Interview With Keep Me Concious
April 7th, 2009 by Stephanie Stevens
Boston, Massachusetts if you have ever visited or if you live there you know a few things about the locals they are aggressive drivers, AKA mass holes! They admire and are diehards to their sports teams and they have given the music world some great bands. The scene has been a bit stale in the past few years but one band who has made a mark on the scene has been a band called CHERRY S/T. As time progresses and people change, attitudes change and bands revamp and move on and gain new members and lose old members a new sense of attitude reinvents a band and passion creeps back into the artists souls. CHERRY S/T has been laid to rest but KEEP ME CONSCIOUS has risen up from the ashes and has recreated a reason to keep playing and bringing music to the world.
Bob Bowser-vocals and Dan Maleck-guitar formed CHERRY S/T back in the late 90’s and quickly created a live show that was intense, energetic and quite appealing for Boston music lovers. After 10+ years that ambition hasn’t changed it’s just strengthened and solidified the members as did adding the newest addition to the band John Wiley-guitar, Rob B Wu-drums and Maty Vamp-bass.
So what is it that KEEP ME CONSCIOUS is going to provide for you as a fan? They are going to give you new music which will be entitled SOUNDS OF RESCUE, which will be released on April 25th... An EP with a lot of melody, rock attitude and lyrical content that will make you “wise up” on social issues! They will be playing their asses off around the New England area as much as they can with also some acoustic performances in local Hot topics and they are revamping their Myspace!
I had a chance to throw out some questions about the band to find out what they think about the local scene these days, why they chose the producer they did and what programming means to them!
WHY THE NAME, KEEP ME CONSCIOUS AND WHAT DOES THE NAME MEAN?
BOB - It symbolizes how much we’ve matured and learned by creating music. We have one objective: write and perform songs that we love. Keep Me Conscious is pursuing hopes and dreams with no regret, despite all the hardships and struggle that come with playing in a band. Yeah, we’re all broke.
JOHN - Keep Me Conscious also stands for finding the things in life that move you. Life’s an incredible trip, but it has the inevitable downs and monotony… so in those moments – what moves you? What keeps you conscious?
THIS IS A NEW START FOR SOME MEMBERS THAT HAVE BEEN WORKING TOGETHER FOR A LONG WHILE. HOW DO YOU FEEL THE BAND HAS CHANGED WITH THESE NEW ADDITIONS TO THE BAND?
DAN – I’ve been writing with Bob for 12 years now and we’ve been through some heartbreaking member changes. However, everything happens for a reason. This current line up has been writing this EP for months and this is the best material to date. We are a completely different band.
ROB – Take any of us out of the mix and we’ll be a different band. That’s the absolute truth. Everyone is vital to the sound, bringing something unique to the table. It’s a rare, beautiful thing. Our differences only help us by exposing individual strengths. No one has the same style or taste. Though “Sounds of Rescue” is our first effort, we feel like we took a giant leap towards finding a more defined sound.
THE NEW DISC “SOUNDS OF RESCUE” – HOW MUCH WILL THE MUSIC BE EVOLVING AND WHAT IS IT YOU FOCUSED ON THROUGH THE RECORDING PROCESS?
MATY – We have really big sounds and deep tones on “Sounds Of Rescue“. We’ve been experimenting with writing slower songs/grooves and it has really allowed us to dig into more complex structures and harmonies.
JOHN – The music has evolved so much in the last few months. We’ve been working hard on these songs – messing with different tones, effects, layering. There is a lot of depth in the effort – musically and lyrically.
BEING FROM THE BOSTON AREA, HOW HAS THE SCENE CHANGED FOR THE GOOD OR BAD?
DAN – Boston has always been recognized for its music scene. Bands are definitely more diverse than they were 5-10 years ago and it’s great.
ROB – It’s rad that there are so many sub-genres within “rock” now. It gives room for a lot of different bands to thrive creatively without compromising their sound. Also, it’s killer being able to share a bill with a metal band, a hard rock band, a pop band or whatever band.
