So, you guys have always had a unique sound very different from most other bands in the "hardcore" scene. I'm guessing this has alot to do with the music you listen too, books you read, movies you watch.
So what are some of your main influences that cause you to create such beautiful music?
I always kinda thought Fugazi, Blood Brothers, and a crap load of weed were TS's major lyrical muses. In terms of their musical sound I always assumed Glassjaw, Converge (who I personally dont like), and host of other classic rock bands were what influenced them. But hey, the only reason I say that is because thats how I link them together in my own mind. TS really can't be placed in the same boat with anyone. I mean you can compare their sound to be SOMETHING like other bands you've heard, but it really goes no further than BARELY. And thats one of the major reasons why I like them. When people ask me what I'm listening to, and I say "Oh, I'm listening to Trophy Scars". And they "Oh....what are they ??", and I say "They're this excellent band from New Jersey", and in response they say "New Jersey ?? What do they sound like"?, and I say "Think of the most intense orgasm you've ever had...and then tranfer it into a sound comprised of guitars, a bass, drums, abstract vocals and lyrics, with a piano playing in the background"... hahahahaha.....yep....BONNER INSPIRING !!!!!!
Some lyrical influences include: David Gilmour (for atmosphere) Isaac Brock (for irony) Aesop Rock (for language) Mark Bianchi (for storytelling) Mike Skinner (my modern day Dostoveski) Mostly I am influenced by literature when it comes to defining what I'm going to be writing about. St. Augustine has tons of writing regarding the physicality of (or lack there of) time, space, and memory (see also his idea on the aesthetics of language). He is a world wonder. I model a lot of my dialogue segues from Hemmingway and D.B. Weiss. The "Monte Carlo" line is actually a direct nod to Hemmingway and is a reference to The Sun Also Rises. Yeah... weed is also a prevalent source to proper writing etiquette for me. There is no boundary to my imagination after a nice "treat" of headies.
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Metal kettle unsettling treble howl, settler trembling, measureing mellow on the levitate off the mezzanine. Never seen a ton of bricks dressing clean/dapper 'til it's pin stripe and skull chunk 40 stories after.
hahaha, Jer you're nuts man. I swear for all that I've and learned in life its insane how you manage to mess it around and mold it into something slick, witty, and intellectual. You know I'm like jotting down notes frantically right now. I really wanna reach that level of writing you have though. People say for me being as young as I am I'm pretty good at it, but the point is its always commonplace for a writer never to approve of his own workings. I wanna get to a point where I can wholeheartedly look at every piece of material I write and go: "That there is come choice Sh*t". hahahaha. Anyways man, you're freaking amazing dude. Dont get wigged out when I say you're my hero okay.
Movies too!!! Yes, I absolutely adore movies. Paul Schrader's screenplay to Taxi Driver: remarkable! I'd even go as far to say that Joel Cohen's writing in THe Big Lebowski is a big influence on my lifestyle (hardly striving to be something along the lines of Taoism but... we all slip up) so that hasa direct influence on my writing. Hmmmm... Comic books too!! Sam Kieth's comic, The Maxx, is a huge part of Alphabets. I also like a lot of his artwork too. Hmmm, he might be my favorite artist. I'm big on surrealism but don't expect me to tell you that Dali influences my writing. Or something lame like that. I'd be a liar. Goodnight Alchemy was more in part by Paulo Coelho and Alphabets is more Gabriel García Márquez. I dont
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Metal kettle unsettling treble howl, settler trembling, measureing mellow on the levitate off the mezzanine. Never seen a ton of bricks dressing clean/dapper 'til it's pin stripe and skull chunk 40 stories after.
beatles(nothign needs to be said) glassjaw(bass tone and playing is the ****.. some of my fav. ever) rap/hiphop any of it has been big on me.. and still learning(helps with rythm) rancid the red hot chhili peppers(part of what got me into guitar) yes weezer AT THE DRIVE IN BLOOD BROTHERS so many other bands jsut lil bits an pieces over ht years have made me play the way i do now. even bands now change me as i go
not gunna like ts did alot before i was in the band.. how i would write and things i was doin..
drew you're too kind... and andy forgot to mention that me and him also write a lot of our songs after listening to REO Speedwagon at volume decibles human minds couldn't comprehend.
and then we make this face:
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Metal kettle unsettling treble howl, settler trembling, measureing mellow on the levitate off the mezzanine. Never seen a ton of bricks dressing clean/dapper 'til it's pin stripe and skull chunk 40 stories after.
