As part of our week long coverage with New Jersey rockers Fifteen Fleeting, I interviewed the band about their humble beginnings, recording, their influences, and their live shows among other things. Here are Fifteen Fleeting Topics with Fifteen Fleeting:
1. Topic: Meeting Across the River How did you guys get together as a band?
SCOTT: The band originally started with Vinny and I just jamming on songs Vinny wrote up on the campus of Ramapo College. One thing led to another, things became serious and [we] sought Dan to play guitar (Vinny and Dan met in college) and my brother Mike to play bass, who also went to Ramapo. Everyone met through Ramapo, though I was the only one never to attend Ramapo College. By April 2007, the band’s lineup was complete and played under the name Trust, and later released our debut EP in November 2007.
VINNY: If it wasn't for Ramapo, this band would not exist [laughs]. I began looking to start up a new band in the summer of '06. Scott was the first I approached as I had seen him play a bunch of times in another band and really thought he was a great drummer and an excellent fit for what I had in mind. Then I remembered Dan was an amazingly talented musician/guitarist from one of my classes at Ramapo, so I gave him a couple of songs to listen to and asked him if he was interested in joining Scott and I. Mike completed the lineup in the summer of '07 before we recorded our debut EP.
MIKE: Vinny said it pretty well.
DAN: We met at Ramapo College. I knew Mike since my Freshman year before he picked up a bass. I met vinny pretty late in my college career through a music writing class we had together. First time I met scott, I thought he was mike. They look like twins at first glance!
One day, Vinny approached me to come to a practice/jam session and I decided to come. I was pumped since I have never been apart of a band before. Im so glad he came up to me cause I was real shy about approaching people with music in general.
2. Topic: My Chemical Chemistry When was the first time you guys really clicked musically whether it was onstage, rehearsing, or in the studio?SCOTT: When we wrote the song “A Little Change” in my basement. It was the first by-product of the Trust machine. Once we had that song down, we had more idea of what direction the band was going in musically. If our first song written together was different, we could have easily went in a different musical direction.
VINNY: That's hard to say, but I do remember the first time ever Scott, Dan, and myself practiced and Dan started playing along to one of the earlier songs I had written. It just sounded so natural and from inside of himself that I knew right then and there we had something special.
MIKE: I can't speak from the beginning-beginning, but at my first practice, I had only gotten to work on learning the band's 13 or so songs for about 3 days, and there was a show the very next day after that. It seemed to work pretty well at practice and the subsequent show, so after that I felt pretty good about us.
DAN: The first jam we had together I felt something. I knew [Vinny] was super talented from the class as well as hearing his songs on myspace. Mike wasn’t around then but I think as the 4 of us, writing “A Little Change” was a moment when it all just happened. I think the song “The Only” really came about much in the same fashion.
3. Topic: Harsh Times What was your worst musical moment whether with Fifteen Fleeting or in another band?SCOTT: Thankfully I don’t have just one “worst” moment. I just have a collection of bad times, all which stem from equipment/instrument failures. When a stick breaks, or a drum head breaks, or something moves out of place, all are recipe for disaster. There’s times when one of these things happen, and just snowball into affecting the whole band and our sound.
VINNY: I've had some bad moments [laughs], but one that always stands out was losing my voice during one of our sets at the Whiskey Bar [in Hoboken, NJ].
MIKE: Didn't have gloves at Bamboozle and it was windy and unseasonably cold. Just a little scary playing bass without a pick, slapping, and tapping with numb hands.
DAN: We have had a lot of weird/strange/annoying/humorous stuff happen on stage. Nothing too terrible – just typical with a regularly gigging band. Vinny had his voice go Mini-mouse in front of 75 ppl in Hoboken for a second. My voice has changed into an 85 year old woman voice with a smoking addiction of 95 years (that’s her entire life plus 10 years- in the womb and her mother smoked). Scott has busted a number of sticks. Mike once did a dipsy doodle I believe. We also played a show in front of no one before in NYC. Literally – no one! There was a bartender and a soundguy and they were in and out during the set. That was rough.