JOHN – It’s also tougher to get people to shows now, though. Since there ARE so many great bands, you’ve got to find a way to interest people – why should anyone see your band vs. another band? It’s fierce, but we like it. It’s what makes Boston great; it’s cutthroat.
YOU TALK ABOUT THE INDUSTRY STRIPPING YOUR CREATIVE SENSE AWAY THROUGH THE YEARS. SO DOES THIS MEAN YOURE MAKING THE NEW MUSIC YOU MAKE NOW TO JUST PROVIDE SATISFACTION TO YOURSELVES?
MATY – If we aren’t satisfied with the art we create, then we can’t expect anyone else to be either.
BOB – Absolutely. Before Maty and Rob came into the band, we had people in suits breathing down our necks to write a “hit”. We won’t lie about it but we also won’t diss old songs. It’s still OUR art and we’ll always stand by that. What’s different now? We threw all the restrictions and expectations out the window and started from scratch with this new band.
DAN – We wrote this album with one thing in mind, write for ourselves and no one else. In the past, we would write a song we loved but would have to strip it down because it wasn’t “radio friendly” for someone else’s ear. Not this time around.
JOHN – We always wrote music we stood by, but there was DEFINITELY the underlying pressure that it had to meet major label expectations: 3-minute songs, “verse/chorus, verse/chorus” song structure… that sort of thing.
ROB – Polar opposite… I played guitar in a noisy-hardcore band before Keep Me Conscious. I had already thrown out the song-writing formula but playing drums and writing with guys who had experience with label pressure was a real nice challenge. We pulled each other out of our comfort zones and tendencies. We found a great balance. We will forever be learning from each other.
JONATHAN WYMAN WAS THE MAN AT THE HELM AT THE STUDIO. WHY DID YOU CHOOSE HIM AND WHAT DO YOU THINK HE BROUGHT OUT IN EACH OF YOU TO MAKE “SOUNDS OF RESCUE” EVEN STRONGER?
DAN – We’ve been working with Wyman for almost 10 years now. We have a lot of history and he’s been with us from the start. He’s been on the same page and is just a great guy to work with.
BOB – Wyman is the best producer/engineer we have ever worked with. Aside from being so down to earth, he creates the most comfortable environment to write/record in. He knows how to motivate and push each of us.
MATY – Wyman has a real positive outlook on not just music, but everything. He kept a great energy in the studio, even at the most frustrating times. Recording can be real stressful and it’s important to have someone help ease that tension. He had a lot of confidence in all us and loved every note we played.
JOHN – Wyman is the man, straight up. We’ve worked with him a number of times over the years… not one complaint. He has a super laid-back vibe and is not only a great producer, but a great friend too. He knows our tendencies and strengths. All gravy on the Wyman train…
ROB – Wyman is brilliant. Not only does he have an incredible ear, he has our best interest at all times. He is so creative, positive and humble. Wyman is definitely the sixth band member; nothing but love for him.
PROGRAMMING SEEMS TO BE MAKING A COMEBACK IN A LOT OF BANDS LATELY. HOW IMPORTANT IS THIS ELEMENT WHEN THINKING OR CREATING A SONG?
BOB – We have been programming since 2002 but it is definitely secondary to song writing. You need a strong song before you can start adding samples. Programming is only there to compliment the song, not take it over.
JOHN – It’s the icing on the cake for sure – the key for us is to not overdo it. If the music is a pair of slick shoes, programming is the shoe polish.
DAN – On the record (and in our new live programming), we decided to do it differently. Rob actually played all the drum loops live in the studio, so there’s no actual drum programming. Every percussive sound or drum groove you hear on “Sounds of Rescue” and in our live show are actually Rob’s secondary drum tracks.
