Facecage
FACECAGE Interview For RockWatchDec. 2006 : Interview response passed on via Fred Missouri
RW : Who are the band members for the Facecage III album and in what ways does
the members envolvement differ from previous albums?
FC : The band members are Matt Nyberg on vocals, Fred Missouri on bass,
Erik Long on guitar and Sam Dooley on drums. This was the first album where all of the members had total freedom in the creative process. If someone had an idea, it got put on the table, we may not have used every idea, but there was a forum for us to create whatever we wanted, and that in turn made every song that much more personal to every person in the band. I think that makes for a more electric and emotional performance, and recording.
Erik Long on guitar and Sam Dooley on drums. This was the first album where all of the members had total freedom in the creative process. If someone had an idea, it got put on the table, we may not have used every idea, but there was a forum for us to create whatever we wanted, and that in turn made every song that much more personal to every person in the band. I think that makes for a more electric and emotional performance, and recording.
RW : What kind of feedback have you had on particular songs on the Facecage III album and the overall impact of the entire album?
FC :That is a tough one. We have had some great radio success with our song 'Please', a different side of FACECAGE. 'Swine' is turning out to be a favorite, people like it because it is deviant and sexual in a disgusting kind of way, i think people like to feel the skin crawl when they listen to that one. Our two epics are the standouts, 'Weakness Inside You', and 'Minus4', these songs are a ride of music and emotions within themselves, beautiful and brutal at the same time. The overall impact of the album is a great ride of feelings and subjects. The songs are introspective yet ambiguous enough that anyone who listens, can relate the lyrics to their life and feelings. Every song means something different to every person that hears it, and that makes the music very special and personal. The music itself is powerful and unlike anything out there, and it is starting to draw alot of people in.
RW : How did Facecage come together with Great Big Mouth Records?
FC : Corey had come on board to produce and help shop the album, even while it was still in its infancy. Throughout the whole process, I think even Corey may have been surprised at how electric and kinetic the whole feeling of the project was. When it came time to shop the record, while record companies sat around doing nothing with it, Corey and Denny (our manager) decided, what are we doing? we could use this to start a whole new label and not only promote this band, but start a foundation to develop and support other acts in the midwest. The midwest being a place where much talent is overlooked, and not taken seriously simply because we have no major airports or state-sized mega-metropolis cities.
RW : How is the envolvement of Great Big Mouth Records and Corey Taylor effect the
recording, promotion and touring for the Facecage III album?
FC : GBM and Corey have had a profound positive effect on this band. We have had so many doors opened and opportunities presented to us. We feel fortunate that we have been afforded such things, and are working even harder now than we ever have in the past.
RW : I believe you're working on a DVD for future release. Will it be a mix of live footage, a music video concept for particular songs and behind the scene clips?
FC : The dvd will be as close to being at the show as possible. all live footage for the
songs, candid shots, crowd shots. it should be fun.
RW : What are the cities and music venues where Facecage has a large fan base?
FC : Of course our hometown is our mainstay, House of Bricks has always treated us great, and we pack the house every time we play. Omaha is another one of our big pulls, we play the Sokol clubs with some of the other prominent Omaha acts, and do
consistently well. Minnesota and Wisconsin have been very good for us as well, Minneapolis is a tough nut to crack, but I think we are making headway.
RW : With the growth of the band and three albums, are there plans to expand
touring beyond your prime spots in the midwest?
FC : Absolutely, as resources allow, we will widen our circle farther and farther. Coast to coast is the goal, but everything will always be based right here in Iowa. Too many fly and forget their roots, where our goal is the exact opposite, we want to use the widespread success to strengthen our roots and the scene we evolved from, not abandon it.
RW : For a metal band, what radio play options have Facecage been able to break
into which these days would include satellite and internet radio?
FC : Both interenet radio and satellite radio have been very good for us. True metal is such an underground art right now, and the DIY attitude of the internet and satellite stations cater to our style of working and promotion very well. XM Liquid Metal radio has been a particularly strong supporter of our music, Ward Cleaver has been playing our songs since the first album came out in 2002.
RW : As individuals, are there particular metal bands from Europe that you like
or are you mostly keen on homegrown metal here in the states?
FC : I myself am a fan of In Flames, and Iron Maiden, the rest of my metal favorites are from right here in the states; Pantera, Korn, Fear Factory, Rob Zombie, many others. Matt has a very wide taste of metal, american and european, Dimmu Borgir, Lamb of God, In Flames, 3 Inches of Blood, more than I can even think of. Erik is into alot of death metal, Cannibal Corpse, Deicide. Sam listens to alot of the new stuff, Between the Buried and Me, Lamb of God, crazy stuff.
RW : Do any of the band members listen to classical or jazz music? What about country music?
FC : Its funny you ask that. I started my musical career in jazz and still love to play and listen to jazz. I have a lot of jazz and funk influence in my playing, almost more so than metal sometimes. We all like all sorts of music, We all love Johnny Cash, and Erik and I have some other eclectic choices, Portishead, Deftones, whatever tickles the eardrum, music is infinite.
RW : Being a band based in Iowa, what can you say about the Iowa music scene that
will underscore that Iowa is more than corn fields and college football?
FC : This is a place where no matter what station of life you come from, you have to work hard. There are no free rides here, from the farmers to the real estate giants that own downtown, this is not an easy place to make your living. I think that makes a hardier breed of people, and when we set our minds to something and put our backs into it, it gets done. Period. That kind of work ethic and "nothing can stand in my way" attitude is something we dont see in alot of the places we go. This is also a place where there is a certain kind of loyalty that is unique to anything I have ever seen. When we make a team, a family, to get something done, it is do or die, and god forbid anyone stand in our way or try to harm one of our own. In the long run I hope we are noted for our loyalty and diligence, as much as our talent and success.
RW : Is there anything off the wall comical or last words you like to say to close
out this interview?
FC : Just a couple.... Hey, if that Camaro was
made out of beef jerky, would you chase it down and eat it?
www.facecage.net
FACECAGE is based in Iowa