Artist: Cave In
Interivew With: Steve Brodsky
Posted By: Marvin at 12:30 on 2003
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Exclusive interview with Steve Brodsky of Cave In below:
When did you all first meet?
In middle school is where J.R., myself (Stephen), and Adam all met. We later met Caleb when Cave In did its first tour.
When did you all first start playing music?
For me, it was in 7th grade. I was about 12 when I first tried to really play guitar.
When did you start playing music together?
J.R. and I have been in bands since we were both in 8th grade. Cave In didn't form until spring of 1995.
At what age was your first gig (played)? What was it like?
I was fifteen years old. It was in a 3-piece band called Bliss, with J.R. playing drums. I was so nervous that my legs would not stop trembling.
At what age was your first gig (you went to)?
I was about 11 or 12. It was U2's Zoo TV tour.
As kids, what bands did you listen to? What bands/musicians had the greatest impact and influence on you in life?
I grew up on heavy metal - stuff like Metallica, Anthrax, Iron Maiden, Megadeth. I was also blown away by all the great rock bands from the early 90's, too.
What previous bands have you been in?
None that anyone would have even heard of.
What band would you like to be in if you weren't in cave in?
Well, maybe if Failure hadn't broken up... I also played bass in Converge for about a year. They were a huge influence on Cave In, particularly with our older stuff, and it was an honor to have played with them.
What are your favourite tracks [by cave in]?
"Stained Silver" is one of our better songs. And "Juggernaut" is one of the better metal songs we wrote.
What songs do you most like playing live?
"Joy Opposites" is my current favorite. We can play the verses very quietly and then go into the choruses very loudly - I like the song's overall dynamic. "Big Riff" is always a blast, too.
In your own opinions, what has been the greatest gig you've played?
There's been so many... recently, there was this one show in Ulm, Germany where the kids were just so into it and they wanted us to do a total of 3 encores. They were really drunk and wearing funny costumes and such. It made us giddy.
Who've been the band you've most appreciated playing along side?
Maybe that would be Neurosis. They have such a mystique to them, and being able to watch a bit of what goes on behind the scenes at a Neurosis show was intriguing to us at the time.
Where has been the place you most liked playing? Where has the best fans?
We've had some great shows in Boston, which is always reassuring. It's nice to have some hometown love on your side, you know? Seriously, playing a bunch in England has been great for us, and people there are highly supportive of what we do.
aWho've been the nicest guys in the music business you've met (bands)?
Hmmm... well the Foo Fighters are pretty nice guys. They're very down to earth for the position they are in. The guys in Queens Of The Stone Age seem cool. Troy actually played a Failure song with us a few times during Lollapalooza (he used to play in Failure himself).
What bands do you currently listen to most?
As for current bands, that would be the Burning Brides, Isis, Interpol, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Queens Of The Stone Age, and Opeth.
What band puts on the best live show [apart from yourselves]?
I love seeing the Melvins. I've seen them about 5 times and each time I do, it makes me want to give up playing loud music. They are just such a nucleus - I have no other way of trying to explain it.
What bands do you hate most?
Let's just say that I have a hard time connecting to a band who's success was more or less handed to them, without ever having to really work for it. You know who you are.
What's the greatest album of all time?
If it weren't for "Ride The Lightning", I probably would be a much different person altogether.
Greatest single?
Stumped!
What has been cave in's best album in your view's?
Perhaps "Until Your Heart Stops" or "Jupiter". I think those two records are the most unique for us. We're hoping to have our follow-up to "Antenna" be more of a mix of those two records.
Have any of you ever been arrested? What for?
No, I have never actually been arrested. But I've been hassled plenty by the police.
What has been the worst state you've been in with drugs/alcohol?
That would be after eating a small bag of marijuana in Belgium during our first European tour. I was wrecked for two days straight, without exaggeration. We had to play a show, and I'm surprised that the band wasn't sued in the same way that Creed was being sued for doing horrible live performances.
When did you first realise your status? [as in people knowing all the lyrics to songs you've written, people who dedicate part of their lives to you, etc.]
The band got more recognition after releasing "Until Your Heart Stops". You know, the best form of praise is to imitate someone else... and I think our approach to playing metal has been imitated by at least a couple more well-known bands.
What rising bands would you rate as the best?
Isis, hands down. It took them a few albums, but with "Oceanic" they really have something to call their own now. And it's awesome, it really is.
What tips would you give to anyone who is trying to start a band?
Be able to enjoy the company of those around you. And if these same people happen to be the best musicians that you know, good things may happen.
Finally and most importantly, do you like cheese?
Pizza is a hard thing to resist.
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