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Interview by Hezzy

Church for Sinners are probably the best band you’ve never heard. The band is from Everett, Washington and consist of Andy on vocals, Ben on bass, Calem on guitar, and Jay on drums. On any given weekend you can usually catch a show somewhere in the Seattle/Portland area. However, the band is spending most of their time in the studio recording their new album, Of Prayers and Pestilence. I recently got the chance to ask Andy, Ben, and Calem a few questions.

Hezzy : Tell us a little about the history of Church for Sinners; How and when did you get started?

Andy : We formed in the summer of 07. I had just moved to Washington to live with my brother, Ben. We wanted to start a death rock project and had been talking about it for a while. We wrote a few songs and started looking for a few good men to fill the open positions. We enlisted Jay after watching him drum for Graveyard Shift, a band Ben formed years ago. We picked up Tyler Murphy after he quit his position as sax player for the River City Rebels and grabbed Calem when he showed up at a party at the house we were living in at the time. We wrote a few more songs and put the demos up on myspace and within a few days we had two labels looking to sign us. We’ve since lost Murph, but we’re going strong as a four piece and are ready to hit the road.

Calem : I joined the band a couple of months after it had already been formed by Ben and Andy, by that time Jay and Tyler were in the band and most of the songs on the e.p. were written.

Ben : hmm i think this ones pretty well covered heh.

Hezzy : How would you describe your music in three words?

A : Dark, melodic, and infectious.
C : depends on if your talking about the ep or the album we are working on cause there way different sounds.
the new stuff, dark, catchy, melodic and the ep, poppy, dark, catchy
B : bloody undead and sexxxy.

Hezzy : Tell us about the new album. How will it differ from your first album, Making Monsters?

A : The new album shows a lot of growth for us. It’s the first time Calem has been a part of the writing process, which has really changed the sound of the band for the better, in my opinion. There is a lot more variance in the sounds we are trying to achieve as well. We’ve got country, rock, punk, metal, indie pop…everything on this record. It’s also got more of an introspective feel to it. The EP is just a look at a band in it’s formative stage. Fun and poppy, but no real substance. We are trying to go deeper, hit harder, and really show the world what we’re made of with the new record.

C : With Making Monsters Andy wrote pretty much everything and we were just getting to know each other playing wise, it was something to get us off the ground. With the new album we have all done alot of writing and i have my style and influence in there which i didn’t have for the ep. There’s alot more dynamics, technicality, harmonies, just alot more of everyone.
B: We’ve had alot more prep time on the full length unlike the rushed effort on the e.p. It’s definitely more structured and complex. Expect dark and catchy and you won’t be disappointed.

Hezzy : What do you do when you’re not playing music?

A : I really don’t do much else. Music has pretty much consumed my life as of late. I do a bit of drinking and socializing, but that’s really about it.

C : Playing music, i mean i do party but even then we tend to break out the guitars and have sing alongs. I also raced dirtbikes for a while so when i get the chance i like to go ride.

B : Working, Drinking, and that’s pretty much it outside of music.

Hezzy : Where do you draw your influences from and what inspires your writing?

A : It varies from song to song. Some songs are very personal and really just lay my life out there in plain words. Others are a bit more cryptic. We have songs that are about politics, religion, pop culture worship, relationships, and of course a lot of horror influenced lyrics inspired by books, films etc. I’ve been trying to do a bit more storytelling lately as well. We’ll see how well that works out.

C : Well alot of my family are musicians in blues, jazz, classic rock, jazz bands so that was my influence. Alot of the way i write just i guess depends on what I’m listening to and what comes out at the time and it just gives me a place to go.

B : Andy and Calem handle most all of the writing. I just come and fill in with the low end.

Hezzy : When do you plan on touring next?

A : We’re hoping to get out for a full North American tour later this year. We have a few things in the works that we can’t really talk about until they’re confirmed, but if everything goes the way we hope, we’ll be hitting the road hard for the next couple of years.

C : Andy said it.
B : as soon and as frequent as possible. The road is the only place I feel alive.

Hezzy : What’s your favorite city to play in?

A : I personally love Medford, OR. The scene there is really tight knit, the way it used to be. They take care of the bands, the kids are all really excited about the shows and the promoters do their job. It’s just a really beautiful thing to see.

C : Depends on who we are playin with if its a good band with a good draw then its gonna be fun anywhere really.

B : Shows are hit and miss everywhere. One time you play a city and its amazing, the next time you play to 10 people who’d rather drink and act like you’re less then a jukebox.

Hezzy : So, as a band that wears makeup on stage, do you have any fun stories about scaring the shit out of conservatives? I know I do…

A : Haha. Well we’ve been doing a bit less of the makeup lately, but it’s never really been a big deal. It’s not like we ever did the whole prosthetics and gore thing. It’s always been sort of subtle. We usually just get girls saying we did a great job with our eye shadow and blending. I guess it’s just not as shocking anymore, now that every rock star is wearing eyeliner and mascara, it’s lost the goth appeal it once had for me.

C : I haven’t got that. I just hate washing the crap off.

B : I got alotta horrified looks the last time we were in hollywood. I was walking down hollywood blvd covered in blood and got alotta holy shit. It’s funny though I passed 4 different cops and they didn’t give me a second look, moral of the story if you wanna commit murder in hollywood just make sure you do it dirty and mean so there’s a large mess and the cops will suspect nothing.

Hezzy : Do you prefer all ages or bar shows and why?

A : I definitely prefer all ages shows. Kids are the heart of rock n roll. Bar shows are fun every once in a while, but it’s not the same. People lose their sense of wonder and excitement once they get into the “real world”. It stops being about the music and becomes an excuse to get wasted. Kids still have that love for the music and the performers that makes it fun and exciting for us to perform.

C : All ages for sure, the kids are the main appeal.

B : Yep I think this ones been covered too.

Hezzy : What are your musical guilty pleasures? I know I have a lot I should feel guilty about, but I have no shame.

A : Well, I’m not ashamed of any music, personally. I’d hate if someone referred to my songs as a guilty pleasure. I guess if I had to place something in that category, it would be Saves The Day. Not a lot of people in the horror scene would be very accepting of those cats, but they are ridiculously talented.

C : I could say anything and in someones mind that’s gonna be a guilty pleasure, so ya lots.

B : No Guilt, no remorse. If someone else doesn’t like the same things as me well…

Hezzy : Are you a fan of GodsGirls? Do you have a favorite Godsgirl? (Hint, hint)

A : I am a huge fan of Gods Girls. I think as far as the alternative modeling sites go, GG is heads and tails above the rest. And of course, miss Hezzy is my favorite model. Drop dead gorgeous and cool as hell. No contest.

C : Uhhhh..

B :You win again.

Hezzy : Anything else you want to say?

A : Yeah, if you want bands to continue making good independent music, support local bands. Go to shows, buy independent music, check out alternative small businesses, and if you find a good underground band, tell people about it. The scene will die if you don’t take charge and help it thrive. Make a zine, start a blog, or just go out to your local bar and strike up a conversation with a stranger and bring them into the scene. Oh, and thanks for the interview, Hezzy. You’re a peach.

C : Ya, i just wanna say thanks to the kids that come to our shows and support us and hope they continue to come out and thank you to Hezzy for a rad interview.

B : I’m horrible at this closing statement thing. Do what you do, have fun, live your fuckin’ life. Thanks again for the interview.

You can find out more about Church For Sinners at :
myspace.com/thechurchforsinners