Tuesday, November 5, 1996
CONCERT:
Band rocks the Universal Ampitheater with style all their ownBy
Michael Nazarinia
Daily Bruin Contributor
Every now and then, a blue-collar type band achieves a level of
success usually reserved for those bands that are, well, corporate.
Certain derivative bands like Bush seem like they put an album out
with the intention of making it big quick but others, like Face to
Face, have a distinct style that doesn’t change with the
circumstances.
Face to Face hasn’t reached the platinum level of success of
bands like Bush. But like No Doubt, whom they opened for Friday at
the Universal Amphitheater, they maintain a common man’s stance
toward songwriting.
"Trever (Keith, lyricist/singer) writes general lyrics so that
everybody can kind of take their piece of it and make it their own.
That’s what makes it work, because I’ll ask him, ‘Did you write
that about me?’ and he’ll say ‘like no, come on,’" says guitarist
Chad Yaro.
"I feel the same way," says drummer Rob Kurth. "A lot of people
that are listening to our songs feel that the lyrics are relating
to them in their situation because (the lyrics) are so open-ended
and general. We get people writing us asking us if the lyrics are
religious, or about relationships, and putting it into their own
lives," Kurth says.
Though the band and their lyrics evoke a strong emotional
response, the lyrics were probably written from an entirely
different perspective.
"Of course Trever was probably writing about a TV show," adds
Yaro. "It’s a mystery really. I don’t think he even knows what his
lyrics represent in most cases."
Being an everyman’s band entails working like most people, and
Face to Face have never been ones to shy away from working.
"For the past three years we’ve been playing something like 200
to 250 nights a year, and after a while you start to feel at home
on stage, like going to work and feeling comfortable with what
you’re doing, you really fall into a groove," says Kurth.
"We are what we are," says Yaro. "The music and everything on
stage is pretty honest, and there’s no frills, you know, it’s
basically what it is. Here’s what’s on the record and here’s what
you get at the show, hope you like it."
To be considered a vital band, touring is of the utmost
importance, Kurth says.
"Unless you’re a one-hit wonder, touring is vital. We’ve got our
core audience, so that we can do a thousand seats anywhere in the
country, and we’ve been all over the world. That’s our base.
Basically you could put out a record, but without touring and your
core audience you’re not going to have anything. We’ve done records
from the smallest indie label all the way up to A&M, and none
of it would make a difference without the core audience that
gradually builds with each record," Kurth says.
"It’s our bread and butter, that’s what we do  we’re a
touring band, that’s how we make a living," adds Yaro. "If we’re
ever home, surfing is and always will be my joy, and when we have a
couple of weeks off in between tours, I’ll be doing that."
Touring takes its toll on the band, but the thing that keeps it
going is the fans. Without fans who relate to Face to Face’s sound
there wouldn’t be any albums or touring.
"I feel like our fans listen to our music because there’s a
certain vibe to it, it feels good to listen to … it’s not just
catchy fun stuff and it’s not like total death power, it just has a
lot of meaning to it," says Kurth.
After four albums, Face to Face have changed in only one way,
says Kurth. "The only real change that has happened  we’ve
never really tried to make any changes because we feel it’s
important to stay in the same scene and the same path  is
hopefully we’ve become better players. We were influenced a lot by
Bad Religion and Fugazi, but I think what really helped us to come
into our own was not being from L.A. and growing up in Victorville
trying to play music that seemed right to us."
GENEVIEVE LIANG
Chad Yaro, guitarist for Face to Face. The band opened for No
Doubt on Friday.