4. Topic: Band Name Where did your band name come from? How did “Trust” come about, and when you had to change it, why did you change it and how did “Fifteen Fleeting” come about? Part 2 to this question: Regardless of how great or crappy the specific band is, what are some of your favorite historic past and present band names in music? SCOTT: Part I: I’m sure one of the others can answer this better. But here’s how I look at it. Trust. You can’t get away from Trust. Life is based upon trust. Think about it… Fifteen Fleeting A.K.A. fifteen minutes of fame. Everyone gets a small window of opportunity at fame. It’s whether one is able to realize when that time is, and be able to take advantage of it before it “fleets” away from you. Part II: I don’t think I’ll ever understand band names. It’s all relative. Like All-American Rejects? A bad name turned into a good name. Who would have thought?
VINNY: Trust was a name I had in my head since I was 16. And to me Trust was more of a philosophy than anything else. Everything in life boils down to trust. When we had to change the name, I thought about what we wanted and everyone is supposed to get their 15 minutes of fame. Those 15 minutes don't last, and so I thought of Fifteen Fleeting.
MIKE: Vinny said it pretty well.
DAN: Trust came about when Vinny mentioned it. It struck a meaning with me because it was something I lacked at the time. It was like a sign that I needed to approach things, people, and life differently. We changed it to avoid confusion with other bands named Trust - a la 1980’s band or a brazlian metal band.
Fifteen Fleeting is a carpe diem name saying that when you get your 15 minutes – make the most of it.
I personally view all band names as either not serious or so bad that they're good. There is no such thing as a good band name in my opinion. Aerosmith? What the hell is that? Flaming lips? Ya – okaaay buddy. Counting Crows? Stupid – but theyre counting money all the way to the bank! There's a few good names out there but 99% of them suck. Theyre just names though. Id say the best and most accurate band name is Rage Against the Machine. A close 2nd would be Dick Buttkiss.
5. Topic: Influences Who are your biggest musical influences past and present?SCOTT: I pull different influences from different bands. Huge influences on my music as well as my outlook on pursuing music as a career are acts like Saves the Day, The Starting Line, The Early November, etc. These acts came up out of the Jersey/Philly area playing small firehall shows in front of only a few heads, and have ended up being able to tour the world and sell out shows miles away from where they started. It gives me hope and light.
VINNY: I would have to say Silverchair and A Perfect Circle because each album they do is so different and unique, and that shows maturity and progression in songwriting.
MIKE: Bandwise, I think Vinny got that. Individually: Stanley Clarke, Larry Graham, Tim Commerford, Dirk Lance
DAN: I gain the most just by observing whatever is playing at the moment. I have some favorite artists but I really try to pay attention and examine anything that is on at any given time. My influences have changed over the years. I used to be into writing like Nirvana, Rage Against the Machine – heavier rock stuff in general. Then I got into a phase of classical style in high school a la Mozart, Chopin as well as a big acoustic theme (Dave Matthews Band, Dispatch, Guster). Then I got into blues/jazz/shoegaze sounds later on. Right now, I drawing a lot of inspiration from Radiohead, Eric Johnson, John Mayer, Lydia, People in Planes, Guster, Beatles, Hendrix, etc…
6. Topic: High Points What has been your best moment musically as a band so far?SCOTT: Each new day is our best moment musically. This band continues to impress with me the fact of how far we’ve came, and how far we still have to go. Sure, moments like Bamboozle will always be great, but as we progress new shows and songs are superceding the past. I can’t wait to see what the future holds.
VINNY: Opening up the Bamboozle '08
MIKE: Bamboozle '08.
DAN: Bamboozle '08. To be topped with (hopefully) Bamboozle '09.
