(no subject)
Brodie's Questions:
Q. The Dietrichs got some coverage, radio play, and even toured the UK, but I'm assuming there were additional strides you wanted to make. Now that it's been a while since it ended, what do you think would have needed to be different for The Dietrichs to go all the places that you wanted to with the project, and what would those successes have been?
A. I think the whole plan for the Dietrichs was to be able to do music full time, and not have jobs. I started in the band with Mike when I was 15! I don't really know what would have needed to be different in order to do the band full time. I could say it was this or that, or more commitment on everyone's part, or whatever. Mostly, I think things like that are knowing the right people, or being in the right place at the right time. If it was supposed to happen, it would have. I wish we could have traveled more, because for me, that was always the most fun.
Q. As your life, surroundings, peer group, etc. as changed over the years (as all ours do), looking back, what change surprises you the most, and why?
A. I think the most surprising thing is that nothing went as planned. All the ideas I had for who I'd be, what I'd be, who were my friends... everything is different. Sometimes I think that's hard to accept, when things don't go like we planned. But ultimately, everything works out in the end
Q. Though our lives and peer groups intersected at various times and places, I had a certain perception of who you were and what your social circle was - a cross section of ska kids, North Phoenix people, and churchgoers (is that correct?). What was your perception of the origins of my social circle, and though there are similarities that brought those circles together, what were the differences between those core groups that either irked you or that you think kept up certain borders?
A. I guess I never really thought of what made up my social circle, but I thought you were involved with the "artsy/hippie/folksy" people. To be honest, I have a pretty difficult time getting to know new people. I tend to stay in my comfort zone, not really going out of my way to make friends with new people. I don't know why, just have always been that way. The first impression that I got of you was when a certain friend of mine "dated" you and said you were "crazy". I didn't know much more than that, and didn't think about it much. Then as I talked to you a little more at shows and stuff, I saw that I didn't think you were crazy at all.
Q. You and I are both singers who have fronted various bands. What commonalities do you find in dealing with different groups of musicians? What are some of the frustrations, not with specific individuals, but that happen anytime you are a singer and at rehearsal, doing a show, or working on promotion and booking stuff, with your bandmates? (For example... at practices, I feel like guitar players ALWAYS stand there and play their own little riff between songs while I'm standing there waiting for us to practice the next song. And I stare. And stare. And stare. And I wait for them to stop screwing around.)
A. The endless list of frustrations of the front-person! I definitely know what you mean, but haven't really dealt with tons of different musicians... It's always been pretty much the same group of people. Between songs at practice, Mike, Liam and John would often start playing some punk song, reggae song, or butt rock song. Sometimes it was funny, but most of the time just super annoying. Maybe I'd have had more fun if I was able to play an instrument and participate in their goofing off.
Q. What celebrity, politician, athlete, etc. would you most like to meet, and what would you do if given a full day with them to do whatever you wanted?
A. I'll have to go with the old stand-by of Gwen Stefani. I've liked and looked up to her since I was 14 or 15, and I'd like to see how she spends her day. I'd like to see her closet, and what her bathroom looks like, what she keeps in her pantry, and if she ever mops her floors. You know, normal creepy stuff!
Emily's Questions:
1: How was Holloween Horror Nights?
It was awesome! I was definitely nervous, but knowing that they can't touch you made it easier not to be afraid. In the Texas Chainsaw Massacre house, they had bloody pairs of underwear hanging that you had to move to walk under. They had pubes in them! So sick, but interesting at the same time. You also had to push your way through human "skin" which was super stinky, as men with chainsaws tried to cut your legs off! My dream come true!
2: What do you plan on doing with the degree that you are getting @ school?
To be honest, I don't really know. I'd like to have a job doing interior design, but don't know how available those are right now, especially considering the economy. I think I was just tired of doing nothing, and wanting to make a change. I like learning, and I can't stand not to be doing anything, so I think it just made sense for me. If it doesn't turn into anything, at least I can decorate my friends' and family's houses!
3: Do you think you'll ever try and make music again, either by yourself or with others?
I don't think I'd ever make music by myself 1. because I don't play any accompanying instruments, and 2. because I'd be much too self-conscious. I think playing with others again would be fun. For now, I just don't have the energy or desire to do anything new, but I'm going to put some energy into the Black Jacket with John. He seems to have a magical formula that works, and I like the idea of contributing to that, but not being in the front. I have a great time playing with him, and in that band. Much less pressure.
