"Thanks for the memories" is the best way to
describe what artist and musician Steven Juliano has been through, over the
course of his musical and artistic career. The man has done so much being in
numerous bands from his early work in The Silence, Fallout, to Monsta Zero to
later being best known as the frontman to his previous act as of two years ago
I Am Ghost. When asked if his previous bands would seen the light of day ever
again if be even for one night he responded "To be honest, probably not.
Those were amazing times of my life. All I have our great memories of those
bands.... "
The past has now
dispersed so looking ahead towards the
present and oncoming future, Juliano has focused on his brand new band Requiem
For The Dead and artistic talents with the recent successful release of his
graphic novelization of a tale entitled "Lovers and Kings". He says
that this tale can be described as this; "It's a very dark fantasy/horror
novel with a lot of twists and more gobbity goo. The best way to describe it is somewhat in
the vein of Pans Labyrinth meets the movie Seven."
When in question about his band Requiem For The Dead and
what they have been up to as of late, Juliano says that they are in
pre-production mode which they never did for their debut album it was a fast
paced fun time overall. But this time around we thought about doing it a little
better by taking our sweet time on the songs and recording. Not being signed nor
do they bother to care this band just go with the flow when it comes to
creating music.
Discussion goes further into detail about the new album, how
music affects his everyday life, to the unexplained beginning's of the untold
future.
1. For those who do not know who you are tell me in 5 words.
Steven: Five words? Wow, that's indeed a tough one. How
about: "Hi, I am Steven Juliano...." They can Google me if they need
more info.
2. Can you give me a brief summary as to what your graphic
novel "Lovers and Kings" is about?
Steven: It's a very dark fantasy/horror novel with a lot of
twists and more gobbity goo. The best
way to describe it is somewhat in the vein of Pans Labyrinth meets the movie
Seven. You know, the fucked up film with Brad Pitt. The novel takes place in
1916 worn torn France during height of World War One. It follows the lives of
children living in the town whom begin to see things coming out of their forest
and moors....
3. How does it make you feel that your novel has hit the scene
far and wide what have the fans and critics said of it?
Steven: It is amazing how a writer and artist such as myself
can do something this big, and then get it out to the masses with little
trouble. My book is in stores everywhere now, including all the online/apps
stores such as iPad, Kindle Fire, Nook, Barnes and Nobles online, Graphically
and more. I wrote/drew the entire book, so it's a labor of love. So far, the
reviews have been stellar. I have not seen anything bad what so ever.
4. Where in the recording process are you and when can we
expect to see this album to be released?
Steve: Well, right now, my band Requiem for the Dead is
currently in pre production mode. We never did it for our first release. We
just wrote music we liked and then just recorded it. There was no picking apart
the songs what so ever. It was a fast paced, fun time. But this time around, we
thought about doing it a little better by taking our sweet time on the
recording and the songs. We are not signed, nor do we care to be signed. We
just meet up when we feel like it, write songs, and then talk about it. We
change things, make the songs shorter, sometimes longer... sometimes we change
entire chorus's and re write them. Pre production is the key. We are just
having a good ol' time with the songs.
5. Do you have any ideas as to what the debut single off the
new album will be? Will that also become the next music video as well or will
that be a whole another song completely?
Steven: I am already having a favorite, but from my experience,
it can all change when we start doing the real recording. Sometimes, another
song just comes out of left field and hits me hard. It sounds "ok" in
demo format, but suddenly we start arranging it in real recording time, adding
violins, cellos, synth and it just turns into this huge, awesome monster. So
right now, I am not exactly sure. We are definitely shooting another music
video, I just don't know for which song yet.
6. When did you start writing for this album? How was the
songwriting process different/similar to the previous Requiem For The Dead album?
Steven: We started to write it around January 2012, I
believe. I could be wrong. It started off very slow, but was partly my fault in
a way. I was away in Los Angeles at least once every two weeks flying back and
forth working on films and doing things with my graphic novel. It was super
swamped and couldn't really do much band wise. Ty Oliver kinda kept everything
a float by writing song after song... and then sending them to me via email.
