Evan Taubenfeld: 'Avril Isn't Punk'

We had a chance to make an interview with Avril Lavigne's guitarist Evan Taubenfeld and ask him a few questions on various subjects - starting from basic questions about personal feelings of beeing a "rock star" and ending with the band's future plans. Of course, the most controversy question on the suject of playing punk with the ever large presence of 'elitists' in music these days has been asked as well. Go on and read!

General Questions:

Ultimate-Guitar: So, a big rock star at 20. How does that make you feel?

Evan Taubenfeld: Actually as of yesterday, it's 21. You know, I don't consider myself a rock star, the whole concept to me is very weird. I'm just some guy playing guitar in a band, thats how I see it.

Has playing in a successful band been a long ambition of yours? Or has it been a somewhat recent endeavor?

All of my life I've wanted to be in a band, even when I was a kid all I wanted was to join a huge rock band.

With Alice in Chains being one of you biggest influences, what made you decide to audition for punk / rock band like Avril Lavigne's?

I got a call to audition for her from a good friend of mine who was her A&R guy at the label, my band had just broken up and it looked like a great opportunity. The first song I heard was "Losing Grip" so I didn't really know it was going to end up being so "Punk". I thought that I had nothing at the time and it would be a great experience, I was right.

Playing in a band like Avril Lavigne you must be well aware of the Controversy of playing 'punk,' with the ever large presence of 'elitists' in music today. Does this at all have an impact on yourself or the band?

The whole "Punk" thing doesn't really effect me at all. I'm the one in the band who's not really tapped into that scene at all. Its a very touchy subject to a lot of people, but the point is that Avril isn't punk, but she never really pretended to claim to come from that scene. She had pop punk music and the media ended up doing the rest. Me, I could care less if people are mad at her/us for being labeled something, I'm just trying to make some music.

How long have you been playing guitar?

I've been playing since I was thirteen, so about 7 or 8 years now.

Who did you want to be like during your child hood years first starting as a muso?

I started as a drummer, so I wanted to be Tre Cool and Dave Grohl. Then I moved onto singing and guitar and was totally into STP and Alice in Chains and many more. It's weird, I never really wanted to be exactly like any of my influences, I just wanted to be in a band they would play with.

If you weren't playing in Avril Lavigne what else would you be doing?

I'd have my own band and be making music with them. There are so many awesome things to do with music so if I wasn't with her, I'd find something.

True or false: Drummers like to hang around with musicians. :)

Hey now, I started as a drummer, infact, I actually played drums on one of the tracks on the record, it's called "Freak Out". So my answer has gotta be no, but they're usually the slow ones, haha.

Guitar Questions:

Has PRS been good to you? Tell me all about your rig.

PRS has been wonderful to me, I couldn't have asked for better treatment. I'm from MD so I (drop) by the factory a lot and hang with everyone, its really a great company that makes the best guitars in my opinion. I play singlecut's. I love the way they sound and play. My rig just consists of a bunch of singlecuts, a couple hollowbodies and some other PRS stuff for backup. I've got a few SE's in my rig as well. For amp's I'm using Mesa Boogie dual rectifier's and 4X12 cabs. I also use Line 6 stuff for effects.

Do you use the same gear in the studio as live?

I use a lot of the same gear but in the studio I really bring in all sorts of different things. It's important to try everything you can get you hands on.

Tours Questions:

How is playing a large venue different from a small one, like say a local bar?

Well first off, you sacrifice intimacy in a large venue. Its a whole different vibe. I can't say I prefer either one, it depends on the crowd. Huge shows are cool because there are thousands and thousands of people and the stage is massive, but you really have to step it up to entertain them all and it's harder to directly connect with all of them. The small shows are great because the energy is so intense and the shows are usually really rockin, but the downside is that you're usually crammed on stage and it's only a thousand people or so.

So which is you favorite type to play at?

Both.

Have a really bad and/or memorable live concert experience?

I have thousands of concert memories but I was playing in australia and my head went down, then my backup head, then my wireless, then my effects. It got to the point that I was playing my guitar plugged directly into someone elses amp with no effects or distortion, I was so pissed. Then in the same song, I popped a string, then another, then another, and my guitar tech wasn't around so with only three strings left on my guitar I took it off my neck and threw it as high in the air that I could and walked off stage. I was pissed. It took my guitar tech like three months to repair the guitar and it still isn't right. oh well... I'm sure it looked awesome.

Current CD Questions:

How well have the crowds accepted the band in the most recent tours?

I think the reception has been awesome. They're really reacting to "Don't Tell Me" Obviously everyone goes crazy when we play old hits like "Complicated" and "Sk8er Boi" but the fans are singing along with every new song, its really amazing.

Are you satisfied with "Under My Skin" sounding or now that the job is done, do you think it could have had come out another way?

I'm pretty happy with it, I mean the songs are great and the recordings are very well done. I don't think I would change anything about it.

Did anything at all get under YOUR skin during the production of 'Under My Skin'?

Haha, no, not really, it was stressful trying to write a follow up to "Let Go" but really, it was all good times.

Future Plans / Misc Questions:

Being in such a high profiled band and playing in different places almost every night, how does the current world situation effect the band's plans? (e.g touring, security, etc)

It really hasn't effected out plans in terms of touring. We've had to be aware of it while traveling overseas (which is where we spend a majority of our time) but we've always felt safe and had no problems.

You are going to collaborate with other EMI songwriters, as well as writing and producing some outside projects. Who might these be with, if you are allowed to disclose such information?

Songwriting has been my main focus for years now, even before Avril. Joining the EMI team has been exiting for me because they've really been great about finding me the right projects to work on etc. I'm going to be writing a lot of outside material over the next couple years for all sorts of artists (no one in particular yet). And I'm definatly going to be starting the producing more and more as my time opens up.

Any words for youngsters wanting to play in a band?

First off, no matter what, do not give up. You really just have to find out what you want to do, and just go do it, don't listen to anyone who tells you to give up, they're wrong. Start practicing and writing every day, find some bad ass muscians who you get a long with and just make some good music, the rest will fall in place, well either that or you'll be homeless... Ahh, the life of musicians.

Comments

[griff1987]

woo 6th!!! u can tell he's in for the money and the celebrity cause from the gist of this interview its easy to tell he doesnt like punk, but then again who does?

[xGODx]

cooool.

