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All bands come to a point in time where things need to stop this is what happened with Atreyu. They went on to announce that the band would be going on an indefinite hiatus for the time being. So with that guitarist Travis Miguel went on to start something new after some time surpassed thus Fake Figures came into focus. Taking former member Bob Bradley of Scars Of Tomorrow and Rus Martin of Hotwire this combo would bring forth the epicenes that is what it is. Fake Figures not too long ago released their debut EP "Hail The Sycophants" in which Travis Miguel took the time to discuss this release, the band, and why we should be on the lookout for them from here on out.
1. Tell us about the band?
Travis: Bob Bradley (Bass) approached me a while back about starting a new project together. I've known him for a number of years through his time in Scars of Tomorrow. Atreyu and Scars played a lot of shows together in the Orange County area and eventually, we (Atreyu) took them out on our headlining tour in '05. At the time, I don't think we knew exactly what kind of project we wanted it to be, but because Bob and I have pretty similar tastes in music, we didn't care we just knew we wanted to do something. I've known Justin Pointer (drums) since high school and have played together in various different bands when we were younger.
Bob and Justin also played together in SS Nova a few years ago. We didn't really know any singers who would fit the bill for this band. We held a brief online "audition", but nothing came of it. Most of what we got back was the generic metalcore thing. We wanted someone who sounded like "Rus from Hotwire". We figured, to do one better, and actually get "Rus from Hotwire,” couldn’t hurt to ask. At first, he was a bit apprehensive about doing loud music again, but once he heard a few of the rough demos we were working on, he agreed to join. Initially, we planned on just being a four piece, but a lot of the guitar parts became more and more layered, and it would probably sound pretty lame and a pain in the ass for me to try to pull it all off by myself in a live situation. So we called up our friend Heather Baker to join the fold.
2. Tell me where did the name Fake Figures come from and what does it mean?
Travis: It doesn't mean anything really. One day, Rus and I were talking about how even by today’s' standards, a lot of the old Twilight Zone episodes are still really creepy. In the episode "The After Hours", a young girl finds out she's actually a mannequin, or a "fake figure". Just sounds kinda cool I guess...No real theory or concept behind it.
3. "Hail The Sycophants" is your debut EP so what does the title represent?
Travis: I'm not even sure myself what "Hail The Sycophants" means. Rus came up with the title. A "sycophant" is a self serving ass kissing parasite. I guess you'll have to reach your own conclusion.
4. What are your songs about? (What specific themes do they cover?)
Travis: Rus' lyrics are pretty vague and open-ended. He writes about what he sees, human reactions, and the world in general. When most people write lyrics, not every single word or line is meant to be taken as gospel. One word or phrase might mean 500 different things to 500 different people.
5. Do you write your own songs? (Discuss the songwriting process in detail.)
Travis: As a matter of fact we do write our own songs. Usually someone who has a song, or at least an idea for a song, we’ll demo it and we send it out to each other. We talk about what we like or don't like, and bounce ideas off each other until we're happy with the final product So it’s all pretty standard stuff.
6. Who are your musical influences?
Travis: Black Flag, MC5, Soundgarden, QOTSA, Slayer, Far, Alice in Chains, NIN, Deftones, Iggy and the Stooges, Will Haven, David Bowie, Failure, White Zombie,...I could go on forever...
7. How do you describe your music to people?
Travis: I usually say something intelligent like, "This shit'll get your ears PREGNANT!"
8. What image do you think your music conveys?
Travis: The image on the cover of "Richard Simmons: Sweatin' to the Oldies Vol 3" DVD comes to mind...
9. When did you get signed with Shillen Records?
Travis: I believe it was October of 2011.
10. Why hasn't Fake Figures gone out on tour? Do you plan to?
Travis: Hopefully at some point soon, we'll be able to tour...Touring, especially nowadays, costs a lot of money...I mean, A LOT of money. So if you or anyone you know wants to throw some $ our way for booking fees, insurance, merchandise, laundry, gas money, a van, food, water, oil changes, equipment maintenance, tolls, etc. feel free.11. 2012 has what lined up for you guys?
Travis: We'll be filming a video for our song "Something Deadly" this weekend, and I'm assuming it'll be finished mid/late March. We'll be writing and playing live as much as we can during 2012.
12. Is that your final answer?
Travis: Is that your final question?
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