TuneLab Music: Army of
Anyone has been tagged as a "super group".
How does the band feel about this title?
Richard Patrick:
It's always makes you feel good when someone
calls you "super" but we just don't
want to be lumped in with what some would
consider a trend. I've been friends with the
DeLeos for many years and when we first got
together, it was to write a song for the fourth
Filter record. We were not looking to become
a band, but the music and the partnership
was undeniable.
TL: What is the meaning
behind the band's name "Army of Anyone"?
RP: We are all
in the fight of life together, united in an
army of anyone.
TL: You guys just wrapped
up your first tour. How was the turn out for
those shows?
RP: We're having
so much fun. The crowds have all been great!
We played some intimate club shows and some
big radio station festivals. It seems like
everyone who comes out to see the band is
having a blast!
TL: Army of Anyone's
first single "Goodbye" has been
receiving extensive airplay. What are the
band's plans for a second single and what
are your favorite tracks off the album?
RP: This single's
still kicking ass so we haven't really thought
about the second just yet but some of my favorite
songs off the album are "It Doesn't Seem
to Matter," "Generation," "Non
Stop," "Leave It," and "Father
Figure."
TL: How has rock music
changed for the band compared to when you
all first started your careers?
RP: It's always
been pretty tough out there. Rock fans expect
a lot out of their bands, and rightfully so.
They won't just come to the shows or buy your
albums because you've had some celebrity.
You have to win them over. You have to make
them believers. Not only do you have to be
able to play your instruments well, write
great songs, and connect with each other as
well as your fans, you also have to work hard
and hope for a little luck. We bring our best
to every show, every night.
TL: How did Army of Anyone
decide upon signing with The Firm and how
has it been working with them?
RP: The Firm
has been amazing! They give 120 percent. I
feel like my career in music is not just a
job, it's my life and they take everything
that happens with this band just as personally
as I do. I greatly appreciate that.
TL: You guys are holding
a contest to let local bands open for you
on the band's first tour of 2007. What was
the force behind this unique idea?
RP: We love
giving opportunities to local bands. There's
a lot of great music out there to be discovered.
TL: Audioslave has said
they would much rather put out a bunch of
albums at this point in their careers rather
than tour due to other obligations. Is Army
of Anyone headed in a similar direction in
the future or will you continue to tour in
support of your records?
RP: We're having
a great time performing in front of the fans!
Personally, I feel like I'm in my prime and
I have no intention of cutting back on the
live shows. I've never felt better onstage
as I do right now. The live show is where
we connect with our fans face to face. For
me, the live show is where it's at.
TL: The band worked with
Bob Ezrin to record 'Army of Anyone'.
How did he help you guys capture the sound
you wanted on the record?
RP: Bob helped
us by taking our songs, smashing them on the
ground and making us put them back together
again. That's just how Bob works and in doing
this, we knew our songs were bulletproof.
TL: If Army of Anyone
was a movie, what would be an apt title for
the film and why?
RP: If it was
a movie about me, it would be "Revenge
of the Nerds."
TL: The video for "Goodbye"
is quite energetic. What is the idea behind
the video's design?
RP: Since we're
a new group, we wanted people to see our faces,
see how we are together, and see how well
we perform. We wanted to capture the energy
and experience of the band.
TL: What are some bands
with whom Army of Anyone hopes to share the
stage?
RP:
We love the Deftones, Muse, and Thrice. I
would love to go out and perform "Pride
(In the Name of Love)" with Flyleaf again.
I'd love to tour with them as well. We've
become great friends. There are a lot of cool
bands out there. We're about to go out with
Hurt, which is pretty exciting. It'll be a
great show.
