By: Sanctified Press
     http://www.sanctifiedpress.com
      

SP:Why do you think Scaterd Few, and yourself in particular, sent such a shockwave through the industry when Sin Disease was released? Was the bookstore set ready for "Kill The Sarx"? :)


Allan:We put out a record, on a "mainstream" label (Frontline) that had "mainstream" distribution (Benson), unlike any other record that market had ever seen before or since. I told Frontline flat out that I was going to make a "secular" record, secular in it's content, approach, etc. instead of the safe, shallow "christian" records most people made and most still make today. The idea was to make a record that would hold it's own against it's secular counterparts. People freaked. The subject matter was real and not "Jesus makes everything ok" because He doesn't. Life is life. Life with Jesus doesn't mean you're not going to have a bad day or tragedy in your life or in the lives of those you know and love. That's not the Christianity I've known these last 22 years. It's also not what my Bible says. Life with Jesus means you have hope and a Comforter you can rely on through the good and bad times. I write about life; mine and yours, good or bad. They didn't like that. It popped their dysfunctional and scripturally unsound bubble. The bookstore set still isn't ready for Kill the Sarx. It's not good for business.


SP:When you first began releasing albums in the late 80's/early 90's it seemed like there was a bit of a "christian rock renaissance" happening (for lack of a better term). Bands like Daniel Amos, The Choir, Adam Again, LSU, Violet Burning, and your own Scaterd Few were creating quality music that was as artistic as anything mainstream, yet spoke of a real world faith. How do you feel the music being released by christian bands today stands up against some of those early masterpieces, and what are your thoughts on the state of christian music in general?


Allan:Trying to get me in trouble, aye? I don't think the majority of bands today can compete with what we were doing 10+ years ago. Christian rock radio proves that. Again, It's shallow. Church kids making music for church kids. That's amazing if you're Rock and Roll Worship Circus (my fav new ACM band) but there are so many bands out now, the majority who have no business making records, that could never compete with the general market for lack of living, lack of songwriting ability, ridiculous lyrics, etc. They've grown up in a church environment that doesn't condone real life experiences and that supports plagiarism (God's Gym T-Shirts, etc). I'm not saying that because you're not a hooker you can't relate to a hooker, that's ludicrous. What I am saying is, if you don't know any hookers, pagans, drug addicts, what ever, humans that live way outside the church (you know, planet earth) how are you as a band, without understanding and knowing what it's like to be them, going to warrant their attention or trust like they would say, Slip Knot or whomever. Christian music today is as irrelevant as it was when Sin Disease came out if not more because of the amount of bands out there. It's music by Christians for Christians. Your readers are screaming "what about POD" right now. What about POD? I support what they're doing to the best of my knowledge and how they're doing it but that's one band in how many that has successfully crossed over?


SP:In hindsight, can you see anything that could have been done to get those type of quality bands more exposure?


Allan:Money. People with the money and the brains and guts to do what was so obvious to me then. Sell the bands in the general market place. It's barely being done today.


SP:You're growing a little older. You've now been located in Texas for a while, have a family, a nice web presence and are booked to play a couple of shows at C-Stone this year. Give us a little insight into your mindset at the moment and the projects you're working on.


Allan:I'm busy. Looking for a light at the end of the check signing tunnel. Excited. Cautious. Frustrated. Optimistic. Cautious. In the last 48 hours, the debut from American Culture eXperiments and "Omega No 5" from Scaterd Few, have been edited, mastered and sent to the presses. Advertising campaigns, marketing, radio and working on the live shows are presently on my plate.


SP:The Grandmother's Spaceship album addressed some of the dangers of the "information age". How has the internet affected what you do?


Allan:It's made life easier in a way. Information at your finger tips. How did we live without email? It made me a pretty good living after the Grandmother Spaceship tour and has helped fund Accidental Sirens. I think it's great if you keep it a tool and not your identity.


SP:What do you mean "your identity"?


Allan:Many people are making the internet their identity. For example: If they are unhappy with their spouse, cyber sex, etc., instead of resolving the issue.
Not too outgoing, not a lot of friends, shy? No problem... never leave the house just instant message or chat. That's not healthy. Identity: When you replace normal interactive activities off line with online.


SP:Your Spyglass Blue projects are a little more moody and atmospheric than the very aggressive Scaterd Few material. Which style do you like best?


Allan:I would almost have to say Spy Glass Blue because of the production, instrumentation, arranging and all the wonderful air you can place the vocal in. The vocal is so much more an instrument with Spy Glass Blue. But, I just finished a Scaterd Few record, literally (9 days ago) that shreds and that I'm very, very excited about. I'm passionate about the art that Spy Glass Blue represents... it's artier than punk rock which is so much more primal. I love and enjoy doing Scaterd Few but Spy Glass Blue is closer to where I'd rather be.


SP:Do you play much locally and are there any plans to do any touring?


Allan:We (Scaterd Few) are starting to play more locally. Coming out with Loud As Feathers (Spy Glass Blue) and starting the label/studio back in August of 2001 came after a 4 year nap, so...


SP:Allan, I appreciate your time and look forward to seeing you at the Cornerstone Fest. What can fans expect from your shows?


Allan: Spy Glass Blue: A delicious blend
Scaterd Few: Insane riotous angst.


For more info on Allan, his bands, and his record label, go to ACCIDENTAL SIRENS.


 

By: Sanctified Press
     http://www.sanctifiedpress.com