3/26/2005

MP3 Download: Rated R Movie

Allalom Productions: Welcome to Allalom! Thank you for taking the time out for this interview… It was a pleasure finding out that the rumors of your demise was greatly exaggerated, so where has Fine China been?

Rob Withem: Just basically taking time off. Having babies, changing jobs, laying low. It was nice.

AP: Are you guys on a label, or where does that stand?

RW: Yes, we are on Common Wall Media, a Phoenix based indie label.

AP: There has been a lot of criticism directed towards Tooth & Nail and their management of the bands, did you guys leave on good terms?

RW: There are no hard feelings. They are a business and a big one at that. They need to make money and make people happy. They really were very good to us during our time there.

AP: You went through a lot of stylistic changes on your first two albums, from the synth heavy debut to a more rock oriented sophomore release, so what will your new album sound like?

RW: Overall, there was less of an idea of what the thing should or should not sound like as a whole. Our past two records had a pretty tight vision of what they would be, so I wanted to step away from that and just let it unfold by itself. The new record is the most vocally involved we’ve done. The guitars are much more layered than before, the drums are big and up front. I think the arrangements are more refined and interesting this time around.

AP: Your first two albums were produced by Ronnie and Jason Martin, what was it like working with such critically acclaimed brothers, how did they effect each album?

RW: The Martin’s are great people. We always try to work with friends, because it makes things enjoyable when you’re spending large amounts of time with people you like. Any producer brings his own experience and leanings into the projects he works on. When we were working with Ronnie we were all listening to “Power, Corruption and Lies” and “Hunting High and Low”. With Jason we were listening to “Automatic for the People” and “Meat is Murder”. Ronnie is brilliant with the Juno 106, Jason is great with the Gibson Les Paul. Lots of differences, but the same love of pop songs.

AP: Do you have any regrets with the last albums, anything you would have wanted to change?

RW: Not really. Each record is a snapshot of your band’s history, for good or bad. You just have to let it be and move on.

AP: The music trends have changed a lot since your debut album, especially with the sudden popularity of garage-rock and 80s revival bands; do you guys consider this a good change?

RW: I like that more independent music is getting heard, but mainly I look for good songwriting and interesting production. There are a lot of cool records coming out recently, but this doesn’t seem to have affected the overall flow of popular music yet.

AP: Your new album is coming out next month, how would you compare it to your last two full lengths?

RW: It’s the natural next step for us. We just try to improve each time. We take notes and analyze them, identify our mistakes and take steps to remedy them. Sort of.

AP: What was the recording process like this time around?

RW: We spent three straight weeks in the studio recording “The Jaws of Life”. This was a very different experience for us, considering our past efforts have never put us in the studio for more than a week at a time. We had a lot more at our fingertips. Bob Hoag, the engineer/ producer was great for us. He has the same pop music ethic we have, and he knows how to get classic sounds. We really jived with him.

AP: What bands / musicians caught your attention this last year?

RW: The Legends, the new Pinback record, Tresspassor William. I really love the new Interpol record too. I listened to a lot of Ryan Adams’ “Love is Hell” earlier in ‘04.

AP: Is there a message to your music, or I should say – what kind of impression do you want to leave with your fans?

RW: As I get older, I’m trying to be more genuine in the songs I write. I love songs that tear your heart out and you know the guy means what he’s saying. Someday I want to write that type of song. I’m working on it.

AP: What do you think of the current state of the music industry?

RW: I don’t know. I like some records, some I don’t.

AP: What is the music scene like in Arizona, are they receptive to your brand of rock?

RW: Some are, some aren’t. There are some cool bands around here and we try to support them.

AP: Do you have a favorite city to play in?

RW: Phoenix, because I can go home after the show.

AP: Are you guys going to be touring this year?

RW: Yeah, we’ll be doing some short road trips.

AP: Where do you see Fine China in ten years?

RW: I doubt we’ll still be making records as FC in ten years. We’re not U2.

AP: If you could put together a dream tour, what bands would you like to play with?

RW: We like to tour with friends. So as long as we were out with our pals, that would be a dream.

AP: Thank you for your time.

RW: of course.


To learn more about Fine China and their wonderful music please check out youmakemehatemusic.com