THITEEN REASONS IS:
Marc Kahn
Ian Dizzy Krier
Daran Pfeifer
BOOTLEG METAL: So let’s get things started with the name. Who came up
with the name and what’s behind it?
THIRTEEN REASONS: 13 is a special number in all of our lives.
The name itself stems from some of the reasons we got together and started to create
music. It also has to do with signs around us during the initial starting of
the band. Everyone was seeing 13’s everywhere in our lives and sometimes in
very unusual ways. Maybe we’ll incorporate some of the themes of the 13 into
our music in the future.
BOOTLEG METAL: Where is the band from?
THIRTEEN REASONS: Philadelphia. Ian and I are from the PA/NJ
area. Daren is from TX and LA.
BOOTLEG METAL: Is this the
original line up and how did you guys find yourselves in the same band ?
THIRTEEN REASONS: Yes it is the original line up. We released
our 1st single called “Hollywood” on September 17th 2015.
We all come from working with many other bands in our separate pasts and formed
this band on the basis that we all wanted the same thing musically,
revitalizing rock n roll. Ian and I met in mid 2013 and started to collaborate.
We wrote about 50 songs, which have grown into about 150. Daren heard our music
about a year or so later and liked what we were working on. We started writing,
rewriting and building the songs into what they are today. Realistically we
have a few albums worth of material ready to be recorded. So a few dozen in the
final stages and around 150 total workable ones.
BOOTLEG METAL: How long has (the
band) been around and how long after your first rehearsal was it before the
first show?
THIRTEEN REASONS: Thirteen Reasons has been around for about a
year prior to the 1st release. Somewhere around that range. It was
about a year before the 1st show. We really haven’t played a real
show yet though. Just a couple local practice gigs.
BOOTLEG METAL: Does everyone
contribute to the writing process or does someone generally write the lyrics
and/or music?
THIRTEEN REASONS: I’d say we all contribute equally to the
writing and recording processes. This is really a special band in that we can
all work together in a productive way and it only took a year to get to that
point. Typically Ian would come up with a skeleton or instrumental he writes
and I would write vocals to it. Daren came aboard and brought his creativity to
the table. It really is an even split band. Drummers writing lyrics and guitar
parts, guitarists writing drums and vocalists just being difficult in
general….I’m joking. But we all trade off responsibilities musically and in the
studio. Everyone has their own engineering background and home studios. We have
a shared studio and rehearsal spot as well.
BOOTLEG METAL: What are your
songs about? Fact? Fiction? Personal
experiences?
THIRTEEN REASONS: All the above. I’d say sometimes a combination
of all three. Some of the lyrics are about my personal experiences. Sometimes
I’m projecting. Sometimes I’m making shit up.
BOOTLEG METAL: So I enjoyed
your songs and if I had to pick, I’d say Darkest Days stands out for me. Any
back story you’d like to share?
THIRTEEN REASONS: Thank you. Darkest Days is me struggling with
life. Telling myself I can do the things I want in life and that I will prevail
despite the constant set backs. People, circumstances, etc. I think I embodied
my rage in this track. I hope someone gets either an extra push or some energy
out of this one.
BOOTLEG METAL: I hear some
John Bush (Armored Saint) in the singer’s voice. You guys ever hear that
before?
THIRTEEN REASONS: Never. I did check them out though. That’s a
nice compliment. Thank you. He’s definitely got a cool voice and style about
him.
BOOTLEG METAL: Yeah man, definitely in "Unbreakable" I hear shades of John Bush. Very Cool.
BOOTLEG METAL: What genre do
you feel (the band) fit’s in the best and what influenced your writing to get
you there?
THIRTEEN REASONS: Main stream hard rock/ metal. We are
influenced by tons of music. The classic rockers of course..AC/DC, Stones,
Aerosmith, Beatles, Queen, U2, Bowie. 90’s rock, modern rock, experimental,
classical. Pretty much all music across the board.
BOOTLEG METAL: What was your
latest gig?
THIRTEEN REASONS: Connie’s Ric Rac.
BOOTLEG METAL: Where have you played live this year?
THIRTEEN REASONS: Connie’s Ric Rac and The Tusk.
BOOTLEG METAL: Is there a
favorite cover that always finds it’s way on your set list and is there a story
behind it?
THIRTEEN REASONS: We haven’t played any covers yet. I owe
someone a Depeche Mode cover but we’ll see if I follow through on that one.
BOOTLEG METAL: Is there a
past show that stands out from the rest?
THIRTEEN REASONS: No. We’ve played two sort of rehearsal gigs.
We are looking forward to booking our 1st real show.
BOOTLEG METAL: So what’s in
the works for (the band)?
THIRTEEN REASONS: We are planning a lot of things. Visual
mediums first off. After the next 3 releases in January, we plan to shoot some
video. Perhaps a music video. 2017 will be a huge year for us. We will release
as many songs as we can and start the visual art process.
BOOTLEG METAL: What are your
thoughts on your local music scene?
THIRTEEN REASONS: I didn’t know there was one. The Philadelphia
music scene is difficult. At least that’s the history of the rock bands who’ve
launched from Philly. Everyone is separate and out on their own mission. And
that’s business but personally I’d like to see more community and comradery. My
goal this year is to get out more to shows and network with other bands we like.
It all starts with that really. Getting like- minded bands together, creating
excitement.
BOOTLEG METAL: Is there a
recent album/EP release you’d like to tell us about and where can we get it?
THIRTEEN REASONS: We have 3 singles out now. Check out “Darkest
Days” iTunes and Official Site
BOOTLEG METAL: Do you have merchandise
for sale?
THIRTEEN REASONS: We have t-shirts and XIIIR wrist bands loaded
with music and media.
BOOTLEG METAL: Where can you
be found online?
THIRTEEN REASONS: iTunes
BOOTLEG METAL: As far as
videos, sites, merch, ect. Are you guys more of a DIY band or do you hire out?
THIRTEEN REASONS: We are 100% DIY
BOOTLEG METAL: Do you have or
are you looking for a label/manager?
THIRTEEN REASONS: No.
BOOTLEG METAL: One question I
like to ask. What song (if any) by another artist do you wish you wrote?
THIRTEEN REASONS: I wish I wrote “Word Up” by Cameo
BOOTLEG METAL: Is there
another artist or band that is totally not your genre that you listen to?
THIRTEEN REASONS: Sure. Lots. My guilty pleasure or “losing my
mind Pandora station” has been “Out of Touch” radio. Billy Ocean, Hall &
Oates, Cutting Crew…all the worst best stuff from the 80’s..the list goes on.
BOOTLEG METAL: How do you think downloading music whether legal or illegal affected the music community?
BOOTLEG METAL: How do you think downloading music whether legal or illegal affected the music community?
THIRTEEN REASONS: I think we’ve all seen how it affected us. If
anything it’s made the proving ground and the musician gap much more intense.
Musician gap meaning class gap. Like the middle class. There are the bands who
arise from the depths who work hard and there are the bands who come from the
top, formed by the top.
BOOTLEG METAL: Thanks for
taking the time to talk with us and answering the questions. Is there anything
you’d like to add?
THIRTEEN REASONS: I’d say we’ve covered a lot. We have 3 singles
out right now. Also check out “Unbreakable” and “Hollywood.” https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/unbreakable-single/id1158458814?app=itunes&ign-mpt=uo%3D4
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