Q&A interview with guitarist Steve Stiller of Kill the Drama (KTD) about their music, style, and inspiration, their debut album "Close Friends with Sharp Knives," and their collaboration with longtime professional music photographer Robert John.
Photo: Gerri Acri
Kill the Drama in Pittsburgh, January 2010
Why "Kill the Drama" ? How did you come up with it? Does it have a special meaning?
We get asked this a lot and I'm always happy to answer it because I'd say most bands just throw some words together to get a band name or steal a song title or grab a cool sounding word and maybe add a color or number to it without an actual story or reason that ties into the band. We had a female singer in the band for a few months. She was talented and really likable but just didn't fit in musically. Then there was added drama when there became some intimacy there between band members. It was difficult for any of us to sort out and live with professionally considering we weren't going down the right path musically anyways. Therefore from all the nonsense, secrecy, lies, and whatever else that occurred during this time the band name "Kill the Drama" was born.
What's the purpose of your music?
For sure, not backing down to anyone or anything. Sounds cliche but its necessary within reason to achieve what you want to. The human spirit is very strong even in these tough times we live in today and feeling inspired to take risks and make changes is so important to our well being. Hopefully, some people can take that away from our music to become more engaged in their lives and surroundings. To mobilize, as it were. Everyone has bad days and drama to deal with and none of us are truly alone, ever. Its whether we'll do anything about it that seperate those who find happiness and those who never do. I think the title of our song "Live Before it Kills You" sums this up best.
What inspires your music and lyrics?
I'm inspired by what's going on around me and how we can capture a story or idea and portray it in a way that excites people. For instance, with the new album and with "Close Friends," there are a lot of songs about betrayal. We didn't plan that and would probably prefer not having gone through it in the first place, but thats what we write about because that's what we needed to talk about at that given time. But with that negative emotion though, we accompany a theme of purpose and resolution moving forward so we don't come off as whining or spent. We want our listeners to say "I've been there," and I can relate and at the same time feel like things will get better if you take the right approach and attitude about it. We try to connect like that, and I think that is the reason for the success we have right now. We want people to feel good, excited, and a oneness with the band when listening to our music. That is what we try to do with every song.
What are the main themes of your songs?
We have many themes, but if there was one thing that makes it into every song somehow, we write about evolving as people either ourselves or as a world. Getting through the hard times. Having fun. Fighting for what's good and just. When you see how music brings people together and how all different kinds of people from various nations like what we do, you can see how important it is for people to get over themselves and learn to be more sympathetic and less ignorant of others. It's easy to say and harder to do and sure we're just as guilty as anyone, but all politics, religions, and differences aside we are all the living as one on the same planet. I think that's a main theme in our songs. Coming together and getting through the mad ride of life as unscathed as possible and doing it to the max with style, purpose, and grace.
What aspects of your style/music/lyrics/stage presence helped you win The Graffiti Rock Challenge so soon after starting the band?
I'd say we bring a pretty energetic performance and an intensity that carries the music well. It was that way for that contest and hasn't changed since. We also were a bit different that what else was popular at the time. Muse was widely unknown and bands like Coheed and Cambria and Silversun Pickups weren't mainstream yet. I think that having a mix of great melodies, non-stock drumming, and driving guitar riffs makes for a mix that works together. There's a complexity of layers and sounds I'd say. It's always a struggle but it's what makes us who we are. I always said that its easy to write simple songs but its tough to make non-simple songs sound simple.
Is there a particular song on your album that epitomizes your style? Why's that?
I'd say "Close Friends with Sharp Knives," from a rock standpoint. The song just moves well and builds up to a great crescendo at the end. That's something I think we do better than a lot of bands by building towards something thats worth waiting for. It also has some of the best melody and lyrics that we have, with a great theme people can relate to. "Sunshine," I'd say is great from a slower, more dynamic song that just has a good feel and groove to it. We have a new song on the way that will be on our next record that's been going over very well at our live shows called "Give Up." It's a slower groove like "Sunshine," but I really like the feel and the lyrics and melody. I think it'll be a new favorite among our fans if we capture it correctly when we record it.
Sunshine
Video published with the permission of Kill the Drama
Could you talk a bit about the video with Robert John? It presents your band on stage; who came up with that idea?
Well, this was our first video and the others for "Sunshine" and "Live Before it Kills You" are a lot different. "Live" is more of a conceptual video, and "Sunshine" has a story-line, so with each video we're getting more advanced and evolving. "Close Friends" was meant to be a showcase video to show potential fans and music industry types what a KTD live performance is all about. That's why we chose our most energetic song. I think for that purpose its great. In hindsight though, I think that this song is many people's favorite and they would've liked to see a more advanced video for it. But I guess its what you have when you have a new band just starting out with limited resources. Just like the music, our videos will evolve as well.
Close Friends with Sharp Knives
Video published with the permission of Kill the Drama
What would you say is the essence of Kill the Drama?
I think bringing it every night. Sure some nights are better than others, but the energy and passion is always there. That starts with Jason and works its way out to the rest of us. You also get a wide range of songs with us from pure rock, to some more artistic stylings, but there's always dynamics to keep people on their toes. At a KTD show, expect the vocals to cut through your ears and the wall of guitars to melt your face. If you like feeling some sort of cathartic fist clenching release, you're on board with us.
Are you planning any tours for 2010?
2010 is all about recording for us. We'll do a few shows locally and if we get something booked that makes sense we'll travel. Who knows. We've had so many opportunities like touring with major bands and going to Europe or Russia fall through. Maybe we'll finally get a break. Until then though, its all about giving our fans something they come to expect from us for our next album. Only better.
