Street Level Sound Interview with Kim

The following interview is reprinted from Street Level Sound. Street Level Sound was an online music zine that ran for about 18 months in the DFW area. Before the website was taken down the following interview was salvaged.

Monday, November 14, 2005
Please state your name and your instrument/position in the band.
Kim Fry - Bass Guitar

Whats the current lineup?
Brannon Barr - Guitar & Vocals
Kim Fry - Bass Guitar
Christina Cooper - Drums

How did this band come together?
Brannon and I met in a dorm and began jamming. We felt we were making unique and original music but had difficulty finding a drummer. Eventually, we decided to try it as a two piece and hoped someone would see us play and either be a drummer or know one who was interested in playing with us. Not to mention the usual flyering. We met a couple of drummers during this but they wouldn't show up to practice regularly or would disappear. Finally, this May a mutal friend told Christina about us, we auditioned her and were amazed she wasn't already involved in a project.

What influences your music?
We are influenced by everything around us from the loudest most distorted guitar riff to gentle raindrops falling on a tin roof. So many things make an unrealized impression on life. A certain smell can waft into a room and you're taken back in time to when you were 6 and at a playground. These are our influences, the little things one forgets in everyday life.

What are you listening to currently?
I've been listening to Alice in Chains recently. They really managed to capture the beauty of a very dark place. Also, locally Jetscreamer. They're one of the heaviest bands in the area and they do it with two guitars and drums.

Name one of your favorite all time albums?
Miles Davis - On the Corner. I love albums that you can listen to and each time walk away with a different experience. I don't think I've ever heard it the same way twice and I've been listening to it for years.

Tell us a little about your new cd- is it self released, where can we find it, etc?
Stylistically, Geoparasitism is quite diverse ranging from traditional slow blues to prog metal with brain blistering time changes and loud experimental noise fests. But what it all has in common is that it defies the listener's expectations. This is our first album and is self released. We recorded it in August in Denton with Justin Collins at Satisfactory Studios. We really favor analogue recording and feel it is a superior medium. Since J.C.'s studio uses analogue 8 track it was the natural choice. The album is currently available in Dallas at Bill's Records & Tapes. In Denton, at CD Warehouse and Recycled Books. It is also available online at http://cdbaby.com/cd/madscientists

What obstacles or challenges do you face most as a band?
I think, it's an issue of exposure. We don't easily fit into any one category. So, its difficult to not only describe the music to new people but to find places that are willing to play and write about music that is different and not mainstream.

Do you think you have a supportive scene?
Absolutely! Denton, has a wonderful community of musicians. Some who are very experienced and more than willing to answer questions and give advice. As far as fans there is a very loyal core community who are at shows every weekend and supporting bands. I sometimes feel as musicians we could reach out more though. This being a college town there are always new people who aren't terribly aware of what goes on beyond the campus. It would be nice to see these people coming out to shows more.

I thought you made an interesting point on your page when you said "True culture comes from the people, from the bottom up. In our society, culture no longer comes from the people; it is planned out in boardrooms and sold to them from the top down. No authenticity can come of this. Our aim is to expose this travesty by presenting something authentic that will help people to reclaim their culture." Do you think that MUSIC has become too derivative- a bunch of copy-cat products mimicing other bands in order to sell records?
Yeah, Brannon said that, but I would definitely agree with the sentiment. But that is the way the music industry has always been. There are a few innovators who come out and do something original and then others see it as a money making opportunity to ride their coat tails. But really its a catch-22. Bands see what is working so they copy what is working now but records companies pursue those bands more heavily and radio plays them more. The executives also force these bands on the fans. I've heard more people complain about the current state of radio than praise it. But program and music directors keep playing the same tired music. Why? Isn't it the customer is always right? They're not playing what listeners want but what record companies tell them to.

Tell us about your plans to tour
We are wrapping up the details on a small mini-tour at the end of December here in Texas. We will be playing in Houston, Austin, and a few other cities that are still in the works. We were hoping to tour in the Northeast or Midwest but due to some unforeseen circumstances that has been postponed till this summer. Although we plan on playing in surrounding states on weekends before then.

Are there any bands doing anything similar to you locally? And if not- how does this affect booking since clubs like to book similar genres and styles?
I think there are enough that we work out well on a bill together. Medicine Window, jetscreamer, and Voluntary Mother Earth are among some of the bands we've played with (and are still around) that I feel made for a really good bill. Fortunately, in Denton, clubs often put together some really diverse bills. The day after Thanksgiving we are playing a show with a metal band, a punk band, and an electronic project. It does make it difficult in places like Dallas, Austin, Ft. Worth that want to put together similar styles on bills.

If you could play with any band/ person that ever was who would it be?
I think Miles Davis or Frank Zappa would be cool but both of them were pretty heavy task masters and I prefer to work under slightly looser conditions. I think I would have to go with early 70's Pink Floyd. Great music and they're exploring lots of different styles Plus, it was at a pivitol time when the band could have gone in any direction.

Upcoming Mad Scientist Shows
Our next show is Nov. 25 (the day after Thanksgiving) at Rubber Gloves in Denton. We will be kicking off our Texas mini-tour Dec. 28 Houson at Super Happy Funland.