The Sights – Interview

An interview with Eddie from the Sights!

Could you imagine the buzz you guys are currently getting?

Are we getting a lot? I was under the impression we are just a buncha
lucky geeks. But 99.9% of the attention has been positive. I don’t really
know if many people are aware of us. I want middle America to hear us.

Its tough to get any press on such a small label, are the big labels swooping down like vultures now? Had they been looking to sign you before? Why Fall of Rome?

Well we just toured 9 weeks in a ’91 Ford Econoline across America. Two of us lost our jobs and the other three don’t know how they’re gonna pay rent. Yes, the big labels are all swooping like pigeons. It was after this tour we started getting serious attention. Before then, it was every few weeks. Now it’s every few days. But when it all dies down I’ll still be playing in Detroit bars. Mark Rome is a cool guy, and he’s treated us well for the first two releases. He was the first guy interested in us and got us some releases.

How does the writing work for the band?

Usually the songs come from me. Then I bring them to the band and they
work out their bits. But they can bring forth any of their songs, and they
do. Our bass player has a great song that’ll be on the next record. I write
in cycles, or spurts.

For those who don’t know, how long have you guys been playing together?

The Sights have been around since the summer of 1998 and this lineup
since the summer of 2002. The guys in the band at this current time- Dave
Shettler- Drums, Matt Hatch- Bass, and Nate Cavalieri- Organ, are all great
players. This band is fucking great.

The inspirations seem to come from way back, who would you list as
inspirations?

Neil Young, definitely Steve Marriott. We like Fairport Convention, the
Band, and all crazy shit. The Fugs, Beach Boys, Hentchmen.

Give me your first thoughts on these tracks:
“Be Like Normal”

I don’t really like it. Haha. Boring metal riff, but hey, it works.

“Don’t Want You Back”

This took about 2 years to write. It used to be 3 songs, then I chopped
the best pieces and made this song. I kept rearranging all the parts to make
it work. Yeah, it’s a bitter tune. I like it.

“Got What I Want”

Dave came into rehearsal with the idea and most of the lyrics. My favorite is the B-flat chord after the solo. Dave’s proud of it and should be. One of my live favorites.

“Sick And Tired”

The verse was originally supposed to be a chant. But the song was written in
ten minutes. I wish Nate played his licks on the record.

“Last Chance”

Ok, now this really took ten minutes! Thought up the riff in my head on
the way to rehearsal a week before recording. We’ve never played it live.

“Sorry Revisited”

This is a remake of the song “Sorry” on our first album. The original
version was written with a Velvet Underground beat, and now it’s slowed up.

We aren’t a guitar mag or talk often about instruments, but what
equipment do you guys use to get that old school sound?

We all use old shit. I’m not a gearhead, so that’s good enough.

You guys are heading overseas. First time? Thoughts on the press you are getting ahead of your arrival?

I haven’t read the press. Yes this is our first time over.

What does each member bring to the group?

Everyone comes from a different background. Hatch still doesn’t like
Dylan though.

What’s the toughest thing about being a band on an indie label? Easiest?

The toughest thing is not enough exposure. The easiest is no pressure
and I’m free to do whatever I want.

I read you were working on new tracks. What can we expect from the next release?

We haven’t recorded anything proper, but we’ve been playing them live.
Lots of slower stuff, some Band-type stuff. A lot of pop based songs.

You guys are moving up, what are your goals, dreams for the future of
the band?

To not have a job.

Lucky number thirteen. Is getting signed about luck or skill?

Both.

Does being in a band mean you can get some groupies?

Groupies bother me. I have a girlfriend and she’s cool.

Lastly, if you could battle any band who would it be, and why?

We don’t battle bands.

+ Charlie Craine