Slow To Surface
March 2003

slow to surface ??? from las vegas, playing the cd release party here in vegas here's the interview.. From the horses mouth: " in forty years you might find us STILL in vegas workin at a local music shop moonlighting with our Creed cover band reminiscing of the days headlining at the boston. " We doubt it but, it's good to see they understand the music industry and the one in a lifetime chance it is to make it in the world of music.

We stepped back and took a look at slow to surface, asked them some questions and got some answers. From the youthfulness likings of Jonny Cash, NWA and our favorite hair bands, the guys are well rounded and have the drive and stage show to get there.. Get to know slow to surface… I can remember the day that I stumbled into the Boston Grill and Bar on I think was a Tuesday night. I was told by a friend to check out this band that they were something to see. It had been a long time since I was taken over by a band in Vegas... this night proved to be a milestone for this action. These guys had drive, a stage presense and some music to back it up. Get to know these guys if you haven't already, take it from us.. they are definately a band to watch !!!

YourLocalScene.com From the days of Product to present day, what has changed musically for Slow To Surface ?

STS: We’ve grown tremendously in pretty much every aspect. Our live show is more alive, our song writing is more focused, and we are sounding more and more like ourselves. There is still a lot of room to grown and we can improve on everything just mentioned and more but we feel confident with where we are.

YourLocalScene.com Someone reading this interview right now has never heard of Slow To Surface, define your sound both recorded and live:

STS: Hopefully we just come across as an honest, smart, rock band that has its own individuality and place in music

YourLocalScene.com What can one expect from a live performance ? What will fan of Slow To Surface take home with them ?

STS: Tons of energy, sincerity and some emotional hills and valleys. Idealistically we would hope people leave feeling inspired but if they just go home feeling like they had a good time, that’s good too.

YourLocalScene.com Growing up, what types of music and which musicians/groups have influenced your sound today?

Benwood: I liked a lot of soul and singer songwriter stuff, Lionel Ritchie, Al Green, America, Simon & Garfunkle

Zach: I grew up listening to a lot of Motown and a lot of hippie rock. I’ve taken a strong liking to a ton of great country ( Johnny Cash, Holopaw, Hank Williams) Mac: I listened to some Motown and 60’s rock, and I really enjoy classical music (Aaron Copland, Holst, Stavinsky) and a lot of Jazz artist ( Fourplay, yellowjackets, Gene Krupa)

Adam: Country, Oldies, most Hair Bands Steve: Stevie Wonder, FNM, Pantera, Fleetwood Mac, NWA, Pearl Jam, Depeche Mode

YourLocalScene.com What cd's would we find in your cd player right now ?

Benwood: the Postal Service, Godspeed you black emperor, holopaw Zach: RJD2, Holopaw, and all Mike Patton CD’s
Mac: Mock Orange, Lewis, Elliott, Engine Down
Adam: Johnny Cash American IV, the Used, Finch, Beautiful Mistake
Steve: Massive Attack, Cursive, the new Jovis CD

YourLocalScene.com What local bands do you guys dig ? Local bands you might listen to on a regular basis ?

STS: Local music is kind of a different dynamic. There are all sorts of bands that we either like there music, like playing shows with, or just like being around as people. Some but not all would be… Jovis, Magna-Fi, Joynt Chiefs, left standing, OMW, Ill figures, the Chapter, Corner Stone, Clockwise.. and a lot more.

YourLocalScene.com What local bands are you looking forward to playing with this coming year ?

STS: We’re real excited about playing with some of the younger high school bands, because of their enthusiasm and excitement for just playing a show, any show. We’re also waiting for Jovis to have a complete band and hopefully play here in town

YourLocalScene.com Million dollar question.. Joe Millionaire and Zora have decided to give their million dollars to you guys to throw together the ultimate show for 2003. Along with you guys, who else is playing this night ? Where is the show and when ?