ROB – Playing a secondary drum track was an idea that came while jamming one night. During the writing process, we would rehearse songs without programming. Since we knew the specific moments where we wanted drum loops, I would mimic loops to fill in the space. Having the live drum sounds over the electronic sounds gives it a different feel/sound. It’s unique having multiple drum tracks per song. It’s like a guitar overdub, but way cooler. It was also really fun playing with myself in the studio. Yeah, real mature.
WHAT IS THE BANDS BIGGEST INSPIRATION MUSICALLY AND WHY?
JOHN – There are a handful of artists that we all love but for the most part, we all have different tastes. We love bands that sound nothing like us.
DAN – Also, we inspire one another. We are a diverse group of musicians, all from very different backgrounds. I think what inspires us is the fact that we all really love the music we are writing. It’s amazing to walk into our practice space, rock out, have some laughs, drink a beer or 2 and know that you’re doing what you’re meant to do with 4 of your best friends.
MATY – Yeah, and Motley Crue.
LYRICALLY WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR IDEAS AND STORYLINES?
BOB – Lyrics come from life. Writing is the only comfortable outlet for my thoughts and moods. Everyone has their own problems so rather than pushing my problems onto other people, I expose them in our music. Most of my ideas come from personal experiences or beliefs but there’s nothing wrong with creative writing and story telling either. There’s truth in everything I write
ROB – On “Sounds of Rescue”, Bob also touches on some social issues. Everyone had a hand in writing lyrics as well so that was another cool aspect of this EP. While I won’t get too much in depth with them, there are there. It’s not us being preachy; it’s just us displaying how we feel. Love it or leave it.
HOW CAN PEOPLE FOLLOW YOU GUYS?
www.myspace.com/keepmeconscious – The MySpace also has additional contact like email, Chat rooms, Facebook, Twitter, etc.
ANY SUMMER TOURING PLANS?
MATY – Of course. New band, new sound, new record. We are going to spread out as far as we can.
DESCRIBE EACH BAND MEMEBER IN 3 WORDS/PHRASES?
BOB -
Dan: Sarcastic. Knickknacks. Tim Burton.
Rob: Asian. Persuasion. Global domination.
Maty: Beer, Shark Bites, Stomach hair.
John: Blow dryer, Hair straightener, eye drops.
DAN -
Bob: Beard. Short. Beard.
Rob: Burritos. Food. Rufio.
Maty: Blood. Sucking. Vampire.
John: Bowel movement master.
MATY – How about one word?
Dan – Serious.
John – Funny.
Rob – Smart.
Bob – Bob.
JOHN -
Bob: Nice. And. Stubbly.
Rob: Cool Asian Dude
Dan: Dan’s the man.
Maty: Beer. Vampires. Beer.
ROB
Bob: Stinky. Beard. Late.
John: Hair dryer. Slam-dunk. Ferrets.
Maty: Party. Beer. Blood.
Dan: Worry bug. Snide. Diligent.
IF YOUR FAN WAS A SUPERHERO, WHICH ONE WOULD THEY BE AND WHY?
BOB – Mystic. She’s the gorgeous blue mutant. We definitely have some pretty blue ladies that come to the show.
DAN – The Hulk. They get pissed and turn green when we have a bad show. Oh wait, that’s the alcohol.
JOHN – Easy, Batman. There’s no catch or superpowers. Real people that come up huge.
MATY – Is there a vampire super-hero? If there is, certainly not that one.
ROB – If there is a vampire super-hero… DEFINITELY, that one.
WHAT SETS KEEP ME CONSCIOUS LIVE SET APART FROM OTHER BANDS?
BOB – The chemistry that we have on stage is irreplaceable. The energy that we have as musicians and friends definitely shine out at shows.
JOHN – We leave it on the stage whether its 5 people or 500.
ROB – Pretty soon, you’ll be able to challenge a band member at our merch booth at an assortment of video games. If you beat us 3 consecutive times, you’ll win free merch. Yeah, we’re that confident in our video game skills.
LAST COMMENTS?
MATY – Just make us look cool.
Keep Me Consious is a wicked good band… And deserve some serious recognition.