Interview: Jeremy from Shiny Toy Guns talks about their name, tours, and very interesting fan requests - August 2007
Consisting of Chad Petree (lead vocals/guitar), Carah Faye (lead vocals), Jeremy Dawson (synths/bass guitar), and Mikey Martin (drums), this quartet has risen from being the new-fangled sensations of 2006 to one of the most highly requested bands of 2007. Each one carrying a part of musical talent that individuated from varying walks of life and put together created the synth/pop/rock sensation Shiny Toy Guns. Bringing forth a genre of music that was in need of rejuvenation, Shiny Toy Guns has brought up back into the 80’s New Wave synth-driven tunes that made Robert Smith and The Cure household names. Three years of hard work and perseverance is demonstrated not only in their live shows, but in their latest 2006 album, We Are Pilots.
Thanks to their on-line publicist I was able to interview Jeremy via e-mail correspondence as the group traveled on their European tour last March. I was grateful for the opportunity and the kindness of not only their staff, but the band as well. So, pull up a chair and get ready for this exclusive interview with Jeremy.
Cynthia: Did you know each other before the band?
Jeremy: Yes actually, not for a long while but we met outside of the industry and came together naturally through friendships.
Cynthia: Who are your inspirations musically? (past and present)
Jeremy: Any artist or group of artists who are unique and interesting songwriters take a tiny part of the whole of inspiration for us as far as the past goes ... no one band or individual played a key role in our lives or this record. Presently some amazing new music is coming from Van She, 120 Days, Datarock, Teddybears, The Klaxons, and most definitely Muse.
Cynthia: Who came up with the band name, and why "Shiny Toy Guns"?
Jeremy: I created the name but it was actually Chad's idea to use it. Before it was the name of the band it was a lyric in one of our songs entitled When They Came For Us. The name and the name of that song reflect this: Take lets say a small child, or someone of any age who is very trusting, even gullible... And take larger, manipulative situations like the military, the government, religious organizations, schools, corporations. Let's say one of the latter hands this individual an item or a task to complete. The item or task appears to be interesting and fascinating to the touch and to the look... But as the individual goes forward with this object or task and implements with it what was instructed, that person is hurt or they hurt many others in the process, but unknowingly beforehand. Hence, a shiny toy gun. A weapon that appears harmless.
Cynthia: For the record Jeremy, that has to be the most intellectual explanation of a name I've had thus far. That was brilliant! Pure genius. Lyrically can you briefly tell us about the songs and musical progressions on this album?
Jeremy: Each song on the record has its own life, its own story, and its own method of inception and growth till it matured into completion for the record, both melodically, production-wise and lyrically. Rather than take a whole and separate into parts, each part was a whole and then together linked with a common thread to create what you have as our album.
Cynthia: According to Alternative Press Magazine, Shiny Toy Guns has been noted as one of the top essential albums of 2006. How do you feel about that?
Jeremy: Truly flattered... There were a lot of good records in '06. Well maybe 4 or so. Everything is a matter of opinion, and we really appreciate AP for voicing their opinion to all of their readers.
Cynthia: Any new tours planned this upcoming year? If so, with who?
Jeremy: The Rapture, Straylight Run for winter and spring. Summer we are watching quietly to decide who we want to play with for our main American tour.
Cynthia: Okay, enough of the serious talk time to start the questions musicians dread... *smiles* Let's see... If Shiny Toy Guns had never come into play (which we are all glad it did) where and what do you think you would be doing right now?
Jeremy: Back home on the Great Plains chasing multi-vortice super cell storms impregnated with violent tornados and Cat 5 500 mile-wide hurricanes with our photographers... while driving black chase vans through 120 MPH winds and softball size hail dodging fallen power lines and sideways rain.
Cynthia: Wow. Action Packed! Sounds like a movie I've seen... What is your biggest fear, and was there a traumatic event linked to it? Mine is rollercoasters. I fell out of a small one at a fair when I was younger with my friends. Nobody knew, but now everyone does. It's not the height, it's the actual ´falling and could die´ part. *laughs*
Jeremy: Wasps. I hate them. They haunt my dreams.
Cynthia: Okay, describe your personality in five words. I know it's weird that I participate, but I want in! :) I am: smart, unique, funny, artistic and intricate. Now you!
Jeremy: Obsessive, possessed, focused, observant, hell-bent.
Cynthia: What is oddest thing you have ever had to sign for a fan?
Jeremy: The trunk of a car, or a male ass.
Cynthia: A donkey? Haha. Just kidding. I get you. My sense of humor tends to butt in at the worst times. Tell us something interesting about yourself that nobody knows. Anything! We like to be serious, but we know how to have fun, so take the floor! Again, I have heard it all...
Jeremy: I thoroughly enjoy sitting in a crouched position and staring blankly at a floor while slowly running a set of car keys between each finger, for 45 minute intervals. Kills my workday sometimes.
Cynthia: Last one... what is your favorite venue that you've performed in and why?
Jeremy: The Fillmore in San Francisco. Because Pink Floyd was there and I'm sure that we touched something in there that they did. We have never showered since.
Cynthia: They (Pink Floyd) certainly were masters of the musical artistry, as well as Queen. Okay, now I'm making it interesting, you can ask me a question, and I have to answer it no matter what! This will probably never happen in most interviews... But if a journalist can pry, then why can’t bands do the same! It's only fair.
Jeremy: If you could have a pair of sunglasses made for anywhere else on your body, where would they go? And what brand would you demand?
Cynthia: Well Jeremy, you've caught me in a tight spot. I am an accessory junkie! However, I'm simple, so I use anything from $5.00 sunglasses to $100.00 ones. I'm not demanding, just a fashionista at times. Hmmm. I'd say my ass (I can say that on TITV) but I think I could wear them as a ring on two fingers, like a brass knuckle. Wouldn't that be cute? So, a ring that looks like sunglasses that fits on two fingers is my answer! DON'T STEAL IT FASHION DESIGNERS!! As for what brand, I would have to say that it's a tie! I would love something from Gwen's L.A.M.B. collection or Vivienne Westwood. Gwen is my idol for her passionate and loving heart and her love for Harajuku inspired clothing. She could come up with something mad wicked! Vivienne Westwood is just spectacular! She is said to be partly responsible for MODERN PUNK and NEW WAVE fashions! Hell, she worked with the SEX PISTOLS! Anything else you'd like to add Jeremy?
Jeremy: I think you did really well and covered everything nicely ;)