Benwood: Brazil with Godspeed you black emperor, Cursive, Pinback, Deathcab for Cutie, and Ugly Casanova
Zach: London with the Flaming Lips, Johnny Cash before he dies, and Radiohead Mac: the Police, Mock Orange, Pearl Jam, and the London Symphony at the Kentucky Derby
Adam: the Doors w/ Eddie Vedder, Gwen Stefani without No Doubt, just her on stage by me, Pantera at my house
Steve: Sandusky, OH. With the Flaming Lips, Pantera, and Ozzy- just because of the after party.

YourLocalScene.com What would you guys rather be doing - writing/ recording or live performance ?

STS: We all get such a different feeling doing the three that it’s hard to compare. They all kind of go hand in hand for us and they each have their own rewards.

YourLocalScene.com How do you guys feel the Internet and the new technology behind it is affecting the world and the delivery of music today ?

STS: It is affecting it tremendously. The music business has really been turned on its side and having to start fresh. Indie artist have the same exposure that Major label artists get which causes the funds to be spread out more instead of being focused on the few artist that are on MTV or Radio. It really takes things back to when the music was more of an expression of things as apposed to a financial means.

YourLocalScene.com What are the goals of Slow To Surface for the 2003 year ? Touring ? New CD ?

STS: We are currently in pre-production for out first full length CD tentatively titled “Waiting is Wasting”, and we should be in the studio and day now. We plan on having it be a nationwide independent release with radio support and hopefully distribution.

YourLocalScene.com You guys have received some extra play outside of the Vegas market through specialty radio shows, has this helped boost sales of An Effort In The Deconstruction Of The Struggle ?

STS: Yes, it has helped our sales of the Effort EP, but more importantly we have built some relationships and made ourselves know to a lot of the radio stations across the country which will definitely help us when our full length drops.

YourLocalScene.com If you guys could head out of Vegas on a 6 month tour tomorrow, what bands would you like to tour with ? See the world with ?

Benwood: Cursive and whatever project Mike Patton happens to be in
Zach: Christina Aquilera, Jessica Simpson, Britney Spears (Hooray!)
Mac: Denali, Lewis, Elliott and of course the Harmony Express dance troop.
Adam: Pantera, Slaughter, Dwight Yokam Steve: Deathcab for Cutie, Pinback, Faith No More with Mike Patton

YourLocalScene.com Speaking of Vegas, what's missing in the Vegas scene ? Is it Venues ? Is it the fact that Vegas is so transient that there is no support for local music ? What do you guys think eould help this city get back into the grove of things ?

STS: We kind of see it as simple business, supply and demand. There are so many forms of entertainment that it’s really hard to compete, especially without the budget that the casinos have. We just need to find creative ways of getting the word out and maybe start targeting different markets locally.

YourLocalScene.com Who has been your favorite band to play with so far ? Local and National ? What has been your best experience as musicians so far ?

Benwood: I couldn’t pick one local band there’s too many to choose from. Nationally I loved the Pennywise show and the Used
Mac: I like playing with H is Orange and the Used and Before Braille
Adam: the Used, Rumbulfish/onesidezero, Willhaven, Pennywise
Steve: Pennywise was cool, there a great band, and also H is Orange, very cool.

YourLocalScene.com The compilation cd this year features indie bands from 4 markets ( denver, vegas, los angeles and san diego ), do you guys like the idea of being on the cd and getting into the hands of folks in the other markets ? Or, do you feel that the cd should stay on a local Vegas level ?

STS: Of course it’s better to get it into as many hands in as many markets as possible, not to mention the relationships we can build with all the different cities

YourLocalScene.com When it's all over and done with, where do you guys see yourselves on the musical map ? What do you guys want to be remebered for ?

STS: Eventually we see our selves 40 years old, working at some hole in the wall music store, still here in Vegas, playing together in a Creed tribute band called “Arms wide Open”, and talking about the glory days of headlining the Boston an a Saturday night with not one but two girls hanging out backstage with us.

YourLocalScene.com Any last comments or plugs you guys would like to throw out...

STS: Just thanks to lvlocalmusicscene and thanks to everyone who has supported us and continues to support us.

Thanks to Jeff @ YourLocalScene.com for the interview!