A potent live ethic is what separates the wheat from the chaff, and the method in which a group gradually builds a hungry fanbase. When reputed musicians like Jimmy Page, Paul Rodgers and Joe Elliott stand up and take note, the time comes for investigation. Also, the time comes for listening, and to deem whether the material outweighs the hype. Hit The Lights strives to provoke discussion regarding such acts, and talks to the groups in question. For this specific installment, the group in question is The Answer. As most know, AC/DC deemed the group worthy enough of being a support act upon the "Black Ice" global tour, so many readers have likely seen The Answer in live performance. Whether they held their own against the hard rock veterans is something only concert goers can decide, though for now, we present a conversation with a member that belongs to these rising Irish rockers.
In the summer of 2008,
The Answer conducted one month of pre-production in Ireland with producer
John Travis (who's worked with the likes of Kid Rock, Static-X, and Killing Heidi). Following this,
The Answer travelled to Los Angeles' Seedy Underbelly to begin recording the group's sophomore album. A week afterwards, final touches occurred at The Dairy in London.
Tim Palmer handled some mixing in Los Angeles, whilst
Mike Fraser (who mixed 'Black Ice') additionally handled some mixing in Vancouver. Beginning October 28th at the Wachovia Arena in Wilkes Parre, Pennsylvania,
The Answer supported
AC/DC as part of the "
Black Ice" world tour. On November 14th, the outfit appeared upon "
The David Letterman Show". The "
Black Ice" tour's North American leg concluded on January 31st, 2009 at the Sommet Center in Nashville, Tennessee, with its European leg commencing on February 18th at the Telenor Arena in Oslo, Norway. The tour will draw to a conclusion on June 30th at Hampden Park in Glasgow, Scotland.
On March 2nd, "Everyday Demons" experienced its UK issue via Albert Productions. From March 10th to the 16th, the track "Demon Eyes" was made available for free download by iTunes. That same day on the 10th, the album was available for exclusive digital purchase at the same location. In addition to the tracks "Lost" and "Revolutions", a live rendition of "Under The Sky" formed bonus material for the album's digital issue. "Everyday Demons"' North American physical release happened on the 31st via The End Records. One day prior to The Answer's February 25th performance at Paris, France's Bercy, a phone interview was scheduled to occur at 13:00GMT. Armed with the mobile number of frontman Cormac Neeson, Hit The Lights' Robert Gray called the vocalist to discuss "Everyday Demons", and the act's supporting slot upon AC/DC's "Black Ice" tour.
UG: Hello? Is this Cormac?
Cormac Neeson: It is, yes.
Would it be ok if I began the interview?
Yes, yes. Go ahead, man.
Can you provide an introduction to 'Everyday Demons'?
I surely can, yes. 'Everyday Demons' was recorded in Los Angeles over a five week period during the summer, and happens to be an album we worked very hard on. From a songwriting, performance and recording perspective, we've further progressed. As you would expect from a group like The Answer, 'Everyday Demons' is still a rock and roll effort, yet boasts a few surprises to keep the listener interested.
Why did The Answer opt to record in Los Angeles, as opposed to recording 'Everyday Demons' at a British recording studio?
Firstly, the gentleman we opted to record 'Everyday Demons' with (John Travis) works in Los Angeles, and earmarked a studio that he thought would be suitable for the project. Once he earmarked the Seedy Underbelly studio, we began recording the album.
"I think we'll always possess such classic rock influences."
There were a few reasons. John has cut many good albums, but is still nonetheless young enough to possess a raw, genuine hunger which is very important to us. His recording technique impressed us, so I think we made the right decision.
You made reference to John's recording technique. How does John approach recording?
I'm sure he works with different groups in different ways, though we're a group which boasts a performance element.
What can you reveal regarding 'Everyday Demons''s lyrical content?
'Everyday Demons''s lyrical content deals with everyday obstacles that we have to confront, and we discuss issues which many people can relate to. Obviously, different tracks touch upon different topics. For example, "Demon Eyes" touches upon two-faced, narrow minded, shallow people who pretend to be your friend, yet subsequently move into the corner and criticise you. "Evil Man" concerns a girl who ventures into a bar, and has their drink spiked. "Why'd You Change Your Mind", meanwhile, delves into a suicide. Throughout 'Everyday Demons', a wide range of subjects are approached. Having said that, I don't try to discuss subjects in a somewhat high brow, airy fairy way, but actually everyday terms.
During the early stages of songwriting for 'Everyday Demons', guitarist Paul Mahon commented that some of the material reminded him of Black Sabbath and early Montrose.
