Godsmack Interview

After years of sitting atop the throne of the alternative rock world, Godsmack will return in April with a new album entitled “IV.” The band not only promises one of the best albums they’ve ever made, but they also slate this time around as being “only the beginning” of their already lengthy career. I, fortunately had the chance to speak with Godsmack heavy-hitting drummer, Shannon Larkin, who went on telling me about the art of rock drumming, the band’s upcoming album, future touring plans, and what exactly the name “Godsmack” really means.

Entertainment World Exclusive
Interview with Shannon Larkin of Godsmack

By Logan Lenz

Entertainment World: First of all, I would like to thank you in advance for this interview and pay my respects to you and your career thus far. Being a drummer myself, I can’t begin the interview without stating how much of an influence you are to the drumming world.

Shannon Larkin: Wow! Thank you very much! I just like to hit ‘em!

Entertainment World: Being such a great and well-known drummer in the metal world you have found yourself playing for many accomplishing names in the field before ending up in Godsmack. How has the overall experience been as a member of Godsmack?

Shannon Larkin: Great! It was sort of weird for me at first. Not a lot of people know that Sully was the drummer for Godsmack on the first two records. Sully is Godsmack. He writes every song and every lick. So, I thought I was coming in to a situation where I would have no freedom. But, it’s really been a pleasure. The album “Faceless” had pre-written drum parts that Sully wrote, but the new album “IV” is finally the time where Sully was confident enough to allow me to come up with my own drum parts.

Entertainment World: How sick is Sully’s drumming? Honestly?

Shannon Larkin: Really rad! He actually played for a speed metal band called Meliah Rage prior to Godsmack. I believe they put something out on Epic Records. It’s funny because Sully and I will play to some speed metal tracks and look at each other and just shake our heads. It’s just so crazy! It wasn’t until after that band, when Sully realizes he needed to step out front and be the frontman of his own band. He wanted the control and wanted to be able to write his own songs. That’s why he formed Godsmack.

Entertainment World: So, Godsmack has a new album coming out on April 25th called “IV.” Tell me a little about what the fans can expect from this album and how it compares with your previous releases.

Shannon Larkin: Our fans can expect the same tough Godsmack sound. There are some really heavy songs like what were on the first record. And there’s also an acoustic song called “Hollow” for all of the fans of our acoustic record “The Other Side.” The heavier stuff on this album just sounds more epic. This time around Tony, Robbie, and myself had freedom enough to write complete songs on our own which ultimately makes this album have different sounding songs.

Entertainment World: I can’t help but notice that a new song on the new album is titled “Voodoo Too.” Is this a continuation of the original “Voodoo” song or is it just a clever title to a song with a similar feel to it?

Shannon Larkin: It’s just a similar feel. I wrote the song with a bass guitar and a drum beat. I thought about how the original song “Voodoo” was really cool when I first learned it after joining the band. I tried to repeat somewhat of the same feel to form a newer version of a great song. We actually think it’s just as good, if not better than “Voodoo.”

Entertainment World: The question is often asked, “What do those guys mean by the name ‘Godsmack?’ What exactly does the name mean and how did the founding members come up with it?

Shannon Larkin: It’s the name of an Alice in Chains song. The name eventually took on a meaning of its own, though. One day, the original drummer Joe, showed up to a photo shoot with a cold sore on his lip. Sully and the guys were all making fun of him. Then about a week later, Sully showed up with one on his face. So, it was then that they realized that ‘God’ had ‘smacked’ him in the face for making fun of Joe. It’s sort of like a karma thing.

Entertainment World: Has any religious groups ever protested or expressed any displeasure regarding the band’s name?

Shannon Larkin: No. I haven’t seen anything yet.

Entertainment World: What is your favorite Godsmack song to play live?

Shannon Larkin: “Straight out of Line” is definitely up there on the list. I love the drumbeat and the verses. Off of the new record, I’d have to say “Livin’ in Sin.” “One Rainy Day” is great too. It’s got a bluesy feel to it. I think that’s what I’m going to be doing when I’m sixty years old and retired. I’ll be jamming out and playing the blues.

Entertainment World: What can we expect to see from you guys in the near future other than the release of your new album, IV, on April 25th? I’m expecting a huge arena tour, right? What can we expect from that?

