FILTER Biography & other Facts

FILTER began with Richard Patrick (vocals, guitars, bass, programming, drums) experimenting with a small eight-track in his parents' basement in Cleveland. While Richard was writing songs, Brian Liesegang (programming, guitars, keyboards, drums) was sequestered away at the University of Chicago completing a degree in philosophy and experimenting himself, in a small electronic studio across the hall from Bob Moog (the inventor of the modern synthesizer). Later, Richard and Brian would meet through a mutual friend. Richard and Brian decided to work together musically while visiting the Grand Canyon, during the middle of a cross country trek together. FILTER produced, recorded and engineered SHORT BUS in a small brick house on the outskirts of Cleveland during the summer and fall of 1994. The album title, SHORT BUS is in reference to the different kinds of school buses that carry kids to school in the morning. The short bus transports the "challenged" kids. Note that the title SHORT BUS is in no way a sarcastic joke at the expense of the handicapped, or a celebration of idiocy in the line of FORREST GUMP. Rather, FILTER believes there is much to be learned from the special and the different. Difference is just that, and it is only through the vision, ambition, and drive of those with an outlook and perspective outside the norm that original thought and real change can actually occur. (Stephen J. Hawking, physicist and author of the best seller, A BRIEF HISTORY OF TIME, is such an example.) FILTER believes one should strive for the beauty of the short bus and reject the cattle morality and thought of the masses. The lyrics on the album reflect both the discoveries and discussions experienced by FILTER during 1993 and 1994. Each song has its own specific intent and meaning, but it is preferred that the listeners read the lyrics and listen to the music and develop their own conclusions. Maybe it's just more fun that way. Who likes to be bashed over the head? Statement: There is a certain subset of musicians who, for reasons unknown, adhere to the false premise that "electronic" music or the tools involved imply a lack of creativity of inspired performance. Technology in the hands of creative, intelligent individuals is a tool for art, not a hindrance. FILTER, being members of the current millennia, admit freely to the use of such devices. The above statement is in response to the numerous albums since the advent of the computer and synthesizer that make such asinine declarations as: "There are no samples used on this record."Richard and Brian were born in 1968 and 1970, respectively, and have since experienced a life filled with such wondrous devices as the remote control, automated tellers, video games and computers. There are few that can claim that such devices have hampered art in its many forms. The computer is a compositional tool, one which FILTER uses to compose, arrange and produce their songs. If a writer uses a word processor instead of a typewriter, does that make him or her any less an author? So, why should it be suggested that the use of technology makes one less a musician? Richard can recall a show on the second day of their tour at Hurricane in Lincoln, Nebraska, (he got wasted- agian), and was playing away on his guitar when the neck of his guitar jabbed Brian Lisesgang in the face. Blood and teeth everywhere, "I never saw so much blood in my life," said Filter's manager. Brian, who looked out of it, was taken to a loacal hospital, where 2 busted teeth were successfully put back into in his jaw. The rest of the show finnished the set without Liesegang. Still sore and bleeding, Brian performed with Filter the very next night at the next show in Omaha, Nebraska. Former Nine Inch Nails alumnus, Rich Patrick and Brian Liesegang recorded their entire album on computers in the basement of a rented house in Cleveland, Ohio. "Thanks bro" ( song featured on the X Files soundtrack) Finnished mixing on Jan. 31 1996 only a day before their White Zombie tour that started in Florida. Matt Walker is from Chicago. Matt was asked to audition for Smashing Pumpkins on July 15th of '96. He was hired on August 8, 1996 by SP. When Brian Liesegang, was asked about it on August 8, 1996, to see how this was going to affect Filter's future he said, "It's a great opportunity for him. He has a wife and baby, and it's been hard for him to support them - not to mention that we've been on tour for the past 14 months. Being in the Smashing Pumpkins won't help that, but the money will. Plus, this looks good on the resume. We don't know how this will affect us, but it couldn't happen at a better time. Matt's birthday is May 21st. Just thought you would like to know that... The song "Hey Man, Nice Shot", is NOT about the late Kurt Cobain, it is about the late Pennsylvania state Treasurer R. Budd Dwyer, who used a .357-caliber Magnum to do the dirty deed on January 22, 1987. He fired it into his mouth it was one day before he was scheduled to appear before a federal judge for sentencing in a bribery-conspiracy scandal. Up until that moment Dwyer had maintained his innocence on charges of conspiracy to accept campaign contributions in exchange for allegedly giving a Social Security overpayment recovery contract to John Torquato of Computer Technology. That deal reportedly involved hundreds of millions of dollars. Responding to media reports, Filter issued this statement: "The song 'Hey Man Nice Shot' is a reaction to a well-documented public suicide. It is not a celebration or glorification of taking one's own life. The phrase 'hey man, nice shot' is not a reference to the final act itself, but rather an expression of guts and determination of a person standing up for what they believe is right. We are extremely sensitive and respectful to the family and friends of Mr. Dwyer. We have both lost friends to suicide and felt nothing but sympathy and loss for the victims, and those involved in such a tragedy." Richard can recall a show on the second day of their tour at Hurricane in Lincoln, Nebraska, (he got wasted- agian), and was playing away on his guitar when the neck of his guitar jabbed Brian Lisesgang in the face. Blood and teeth everywhere, "I never saw so much blood in my life," said Filter's manager. Brian, who looked out of it, was taken to a loacal hospital, where 2 busted teeth were successfully put back into in his jaw. The rest of the show finnished the set without Liesegang. Still sore and bleeding, Brian performed with Filter the very next night at the next show in Omaha, Nebraska. Former Nine Inch Nails alumnus, Rich Patrick and Brian Liesegang recorded their entire album on computers in the basement of a rented house in Cleveland, Ohio. "Thanks bro" (song featured on the X Files soundtrack) Finished mixing on Jan. 31 1996 only a day before their White Zombie tour that started in Florida. Matt Walker is from Chicago. Matt was asked to audition for Smashing Pumpkins on July 15th of '96. He was hired on August 8, 1996 by SP. When Brian Liesegang, was asked about it on August 8, 1996, to see how this was going to affect Filter's future he said, "It's a great opportunity for him. He has a wife and baby, and it's been hard for him to support them - not to mention that we've been on tour for the past 14 months. Being in the Smashing Pumpkins won't help that, but the money will. Plus, this looks good on the resume. We don't know how this will affect us, but it couldn't happen at a better time. Matt's birthday is May 21st. Just thought you would like to know that...