Fixer

When sending us the final copy of this interview, Shauna wrote to me and said this is the best interview she has ever done.  Saweet!  Thanks again Shauna.  E.

FIXER

(Riker Hill Records)

Evan R. Saffer (Vocals)

Rev Swank (Drums)

Tommy Zamp (Guitar)

Adam James (Bass)

New York City

Myspace.com/fixermusic

 By: Shauna O’Donnell

MUEN: YOU GUYS ARE ACTUALLY ON A BREAK RIGHT NOW FROM TOURING. DOES IT FEEL GOOD TO BE HOME?

Evan R. Saffer: It was a bit shocking coming off the road like this after so many months of touring.  We were basically living on the road for a year and half.  What happens is you go through a change in your mind, in your life and it's a bit scary.  I think we're over that now and have embraced the idea of writing, reinventing and recording our next effort.  It's a really crucial part of being an artist and not just a performer. You have to be able to dig deep and figure out who you are again.  What do I want to say, what do I feel, where is the band at, where's the energy and inspiration at this time?  Does it "feel good" to be home?  Well, I guess the initial reaction is you feel like something is wrong or not happening fast enough, but now I'm in a new place and it's making me stronger.  The most difficult thing for an artist to do is make something from nothing.  It's easy to feel like a rockstar touring all the time and getting that immediate feedback.  Now we have to dig deep and really be confident, positive, curious and open to change.  We've already got at least 8 new songs which are killer and every time we play together I get pumped up to keep going down that road.  Our first recording sessions are booked for mid June and I think we're going to be patient with this one.

MUEN: ARE THERE PLANS TO HIT THE ROAD AGAIN ANYTIME SOON?

Evan R. Saffer: We are doing some one off shows regionally to test some new material, show our faces and just get the lead out.  We are getting offers now and then to go out on bigger tours but the problem is you have to focus.  In my mind unless it's a huge opportunity we really need to focus on this next album and I don't want to be distracted with another round of touring.

Rev:  We're in a writing groove, and we're due for the next record anyway...especially since we have two new members since Before the Sun. I think we've arrived at what will ultimately be known as "the classic Fixer lineup," so let's get the party started!

 MUEN: I WOULD LIKE TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS ON THE SUCCESS YOU HAVE HAD ON YOUR FIRST FULL LENGTH ALBUM CALLED “BEFORE THE SUN.” HAVING WAITED EIGHT YEARS SINCE THE CONCEPTION OF THE BAND TO PUT OUT A FULL LENGTH, DO YOU THINK IT WAS WORTH THE WAIT?

Evan R. Saffer: We played the "demo game" for a long time.  In those 8 years Fixer put out 4 different EP's, did a video and several demo's before we just said: "F@ck it, we need to take this to the next level ourselves."  I think a lot of young bands half heartedly put their work before their dreams and put out music hoping the right manager, label, or agent with come along and discover them.  My advice (which we're taking more than ever), is to really hone your craft, put the hours and years into your team and yourself to be the artist you are so confidently selling to the world.  That's the kind of music I want to make and to listen to.  Not a bunch of kids who think they have talent and rush to get that effort out on the road.  The road taught us a lot, but it's only a piece of the puzzle, it doesn't "make you".  In the end you make you, by devoting your life to your craft which should be equal parts creating it and performing it.  I think that is why in my heart I never auditioned for American Idol.  It feels like those are glorified performers.  I want to be more than that; I want to be the artist behind that amazing performance as well.

MUEN: THE COVER FOR BEFORE THE SUN IS HAUNTING. WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION FOR IT AND WHOSE IDEA WAS IT?

Evan R. Saffer:  Our original cover was brilliant; it was done by an artist named Jennifer Murray who helped us bring to life our decadent concept.  The idea was to create something full of energy but also dark.  It had naked people dancing and cavorting around a fire, they were half human and half nocturnal animal of some kind.  The demon head logo we have was formed in the smoke coming out of the fire.  The record label thought it was too "evil" for our music so a new graphic artist was brought in to do something more in line with their vision.  Those are some of the compromises you need to deal with when signing to a label.  We all thought the ghost boy design was also clever.  It had a haunting and creepy vibe, my only problem was that it lacked the "motion or energy" that I find in our music.  It's all a work in progress and I am looking forward to expressing something excellent on future album covers.

 Rev:  It was presented to us and we dug the creepy vibe of the house and the kid...who you'll notice if you look close only has three long fingers. So we ran with it.

MUEN: YOUR SONG “MIXING IN WITH MY BLOOD” IS FEATURED ON MTV’S THE HILLS.  WITH THAT BEING ONE OF MTV’S HIGHEST RATED SHOWS, WHAT KIND OF AN IMPACT DID THAT MAKE FOR THE BAND?