[gio]

You know, I don't consider myself a rock star

hahahaha.... he shouldnt.... who is this guy?? Avrils guitarist.... i didnt even know she had 1 until i ooked at this.... and f*ck you people who say "oh if you dont like them why are you reading their news" i like to keep up to date ok!

[cannonball_900]

i havnt heard this guys name in my life yet.

too bad for him its only avril who's really on those videos (but isnt that good for us??)

Seriously guys you wouldnt believe the shit me and the UG mod team had to go through to get this interview, seriously the fone was engaged all day for 3 days, like many mods partners. so damn well appreciate it :P

[koreazz7]

Avril Lavigne and 'Rock Star' don't go well together

[Bob_The_Moose]

hahahaha.... he shouldnt.... who is this guy?? Avrils guitarist.... i didnt even know she had 1 until i ooked at this.... and f*ck you people who say "oh if you dont like them why are you reading their news" i like to keep up to date ok!

If you don't like them, why are you commenting on their news?

[guitarded13]

Well thanks to U.G. for being able to get this but my opinions on Avril say she sucks.

[Tim Woodrow]

Bob_the_Moose -
make a good point but when your given the opportunity to voice your opinion, why shouldn’t you?

[socialtool]

I've said it before and I'll say it again...

Avril's back up band picked a horrible front person. They rock. MTV Icon for Metallica? Man that fuel cover was great musically. It was just so bad with lyrics that a lot of people didn't notice.

[bigboi82]

oh,man

[robert_smith]

With Alice in Chains being one of you biggest influences

talk about insulting the memory of Layne Stayley

[pleasentlyplump]

Just give chickens a CHANCE!!!!

[TwR]

Dunno, I think the guy seems alright. He'd be better off in another band though, Avril sucks.

[Guitargeek706]

Liking STP and Alice in Chains to playing with Avril.....sad sad stuff. But moneys money I guess.

[Gc_blink182]

[cannonball_990

too bad for him its only avril who's really on those videos (but isnt that good for us??)]

ever seen a video the whole bands in it dum ass
plus who cares avril sucks so dus the guy

[BKWRDS_FRCTRE]

thebends:
Why didn't they ask If he'd ever slapped his dick around Avrils face?
hahahaha lmao

LMFAO!!

[starbomb13]

that just proves my point- avril never said and never will say that she's punk rock- so stop critisizing.and anyway, who said that he was in for money-how much money does he get anyway?you people don't know so stop saying he's in for money.By the way-avril lavigne isn't a "band"-she's a solo artist with a backup band.

[starbomb13]

by the way-check out avrilbandaids.com ....(There's never a bad place to promote)

[DJ_Inferno2000]

avril is rock??

[irbrent]

Its no News that Avril isnt Punk, But coem on, F*CK YOU she sure as hell aint rock, i dont care if you say shes punk but when u go aroun saying shes rock that puts a bad name on rock, i wouldnt care as much if her band got some respect like evenessnce, ialso dont like chick singers..... too peaceful and nice.

[Unseen_hero]

i wouldn't mind

play in avril lavigne

. he he, if you know what i mean. *knudge* *wink*

[unknownalone]

everyone one of you are stupid, you sit here and diss someone who is more famous, and has loads more money then any of you will ever have, and not to mention a band that will sell more records then a lot of the "rock" bands out there. i think y'all use this forum to get yourselves off. losers. i only type this cause im tired of all the f*cking haters

[R@fa88offspring]

starbomb13:
that just proves my point- avril never said and never will say that she's punk rock- so stop critisizing.and anyway, who said that he was in for money-how much money does he get anyway?you people don't know so stop saying he's in for money.By the way-avril lavigne isn't a "band"-she's a solo artist with a backup band.

didn't avril said: "I'm a punk sk8 hardcore chick"?

[Ecalecalyse]

i like how avril lavigne is the name of the band and they were like how long have you been playing in avril ... they should have asked what do you do while you're in avril and what is it like being in avril ... maybe my mind is just in the gutter today

[The_Shame]

Avril is hot

[Otak]

**claps** Well done

[Carcass]

Seems like a good bloke

[TomD03]

he's pretty cool
too bad he has to play with Avril

[Subhuman]

Yawn!

[Beej]

He makes a good point, and something I always believed; that she never claimed to be punk, the media and publicists just dreated the image. They were just one of the first "guitar" pop bands with a girl in the front to hit it big....and now I forget where I was going with this...

[earlswoll]

soooooo, U.G....spell check much? i mean for crying out loud, lets try PROOF READING




did a 12 year old interview this guy?

[im not mental]

Evan's a pretty good guitarist, and cheers to what he said about avril!!!

[stutor]

jesus christ dickheads, get ***ing lives. who the *** gives a shit if avril is punk or not. honestly, how could anyone care about this nonsense. mange poo et mort.

[Riryoku]

irbrent:
ialso dont like chick singers..... too peaceful and nice.
[POSTED: 02 July 2004 - 11:26]|

Then you obviously haven't heard Kitty...*shudders*

[barn_04]

im with "stutor" except a little less profanity would be nice to see on the posts

[drained]

I have a divided opinion about that whole "Avril and her band" thing. I think the music is better than that undefined pop songs and that huge hiphop hipe. She writes her own music and I appreciate that. It isn't always sounding that good but that's another issue. Evan seems ok to me. And he likes Alice in chains! Come on! ;

[life_247]

The picture at the top isnt of evan taubenfield its of avrils old guitarist. She dated him, dumped him out of her life and band.

Dont worry kids i learnt this info on Scuzz - metal orientated tv channel in the uk

^^^ actually this is evan. check PRS website!

[GrungeMetalFan]

At least he has good taste in music.

[ShoeLaces907]

Sounds like a decent, humble guy, which is more than can be said for so many musicans. Good on him.

[Xero09]

I've seen this guy play Fuel by metallica, in that mtv icon thing...The players aren't bad at all, just avril.

[punkpig]

aww, sweet dude... he's obviously a music guy lumbered with avril... i'm SO GLAD someone on her payroll had the guts to say she wasn't punk... hahahaaa...

[manson666]

Avril herself steals the image of her and her shitty lyrics......who the *** actually spells a song Sk8er Boi?!?!? what the *** is up with that?...its absolute shit

[FcukAOL]

wats he talkign about lol! avril is sooo punk. omfg he is sooo worng d00ds! rok on avrli! w00t w00t

Pretty nice interview. You uys should really look into proofreading though.

