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Eric: hiii

CONFRONT: hey lol. so sorry this has been so complicated. How are you?

Eric: not a problem. I’m alright – how are you?

CONFRONT: Good. I guess I should probably just start at the beginning as I don’t think we’ve ever really discussed that about you as an individual. So maybe you can tell me a little bit about your musical journey up to date; how you started, your experience, your journey, your realizations etc.

Eric: umm. Well, I started playing music in the garage of the house I grew up in. I played guitar. Didn’t know any chords so I just kinda made a bunch of noise and tried to play melodies one string at a time; as long as it was really loud the other kids didn’t seem to care that it was god awful. It was two girls named Myla and Andrea. We called our band Marvin. We made crazy water bongs out of aquarium tubes and Alhambra jugs. I had a huge crush on Myla and when my best friend started fucking her at my house before band practice the whole thing kinda fell apart. He had a huge dick, I couldn’t compete.

CONFRONT: lol I’d say that was too much info but you know… people eat that shit up. No pun intended.

Eric: I started writing lyrics around then, age 15, but wouldn’t ever try to sing until I was about 18 when I joined a band of kids that were 15 and 16 and we called ourselves Enertia. We were a horrible pearl jam rip off. We were Creed before Creed was Creed. We played like 4 shows and started wondering why we hadn’t been signed yet… Mr. Big’s limo hadn’t pulled up yet, to whisk us off to rock stardom. Downside started in 1999 with just me and Ryan Hernandez, the full band was together by 2000 and we had already been kicked out of enough practice places to end the average local band career. We played a bunch of shows, got managers, got sued by managers, got production deals, got sued by producers, went on tour, recorded albums, got a record deal, got on mtv, got on the radio, went to a bunch of states and made videos in foreign countries. Then I realized I was putting my whole life second to this band I was bored to death with. And here we are!

CONFRONT: How does the Limousines come into the picture?

Eric: Well while Strata was in England recording what would be the last album, my mom was home in CA fighting cancer. I was scared she’d die and I wrote a song about it. It was the most honest and painful thing I had ever written and when it was done, when the album track list was being decided, I was outvoted by the label and the rest of the band because they thought my song was cheesy. So I decided I was going to quit the band and do a different kind of project where nobody could tell me which songs were good enough to put out…

CONFRONT: You had decided to quit Strata while recording End of the World?

Eric: yeah.

CONFRONT: You ended up touring a while on it though no?

Eric: I owed the label and the rest of the band my obligations to do the best I could with the finished record. But I was done with the band before the album even came out.

CONFRONT: If there are things you don’t want to answer feel from to tell me so obviously but I’m curious… you’ve spoken a lot of the issues you had with the business side of the industry; where there other factors that came into play?

Eric: other factors?

CONFRONT: Issues with the band? Disagreements on material, direction? Or maybe personal issues in the sense that you just weren’t ‘feeling’ it anymore artistically?

Eric: yeah all of the above – there were strained personal relationships within the band. I felt like I was growing apart from them in my personal interests.

CONFRONT: ok then. Can you tell me about The Limousines… that seems vague I know but I want to know what your perspective on the project as a whole is.

Eric: it’s a project born of mutual respect, much more simple since there is once guy making music and I just sing on it. It’s more like a rap project – he sends me tons of beats and I come up with concepts and words to attach

CONFRONT: The genre seems drastically different from what you were doing with Strata – granted the change from Strata’s first to second album was fairly drastic – did you find the transition difficult?

Eric: no, I found the process of taking the stage each night as part of a four piece rock band tedious… Limos music felt very natural for me because it’s much more like what I have been listening to for the four years or so…

CONFRONT: You have no idea how odd a statement that sounds from my perspective. That one show was probably one of my favourite shows to date and I’ve seen a lot of shows. You were pretty much the reason for that because to be honest I’m not a fan of the first Strata album at all although I enjoyed the lyrics. What about it was tedious?

Eric: Well, the habits we had developed in that band, as far as writing, felt more, to me, like banging my head against a wall than like expressing myself. Not only was it democratic to a fault, but we let the producers and the managers and the record label people all feel like their opinions mattered as much as any member of the band; nothing came without a fight; not a single song came easy.

