4/29/13 Godsticks | Interviews // Interviews Interviews, Specials and More … Godsticks Interview with Darran Charles & Steve Roberts from Godsticks by DPRP’s Bob Mulvey & Jez Rowden Prog has seen a steady resurgence of interest over the last couple of years, which has been helped in many ways by the emergence of fresh and innovative new bands. One such band are Godsticks who appeared unannounced in 2009 with their self- titled EP. A steady flow of positive reviews from around the globe inspired the band to follow up this EP with a full length album. Almost a year and half in the making, Spiral Vendetta arrived during the summer of 2010. Again a steady flow of positive reviews prompted DPRP to contact the band to talk about the new album and their immediate plans for the future… BOB: First off congratulations on the new album… DARRAN: Thanks. We got there in the end! BOB: I’ve seen several positive reviews (DPRP’s included). Are you pleased with how the album has been received so far? DARRAN: Very pleased. I was asked recently whether we enjoyed receiving positive reviews and I explained that it’s sort of similar to introducing another artist’s music to a friend or relative, in that you get a kick out of someone appreciating the same music as yourself. Like an affirmation that you have some musical taste so to speak! STEVE: It has been very favourably reviewed all around so far which is great! BOB: So any sign of a Record Label? DARRAN: We were very close to signing with a reputable label prior to the album release but it didn’t work out. I think that these days record companies are looking for a complete package i.e. a product identity, proven sales record, large fan base etc. They’re not willing to invest in potential anymore only in fairly-well established products. I’m sure this is related to the current economic climate and the ever-changing mechanics of the music industry, but we don’t help ourselves by being difficult to pigeonhole, so from a marketing perspective at least I can sort of understand their unwillingness to invest. We’re not willing to compromise though, so if we have to remain independent, then so be it. STEVE: Although, saying that we have had Steve Vai’s ‘Digital Nations’ label release our EP. They are also www.dprp.net/wp/interviews/?page_id=270 1/11 4/29/13 Godsticks | Interviews going to release the track ‘The Offer Still Stands’ from the album as a digital single download. BOB: That’s a positive move. OK, before we move on – burning question for me – tell us about the origins of the band name? DARRAN: My wife is actually responsible for coming up with the name. I believe Godsticks are Moari implements of worship. BOB: (Smiles). When I searched the interenet that was the main reference I found. OK, let’s backtrack a bit if we may. The EP hit the streets early in 2009 to positive reviews. Then strangely there seemed to be a mass departure from the band. First Steve, albeit short lived and then Jason. After such a long time together as a band the timing seemed a little strange. Did something trigger this? DARRAN: Well, I’d imagine that from the outside that we look like a pretty dysfunctional unit, but to be honest it’s all quite normal for Godsticks! If I were to go into detail about the problems and obstacles we have faced since forming back in 2005, I think that even the most dedicated musician would say ‘why don’t you just call it a day’! Steve hiatus lasted all of 3 weeks. He was going through some personal issues at the time and wanted a little time off. I was impatient to get on with the new album and decided to look for someone else. It was a stupid decision borne out of my chronic lack of patience. After I few weeks I belatedly came to realise that there would be no-one else even remotely as quirky AND technical out there as Steve. I’m a huge fan of his playing and he’s an integral part of the band’s sound so thankfully the situation resolved itself. Jason’s leaving had been on the cards for a while. For some time he had expressed a desire to perform more fusion-inspired instrumental music but I’m unable to write that way, as I don’t consciously set out to write in any particular style. In the end Jason knew that his unhappiness was affecting the band and that it would be best for everyone if he left. I strongly disagreed with him at the time, but in retrospect he was entirely correct, and he doesn’t regret his decision one bit. At the moment he’s recording some great and strange music with American guitarist Dann Glenn. STEVE: I suppose technically I didn’t leave; we just stopped rehearsing/writing for a while! BOB: So how did the future of Godsticks look to you then? DARRAN: Well, within an hour of Jason telling me he was leaving I contacted Bryan Beller. This immediate reaction is probably another sign of my impatience! JEZ: Are you still on good terms with Jason? DARRAN: Unfortunately, yes! We actually still speak on a daily basis. We still have loads in common www.dprp.net/wp/interviews/?page_id=270 2/11 4/29/13 Godsticks | Interviews musically and I still love his playing; plus we’re both miserable and like nothing more than a good moan! BOB: So Steve returned to the fold and the search is on for a replacement for Jason? Can you tell us a little about this and how as Bryan Beller isn’t a native Welshman (as far as I know ;0) – can you tell us how you hooked up with him? DARRAN: Well, I quickly found out he wasn’t a Welshman as he couldn’t understand a word I was saying on the phone!! I’ve mentioned in the past that we believed that there were only 2 players whose style would suit our music: one was Jason and the other Bryan Beller. I’d been a fan of Bryan’s playing ever since I discovered Mike Keneally about 7 years ago. JEZ: Did Bryan Beller suggest anything musical and were there any actual meet-ups? DARRAN: Well, all the tracks were written in their entirety by the time we contacted Bryan. Firstly, we sent him the original demos and then a few weeks later sent cleaner-sounding pre-production demos. Steve wrote out the musical charts and I provided extensive notes about each track. We talked on the phone a few times and he had about 10 weeks to get these tracks into his head before he recorded his parts. He recorded his parts over the course of 3 days with his producer. He told us that it usually takes him 1 day to record an album, so I don’t know what that says about us! STEVE: Even though I was extremely confident that Bryan would do a great job, there was still the tiny possibility that he wouldn’t deliver what we were looking for. That feeling soon disappeared when he sent through the first track for approval, ‘Put seven in bold’. We were absolutely blown away! DARRAN: As for Bryan suggesting anything musical: well I personally I have always viewed a good bassline as being a vital ingredient of our songs –along with the drums it provides that much needed context. There were a few tracks that Bryan did in one take like ‘Withdrawn..’ and ‘Traverse’ but a lot of the tracks were reworked until we got exactly what we were looking for. It was an absolute pleasure to work with Bryan and he is simply the most professional musician I have ever worked with. STEVE: And his sense of timing and phrasing are phenomenal. BOB: You and Steve rehearse twice a week and you’ve formed a tight unit. So how did it feel having the bass parts arrive without ever having rehearsed together. STEVE: It wasn’t a hinderance in any way to be honest; we just approach the writing and recording process in a slightly different way. BOB: Did Steve modify any of his parts to sit in more comfortably in with Bryan Beller’s parts? www.dprp.net/wp/interviews/?page_id=270 3/11 4/29/13 Godsticks | Interviews DARRAN: Thinking about it, no. That’s probably testament to just how well Bryan locked in with Steve – albeit virtually! STEVE: I had spoken with Bryan about certain parts in the songs that he may want to look out for regarding the rhythm section but as you can hear, he did an amazing job…! JEZ: So how much planning goes into preparing the music before you go into the studio? DARRAN: Everything was written and extensively rehearsed before we even set foot into the studio. I think there was nothing new written or added in the studio (solos included) aside from a few vocal harmonies. STEVE: Even what Darran had for breakfast was planned! Ha! Yes, I suggested a keyboard solo on ‘The Continuation of Livid’ which was improvised. Actually both the ‘Livid’ solo and the seque in ‘Withdrawn’ were first takes I think! DARRAN: Show-off! BOB: Following on from Jez’s question. The band’s songs have a very distinct sound and fairly defined structures, so I gather they are not the fruits of endless jam sessions? DARRAN: There is probably nothing on the album that is the result of a jam, to be honest.