7. Topic: Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes What has changed the most about the band since you first formed/recorded your EP (as Trust) to now with your stint on Bamboozle, headlining shows, and new album?
SCOTT: Professionalism. We were once a band with nothing on our resume. Now we have 2 records, some big shows, and a bright future; something I feel we have to live up to when you go out each night and play. Having dealings and working along side bands who do it for living makes you not take music and the band for granted. People will not take your band serious if you don’t take your own band serious. We’ve matured quickly in our time.
VINNY: I think we are more recognizable now [laughs]. We have gained a lot of credibility within the past few months, so I think we are just establishing ourselves as a name to be remembered.
MIKE: We're definitely defining our own sound at this point. I feel like you can listen to us and hear a bit of each of our personalities within.
DAN: Confidence. I knew that being in a band with original music, it takes time to gel. And now after nearly 1.5-2 years since day 1 of practice before we were truly a band, I realize that’s a never ending process. However, now, instead of gelling, its about exploring each other's possibilities and potentials. I have so much more confidence in what we each do. Im learning about them and myself each day. As we continue to grow, we’ll continue to take each other to higher levels – and hopefully – never peaking!
8. Topic: Strange Sounds (Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes Part Deux) What, if anything, has changed about the band’s sound and approach since you first formed?SCOTT: Our sound and approach hasn’t necessarily changed, but more less has settled. It’s like going clothes shopping. We’ve found the right pair of jeans. They fit well.
VINNY: I think our songwriting has been evolving and we are beginning to carve our own sonic niche.
MIKE: I think our songs are getting progressively more diverse.
DAN: I think we’re starting to mess with song structuring a little more now. Also, I know that Mike and myself are deeply into the spacey and atmospheric sounds. I think our direction is that of a double headed dragon in a sense. We want to have the appeal to a wide audience (pop) yet also have a sound that is not typical radio and still tingles your ear. Like I said to the last question, it’s a learning process. Music and people are things that you can always learn more about and from.
9. Topic: Onstage and In Concert You’re a group who puts a lot of energy and work in onstage. Do you find that it’s necessary when you’re not as accessible as big acts, or do you just enjoy performing, or do you think both aspects come into play?
VINNY: There is nothing like performing, and as far as accessability, I want the crowd to feel as though they are performing with us. They are without a doubt what fuels our live shows.
MIKE: Both, without a doubt.
DAN: I love to play live. I'm so uncoordinated that I need to calm down so I don’t look too stupid! But playing music live is now a show. You have to engage the audience and make them feel a part of the event. We try to do that as much as possible.
10. Topic: Simply the Best What are some of the best concerts or live performers you’ve ever seen? Is there anything you take a hint from them on that you put into your performances individually in the band?SCOTT: Watching any major performing artist live is great even if I don’t like the music. Some of these acts have so much equipment, electronics, and instruments going on, it’s cool to see the whole production come together. In the end, it gives me ideas to apply to FF’s live show.
VINNY: The Police at PNC Arts Center in '08 were amazing. There's only three of them, yet they owned that whole stage and put on an amazing performance. And of course I have to say Metallica at Giants Stadium in '03...the one thing I loved about that was James Hetfield's control over the crowd and the show in general. With the point of a finger he had the entire stadium erupting.
MIKE: Return to Forever in NYC, August 8th 2008. Both the music and the energy that band brought that night were unreal. And you could just tell they were just up there having fun. I always like when you can tell the band is enjoying it as much as the fans.
DAN: Just like listening to music – good or bad – you can always learn something. I truly believe that. Same comes to shows. Ive seen some bad shows but always manage to take away something. Maybe it's something not to do but hey – you still learn something. I think the craziest shows I've seen were of Rage Against the Machine. They're insane. Foo Fighters put on a great show. N.E.R.D. put on an AMAZING show. The Roots – probably one of the best shows to see time and time again. They may be the best live act of my generation and maybe throughout…
11. Topic: GOAL!!!!(S) What are your goals as a band both that you have accomplished already, and ones that you look to accomplish going forward?SCOTT: Keep progressing. We can’t stop. We won’t stop.
