Scatter The Ashes interview from The Modern Fix.
Formed in May 2001 in Smyrna, Tenn., Scatter The Ashes came together when a persistent Daryl Stamps, now the band's frontman, bothered then Point of You? drummer Napier to work on some music with him.
"I finally committed myself to helping him out," Napier says.
The band soon became a full-time project for all of its members (Guitarist "Bob" Farmer and bassist Matt McCord round out the group), and, as Napier puts it, "Somehow it evolved into this."
How are things with Epitaph so far?
It's a beautiful marriage. It's very friendly. We'll go in there and everybody hangs out and grabs a few Red Bulls. Those guys are all about helping us. Bret Gurewitz, he's the coolest fucking guy ever. A few weeks ago, we were in town and he invited us over for dinner. We had dinner with him and he took us out to Anchorman. Not many bands get to have those connections with their boss.
Are you still in that development deal with Island?
Yeah. That was the first record deal we were ever offered. You can ask any band, the first record deal you're offered, you're pretty much gonna sign it. It just so happened that the first label ever interested in us was Island/Def Jam, a major label. It's scary, but the deal wasn't bad. We didn't have a van, we didn't have recordings - they were offering all this. It's weird to be in between labels of sorts. But whatever happens, it's gonna happen for the best. We're totally prepared for the whole ride, we're a career ride. We're down for the long haul.
If Island decides they like "Devout" and want to sign you guys full on, are they entitled to release your next 6-7 albums like most major label deals entail?
Three, I believe. It's very up in the air. ... We have a really good lawyer.
What's with the Island Records logo on the back of your current CD though?
That was part of the deal. The CD is by Island, and it's through Epitaph, and Epitaph puts it out as their roster. If Island decides they don't want to pick us up, then we're completely signed by Epitaph. It's much like a minor league baseball deal.
You can say what you will about Google, but the fact of the matter is, it has made the internet what it is today: a pleathora of information and records that would otherwise be unavailable to the masses. A communication medium based on convenicence, a vast wasteland of pranksters and ,uh, porn. The latter of which is where Scatter The Ashes drummer Dillion Napier has benefited the most.
In doing research for this interview, I found a site that says you're getting married.
Yeah, yeah, me and Winona man.
That's true?
[Laughing] No, that's not true. Did you believe it for a minute?
It had me going for a second.
I think you should say it's true though anyway.
Have you been infatuated with her for a long time?
I love her, dude. She's my one. She's my Cassandra. You know, like Wayne's World?
You don't care if she steals your clothes or your drums though?
No, I don't really care.
What would you do if you saw her?
I've always told people when they're going out in Hollywood and if I'm around and I'm staying in or something, 'Well if you see Winnona or Dave Grohl, call me!'
Have you seen anybody famous hanging out in L.A. yet?
Not this time around. We played the Troubadour in Februay and Andre 3000 was there. We were playing with Letter Kills, and he came out to see them. He watched us and people that were there told me he was bobbing his head the whole time. He told Daryl, our singer, that he had some sweet moves.
Your preferece: The Smiths, Depeche Mode, Tears For Fears or The Cure?
I'm gonna have to say The Smiths, as a whole. The Cure, like I love their darker stuff, but I absolutely hate their other stuff. I love Depeche Mode. Tears For Fears was like my favorite band when I was 2 years old or something. A few of their hits and their other songs are just great, but, again, as a whole, I'd say The Smiths. But, still, I don't think of them as a great, great band. I kind of feel like they were overrated. They were good for what they did. I'm not crazy, crazy in love with The Smiths like a lot of people are.
You guys get compared to a lot of bands. I see the Refused comparison a bit, but Joy Division, not so much. Maybe a little in the vocals.
That's something that we just listen to a lot. I don't think it comes through on the album very much either. Our album's kind of dark, it's kind of goth. That's where it comes from. Our newer stuff is on that kind tangent.
By Eric W. Alexy
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