[creepingdeth05]

he is the biggest poser alive.....avril is pop punk shit!!!!!!!!!

[KornKicks45]

I never liked Avril and i have never heard of this guy but i know that Avril sucks her music sucks because it is pop i dont consider it being anything else but crapy punk

[KornKicks45]

wait i misworded my last entry i meant crapy pop punk is awesome

[ElecFenderMan]

lol i didint know avril lavine was a band

[Slasher_Sloth]

avril isnt pop/punk actually. i saw on this forum she said she started as a country singer. so she is basically country/pop which REALLY SUCKS ASS. seriously, give a country singer a rock band and you get AVRIL!!!! anyways, anybody here who likes avril should get the HELL out of UG you unworthy bastards

[Dextromethorpha]

She had hopes to be a country singer but was told she could get a deal with the big labels if she did a "punk act". Who cares if she's hot. if you want to see hot girls use your damn internet.

[Rock 101]

I pity you....

[Pr0phecy_X]

Thank you Ultimate guitar for FINALLY! posting a article about the guitarist of Avril Lavigne, and not of her, since she does not play guitar.
He seems like a ok, guy. like I said in the last Avril lavigne article, the company where he went to "tryout" for her band, hence, the label created Avril lavigne as a product to make money. Hence, the the authenticity of the bands music.
Also, he said the first song he heard was "Losing Grip" and also, in the my previous post about Avril Lavigne, I told all of you, that the studio he was signed to has a bad reputation for buying other peoples riffs/songs. I hope you all beleive me now.

I also hope as "musicans" you all understand that we can not surrender to this corporate music scene, as it is not about the music, but how much $$$ that band brings in. If they had poor record sales, they'd be dropped. its not about the music with them, So do not let yourself get sucked into it if the offer ever arrises, I have turned down a label before, becase I was not intrested in being a marketing gimmick for a company. A state of Mind will rise through this corroporate tyrany some day and spread the message.

[lwnovember]

anybody here who likes avril should get the HELL out of UG you unworthy bastards

whats wrong with liking music? i wouldnt buy her music.. but lets face it..shes still got more money then all of us put together.. and i dont think she really cares what 50 people on a guitar tab site really think of her... oh well.. New Finch cd is comming soon! same with taking back sunday and the used... thought id inform the uninformd!

[danielreid]

if i had the chance, id play guitar for someone like avril in a second

[WrappedInCold]

i say anyone who has the balls to be in avrils crappy band is cool, so hes cool

[bizarre169]

POWER CHORDS SUCK...HER SONGS ARE -FILLED- WITH POWER CHORDS HOlY SHIT

[bucky_2300]

woo 6th!!! u can tell he's in for the money and the celebrity cause from the gist of this interview its easy to tell he doesnt like punk, but then again who does?

hey...i like punk! > bastard!
and not blink either..

[Señor]

i'm not quite convinced if Evan is a good guitarist or not cos all he has to do is play power chords. Anyway i think the bloke has a nice job cos he gets to tour around the world and shag Avril

[manson666]

lol.....i agree with u senior but i think id dislike the image if i had to listen/play that shit that that dumb motherf u cker sings. wtf is the guy who said avril rocks even doing on UG!?!? Leave you dumb shit

[Rikifeld]

This is all interesting!
???????????????????????

Who would think that a simple interview of Evan, practicly
unknown guitarist (21 years old) will make such mess?
Most people just use this article to piss on Avril. Why do you bother
at all?

To tell you the truth, I think he is actually very good guitarist. Many of
you mentioned Fuel, but there are bunch of Avrils songs in live that
I heard of that has sounded much more harder, and with cool guitar solos
that Taubenfeld did. Many bends, and hammer-ons, plus tapping so it all
sounded like in whole other class than Avrils...
Don't judge him if you didn't heard him, that's all. And the article in
nice!

He was in a band called Spinfire before, you can just try to search
something on him in Google... You would be supprised what's all out there.

And, Paul-Reed-Smith guitars! Oh, nice!!!
He obviously has good taste, even though I don't like anyone who crashes
his guitar... Well, he has enough money I guess..

Exactly. I like some Avril's songs and Evan's playing. So where is the problem? Stop labeling yourself and other musicians - enjoy the music.

[ScReWdRiVeR09]

Avril started out singing country gospel kind of type music lol and now she turns all "punk" and her lyrics suck ass

[anti-goth]

right on zappp!!

[steve4901990]

poo smells bad it does

[anti-goth]

ooooooooooo...........im such a suuck up..........and cheese is good

[steve4901990]

cheeses cheeses yea dude

[steve4901990]

who likes cheeses here

[steve4901990]

cos i do

[anti-goth]

poo does smell bad steve........ good job

[steve4901990]

wha is that a smily

[anti-goth]

cheese is good

[anti-goth]

ya u can smell pretty good

[steve4901990]

cheeses is the best yea

[steve4901990]

ya my smeling powers came when i was small

[anti-goth]

that didnt sound right

[anti-goth]

o well, if u can smell good that is sumthin to be proud of i guess

[starbomb13]

SHE NEVER WANTED TO BE A F*CKIN" COUNTRY SINGER IN THE FIRST PLACE- maybe not all of you come from a small town like napanee- but the only way you could sing there is in festivals and stuff-and they only let you sing country music there.

[steve4901990]

im very proud of smelling good infact i wrote my name in poo and sniffed it all up

[anti-goth]

it sure is

[anti-goth]

lol dude, u have problems steve

[steve4901990]

country music my favrite

[)Eric(Draven]

Uhh, I'd play for Avril if I got a call for it. It's all about the money, kuz I'm a greedy bastard.

[steve4901990]

i dont have problems im just speicail

[steve4901990]

ha ha gready

[anti-goth]

well if u would like to continue this conversation just pm me, or add me to msn at [e-mail]

[bc2skaterpunk]

i wish i was him so i could go to avril and say "nice tie ass hole!"

[starbomb13]

you got a problem with avril-then don't read the article-don't comment.

[Karl1569]

If i was him i would beat avril over the head with my guitar, that dirty whore. I dont know anything about the guitarist, but i feel bad for him being with such a distastful "musician". avril represents what is wrong with american taste in entertainment. bottom line, she is horrible and deserves to be deported back to canada.