CONFRONT: I’m assuming here but you’ve always written outside of music though, right?

Eric: no, I used to be in the room while all four of us just kinda jammed out ideas but that was back when the lyrics didn’t matter and we all kinda thought a finished song meant we could all do the same thing two times without fucking up; like “hmmm, guess that one’s done! next song”.

CONFRONT: Ok, but didn’t you write for yourself? Outside of the band? Poetry? Fiction? Coma Therapy can’t have been your first foray into that field even if only for personal pleasure.

Eric: I’m not sure I know what you mean.

CONFRONT: Well you said the lyrics didn’t matter. You seem to need the outlet… most artists do… everyone I know does anyway. So didn’t you at least get to express yourself through writing for yourself? Or was Coma Therapy – the book not the song – your first attempt at writing rather than putting words to music.

Eric: ahhh! I’ve always written in journals, poems, fiction stuff – but what I meant about the lyrics not mattering is more like, I didn’t realize just how important lyrics were, neither did anyone else in the band.

CONFRONT: ah ok. Were you surprise at the success you would get with Coma and now Trading Sunshine.

Eric: I don’t consider my book projects to be subject to failure or success. I’m happy with how they turned out. They’re gonna be cool little mementos from daddy when I’ve got kids.

CONFRONT: You don’t see them as more than that? The impact your writing has had on many of your MySpace readers has been fairly evident.

Eric: Which is awesome but that’s not motivation, you know?

CONFRONT: Whether or not you set out to have that impact, it’s still there. In fact, the fact that it wasn’t your motivation just adds to the “beauty” of it I’d say. Are you surprised that people have responded so favourably then? Whether or not their approval is motivation?

Eric: I’m really shocked by how much the books have done for people; I’m flattered more than anything. But the last thing I want to do is assume anyone is going to give a fuck what I have to say tomorrow. I was lucky to have their attention in the first place.

CONFRONT: And yet they do… in fact many people wait avidly for your next blog, your next opinion and you next idea. Your Myspace is very much a place that people visit to get help making up their own mind sometimes… on religion… politics… now that you have their attention do you feel some sort of responsibility? politically for example?

Eric: Umm, I sometimes consider what life would be like without MySpace. Like, how much easier it would be. But I am so obsessed with answering all my messages, it’s like a constant obligation but it’s really interesting at the same time. People ask me for all sorts of advice and I know that it means a lot to some of them just to get an opinion back from someone – not because it’s me and I’m special, just because they reach out and there’s a hand for them. I don’t know, it’s cheesy, but I feel like if I broke down and deleted my MySpace it would let a lot of people down…

CONFRONT: It would. Me for one lol. no pressure though And that’s definitely part of it – the hand reaching out – but to play devil’s advocate, it’s because it’s you as well to some degree. Not that there is anything wrong with that though from my perspective. Maybe that’s ‘cause I’m not famous.

Eric: I’m not famous either.

CONFRONT: You are to those who know you.

Eric: Well, that’s true for anyone.

CONFRONT: Of course. But we aren’t talking being popular on your street or with your friends. How many friends do you have on your MySpace? People that read your every word? Is that a bad thing?

Eric: I don’t know how many of them read every word but there are over 20,000 of them; I’m sure there’s a good number of webcam whores and shitty bands but I don’t deny requests.

CONFRONT: Maybe famous is the wrong word then but the point stays the same. Be it 10 or 1000 or a million, your words affect some. For example, in Trading Shadows you have a poem called ‘Another Rainy Parade, Courtesy of Yours Truly’ – if I screwed that up sorry it’s from memory – some might decide to not send a manuscript to an agent for fear of the negative side of the business. Again I’m playing devil’s advocate but you get my point. Is that something you feel you have to consider now that you have an audience?

Eric: oh I just feel like it’s important to be honest with my audience, however small or large and through whichever form of media – it’s tough trying to make a living on your art. In every way you can imagine. And if anyone thinks they want to write poetry or sing songs for a living they better know getting into it that there are liars and snakes and thieves who make their living trying to fuck you over.

CONFRONT: Do you find that has taken away from your artistry?