VINNY: The main goal is to get our music in as many ears as possible and to continue to evolve in our songwriting and live performances.
MIKE: Taking names and kicking ass [laughs]. On a serious note, we've accomplished a ton of unbelievable stuff on the local level. The next step is broadening the scope of that success I believe.
DAN: Goal – Never plateau!
12. Topic: Music to Your Ears What are the greatest albums you’ve ever heard? Give a top 5 either individually, or collectively as a band. Any specific reason those are your favorites?
SCOTT: Too many to name. Let me leave you with best 3 best of 2008:
“The Glass Passenger” by Jack’s Mannequin
“Illuminate” by Lydia
“Fearless” by Taylor Swift
VINNY:
1) Queen- "A Night at the Opera" 2) Pink Floyd- "Dark Side of the Moon"
3) Zakk Wylde- "Book of Shadows"
4) Silverchair- "Neon Ballroom"
5) Pearl Jam- "Ten"
MIKE:
In no particular order:
Led Zepplin II - Led Zepplin
Master of Puppets - Metallica
Origin of Symmetry - Muse
Blackwater Park - Opeth
Kezia - Protest the Hero
DAN:
This is one of those questions that is so simple to ask but impossible to answer. If you put a simple math equation into a super computer, it would end up out-thinking itself and making the question a million times more complicated with variables and constants and s**t…eventually it would blow up. I will say this – Lydia – Illuminate is the best sounding album I've ever heard. That’s me personally. I haven’t heard a better sounding album than that.
13. Topic: In the Beginning… When did you start playing music? Did you always play the same instrument?
SCOTT: I started playing drums in 4th grade because everyone else was doing it. In the end, I’m the only one left playing now. It’s never good to be a follower, but I’m glad I followed.
VINNY: I started playing guitar when I was fourteen, but I didn't start singing until my freshman year in college...I was always too shy to be in front of the mic.
MIKE:I didn't do a thing involving music 'til I was a senior in high school. Didn't pick up a bass 'til I was a freshman in college, and then I ended up majoring in music.
DAN: I started with the drums as a youngin'. I steal Scott's kit every now and then. I think he gets mad at me but f**k him!! I sold my kit/my dad got a few bucks back for the kit he bought for me around junior year of high school. I picked up the guitar in middle school and haven’t put it down since.
14. Topic: The Things You Do For Music. What’s the most ridiculous thing(s) you’ve had to do as a band on your journey so far? (Examples: playing a birthday party at a bowling alley, a VFW senior citizen’s dance, or winning a pie eating contest to get a gig)
MIKE: Theres been a lot but I can't think of anything specific....any one else guys?
DAN: Um….the NYC show in front of no one was pretty bad.
15. Topic: Meatloaf.
Meatloaf once sang, “I would do anything for love, but I won’t do that.” If you said “I would do anything for music, but I won’t do that,” what would “that” be in your case? (You could have more than one “that” in this instance)
SCOTT: I would do anything for music, but I won’t NOT do that.
VINNY: I would do anything and everything for our music.
MIKE: Jail time.
DAN: I would not play one of those keyboard guitars and pretend to enjoy it in a live setting. F**k no. I would play a keyboard guitar on stage in a live setting as long as I could show my disdain for the instrument – however, I would not pretend to enjoy it. F**K NO [laughs].
Stay tuned for more coverage!
"Scrooged" is an all-time favorite of mine, both around Christmas and even throughout the year. Based on Charles Dickens' classic "A Christmas Carol," this is probably the only film version of the story I can watch over and over again and never get tired of. Bill Murray plays Frank Cross, the ruthless head of a major TV network who gets a dose of reality when visited by 3 ghosts on Christmas Eve. Bill Murray brings his comedic genius to a role that is one of the least celebrated of his career, but still among his greatest in my opinion. Picture Peter Venkman from "Ghostbusters" with more of a chip on his shoulder, no ghosts or Stay Puft Marshmallow man, and Bobcat Goldwait.
