Aug 5, 2009
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The F-Units are an up and coming rock band from New York City in the United States. Scotty, the lead singer from this outfit answered a few of Suite 101's questions.

101: For those who aren't familiar with the F-Units, can you describe your sound?

Scotty: We're a punk-influenced hard rock band from New York City. F-Units were electronic locomotives built by GM in the 50's - the 'f' standing for "freight". We've always likened our sound to our name: hard, loud, heavy, and faster than a runaway freight train.

We started out as a punk-ish, power-pop trio with old-school punk and 1990's punk influences while embracing the 'gritty' stigma that's attached to being from New York. Our sound, however, is definitely "polished" and often compared to something from the West Coast. There's some classic hard rock in there as well.

Once you start putting yourself into the music, it's amazing what people want to compare you to. For instance, I was born in and spent most of my life in New Orleans, the cradle of rock n roll, jazz, rhythm and blues. Our song "Hypocrite" has horns in it. All of a sudden, we're told we play 'ska music'. I like ska, but those horns have more to do with New Orleans than anything else.

To realize our full-potential, we added a 4th member and have been a four-piece for about 3 years now. Our influences have expanded exponentially, and we have given our sound a wider range. The punk songs come across edgier; the lighter songs are sweeter. There's even some weird old-school country/swamp-stomp thing happening in some songs.

101: How, when and where were the F-Units formed?

Scotty: In 2003, Tommy Unit (bass) and I played in a glam-punk band together, and we shared a mutual disdain for our erratic frontman. One frozen New York City night in February 2004, he informed us that he wasn't going to make it to a show that we had planned for months, so I jumped on vocals and we played without him. It was a blast and a huge success.

Tommy and I quit the next day and began writing songs together. F-Units was born. Max 'Mayhem' Holland joined on lead guitar in 2007, becoming an equal contributor to our sound and songwriting. Frankie Coleman joined in on drums in 2007 later that year, and his massive drumming-style will be featured on the next album.

101: Who are your musical inspirations?

Scotty: Everyone in the band will give you a completely different answer as to 'who' are 'what' our collective inspirations are. I'm a sucker for a good pop-hook, and that's what I aspire to create. I like telling stories and watching people shake their asses while we put music to it.

As far as success is concerned, I'm inspired by those that have persevered through adversity and criticism while maintaining their unique voice and creativity in this over-stimulated culture of decreasingly short attention-spans. Last week, both Green Day and AC/DC played sold out shows in NYC.

Something must be said for the longevity of bands like that. Aerosmith comes to mind as well. They found a formula that transcends generations. I think the biggest inspiration for us is the Ramones because they kept on going until the very end whether they were successful or not. They are the ultimate 'street-cred' band.

101: What are your aspirations as a band? Where do you see the F-Units in ten years time?

Scotty: The aspirations are to be every bit as successful as the bands that have influenced us. We have the ability and drive to do so, but it may require lightening in a bottle in the current music industry model. Our immediate goal is to get some songs placed for broadcast - commercials, tv shows, radio, etc. We need to get the word out. Hopefully in 10 years time, we'll be recording our 5th studio album and touring stadiums internationally!

To conclude this part, Scotty firmly believes that the F-Units are a band on the up. They have massive aspirations, and intend to grow many times bigger than their current size.

101: Your debut album, 'Reject on Impact' has received good reviews all round. Did this give you extra impetus to make a new album?

Scotty: Thanks, Dean. We love good reviews, particularly yours (which can be read here). For me, "Reject On Impact" will always be my first record. For that reason alone, it's special. I put my heart and soul into every power-chord and lyric. Once the reviews started coming, we realized there was a lot more we could accomplish musically.

So, actually, I think it was some 'bad' reviews that gave us impetus to make a new album. Any negative comment will put a chip on your shoulder. We have more to prove as a band, and our song writing keeps getting better. The new album is more a product of our own intuitions and less about our influences, and that's when the real fireworks begin. Whether it silences the critics or not, we make music for ourselves first and foremost. It's in the fabric of who we are, and I'll never stop writing songs.

101: If you were to name one song for people to check out off 'Reject on Impact' what would it be?

Scotty: "Nowhere Fast".

I knew the moment I wrote it, that it was very different from everything else we had done at that point. It's dark and slow, yet driving and honest. The lyrical content is deeply personal, but anyone in search of their own voice can relate to it.

Speaking of voice, my friend Karen Curious sings a soaring backing vocal on that track. She adds a haunting 'falling-from-grace' quality to the song, which Max now duplicates on lead guitar when we play it live. It's very cool.

Even still, out of fear of it being rejected by my band mates, I added a minute-and-a-half long pop-punk song at the end, which later became "Hypocrite". In the end, I'm glad we split them up into two different songs. I think 'Nowhere Fast" is an arena-anthem that sparked the direction we have now taken as a band.

101: I believe I'm correct in saying that your new album comes out in September. In what ways do you think it is different to 'Reject on Impact', and do you think you've improved as a band since your debut album?

Scotty: Unfortunately, not correct. September was originally our release goal, but I start tracking vocals at the end of this month (August). Those expectations were a bit lofty. The new goal is to finish all tracking by the end of September. That still leaves mixing, mastering, manufacturing, and releasing it to distribution outlets. It could take months... but it's definitely coming.

There are major differences with the new album. It's more sophisticated, and edgier in a "more hard rock, less smart-ass punk" sense. There are many more layers, more musical directions, broader instrumentation, and lots more collaboration. Max wasn't in the band when we did "Reject On impact". That is major because he's written half of the music, and his guitar-work is featured on every song.

I still write the lyrics, but even that bar has been raised considerably. I've poured over lyrical content for months, even years in some instances. I'm still tweaking a line here and there, and will do so until the words come out my mouth in the studio. That wasn't the case for "Reject On impact".

Another major difference is that we're recording at The Cutting Room in Manhattan where several Grammy-winning artists record regularly. "Reject on Impact" was recorded in an apartment that reeked of cat-piss in the Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn. I got mugged making that record. That probably says it all.

There is little doubt we've improved as a band, but also as songwriters and individual musicians. Perhaps a few people will notice.

101: Can you reveal the name of the new album yet?

Scotty: Sorry, we don't even have a working title at this moment. I CAN tell you though that it's 12 songs and about 45 minutes in length. I don't have a favorite song yet. It's another "all-killer, no-filler" record, but there are some definite stand-outs. Many people thought there was "something for everyone" on "Reject On Impact", but the new album will make "ROI" seem like tunnel-vision.

101: Are you planning to go on tour when the new album comes out?

Scotty: Yes, touring will be essential to the success of the album. We put on a very energetic live show, but we haven't started planning a tour yet. We'd also like to do a few videos as well.

101: Finally, when the new album comes out, where can people buy it?

Scotty: Our album will be available through the same distribution channels as "Reject On impact": F-Units.com, The iTunes Music Store, CDBaby.com, Amazon.com, eMusic.com, Interpunk.com, etc. Stay tuned for information regarding the new release on f-units.com, as well as myspace.com/funits. Follow the progress of F-Units' new album on Facebook (search: F-Units) and "@FUnits" on Twitter!

101: Thank you for your time and an extremely entertaining interview Scotty!

In conclusion, the F-Units are a band with plenty of ambition and the talent to back it up. The fact they are so excited about their new record probably means that it is a fantastic piece of music. Look out Green Day - the F-Units are coming!

Read more: http://pop-music.suite101.com/article.cfm/interview_with_nycs_the_funits_part_1#ixzz0NR3W2eLD