Interviews: LIEFORM

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the  Post-Grunge band, LIEFORM from the USA. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE. 

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that?

TC (Guitar, Vox): Actually J came up with it back around 2008 for an industrial project he had in mind that went fucking nowhere. He never really talked about it, but after Eyewill disbanded, J and I were thinking of names for the new project and I spouted off not only the name but the spelling as well: lieform. And he was like, “Dude, I actually already have the dot com for that . . .” it was fate.

J (Drums): What he said ... kind of lol.

Tony (Lead Guitar): That's all TC and Jay, I didn’t have a hand in the formation of the band really.

Forest (Bass Guitar): This was all TC and Jay's doing for the band name. Ask them, and they'll tell you they came up with the name, separately, but at the same time? TC officially claims credit for the name, and I think it's a fitting name for the band!

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

TC: When I write music, if I like the tune I try to continue working on it, whether it really belongs in any particularly familiar genre I might ordinarily be affiliated with. You never know what you’re going to get. But I’ve always had a heart for a very heavy, yet maintaining beautiful rock that made people want to dance and took them on mental journeys, either through the music or the lyrics.

J: The difference in the music you listen to vs the music you want to play just happens naturally. I’ve tried playing other genres and they literally just don’t feel natural.

Tony: I didn’t inherently want to play this style, I’m a metal/deathcore guy and draw a lot of inspiration from that and oddly enough it seems to fit really well in our sound. I’m the aggressive and abrasive writer lol.

Forest: The idea of "genre" doesn't really fit with me. I love music. It doesn't matter the style, as long as I am playing music that I enjoy, that others can listen to, enjoy, and take back a life-changing message. Over the course of my life, I've played in the orchestra, jazz band, Tejano bands, country bands, random jam bands, and now lieform. Genre for me is fluid. I play these songs and this music because I like it, and I love the message lieform produces.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

TC: J and I have known each other since 2011 but didn’t actively start working together in music until the spring of ‘18. Tony was an audition that really quickly clicked with us at the beginning of this year. Forest auditioned fairly recently as our longtime bassist moved out of town.

Tony: I did not know TC or Jay before joining, and I met Forest at work through a mutual friend from another band. He more or less voluntold Forest to play bass with us.

Forest: Nope. I only knew Tony for a few weeks at work before, as he puts it, I was "voluntold" to play bass by Travis, another coworker of ours. Being part of a band requires that you essentially become a family. TC, Jay, and Tony are becoming that family the more we spend time together.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

TC: give me a genre and I’ll tell you *winky face*

J: If I had to pick just one, it would be RUSH, but keep in mind that would be mildly inaccurate.

Tony: Sworn to black ill always be, The Black Dahlia Murder for me.

Forest: Favorite band? Merrow is probably the one now. I'm super into instrumental rock, so most of the bands I listen to on a regular are that type, so Scale the Summit, Modern Day Babylon, Plini, Polyphia, etc. The one exception to that is System of a Down. Those guys were able to meld the vocals and guitar into a beautiful symphony of harmonies.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

TC: I listen for the music to come out, and when it does it usually shapes itself into a story that always feels later like it needed to be told.

J: I don't usually write songs, but I hope that I make them better with experience and insight.

Tony: I'm absolutely in love with the weird and dark, the macabre. I'm always trying to push the bar for myself in creating things a bit more deep and dark. 

Forest: Well, that depends on how you define "writing songs". For me, it's all emotional. I don't write lyrics for songs, I leave that all in TC's capable hands. I'm 50% deaf in both ears, but the majority of my hearing loss is in the range of vocals and the human voice, so that's never been what I remember from songs, it's always the beat and the riffs that I remember. The best riffs I have written have all come at a major point in my life, where I was trying to capture the emotions I was feeling into a musical odyssey, to take someone through that journey with me.

6. Where was your last gig?

TC: The shredder several weeks ago. We totally told our fans we were going on hiatus to get this album finished and find a new bassist.

J: Yep, the Shredder is a local haunt for the hard rock bands in the area.

Tony: Any Ninja Turtles fan would be urged to go there, it's literally a foot clan hideout lol.

Forest: Tejano band. It was at the Blue Eye in Caldwell, Idaho. It was a bitchin setup. I could feel my bass shaking the place apart. People were dancing to the music and having a grand time.

7. Where would you like to act?

TC: I really want to start hitting the festivals around the country, well, anywhere for that matter!

Jay: Definitely overseas anywhere!

Tony: Putting aside the current climate, Russia is my goal eventually. Russian rockers are a different breed and it’s the only other language I can somewhat understand.

Forest: Anywhere overseas would be fun. Preferably someplace where I don't even speak the language, because then I'll know we've been successful as a band 

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

TC: I think we’d fit really well with Chevelle, A Perfect Circle, Breaking Benjamin, Deftones, etc

J: I mean, Deftones and APC would be a dream come true!

Tony: That’s a tough one, there’s so many out there I’d be elated to work with. Slot, who is also on the Sliptrick bill is really in my head lately, that’s a band that knows how to get the fuck down!

