Published: August 22, 2009 5:20 PM EST
By: Isaac Davis Jr., MBA (Juniorscave.com)
New Music Spotlight August/September 2009 Edition
Voice Of Addiction
Voice Of Addiction
We interviewed this next band last year, and we are excited to get the opportunity to interview them again. One of the best parts to this band's music is the level of raw energy, politically charged material, and melodious tunes that fans can expect from Voice Of Addiction. A combination of rock, punk and ska songs Voice Of Addiction will make you believe in music again. If you are ready to start a revolution, then Voice Of Addiction is the perfect place to begin at. If you would like to know more and are curious about this band, then check out this gnarly spotlight our Webzine conducted with the band. Enjoy!
Isaac: What's the name of your band? What's the origin of that name? Have you changed the band's name before?
Voice Of Addiction: "Voice Of Addiction' came up as the band name actually by necessity. We were originally called "Niche." We found numerous other bands by this name so we knew we had to change it before we put out our first album. I have never been good at naming any band I have been in for some reason. It was actually Jeff's (guitar) idea. At the time, "Voice Of Addiction" was the name of a song. We never ended up recording the song though, and stopped playing it live not long after. But, it fit our outlook well. We believe everyone is addicted. Not only to the things we usually think about: drugs, sex, violence and Alcohol. But also religion, caffeine, TV, Fast Food, Internet, war, greed, money, power. As a band, we want to bring these issues on to the table for discussion.
Isaac: Excellent!
Isaac: What genre of music do you consider your work to be? Who are your major influences?
Voice of Addiction: A rock band out of Chicago that is politically and socially conscious. Taking on the punk rock attitude with ska and reggae breakdowns. And able to blend a very dance-able rhythm with lyrics that are easily sung-a-long to. We have influences collectively from all over the spectrum, but some apparent and recognizable ones are: Fugazi, Operation Ivy, Bad Religion, Queens of the Stone Age, Pixies, Against Me! New Model Army.
Isaac: How long have you all known each other? How did you meet?
Voice of Addiction: Jeff and I have been playing together for over half of our lives now. We met back in middle school and have been in bands together ever since. He moved to Chicago (originally from Cleveland) 2 years before me, but we still managed to record when he was home those summers. Andy joined the group last November. Actually one of our friends was in town so we were throwing a party. I had talked to Andy online, but hadn't met him yet. We invited him to this party before we had had an official tryout. We got pretty hammered and decided to just "jam" out for a second. We were pretty impressed for the circumstances, and after a couple tryouts, decided to include him in the V.O.A. family.
Isaac: When did you form your band? What inspired you to make music together?
Voice of Addiction: V.O.A. has been around about 5 years officially at this point. It came from 3 roommates that just started rocking out on occasion. But we didn't do much in the first year of that going on, until we decided to make this project permanent and treat it seriously as such. Inspiration has come from all over including places you wouldn't necessarily expect. We are a culmination of our life experiences, and like to write about such things.
Isaac: Do you have a record label? Are you a member of any music organizations?
Voice of Addiction: We have always done everything D!i!Y! in this band. It is not that I am against labels, or anything else like that. Just that there are a lot of labels out there that don't really benefit the musician. Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of really cool labels doing awesome things. And many that I would love to work with, but it hasn't happened at this point. And any that have taken interest in us, either would benefit more from the relationship, or just didn't have the means to help us out anymore then we were already doing. We are a member of ASCAP.
Isaac: What can you tell me about your instruments? (i.e., Are you subject to brand loyalty or will you play with whatever's available? What made you choose the instruments you have now? Was it cost or was it a style/model/brand/color preference?
Voice of Addiction: Aesthetics definitely would come secondary to the quality of the instrument, but of course cost is always a factor. Anyone who plays music knows how fast and easily the price of gear can escalate. Since the day I met Jeff he has been using his blue Gibson SG. I couldn't imagine him playing on anything else. He recently has gotten a mesaboogie amplifier head, but still plays out of the Randall half stack, that I sold to him many years ago. And has been experimenting with a bi-amplified sound with adding a Carvin 2x12 combo, and backing it in under the existing signal. Andy is pretty particular to Pearl drums and hardware. And likes Sabian and Zildjian cymbals. But he has eyes for other sets. For middle of the road pricing pearl just offers him the best sound for the buck. I play a Warwick 5 string thumb bass. I love Warwick and the solid hollow sound the wood gives it. I also like Tobias and Lakelands as well, among many others. I have used the Warwick though as my primary bass for about 5 years and it still is awesome. For rock music I stand by Ampeg. I only use their stuff for amplifiers and speaker cabinets.
Isaac: Where have you performed? What are your favorite and least favorite venues? Do you have any upcoming shows?
Voice of Addiction: We play all over the country and eastern Canada. We haven't made it ALL the way to the west coast but hope/plan to shortly. We are constantly on tour throughout the year, playing almost a hundred gigs this year. Playing every weekend at the least, and throughout weeks when we are taking longer trips. We just finished an extensive Midwest tour and are heading out to Colorado for an extended trip as well in November. Some other places coming up before the end of the year are: Detroit, Cleveland, Ft Wayne, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh, Kansas City, St Louis, Green Bay, Milwaukee, Madison, Des Moines, Minneapolis, Omaha, Columbus. Visit VoiceOfAddiction.com or myspace.com/voiceofaddiction for up to minute info on all our tour dates.