Photo: Gerri Acri
Kill the Drama in Pittsburgh, January 2010
Why "Kill the Drama" ? How did you come up with it? Does it have a special meaning?
We get asked this a lot and I'm always happy to answer it because I'd say most bands just throw some words together to get a band name or steal a song title or grab a cool sounding word and maybe add a color or number to it without an actual story or reason that ties into the band. We had a female singer in the band for a few months. She was talented and really likable but just didn't fit in musically. Then there was added drama when there became some intimacy there between band members. It was difficult for any of us to sort out and live with professionally considering we weren't going down the right path musically anyways. Therefore from all the nonsense, secrecy, lies, and whatever else that occurred during this time the band name "Kill the Drama" was born.
What's the purpose of your music?
For sure, not backing down to anyone or anything. Sounds cliche but its necessary within reason to achieve what you want to. The human spirit is very strong even in these tough times we live in today and feeling inspired to take risks and make changes is so important to our well being. Hopefully, some people can take that away from our music to become more engaged in their lives and surroundings. To mobilize, as it were. Everyone has bad days and drama to deal with and none of us are truly alone, ever. Its whether we'll do anything about it that seperate those who find happiness and those who never do. I think the title of our song "Live Before it Kills You" sums this up best.
What inspires your music and lyrics?
I'm inspired by what's going on around me and how we can capture a story or idea and portray it in a way that excites people. For instance, with the new album and with "Close Friends," there are a lot of songs about betrayal. We didn't plan that and would probably prefer not having gone through it in the first place, but thats what we write about because that's what we needed to talk about at that given time. But with that negative emotion though, we accompany a theme of purpose and resolution moving forward so we don't come off as whining or spent. We want our listeners to say "I've been there," and I can relate and at the same time feel like things will get better if you take the right approach and attitude about it. We try to connect like that, and I think that is the reason for the success we have right now. We want people to feel good, excited, and a oneness with the band when listening to our music. That is what we try to do with every song.
What are the main themes of your songs?
We have many themes, but if there was one thing that makes it into every song somehow, we write about evolving as people either ourselves or as a world. Getting through the hard times. Having fun. Fighting for what's good and just. When you see how music brings people together and how all different kinds of people from various nations like what we do, you can see how important it is for people to get over themselves and learn to be more sympathetic and less ignorant of others. It's easy to say and harder to do and sure we're just as guilty as anyone, but all politics, religions, and differences aside we are all the living as one on the same planet. I think that's a main theme in our songs. Coming together and getting through the mad ride of life as unscathed as possible and doing it to the max with style, purpose, and grace.
What aspects of your style/music/lyrics/stage presence helped you win The Graffiti Rock Challenge so soon after starting the band?
I'd say we bring a pretty energetic performance and an intensity that carries the music well. It was that way for that contest and hasn't changed since. We also were a bit different that what else was popular at the time. Muse was widely unknown and bands like Coheed and Cambria and Silversun Pickups weren't mainstream yet. I think that having a mix of great melodies, non-stock drumming, and driving guitar riffs makes for a mix that works together. There's a complexity of layers and sounds I'd say. It's always a struggle but it's what makes us who we are. I always said that its easy to write simple songs but its tough to make non-simple songs sound simple.
Is there a particular song on your album that epitomizes your style? Why's that?
I'd say "Close Friends with Sharp Knives," from a rock standpoint. The song just moves well and builds up to a great crescendo at the end. That's something I think we do better than a lot of bands by building towards something thats worth waiting for. It also has some of the best melody and lyrics that we have, with a great theme people can relate to. "Sunshine," I'd say is great from a slower, more dynamic song that just has a good feel and groove to it. We have a new song on the way that will be on our next record that's been going over very well at our live shows called "Give Up." It's a slower groove like "Sunshine," but I really like the feel and the lyrics and melody. I think it'll be a new favorite among our fans if we capture it correctly when we record it.
Sunshine
Video published with the permission of Kill the Drama
Could you talk a bit about the video with Robert John? It presents your band on stage; who came up with that idea?
Well, this was our first video and the others for "Sunshine" and "Live Before it Kills You" are a lot different. "Live" is more of a conceptual video, and "Sunshine" has a story-line, so with each video we're getting more advanced and evolving. "Close Friends" was meant to be a showcase video to show potential fans and music industry types what a KTD live performance is all about. That's why we chose our most energetic song. I think for that purpose its great. In hindsight though, I think that this song is many people's favorite and they would've liked to see a more advanced video for it. But I guess its what you have when you have a new band just starting out with limited resources. Just like the music, our videos will evolve as well.
Close Friends with Sharp Knives
Video published with the permission of Kill the Drama
What would you say is the essence of Kill the Drama?
I think bringing it every night. Sure some nights are better than others, but the energy and passion is always there. That starts with Jason and works its way out to the rest of us. You also get a wide range of songs with us from pure rock, to some more artistic stylings, but there's always dynamics to keep people on their toes. At a KTD show, expect the vocals to cut through your ears and the wall of guitars to melt your face. If you like feeling some sort of cathartic fist clenching release, you're on board with us.
Are you planning any tours for 2010?
2010 is all about recording for us. We'll do a few shows locally and if we get something booked that makes sense we'll travel. Who knows. We've had so many opportunities like touring with major bands and going to Europe or Russia fall through. Maybe we'll finally get a break. Until then though, its all about giving our fans something they come to expect from us for our next album. Only better.
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