Forest: Angel Vivaldi and System of a Down. Both of those together, at the same show. I'd die if that happened.

9. Whom not?

TC: Ummmmmm Nickelback? Creed?

J: That Puddle of . . . what was it? Shit?

Tony: Well, uhhh, as long as you have a pedal and some shreddy von wailing licks, I don’t think id be opposed to working with anyone.

Forest: I'll play music with anyone. Hell, I'll give the other band's bass player a night off and I'll play their set. I'm down to play whatever with whomever.

10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tips for beginners on how to beat that?

TC: Nope. Close your eyes and pretend like you're the only one in the room. I usually like to imagine there are WAAAAY more people than there are. The more people the less nervous I am.

J: Absolutely, yes! Cured very easily by a good old beer, only half joking. To be honest, I would tell someone who has anxiety to just tell yourself that you're going to do it no matter what happens, it’s OK. If you keep forcing yourself to do it, it WILL get easier, I promise.

Tony: I did. I certainly did. So keep in mind this is actually my first REAL band, and the first time I played live, my legs were shaking so bad that using the wah sounded like someone dialing in a radio with a fury lmao. The thing is though, even though I absolutely know what I flubbed, what bends were wrong, or what have you, the audience isn’t going to nitpick the way the players will. I still have less than 10 shows under my belt And the moment I walk up on stage, it's not the same Tony my wife and kids know, I'm as tall as my idols and will conquer that stage just as well as my predecessors. Confidence is key and then the crowd just follows.

Forest: I have suffered from stage fright, my whole music playing experience. All I can say is do your best, and your audience won't ever know you messed up. People are there for the show, so if you put on a good face, no one will judge your playing ability. For me, playing in a Tejano band was HARD, because of two reasons. First, I can't really speak Spanish, and 90% of Tejano is in Spanish. Two, their scales are weird chromatic scales, and I was used to more traditional rock and jazz music. I literally faked my way through the first couple of gigs before I really got the hang of it. It was nerve-racking to say the least. All I did was keep my face from giving away my mistakes, and we put on a great show. You'll make mistakes, guaranteed, it's all in how you deal with it.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

TC: Hands Down, the easy ones (but not NEARLY all) would be Incubus, Pink Floyd, Sublime, Deftones, Korn, and Marilyn Manson . . .

J: Rush, purely inspirationally rather than pragmatically. But more directly I’d say Zeppelin, the Police, gotta say Deftones, cause the drummer’s style is just rudimentarily awesome . . . and the Cure, Depeche Mode *wink*, and a couple less-known bands like Refused, and Pitchshifter.

Tony: I grew up listening to Judas Priest, Scorpions, and Iron Maiden. The way Glenn Tipton tore that guitar to pieces on stage, that is every bit as massive as I want it to be.

Forest: Growing up, I listened to Mudvayne, POD, Disturbed, and System of a Down. I wouldn't say they are necessarily the "inspiration" for the music I produce, but I also can't deny the influences they have.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

TC: Just weird questions. Are you wearing underwear under your kilt? Can I check?

J: I plead the Fifth Amendment.

Tony: I haven’t had the opportunity to have weird requests yet. This could be you!! Apply within!

Forest: Well... I can't say I've ever really had "fans" besides immediate family. Once lieform takes off, ask me then and I'm sure I'll have a better story for you. 

13. What do you think of your fans?

TC: Fans are the only reason any artist can make it in their industry. Any artist who doesn’t value and worship their fans unilaterally, I believe is doing it for the wrong reasons.

J: You’re welcome.

Tony: I honestly can’t really make sense of the fan thing yet lol because to me every one is my friend at a show. I love having conversations with fans and to me, it's an opportunity to actually meet other people and hear THEIR stories and that’s really where some lessons can be learned.

Forest: Meaning my immediate family? I think they're awesome, and definitely the best part about me. They allow me time to devote to my other love, which is music.

14. What do you think of our site?

TC: We really appreciate a site that has such a global agenda, focusing on the music, regardless of its place of origin. Giving the world a chance to not only hear but understand us, as well as giving underground North American music an opportunity to be heard elsewhere, is paramount to us!

J: Looks like a great place to check out new and upcoming heavy bands, glad to get the chance for the interview.

Tony: Hey, I now have yet another place to discover some rad music and art and there’s some heavy stuff here. I dig it like banana bread at work dude.

Forest: To be totally honest, I'd never heard of it before this interview. I checked out the site, and I am totally digging it. There are lots of new bands featured that have in-depth interviews and videos. Go check it out!

15. Something to add?

TC: Freaking thanks, you guys!!!! Keep listening, and we’ll keep rocking!

J: We are lieform!

Tony: Party on Garth?

Forest: Go listen to some Tejano music. The most underappreciated genre of music. Jay Perez and his band with Latin jazz influences are amazing if you're an instrumentalist. Even if you don't speak Spanish, you can appreciate the emotion behind the song. If it's a happy song, you know it. If it's a sad song, same thing. Definitely worth a listen to expand your horizons!