It is from Issue #15 of ChipNet Electronic Magazine. Interviewed by Alex Steininger. Filter - The Band Reviewed Filter is composed of Richard Patrick (vocals, guitars, bass, programming, drums) and Brian Liesgang (Programming, guitars, keyboards, drums.) Their current album, Short Bus, was recorded in Cleveland in the summer and fall of 1994. The name of the album, Short Bus, refers to the bus that takes 'challenged' kids to school. Please note that the title 'Short Bus' is in no way making fun of the handicapped and challenged. It is to give the message that so much can be learned from the special and different people in our society. Without thoughts, ambitions, and visions and perspective outside what is normal, can real change occur? Filter truly believes everyone should strive for the beauty of the short bus, and turn down the morality and thoughts of the masses. Each song on the 'Short Bus' album has it's own meaning. But instead of Rich and Brian coming out and telling you what the meaning is, they would prefer it if you listen and read the lyrics of the song, and then develop your own conclusions. Not only does it get you to get deep inside the music, it gets you thinking. But please remember, Rich and Brian like to stress "Hey Man, Nice Shot" is not about Kurt Cobain, but it is based on an often bootlegged video of a politician shooting himself after being caught for being corrupt. Richard has a personal copy of this video in his video library. The following is a statement on the 'Short Bus' album: 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 or 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. Richard and Brian were born in 1968 and 1970, and have used many different types of electronic devices. Some claim that such electronic devices have hampered art in its many forms. The computer is a tool, just as a guitar or a bass are, and Filter uses their Macintosh to compose, arrange, and produce their songs. If an architect uses a computer to do a sample floor plan, or a writer (like myself) uses the computer to write, does it make them less in their jobs? NO!!! So why should you even think that the use of TECHNOLOGY makes anyone less of an artist? Filter's debut album 'Short Bus' has gone gold to date, selling more than 500,000 copies. It is an explosive album with 11 thumping songs. It includes their two singles to date: "Hey Man, Nice Shot" and "Dose." They currently also have a "Hey Man, Nice Shot" single out in record stores. Visit your local record store today and pick it up, and if you don't have 'Short Bus' I recommend you get yourself a copy, NOW!!! My interview with Filter, a Filter tour schedule, how to learn more about Filter, and how to contact Filter is listed below!-Alex Steininger The Interview: Questions on Video Games (one of Filters hobbies): Alex Steininger : I heard you guys were into video games. I also heard that you love the Sega Saturn, and the Sony Playstation. Which do you prefer over the other? Brian Liesgang (Filter): Right now the games on the Sony Playstation are better, but the Sega architecture is hard for programmers to use, but I suspect a lot of good Saturn games soon, but like I said, I play the Sony Playstation more right now. Alex Steininger: What types of games do you like? What is your favorite home & arcade video games? Brian Liesgang (Filter): Anything creative and playable. On the Playstation we like Lemmings 3d, Jumping Flash, Twisted Mtl, & Ridge Racer. I like decent sports games but there aren't too many out yet for the new systems. In the arcade we like driving games like Sega Road Rally ...also an old favorite is Steel Talons. Capcom bowling is a classic. Alex Steininger: Do you like many Mac games? Brian Liesgang (Filter): Don't have too many, kinda use the max mostly for work, but yeah, I like Doom 2, Darkforces... sim games are good.... Marathon.... don't spend a whole lot of time with them really. Feel guilty. Prefer game consoles for that kinda thing.. but I suspect that is about to change with my new color monitor. The numbered merchandise: Alex Steininger: I have been trying to figure out what the 500, 400, 300, 200, etc. on Filter merchandise means? Does it have a meaning? Brian Liesgang (Filter): It's a random numerology we devised. 