Posted: April 12th, 2008
Contributed By: Nick

Something to Burn is:
Greg Wayne (vocals)
Jeff Ballard (bass)
Jimmy Norman (guitar)
Shawn Ballard (drums)

TuneLab Music: Something to Burn is finally ready to roll with its debut for Softdrive/Sony Records entitled ‘Transitions‘. What are the emotions the group is feeling now that everything has been mixed, mastered, and finalized?

Greg Wayne: The record hasn’t been mastered or finalized cause we’re talking with the label and management about some possible changes. It is getting close, however, and I feel like a caged animal scratching at the door to be released.

Shawn Ballard: I think the group is definitely anxious to get the music out there and let the people hear how amazing it is, because at this point we just need the confirmation that we are as good as we think we are! Haha

TL: The band tracked the album with legendary producer Dave Jerden. How did Something to Burn team-up with Jerden and how was he instrumental in helping the band achieve the best possible sound on the record?

SB: Did we work with Dave Jerden? I remember some guy I didn’t know walking in and out of the restroom, but I never got his name.

Jeff Ballard: It didn’t actually end up working out with Dave Jerden, we just saw things differently and that is basically all we can comment on regarding that. We ended up producing the record ourselves and doing most of the tracking with Douglas Grean at him and Weiland’s recording studio.

GW: We were then lucky enough to get the supa badass Ryan Williams to mix for us and we’re damn proud of what we’ve accomplished. I can’t wait for the world to hear it! I can’t wait for the world to hear it!

TL: Something to Burn has seen a revolving door of vocalists over the years, settling on Greg Wayne before inking your contract. What did Greg bring to the table that made bringing him on board the best fit for the band?

SB: His ability to keep up with our drinking. Other than that I would say his “enthusiasm” for the music, plus he is skinny which is always good for a front-man.

Jimmy Norman: I don’t think the word “settled” would be fitting here. We went through a ton of auditions because we refused to settle. We met a lot of great singers, but insisted that we find “the” guy. I think Greg brought not only great original powerful vocal ability but brought the intensity and attitude a front-man must possess plus as a person he’s genuine and soulful and the chemistry was there and it made writing new material effortless. We knew the sound was gonna change and we welcomed that because of Greg’s voice being fresh and different than the previous guys .When we wrote like 30 awesome songs in a couple of months time we knew were back and better than ever.

TL: Speaking of one those former vocalists, I find it inevitable to bring up Something to Burn alumnus Toryn Green, now the front-man of Fuel. How often do you guys stay in contact with Toryn and what qualities of his does the band miss the most?

JB: Toryn and I speak probably a once or twice a month. The thing with Toryn is we all got along so well when he was in the band and have good memories of most of it. Of course he left to pursue his own path with Fuel and we wish him the best with it. He’s a good cat.

SB: Toryn is a nice guy.

JN: We wish him well but without him leaving really we wouldn’t have discovered Greg.

TL: Something to Burn’s record label Softdrive was spawned by Stone Temple Pilots/Velvet Revolver front-man Scott Weiland. How did you guys come in to contact with Weiland and how has it been working with him and his label?

GW: We’re big fans of Scott and Scott’s a big fan of us so it’s been a lovefest, thus far. Being a fellow artist, he understands the need for freedom in making a great record, so he stood back and let us do our thing. Very cool!

JN: Pretty darn cool to hear from a man you have looked up to and have been inspired by musically to sound off on your own material in such a positive way. Like getting the ultimate affirmation that’s much needed in this game. Scott actually saw and heard us first by watching a video of I think Say Goodbye. Then we sent him more material and we was stoked and wanted to sign the band immediately.

SB: It’s been interesting working with Scott, it’s been cool to get to hang with someone that’s been around the block as much as he has. He has seen quite a bit in this business.

TL: How much of the band’s older material has been retooled for ‘Transitions‘ and does the album feature mostly reworked versions of past tracks or new songs?

JB: Only 1 song made it onto the new record. We completely retooled two other tracks that will probably end up as b-sides down the road. Everything else is brand (ass kickingly) new!

SB: When you bring in a new singer it always changes the dynamics of the band, those were the only two songs we thought still fit.

JN: Plus we were so into writing the new material and when you’re in that mode you don’t even wanna hear your old material for awhile. You know the expression “you’re only as good as your last song.”