Shannon Larkin: We’re leaving America to tour Canada, Japan, South America, Mexico, and Australia. We won’t be back until late August. Then we’ll hit America hard. We don’t know what type of venue we will be playing yet because of the crash of the music industry. It’s harder to sell records these days. But, wherever we play, we will certainly bring a show. We’ll bring the pyro, extra percussionists, and dancers if we need them. We will bring the shit! But, it all depends on how well the record does.

Hot Seat:

Entertainment World: Favorite movie?
Shannon Larkin: Evil Dead 2

Entertainment World: Favorite actor or actress?
Shannon Larkin: Bruce Campbell

Entertainment World: CD you cant live without?
Shannon Larkin: Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here

Entertainment World: Best video game platform?
Shannon Larkin: PS2 – Soul Caliber 3

Entertainment World: Ipod or actual CD?
Shannon Larkin: I love both of them too much!

Entertainment World: Favorite type of TV show (sitcom, drama, reality, home make over, etc)?
Shannon Larkin: NFL football

Entertainment World: Celebrity you’d like to be caught in tabloids with?
Shannon Larkin: Angelina Jolie

Entertainment World: Location of biggest portion of your fans?
Shannon Larkin: Boston, MA

Paramore Interview

With the release of their sophomore album RIOT!, Paramore has rapidly become one of the most in-demand young rock bands around. Fronted by the vibrant 18-year old female prodigy Hayley Williams, Paramore was destined for stardom since their 2004 conception. The band hope to continue taking the world by storm by handling the headlining duties on this summer’s Warped Tour. RAG had the exclusive privilege to speak with guitarist Josh Farro about what it’s like being young and being loved.

RAG: In your own words, how would you describe Paramore’s music?

Farro: Our music is really energetic and youthful. It’s definitely filled with raw emotion. I wouldn’t classify us as emo, although a lot of people do that. I think we have a new sound. A lot of people make the comparison to Avril Lavigne just because of the female lead, but I beg to differ. We’re a little more aggressive.

What makes the new album RIOT! different for the band this time around?

Farro: First of all, I feel like we were all much more comfortable with our instruments. For the first album, we were all so young when we recorded it. Zac Farro (drummer and brother of Josh) was only 13, I was 16, and Hayley was 15. Everything happened so fast. After two years of touring, we entered the studio to record RIOT! with such a familiarity with ourselves and a better understanding of our capabilities.

What is meant by the title RIOT!?

Farro: We really wanted a one word title for the album. I was looking in the dictionary one day and found the word “riot.” I discovered a meaning for it that stated “an uncontrolled outburst of emotions.” Hayley really liked that because a lot of the lyrics on this album can be considered emotional outbursts. They are all pretty straight to the point and even somewhat vicious at times. The title was a perfect fit.

What’s your favorite track off of the new album?

Farro: I’d probably have to say “Misery Business.” To me, it’s probably the most unique song we have ever written.

Briefly explain how Paramore’s writing process works.

Farro: I usually write the music and record it right away. Then I’ll give it to Hayley so that she can add lyrics and melody to it. From that, it builds into a complete band effort, where we’ll work on dynamics and complete the structure of the song. Sometimes, however, it ends up being the other way around. Hayley may come up with an idea and I will contribute to it shortly after.

Who are some of your main influences as
a band?

Farro: Jimmy Eat World is probably the most influential to us. Death Cab for Cutie has to be listed in there as well.

What has been your greatest accomplishment as a band thus far?

Farro: I think selling 42,000 records of RIOT! in the first week is pretty groundbreaking for us. We are completely surprised and humbled by the album’s success. We really can’t believe it.

How was it growing up with a musical sibling like Zac (drummer)?

Farro: It was really great! We started covering songs for a long time until we finally started writing our own material. It was great to be able to work on songs whenever we got bored.

Paramore’s big break came very uniquely in that you were actually discovered and signed by Atlantic Records. They actually thought it was wise to work out a deal with the indie label Fueled by Ramen to reach the kids in the scene’s “purest” form. How does the relationship between the labels affect the band?

Farro: Well, I would say that we are officially signed to Fueled by Ramen. We work a lot more with them, but both labels are involved somewhat. It has only been recently that we have seen Atlantic Records really getting involved with us. But you definitely have it right. Not a lot of people know that information.

Nobody in Paramore was older than 16 when the band was signed. How do you think your age has affected the band’s success?

