From Autumn To Ashes Interview - 06.13.2004
Interview with Ben Perri (vocals)
Interview by Jason Schleweis & Rob Todd | 06.13.2004 | Detroit, MI | Fox Theater
How in the world did you come up with the band name in the first place?
(Laughter) The drummer and our guitar player Scott, the tall skinny guy, are writing a book about the name which will be out sometime soon and the origin of that name will be in the book somewhere. I can't really divulge that cause I'm not even sure.
Where did you come up with the idea for the character Autumn and how does that relate to your music and book?
I think that everyone in their life has an Autumn which is kind of an analogy for knowing someone that had everything going for them and then something happened, a catalyst in their life and they go down to the bottom and just hit rock bottom and not know where to go from there. And that's what that is all about in my mind.
Do you know when the book is going to be released?
No I don't, I have no idea.
There is a noticeable difference in the style of music from your first record to your second one, is there a certain direction you want to take your music with each album?
There is not like a certain point we are reaching for but ya know there are five different guys in the band that like different stuff and it's constantly changing. We try to incorporate all those styles into what we do so we might as well make all the people in the band happy.
What are some of your favorite artists then?
My favorite artists would have to be Led Zeppelin, Jeff Buckley, The Who and Billy Joel.
To quote Fran, "It's almost like we're a band with an identity crisis" do you think you have figured that out on the new album?
(Laughter) It's true. I don't think we have figured it out yet...it's a total case of schizophrenia. We have no idea who we are and what we're going to do just whatever side we are writing a song is what's going to happen. There's no plan, there's no structure to it just whatever happens, happens.
How would you describe your music to someone that has never heard of you before?
The easiest way I could describe it would be beautiful but at the same time disgusting. There's heavy parts, there's screaming and then there are just quiet parts and punk parts. Just everything mixed in, so there is really no one way to describe it. That's the best way I think.
What is the best thing about your live show that you think everyone should come see?
I think just the energy and the emotion that we exude on the stage. For the half hour or the hour, however long we're on the stage we just leave it all up there. We want the kids to feel what we are doing not just watch us and say wow they were good. But say wow I really feel where they are coming from, and see what they're going through. And that I'm going through the same thing right now and it's good to see I'm not the only one doing this.
I did notice that when you came out onstage, just your energy and you guys were a lot heavier than on the album and that was really cool.
Well thank you, I appreciate it.
Do you have a rock star obsession that you always spend a lot of money on?
(Laughter) Um let's see, prolly clothes, and movies. I spend most of my money on that kind of stuff.
What is your favorite movie?
Of all time, probably Citizen Kane. I was a film student for a long time before I started the band and it's an older film but one of the best movies ever made.
I will have to check that out I haven't seen it yet.
It's amazing, I mean it's an older movie in black and white and not action packed, no blood, no violence but the story is amazing. The cinematography is beautiful and the acting is...we can't beat it.
Where do you see yourself as a band or individually in 5 years? 10 years?
5 years, you know in five years I will be 31 and hopefully I am not still screaming. (Laughter) Hopefully I am doing something different, that the band evolves to where I can actually sing some parts. In 10 years hopefully I will be married and have a kid and live in Florida or something. (Laughter) Just have some kind of normal life. Right now we're all still having a good time and 10 years from now I will be forty something and hopefully will just be enjoying life, supporting a family and having a good time.
Is there anything you want us to know that we didn't ask?
Um...I guess we're not as crazy as people make us out to be. There have been a lot of things in the rumor mill like these guys are crazy, and all this other crazy shit but we're just five normal dudes that have a lot of extra time on their hands to do something and have a good time with it.
Well that's it, thanks so much for your time and good luck with the rest of your tour!