[I LOVE FLOYD]

Daniel NEED DIE :

[I LOVE FLOYD]

CANADA is rated the best country in the world NOT america the home of the FAT and lazy CANADA ROCKS

[threestorybrad]

her music is absolutely horrid and most likely so is the guys guitar playing.

[I LOVE FLOYD]

samick cobra is the best guitar

[I LOVE FLOYD]

Roland bluse cube BC-30 is the best amp ever invented

[cheekymonkey]

He thinks hes a rock star? Sorry, Page, Jagger, Stewart, Bowie, Tyler--those are rock stars. When you sell as many albums as they did, and people are still looking up to you as a hero 20-30 years later, THEn casll yourself a rock star. Until then, just pray your
success" lasts another year

[frayedinsanity]

Avril sux, they did a crap job at the metallica icon, (not nearly as bad as snoop dog) they didn't even play the solo. she is just another britany spears, but with a shit guitarist.

[Jess999]

Aside from Avril, if u guys did sum research u'd find that Evan used to be in a highly respectable up and coming band called Spinfire. While they were together they got a lot of good reviews;they toured a lot on the east coast. Plus they sounded nothing like Avril anyway lol. If u have yahoo u can listen to some of their stuff at http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/spinfiresongs/files/

[bottled water]

avril sucks!!! shes worse than good charolette and simple plan. she has reached a new level of suck.

[strangled]

the band is good but avril has an ego problem.
i meen its not just her up there preforming, its the whole band but yet they get almost no recognition

[Pr0phecy_X]

Omg.
Avril Lavigne is not from a small town, I think shes from around the Missisuga area (where all the rich snobs are in Ontario) The music scene here is very accesible.

she didnt live in some out in the middle of nowhere hic ville.
This is all bullshit. I hope all the (would be) sell out musicans that attend this site, I hope you die. seriously tho...I really do, then you wont be able to spread the influence of a major label

I swear to god, Im going to start my own little jihad against corroporate music labels.

[TBCIV]

The small shows are great because the energy is so intense and the shows are usually really rockin, but the downside is that you're usually crammed on stage and it's only a thousand people or so.

Only a thousand people!? What bars have a thousand people? Thats not a small venue at all, most shows around here get 40 or less people, now thats intimate

[MadSchecterGTR]

Evan is the only good musician in the band. He should just drop it and do a solo record showing off his guitar skills like when he played metallica.

[MasterXaero]

Avril blows. WTF kind of name is Avril anyway?

[SireGreat]

you guys are all acting like morons. im not a fan of avril, neither are all of you, but who cares. theyve made it close to the top and made a lot of money. and the people from UG made the effort to interview this guy for all of YOU guys. atleast try and appreciate it a bit. thanks UG. but for future referace.....interview Kirk Hammet. peace.

[varialflip0590]

i think her guitar player is really cool, and a decent player, if any of you have heard him when he's not playing those lame songs.

and i hate avril's music

[sithian476]

I LOVE FLOYD:
CANADA is rated the best country in the world NOT america the home of the FAT and lazy CANADA ROCKS

shut the hell up you moronic Canadian kiddy...

and yes.. when you're grade sccale is like 10 percentage points below the average american scale, thats proof.

[wickbone73]

ok first off, cheeky-monkey: did you read the interview at all, or did you just come in here to hop on the band wagin and start ripping an avril? he said he DOESNT think of himself as a rockstar, and MasterXaero, while youve taken a break from playing Time Lord 3 on your laptop, Avril is April in french. April Lavine. and that name is totally ***in awesome, because april was the name of the reporter or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, YEAH!!!

[Jess999]

THANKS UG!!!!!!!!!!!

[grunge_god]

alice in chains? stp? dave grohl? come on please.... quit staining those names you asshole!

[Torico]

Heh, the guy uses almost the same setup as Korn.

[Dave_Grohl]

i don't beleive he is authorized to use dave's name

[d0t.]

I dont personally listen to avril, she sucks, but a bad singer can really kill a guitarists rep. With solo artists the guitarists bassists and drummers get next to no recognition, but without them the music would be nothing, like avril sucks but without her back up band she would be like a 6 year old shreiking the lyrics out to brittany spears, and it would appear she is gradually brecoming more and more vain. anyway enough of that

ps: if given the chance, id play for avril just so i could bone her:P shes hot.

[JamesV]

Torico:
Heh, the guy uses almost the same setup as Korn.

....except for the PRS (with only six strings), next to no effects....blah blah

[hEadShoVeL]

ahhh pish posh.....he's a punk just like that bitch

[MattyB]

Well done UG for the interview. Didn't read all the comments but most of them are useless anyway.
I like Evan's playing. He is a good giutarist and deserves more recognition than he gets. He co-writes some of the songs she does and usually this is the better half.

[<<< Frantic >>>]

Riryoku:
irbrent:
ialso dont like chick singers..... too peaceful and nice.
[POSTED: 02 July 2004 - 11:26]|

Then you obviously haven't heard Kitty...*shudders*

Or Arch Enemy either... scary. Avril would be 10 times hotter if she didn't try to look all ratty and shit. I'd still give her one but

[ScReWdRiVeR09]

avril did start out in a small town but she still sucks dont u guys watch tv

[emokid85]

you know what? I'm so sick of all of you worthless nobody's putting down good music because your still holding on to the thought that "The darkness" is actually a good band. Solos suck. I can play eruption with my eyes closed and am here to say van halen sucks too. Yeah power chords, with great lyrics makes a great song. NO I do not like Avril. Nor do I care for her guitarist. But all of you middle age talentless jackasses automatically think that if the word Punk is involved that it sucks. Your like music nazi's out to kill anything that is different from what you use to listen to when you'd go cruising in you trans am's, wearing your jean jackets, listening to reo fagwagon (easily substituted for poison, bad company, van halen...) and your all losers if you think that you need a badass guitar solo to be in a song for it to be good

[MuahHaHa315]

avrils not punk ::snickers:: dont we all kno that by now?

[starbomb13]

ACTUALLY-they did play the solo at the metallica icon-you must be f*ckin' deaf.

[pill2comawhite]

why is UG so into Avril? it seems every day there is a news article on her, and now this interview.....avril and the guitar scene do not go well together, anyone who plays laughs at this guy

[teo_huat]

..