4: Are Mike and Becca dating?
According to Mike, no. Personally, I never hung out with dudes all alone, unless I liked them. So it's hard for me to understand a boy/girl relationship that doesn't involve any deeper feelings. But Mike has always been friends with lots of girls, so I believe him.
5: How did you meet John again?
John's band, Jumpkick, played with the Dietrichs in Yuma, then at Matty's house in 1998. I thought he was hot! But his stupid hippie girlfriend was there. They had been dating for 2 years, and everyone said they were going to get married. I thought all hope was gone.
Then when I was working at Monkey Mambo, I worked with Brandon, who was friends with John. John started coming up to Phoenix all the time, then came to our show at Desert Breeze. He gave me his phone number, and we started hanging out. He'd drive up after work from Yuma, stay for a few hours, then drive back and go to work the next morning. We were so in love!! The second time we hung out alone, he played me songs on his guitar and told me he wanted to get married. I told him yes, and went home and woke my parents up. This was in March 2001. We officially got engaged on Christmas that year, and got married the following September, 2002. We are working on our 7th year now!
Ryan's questions:
1. did you like playing ska shows? why?
Ska shows were amazing because of the people that I met there. I always felt really supported, and felt like people honestly liked our music. It was kind of a "safe haven" for me.
2. did you like playing shows period? because it seemed like most of the time you didnt (just from an outsiders point of view. i mean i never talked to you about it thats why i ask)
I think a lot of my own insecurities came out at shows. I have a huge problem if people don't like me, and to stand up in front of everyone and be vulnerable was very hard for me. I also have huge issues with OCD and organization/control. If we were told we were playing second, I had planned my whole night around it. Then to get to the show and be pushed back to last, when I knew I had to wake up at 5am the next morning - well, it just threw everything off, and made me really anxious. No promoter I ever made had that same sense of timeliness. I did love it though. I love performing, and love singing, and loved being able to hang out with my best friends and make music. I'd like to think that if I didn't love it, I wouldn't have done it for so long.
3. what was your favorite dietrichs song and show you ever played? I liked the old ska songs we played because they were so much fun, but right before the end, I felt like we were really writing some good stuff. Tower in the Heavens and Staying Sick were pretty fun to play, because I was able to do some vocal parts that were interesting to me. And the musical parts were great! So many tempo changes, and crescendos! Covering Fly Trap was always fun because everyone got so pumped up (including us)!
4. aside from gwen stafini and no doubt.... what music are you into?
Of Montreal, Arcade Fire, Blondie, The Carpenters, Modest Mouse, Jets to Brazil, Rilo Kiley, Neko Case, Elliot Smith, Nick Drake, Lily Allen, Rx Bandits, Venga Boys, Kanye West, The Cardigans, Sixpence None the Richer, Regina Spector, Joan Jett and The Blackhearts, M.I.A., Hellogoodbye, Chromeo, Santogold, The Shins, Hot Hot Heat, The Faint, Reel Big Fish, old Mxpx, The Black Jacket (man, they're good)... If I like something I don't stop listening to it until I like something else. I'm not constantly on the look out for new music, if it strikes me, I get it and listen until I'm sick of it.
5. i know you are (or use to be) christian... but i dont know what denomination or like what are youre specific religious/spiritual beliefs, do mind sharing those? and also.... if you arent practicing any religion right now could you tell me why you stopped?
We grew up in the Nazarene, and then Baptist church. I stopped going to church when John and I got married - we'd both been in the church our whole lives, and were really burnt out on the whole thing. Nothing about it felt authentic, and I never felt like I could be myself. The churches we went to were full of lying, back-stabbing, fake people. I couldn't be a part of that anymore.
I don't believe that going to church made me a christian. I always believed that it was what was inside - my experience with the church was that it wasn't about what was on the inside, but how well you could fake the outside.
Now we are so much happier and feel more free than we ever were in organized religion. I'm just working on being a better person, and treating people kindly. I finally feel like I can be who I really am, without worrying about what it looks like on the outside. I believe that we'll all be in Heaven, and I believe that earth right now, is Hell. I don't believe that a God of love who created us, would be willing to send us to Hell for eternal torture.
Liam's questions:
1. Anyone who knows you knows you're kind of an "I like animals more than people" type of person, to a degree. Is it that you like animals that much or that you dislike people that much?