100 was a tape we handed out at lolapaloozer two years ago, 200 was the hey man single, 300 the record, 400 some video, and I think 500 is the merchandise from our first tour, etc.etc.etc. The Starting of Filter: Alex Steininger: How did you first start Filter, and what gave you the idea? Brian Liesgang (Filter): Well Rich and I were dissatisfied with our jobs at the time, and made some tapes at home...the rest kinda followed, no grandiose story, but we just felt we had to do it. Macintoshes: Alex Steininger: I know you guys are Macintosh enthusiasts. Have you looked into the clone market, and would you be interested in doing some promotional ads for Power Computing, the leading clone manufacture. Brian Liesgang (Filter): Yeah, we like Macs, but we haven't checked out the clones yet. but we would definitely be interested in checking them out. I don't know a whole lot about power computing, but unless they like torturing baby's and animals and stuff... definitely. We did our whole record on this Quadra 650 I'm typing on now. Alex Steininger: What is the ram and Hard drive configurations used on your Quadra. Also, what special hardware/software did you use to compose Short bus on your Mac? Brian Liesgang (Filter): Well, like I said we have a 650 Quadra, a couple gig drives, optical drive, digidesign pro tools and for software we use opcode's studiovision pro 3.01. We also use turbosynth, sound designer, galaxy software etc... Touring: Alex Steininger: What made you decide to tour with White Zombie? Brian Liesgang (Filter): It seemed like a good idea to play in front of an audience that hasn't necessarily seen us yet. If we keep playing the same places in the states we won't really build a fan base, kinda preaching to the converted.... it will be interesting to play to 5000+ a night. Alex Steininger: I thought you liked to play smaller venues? Brian Liesgang (Filter): We do but we have played larger venues and like that as well. Different medium entirely. Overall I guess I prefer the smaller venues, but you can't do them forever on the same record. It is just too expensive to stay on the road. The one thing that sucks about the big places is that everyone is so fu**ing far away... that part is going to suck. Alex Steininger: Earlier this year you let Everclear, a local Portland band (which now is being played on MTV), tour with you. What was that like and why did you allow them to tour with you? Brian Liesgang (Filter): Everclear is a cool band and we like touring with them. These kind of arrangements usually are put together by booking agents etc., it's not that the bands don't have say, but the perception is usually that ..let's say Soundgarden and Mudhoney run into each other at a bar and say "hey man lets tour together," and that is not really the case. We've had some good bands open up for us, and we have learned a lot from those guys(girls too).. after all, were pretty much a baby band. Filter's musical tastes: Alex Steininger: So what type of music/bands do you listen to? Brian Liesgang (Filter): Whatever, not much recently. As long as its not Bush or some shi* like that. The Internet: Alex Steininger: Do you explore the internet very much? Do you have a favorite web page? Brian Liesgang (Filter): Finally got on the net last week, so really haven't explored too much, the AOL connection is so damn slow, but have been on the Reprise web site, the digidesign web site, and the NBA web site. Alex Steininger: I agree. AOL totally ignores the Mac users online. Brian Liesgang (Filter): I just wish you could cancel the downloading of art bullsh**. I have a 28.8 modem, and it still just too damn slow. I want information, not eye candy. Alex Steininger: There is a program in the download forum, called Art Valve. It will let you cancel the artwork. Brian Liesgang (Filter): I will get it. Favorite NBA Team: Alex Steininger: You like the NBA? What is your favorite team? Brian Liesgang (Filter): Favorite NBA team far and away is the Bulls. Record Labels: Alex Steininger: I know you both used to work with Trent Reznor, and I don't know how you are on the Reznor subject, but when you decided to sign Filter to a label, were you ever offered a deal with Nothing records? Brian Liesgang (Filter): No. Never really considered it actually. Nothing is a vanity label... we prefer Reprise/Warner. Live Performances: Alex Steininger: Do you feel that your live performance turned out the way you had planned? Brian Liesgang (Filter): We weren't really sure what was going to happen actually. Pretty happy the way it turned out. A little more chaotic then playing to tape. Alex Steininger: Your live performance does make an EXCELLENT pit : ) Brian Liesgang (Filter): We like pits. They make for good things to jump into. We are going to miss the pits with zombie. I don't know how sterile these places are going to be. Mobile Recording Unit: Alex Steininger: What is the Mobile Recording unit and is that the van in the 'Dose' video? Brian Liesgang (Filter): Mobile recording unit means we record everything at home. Some guitars, a Mac, mixing board, amps, effects, etc...set up in a house. Right now we have it set up in a room in Richies apartment and we are working on some new songs. The van in dose was not our studio.. just some old truck. We have these racks so we can load up a van and pretty much go anywhere... so that's the mobility factor. We call it the midget twin studios, because we each have separate units that can be hooked together to double their power. Wonder twin powers ..activate. Upcoming material from Filter: Alex Steininger: What about the upcoming songs you are working on? Such as 'Thanks Bro' on the X-files Soundtrack. Brian Liesgang (Filter) Yeah.. how did you know that? We just finished it last week.. we are working on a song for the Crow 2 as well...Thanks Bro is our kinda mellow psychedelic tip of the hat to the 70's as our friend Pablo says...the Crow 2 song is a little more abrasive.. Alex Steininger: Jim told me about 'Thanks Bro' Brian Liesgang (Filter): Got it. Brian Liesgang (Filter): Is that all? I kinda have to get going. We have a deadline. Alex Steininger: Yeah....that is all. Thank you very much for the interview......I will be in contact. Brian Liesgang (Filter): OK.......see ya Alex. Tour dates: 2/1/96 Lakeland, FL The Lakeland Center 2/2/96 Miami, FL Miami Arena 2/4/96 Johnson City, TN Freedom Hall Civic Center 2/5/96 Fort Mill, SC TBA 2/7/96 Atlanta, GA The Omni 2/8/96 Memphis, TN Mid-South Coliseum 2/9/96 Murfreesboro, TN TBA 2/11/96 Savannah, GA Savannah Civic Center 2/12/96 Jacksonville, FL Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Coliseum 2/13/96 Pensacola, FL Pensacola Civic Center 2/14/96 New Orleans, LA Kiefer U.N.O. Lakefront Arena 2/17/96 Dallas, TX Fair Park Coliseum 2/18/96 Houston, TX The Summit 2/19/96 Austin, TX Austin Music Hall 2/22/96 Odessa, TX Ector County Coliseum & Exhibition Center 2/23/96 Lubbock, TX Fair Park Coliseum 2/24/96 Amarillo, TX Amarillo Civic Center 2/26/96 Tulsa, OK TBA 2/27/96 Lincoln, NE Pershing Auditorium 2/29/96 Colorado Springs, CO Colorado Springs City Auditorium 3/2/96 Salt Lake City, UT Salt Air Pavilion 3/5/96 Tucson, AZ Tucson Convention Center Arena 3/6/96 Chandler, AZ Compton Terrace 3/11/96 Oakland, CA Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center 3/12/96 Sacramento, CA Arco Arena 3/14/96 Seattle, WA Seattle Center 3/15/96 Vancouver, BC PNE Pacific Coliseum 3/17/96 Portland, OR Portland Memorial Coliseum To learn more about Filter visit their web page at: http://www.RepriseRec.com/Filter- or write to them at: Filter 7095 Hollywood Blvd. Box 336 Hollywood, CA 90028 To contact Filter, you can e-mail them at: Short Bus@aol.com You can contact me at: ChipNet3@aol.com ChipNet Issue #15 Alex Steininger ChipNet Macintosh Forum Consultant ChipNet Electronic Magazine America Online Forum @ Keyword: ChipNet FTP: ftp.win.net/winnet/tybeelytes/chipnet FTP on WWW: ftp://ftp.win.net/winnet/tybeelytes/chipnet WWW: http://www.tybee.com/chipnet mailto:ChipNet3@aol.com