Interview With 'The Conniption Fits'
Firstly, introduce yourselves and tell us a little bit about the band and how you came to be?
We are The Conniption Fits, a hard touring band from New England. We started the band out of the ashes from a previous band that did quite well, Mototplant. The drummer Shawn and I were in that band together and after a failed label deal we started The Conniption Fits. Jamie joined later when we needed a bass player. Word on the street was he was “the man” so we called him up. We had to convince him that we were worth his time. After the first two shows he played with us, he joined officially.
What were you all up too prior to the band, was this always the chosen path or did you have other dreams and aspirations?
We have always played music in various bands since the ages of 11 to 14 years old. Sometimes I think this path chose us. Even while we balance our checkbooks with other jobs, I work in Radio, Shawn sells Real Estate and Jamie helps run a vegetable farm,
performing music has always been a focus.
Tell us about your latest EP and why our readers should check it out.
On our latest EP we continue to refine our Pop/Rock/Alternative sensibilities and where we can push the genre and yet stay accessible to a mainstream rock fan. We all have differing influences and we use that to our advantage in our songwriting. Every album so far has been pretty different, even song to song, and we think that’s a good thing. On the latest EP it starts with the straight up rock of “Your Hands” and moves through the alternative “Downstream” and “Voodoo Doll” then finishes with the almost metal of “Burn Today”.
Have you ever come face to face with someone within the music scene who has left you awestruck and why?
Steven Tyler. When talking with him, looking in his eyes I was struck with the feeling that those eyes have seen so much. He was super nice and intimidating all at the same time. Just like a rockstar should be.
If we were to head out to one of your live shows what can ourselves and others expect?
In a word; a party. Our live shows are upbeat and relentless. Often I feel as if we are a soccer team trying to win the championship. Just a relentless stream of energy to get the audience on their feet and smiles on their faces. We are very aware that we are entertainers, that it’s not all about the song, that performance and attitude are contagious. A lot of times you get these artists saying it’s “all about the music, man” and I can respect that, but we feel if you get to caught up in your music and art it makes for a selfish show. We feed an audience. We want to bring you inside. You get to party with us, not just in the same space.
If you had one artist/band that you could go on tour with tomorrow who would it be and why?
There are so many. Definitely a band or artist that is further along then we are and in the same vein. Maybe Muse, Kings Of Leon, Green Day or the Foo Fighters… That would be dream.
You can spend an hour with a musical icon living or dead, who would you pick, why and what would you speak about?
Dave Grohl. He’s always been and inspiration and I think he’d be easy to talk to and get along with. We’d talk music production, songwriting and gear. I know he’s a total gear junkie.
And finally and most importantly is Die Hard a Christmas Movie?
There is only one Christmas movie and that is Christmas Vacation.
'Your Hands' Available Now!