Isaac: Which songs do you perform most frequently? Do you ever play any covers? Do you have a set play list?
Voice of Addiction: "The Walls," the single off of the last album "Re-evolution" is pretty much a signature sing-a-long for our shows. A new song, "September Remembered" that will be the single off of our forth-coming album "Reduce, Reuse, Resist" is also starting to become a mainstay. We don't have a set play list and alter it for nearly every show. Sometimes we will feel like just having the crowd call out tunes and play our set that way. It all depends on the night, the energy, and everything else with how we approach the set. We have done all types of covers over the years: Red hot Chili Peppers, Janes Addiction, Tom Petty, Suicide Machines, Face to Face. Currently, we are working on the whole album from Operation Ivy. For this upcoming Halloween, we are gonna be them for a musical costume in Chicago.
Isaac: What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs? Do you think these topics will change over time?
Voice of Addiction: Writing about the countless addictions we all have/share leaves us a plethora of material to write about. It encompasses a broad spectrum, cuz while I want to detail situations and emotions. I also want the song to be vague enough that the listener can identify with the song in their own, personal way.
Isaac: Could you briefly describe the music-making process?
Voice of Addiction: The song writing process usually involves me writing a general framework of a song on an acoustic guitar and lyrics, and is usually too long. I bring this to the band; show Jeff the ideas, and Andy the structure. We then work on creating more melodies and shortening/editing/rearranging/adding parts to make it more cohesive. The last thing usually is me adding/writing the bass line. I think that's why my bass is so melodic; it usually follows my vocal line.
Isaac: What are your rehearsals generally like? Do you have a set time each week in which you practice or are rehearsals more spontaneous?
Voice of Addiction: We like to have three rehearsals per week and do try to have set rehearsal times, but in this economy work schedules can change. And if we are on the road playing all week obviously there is no time for rehearsal. Needless to say though, if we aren't on the road we keep practicing. There is always something in the works for us, usually many things.
Isaac: How has your music evolved since you first began playing music together?
Voice of Addiction: Many people have commented on our likeness to Spinal Tap, and one of our drummers actually did burst into flames on stage. We have had the drummer curse in the past, and being only a trio this changes the band dynamic even greater. But the band has had a steady progression on its own as well. To be healthy, it should be evolving. Change is the only constant in the nature world as well as in music. Andy seemed to fit naturally into our point in our journey as a band. And we haven't stopped playing shows since. He possessed the rudiments form his work as a revolutionary war re-inacter. And the chops from playing in ska bands.
Isaac: What has been your biggest challenge as a band? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?
Voice of Addiction: This one's easy; it once again goes to the drummer dilemma. Looking back; it is always so much easier to see your faults, and see how you could of done things better. With that being said, I don't think we used the right criteria when looking for a drummer. We have had Jazz and Metal drummers, Avant-Garde and Pop rock drummers. They were, on a personal level, friends first, and business partners second. I always say that being in a band is so much more of a relationship then any other one in my life. You are business partners, friends and family. And above all that completely rely on each other on the road financially and emotionally. You gotta want to be with each other for weeks on end in a smelly van when no one has showered.
Isaac: What's your ultimate direction for your band? Are you seeking fame and fortune?
Voice of Addiction: The road is my home. I want to be able to maintain this addiction that I have with itchy feet. We want to include the West Coast in our tour plans, as well as Europe, Asia and beyond eventually. We are not seeking fame and/or fortune. Just to be able to share our gift, the gift of music, with as many people as possible. And be able to maintain our lives monetarily in the process.
Isaac: What advice do you have for people who want to form their own bands?
Voice of Addiction: Two words... "Do It!" This is the advantage we have today, nearly all aspects of a band you can do yourself. We want to inspire people to start their own bands after seeing us play, and only hope they to can make it to the same level one day.
Isaac: How can fans-to-be gain access to your music? Do you have a website with sample songs or a demo CD?
Voice of Addiction: We have 4 releases out and are currently working on the 5th with Scott Fritz of "Stranded on a Planet Productions." This should be released late winter/early fall 2010. We have a store with our albums, including compilations, and our new merchandise line up at voiceofaddiction.com we also encourage people to check us out on myspace.com/voiceofaddiction as well as facebook.com/voiceofaddiction and punkrockers.com/voiceofaddiction
Isaac: Is there anyone you'd like to acknowledge for offering financial or emotional support?
Voice of Addiction: Scott Fritz of www.StrandedonaPlanet.com who is awesome!! He does all our audio, and our two graphic designers Steve Barcus myspace.com/complimentarychaos and Robert Cureton. As well as all our families, friends and fans for helping make this all possible.
Isaac: Any last words?
Voice of Addiction: Keep your ear to the ground and a fist in the air... It's never too late to start a revolution!