TL: This is something I’ve wanted to know for quite some time - whatever happened to the band’s first vocalist Vinnie Lombardo if you don’t mind me asking? I can’t seem to find any information on him anywhere…

SB: With Vinnie, I think it was just a case of we had reached a certain point to where we really weren’t moving forward musically. Whether it be from frustration or what have you he needed to move on. He is still a good friend and keeps in touch quite often; he is in a band called Building a Better Spaceship and they are pretty damn good.

JN: Vinnie also has a project called Pilot Touhill which also is pretty dope and he’s quite a talented guy and still close friend.

TL: Something to Burn performed for thousands of people in Beijing in late 2005. What was that experience like for the band and did it open any new doors for you guys?

JN: Pretty amazing to be able to travel to a country as far off as China and perform your music to such appreciating fans. The midi festival was a highlight in all our minds in terms of it being the first time we played in front of like 10,000 people and having them give back such energy and response to our performance it was truly that feeling of “this is what it’s all about”.

SB: I thought it opened legs, not doors necessarily. It was amazing by the way!

TL: What song off ‘Transitions‘ best represents the overall sound which Something to Burn aspired for with the new record and what tracks do you feel fans will enjoy most?

JB: Oh man… you know all four of us will have a different answer for this because we all have our faves… hmmm if I had to wager I would put it on the track “Leaders Down”.

JN: Hmm that’s a tough one…I guess overall sound it could possibly be “Leaders down” I think you get the wide dynamic which is our sound from the real melodic sense to the real heavy intensive groove and I get to play some barn burning solos! That’s always fun for me!

SB: I personally would have to say it would be two songs, “Leaders Down” and another song called “Home”, it just shows that there are really no boundaries musically that we are scared to tackle. It’s a wide range.

GW: Everyone’s gonna have a different experience with the record. My favs at the moment are “Start Again” (cause it rocks so damn hard and I get to scream like a banshee) and “Below” (I wrote it a long time ago but it’s never sounded better and it comes from a deep, soulful place…plus chicks dig it! hehehe).

TL: Has Something to Burn shored up any touring plans in the coming months and what artists would you guys like to tour alongside in support of ‘Transitions‘?

JN: All we know right now is that we are gonna tour and tour and tour but as to who with, that’s yet to be decided but yeah there’s so many great bands out there now that would be great for us to team up with.

SB: Just get us on the damn bus and I am cool with whomever we tour with.

GW: I want to tour with Lynyrd Skynyrd, but with an eagle winged Jesus singing lead and I’ll be in the front row…hammered drunk.

TL: What were some of the key influences on the band in writing material for ‘Transitions‘ and what does the group take away most from the sessions for the record?

JN: I think in writing the key to transitions is the influence Greg brought into the sound and his melodic and lyrical sense. Once we dove head first into writing with him we knew we were on to something fresh and exciting. I think that excitement about the new material and this record has stayed with us and will continue to grow as we take it now to the stage.

GW: Lyrically, I felt like this record was a catharsis for me. Writing so many songs in such a short period of time forced me to dig deep and give voice to some shit I’ve been carrying around for a long time. In the end, though, I think the record puts forth an optimistic view on life and change. Thus the title, ‘Transitions‘…Oh, the sessions taught me to trust no one but yourself and your band mates when it comes to your art. Bands make records, suits sell them. The end.

TL: Something to Burn shot a video for the song “Start Again”. Be honest-which member of STB has the most sex appeal on camera and should we expect swimsuit and formal wear pictures from him in the future?

SB: I think the band will agree that I am by far the sexiest in the band, seriously I know that’s what they will say. WWW.GREGSCOCK.COM….nuff said…

TL: If you could tell fans one thing to expect from ‘Transitions‘, what would it be and why?

GW: I’d say throw your expectations out the window and buckle your fucking seatbelts cause we’re gonna take you on the ride of your life! (Don’t try to steal that phrase cause I’m totally copyrighting that shit and putting it on t-shirts!)

JN: I think older fans of the band will still know it’s something to burn and they will realize we have transitioned and we are musically a better band. I mean it just happens that way, the more you work at something the better you get and I think we are writing and performing our best material to date thus far.

SB: And It will get you laid just by listening to it!

TL: That’s all I got fellas. Anything else you wanna add for good measure?

GW: We appreciate the constant support from our fans and can’t wait to rock for each and everyone of you. Keep your eyes & ears on the MySpace page for lots of upcoming announcements about the band, the record the new video, etc… We love you!

SB: I like toaster strudel.