Farro: It’s definitely an advantage. Kids can relate to us since we are going through the same things they are. Being young is really great also because if this band doesn’t work out, we have our whole lives ahead of us.

Since the band is so young, do you still have to deal with school on the road?

Farro: Unfortunately, we do. Being the oldest, I graduated high school early on. Hayley just recently finished up with home schooling on the road. Zac, the drummer, however, is struggling right now. It’s very difficult to stay focused when you’re surrounded by music and friends 24 hours a day.

You are co-headlining Warped Tour this summer. What does that responsibility mean for the band?

Farro: We’re just going to try and have fun. We’re going to make sure we go out there and present ourselves better this time around. Our live show is going to be tighter and more energetic. We’ve worked a lot on transitions and making the show very entertaining for everybody.

Aside from the release of RIOT!, what else is to come for the future of Paramore?

Farro: We’ve talked a little about a DVD. We have to get a lot of footage on Warped Tour this summer before we do that. As for the fall, we are going to the UK to do some festivals and probably do a European tour after that. After that, who knows? We have yet to observe all of our options at this point.

The Heath Ledger / Nick Drake Connection

Last Tuesday, Hollywood endured a heavy blow. Overwhelming at first, the news that Heath Ledger was found dead in his apartment at the young age of 28, took everybody by surprise. Nobody saw even hints of seeing it coming. Although the latest toxicology reports suggest that he may have died from “natural causes” (a heart attack to be precise) and not via an allotment of drugs, the bizarre and curious connection between him and the late folk-singer Nick Drake still leaves the case wide open with astonishment. Was Heath Ledger’s obsession of the depressed singer self-medicating for him? Was it, in fact, depression that induced his shy and reserved personal attributes that led to his eventual death?

During interviews of his latest film I’m Not There – where he portrays Bob Dylan, Ledger revealed his “obsession” with Nick Drake. For those unfamiliar, Nick Drake was a singer-songwriter, whom was heavily burdened with depression throughout his career. Drake overdosed on anti-depressants at the young age of 26.

Similar to Ledger, Drake had a lengthy and prosperous career ahead of him. Having only put out a few albums and slowly gaining a reputable audience, Drake unfortunately never achieved a commercial following until very recently. It wasn’t until Volkswagen scored a commercial with his recording of “Pink Moon” in 2002 that Drake began selling records.

Ledger’s admittance of his attraction to Drake’s story definitely leaves one with questions. Was his curiosity and admiration merely coincidence? It’s a strong possibility that it was, but first let’s delve a little deeper into their ties.

The strongest case that glorifies Ledger and Drake’s similarities is Ledger’s recently created music video for Drake’s song “Black Eyed Dog.” The video, which was produced completely by Ledger, depicts Ledger as the sole subject. At the video’s close, Ledger turns the hand-held camera on himself and slowly drowns himself in a bathtub. The most bewildering and hair-raising aspect of this is that “Black Eyed Dog” is known as Drake’s very last recording – allegedly recorded right before his death. The song is also known as being about dealing with depression.

Before you run to YouTube in hopes of finding this video, one must be aware that it has only been screened twice. The video received much praise and a few awards after being shown at two European film festivals. The video has yet to (and may never) leak onto the internet.

During the I’m Not There interviews, Ledger also revealed his intentions of eventually releasing a biopic of Drake’s life and story. Although we may never see his version of the singer’ s life, we are bound to see someone’s attempt at reviving Ledger’s dream in the future. We can also expect a piece about Ledger himself at some point down the road, for his life and death has impacted far more than one would think.

Ledger’s career may have been brief and limited, but his future in film was looked upon as the most anticipated. Having accomplished what he did at such a young age in his first ten years in the business is miraculous. He was on track toward becoming one of the best actors in history. He will always be most remembered for his portrayal of Ennis Del Mar in the Academy Award winning Brokeback Mountain. After this summer, however, he will also be remembered for his upcoming role as the new Joker in the next installment of the Batman films – The Dark Knight – due out in July.

Sullivan Interview

Hailing from the quaint college town of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Sullivan has
only begun turning heads in the modern rock world. After being signed by Tooth and Nail Records, the band excitedly looks forward to their promising future. On June 5^th, their debut full length album Cover Your Eyes will initiate and determine that future. Vocalist Brooks Paschal, guitarists Tyson Shipman and Jeremy Stanton, drummer Phil Chamberlain, and bassist Zach Harward are hoping to “take the world by storm.”

