The Battleship Agenda Interview - 01.08.2010
Interview with Kat Barnes (vocals), Nick Ferro (guitar), Kellen Niemeier (bass), Tyler Call (guitar), Chris Brinson (drums)Interview by Jason Schleweis | 01.08.2010 | Englewood, CO | Moe's Original BBQ and Bowl
There is one thing that we've noticed covering the music industry for nearly a decade: it is hard to break out of the local scene and join the majors. Bands can spend years on the local circuit and never hear themselves on the radio. They can play small-town gigs without ever having a shot at a crowd exceeding a few hundred fans. So how in the world has The Battleship Agenda managed to do both within just seven months of forming the band? "The battle plan!" describes guitarist Tyler Call. What is this battle plan? What has this band figured out that so many other locals bands haven't? We sat down and spoke with one of the most business-oriented bands around to get those answers and more. And oh, by the way, this band can play.
You guys just started this band about seven months ago, but you’re already years ahead of the curve. What has contributed to your early success?Tyler: The battle plan!
Nick: That is the exact game plan.
Kellen: We took our time with it and we planned pretty much everything out to be as professional and successful as possible. And yeah, it worked out!
Kat: We did certain things, like we didn’t play a show until we had a recorded EP that we spent a lot of time and effort on. And we spent a few months as a band just coming together. It was important to us how we wanted to come out. Our term was we wanted to “come out swinging.” We didn’t want to be the band playing shows where we didn’t have any merch, having four total songs, that kind of thing! We really just wanted to come out looking as professional as possible.
Tyler: A lot of bands record in a basement and play a show as soon as they can. The battle plan is what she’s talking about. [Recording in a basement is] not we wanted to do at all.
Kellen: We were dying to play a show and do that but we just had to understand to take our time and not rush into things. Do some critical thinking and just kind of plan it out to the best that you can actually plan something like this.
What do you guys use for inspiration when writing your music? Other bands, real life experiences or something else?
Tyler: Personally, I get inspiration from crap that doesn’t sound nearly like us. Then just try and take it and use it in more of a pop sensibility. That’s me personally and then Nick [Ferro] and I write the guitar parts and feed off each other. As a whole I think we mostly listen to harder music. It’s really apparent in the music that we’re not just trying to be another watered down pop/punk band.
You guys have released a great four song EP on iTunes already, I’ve heard the new single “Through Teeth” and even watching your set tonight there were a few additional songs that don’t appear online. How close are you to releasing your debut, full-length album?
Kellen: As soon as we get money! (Laughter) Either we get investors or a third party to get the capital together. Or a label you know!
Tyler: He’s just trying to phrase it without saying it [signing to a label], but if we can get someone, anybody we’ll gladly accept it!
Kellen: Donations are gladly accepted!
We’ll just set you guys up with a Paypal account!
(Laughter)
Nick: We’re close to enough material for a full-length. We need maybe just another song or two.
Kellen: Also I think if we were to record a full-length, we’d rewrite a couple songs. Or maybe work on some new ideas to put on [the record] instead of some of the stuff we have now. Not that we don’t enjoy all of the songs...I mean we poured our heart into every song that we do, but...
Kat: We’re kind of moving in a different direction. And we don’t really know what that direction is but I think when you hear what we did on our four song EP and look at “Through Teeth;” “Through Teeth” doesn’t sound anything like what’s on the EP. I’m not saying we want to do all our songs like “Through Teeth” but I think that now that we’ve established ourselves as a band and grow [we] look at it like, “What is it that we want to do as a band? What is the direction that we want to go?” Because we have “Somewhere (Somehow)” and “Through Teeth” and you wouldn’t even know it’s the same band.
I noticed tonight that in comparison to most other local bands I’ve seen play before, that you’ve got it figured out. You have a lot of on-stage energy and you do a great job at getting the fans involved. What is the key to putting on a good local show?
Nick: You have to be excited. The crowd is not going to get excited for you, or get into it if you’re not getting into it. Sometimes that means you have to play to 12 people and you still have it to give it everything you’ve got.
Tyler: Our second show in Nebraska was the smallest show we played to and it was one of the most fun shows I’ve ever played.
How many people were there?
Tyler: Probably like 30 people. An outdoor amphitheater in Scotts Bluff, Nebraska and we had a bunch of people right up at the stage.
Nick: They were one person deep though! (Laughter)
Tyler: You see this big open amphitheater with only 30 people but it was still a really fun show because everyone was into it, we were into it and it was just a really fun show.
Kellen: We can all say that playing live shows is the most fun any of us have doing anything.
Nick: And we hope that it shows!
Kellen: We try to put on a show, that if you went to that show, it’s one that you would want to see. We break guitars at our shows! (Laughter)
Kat: If you’re not tired at the end of the show, if you’re not ready to pass out immediately afterwards then you’re not doing it right!
For music fans that are going to be reading this interview that haven’t heard of you guys before, what do you want them to know about you?
Nick: Just to hang out with us if they ever come to a show. Tons of bands talk to people and forget who they are. We’ve actually made a bunch of good friends with people that just came to a show or that we talk to. We’re really making it a point in this band to remember people and fans.
Kellen: I’m not going to say I’m not terrible with names, because I am! (Laughter) But no, we’re in it for the long haul and we see this as a career for us and we want to continue on doing it. We have fun, and would like people to have fun, and want people who come see us to leave feeling a little bit better than they did when they came in. Or a little bit sweatier, whichever works for them! (Laughter)
What’s next for The Battleship Agenda?
Nick: We’re going to push it hard this year. We’re hoping to go on [a National] tour in the Spring/Summer.
Kellen: Hopefully with some friends if they come through, Regret Night, we’d like to get out with them.
Tyler: We just want to get on the road and get it going!
If you're looking for "the next big thing" you've found them. Check out their MySpace page now to hear a few songs and see for yourself!
