This interivew was run on 9/9/00
Josh Nacho: Who are some of your biggest influences and what made you decide
to go into music?
Steve: Influences - Bad Religion, NOFX, Metallica, Fugazi, Quicksand,
Vandals, all the usual stuff. I went into music because I was bored in
junior high, so I bought a guitar and taught myself - also how the other guys
in the band did it too.
J.N.: What one band in the scene today have you toured with, or has really
inspired you in some way?
Steve: Papa Roach - we met those guys over a year ago before they got signed
to Dreamworks - they kicked ass and we became friends after playing up north
with them. They are a lot like us because they've been around for seven
years and they were just doing local shows, building their fanbase, just what
we are doing now for the moment. Then within a year, you can see what has
happened to them. It helped give us a boost to keep working hard and giving
it our all no matter how big you are because good things can happen if you
just hang in there and work hard.
J.N.: If you could tour with any band, past or present, who would it be and
why?
Steve: I think right now we would love to tour with Unwritten Law - that is
one of our favorite bands and we still have not been lucky enough to play a
show with them. I think our music and theirs is a lot alike in some ways and
it would be cool to tour with them.
J.N.: When do you plan on touring?
Steve: Touring right now is on hold until we can finish up a new record deal
with a new record label. Then we'll get back out there when our new album
hits.
J.N.: What do you think about the generalization that all good punk bands of
the "new wave" have been coming out of California (i.e. Pennywise, Vandals,
Guttermouth, Offspring, NOFX, Goldfinger, etc.)
Steve: I think many good "punk" bands come from california because this is
the recording capitol of the US so obviously bands that live here have a
better chance of being "discovered" by the industry than say bands from out
of state who only come through town and play a couple shows.
J.N.: I know you were on the Operation Ivy tribute CD, and being in
California, they had to have played some role in your life, musically, if not
more. Would you ever consider doing a tribute CD for another band, and if
so, what band would you like to do one for most?
Steve: Op Ivy tribute was really good for us - gave us a lot of exposure and
we just love the fact that we got to cover such a great band. Tom and Tony
were really into OI and I know it was kind of a dream come true to do that
song on the CD. We have also finished a song for a Bad Religion Tribute
which was really cool too because of course we grew up on BR and going to
their shows - we cover Against the Grain with our own little take on it and
just hope people don't lash out at us - we didn't tweak it too much though -
its not easy to re-do perfection!
J.N.: If you had to describe your sound to someone who had never heard you
before, how would you describe it?
Steve: We basically call our sound Rock for those who want to know. We don't
care what you call us though. You either like a bands music or not and what
it is categorized as shouldn't matter.
J.N.: What do you do in your spare time- when you're not working on music?
Steve: We work, go to college and go to shows when not doing Longfellow -
just your average five guys.
J.N.: What do you think you'd be doing right now if you weren't involved with
music?
Steve: See question 8 minus the Longfellow (hehe).
J.N.: Do you think the current music scene, with bands such as Blink 182
where they are and clearly better bands that have been around a lot longer
not getting such radio airplay and Mtv coverage, is good, or do you feel some
other bands perhaps should be out there "making it" instead?
Steve: The age old philosophy in the music industry is "It's not how good you
are, it's who you know." We have seen so many awesome bands go nowhere, its
a shame. Thats how bands get big - with the exception of a few of course.
J.N.: With Mtv being dominated by boy groups, teenage girls, and
"alternative" acts like Limp Bizkit, Korn, and what not, where do you see the
music scene going? Do you think it will get better, or worse, as far as the
"mainstream" goes?
Steve: Mainstream right now seems to be the quote "rap metal" style - kind of
angry, dark, heavy riffs, etc. But "pop punk" seems to be doing well too.
Who's to say what is good or bad as far as mainstream though - its all
personal choice. Basically where ever mainstream goes, Longfellow will
continue to write our same style of music that has been on our CD's going
back to 1996 release of "We're huge in Japan".
J.N.: Do you ever think the punk, hardcore and ska scene that so many people
have dedicated themselves to despite the radio airplay and Mtv coverage will
ever be big to the point where the videos on Mtv will consist of mainly just
bands in that scene?
Steve: I think MTV plays a lot of "punk" "hardcore" stuff right now - as for
ska, it depends on your definition but I think ska today is more "rock" than
ska.
J.N.: What is the ultimate goal(s) you have set out for yourself, as
musicians?
Steve: Our ultimate goal as musicians with Longfellow is to make enough money
to afford a place to live and have a car to drive. If we can have that and
be able to tour all the time, we would be living out our ultimate dream. We
don't need millions, but enough to live on our own would be nice - we all
still live at home so its tough - thank god our families still support us
after all these years!!
J.N.: What advice would you give to anyone thinking of starting a band, or
getting into the music scene?
Steve: Do it for the fun of making/playing music. If you worry about making
money or making it, you won't last long. We've seen a million bands come and
go because after a year or two they get frustrated. It's a long hard road
for most bands. Very rarely does someone make it at an early age in this
business.
J.N.: What band do you see in the scene today and think is incredible, but
isn't quite getting enough attention- a band that not many people have heard
of but should definitely check out?
Steve: Hmmm, tough question. I know many people have heard of them but many
haven't and that is Refused who have a CD out on Epitaph.
J.N.: Do you have any final thoughts, comments, or things you wish to plug?
Steve: Of course, our website at www.Longfellow1.com - download a song or
two. Also, our CD's are really cheap too so check out our merchandise
section.