"National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" was the third film in the "Vacation" series, and by far the greatest. The simplicity of the story is what makes it so ironically great; the Griswold's don't go anywhere on vacation, but rather have their wacky in-laws stay with them for Christmas. Chevy Chase is at his comedic peak, but still gets overshadowed by Randy Quaid's Cousin Eddie who rolls into town in a broken down Winnebago with his wife, son Rocky with the lip fungus, daughter Ruby Sue whose eyes are no longer crossed, and the family Rottweiler Snot, who loves it when people rub his belly. Uncle Louis and senile Aunt Bethany also add to the Griswold family fun in this festive funny film.
"Elf" is a more recent film that has since become a Christmas classic. While it takes an unrealistic character and thrusts him into a realistic world, the film still works because Will Ferrell plays Buddy the Elf so convincingly and innocent. It's an original and smile-inducing film and a role that could never have been pulled off by any other actor past or present. It's as funny as Bad Santa, but without all the four letter words and Santa loving nymphomaniac.
"A Christmas Story" is the film that coined the catchphrase "You'll shoot your eye out" and came from the same guy who brought us the comedy classic "Porky's," the late Bob Clark. The world would never know what a "major award" could be personified as until this film showed us, in the form of a voluptuous leg lamp. It's also the only film that continues to be played for 24 hours straight on Christmas that I still continue to watch over and over.
"The Santa Clause" is probably Tim Allen's best cinematic work next to his voice over as Buzz Lightyear in the "Toy Story" films. In one of the oddest casting moves in the history of merry movies, Tim Allen is the first, and most likely only onscreen Santa to sport a mullet. When Santa falls off his roof, he is forced into the role of Kris Kringle in a film that maintains the level of innocence in "Elf" but falls just short of it's side-splitting comedy. However, this is still a worthy holiday motion picture.
"Gremlins" isn't a conventional Christmas film, but still has all the evidence of a holiday film: Furry critters, snow, Christmas carols, and a youthful Corey Feldman. My earliest memory of this film is how creeped out I was when Phoebe Cates tells the story of how her father died trying to come down the chimney dressed as Santa one Christmas. The traumatic effect of this is most likely why this film is still etched in my memory...and Corey Feldman.
"Bad Santa" is not only one of the funniest Christmas films I've ever seen, but probably one of the funniest films period I've ever seen. If ever there was a role Billy Bob Thornton was born to play, it was Willy, the safe-cracking, booze guzzling, manner-less, moral-less, and often homeless store robbing Santa poser. His character is the epitome of a person on their own self-imposed highway to hell, befriending a nympho bartender, overweight victim of bullies and his senile grandma along the way. This was also the last film performance of John Ritter, best known for his role as Jack in "Three's Company," and Junior's father in the "Problem Child" films.
"Die Hard" might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of holiday-centric films, but my list is comprised of films whose story is somewhat built on the notion of the Christmas holiday around it. "Die Hard" pulls this off from the start as NYPD Detective John McClane is visiting his ex-wife and children in Los Angeles but his ex-wife's company Christmas party is crashed by money hungry German terrorists. McClane brings the audience further into the Christmas spirit after killing the first terrorist, clothing him in a Santa hat, and marking up his sweatshirt in red marker with "Now I have a machine gun. Ho Ho Ho." He takes out the terrorists with some outside assistance and moral support from Reginald Vel Johnson who would shortly after go on to portray another famous police officer, Carl Winslow in the classic TV series "Family Matters."
