Fuer-ing- fJie fire Band's two-year tour winds down in time for EndFest

In the last year or so one of you get used to them since the most frequently played you do them so much. I songs on both modern rock have to say that I hate and mainstream pop radio doing interviews when has been Fuel's "Shimmer." the person is unprepared, By combining commanding like when they ask: 'how lyrics and melodic sonics with did you guys get togeth- the addition of a classical cello er as a band?' I mean, and a universal message: "All ィ 。 カ ・ セ G エ you read the info? that shimmers in this world ... I won't answer ques- is sure to fade away again," tions like that anymore. "Shimmer" was that one essential breakthrough for a Do you guys have any band that already had a steady other major plans except fqr following in its adopted home the new record? . of central Pennsylvania. Our fourth single, "Sun- burn," is out, and that song As a part of their almost- is actually going to be non stop touring in the last included on the Scream 3 couple of years, Fuel is posed soundtrack. The guys from to perform at EndFest on Sat- Creed, who are our good urday. The Arcade caught up friends, are putting togeth- with the lead singer, Brett Scal- er tha't soundtrack, and lions, and here is what he had they've asked us to put to assert about his band, their that song on. We have music and music in general. already had a song on the Godzilla soundtrack. Wlzat do you think offesti- vals like this one? At the end, the inevitable Festivals are a lot of fun. question: did you guys feel There are many bands play- that "Shimmer" was going ing and you always get a to be such a big hif? chance to see new bands play, You never can expect and the general atmosphere it. We released the song a is good. FILE PHOTO year ago and it is still one Fuel. Lead singer Brett Scallions (second from left) has just bought himself a new "frontman coat." of the most requested What is your impression of New Orleans? done. I personally am looking forward simple riffs and エ ィ セ ョ add other layers. songs. It has been hard for our other You guys enjoy playing here? to some new music that is coming out Then I do my vocal portions. In gener- singles- "Bittersweet," "Jesus or a Gun" New Orleans is great. We got to play soon. I like 's record, and al, we all coach each other when we are and "Sunburn" - to get through since there only a couple of times so far, but I happen to already have a new Stone recording. we are kind of going against ourselves. I have vacationed there before; I came Temple Pilots CD that is absolutely down for Mardi Gras and I like the city amazing. Fiona Apple is also coming Have you started working on the new Does it bother you that "Shimmer," which - it's a constant party. with a new record. I hope these albums record yet? is not representative of the rest of the record, sell well and knock out all the bad stuff. We are getting new songs, but we was that one track that made it? How do you feel success has .changed won't start the actual recording until Well, a lot of people say: "man, I like you personally and professionally? So what do you think of cover songs? January or February. that "Shimmer" song." If you have heard I don't feel like a different person Occasionally, we play somebody just that song, you don't really know now from what I was five years ago. Of else's song at our shows, but we still So when should we expect the record? us, and I respond by saying: "come and course everything is a growing experi- have not recorded anything, and I think I' would say spring or summer. We'll see us play and then tell me what you ence and you learn a lot as you move· doing that would be hard. definitely try to have it done by sum- think about us." along. If I had known some things ear- mer. lier that I know now, I would have done What was the first record you ever Fuel will perform in the late afternoon some things differently. bought? Touring and playing live vs. studio record- at EndFest Saturday. The first record was Kiss' Destroyer, ing? Tell me something about the music you and the first tape was Van Halen. We've been touring now for almost listen to right now. What do you think about 20 and couple of months now, so I. think tlie current music scene? Who would you list as your influences? that answers your question. We all love Music sucks right now. There's a lot I grew up in the '70s, so definitely to be on the road and that is why we do of stealing going on. People steal from the Beatles and Led Zeppelin. it so much - it is a great time. each other and kids buy all these records Djordje Nikolic, thinking that the songs are great because H9W do you guys function as a band in What do you think about interviews like thry don't know who did those songs the studio, and just how does the recording this? Do you like doing them, or are they staff writer originally. There is no artist develop- process function? just an annoying part of the job? ment. You have one big hit and you are In the studio we first start with the Interviews are very important and

arcade october 22, 1999 5