[SURFraptor7]

If I was him, I would ditch Avril and start a new band... who wants to be in a band that is named after the lead singer? Thats so gay... one person shouldnt get all the credit for the BAND'S music. I would either tell Avril we were changing the band name, or just leave...

[shreddgod]

derm rights he doesn'y consider himself a rockstar, he definetly ain't eddie van halen, and he knows it, haha I've been playing for four years and can play harder and faster than him

[zanks]

Most younger people as well as some of the older are too caught up in the image of "punk".. And if it's not punk they think it blows but who gives a shit what kind of music it's labeled.. if its good music its good music no matter what genre it hails from. Maybe when some of you youngins get to college you will finally braoden your horizons and not care what people think about you as you rock out to sting or someone like that.

p.s. this has nothing to do with avril's music you can call it what you want but you either like it or you don't and it's as simple as that.

[hughjass]

gio:
hahahaha.... he shouldnt.... who is this guy?? Avrils guitarist.... i didnt even know she had 1 until i ooked at this.... and f*ck you people who say "oh if you dont like them why are you reading their news" i like to keep up to date ok!

gio is a homo

[hughjass]

that evan guy is a f*ckin homo and avril livigne sucks ass

wooohoo. I was worried he'd snubb off my questions as all 'noob like,' but the whole interview looks pretty pro like....cheers zappp :P

[DreamWeaverFX]

Avril is a moron. In her first album, shes this little punk wanna-be, dating her bandmembers, while the label tries to keep that all a secret. Then when everyone finds out, she tried to come across as this little misunderstood pop singer on her latest album.

[shinkyo00]

The only meaningful thing he said in the whole article is the last sentence.

[fender rocker16]

i thought avril played her own guitar... lol just kidding.

[hobo8917]

heheh yup ^

[AvixK7]

Sorry to say, but you guys are making a bunch of uninformed comments about Avril. Avril DOES play guitar, though she's obviously far from being excellent, she can indeed play the guitar, I've seen her play in person, on accoustic. Also, she has said time and time again that she is NOT punk. This whole punk thing started off with the tabloids (and we all know that most, if not all of them, are worthless) and MTV saying stuff about her. Her writing and her voice are decent as well. I'm not saying that it's music that's going to blow people away or anything but it has it's merits.

To DreamweaverFX: Avril's latest album actually moves away from pop (some songs are still pop, but many songs could actually be called rock songs), her first album is much more poppy than her second. Avril's second album has a little more variety than the first.

Just because you're an Avril fan also doesn't mean that you have bad taste in music either. I myself enjoy TOOL, smashing pumpkins, led zeppelin, Hendrix, Thrice, Bad religion, Matthew Good, RadioHead, Pink Floyd, etc. All of which are well respected bands.

long story short, Avril doesn't suck, it's really a matter of tastes, To claim that she has no talent is a baseless argument, because she does have some. albeit, she's not a Celine Dion (whom I don't particularily like, but she's got the voice) as a singer, nor a Jimmy Page as a guitarist.

[evantf*ckinrox]

all u haters are just f*cking puss nuts. Avril f*cking rocks and so does Evan!!! and damn is he F*CKING SEXY!!! damn I wanna marry him!! he's actually touched me, its was f*cking awesome. damn, like damn I cant stop thinking about how f*cking hot he is!!

[evantf*ckinrox]

www.evanworld.net www.evanfans.com

seriously check 'em out, you gotta see hot friggin hot he is!!!

[chanandler_bong]

this guy oviosly isnt that great for having 8 years of experience,i can back this up by saying why the hell dont any of avril's songs have solos in them? wierd.......

[cloudsquall17]

u guys r just jealous hes in a successful band and ur not, or ur afraid he might be a better player then u so u knock the fact he plays for avril.

[Lil_poot]

AVRIL is ***in hot!!!!!

[scarz_uy]

i think the guy wouldnt waste his efforts for avril doing solos n stf..why would he? he's definitely in for the money, and he's probably having his own band somwhere out there...

[JennyPenny]

he shuld go and get his own band, hes a good guitarist and avrils songs r pretty easy, anone avril hirse could play em, go on and get a newer better band evan!!! avril rules xxx

[abuse me]

avril is a pathetic piece of crappy shit. the dude seems alright though, poor bastard.

[UnicornRulez]

Avril has a drummer? since when? at least he's hot though, He should rather play for someone else coz Avril sux

[jamjarohrah]

wot a loser, i wish he'd use his so called "talent" eslewhere and prove himself.

[morningview4]

you know until recently avril had never heard of the sex pistols? tsk tsk tsk.

[AcDcizzle]

I dont listen to them but in her music videos she tries to make it seem like she is the guitarist, but she plays really wierd. Anyway i've heard of this guy because he uses a mark tremonti SE from PRS.

[blank_Systems]

If you don't like her, don't listen to her. Just don't bitch about how bad she is. I admit, I dislike her, but I don't go ranting on about how bad she is.

[inoy]

If I was him I started my own band.

[Blackbullet]

wutever, hes like a spec on the guitarist scene.

[Lick_Soloist]

I was watchin this guy in concert today on TV, He blows, No timming at all!! Avril is fit though!! The dude is obviously in it for the money or the fact he mite get laid by her!!

[hughjass]

evantf*ckinrox:
all u haters are just f*cking puss nuts. Avril f*cking rocks and so does Evan!!! and damn is he F*CKING SEXY!!! damn I wanna marry him!! he's actually touched me, its was f*cking awesome. damn, like damn I cant stop thinking about how f*cking hot he is!!

youve got to be kidding me

[Rikifeld]

Evan Taubenfeld isn't his real name, I think he has
chanenged it for the showbiz. He's real name is
Evan David I think.

[Craigm1841]

he cant just pick up and go to another band, he is by no means a stand-out guitarist. he can play guitar just like the millions of us nobodys out here, its just that he was in the right place at the right time. i can go downtown and watch a local act with a far superior guitarist, who even writes his own stuff, im sure this band has someone write their shit

[perfec_circl]

Heh. I wonder if he's reading the commentary.

[DreamWeaverFX]

evantf*ckinrox:
all u haters are just f*cking puss nuts. Avril f*cking rocks and so does Evan!!! and damn is he F*CKING SEXY!!! damn I wanna marry him!! he's actually touched me, its was f*cking awesome. damn, like damn I cant stop thinking about how f*cking hot he is!!