Haha, I guess it's both! I feel a certain responsibility for taking care of animals, and always have. They can't say when they're hurting or scared, so I feel like it's my duty to make sure they're okay. When I come home, my animals are always excited to see me, even if I yelled at them that morning. They always forgive and forget, and unconditionally love you.
As humans, we are just flawed, and just mess up. We are mean to each other, and don't care like we should. There aren't many people that I feel like I can trust, but animals are completely transparent, and let you know how they feel. I like that!
2. Do you think you'll still be doing music in the future?
I think in some way, I definitely will. I've always been singing, and love making and singing harmonies. For now, I'll be helping John with the Black Jacket, just singing backup and shaking! And that's fine with me - I wasn't always totally comfortable being in the front anyway. John and have also talked about doing something different, just him and me. I think because we understand each other (and he's the only person who knows and can deal with me!) we might be able to make some really great music together. Probably not for performance, but maybe just Myspace stuff.
3. How was your trip?!
It was awesome! I love not going to work! But really, it was nice to get out of town, and be in cooler weather. I'm glad to finally have gotten to go to Halloween Horror Nights, and I loved riding the roller coasters! We did 5 coasters in one hour! I think it was a record, but then I was sick. We went on a few more, and I just kept having thoughts in my head of the restraints popping open, and me falling to my death. I don't know what it was, maybe the old lady in me is just coming out more and more! Our hotel room was gross, with blood stains on the sheets, but they had free waffles in the morning, so that made up for it..
4. The classes you've been taking online have made you do some drawing stuff, and from what I can tell you enjoyed it. Do you think you'll do more visual art in the future?
I think now that I've discovered that I can actually kind of draw, I'll be doing more stuff with art. I don't think I'd ever like, show it or anything, but that doesn't mean I'm not doing it! You gotta have a thick skin to want to show your art and get comments on it, and that I definitely don't have.
5. What's you favorite resturaunt in town?
I think right now, it's Palatte. Everything there is really fresh, and they have lemonade with roses in it! I like that it's local and that we can ride our bikes there. I also like that they have lots of seating outside, especially since the weather will be nice soon!
Q. The Dietrichs got some coverage, radio play, and even toured the UK, but I'm assuming there were additional strides you wanted to make. Now that it's been a while since it ended, what do you think would have needed to be different for The Dietrichs to go all the places that you wanted to with the project, and what would those successes have been?
A. I think the whole plan for the Dietrichs was to be able to do music full time, and not have jobs. I started in the band with Mike when I was 15! I don't really know what would have needed to be different in order to do the band full time. I could say it was this or that, or more commitment on everyone's part, or whatever. Mostly, I think things like that are knowing the right people, or being in the right place at the right time. If it was supposed to happen, it would have. I wish we could have traveled more, because for me, that was always the most fun.
Q. As your life, surroundings, peer group, etc. as changed over the years (as all ours do), looking back, what change surprises you the most, and why?
A. I think the most surprising thing is that nothing went as planned. All the ideas I had for who I'd be, what I'd be, who were my friends... everything is different. Sometimes I think that's hard to accept, when things don't go like we planned. But ultimately, everything works out in the end
Q. Though our lives and peer groups intersected at various times and places, I had a certain perception of who you were and what your social circle was - a cross section of ska kids, North Phoenix people, and churchgoers (is that correct?). What was your perception of the origins of my social circle, and though there are similarities that brought those circles together, what were the differences between those core groups that either irked you or that you think kept up certain borders?
A. I guess I never really thought of what made up my social circle, but I thought you were involved with the "artsy/hippie/folksy" people. To be honest, I have a pretty difficult time getting to know new people. I tend to stay in my comfort zone, not really going out of my way to make friends with new people. I don't know why, just have always been that way. The first impression that I got of you was when a certain friend of mine "dated" you and said you were "crazy". I didn't know much more than that, and didn't think about it much. Then as I talked to you a little more at shows and stuff, I saw that I didn't think you were crazy at all.
Q. You and I are both singers who have fronted various bands. What commonalities do you find in dealing with different groups of musicians? What are some of the frustrations, not with specific individuals, but that happen anytime you are a singer and at rehearsal, doing a show, or working on promotion and booking stuff, with your bandmates? (For example... at practices, I feel like guitar players ALWAYS stand there and play their own little riff between songs while I'm standing there waiting for us to practice the next song. And I stare. And stare. And stare. And I wait for them to stop screwing around.)