I had the wonderful opportunity to chat with vocalist Brooks Paschal regarding their current tour, the band Underoath, and of course their new album.

RAG: In your own words, how would you describe Sullivan’s music?
Paschal: For me, the word that I continue to use to describe the band is “tension.” I think that a lot of our music has a really cool tension to it. There is underlying darkness surrounding our music, but on the surface everything sounds so sweet and happy. That’s what makes it so interesting. There is this unidentifiable tension between those two elements. Musically, it’s very uplifting, but lyrically it’s pretty disturbed and out there.

You are slated to release a new album called Cover Your Eyes on June 5^th through Tooth and Nail. What can everyone expect from the album?
Paschal: I think we really came to terms with our songwriting style on this album. Overall, it’s a really dark record. It sounds pretty angry and moody. It’s also an extremely honest record.

Tell me a little about the current Tooth and Nail Tour that you are embarking on. What’s it like sharing the stage with such a stellar lineup of artists? MXPX?
Paschal: It’s been really great! Everyone is so cool and the crowds have been amazing. We’re just so lucky to be surrounded by such great bands. We are learning a lot, and of course having a great time as well.

Briefly explain how Sullivan’s writing process works.
Paschal: It’s definitely different for us. For this record, we got off tour on Thanksgiving of last year. From then on, I completely shut myself off to the world to write. I wrote everyday for about a month. Tyson, our guitarist, had a bunch of ideas that he had brought to me as well. With this record, we really learned how to work extremely well together. We bounced ideas off of each other until we had the complete arrangements put together.

Who are some of your main influences as a band?
Paschal: As a band, it’s tough. How about if I base it off of live performance? Live we are very influenced by the band At the Drive In. Looking back at footage of that band live is just unreal. I think that’s what kids want these days. They want to see something live that they can’t feel on the record. They need something special. I think we provide them with that.

You guys are from Greensboro, North Carolina. How was it trying to make it as a band in such an area? What can you say about the local music scene there?
Paschal: It’s tough there, because North Carolina is not the “Mecca” of rock. A lot of good bands have come from the area, however. If anything, being from Greensboro made us build a better work ethic. Because there isn’t that much musical competition there, it allowed us to promote ourselves more and concentrate a lot on making our music the best it can be.

At what age did you start playing music? Playing in a band?
Paschal: I was nine when I started playing piano. I was a typical high school kid that wanted to play music and be the next Green Day, you know? I started playing in a band with the guitarist Tyson in 2000. Eventually, in 2003, we started Sullivan. We have been working really hard ever since.

What has been your greatest accomplishment as a band thus far?
Paschal: This record. It’s everything that we wanted. We didn’t have to cheat ourselves and we didn’t get cheated. Tooth and Nail gave us everything we wanted and we got an awesome producer, and we got our engineer. Everything was perfect. On a personal level, it has been a great achievement staying together as a band and keeping the drive alive throughout all of the good and bad times.

Your drummer Phil Chamberlain’s brother happens to be Spencer Chamberlain; lead vocalist for the band Underoath. Do you expect any collaborations or tours together in the future, or are the genres to different to accommodate anything like that?
Paschal: We’ve toured with them a few times already, so that’s never out of the question. It never hurts playing in front of a couple thousand people every night, no matter the genre difference. We’re really good friends with those guys, so you never know what is to come. I’m sure we’ll tour again at some point.

Being in Orlando, I am obviously very familiar with the organization and “To Write Love On Her Arms” and your involvement with them. What can you say about your experiences with such a promising organization?
Paschal: It’s awesome. I met (TWLOHA president) Jamie at last year’s Cornerstone Festival in Orlando. It’s amazing that such a sweet person can do so much. The organization is exploding and I am so happy for Jamie. He put so much time and effort into it and I am glad it is starting to take off.

Aside from the release of the new CD, what else is to come for the future of Sullivan? What are your goals?
Paschal: I think all bands hope for the same thing. I hope that we tap into a success that allows us to continue playing music. We can only wish that our music reaches a ton of people. If we simply can keep playing music and are able to support ourselves along the way, we’re going to continue to work hard and do this until we’re forty. I can only hope.