...And that brings us to another question..Is "evan***ingrox" a man?

[wickbone73]

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH Avixk7, you made a really really good point. people shouldnt worry about what people say about the music they listen to, because its always good to have a wide variety in music, and it has NEVER been a bad thing to like different types of music, unless someone proves me wrong. my tastes differ from tragically hip to zepplein to mudvaye to slipknot to beatles and hendrix. avril is a good lyricist most of the time, and shes deep and has feelings, and shes good at expressing them.

[cityofangels311]

i dont see why so many people ***ing hate avril,personally i like her. i think shes a great person that doesnt care what people think about her.call me a "poser" if you want to. but you shouldnt judge people or label them if they like one band cause you don't know that i like The Distillers,Rancid,NoFx and all those bands.I mean really people have opinions and if you hate her,you hare her.and if you like her thats cool,so do i.

[TheReaper109]

Avril Lavigne is not from a small town, I think shes from around the Missisuga area (where all the rich snobs are in Ontario)...

Avril is from Napanee, which is only about 200 km from Mississauga. It's not rich snob town, it's hick town. If you're going to tell people to know what they're talking about, you probably should, too.

This interview was about her guitarist, not her. So saying stuff like "Avril sucks so this guy sucks too" is retarded, get back on the short bus. While I don't listen to Avril's music, I respect the fact that she writes her own music, and let's face it, she IS more talented than anyone on this forum.

Also whoever said "all he plays is power chords he sucks power chords are for loosers" go back to playing "mary had a little lamb". Music doesn't have to be complicated to be good. There's another band I'm thinking of that only played power chords, and they were probably the best punk band ever. What was there name again? Oh yes. THE RAMONES.

[warped girl 75]

personally...i never liked avril...i just have respect for her going off and trying so hard...do your thang. people are gonna hate other people just cause they gots money. u can hate her...but i bet ya she doesn't even worry about sorry people who worry too much about how much of a "poser" she is than living their life...its ridiculous. shes just bein herself and you gotta respect that even if you dont like her music.

[playguitar6847]

The small shows are great because the energy is so intense and the shows are usually really rockin, but the downside is that you're usually crammed on stage and it's only a thousand people or so.


Only a thousand people!? What bars have a thousand people? Thats not a small venue at all, most shows around here get 40 or less people, now thats intimate
[POSTED: 02 July 2004 - 22:18]|

I live in the live music capital of the world (Austin) and one of our biggest venues holds about 1000-1500. Thats pretty big.

[Still Life]

ialso dont like chick singers..... too peaceful and nice.

ever heard of arch enemy, or kittie

[americarules3]

thebends:
Why didn't they ask If he'd ever slapped his dick around Avrils face?

LMAO!!!!!!!!11 I WAS THINKING THE VERY SAME THINGG!!!!!
i WOULD FUCK AVRILLL!!!!!!!!! IA AMM FUCKEDT UP MARIAJUANA DO YOU LIKE CHICKENS??
I LOOOOVE CICKENS SQUAER SQUARE SQUARE SOMEONE SAID mosse haha! MOOSEY BOIYYYYY! i hate your stinking guts
static static BOOM111
THREE TWO ONE blah
sure forest never agian
booom bboomm ch
tinka doom
BIATHC

dat right
rightoeus

[americarules3]

dude.... the ramones suck it
BIG TIMWE

[americarules3]

cityofangels311:
i dont see why so many people ***ing hate avril,personally i like her. i think shes a great person that doesnt care what people think about her.call me a "poser" if you want to. but you shouldnt judge people or label them if they like one band cause you don't know that i like The Distillers,Rancid,NoFx and all those bands.I mean really people have opinions and if you hate her,you hare her.and if you like her thats cool,so do i.

thats gotta be the fayest thing i ever heard

[AvixK7]

this guy oviosly isnt that great for having 8 years of experience,i can back this up by saying why the hell dont any of avril's songs have solos in them? wierd.......

Because he doesn't necessarily contribute to the writing process of all the songs. Evan only wrote the the music for 3 of the 12 songs off of the second album. The album/cd versions on the songs don't have solos. Live however, Evan does play solos on some of the songs.

[shreddgod]

evant***inrox:

Boy it must be really nice being that guy, having bitches drooling all over you despite the fact that you cannot play guitar worth shit....

Not to be a egomaniac but I am hella better than that guy and I don't have bitches crawling all over me, and I am not going to say I look better than him, but I ain't no keith richards either, I thought girls dug guitar players because they PLAYED the guitar, this guy, this evan guy sucks some serious ass (lack of skills) so whats so appealing about him? his good looks, please girl, if its good looks you want why don't you go after some movie star like ben asslick, at least hes remotely good at his job (except gigli and jersey girl, haha) instead of some poser with no facial hair, haha

Evan sucks ass at guitar, his good looks are the only thing running for him, but when all his little girly fans grow tits and become real women, he'll have none, because they'll either like BETTER music or like REAL MEN, with facial hair, or in his case, the ability to play a pentatonic scale, hahahahaha

-shreddie

[dylan_f1989]

FUCK AVRIL AND FUCK THAT DICKHEAD, IF AVRIL DOESNT THINK SHES PUNK THEN WHY THE FUCK DOES SHE PRANCE AROUND WITH SEX PISTOLS AND RAMONES SHIRTS ON. AND YESTERDAY SHE WAS IN ROLLINGSTONE ADVERTISING DICKIES AND SHIT DIRTY FUCKIN SLUT. IS IT JUST THIS SITE AND ROLLING STONE THAT ACTUALLY THINK SHE HAS TALENT

[rhcpcure2826]

Pick an avril song. "complicated" now compare it to any alice in chains spng. anyways as much as i detest avril's music sometimes (i dont care about her whole anarchist thing cus i dont even know if she still does that) im not gonna flame her

what im saying is writing "Avril is't punk" for a headline would interest any of us, and due to the fact that its not about avril not being punk, my liking of this will decrease significantly. i was thinkin "finally! a celebrity who wont let this go on any longer, and on top of that, its her OWN guitarist!"

but no, its about if he prefers large or small venues better. "Avril is't punk" is the WORST possible representation of this article. the headline thing should read "Evan Taubenfeld Interview"
and shreddgod you should stop laughing at your own jokes. and to ug members more advanced in status, whos allowed to say fu*k and whos not? cus this guy^ is going crazy

[rhcpcure2826]

no, i actually detest avrils music ALL the time, like when she punches mirrors and stuff.