A. The endless list of frustrations of the front-person! I definitely know what you mean, but haven't really dealt with tons of different musicians... It's always been pretty much the same group of people. Between songs at practice, Mike, Liam and John would often start playing some punk song, reggae song, or butt rock song. Sometimes it was funny, but most of the time just super annoying. Maybe I'd have had more fun if I was able to play an instrument and participate in their goofing off.
Q. What celebrity, politician, athlete, etc. would you most like to meet, and what would you do if given a full day with them to do whatever you wanted?
A. I'll have to go with the old stand-by of Gwen Stefani. I've liked and looked up to her since I was 14 or 15, and I'd like to see how she spends her day. I'd like to see her closet, and what her bathroom looks like, what she keeps in her pantry, and if she ever mops her floors. You know, normal creepy stuff!
Emily's Questions:
1: How was Holloween Horror Nights?
It was awesome! I was definitely nervous, but knowing that they can't touch you made it easier not to be afraid. In the Texas Chainsaw Massacre house, they had bloody pairs of underwear hanging that you had to move to walk under. They had pubes in them! So sick, but interesting at the same time. You also had to push your way through human "skin" which was super stinky, as men with chainsaws tried to cut your legs off! My dream come true!
2: What do you plan on doing with the degree that you are getting @ school?
To be honest, I don't really know. I'd like to have a job doing interior design, but don't know how available those are right now, especially considering the economy. I think I was just tired of doing nothing, and wanting to make a change. I like learning, and I can't stand not to be doing anything, so I think it just made sense for me. If it doesn't turn into anything, at least I can decorate my friends' and family's houses!
3: Do you think you'll ever try and make music again, either by yourself or with others?
I don't think I'd ever make music by myself 1. because I don't play any accompanying instruments, and 2. because I'd be much too self-conscious. I think playing with others again would be fun. For now, I just don't have the energy or desire to do anything new, but I'm going to put some energy into the Black Jacket with John. He seems to have a magical formula that works, and I like the idea of contributing to that, but not being in the front. I have a great time playing with him, and in that band. Much less pressure.
4: Are Mike and Becca dating?
According to Mike, no. Personally, I never hung out with dudes all alone, unless I liked them. So it's hard for me to understand a boy/girl relationship that doesn't involve any deeper feelings. But Mike has always been friends with lots of girls, so I believe him.
5: How did you meet John again?
John's band, Jumpkick, played with the Dietrichs in Yuma, then at Matty's house in 1998. I thought he was hot! But his stupid hippie girlfriend was there. They had been dating for 2 years, and everyone said they were going to get married. I thought all hope was gone.
Then when I was working at Monkey Mambo, I worked with Brandon, who was friends with John. John started coming up to Phoenix all the time, then came to our show at Desert Breeze. He gave me his phone number, and we started hanging out. He'd drive up after work from Yuma, stay for a few hours, then drive back and go to work the next morning. We were so in love!! The second time we hung out alone, he played me songs on his guitar and told me he wanted to get married. I told him yes, and went home and woke my parents up. This was in March 2001. We officially got engaged on Christmas that year, and got married the following September, 2002. We are working on our 7th year now!
Ryan's questions:
1. did you like playing ska shows? why?
Ska shows were amazing because of the people that I met there. I always felt really supported, and felt like people honestly liked our music. It was kind of a "safe haven" for me.
2. did you like playing shows period? because it seemed like most of the time you didnt (just from an outsiders point of view. i mean i never talked to you about it thats why i ask)
I think a lot of my own insecurities came out at shows. I have a huge problem if people don't like me, and to stand up in front of everyone and be vulnerable was very hard for me. I also have huge issues with OCD and organization/control. If we were told we were playing second, I had planned my whole night around it. Then to get to the show and be pushed back to last, when I knew I had to wake up at 5am the next morning - well, it just threw everything off, and made me really anxious. No promoter I ever made had that same sense of timeliness. I did love it though. I love performing, and love singing, and loved being able to hang out with my best friends and make music. I'd like to think that if I didn't love it, I wouldn't have done it for so long.
