THE END
Catching up with….
By: Eli Shaika
Following their highly anticipated and critically acclaimed album Elementary with an ambitious North American live assault, Relapse rockers THE END have proven they can flash their well crafted musical wares with some of the best up-and-coming bands on the touring circuit. I caught up with the always enthusiastic Andrew Hercules to see what has transpired in the Never Ever Aftermath of the release of their 3rd album.
Resound: It has been a grueling tour schedule for you since the release of Elementary. How is THE END handling their transformation into relentless rock ‘n roll road-dogs?
Andrew Hercules: “Yeah well that’s the idea - to be a full time band - so it’s business as (should be) usual really. It’s our attempt at an all out assault on the music masses… the war on wheels if you will.”
Resound: I’ve had the pleasure of catching you handsome devils in the live arena. I was not only impressed with your killer use of color coordination, but the absolute fury in which you unleash your musical wares. I particularly love the floor tom Aaron uses on stage. Have you made it a conscious effort to keep these shows both visually and aurally pleasing?
Hercules: “Are you coming on to me? If you’re not going to put on a show don’t call it a show. Sometimes four dudes in street clothes, not moving, playing songs is really more like band practice with an audience. Part of what I’ve always loved about rock music is the spectacle of it. Bands that say that’s not for them are more often than not using that as a cop out for not trying as opposed to defending their integrity.”
Resound: You guys are obviously tour veterans in the grand ole’ U.S.A. Do you see the result of your hard work translate into a higher number of adoring, fist-pounding, head-banging, finger-pointing, karate-kick moshing fans at the shows?
Hercules: “I suppose touring and a new album will do that, but I do have the feeling now more than ever that we are making life-long fans and not trendy fans; which is amazing and urges all of us to continue on. I don’t really care about karate-kicks so much. A lot of our fans just enjoy intently watching the show and that’s just as significant a compliment. Often times more so.”
Resound: What has been the reaction to the new material live? I mean, other than the increase of young ladies knocking on your tour van door each day.
Hercules: “The Elementary material was written in the live environment and consequently I think it may be difficult to fully understand the album without that aspect. We’ve always been a live band. As for the young ladies I’m more into older women anyway, so they’re more like gnats to me.”
Resound: The past couple jaunts in the U.S. had you heading down south into Florida. As you may or may not know, that’s prime alligator territory. If THE END encounters such a beast, which one of you would have the best chances of survival (not counting Steve because we all know he’d probably just run away screaming like a girl)?
Hercules: “Hmmm…after careful consideration I’ve realized Sean Dooley (bass) would be the most likely to succumb to the reptilian peril. Even though he has a cloaking ability (due to the permanent cloud of cigarette smoke that is engulfing him), if the alligator were to move in his general direction, Sean would attempt some sort of evasive maneuver which would instantly result in the disintegration of his cheap sandals sending him hurtling towards the ground helpless. The alligator could then casually stroll over and devour him. Sean, without the aid of coffee, would be powerless to resist.”
Resound: When you fellas are on tour, what measures are taken to keep the creative juices flowing? Playing the same set night after night gets repetitive, are you mixing up the set list a bunch? Any new riffs in the works?
Hercules: “We take a lot of time to write our songs in hopes that we don’t get bored of playing them. Lately we’ve been playing mostly newer material just to let the people know what’s up, but playing older stuff down the road when we’re doing more headlining sets should keep us on our toes for a while. And there are always riffs in the works… always.”
THE END will be on the road supporting Elementary throughout the end of 2007 w/FEAR BEFORE THE MARCH OF FLAMES & HEAVY HEAVY LOW LOW.
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