Live - Going the Distance
Interview
with Ed from Rock Sound, November, 1999
America's superstars
Live have been in hiding for the past two years, but this month
return triumphantly with their wonderful new album 'The Distance
to Here'. Rock Sound ventured through the rain to meet lead
singer Ed Kowalcyzk.
It's a dismal run of the mill Tuesday morning. In London's
chic High Street Kensington, yours truly is ushered into an
exorbitant five star hotel lobby by a regally-clad dorrman.
Betwixt the throng of aristocrats, high-powered business
executives and other assorted elite personages, emerges an
inoffensive and innocuous looking gentleman. An unlikely
candidate for the realms of super-stardom, it could only be Live's
Ed Kowalcyzk - a man so devoid of pretension and archetypal rock
star attribute, that you're left wondering whether he's actually
been let in on the fact that globally, he's sold more albums you
can shake a proverbial stick at. In a genre currently so
dominated by aggression, one would presume such a gently
sophisticated band as Live would distance themselves from the
rock/metal scene. On the contrary, having spent the summer
festival circuit with Limp Bizkit et al, Ed believes Live are
very much rock. Nor does he hold such music responsible for
shootings or Woodstock riots.
"Music's different to what goes on in the home, or at
least what should go on in the home. Love and values should be
installed there, which are very integral to someone growing up
into a good human being," he explains. "Music, like any
other art is only a reflection of society. We need to take art
for what it really is."
The Church of Live
Whilst Marilyn Manson's alleged Satanism is seemingly blamed for
every American social catastrophe, Live conversely, have been
incessantly misconceived and allocated a prime position in the 'Christian
rock' clique, unwittingly spreading pacifism like an epidemic.
"It's something that's reared its head since the first
record," Ed states, Bemused. "People weren't totally
exposing themselves to the lyrics, because I've never really
advocated Christianity, simply because I've never really been a
Christian. In fact, the key line of our first single was about
questioning Christianity. I think because we said 'Jesus' in a
song, people immediately thought we were Christians, which is
total bullshit," he rationalises, mildly agitated. "But
it has been something that comes from the fact that we're a
driven band; our message is essentially poitive and we've always
been into the spiritual side of music, its effects, its emotional
impact. In limited minds, because these things are positive and
not normally attributed to rock'n'roll, they must be Christians,
and that's hogwash."
Despite a stalwart fanbase, Britain mstifyingly remains one of
the few domains where Live are not multi-platinum household names.
Selling out two concecutive nights at the electric ballroom
recently proved no mean feat however, and a planned gig at
Brixton in December is sure to follow suit.
"It's funny because I was talking to Billy Duffy from
The Cult and he was giving me an insider's view of Live in
Britain," he says, beaming. "He said that you're cool
in England if you have 'Throwing Copper' or 'Secret Samadhi'. But
if you're really cool, you have (Live's debut) 'Mental Jewelry'.
It was cool to hear that from him, especially him being a band
that I grew up on. I liked it because that's ultimately how I
want it and I think people's relationship with Live has not only
grown in the US, but we're seeing it in Europe and the UK. It's
very organic. I like people talking about about us, exposing each
other to us as opposed to some mass media assault, where you can't
get away from us. This way it may take longer and it becomes, in
a sense, more classic. It's proof in the pudding that the music
is touching people and not being rammed down their throats."
Next Big Thing?
Maybe this is why whilst many of their peers have been banished
to the wayside, Ed and fellow members Chad Taylor (guitar), Chad
Gracey (drums) and Patrick Dahlheimer (bass) have continued to
advance from strength to strength. "It's a good
Pennsylvanian work ethic, I guess," he suggests
modestly. "Probably the fact that we didn't come out of
a scene in LA, Seattle or New York. We really are, in our core, a
blue-collar band. People really appreciate that about us."
Innumerable other reasons are cited for their success but Ed is
never content. "I have a healthy discontent in myself
artistically. In the songwriting I feel I could write a better
record, a better song, a better lyric, so I'm always on the next
thing."
The next thing, of course being Live's enchanting fourth album, 'The
Distance to Here'. But how does it differ from past offerings.
Progression has never been regarded as Live's forte.
"I think it does differ. It's a step forward,"
reasons Ed. "There are new songs, like my favourites 'The
Distance' and 'They Stood up for Love' that are new territory for
Live, which always makes them the ones I'm most proud of. It
should really jump out the speakers at you, rather than requiring
a bottle of wine and a joint - although you can do that if you
desire," he chortles.
New territory? Live? Eek!Die-hard fans need not reach for the
Samaritans helpline just yet, as there are many recognisable
traits to be found on the album, the soaring 'The Dolphin's Cry',
in particular. Playing safe by releasing it as their first single,
the video proved to be somewhat more hazardous.
Safe and Sound
"Totally scary. For a few moments we were actually hit
with 10,000lbs of water coming out of this huge tank and down a
chute which shot it out like a wave. The amount of pressure it
would exude was totally mis-calculated, which meant we got thrown
over the stunt pads that were there to break our fall. We landed
on Concrete and were dragged down the street for 20 feet on the
rubble," he recalls. "We have our scratches and scars
to prove our commitment to the video."
He laughs warmly, emitting presumably the same alluring aura that
has earned him a 'nicest guy in rock' accolade. When asked to
dispel the untarnished 'goody goody' reputation he blushes
accordingly and demonstrates diplomacy like his life depends on
it.
"I think it's basically true that we are a relatively
safe band. I think Live, coming 30 years into the tradition of
rock'n'roll, in the sense that it commenced in 1969, having seen
enough of the negative effects of self destruction that can come
along with wanting to expose oneself to the greatest level of
creatively. We've not only seen people in the past, but even
people who are our contemporaries - not to mention Scott Weiland
and Kurt Cobain with what he battled against. I think it's been
enough of a lesson to deter us."
However, keen to expose some element of rebellion he adds, "But
I think two hours in our tour bus would be enough to dispel 90%
of what is said about us as a serious band. We do party. We like
beer... and coffee in Amsterdam. But the hard stuff? I don't
desire it. I get pretty intoxicated by just writing music,
feeling music, performing."
And Live's music can be pretty intoxicating stuff, able to deeply
affect their fans. Ed agrees. "I think that's generally
what my vision as a musician and a lyricist has been. Trying to
align myself with the human soul, which has a common denominator
of longings and wanting the same things in life. Wanting
happiness and understanding," he declares. "The
lyrics over the last few years have been connected to a dream
about the future of our generation and being incredibly sad about
the state of the world. Being part of a generation that is the
most hyper-informed generation in the history of the planet. With
the access to the information we have, the intensity of mass
media, the lightning speed we seem to assimilate reality and we're
being numbed by it all. There is a strong existential side to the
new album. I wanted to bring the lyrics down to earth, to be
authentic and not completely abstract so this record could be a
soundtrack for people's lives. To me, rock'n'roll can be escapism
from reality - but also a heightened sense of reality."
Before being whisked off, he concludes succinctly: "We
realised that what we really want to do over the long-haul of
Live is make music that is ultimately uplifting and can give
people a message of hope. As I sing 'I Alone' - "Fear is not
the end of this..."