Bobby Burns, our other guitarist wrote a song on the album as well, which is
keen. It's been a good mix. The only difference really from this album from the
last is that we are not rushing the recording. Again, we are kinda sitting back
and listening to the songs, re working them, re recording them in demo format,
then listening again.
7. What are your songs about? What specific themes do they
cover?
Steven: There is no theme, per say. I think this album is
more of me talking about my life and all the things I did right, did wrong, or
didn't do at all. We all have regrets. Yet we all have good memories of our
past, I think. The album is going to be called "Memories" so it kinda
explains it all.
8. Are you using any new instrumentation you've never used
in the recording process before?
Steven: We are using a lot more orchestra it seems in this
new album. We didn't have Bobby Burns on our first album, so the orchestra was
kinda low key. We had friends in Southern California do the orchestras for us,
which were minimal. Bobby is a very good piano player and has a great set up at
his home with synth and keyboards and sounds... so we are using that to our
advantage .
9. Did the band have any definitive goals they were shooting
for before the recording process began for this album?
Steven: Not really. I think we all talked about it a little,
and the only think that came up was it has to be better than the last. That's
what all musicians hope for. You hope you progress and get better with time and
that your next CD is bigger and better than the last. It doesn't always work,
but we try... and we hope.
10. How would you describe the overall sound of the new
album? How does it compare to "Always and Forever"?
Steven: This is a harder album by far. Its more aggressive
for sure, yet we do have our moments of slow pop rock. To be honest, I am just
not into this "Wrar Wrar Chug Chug" music that every mother fucker is
doing. I can care less if people think we are hardcore, or punk. It really
never affected me even with my last band, I Am Ghost. We had plenty of
opportunity to go hella dark and hardcore screaming, but we stuck to our guns
and did the music we liked. That's what we are doing now...
11. Did you feel any pressure to follow it up?
Steven: No, not really. Of course I want this new CD to be
good. I want people to like it. If a band says they don't care what people
think are fucking liars. But pressure wise, I think we are fine and don't have
much. We live in care free Santa Cruz. Everyone is so relaxed here its kinda insane...
12. Can you go into one or two tracks on the new album? If
so, can you give us the track title and brief description of how the track
sounds and how it came about?
Steven: Well, one song that is pretty much finished does not
have a name yet. But, it's pretty fun to listen to. Again, we got a little more
aggressive with our guitar playing this time around, yet kept the chorus's
insanely catchy. The song is my love letter to a girl I once knew... talking to
her directly saying "Look, we were madly in love, we are to this day inner
twined forever, but god damn it, the two of us together was so
pathetic..." It's not trying to be mean, it's just saying that after
thinking long and hard about the relationship, it really was not healthy and
its best we just stay close friends. But nothing more.
13. Why did you want to release your first and upcoming for
free? Do you ever think back that it wasn't such a good idea?
Steven: To be honest, it was an amazing idea. No one buys
rock music anymore. No one buys CDs. Who are we kidding? Plus, we could care
less about making money on this band. Not to toot our own horns, but everyone
in the band does very well on their own financially so we just put it out for
free. And, we are going to do it again with our new release. It will be
available for free just like the first!
14. Which of your own songs is your favorite out of all of
the projects past and present that you've been a part of?
Steven: There is a special place in my heart for the song
"This is Home" by I Am Ghost. Sometimes that song comes on when I'm
working out or drawing, and I always find myself singing along to it. Plus, the
guitar solo at the end of the song is so god damn bad ass. It is just an all
around amazing fucking song....
15. Speaking of past projects, "The Silence",
"Fallout", "Monsta Zero" and "I Am Ghost" do you
ever see any of these acts returning to the stage? Would you consider doing a
showcase with these acts and Requiem for the Dead even if it were for one
night?
Steven: To be honest, probably not. Those were amazing times
of my life. All I have our great memories of those bands.... especially the
earlier ones like Fallout and The Silence. We are just so god damn young, and
there was just something about being young and in a band and just playing cuz
you like music. There was no labels, no management.... just five dudes in a
garage playing their heart out. I don't see us ever reuniting, even for one
night, cuz it won't be the same. It can't be. Time has passed, and those are
just memories now....
