Interview with Disarray

Interview With Disarray

questions answered by Chuck Bonnet

Interview conducted by Steve Helmer

1.) Your work habits have been considered to be relentless by some. What does your Saturday consist of from the time you wake up to the time you go to sleep ?

Yeah, I do have a reputation for being a work-a-holic and it's the truth. I'll probably die by the time I'm 40 from stress and lack of sleep but fuck it. Saturday is usually the day I use to catch up on shit that I haven't had time to do throughout the week. I usually sleep in until noon then start on a stack of mail. Between mail, band phone calls, and other band chores my day is killed fast. Somewhere in there I try to find time to eat something and jog / lift weights a bit. I have absolutely no social life outside of hanging with my band and girlfriend. Sometimes things get old but I am so dedicated to the underground and to Disarray that I don't worry about missing out on other things. I'm on a mission!

2.) In your opinion what is the secret to any bands success including yours? Is there a secret ? (40,000 units worldwide is called success !)

Well, we are nowhere near the level that we hope to be, but so far I would say persistence and total dedication is the key to getting somewhere. Young bands don't realize that it takes years. Most bands that the public looks at as "new" have actually been struggling on an indie level for 10 years or they learned the ropes in other bands. You can't plant a tree on Monday and expect it to be fully grown in a week. We just try to make every day count. Doing mail, sending out zillions of promos, and playing lots of shows is the key to getting known. If a band is serious they will do everything possible to get higher up on the ladder. It just takes a lot of time.

3.) Describe for me the process of writing your new CD "A Lesson in Respect". Where and how does the band do most of the writing and rehearsing ? Who pays for your studio time ? You or the label ?

Most of the songs on "Lesson" have been in the works for a year or so. Usually I'll have all the riffs when we get to practice and we arrange everything there. Lyrics and guitar leads are the last things written. We've had several practice places in the past. Usually somebody into the band would donate their basement until we wore out our welcome. I recently bought a house with a garage so we practice here now. Our deal with Eclipse is basically a split expense kind of thing. We handle the recording costs and they do the rest.

4.) How are the plans for a tour to support it coming along ? I see that hundreds of radio stations have taken to you in a good way.

Well, as for 1999 things have been fucked up. We were supposed to tour with Broken Hope in October / November but somehow that fell through. We just signed with a booking agency out of Cincinnati called Devil Saint Booking. Our first tour with them will be in January 2000. We are also trying to get a few larger bands to take us out. Either way we'll be out for the majority of 2000 if all goes as planned. Radio has been great. We have received tons of playlists from stations that have us in their top 10 and that's fucking amazing to me. We are very grateful for all the support.

5.) I think the album art for new disc is very cool. How did you arrive at that particular design and photo ? Anybody you forgot to thank and want to thank now in the credits ?

A guy I met on the internet gave us the war atrocity pics. Eclipse was kinda nervous about using them because of legal reasons so we modified them a little. The hand on the front cover is mine. It represents me lifting the band out of the ashes. The soldier just killed two people in his path and that represents Disarray taking out anybody who gets in the way on our path to world domination. Chris @ Eclipse did the layout and he did a damn good job I think. Anybody that I forgot will get credit on the next record. It's always hard to remember everybody specifically but it's not that we don't appreciate them.

6.) What is the current line up for Disarray ? Have you known your band mates a long time ?

On the CD it is myself on guitar / vocals, Joe Dotson on bass / additional guitars, and Tony Mosley on drums. This line-up is no longer. Tony and Joe never expected this record to do as well as it is doing. They both have family commitments and don't want to tour so I have made modifications. The original drummer Shane Harmon is back and killing people behind the kit. He played on all the old records and did some tracks on "Lesson" as well. Chris Looney is now back on bass. Chris also played with us years ago and did a few tracks on "Lesson." Rest assured that this is the most solid line-up to date. We are set to destroy. I have known my band mates forever and I think that's why we have such a solid chemistry thing going.

7.) Of all the common misconceptions to getting signed what would you consider the biggest lie in the common "rock star" dream or rather "metal star" dream that most bands have ?

If you're planning on making money you can forget it. All a record deal really is a big loan. The money has to be recouped before profits can be distributed. Touring isn't like a big vacation. It's hard work. You can't get the sleep you need, you eat shitty, it's hard to find a place to shower, gasoline eats away all your gig money, etc. You really have to love it. That's why trendy fake ass rock stars don't last. I recommend that all bands book a small tour and try it out. It's a good way to weed out undedicated band members! I love all the things that are involved. It's challenging to me.

8.) Does the equipment make the player or does the player make the equipment? What is stage gear like ? I see that you play a Paul Reed Smith guitar ? What kind of amps do you prefer ?

It actually takes both to sound good. Obviously a good player can sound "good" on almost anything but quality gear helps. A bad player with killer gear is easy to detect. If you suck...... you suck - plain and simple. I have used PRS guitars for years - way before all the alternative bands started a PRS trend. They are solid and take a lot of abuse while still staying in tune. I tried Ibanez but the floating tremelo is a pain in the ass when you tune down low. PRS are very comfortable and durable. My rig consists of Peavey Sheffield guitar cabinets, a Digitech 2101 processor, Peavey 120/120 stereo tube amps, Nady wireless units, a Furman power conditioner, and Hybrid shock mount road cases. Speaker cables are on a beg, borrow, and steal basis.

9.) It seems you have been on tour forever, how the hell did you get all over the place without any label support ? That must have been rough man huh ?

We try to play as often as possible. It's really hard to do when there are all these "real life" responsibilities to deal with. We have quit tons of jobs and have had to sell gear to afford to stay out. You have to stay focused and keep your eyes on the prize. Only the strong survive. Our status is slowly growing and hopefully we'll make enough money to break even soon!

10.) Do you own a computer and what software is in it if you do ? What is your favorite stuff to use in it ?

I have an IBM Aptiva computer but I am illiterate to a lot of technology. I know most of my stuff is Microsoft. It's a basic set up, but it's enough for doing my fanzines, flyers, internet shit, etc.

11.) Any last thoughts for this interview ?

I just want to thank everybody for the support over all the years. Things are starting to pay off now. We appreciate everyone who has helped us. Go get our new CD "A Lesson In Respect" at any major record store. If they don't have it make them order it. CD Now.com and Amazon.com also have it. There's no excuse for you not to get it!!!!!!! We have been writing for our next record and I'm going to tell everyone to be very afraid!!!!! Thanks Steve - you rule buddy. C-ya on tour.

You can check out Disarray on the web at www.eclipserecords.com

back to the Adrenalin Homepage