Eric: Sure. But only because I wasn’t smart enough to know this shit from the start. I trusted people. And I hope to let kids know that a healthy distrust of the business is their greatest asset starting out.

CONFRONT: Is that why you decided to self publish? And will you also self-release with Limos?

Eric: We are self releasing by giving music away on MySpace. I don’t want to come off like I’m anti industry cause we’ll sign a contract that makes sense. I just have doubts as to whether those exist anymore.

CONFRONT: Not that I have much frame of reference but what would be a contract that makes sense… a few examples

Eric: That’s way too complicated to get into here – but with all an artist can do on their own -companies need to bring something to the table that we can’t do ourselves…

CONFRONT: Something like what? Things like promo?

Eric: Sure, anything a band can’t do on its own. Distribution of physical product, fund a big project, get your music into movies and tv etc

CONFRONT: Isn’t it sort of a catch 22 though. You don’t want to sign a contract that isn’t ‘right’ but at the same time it’s difficult to live off your art because you aren’t signing a contract.

Eric: Make sense?

CONFRONT: So how to you get out of the circle? Well that’s a stupid question given that you self published i guess. Is that the best of both worlds for you?

Eric: If there were a book company out there that would show me something interesting I’d be all about it… I fucking hate going to the post office every other day.
CONFRONT: lol well not to bring back to the famous conversation but from a fan’s perspective, that just makes it that much more special. Receiving your book in the mail is one thing, knowing that you packaged it and sent it is like the ultimate bonus for a fan. If Anne Rice sent me a copy of her next book I’d frame it I think. Well that’s a bad example given how grossly religious she is now but you get my point.

Eric: I hadn’t looked at it that way but I see your point.

CONFRONT: my favourite words to hear lol. Can we switch gears for a few minutes a do a couple of quick fires?

Eric: K, Hit me

CONFRONT: You have to finish the sentence. I never….

Eric: Relax

CONFRONT: I would never…

Eric: Be happy alone

CONFRONT: If I HAD to do it all over again I would change…

Eric: My mind

CONFRONT: lolrh…

Eric: Djkakk

CONFRONT: heheh. If I could relive one day it would be…

Eric: The day I die.

CONFRONT: The day you die? Reasoning?

Eric: I would never die right? If groundhogs day was the day you die? Then you get a full life with a bonus infinite loop

CONFRONT: favourite childhood memory?

Eric: Private! ? some things are sacred. Either that or I just can’t think of a good one….

CONFRONT: Of course but I wouldn’t be a good journalist if I didn’t try to pry every once in a while Speaking of… where do you draw the line between what you are willing to share and save?

Eric: I don’t have a specific rule.

CONFRONT: Have there been times where you regretted saying or not saying something?

Eric: I do. But I can’t let that shut me up. I just wanna say it’s really an honour to be on the cover of Confront magazine btw ? (don’t make me regret saying that!)

CONFRONT: All you get is a blush. I don’t deal well with compliments lol. But thank you. Moving on. What do you hate being asked and what do you wish people would ask but don’t?

Eric:That’s a cop out question ya stinker!

CONFRONT: totally lol.

Eric: I’m not gonna ask the questions AND answer them!!!

CONFRONT: what’s wrong with turning the tables? Compliments unsettle me I need time to recoup.

Eric: Neither of us are DJs.

CONFRONT: good point lol. Ok then back to debating… I have a question for you about religion. Before you roll your eyes here me out.

Eric: K

CONFRONT: I’m not a religious person by any means other than to say that I enjoy the knowledge aspect of it. I enjoy its study be it forms of Christianity or Hinduism etc… that said I think I have faith that there is something regardless of what that might be. Yet you often equate faith with fear or am I over stating that? of the unknown etc.

Eric: I think it’s lazy. It’s a cruel joke. The bastard child of hope and ignorance.

CONFRONT: Can’t that also be said of any type of faith though?

Eric: Yup.

CONFRONT: Faith that love is real? Faith that you made the right decision?

Eric: Certainty with no basis in evidence is faith.

CONFRONT: Evidence is subjective though. And what I see, you might not and vice versa. For example… to make a long story very short….