I also think that what the media says should reflect what everyone ELSE says. if anyones ever seen like a thing about avril, the headlines always something about like, "angry girl" (not all the time, i dont know) but thats what annoys me most about her. at least this guys being upfront and not putting on some different image like avril did to everyone when she got big

[rhcpcure2826]

GC_blink182:
ever seen a video the whole bands in it dum ass
plus who cares avril sucks so dus the guy

says the kid whos name is gc blink182.

anyways i hate avril too, but hypocrites more, especially people so assertive in their hypocrisy

[rs85]

I think a lot of kids you people obviously dont know what you r talkin about. I shall say that i am an Avril fan and i am proud of that.
To those who say she can't play guitar, she can alright..on the last tourm she played guitar on only about 4 songs,nowadays she plays guitar on majority of the songs esp the new ones, even plays piano on a couple of songs live. Yes i agree she is not fantastic at guitar but she is ok for a rythm guitarist.
Now on Evan....firstly his full name is Evan David Taubenfeld...when he first started with the band he just put Evan David coz people have difficulty remembering his last name. He is an awesome guitarist and a great backup singer, on live shows with avril he always improvises the songs with harmonics, octaves and a lot of other stuff. And he did play the solo for Fuel at MTV Icon only it was shortened. He doesnt play much solos because when the songs were written they were not written with solos...how difficult is that to understand. To those people who are saying "oh hes in it for the money" and blah blah blah...shut the hell up coz if he was he would have gotten out just like her first bassist and for your information they are very close friends.From another interview---> "That's one of the reasons why I took this gig in the beginning," her guitarist explains. "She was like, 'I want a real band, and I want to play our music. I don't want to lip-synch, I want to do it live and I want you to be my band.'
"She's great to work with because she's honest," Taubenfeld continues. "I'll start playing something and she'll go, 'Nope, something else.' And you're on the spot. It's not like we had weeks booked out. When she worked with other writers, it was like that. But we did it in a hotel room, so it was like [snaps fingers], 'No, that's not good,' or, 'You need to come up with a new bridge, let's see what you got.' "

Basically thats all i have to say. Oh one more thing why r people so denial in calling her music rock? Of course its not hard rock like led zepplin and all dat, its a mixture pop/rock, punk rock, some influences of gothic rock on the new album, nu-metal even. Listen to Forgotten, Take Me Away, Together, Losing Grip, Unwanted, He wasnt, Nobody's Home, Who Knows, Freak Out,My Happy Ending and even Don't Tell Me...all of these are rock tunes...some like the two new singles are pop/rock, but its still rock. I am just sick of people on this board commenting on avril and her band when they do not noe anything about her and have not seen them live or even listen to the whole album.

Flame me all you want coz feel that a lot of the comments on this board are just retarded.

[TheReaper109]

dude.... the ramones suck it
BIG TIMWE

First of all, you're a moron who can't spell, so your opinion doesn't count.
Second, even if you don't like the Ramones, they are the poster boys of punk and embody everything that punk music is. Lets have a little music history lesson.

Punk music started in the mid 70's as a response to the excess of bands like Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin. The first punk artists were those who hated that excess (things like 20 minute drum solos and 30 minute instrumentals that don't go anywhere). So, bands like the Ramones, the Sex Pistols, the Clash, etc. wrote simple songs often using nothing but bar chords that had straightforward lyrics and were tops 2-3 minutes long. Bands like these reminded the jaded music scene that a song doesn't have to be complicated and have an amazing solo to be good. Wait, let's just put that in bold to make sure everyone's clear on this fact.

COMPLICATED LICKS AND SOLOS DON'T MAKE GOOD MUSIC.

I say it, but no-one listens.

IF AVRIL DOESNT THINK SHES PUNK THEN WHY THE FUCK DOES SHE PRANCE AROUND WITH SEX PISTOLS AND RAMONES SHIRTS ON

Maybe she likes them, moron. Just because she's not punk doesn't mean she can't listen to punk. What happened to keeping an open mind?

You people make me sick.

[shreddgod]

To the reaper:

complicated licks and solos make the song memorable

it isn't about how nuts a solo is, thats why shred guitar died (sob, sob...) but a solo and good licks make the song last forever, need some examples?? the main riff from enter sand man, is good, and timeless, name anyone who won't recognize it imediately... the solo from "stair way to heaven" thats timeless, and good..

I guess what I am saying is that avril sucks because theres nothing truely unique about her, she has nothing that is timeless, believe me, in ten years people will be like "who was that???"

thats what makes solos and good licks make good music, you remember it, and it inspires you more, I started playing the guitar because the solo from metallicas "one" blew me away, name any avril lavigne songs that have inspired anyone like that??

aside from 12 year old girls wearing ties with tank-tops, haha.

THAT IS WHY AVRIL AND HER GUITAR SUCK ASS!!!

[Snakepit5490]

avril isn't punk............... my ass

[TheReaper109]

I guess what I am saying is that avril sucks because theres nothing truely unique about her, she has nothing that is timeless, believe me, in ten years people will be like "who was that???"

I couldn't agree more, and I understand what you're saying. But my point is that there are people saying Avril sucks because her songs don't have solos and are just power chords, which is stupid.

Also, a great riff inspires just as good or even better than a great solo. Look at Crazy Train. The song has a great solo, but it's Randy Rhodes's phenomenal riff that makes the song memorable. You mentioned Stairway to Heaven. Another great solo, but it's the intro that most people recognize. Solos are great and all, but a shitty song with a great solo is just that: a shitty song. The solo doesn't make the song, it makes it better.

[TheReaper109]

THAT'S why Avril sucks. She's the flavor of the month kinda thing. Punk is big now, so she's big. Just like rap was big 4-5 years ago. When the next musical shift occurs, Avril will be forgotten and I'll be happy, because quite frankly she annoys me and is an insult to Canadian music.

[Phoenixblade]

wow. he has damned near killed alice in chains for me. way to ***ing go, asshole.