Within our music, I think we'll always possess such classic rock influences. Upon 'Everyday Demons' however, we certainly concentrated hard on achieving a fresh, particularly modern ambience, and focused upon our own individual personalities, and the personality within the whole group overall. We succeeded in lending our music a relevance, I think.
Musically, how does 'Everyday Demons' build upon 'Rise' (2006)?
We've definitely carved out our own sound upon 'Everyday Demons', and even more so than we did in writing 'Rise'. If you listen to 'Everyday Demons', you can almost immediately identify The Answer within the tracks that we've written. Also, we've become much better at our songwriting - we've toured for several years, and become much better at playing our instruments. Several of 'Everyday Demons'' tracks delve into territories that we previously wouldn't have delved into.
Obviously, The Answer has its roots in classic rock, and you mentioned that the group likes to maintain a fresh sound. Whilst using classic rock influences, how does the group maintain a fresh and modern sound?
We just don't let ourselves be ruled by the formulas and rules that exist within classic rock music. If you write a track, you have to write that track for your own benefit, first and foremost. You have to write verses, choruses, bridges, and crazy little parts within the tracks. You have to write material according to what gets you going so to speak, and what turns you on. Also, the way we play our instruments is another factor. People forget that we've lived through grunge, and numerous different metal movements. Within music, many different genres have surfaced since our formation. If you listen closely enough, you'll hear different twists and turns, and many different musical movements besides just simply classic rock.
Can you discuss the lyrical content featured upon "On and On", 'Everyday Demons'' inaugural single?
"On and On" stresses that you should just move forward with your life, irrespective of what hurdles are placed in front of you. Personally, in the past at least, I've usually become upset by people who've got out of bed the wrong side. I've become upset by assholes who've crossed my path, and the things these assholes try to do. However, I've learnt that too much time is wasted thinking about such things, and that you just need to move forward.
So lyrically speaking, 'Everyday Demons' features much personal topics?
'Everyday Demons'' lyrics are all of a personal nature, and are all based on real life experiences. I hope many people will be able to relate to some of the topics we discuss.
""Everyday Demons"'s lyrical content deals with everyday obstacles that we have to confront."
Yeah, it has. Actually, I play strip poker with a hot redhead from New York. The music video was filmed in New Jersey, and was filmed during a day off as part of the 'Black Ice' tour. We just placed all our gear into a massive studio, and set up three or four different sets. I actually play a card game called memory, where you try to match pairs. As I flip the cards, you can see different shots of the group performing upon these cards. The camera zooms in through the card, and comes out through the other side. We rock out in a number of different settings. It's quite an interesting music video, and the way the music video was shot definitely looks pretty good.
Of 'Everyday Demons'' tracks, have any been chosen as future music videos or singles?
Yeah. We're considering the track "Tonight" as a potential future single, I think. Also, "Pride" is a potential future single. Possibly, "Comfort Zone" will be released as a future single as well.. "Comfort Zone" is slightly different to what we've released in the past, so hopefully that track'll turn a few heads.
In support of future music videos, have any storylines been written?
We're discussing a number of different ideas. Actually, we've discussed the possibility of moving gear onto the tour bus, and shooting a very claustrophobic music video using one camera shot. As of yet though, we haven't. We'll just have to wait.
The Answer is currently supporting AC/DC upon the 'Black Ice' world tour. How did this come to fruition?
AC/DC are just fans of The Answer. At the end of the day, it centred upon their decision. AC/DC wanted us as their supporting group, although we weren't sure how long they wanted us to tour alongside them. Initially, we were just asked to support AC/DC for the American leg of the 'Black Ice' world tour. It went so well though, and so much so that we were asked to support the group for the tour's European trek, and the tour's stadium trek, which is great..
When a group such as AC/DC states that they think The Answer are quite good, does that make you feel extremely proud?
Aye. Knowing that groups you've looked up to your whole life actually like your material is a confidence booster. At the same time however, it's more important to us that The Answer's following enjoy the material we currently issue.
As any other group, The Answer obviously experiences ups and downs. Does small things like this make everything worthwhile?
The bigger things actually make everything more worthwhile, such as being asked to tour alongside AC/DC, and performing a sold out show in Belfast before a crowd which has followed you for several years. It's those type of things.
Has being part of AC/DC's 'Black Ice' world tour raised The Answer's profile?
