We sent new interviewer Jordan to have a chat with Texas pop punkers Fenix TX while they were over on tour. After a broken down car and missing a train due to the train losing its entire crew Jordan was down hearted, but thanks to Fenix TX vocalist Will Salazar, Jordan finally managed to do the interview via email and all was saved!
Check out the interview below and you can check out more from the band here http://www.myspace.com/fenixtx
HTF: You guys have been able to tour the UK quite a number of times now and for alot of younger bands it’s quite a big goal. Do you still get as excited as the first time may have been or is more of a necessity having quite a big fan base here?
Will: I still get as excited as the first time going over to Europe. Europe and the UK specifically is one of my favorite places to tour because the fans there are always so supportive and they know how to have a good time at a rock and roll concert.
HTF: Is there a notable difference between shows in different countries? For example, if you play Germany are you really aware that you’re playing in Germany?
Will: Besides the obvious language barrier there is a slight difference in crowd response because some countries have a totally different idea of what is considered a respectful reaction. For example playing in Japan is completely different from touring the UK because Japanese people are so polite, to the point where if they hear you speak between songs they will stop applauding just to hear what you have to say. Its like they don’t want to miss anything that could be considered entertainment.
HTF: I’ve been told that you have been playing a couple of new songs on this tour. How has the reception been towards them? I know it can be difficult for any band to present new stuff live because people can be stubborn and just want to hear what they know.
Will: We have played one new song on the tour and it has been very well received. It is a pretty mellow song but the response has been overwhelmingly positive.
HTF: I remember at a show in Birmingham with Vendetta Red 7 or 8 years ago during your set you played Territorial Pissings by Nirvana (to a crazy reception by the way!) Do you still like to slip in cover songs?
HTF: We do like playing cover tunes and putting our little spin on them, but that particular one really wasn’t tampered with at all. It’s just a good song to get a crowd going and we like to get a crowd going. This time around we have been playing a rendition of Cee Lo Greens “Fuck You” and that too has been very well received.
HTF: Last year you stated that you would be entering the studio and looking for a 2010 release. Did this still happen as planned?
Will: I don’t see a 2010 release but I have been writing some songs and hope to get into the studio early next year to get them recorded and released sometime next year
HTF: It states on your myspace that you are now unsigned? Are there any labels in mind for future material?
Will: Fenix Tx is unsigned at the moment and there are no labels in mind for future material.
HTF: Do you still think a record label is as needed as it was even 5 years ago, what with the internet allowing for a band to reach an international audience that only a label could achieve before hand.
Will: I do not think that a label is needed, but they can definitely help a release along.
HTF: Would you ever consider the Radiohead Model, allowing fans to pay what they like? More and more bands are using this approach through Bandcamp.com. Sufjan Stevens sold 10,000 copies of his new ep 3 days before it even was released in stores through his bandcamp alone. Do you see this sort of access to music damaging to the industry or liberating for bands?
HTF: I love the Radiohead model and wish that more bands would use it, it can only help strengthen a bands fan base. But in the case of Radiohead they were a multiplatinum selling artist and worldwide phenomenon before they decided to give away their music for free. I don’t think they would have chosen to give their music away for free without first having that size of a fan base. It was a smart move for them publicity wise and it paid off. I would be more interested to know how many new fans signed up for their email list to get that free music. Because that was what they were really looking for, NEW FANS.
HTF: Finally, I personally am always interested in knowing what music bands are listening to. If you were to listen to any music right now what band or artist would you instinctively play?
Will: I am the worst at answering this question because my listening tastes are all over the place. I listen to Rock, Hip Hop, Classical, Country, Alternative, pretty much everything so anytime I turn on the computer I literally put my iTunes Library which consists of about 240 gigs of music on shuffle and just see what pops up. At this moment it is Bonobo, Black Sands. I like music and can always find something I like in the music I am listening to. But I also get bored with music so I don’t find myself listening to the same album over and over and over again. I do have those few favorites that will always be in a playlist but even those have seemed to take a backseat to the good old shuffle button. Its fun to come across something that I haven’t heard in a long time and then just go to that artist and listen to their entire catalog. Music is my memory trigger.
HTF: Thanks alot for taking time to answer these questions good luck on the rest of the tour.
Will: Thanks for the questions.
Interviewer: Jordan Daniel