16. Are you in good terms with the former members of these
acts or has everyone gone their own ways?
Steven: I am friends with all my past bands except for the
last band I was in with I Am Ghost. What a fucking storm of great memories
mixed in with utter misery. It's insane. I think about the times I had with
that band, and it's like a 50/50 "Oh, that was a fun time" to
"Oh man, I hated that time..." It had NOTHING against the former
members as people, to be honest. They are all swell dudes. I just really,
REALLY, hated touring. Never liked it. I was also insane, to a degree, and
handled things badly on my end. But, mix it with a major label, money, the
firing of three managers, and endless array of booking agents that fucked up
most of our tours... I just one day had it. I quit the band out of the blue and
pissed off everyone that was a part of the band, and friends of the band.
Everyone took sides, and being the fact that I was the odd man out, the guy who
left everyone, they went one way, and I went the other. But I had to do it. I
just had to let go....
17. Do you miss being a part of those bands or are they dead
to you?
Steven: I miss the good songs we wrote with I Am Ghost. Not
to hype myself or the band, but that band was seriously ahead of its time. I
listen to the songs we wrote and sometimes just think, "Jesus Christ, we
were fucking sick!" I don't miss the touring. I don't miss the inner
turmoil of the band. I just miss the music. I also miss the fans who were so
amazing to us.
18. What was your life like before you started playing
music?
Steven: Sitting in a room working on films, doing animation,
and working 15 hour days... literally. I would leave for work at 6AM and come
home around 11pm every single night. It's the reason why I started bands, it
was my only time to escape and play with my buds and get away from work. We
built a studio in my garage so I could make practice after I got home from
work... then it kinda all just snow balled from there.
19. What has music meant to you in your life?
Steven: It has given me so many god damn good stories to
tell my grandchildren.... that's for sure...
20. What’s the best part of being a performer for you?
Steven: I have always liked entertaining people. Ever since
I was nine years old doing musicals... it just makes me happy to perform.
21. Describe your happiest feelings…
Steven: So many.... the newest one was when I got my first
book mailed to me hot off the press. I opened the box, opened my graphic novel,
and started to look through all the pages and got kinda teary eyed....
22. …and your saddest ones.
Steve: Any time a family member or good friend passes away.
The older you get, the more you start to see these things, which hurt a lot.
23. Imagine you’ve always wanted to re-work a line in a
song, and you are now getting the chance to - what would your improved lyrics
be?
Steven: Hmmmm.... maybe "So taste it, and you will
never be a clone, I'll have the first bite, yea I love toooooooassst!!!!"
(Pretty People Never Lie)
24. Vinyl records, cassettes, CDs or downloads? (regardless
of current popularity)
Steven: Ugh, man, it's hard. I prefer CDs still. I just like
it that I can still just get a CD and pop it in my car and listen to it. There
is no sitting there downloading it and transferring it to my iPod and blah blah
blah.
25. Playing live or recording in studios?
Steven: Playing live, but not touring. Just like a show here
or there is fine. But sitting in a bus or a van for hours upon hours...
sometimes days, is not my cup o tea.
26. Your favorite show that you played to this day is which
and why?
Steven: Honestly, it was YEARS ago, but my band Fallout
played the Glass House in Pomona with band such as Sum 41, River Fenix and
more... and we played in the middle slot. Sum 41 was not even famous yet, and
no one heard of them, and they opened the show and played before us. It was my
first ever 900 person show and the crowd just went ape shit the entire 30
minutes we played. I don't even think they really knew who we were, but they were
moshing and dancing and crowd surfing and I just remember walking off stage
going "Holy fuck that was awesome!"
27. Is this the longest interview you have ever done if so
what is one word to describe it as?
Steven: No, I have had longer interviews.... but I love
doing them. It's fun.... if I understand the questions. Sometimes people try to
be sassy and funny and are like "If you could be a tree, what kind of tree
would you be...?" and I just stare back going "Are you fucking
kidding me?"
For more info on Steven Juliano, go to:
Check out Requiem for the Dead on Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/requiemrock
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