Evan R. Saffer:  It gave us a great jolt of attention when it aired, our MySpace plays spiked tremendously and a lot of people heard it.  However, like anything else it was a moment and it passed.  The career and life of a rock artist is one that is filled with those moments but is also just a perpetual journey of continuing forward. 

MUEN: I WOULD HAVE TO SAY THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF GREAT SONGS ON THIS ALBUM, BUT THE ONE THAT STICKS WITH ME THE MOST IS “TELL NO ONE.” WHAT IS THE SONG ABOUT?

Evan R. Saffer:  Tell No One is about keeping secrets, but not ones that will hurt other people.  It's about trying to change who you are, becoming someone else, putting things behind you and living your life as you dream it to be.  It's about the duality of being part beauty and part the beast.  Lyrically a lot of that song came to me at a difficult time in my life when I was just burning to step out of my job, a relationship, even my hair style and leave those things behind and be someone else.  A lot of people dream about radical changes but very few have the courage to execute it and really live.  I feel like I'm actually going through that all over again right now with the drama of coming off the road, getting to know the minds, tendencies and creative process again with new band members and pouring that into all the new music.

MUEN: TELL ME ABOUT THE MAKING OF THE VIDEO FOR IT AND WHERE CAN IT BE VIEWED?

Evan R. Saffer:  I produced the video with Eclipp Inc.  They are good guys who are very passionate about video, lighting, and taking the project from A to Z.  We tried to create a story behind the song, sort of a short film to illustrate what the song was about.  A young girl with a conflict, a dark secret and the choice to either accept things and keep pretending, or to leave it behind.  We shot tons of footage in a short amount of time, had many favors, locations, makeup, models, actors, and tons of endless services at our fingertips because of the amazing devotion of our fans, friends, family and belief in Fixer.  In the beginning it's very hard to compete with a top quality product when you don't have a serious budget to work with.  In the end it came together, the editing was also very difficult because parts have to flow together and make sense.  I think we could have done better with that, the full concept wasn't completely as I envisioned it.  Several scenes we shot never even made the final cut.  In the end it's a great quality video for that time in Fixer's history and a good experience, you get wiser and better as you go along.  You can see it and all things fixer on our website.  www.myspace.com/fixermusic and www.fixermusic.com and www.youtube.com/fixermusic.

 MUEN: WHAT IS THE WRITING PROCESS LIKE FOR YOUR BAND?

Evan R. Saffer:  It is something that we're all still trying to define.  The band is still very young despite our 9 years of being Fixer; Rev and I are the only two original members.  Tommy Zamp (lead guitar) came on board two years ago and Adam James (bass) came on board about four months ago.  This will be the first record written and recorded by this lineup so it's exciting and yet another challenge to figure out how things will work.  I find with any art that it's not a science, there is no one way to do it, and no matter who writes the original concept or idea, it really is the whole band making it into the musical masterpiece that you hear.  We are open and honest with each other, we give and take criticism, and that's what makes any band better, because it's a combined effort.  The art of writing a song, then visualizing it sonically in all it's wonder to the final release is an incredible challenge.  I really make an effort to listen to a lot of new music, and to also write with multiple people that I can respect and learn from.  Writing songs:  the lyrics, the guitar riffs, the beat and the vibe are still an unbelievable concept, thrill and passion of mine after all these years.  I'm looking forward to our upcoming records.

MUEN: WHAT IS THE CRAZIEST THING YOU HAVE DONE WHILE ON TOUR?

Evan R. Saffer:  I have survived and still love Rev Swank, Tommy Zamp and Adam James.  You can't describe it, so I suggest you just become a part of it by coming to the shows and seeing us on tour.  It's like a new food, if I gave you a description, you'd still have no idea what I'm talking about.  All I can say is that it's a brainsick, gaga, infatuated, unrestrained, emotional, wild child, rollercoaster of blood, sweat, tears and love.  Adam had a dog eat peanut butter off his balls.  Rev coached the dog and filmed it.  Check it out on www.youtube.com/fixermusic

Tommy:  taken a rugby shot which is.... snort a line of salt, take a shot of tequila, then shove a lemon in my open eye

MUEN: I HAVE NOT HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE YOU PLAY LIVE YET. DESCRIBE FOR ME IF YOU WILL WHAT I AM MISSING.

Evan R. Saffer:  Drama, a full on trip and a show that you'll never forget. 

 Adam:  Have you ever seen aerial footage of one of those soccer riots in some South American country? It's like that, but with instruments.

MUEN: IN YOUR EXPERIENCE, WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU CAN GIVE TO STRUGGLING BANDS OUT THERE ON THE ROAD FOR THE FIRST TIME?

