked off stage having won over a very tough crowd. I couldn't believe the ovation we had gotten by a bunch of people who didn't know us and were hungry for Priest.

pb (Shark): One experience that I will never forget was the time we played a battle of the bands in Brooklyn, New York. It was the first time they lit the two lights to represent the Twin Towers. We had a bus full of fans, screaming, yelling, and having a good time. Suddenly, we passed close to ground zero and the bus fell silent. Everyone was just looking out the bus windows at the lights…no sound. It was a very intense and strong moment. Later, we won the battle and made it to the finals.


Was that the huge competition they held at Lamour’s in Brooklyn?

pb: Yeah, they had thousands of entries and they narrowed it down to the bands that would perform live and every week you would come back if you won your night. After competing for weeks we made it to the finals and came in second to a local Brooklyn area band.


What’s next for pipebomb?

pb: A summer tour to promote our new disc and we’ll record the shows for a live CD.