Interview's

By: Don Sill

The Los Angeles based 4 piece known as Vent have been playing together since they were young teenagers and have evolved into a tight rock unit whose music is unique and hard-hitting. Front man, Jason Boyd, who happens to be the younger brother of Brandon Boyd of Incubus, has a very soothingly melodic voice accompanied with dynamic range that really sets the overall vibe of the band.

Vent, who also includes guitarist Ben Einziger, bassist Paul Fried, and drummer Jamin Wilcox, has the capabilities of really becoming a commercial success. They have a heavy edge along with a soothing melody, steady harmonies and a tight hook. This is surely one for the TRLers and radio hipsters.

Vent is currently at work on songs for their debut major-label release on Atlantic Records, which is tentatively planned to hit stores in February of 2002. They will be on tour all summer long, so check their web site for a venue near you. (www.ventmusic.com)

How long has Vent been together?

We have been playing together for seven years. We started the band at ages 14 and 15. We had only played our instruments for six months, individually, before becoming an official cohesive band.

How would you say your music has evolved through the years?

Having little experience as individual musicians, slowed down the growth of our song writing in our earlier years. It took us at least four years to become skilled musicians. After about four years of playing together, we began to develop our songwriting, in a more serious manner. We were finding ourselves, delving into many different styles along the way. We would play straight metal in the beginning. Groups like Metallica, Megadeath, Slayer were our initial influences. However, at the same time, we were very into Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Alice and Chains, Red Hot Chili Peppers. Then a few years later we got very involved with funk music. Bands like the Meters, Stanley Clark, Sly and the family stone, and many others took us into another direction. Of coarse, when we discovered the Deftones and Korn, on their first records, we were blown away. So, we went into many different musical directions trying to find ourselves. However, we have been focused on different bands for the last three years. Just now, are we really at a point of knowing who we are musically.

How would you describe your overall sound?

I like to think of our music as commercially viable, yet retaining depth and substance. Many bands, cannot achieve a balance. They are either way too pop, or way to abstract. We think we find a good balance, in our music.

What can we expect to hear on your Atlantic debut?

I believe our upcoming Atlantic Debut is a great record. We have worked, ever so hard, putting our hearts into the music. Plus, we are complete music snobs and we still love the record! Its has songs that are straight rock all the way through. Some songs, are classic rock influenced, like that of Zeppelin. There is a lot of Beatles and Beach boys (Pet Sounds) vibe in our songs as well. Some songs have background harmonies like that of Utopia or Queen. We somehow manage to use these influences, without loosing our edge. Almost any group out currently, have only two good songs on a record. I feel that we are in a time of musical depression. We wanted to make a record whereby, every song is great, and there are no tracks that you have to skip through. Bottom line, get ready for a great record.

When is the album due to drop?

The VENT album will be out in mid FEB. However, we will start touring all over the USA, in late August or September. We wanted ample, set up time for the record. Check out www.ventmusic.com for updates.

Name a few of your influences.

Our current influences are THE BEATLES, LED ZEPPELIN, JEFF BUCKLEY, RADIOHEAD, NIRVANA, SOUNDGARDEN, JIMMY HENDRIX, QUEEN, UTOPIA, BEACH BOYS, STEVIE WONDER, THE METERS, Solo LENNON, Solo MCCARTNEY....you get the vibe...

What qualities separate your music from other rock acts on the scene today?

I believe that our band is separate for many reasons. Almost every band, who are harder edged, totally rip off Korn and the DEFTONES. We dont. We totally respect, those two bands for originating a great, innovative style. We even use their influence in our own music. Its great to be influenced by bands, but its lame to sound just like them. We focus very much on melodies and lyrics. We all sing in our band. We have three part harmony, that actually has substance and feeling. Ben, our guitar player, uses many different guitar tones. Ben made sure not to use one NEW METAL tone throughout the entire record. We have a piano song, with a twenty piece orchestra, and then a rock song that could get the toughest metal pit moving. The great thing is, it all sounds like VENT.

How important is MTV to you guys?

I think any band should be respected, even if they are played on MTV and the Radio nonstop.I don't think its fair to call a band a SELL OUT, if they are played on MTV. As, long as the band writes great songs, and stay in touch with the fans, they should receive "the love". If the band is willing to sign autographs, and talk with fans all the time, then they have not sold out in my opinion. Its, when a band jumps in their bus or jet and leave the venue, without giving thanks back to the fans, that a band have sold out. Unless of coarse, they have to physically be in a far and foriegn place, in a short amount of time.

Who writes the lyrics for the band?

We all contribute to the lyrical writing in our band. Jason, our lead singer writes the majority of them. However, we all contribute to the writing process. I write a lot of our melodies, and a good portion of the music as well. Ben will contribute to the melody writing and even more so to the music writing.

What inspires you to write?

We are all inspired by The Beatles, first and foremost They never cease to blow our minds. Nirvana, are a big inspiration for direct songwriting as well. The lyrical content in our songs, are all emotions that we all feel as a band. Hence, we VENT our emotions into our songwriting.

What do you like better the studio or the road?

Judging our experiences thus far, we like everything evenly. There is a bit of magic in all elements of being in a band.

What type of stuff are you listening to these days?

We are listening to Jeff Buckley, Ours, The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix... most of the same groups we listed in the INFLUENCE section.

What's next for you guys?

We are waiting to hear our album after it is mixed. Currently Tom Lord Alge is mixing our record. I would also like to note the fact that, Gavin M., our producer, has helped us grow as a band tremendously.