Eric: Pshhhh- without all the squashy pseudo philosophy no, evidence is not subjective.

CONFRONT: Of course it is to the outside person looking in. I’ve experienced weird things that I know happened. Nobody else experienced it but myself and my husband. You believe deeply in love.

Eric: Sure. Love isn’t evidence of anything.

CONFRONT: I assume you have faith your family loves you because you have evidence. Yet to me, the same acts you consider evidence of love could mean something entirely different if let’s say I were abused. Subjective.

Eric: I believe it feels awesome when I eat a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, but it doesn’t mean there’s any more to it than me and the candy.

CONFRONT: So then is your assertion that there is no ‘god’ a personal view or a general one? again I’m playing devil’s advocate

Eric: I think the idea of there not being a creator of the universe is about as general as a statement can be… Unless I’m misunderstanding.

CONFRONT: no! got it right. I just see that as a contradiction. Because, if as you say it’s just between you and the Reese’s cup, isn’t that true of faith as well. It’s your relationship with IT.

Eric: I’ll say one thing for brevities sake though. No one ever kills for a lack of belief.

CONFRONT: that’s not true really. Heathens were persecuted. They still are to some extent. Atheists were considered heathens.

Eric: Exactly – religious people killed them. I’m saying atheists don’t run around killing people for believing in god

CONFRONT: Unless you believe the tales of the Illuminati and higher echelon Masons but I read a lot

Eric: Nonsense

CONFRONT: There are extremists everywhere

Eric: There has never been an organized atheist group to persecute and murder based on their disbelief

CONFRONT: Murder ill give you because nothing comes to mind but isn’t intolerance as much a crime? There are very intolerant atheist groups. Some of Richard Dawkins “followers” tend to be very intolerant.

Eric: Not all the time. But they are just not tolerant of groups who would kill them if they had the chance

CONFRONT: ok ill stop before I sound like a religious nut lol.

Eric: Religion is the only thing that makes it ok to be crazy

CONFRONT: I agree. I hate religion. I just separate faith and religion. This is probably a stupid questions but if you had…

Eric: This is a conversation to save for a coffee date

CONFRONT: Next time I’m in Cali ill hold you to that. It’ll be a while so I’ll have time to prep.

Eric: I think you might be mistaking certainty for faith….

CONFRONT: in what way? You can’t be certain of what you don’t understand. But I’m certain that i don’t understand

Eric: Being sure you love your husband or that I enjoy peanut butter and chocolate is one thing.
Claiming to know what the creator of the universe thinks about is just fucking crazy.

CONFRONT: Well yeah. But then I don’t believe there is ‘a creator’. Not the way Christians do anyway. I just don’t discount that it could be true. I doubt it but how do I know?

Eric: …….this is where the eye rolling comes in but I’ll tell ya more over a cappuccino

CONFRONT: lol fine, fine… roll your eyes away. so as I started to say before I stopped myself to argue some more.. if you had to chose between writing and making music which would you chose? Not necessarily forever but for a time.

Eric: There’s no reason to even entertain the idea!

CONFRONT: there might be… time wise let’s say. For example… I had to choose between journalism and fiction because I didn’t have time for both for a long time. Fiction is still is an afterthought unfortunately.

Eric: I’m not writing right now, between books

CONFRONT: by choice or by lack of material? Another question I forgot to ask before… you mentioned fiction before… is that something you are considering actively? Do you write fiction with the intent to publish?

Eric: There’s fiction in both my books. Or do you mean a novel?

CONFRONT: I mean it as either short stories as opposed to poetry, or a novel

Eric: I haven’t made that commitment to myself yet

CONFRONT: have you dabbled? I’m curious as to what kind of fiction trots in your head.

Eric: Yup.

CONFRONT: that’s all I’m getting isn’t it lol.

Eric: Yup.

CONFRONT: Are you going out on tour at some point? northeast-ish

Eric:I don’t know

CONFRONT: what’s the major hold backs?

Eric: Money. It costs money to tour.

CONFRONT: I can keep blabbing for ages but at this point it’s just random. [so I'll leave it at that]. Thanks a lot I really appreciate all the time.

Eric: Good times

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