It has, of course. We were virtually unknown in America beforehand, though our name is definitely more known as a result of being AC/DC's support. We appeared on the 'David Letterman Show', which helped to expose our music to millions of people across America. Upon 'Black Ice''s European tour leg, a buzz has definitely been developed.
In terms of live performance, how does The Answer ensure that it competes with AC/DC upon the 'Black Ice' tour?
I think we have a somewhat different style. AC/DC has their own individual style, and I think we've pushed through with our own individual style. Groups like AC/DC give their performance everything they've got, so it's great to hear guys like Brian Johnson and Angus Young championing younger groups. We all have our own individual moves, which we've no problem with.
In terms of live performance, which groups did you look up to as a budding vocalist?
In terms of live performance, I looked up to Rage Against the Machine, Nirvana and Smashing Pumpkins, and groups of that nature. Those groups had a real edge, and a danger almost, to their performance.
Does The Answer incorporate what some of those groups did in live performance into its own live performance?
We incorporate the passion that those musicians had, and still do have in many cases. As I said though, it's important to put things across in your own way, and those groups do that.
Just before The Answer is due to hit the stage, does the group like to keep to itself?
Generally, we just clear the dressing room so that we're between ourselves. We'll then begin to get ourselves going, so to speak, which gets the blood pumping. That's the way we get ready prior to a performance.
"We just don't let ourselves be ruled by the formulas and rules that exist within classic rock music."
I think they did, yeah. Our performance only lasted for three and a half minutes - we just got going so to speak, and were shuffled off the stage (laughs). That night, we gave our performance everything we had. It definitely went down well, I think.
Are any of The Answer's supporting performances to AC/DC being recorded for future releases, such as live tracks or a DVD?
Yeah, we have plans to do such things. AC/DC have roughly ten cameras or so filming their show each night, so we plan to film several of our shows as well. I don't know what the footage will be used for, though it'll be good to have.
So currently, there aren't any concrete projects the footage will be used for?
I can see us using the footage, though I'm not sure what we'll use the footage for. We'll see.
Whilst supporting AC/DC, has The Answer written anything in support of new material?
Yeah. Our members always share ideas with one another. We own hand held recorders which we take on the road, so that we can capture those ideas. It's difficult to complete a track on the road as well, since you need some time and space. We normally save ideas for whenever we return to our practice room in Ireland. We bring out all our ideas, and craft those ideas into fully realised tracks.
Whilst cutting 'Everyday Demons', was any additional material recorded for B-sides and so on?
Yeah, a few extra tracks were recorded. Those extra tracks will feature upon different special editions across the world, and releases of that nature. A week following the recording of 'Everyday Demons', we entered a studio called The Dairy in London, and recorded a few B-sides, extra tracks and so on.
With B-sides, do you feel acts can be more experimental?
You can have slightly more fun whilst recording B-sides, I think. There's no pressure, and you can indulge in several musical areas which you wouldn't normally be able to indulge in.
Could you provide me with more information regarding these B-sides, and extra tracks?
Yeah. We wrote a track called "Highwater or Hell", which was featured upon our first American EP in the States (November 2008's 'Never Too Late'). The track will also feature upon a special edition release in Japan, I think. A track entitled "Revolutions", which was part of our live set for roughly a year, didn't quite make 'Everyday Demons'' track listing. That'll be used as part of 'Everyday Demons'' special edition release in the United Kingdom, and America. In a track entitled "Lost", we almost use our Irish musical background. We use a blowhorn, and an Irish drum which plays at the track's beginning. "Lost" itself exhibits a slight Celtic vibe. You should expect to hear that in the future, since there's no shortage of material..
Where do you feel The Answer will venture from here?
We're hoping that our exposure as part of AC/DC's 'Black Ice' tour, and the fact that 'Everyday Demons' is a really good album, will be reflected in album sales. We hope that the two lift the group's status, so that we venture from performing in clubs whose capacity is a thousand to Brixton Academy size venues which house four or five thousand people. In the future, there's no reason why we can't be conducting arena tours ourselves.
Is 'Everyday Demons'' material being well received by live audiences?
'Everyday Demons'' material is being well received by live audiences, yeah. The material is being received extremely well, and those new tracks are much fun to perform too.
Do you have a message for fans of The Answer?
Yeah. I'd like to thank anyone who's followed The Answer up until this point for keeping with us. We won't forget that, and will see you soon.
Ok. Thank you very much for the interview.
Thank you man. Cheers.
Cheers. Bye.
Bye.
Interview by Robert Gray
Ultimate-Guitar.Com © 2009
Either way... The Answer rule