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Interview
by SashaS
18-10-2003
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| Finger Eleven: from Canada, rockingly |
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Global village arrogators
Finger Eleven: against the industry’s neutering
The simultaneous release of ‘The Matrix: Revolutions’ around the globe makes what record industry does look like a mediaeval type of scheduling. Imagine that at this time when Internet has finally united the planet in crime-of-passion known as Download, the major labels still tailor release dates to suit territorial demands. Well, with the Web having the answer, the record bosses still wonder why there are so many DLs? And, on the outside, it is almost like pirates are better organized than the entire showbiz!
The reason for this outpour is a band like Finger Eleven and its eponymous album that’s been out in the States for months. When the band came over for its maiden gig, they were pleasantly surprised by the reception and support they got from the fans, as we discover in the afternoon following the London show.
“We didn’t have any idea,” singer Scott Anderson comments, “that the kids knew our album and were going to treat us to such a great show atmosphere.”
“That’s the thing about the Internet,” guitarist/cover artist James Black adds, “It is available and people will download. People have known about us for years.”
Loyalty & creation
This five-strong outfit has been together since the beginning of the 1990s, formed in a Burlington, Ontario, high school with an agenda of doing covers initially. Their repertoire included songs by Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pearl Jam, Tragically Hip, Sabbath, Faith No More… Mr Black met Rick (drummer) at an Alice in Chains gig, actually.
“We went through a period when we where packing places,” Anderson remembers, “but then we decided we weren’t satisfied doing covers and started playing originals. The places emptied pretty quickly and then we decided to record our music…”
“Because we were temporarily out of gigs,” Rick interjects, “We soon started filling out places again!”
“We’ve had a contract since the mid-1990s, with a Canadian label,” singer continues, “but haven’t broken out internationally. Now, it is time for us to start again. It is exciting, meeting new people, seeing new audiences singing the new songs, it is awesome.”
One of the first steps toward gaining a name in foreign parts was a song commissioned for the ‘Daredevil’ soundtrack but the band took too long finishing it off.
“We’ve open for a number of bigger acts,” Black concludes, “but there is nothing as a close encounter in a small club. There is that emotional connection we so crave and feed of. Arena dates are fine but are a bit sterile, even an Ozzy show!”
Time & objectivity
This is the band’s third album and it is a fair departure from the previous two opuses, ‘Tip’ (1997), ‘The Greyest Of Blue Skies’ (2000). The band is pushing itself and the apocryphal envelope, its songwriting evolving to become more complex, more post-modern proggy, something like Neo-Metal.
“That’s what you try to do,” Anderson agrees, “make something that can’t really be classified. That’s what we do, push each other, force to play differently, it is a combination of what is everyone listening to at the time.”
‘Finger Eleven’ displays influences (and certain similarities with) Tool/A Perfect Circle, AFI, Rush, U2, King Crimson… It is an album of musical variety that is directly opposed to the one-dimensional one-mood records that crowd teen-attention. No, F-11 do not re-invent rock but are re-emphasising diversity within the genre.
“We’ve never tried to repeat a formula,” singer points out, “and I hope the day doesn’t come when we fall in and it is not interesting anymore. That is the key-point and only when all five of us get delighted with one idea we work on it. That’s why it took us 18 months to write this record but it was the easiest to record. You need time to become more objective about your own songs and realise whether they are good or not. This time everybody came off the recording feeling – awesome!”
“There was a lot of frustration for rock fans since grunge died out,” Anderson appears to be thinking aloud, “and if I were just a rock fan, it would have been barren and boring… until Queens Of The Stone Age came along to restore faith in Rock’n’Roll! I wanted to make a great Rock record, full of spirit! I’m into songs of great, rocking scope!”
All noble intentions may be undermined by the name, in spite of all disclaimers that is not a reference to the crotch ‘digit’...
“Definitely not about it,” Anderson confirms, “but there are five of us and the band is our extra finger. That’s all…”
It smells like a Spinal Tap definition?
“That’s better,” Anderson laughs. “As far as I’m concerned, those guys have had a profound influence on rock music!”
Finger Eleven have great sense of humour and laughter rang many times during the hour or so we hung out together. Between religion and basketball, they’d choose – ice hockey, like all good Canucks.
*
Finger Eleven Tour dates:
(supporting Evanescence):
30 October – Apollo, Manchester
31 October – Apollo, Manchester
02 November – International Arena, Cardiff
03 November – Civic Hall, Wolverhapton
04 November – Academy, Glasgow
08 November – Hammersmith Apollo, London
09 November – H/Apollo, London
10 November – Brixton Academy, London
[Note: all SOLD OUT]
SashaS
18-10-2003
Finger Eleven album ‘Finger Eleven’ is released 06 October 2003 by Wind-Up/Epic
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