At their coming out party on Sunday, South FM debuted songs fromtheir second album Swallowing the Pill at Trees in DeepEllum.
For those who quickly became fans of last year’s hit”Dear Claudia,” the performance was a refreshing mixbetween the band’s harder tracks and the chart topper of lastyear.
South FM’s new album is expected to be in stores in early2005.
The band has been on their own since last years unexpected dropfrom MCA until they signed with Brando records. Staff writer JenniBeauchamp sat down with the guitarist Chad Abbott for a fewquestions to fill us in on the future of the band.
You guys recently had a label change, what happened with theold label?
We were on MCA but MCA folded within a pretty short time of usgetting a record deal after 34 years of them being a label andGeffen picked up all of their bands. But it was like, if youweren’t a gold or platinum selling band you suffered. The newlabel is called Brando records.
Do you have a new producer?
We’re still working with David Castell, he did the finalmixes on the last records and he produced everything from start tofinish on the new album.
Has that helped you guys start over from scratch —having a new producer?
It helped with the songwriting process — having anotherear there always helps. His input definitely helped with a cordchange here or a vocal here or there, it really helped a bunch.
I hear you have somewhat of a new lineup, what does it looklike now?
We have a new drummer, Moe Martinez, and a new bassist JamesShaser, G.I and I are still on guitar and Paco sings lead.
Do you think that’s better that way, with the newadditions to the band?
Our old bass player moved on to a different project and thedrummer went to be Sethers drummer. Having them in the band isgreat. I’d say it’s the first time in five yearswe’re having fun. Playing music, making a record and justhanging out. It’s the first time it’s not been justabout business and it’s more fun. So far we haven’t hadany problems getting along.
Has that made a change in your sound?
I think that everybody stepped it up for this album. We’vehad the strongest rhythm section we’ve ever had. James andMoe had worked together before, so they’ve been playingtogether for about five years. They pretty much came as apackage.
For those who aren’t familiar with your sound yet, howwould you describe your sound?
I guess you could say mainstream alternative. I don’treally like labels, though.
What are you expecting from this album?
We’re going to be doing all the playing that we can,basically in the next three months. Just try to hype the album asmuch as we can and get more fans into it, let the old fans knowthat we’re still here. We sold 15,000 albums last time aroundso we’re excited to see where this one will go.