Music is Not a Competition, It's an Art: An Essay by Avidan Wolf

I realize that it is human nature to turn everything into a competition, we as individuals strive to be the best (at least some do). So, natural music gets lumped in there as a competitive activity. However, It’s really fucking not. I swear there are days where I don’t want to listen to music, think about it, sing a song or dick around on my banjo because I’m so incredibly turned off by the idea of music. All because people turn it into something bigger than it really is,. Music is simple in my head, It’s sounds that invoke emotions, whether it be happiness, sadness, anger or arousal. It’s beautiful and brings something special to our lives, it’s the only reason we have ears…surely it’s not to listen to people talk; fuck that noise.

There are days I don’t want to listen to music because it’s so very boring. Bands are so afraid to try new things, to experiment, all because they are afraid of “falling behind”. If they can’t replicate that latest popular band, no one will like them. Again, fuck that noise. I’ve been in the local scene for a while now, I’ve seen so many bands come and go, only a handful of them ever stood out to me as truly original. That’s not to say that most aren’t good, It’s just a kudos to those bands that just said “fuck it,” and did what they wanted rather than worrying about “Are we synchronized?” “Will the pit open up to this breakdown” “This needs more pitch correction” “I need more effects on the screams”, ect, ect.

I guess my main pet peeve in the mess of this rant is shit talking. When music is turned into a competition, there seems to be an increase of shit talking. We are all guilty, I find myself battling with it. I have to make a conscious effort to think to myself, “Why am I jealous? They worked hard, they are good; good for them” for some reason this is hard for people to do. There is never any reason to shit talk someone, whether it’s because they have had more success then your or they are new to the scene and just trying to get better. I cannot stand those that bully the ‘newbies’. We have all been there, playing our first shows, scared out of our minds; just hoping everyone will like you. It sucks, it sucks more when ‘veteran’ are sitting in the corner bad mouthing and laughing.

I don’t know what the point of this rant is, I suppose that is the goal of a rant; get things off my chest and out for the whole inter-webs to see. This is directed to my fellow musicians, peers, friends. The funny things is that the people I would like to have see this the most, probably never will…because I don’t have them friend on facebook because they are shitty fucking people. The cocky, elitist, shit talking, douchebags that use music as just another step to climb up the social ladder.

Maybe some of my own friends will read this and find one or two things that apply to them and they will make conscious efforts to fix their own flaws. Maybe the point of this is to try and promote unity, support for one another and just a general awareness of the things I see. I don’t know, hopefully you got something out of this rambling.
It made me feel a little better.

Interview: As Thick As Thieves

Formed in summer of 2011, As Thick As Thieves is a post-hardcore band with some extra groove. Consisting of six members, unique talents combine to make up some angelic, yet, face shattering melodies. From Avi’s (clean vocalist) great pitch to Taylor’s(vocalist) in your face screams, there is sure to be songs for every post-hardcore genre lover! Members Kenny B. (guitar) and Zak (guitar) planted the seed of ATAT in July 2010. Kenny “Kenfolk” Johnson was added to the mix in February 2011. Shortly after in April drummer Tommy “Bear” Ashenbrenner joined the crew bringing along friend Avidan Wolf, after numerous practices and shows, outsider Taylor Ellis joined the band giving Avi the chance he needed to work solely on clean vocals and pitch. Taylor was the final member to join and the last ingredient that makes up As Thick As Thieves. I chatted with Avi and Bear about the upcoming EP.

State your names and positions in the band:

Avidan Wolf, Clean Vocals.

Thomas “Bear” Ashenbrenner.  I play drums.

For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to ATAT? How long has the band been around?

Avi: Prior to ATAT, I was in Askyla and a number of poopy weiner bands that smelled like poop; but they were awesome…so whatevs.  ATAT has been around since early last year…feels like forever.

Bear: Poopy bands aswell. Poopcore. Farting on mics’ and whatnot. Almost 1 year.

How did the band come together? Who contacted who and what made you wanna start the band?

Avi: I blame Bear, 100%. This is all Bear’s fault, fuck that kid.

Bear: I met Kenny B at a show I played in an old band, and we talked about jamming sometime, I made sure to hop on that offer wanting to continue play music but in a different genre, then I met Zach, and brought Avidan along.

How has your music evolved since you first began playing music together?

Avi: Well, we talk about pussies a lot less in our music…and we have less stupid song titles…that are about it.

Bear: We no longer write sing about wanting the tightest of pussy, and our songs have become more groovy all around.

What was the very first concert you attended and how much of an impact did that have on you musically?

Avi: First was Green Day and Blink 182…Blink sucked and were stupid drunk, Green Day brought out a guy in a chicken suit…I’d figure that impacted me musically greatly.

Bear: I actually saw Coolio for my first show at the State Fair 8 years ago, it made me want to live in a Gangsters Paradise, which I could only achieve through music.

What’s the meaning behind the EP title? What’s the concept behind the album overall?

Avi: I like to believe that the meaning behind the EP title is a lot like making love to a woman…I remember what the EP title is but I like to think it’s something awesome and sexy.

Bear: Someone that meant a lot to you, always watching over you helping you a long the way.

What song(s) were particularly hardest for you to write and why?

Avi: None of them, I just put myself in a super SASS state of mind and magic flowed from me.

Bear: Storm Of The Valkyrie, It’s a lot more different than anything we’ve written.

What song changed the most during the recording process?

Avi: All of them, I sort of just hopped in the studio and made stuff up off the top of my head.

Bear: We kept all of the songs the way we had originally written them, with a few ideas added to make them more solid.

What are your rehearsals generally like? Do you have a set time each week in which you practice or are rehearsals more spontaneous?

Avi: We have a very complex rehearsal style, first! Most of the band drinks a lot, then we practice. Eventually someone yells at Bear for falling off time, then everyone leaves for a smoke break except for me and Bear. Then me and Bear jam out our Prog-harcore-funk-jazz side project. End.

Bear: As Avi said, when everyone else goes outside to smoke cigarettes, he picks up a guitar, and I stay behind my kit and we write jazz influences progressive metal/ alternative.

What other bands do you see yourselves touring with in the future? What other bands do you guys recommend for your fans to check out?

Avi: I hope we can tour with Black Veil Brides, our fan should check out Black Veil Brides, I love Black Veil Brides.

Bear: Volumes, No Bragging Rights, Memphis May Fire, The Air I Breathe, Bands along the same style as us. I would recommend everybody takes the time out of their day to listen to Every Time I Die, Glassjaw, Alexisonfire.

Last question: What are one book and one band that you’d recommend to anyone that listens to your band?

Avi: Book: Death by Black Hole: And Other Cosmic Quandaries and Zelliack for the band.

Bear: Book; Hustler. Band; Chon.