Interviews

Interviews: Name Taken

Name Taken's guitarist Blake Means talks about life on Fiddler Records, touring, Bruce Campbell vs. Army of Darkness, emo, and Reagan's death. If you're looking for a great band from Orange, California than Name Taken are on the tops of the list.

Smother: - Tell us of the history of the band, when did you guys first get together, were you in different bands together, etc.?

Blake: - Chad (singer/bass guy) and I (guitar) went to school together since 8th grade and started playing music because Chad though I was the coolest kid in skate shoes. Then a couple years later we met Ryan (guitar) when we realized that the band was lacking muscle and a hint of Matt Damon.. then just recently we stole Juan (drums) from another band because we needed to offset how crappy we were with some good.

Smother: - How is life on Fiddler Records? Are they good to you?

Blake: - Fiddler rules.. they give us hugs whenever we ask for them.. even if they really dont want to give them.. they win best label ever award.. given by myself.

Smother: - What's the scene like in Orange California now-a-days?

Blake: - A lot of screaming and crying.

Smother: - How were your dates with Scatter the Ashes and From First to Last? And how did that in-store performance go?

Blake: - Scatter The Ashes is a really really really good band and amazing dudes.. we wanna tour with them forever. From First To Last were also awesome dudes and we played with them like we were 10 year olds.. but thats only because thats how old their singer is... the instore was silly, but fun.

Smother: - What's been your most memorable show or favorite tour thus far?

Blake: - When we just played at Chain Reaction in our homeland of Southern California..I missed alota people that I got to see there and we had alota fun.

Smother: - Producer Beau Burcell seemed to get a great sound for you on your "Hold On" album, will you be working together in the future or will you try to enlist a different producer next time?

Blake: - Beau Burchell is a terrible human being. and we fired him almost every day of recording.. we will never go to him again or speak to him.. he knows he sucks.... ok I'm kidding.. I just dont know how to answer the question.

Smother: - Why does 'emo' have such a bad connotation with it? You know it's gotten to the point where Deep Elm Records stopped their "Emo Diaries" compilation.

Blake: - I definitely dont know how to answer that one.. ummm.. well... I suppose it has a bad connotation because people always want something to complain about or mock.. right now.. its the word "emo"

Smother: - With that in mind, how would you describe your sound?

Blake: - Hmm.. I'll go with.. a terrible nuisance.

Smother: - What were your influences in making "Hold On"?

Blake: - We don't really have "influences." We just play stuff and if we like it.. we keep it. We dont have any bands in mind while writing.. I dunno.. ya.. I dunno.

Smother: - What do you think of Reagan's death? Good man or evil bastard?

Blake: - I don't know the man.... so I wouldnt call him either.. I think its saddening when I hear about anyones death.. I especially wouldn't bash a dead president or anyone in that matter with the title of "evil bastard."

Smother: - What are your thoughts on our the current political climate? What about Iraq and Afghanistan?

Blake: - My thoughts are that.. I should probably pay more attention.

Smother: - What's currently rocking your PS2/XBox/Gamecube? What movies are must-sees and what's some good music that everyone should go buy?

Blake: - Everyone should buy the movie "Bruce Campbell vs. The Army of Darkness" .. thats all I care about.

Smother: - What technological achievement could you not live without?

Blake: - A/C

Smother: - We always ask this one question of all the people we interview to see who gives us the funniest or most interesting response--What would do/say if you met a guy named Carbomb?

Blake: - I'd punch him in the stomach.

Smother: - Anything else you'd like to add?

Blake: - Thank for interviewing me! Yay!

Links:

Official Site

Fiddler Records