[Axl_Duff_Izzy]

wheeeeeeeeeee

[dudewowamcool]

avril punk thats like saying good charllootte is or blink

[evantf*ckinrox]

evantf*ckinrox:
all u haters are just f*cking puss nuts. Avril f*cking rocks and so does Evan!!! and damn is he F*CKING SEXY!!! damn I wanna marry him!! he's actually touched me, its was f*cking awesome. damn, like damn I cant stop thinking about how f*cking hot he is!!

...And that brings us to another question..Is "evan***ingrox" a man?

No I'm not a man you stupid ***er! if I were a man I'd probably be talking about Avril being sexy not Evan! Jesus ***ing Christ...some people just piss me off. You've never met him so just ***ing get off his back. He ***ing rocks, all there is to it. If you dont agree, well then you dont agree, I cant change that, but you dont have to be ***ing assholes about it!

[evantf*ckinrox]

like honestly...some people are more childish than me...and your like what? 30? I'm ***ing 13 and I act more mature than you! Evan's a nice guy so go shove your head up your ass and get over yourself

[evantf*ckinrox]

like honestly...Jesus ***ing Christ....I'll say it again...JESUS FUCKING CHRIST!

[starbomb13]

evan david? david is is his middle name- that's besides the point though- anyways, if you don't like avril,don't comment and b*tch.if you don't like evan-don't comment or b*tch.if you think evan is a nice guy( as some of you put it) and should ditch avril-that's probably not gonna happen cause evan considers her one of his best friends.you may say he's in for money-but that just proves how shallow some of you can be.It's F*ckin' music,not money.if people are doing music for the love of money-then it's a sad world.besides that- they're more successful then you'll ever be in life-especially with some of your attitudes.

[Damage_inc.]

Fu*king hell, if you don't like Avril then don't read/reply to the article. If you don't like Avril then thats your opinion and your entitled to that, but most of the comments on this board are so fu*king childish and immature.

You say she's trying to be punk or that she's crap and has no talent. Well in my opinion she has a lot of talent she's a great singer and she wrote all the songs on the new album. She can also play guitar, ok so she is no expert at it but she's still good and plays it live on tour.

I'm in a band myself and have been influenced by such music as Metallica, Iron Maiden, Guns n' Roses etc.. So i appreciate UG getting this interview, obviously it would have been better if it was with a more skilled guitarist like kirk hammet but you guys could still appreciate it aswell instead of bit*hing about stupid sh*t.

[Skidrowpunk]

Agreed 100% Damage_inc. Interesting interview as well. Evan is a good guitarist and he's a nice guy.

evanf*ckinrox:
If you would stop using ***, you're point would get through.

[mrNobody]

Anyone who has a comment that seems to deprive any of us of our opinions (cough...starbomb and Damage) then get a life. We post to state what we think and why and you know sure as hell that not one of us is going to give flyin'hoot about anything you can possibly say....why....it's human nature for most of us pissed off punk rockers to not care. That why our music seems to make no since at times and why we live so free spirited...so sweety...your just talking to a wall when u argue with us. Also...Evan....good guitarist...but i think he's confused and snobish. You know, I don't consider myself a rock star, the whole concept to me is very weird. I'm just some guy playing guitar in a band, thats how I see it.

[mrNobody]

LOOK AT THE PICTURE OF EVAN!!! LOOK LOOK LOOK!! SEE ON THE MICROPHONE STAND>>>just like yellow card! THE TURTLE PICKS ALWAYS FACE THE CAMERA!!!! ALWAYS!!! FREAKIN TURTLES!

[mrNobody]

yup

[scumfuc_69]

You gotta be an idiot to ever think she was punk.
Goddamn, it's obvious it's not punk rock!

[winningdays]

Obviusly not punk. she is so hot tho.

[Avril_FANatic]

i think it's kinda sad u all just wast ur time b***hing about some1 u dont kno,4 u dumb asses out there:u suck 4 not liking Avril SHE KICKS ASS!!!!& Evan is THE hotest guy in the world(side note:he didnt change his name David is his middle name!!!(Evan David Taubenfeld!!)Evan kicks ass @ guitar!!Avril plays guitar WELL she kicks ass @ it!!!Avril is from a small town(napawne)vist my site 4 further details(www.maymice.com/home/avril_world_ireland_home)or my friends(www.matmice.com/home/napawnerocks)
P.S:stop being sad middle age guns&roses fans,it's not funny anymore!!!!!!!!!!!

[IgnoreThis]

So this the guy who is REALLY playing the guitar in avrils songs, then she pretends that its her thats playing the crap

[punky canuck]

well i hope ur all satisfied,Evan left to persue other things,mainly with his other band Ditch Ruxton...he will be missed

[Avril_FANatic]

well i hope ur all satisfied,Evan left to persue other things,mainly with his other band Dich Ruxton...he will be missed

i F**KING know!!!god help us all!!!i'm seriouly heart broken!! but i supose it was his desision..... alas it still hurts that i'l never get 2 c him play with Avril

[evantf*ckinrox]

I know! I cant believe he left. Man am I gonna miss him. but of course....since Evan's awesome I will definetly listen to his new music.

[WeeLittleMan]

HA I'M IN A BAND WHAT HE SAID I AIN'T NEVER GIVIN' UP!! HTTP://NEVERPERFECT.TK I EVEN MADE US THAT WEBSITE!!!! IF YOU WATCH THE VIDEO OF US DOING A TALENT SHOW, I'M SORRY BUT THE SOUND QUALITY IS UTTERLY TERRIBLE. WHOEVER DID THE INTERVIEW, THANKS THAT WAS REALLY SWEET.

YES MY CAPS LOCK IS ON.

I WISH AVRIL LAVIGNE WOULD F-ING COME TO OMAHA.

[puppydog32jr]

yah, i think avril is pretty good. and evan is HOT. and evan's new band Hate Me is pretty awesome. i thnik all you people who dissed av and ev are complete freaks. go check out evans myspace, www.myspace.com/evantaubenfeld or his bands myspace www.myspace.com/hatemeband go check em out. listen to their music and see how much they ROCK.

[evan_rockz]

^^^^ i was just about to do exactly what you have

[waitingxforxyou]

Well, I can safely say half the population of UG is stupid after reading these comments. Evan is a nice guy and a much better guitarist than most of you give him credit for.

But whatever, I'm just here for shameless promotion. Evan has a new band, and you can check them out on Myspace: www.myspace.com/blacklistclub