 |
| |
I think there are a lot of people that want me to fail - the rabid fans. If they don't think I can keep up, they'll hate me. I haven't felt any of the wrath from the Benjamin fan club, but it's out there. They miss Ben, and I don't know what to do about that.
-Phil Karnats |
|
|
| |
|
During a more recent conversation with Garza, he commented, "I feel like major label goals are to hit home runs, and in a nutshell that's their [whole] plan. Fuck that! We want to prolong this inning by getting on base, by walking or even bunting. Usually, at the end of the day, [the business is] black and white. They sign a singer-songwriter or a pop act. They market it, and if it sells a million [copies], cool, and if it doesn't, [then] fuck 'em. Next."
 The Secret Machines |
As angry as he seems with his old label, Garza doesn't feel as though The Secret Machines were ever seen within that formula through the eyes of Warner Bros.
"They saw us during a brief moment in time where the label said, 'Wow, this is some cool shit. This is cool music that could sell a million units, and [at the same time] could not.' Once they realized that the first record couldn't sell a million, they realized that we weren't the big platinum act that they wanted us to be," says Garza. "But, they could have just said, 'Fuck 'em. Next.' [They didn't do that] because we represented their attempt to reach out, and to get [new] bands and help nurture them and all that shit. They were caught in a dilemma where they wanted to sell a million copies but they didn't want to just drop us."
Although frustrated, Garza seemed vindicated by the album the group made. During the first interview, he said, "They sort of messed with us, but the proof is in the pudding. We make great records. We don't sell records." More recently, he expressed a better understanding of the label's situation and what they did for them, in addition to what they didn't do. "They could have screwed us over really badly, but they helped us out as much as they could have," he says. "Helping a band start their own label isn't going to be at the top of their agenda."
However, understanding as Garza may have been, the group's reception from Warner Bros. still seems to be a scar that is unlikely to heal any time soon. "The day [Ten Silver Drops] was released, the attitude from Warner's was that it was dead in the water, and that's heartbreaking," recalls Garza. "The record just came out and it's already dead?"
During the interview in Massachusetts, Curtis says, "I don't think just because something will only sell 5,000 of something that it's enough reason to not do it. If 5,000 people want to hear a song, you should be able to put that song out there for 5,000 people."
When asked about the group's next step, Garza says, "I'd like to see us pick up where we left off. I mean being active, playing music, doing our own thing, as opposed to being at the mercy of some suit that keeps saying, 'Wait, wait, wait, hold on, give us a second.' We want to get back to making music. What I'm trying to do is make a living. I'm not trying to get rich and famous. I'm just trying to make a living. The best way to do that is to be consistently working. This record is a good start at getting things caught back up to speed."
Understanding the challenges they have faced, and the fortunate outcome they've produced, Garza comments, "At this point, we have the opportunity to get a second chance, which a lot of bands don't get. We get the chance to start our own label with more control."
 The Secret Machines |
Curtis adds, "Putting this record out is what we want to do, and I don't have any expectations for that or what it's going to bring. I just want to do what it is that we want to do, which is put out records."
When looking to the future, Brandon Curtis found insights in looking into himself.
"We're still the same band. A lot has changed. Our perspective has changed. Ben leaving helped us see things a little differently," he observes. "We've gotten a lot more interested in the nuts and bolts of things. I guess in some ways we've re-examined the whole situation from the ground up. But, with that said, I still play the same way. I write songs the same way. I sing the same way. I'm still the same person that I was."
With all the red tape they've had to cut through to get this album released, it's fair to say The Secret Machines have a lot riding on its success. But as they've pointed out, their definition of success isn't based purely on numbers. In fact, the album itself seems like a success Garza takes pride in, regardless of its commercial appeal.
"What I love about this record is that it sounds like us. We didn't create it on a computer. We created it in a studio. I think we're doing a modern rock record, and I think people will get that."
The Secret Machines Live
The Secret Machines begin a massive tour on Thursday in Washington, D.C. Complete tour dates available here.
JamBase | Freedomland
Go See Live Music!
|
