Before End of an Era held their CD release party on February 26, 2011 at The Brighton Bar in Long Branch, NJ, I sat with the fellas to discuss the process of putting their album together, what they hope it brings them and the overall direction they want to head. Here is that interview:
Working in the Jersey music scene, I’ve learned that the industry is rough. It is a very dog-eat-dog world. Everybody should stick together, but instead try to step over one another on their way to the top. The ones that do make it to the top try everything they can to get a possible advantage over the competition. Some use costumes, some use publicity stunts and some are just handed fame. Toms River rockers End Of An Era only needed to do one thing: make good music.
Since they first formed in 2005, EOAE have been one of the hardest working bands in the local music scene. Like any band, and any relationship between people for that matter, there were low points that they were forced to overcome. They’ve waded through the high and low tides, and that has brought them where they are today. The self-titled “End Of An Era,” is their first full-length album.
The entire album as a whole still gives the heavy, melodic vibe that EOAE is known for delivering. Not only can you sing along to it, but you can break your neck to it as well. The track “2002: A Space Tragedy” is very mellow and a very unfamiliar sound from these guys. However the new recording of “Final Approach” will get any listener out of their seat.
The new album is a complete collective effort of all members of the band. What they’ve done is take the “End of an Era” style that their fans have come to love, and added new elements to it. At first listen, you clearly know it’s the boys from EOAE, especially in songs like “Reclamation” to “Wait For You.” There are several tracks that were written some time ago that the band re-recorded. The new recordings are far better than the original and really reflect the new camaraderie of the band.
As the album progresses, however, you start to feel a different vibe in tracks like “The Good, The Bad and The Better” and the two-part song “Be All” and “End All.” The new tracks on the album show the complete input of each band member. Everyone brings their own style and sound, and with each song they bring all of their elements together for a sound that has never before been produced.
The band seems to have a stronger connection now than they ever have before. Not only does it show on stage, but also the album reflects it perfectly. “End Of An Era” is perfect for original fans of the band, and is undoubtedly the best recording they have ever produced.
The following interview takes place on Feb. 22, 2011.
Bil Facciponte: Jeff (Brogan), you’re back with the band doing the first recording you’ve done with them in some time, what is it like to be back?
Jeff Brogan: It was really good to get back in the studio with the rest of the guys. It felt like I never really left the band. It’s the first time we have two guitarists in the band, and it’s definitely a different experience.
BF: Well, Chris, how did you vibe with Jeff?
Chris Matsinger: When I came into this, we had talked about having a second guitar player. The first thought was always me coming in and playing with Brogan. Then it happened, and it was joyous.
JB: Its actually pretty amazing how well Chris fit with the band. When we used to play with his old band, he’d actually hang with us more than them.
Jeff Wallace: We had Chris fill in on a show years back, and at that time we had talked about brining him back.
BF: How long have you guys been working on the new album?
Jeff Spagnola: Before Brogan came back into the band, he wanted to just come down and jam a little bit. One day, me, him and Chris we’re sitting around and Brogan came up with something he wanted to jam on, something stupid to mess around on, and 20 minutes later we had a song now called “The Good, The Bad and The Better.” That was the first time we played with Brogan and Chris at the same time, and it just clicked immediately.
BF: So do each of you have a favorite song from the new album, or are you digging on all of them?
JS: We started recording in August, and just put the final touches on it in January. So I’ve been sitting on it for however many months that is, so at this point they’re all kind of my favorite.
BF: You guys had re-recorded a few of your previous tracks for the new album. Brogan, what was it like for you to come record these tracks that were done without you?
JB: There were actually a couple of tracks that I was apart of the band for, I just wasn’t involved in the recording of it. It kind of sucks though because they’re not mine. I almost felt like I was a stepfather to some of these songs.
BF: There was a brief line-up change within the band over the last year. How has that affected the band as a whole?
JW: It really changed the way we wrote as a band. We came together and saw that this was a new entity and we were all in it together. We’ve all equally contributed. Even the lyrics, I’d come up with a chorus and explain what I wanted the song to be, and then someone would come up with a crazy verse, then we’d work out the lyrics for what sounded better. For instance, there was a line that originally read “vomit on his d**k” but then got changed to “puke on his piece,” to give the listener their own interpretation.
JB: We all had a hand in writing the songs. Before “The Good, The Bad, and The Better” came to be, it was some silly pop-punk think I worked on, and then adding the bass, drums and vocals, it just made the song full. If one person didn’t write the song, they contributed to it.
JS: On one hand, if each of the members of the band is like a body part, the head, arms and legs, it’s kind of like losing a limb. That gave us the opportunity to go out and get a better, robotic leg. We got to start from scratch, which is something we haven’t done in a long time. We winded up coming out with our best material so far.
Justin Mazyk: We started a “no-no” policy, in that we didn’t shoot down any ideas. If Chris came up with an idea that Brogan and I thought was stupid, we’d try it anyway and ended up coming up with a lot of cool [stuff] that maybe didn’t sound perfect when we first put it together, but after going through it a bit, it changed the song in such a good way that we ended up keeping it.
BF: I think you guys really vibe well together, and the new album is incredible. You seem to have such a synergy on stage that it seems like this is this original line-up.
CM: That’s another big part of it, the live show. All the energy is still there that we’ve always had, but it is something different to watch. It’s not the same show anymore.
BF: With all you guys have been through, most people would give up. What makes you guys continue to do this?
JW: I’m going to get deep on this. We all have a lot to say. We’re basically disgusted by society around us and the way people treat each other. There’s a lot to say, and we have big mouths. That is the main reason I do this. I want the world to hear these guys’ mouths. I’m honored to say the things that the band feels.
CM: That’s the thing about it, we all hate the same things, but have something different to say about it. The five of us are almost very different guys, but that helps to bring us close together.
BF: Since the last time we interviewed, which was about two years ago, you guys have played a lot of shows. Which has been the most fun?
JW: The Jersey Shows Battle of the Bands at the Starland (Ballroom) was pretty fun. The expectations were high for everyone in the room, and living up to those was a really good feeling.
BF: With the new album, I’m sure you have some shows booked. What do you have lined up so far?
JS: In April we start touring through the Spring and Summer, pretty much until we either run out of money or die. We’re hoping it’s the money thing, but if it’s death, we’re just hoping its cool.
End of an Era’s self titled album is now available on iTunes or from endofanera.bandcamp.com. Find them on Facebook for upcoming show dates.
Jeff Wallace
Jeff Brogan
Chris Matsinger
Justin Mazyk
Spags
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