(Answers are provided by Jack, Marc, and Dave from Archer Avenue, individually and collectively).
How did you guys meet?
In
the San Antonio scene, of course! Marc (lead guitar) and Dave
(drums) had been gigging around town with Face Down, a sort of southern rock band. Jack (vocals, rhythm) was pretty active
playing with Grey Ghost and Stephan (bass) played with a bunch of bands. Marc and Dave met Jack through classes at Trinity University,
which led to the two bands playing shows together and becoming drinking pals. Well needless to say, all the mentioned above
bands split up for various reasons, and the 4 of us were on our lone till we got a chance to record Jack’s (then solo)
song “Greyhound” for Bordertown Records’ RocK ReIssuE Vol. I Compilation CD.
Who thought of the idea to start a band?
It
was mutual. The compilation tracks turned into an EP, which turned into a regional tour, which turned into Archer Avenue. There never was an official “hey, let’s start a band”
conversation. But the EP and coinciding tour brought us together, and made a small project develop naturally into a working
band.
Where did you get your band's name from?
We
had originally been called the Radio One, and we had to change it, so amongst the almost hundreds of possible names Archer Avenue was the one that kept coming up. Some people attribute
the band name to “The Royal Tenenbaums” (the street they lived on), so whatever works for you. The movie reference
is a lot cooler than just a random act of naming the band. We remember struggling with finding a new name and email each other
lists and lists of possibles.
How long have you guys been together?
Since
mid-2003.
What CD is currently in your CD player?
Jack:
"Z" by My Morning Jacket; "The Weight is a Gift" by Nada Surf; "Sacred Hearts and Fallen Angels: The Gram Parsons Anthology;"
and "Western Textures" by Robert Earl Keen, Jr.
Marc: Beatles: Past masters vol. 1
Dave:
Curt Kirkwood’s SNOW and a mix CD with a bunch Avenged Sevenfold on it.
If you had to use one of your songs to describe yourselves, which one would it be and why?
Our
single “Cops Don’t Care” pretty much captures the pop, rock, and alt. country essences of our band.
What has been your most embarrassing moment on stage?
This
last tour in Albuquerque, NM
at the Burt’s Tiki Lounge our bass amp started smoking during the first song and it took about 15 minutes to get on
with the set. It was a little rough to say the least.
Who do you look up to in the music world/ who are you influences?
Jack: I
would have to say that I look up to musicians who have had a career that existed separate from whatever trend happened to
be going on at the time. I really respect artists who've been able to have long term careers spanning several moments
in...you know, pop culture history. On one hand there are guys like Bowie and Ray Davies and the living former Beatles,
but I also mean artists like Dave Grohl. I mean, everybody likes the Foo Fighters; radio junkies, skateboard mallrats,
even jaded hipsters are pretty much okay with the Foo Fighters. They don't have to worry about being cool or current,
they can just make music.
Marc:
Joe Perry.
Dave:
On drums, I listened to a lot of 90’s rock stuff like Nirvana then really got into every kind of metal. Started with
Slayer and band like that, then got really into bands like Amorphis and Therion. The alt. country bands I like came later
around high school/college time. Marc got me into Dwight Yoakam and my brother got me into Ryan Adams. So my influences are
a rock, metal, and country blend.
What are the bands collective influences?
The
Old 97’s, Whiskeytown, Ryan Adams, and the Gin Blossoms.
When did you first start to play your instruments?
Jack: My parents bought me my first guitar, a sunburst squier
stratocaster,
for my 15th birthday...and I'm sure
they've regretted it ever since.Marc: 10,12? Can’t remember.
Dave: I started guitar at around 12, but when I couldn’t find a cool
drummer, I tried to
become one starting at age 14.
Who/what inspired you?
Jack:
My first guitar hero was Richard Lloyd from Television, although I was first introduced to his playing through several Matthew
Sweet records. That's actually kind of interesting because Matthew Sweet was a huge inspiration for me
as well. .
Marc: The artwork in Aerosmith Rocks.
Dave:
I’ve always been a big fan of music. My dad was in a bad in the 60’s called the Magic Reign. They release a few
45’s and opened for bands like the 5th Dimension and Iron Butterfly. That’s what first got my
playing.
Do any of you do something that drives someone else on the road crazy?
Dave:
I mess with Marc when he’s trying to sleep. He gets all pissed, it’s hilarious.
Have any of you found any interesting talents while on the road?
The
coolest bands we have seen recently are “The Goat” that played with us in Las
Cruces, NM. The Goat had no drummer but a singing DJ who had a Lenny
Kravitz vibe on his voice. I’m not sure if that’s what you mean by “talents.”
