Interview with Aaron Feibus of the Aeffect.
June 2002

Cheap CD Reviews: Coming from a record label that is predominantly punk and indie, how do you find yourself amongst the other bands on the Fueled by Ramen roster?

AARON: I think we're just as "punk" or "indie" as any other band out there today. Punk was always about being against the mainstream but now "punk" is the mainstream. We're donig something completely different than anyone out there and our sound is changing shape from those of our influences to one of our very own and we did it all by ourselves. We didnt have a recording budget, it was completely DIY. That is indie because it was done independently and it's punk because we're saying "**** you. this is what we like to play."

CCDR: Do you consider the Aeffect a new wave band?

AARON: We're calling our music "rockwave". Its a cross between the new wave of the 80s and the rock stuff that is going on currently. Our EP doesnt show the rock, but those songs are a year and a half old! We have about 3/4 of a full length ready to go and more of the songs are faster and harder than what we've been playing in the past. I've started playing guitar in the songs and Brad has added some acoustic drums to his electronic kit.

CCDR: So would you say A Short Dream isn't necessarily represenative of the Aeffect?

AARON: It is representative of the Æffect up to maybe last September. By the time the record came out in october, things were already begining to take on a new form.

CCDR: From what I hear on A Short Dream, your vocals are very reserved and they seem to blend in evenly with the music. Vocally how have you progressed with the newer songs?

AARON: The vocals are more dynamic. There's more of a change between the songs or even within songs. Sometimes they are getting more aggressive, sometimes they are reserved as in the past. It adds another texture to the music I think makes it more dramatic and I like where its going.

CCDR: Yea I'd agree. The vocals seem to add another layer to each song, which is what I think A Short Dream succeeds at. Each song seems to encompass the listener in a way most emo or punk bands just can't do. What led you to the whole keyboard rockwave sound?

AARON: I mean just the shear fact of trying to do our own thing. Why would I want to be in a band that sounds like any other band? If I want to hear Radiohead, I'll put on a Radiohead CD or same thing with any other band. There are so many styles of music that are just beginning to be created and people are still stuck on the same old bull****. Not that anything that's been done is bull****, just it's been done, time to move on. Uur full length is going to be a big step forward from our EP and I'd be totally disappointed if our next record after that wasn't a forward progression. Music for the last 10 years has been pretty stagnant. There hasnt been anything totally new and fresh since the seattle scene blew up in the early 90's and thats what is missing from music: fresh new ideas.

CCDR: Do you find popularity to be a pro or a con for independant bands? What downfall do you think it has on the creative process?

AARON: Popularity is a pro. That means your message has reached the people. Even if they dont understand it now, you just have to hope that one day they will. As far as a downfall on the creative process, as long as the popularity doesnt go to your head there is no downfall. Look at Fugazi; they are about as popular as it gets and theyre still doing things their way.

CCDR: So you are saying it is the poeple not the popularity that create those problems in music?

AARON: It is people in the sense of the musicians themselves, not the fans so much.

CCDR: Then do you think artists use popularity as a scape goat?

AARON: A scape goat for what? what could you blame on popularity?

CCDR: What I'm saying is bands like the Mighty Mighty Bosstones started out playing their music and once they hit mainstream, they change their sound and release a follow up record that flops, and then they get dropped, return to an indie label and have this whole "were back to our roots" thing going on. Like they blame their failure and disconnection on major labels and mainstream influence.

AARON: Everybody has heard horror stories about indie bands signing to majors. It's just a matter of being careful and having a very good lawyer and manager behind you. So they will look out for your best interests in the negotiations and not be too quick to sign something because they want their share of your signing bonus.

CCDR: The Aeffect, touring. Describe for us.

AARON: Well we have a tour van with no trailer.

CCDR: So you leave the kids at home?

AARON: Yeah no pets, no kids. We basically have a lot of fun playing out on the road, it's just the three of us and our friend Gavin who is one of the most fun guys ever.

CCDR: Do you guys take pride in your live shows or do you believe in the whole "have fun, get drunk, who cares what it sounds like" ideology?

AARON: Yeah, we take pride in the live shows. We don't get wasted or anything before we play. I's way to easy for a band to play like s*** and go "Yeah we could play good but we were wasted". But its still all about having fun too, if a band is up there and not enjoying it, you can sense that. Somehow it's just floating around in the air. A good show for us is one where we sounded great and you could fill a swimming pool with all the sweat. If theres any blood to spare... bonus.

CCDR: Do you write songs with your live show in mind or do you say "This sounds good on a CD."? Do you put stress on mixing and editing in the studio?

AARON: A Short Dream was written with a CD in mind, then it wasnt all that fun to play live. The new songs are all about the live set. It's gotta rock. Having a great sounding CD is still #1 for me though. A show only lasts a short time but a record is permanent.

CCDR: Ok here is the list: 1) Name your top five artists/bands of all time or just write the first five you can think of and say they are your favorite.

AARON: Ok top five: Nirvana, Flaming Lips, Pink Floyd, Depeche Mode and the Beatles.

CCDR: Ok number 2, name that one album that you hide everytime your buddies come over. The one you don't remember why you bought but you just can't get rid of.

AARON: I have that Millii Vanilli record from way back when. I just play it off like a joke but just between you and me.. it's amazing!

CCDR: Ok number 3, I could bet you've watched a movie or two or perhaps turned on the tv once, name your celebrity crush.

AARON: Man I see all these people and I have no idea what their names are but I can tell you that my good friend James from Bithlo Mullet Revival (www.bithlorock.com) has a strange infatuation with none other than Jamie Lee Curtis! Isn't that kinda creepy? Yeah theres an 8x10 on his desk showing nipple.

CCDR: Ok last but not least number 4, name your favorite rap song and tell me why rap is so original and invigorating.

AARON: Thats an interesting question. I was heavily into rap music for a long time and Run DMC's "You Be Illin'" holds a place close in my heart, but all time I think I'd have to say Young MC's "Bust a Move" is the top choice. I'm still known to get up there and bust it at a karaoke bar now and again.

CCDR: The band is the Aeffect, the man is Aaron, this is the interview. What piece of information have we missed that you would like to share with the people?

AARON: We'll be on 6 weeks of Warped Tour this summer so please come check us out! We'd love to meet a bunch of cool new people in places around the country we've never been. We're on the Punkrocks.net stage and you can find out more info at their site or our site www.theaeffect.com.

CCDR: Thank you for your time Aaron, it was like Christmas doing this.

AARON: Haha. Thank you very much for the interview. Its always fun to share.