3. what was your favorite dietrichs song and show you ever played? I liked the old ska songs we played because they were so much fun, but right before the end, I felt like we were really writing some good stuff. Tower in the Heavens and Staying Sick were pretty fun to play, because I was able to do some vocal parts that were interesting to me. And the musical parts were great! So many tempo changes, and crescendos! Covering Fly Trap was always fun because everyone got so pumped up (including us)!
4. aside from gwen stafini and no doubt.... what music are you into?
Of Montreal, Arcade Fire, Blondie, The Carpenters, Modest Mouse, Jets to Brazil, Rilo Kiley, Neko Case, Elliot Smith, Nick Drake, Lily Allen, Rx Bandits, Venga Boys, Kanye West, The Cardigans, Sixpence None the Richer, Regina Spector, Joan Jett and The Blackhearts, M.I.A., Hellogoodbye, Chromeo, Santogold, The Shins, Hot Hot Heat, The Faint, Reel Big Fish, old Mxpx, The Black Jacket (man, they're good)... If I like something I don't stop listening to it until I like something else. I'm not constantly on the look out for new music, if it strikes me, I get it and listen until I'm sick of it.
5. i know you are (or use to be) christian... but i dont know what denomination or like what are youre specific religious/spiritual beliefs, do mind sharing those? and also.... if you arent practicing any religion right now could you tell me why you stopped?
We grew up in the Nazarene, and then Baptist church. I stopped going to church when John and I got married - we'd both been in the church our whole lives, and were really burnt out on the whole thing. Nothing about it felt authentic, and I never felt like I could be myself. The churches we went to were full of lying, back-stabbing, fake people. I couldn't be a part of that anymore.
I don't believe that going to church made me a christian. I always believed that it was what was inside - my experience with the church was that it wasn't about what was on the inside, but how well you could fake the outside.
Now we are so much happier and feel more free than we ever were in organized religion. I'm just working on being a better person, and treating people kindly. I finally feel like I can be who I really am, without worrying about what it looks like on the outside. I believe that we'll all be in Heaven, and I believe that earth right now, is Hell. I don't believe that a God of love who created us, would be willing to send us to Hell for eternal torture.
Liam's questions:
1. Anyone who knows you knows you're kind of an "I like animals more than people" type of person, to a degree. Is it that you like animals that much or that you dislike people that much?
Haha, I guess it's both! I feel a certain responsibility for taking care of animals, and always have. They can't say when they're hurting or scared, so I feel like it's my duty to make sure they're okay. When I come home, my animals are always excited to see me, even if I yelled at them that morning. They always forgive and forget, and unconditionally love you.
As humans, we are just flawed, and just mess up. We are mean to each other, and don't care like we should. There aren't many people that I feel like I can trust, but animals are completely transparent, and let you know how they feel. I like that!
2. Do you think you'll still be doing music in the future?
I think in some way, I definitely will. I've always been singing, and love making and singing harmonies. For now, I'll be helping John with the Black Jacket, just singing backup and shaking! And that's fine with me - I wasn't always totally comfortable being in the front anyway. John and have also talked about doing something different, just him and me. I think because we understand each other (and he's the only person who knows and can deal with me!) we might be able to make some really great music together. Probably not for performance, but maybe just Myspace stuff.
3. How was your trip?!
It was awesome! I love not going to work! But really, it was nice to get out of town, and be in cooler weather. I'm glad to finally have gotten to go to Halloween Horror Nights, and I loved riding the roller coasters! We did 5 coasters in one hour! I think it was a record, but then I was sick. We went on a few more, and I just kept having thoughts in my head of the restraints popping open, and me falling to my death. I don't know what it was, maybe the old lady in me is just coming out more and more! Our hotel room was gross, with blood stains on the sheets, but they had free waffles in the morning, so that made up for it..
4. The classes you've been taking online have made you do some drawing stuff, and from what I can tell you enjoyed it. Do you think you'll do more visual art in the future?
I think now that I've discovered that I can actually kind of draw, I'll be doing more stuff with art. I don't think I'd ever like, show it or anything, but that doesn't mean I'm not doing it! You gotta have a thick skin to want to show your art and get comments on it, and that I definitely don't have.
5. What's you favorite resturaunt in town?
I think right now, it's Palatte. Everything there is really fresh, and they have lemonade with roses in it! I like that it's local and that we can ride our bikes there. I also like that they have lots of seating outside, especially since the weather will be nice soon!