Chris - Drums

Can you tell us something of the history of far. how you got started, and maybe signed up to immortal records. who are the members of the band, and can you dish any dirt on them :)

J: The funniest thing about Far is how UN-rock we are. We don't screw groupies, we don't do drugs, we aren't assholes (except to each other), we're just really normal. Not good for imaging, but oh well : ) We've been together for 5-6 years. Immortal found us hiding out up in Sacramento, and the rest is history : )

What are your influences, both musically and maybe in life generally.

J: People who aren't afraid to look stupid. People who put themselves out there naked. People who have ideals and ethics and try to stick to them.

S: I would say that I am into people who get into a postion of power and try to make changes, rather than just going by the standards. I hope we will make it there someday.

How many records/demos have you done and where are they available from, apart of course from tin cans with strings ...

J: With the current lineup, we've done another CD called 'Quick', a 4-song tape and a couple of 7" singles.

I heard that you're not overly keen on videos, but you've recently made one for love american style. Anything to say on it.

J: I actually like it a lot. We made it in an afternoon with a friend, so it was totally comfortable. It's scary, it makes you feel something, which automatically makes it better than 90% of the crap out there. I hope we can at least get a few people to see it, I think it's a pretty good piece of art.

Tin cans ... contains a number of uptempo songs, but some of the highlights for me are the quieter moments like Girl and Job's Eyes. Any stories to these.

J: There are stories to all the songs, but they're hard to tell. I'm glad you like the quiet ones. The loud ones are fun live, but the softer ones I like listening to more.

S: I think that the quieter songs would not be as special if the other loud ones were not there to accompany them.

I can't help but think when i listen to Love American Style that there is a riff which sounds like something Sepultura did on Chaos A.D. Am I just completely mad, or is there anything to confess to there.

J: Honestly, I don't think so, but Shaun wrote it, maybe he knows something I don't.

S: I think that you are mad. We as a band try very hard not to rip other bands off, so if you hear something there, it may just be an influence thing. I'll admit it, Sepultura is the best metal band ever.

However, my favourite song on the album is Punchdrunk. During it, there's a line borrowed from The Boxer. Was this an intentional thing with some meaning in terms of the song, or did it 'just happen' when you were recording.

J: Definitely intentional, I wanted to draw a parallel with that song. To me, both are about the futility of trying to succeed through compromise, or maybe just the futility of trying to succeed in the face of all the crap that would love for you to just take a number and wait your turn.

The artwork seems quite distinctive, yet describes each of the songs. Each set of lyrics has a piece of art which seems to illustrate the song. Was this the interpretation of the music that Stephen Nix made

S: We had Stephen just go for it and we would add little things here and there. He is the man.

A number of people that I've heard talk of Far, seem to lump you with Korn and the Deftones. Personally, when I listen, I see more resemblence with Sensefield. Do you think you fit with these bands, or is the similarities based on your friendships with the bands.

J: If there's anything I regret about the way we're perceived, it's that we're lumped in with that Korn thing. I'm glad you see it differently. We're more like Deftones, but still, the Sense Field thing is way closer to the mark emotionally. Categories and comparisons suck.

S: The whole Korn thing is just record company bullshit. I don't want to be lumped in with Korn. They do what they do, and we do what we do. I don't think the two are compariable. I see us more along Deftones/Sensefield.

The bands i mentioned are begining to make a splash in the UK, Korn more than the others. How are things going generally do you think in the states, for both yourselves, and other bands taking this kind of general musical approach.

J: We're in between worlds. We're not 'pop' enough for radio, etc., but we're not 'hard' enough for most of the Korn kids. I guess that means we're sort of doing our own thing, which is nice, but I wish we could find more people that were into it.

I've heard this style of music described in the UK as emocore, - emotional hardcore. Would that be a label that you'd agree with, or is it just the press once again having to try and pigeonhole something fresh and exciting.

J: The term 'hardcore' has a lot of baggage with it, but I like the 'emo' label more than most, it fits us. Like I said, categories suck, but people seem to need it.

Is touring and playing live as much fun as it would seem to someone like me to be. are there any good stories of events at gigs.

J: Sometimes it's wonderful, but the bad side is really bad. Boring, dirty, whorish, those are words that come to mind sometimes. There are the good days, too, when someone comes up and tells me how much our music has affected them, that means a lot. I've had my life changed by different music, so if we can do that for anyone, that's a great feeling. I'll always love music and write music, but if it doesn't work out as a career that's okay with me too.

S: It seems to me that once a band gets a bigger following, the touring seems to be more fun, and easier.

I'm not sure if you want to talk about this, but you recently toured with Sepultura, having I believe been recommended to the band by Dana, who sadly of course was recently killed. I was at Donington when Andreas, Paulo and Igor played the day after Max and Gloria flew back and the tragedy was announced. It was an eerie yet strangely uplifting time. The band earned so much more respect from myself and i'm sure thousands of others that day. I missed the initial announcement when they started because i was still watching Korn on the other stage. Do you have any memories or stories about your times with the band and dana.

J: Sepultura are an amazing band and a beautiful group of people. We were just getting to know them well when Dana was killed. Dana did have a lot to do with us being on that tour. We only met him once, he was full of life and wonder. I remember talking to Max about spirituality, I wish we had gotten to talk more. I think one day we'll go to some sort of church together. I miss them, I hope we get to spend more time with them someday.

S: I already loved Sepultura's music before we started the tour, but now after getting to know all of them it makes me appreciate it even more. They are like a huge family that is really close with one another. Dana was a great guy. He called me the day after the tour got started and made sure everything was going ok for us. I hope to see all of them again someday.

Are there any hopes or plans to tour the UK. Maybe a Korn, Deftones, Far combination, running order to be decided on the night of course :)

J: We'd love it, of course. Getting to the UK is one of my biggest dreams, hope you'll be there when we make it.

S: Ditto!

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Purely for test purposes, must remember to take out later