On a beautiful and breezy summer evening in June, Kathryn, mym youth volunteer, and I sat down to do an interview with “the Marble Index” at Call the Office. The trio of talented musicians -- Brad (lead vocals and guitar), Adam (drums), and Ryan (guitar) -- all hail from Hamilton Ontario where they formed the band in 2001. Their sound is uniquely their own — touted as millenium punk. If you read the cheeky answer on their MySpace profile as to what they sound like…”music” is their response. These are three guys who are playing, touring, recording and living their dream, making music is what keeps them happy, playing live even happier. Gearing up for a busy schedule they are making appearances at summer music festivals, Much Music, touring Germany and England, and then fly back for dates across Canada promoting their latest CD release “ Watch Your Candles, Watch Your Knives”. This is pure raw Canadian talent you don’t want to miss.

Seanda, mym staff, Youth Coordinator

http://www.myspace.com/marbleindex
www.themarbleindex.com

1.What is “the Marble Index”?
“It comes from a former female member of a 60’s band called the Velvet Underground, Nico. “The Marble Index” is the title of her solo record. Our music style isn’t anything like the album, but it is a favourite album. It was a unanimous agreement and all three us agreed it was a name that we would be happy with for the long run.” (Brad)
“We didn’t want a name that was too odd, one that we would later regret but be stuck with.” (Adam)

2. Opening at Toronto Argonaut’s game on July 8th, are you going to sing O’Canada?
We’re playing “I believe” and “All that I know” on the field after the game. (Adam)

3. What will you be doing at MuchMusic on July 14th?
“We will be playing outside at a Mountain Dew Party in the MuchMusic parking lot with a line up of other bands. It’s not a live broadcast as our performance is being shot at 2am!” (Ryan)

4. What was the inspiration behind the title of your newest release “Watch your candles, Watch your knives”?
"We found their explanation of the title interesting, to say the least! The guys told us that they change the story for every interview but they claim that this is the true story behind the title…" It comes from a book on cults and losing your children to dark spirits. The book says to watch your candles and knives as that is the first step to losing your children, a clue that they are involved in something dangerous. Our music is in no way attached to the dark arts though. Just liked the weirdness of it. (Brad)

5. What is your formula for getting along…and when you are stressed what do you do to cope? Any creative advice for youth dealing with stress?
“It’s not hard for us to get along as we were friends before we came together to form a band. We just let each other be quiet when each needs to be, and to recognize when space is needed. Most importantly, is not to take anything personally!” (Brad)
Enjoying Adam and his on-the-road antics is another way they cope… something about a a car ride involving a banana peel stuck to Adam’s head by the sheer velocity of his head while hanging out the car window (disclaimer: please don’t try this yourself!) Laughter and a great sense of humour really seems to keep these guys stay grounded and happy. Knowing how to laugh at themselves and making the best of any situation is what all three work hard at during stressful times — like no hot water or showers for three weeks when they were recording in England.

6. When you’re on the road, what are you most homesick for?
Ryan is most homesick for his home: The place that is his and where he doesn’t have to share space.
Brad misses his daily TV shows such as the Daily Show and the Colbert Report.
Adam misses his legal TV shows like Judge Joe Brown and Judge Judy.

7. What positively influences your writing and performing?
“Musically, it pretty much just comes out.” (Ryan)
“Lyrically,” Brad says “I draw it from my personal relationships and I don’t feel the need to make any strong social statements — there are enough bands out there doing that already.”

8. If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
Adam and Ryan said they’d both still be trying to make music. Brad said he might still be working in the same record store he started at when he was 18! They would still be connected to music in some way, as it is such an integral part of their lives.

9. Any creative advice?
“Don’t do it!!” (But the boys were just kidding.) “It’s different for everyone but just manage your expectations. Don’t expect to be “set for life” just because you want to be a famous musician. Instead of talking more about what you’re going to do and how it’s going to be, practice, get out there and do it! Take as much time as possible to learn and get a feel for what you’re doing but don’t always take what teachers say as gospel. Make music your own! If you want to be in this industry just to be a rock star and be rich, chances are it’s not going to happen.” (Brad)

10. You must have gone through high highs and low lows to get where you are. What did you do to deal with those hard times?
The groups says if you are in the music industry for success and people liking you, you're in it for the wrong reasons. You must like your music and it must be your main focus. Brad says it's all politics and it's out of their control. They just continue to play everynight and "if they don't get it, they don't get it" . These guys are muscicians because they want to be, not because it's a cool job. Ryan doesn't care what they think, he'd pick his job over working in a gas station any day!

Kathryn