Evan R. Saffer:  Make sure you're ready for the road, everyone stay positive and put in those endless, countless hours with joy rather than impatience.  If you're not playing together almost every day at home first and getting along, you're not ready for the road.

Adam:  Have an extra everything. Because everything inevitably gets broken, lost, or stolen. Like Rev's virginity on the last tour. 

Rev: Stay with fans instead of hotels...it's more fun and you meet lots of cool people and form lasting friendships. And of course you save money.

MUEN: WHAT ATTRIBUTE WOULD YOU SAY YOU ARE FAMOUS FOR? WHAT MAKES YOU STAND OUT FROM THE REST OF THE BANDS IN YOUR GENRE?

Evan R. Saffer: Our dynamics in the music and in the show.  There are a lot of bands out there with talent.  We had talent our first year.  Now I think we're learning to use that to make something that sets the bar.  We win over any crowd:  metal, rock, punk, girls, guys, old, young, straight, gay, man, woman, beast, princes and paupers.  hehe.  I think we have a lot to say with a silly disposition on life.  That's refreshing to me.  I'm a little tired of the same old tough and take attitude, aren't you?

Adam:  I'd say we're probably most famous for our sweet Barbershop Quartet style harmonies, that and our love of the elderly. 

MUEN: AT WHAT POINT IN YOUR LIFE DID YOU REALIZE THAT YOU WANTED TO BE A ROCK STAR?

Evan R. Saffer:  When I was two years old and sat on my dad's lap while he rocked out on piano, when I sang my first solo in 4th grade and everyone looked at me differently from then on, when I kept winning every musical award throughout high school, when I exceeded time and time again and kept getting better, when fixer slayed a crowd of 3000 opening for Godsmack when every other band got boo'd, when we overcome and surpass every obstacle and kick to the balls, when I refuse to get down, refuse to take no for an answer, refuse to need anyone's approval because I know we're great, when I read this interview question and asked myself...."do I still want to be?"  F@ck yea.  No one can deny that the "star" part of that label comes with fame and selling millions of records over a career.  However, the rest of it is a lifetime of toil and insanity that you twirl between your fingers and don't ever say die. 

MUEN: WHAT DRIVES YOU TO CREATE THE MUSIC THAT YOU DO?

Evan R. Saffer:  Passion, compassion, energy, love, the questions and being the perpetual student of life.

MUEN: HAS YOUR FAMILY ALWAYS BEEN SUPPORTIVE OF YOUR DREAM?

Evan R. Saffer:  Not always.  I think that’s a good thing though.  You have to earn respect and show them and yourself that you are the best.  I would say as a young person and a teenager they always saw an interest and a talent there, but I really got the respect and support I was looking for once I completely devoted my life to my craft and started churning out music that reflects that commitment.  I think that’s a secret motto of my family “do whatever you want, just be the best.”  Despite making other suggestions and making sure I was sure, my mom did always let me take piano lessons, bought me a piano, attended every performance, drove me to every audition and encouraged anything I was interested in.  That’s for sure.  

Tommy: Always!

Adam: Totally. My mom has been to more of my shows than anyone else in my life. She’s my biggest fan. 

MUEN: DO YOU PLAY ANY INSTRUMENTS?

Evan R. Saffer: I play guitar and piano and use both of those to help me write songs.

Adam: All of them

MUEN: BESIDES MUSIC, WHAT ELSE ARE YOU INTERESTED IN?

Evan R. Saffer:  I love cooking actually.  I think it's another creative outlet and each dish can be a masterpiece or a disaster.  Last night I made chicken and shrimp soft taco's with sauteed swiss chard, red onion, garlic, shitake mushrooms, jalapeno peppers, cheddar cheese and fresh cilantro.  I jazzed it up with some hot spices and had some salsa on the size to drizzle over the top.  It was amazing. 

Rev:  We all have outside interests...among other things, Evan's a food and wine enthusiast (and a great chef), Tommy is getting his motorcycle license, I'm a former Junior Olympian ski racer, and Adam LOVES boozing. 

MUEN: HAVE YOU BEGUN TO WRITE FOR YOUR NEXT ALBUM YET?

Adam: Oh man yeah. The new stuff is great. I've had this one song we're working on stuck in my head for two days straight. No joke. It won't stop. I'm going to kill myself. 

Tommy:  We've got a little something up our sleeve

Evan R. Saffer:  I'm writing every day especially since we're off the road.  We get together several times a week and jam out the new ideas.  It's coming together as it should, with Adam killing himself.

MUEN: IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD?

Evan R. Saffer: No, this dish is already overflowing, just serve it up.  hehe. 

Adam: Tommy's a douche. 

MUEN: I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR THE INTERVIEW!!