Blue October

Written by Adam Tibbott

Saturday, 04 March 2006

July 2004 in Des Moines, Iowa I had the chance to sit down with Blue October on their recent stop in Des Moines, Iowa. After a brief soundcheck at their substitute venue, Hoyt Sherman Place, which included an instrumental rendition of AC/DC's 'Back In Black', 'Come In Closer' and 'A Quiet Mind', Scott, their tour manager, confirmed the interview was still available. Slight volume issues arose and Justin was still unsure, so their practice lasted a little over half an hour. Despite popular rumors, Scott really can sing and took up the vocals during the end of 'Come In Closer' while Justin and Ryan checked the last of their equiptment. I guess I was the only media in Des Moines to request an in person interview, so we headed out to the dock for a quick smoke break, and I got the chance to ask Piper, the only female memeber of the band, what is was like touring with a bunch of guys. "Awesome, fun ... amazing," she told me. Jeremey added in that "she has a torture chamber built into the back of the bus." He sounded very excited about that statement and Piper could only laugh, "sometimes I make them my slaves," she whispered. After some technical difficulties with the band's interior lighting, "we've only had it for two days," Justin confessed, i was even more nervous. But the show must go on and I had some questions i had to ask. I had also read Justin was a big A Perfect Circle fan, and had gotten an extra head shot of the band and figured it was a good icebreaker and maybe they'd remember me if for nothing else then that. And he almost jumped up out of his seat when I handed it to him. I had read an older interview and Justin had said that each night on stage is "like a big emotional breakdown." Had that remained true through the years? "It's not that it's an emotional breakdown, it's an outlet. Oh yeah ... I just really get into the songs. It's excellent therapy." Not just for Justin either. "Jeremy is beating on the drums. Ryan does his thing. Even Piper gets into it." She confirmed that with a solid nod, "It's great to be up there on stage." Justin continued, "we just got done filming a live DVD and a video, and had wondered if we needed to change our 'images'. We've always wondered what we look like on stage, and that gave us the chance to see it." After seeing himself he wonders "why I do some of the things I do on stage." They were, however only meant to release one record for Universal Records and then "they dropped us. We put out an independent album and it did so well that they asked us back." After regrouping and gathering their collective thoughts and a line up change, the band is very greatful for Universals support. "We'd still be doing this even if they hadn't taken us back. That was always our goal." Whether or not they did it on their own. Even if they had to "do it on our own. We work our butts off." They did all seem a little surprised when I mention that KSTZ has put "Calling You" into heavy rotation. "Are you serious? That's awesome," Justin admitted. It's rare to find songs that so closely mimic something that you've been through, and of all the tracks 'Razorblade' hit the closest to home. "I guess I was an over dramatic kid. I always blew everything out of proportion, whether or not it was my fault. You know, you're young and you don't know why. You play with a razorblade and it cuts you. You have a bout with a razorblade. You're thinking, 'I don't think anyone loves me." Which rarely is the case. And instead of people saying " 'oh, you do tha't, it should be 'it's okay, i've done that to.' " And does he get most of his inspiration from first hand experiance? James, the band's very first single was written about, well, Justin's friend Jeremy. "I'm very vendictive if I've been hurt. My revenge was for him to know the song was about him everytime he heard it on the radio. It's theraputic. I've gotten over it and we're still friends." And when someone knows a particular song has been written about them, do they ever wonder why he's written it? "No, they know why." With some understanding and communication they're usually able to "make peace and get over it." I was invited back after the show, "if you can think of anything else. Just find Scott and he'll find me." I may have to take him up on that offer.

 

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