"Batman Returns," like "Die Hard," is another obscure but nonetheless worthy pick of this list. The second film in the first "Batman" series had the Penguin and Catwoman pinned up against the Caped Crusader in the midst of Gotham City's busiest shopping season. Of all the things that have after all these years stood out and remained etched in my memory these are the most prevalent from this film; Paul Reubens A.K.A. Pee Wee Herman's cameo as the Penguin's father in the beginning of the film, Danny DeVito's portrayal of the Penguin as he was perfect for the role, and Christopher Walken as Max Shreck. Seeing this film in the theaters, one of the things that stuck with me were his hair and awkward vernacular. This was my first experience with Christopher Walken on film, and would cause me to always seek out more of these eccentric performances to this very day.
"Home Alone" and "Home Alone 2: Lost In New York" were the pinnacle of comedy in my childhood, only to be matched later by "Mrs. Doubtfire." These Christmas films were slapstick at its finest, a child's answer to the 3 stooges, and a brilliant yet simple story. A kid gets left alone at Christmas by his annoying family, neighborhood robbers try to break into his house, and he fights back with the best household booby traps since Data in "The Goonies." Without Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern as thieves Harry and Marv, this film would never have been so widely popular or deservedly great. Their chemistry that recalled such dummy pairings as Abbott and Costello, Laurel and Hardy, and Martin and Lewis, gave these films their luster and countless laugh out loud moments years before the acronym LOL was even conceived.
"The Nightmare Before Christmas." Is it a Halloween film? Is it a Christmas film? Well, it's got a character named Jack Skellington headlining it, but he does have Santa envy and the film is sprinkled with holiday cheer and musical numbers. The answer lies in the agent of this unique story, Tim Burton. Burton's dark themes portrayed in his other films of the period, "Beetlejuice," "Edward Scissorhands," "Batman," and previously mentioned "Batman Returns," simply give us the explanation that it's a Christmas film, Tim Burton style. The animation was visually perfect for the story, and before Pixar started the computer trend with "Toy Story." If this film were made ten years later than it was, it would likely have been rendered on a computer, but it would have lost its effect as its gritty claymation adds to its quality even over a decade and a half since it's original release.
"Jingle All the Way" gives us two things never before seen in a holiday film before it. A factory full of bootlegging Santas and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Coming out around the same time as the Tickle Me Elmo craze, Turbo man was the Red Ryder BB gun of this film. Arnold plays the underachieving Christmas Dad in this film (see James Caan in "Elf," Tim Allen in "The Santa Clause") who is challenged with the next to impossible task of finding his son the unattainable Turbo Man action figure on Christmas eve. With Leon the mailman (played by Sinbad) hot on his trail, and his neighbor (Phil Hartman) hot on his wife, Ahnuld faces a challenge he never saw with Terminators or Predators: bringing joy home for the holidays.
Games like the last 3 the Jets have played are the reason Brett Favre's beard gets a shade grayer each week (though he's partly to blame for their shortcomings this year) and may likely be his reason for actually retiring (again) after this season. I'd like to see Brett back (mainly because Kellen Clemens isn't our savior), but will not be angry or disappointed if he isn't. Eric Mangini is great at finding a game plan, and using it...for the entire season, even when it stops working or teams figure it out. Prime examples: They run the ball almost every time Leon Washington is on the field; If Brad Smith is in, they're going to some sort of ridiculous triple reverse option (Smith didn't play yesterday, and I think the team is better off with Clowney in. He's a faster and better receiver, and his name is Clowney.) They don't blitz anymore and wonder why Shaun Hill looked like the reincarnation of Joe Montana last weekend. Luckily J.P. Losman might be the worst QB on the planet, thus a main reason to why they won against the Bills.
Part 1 of the Interview (From the January 21, 1971 Issue): 
Vocals/Rhythm Guitar: Vinny 
Lead Guitar/Backing Vocals: Dan Rodriguez
Drums/Percussion: Scott 
I guess a debacle like that could send him and his album people stopped waiting for back into recluse mode for another half decade. Soon after, some of the Chinese Democracy songs leaked, most sounding like an industrial 
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