SUPPORT FORCE
Location: Portland, Oregon
Members: Booth Wilson (Drums, vocals), Dan Schuman (Keyboards, vocals), Douglas Smith (Guitar, vocals), Jonathan Magdaleno (Guitar, vocals)
Genre: Weirdish Indie Rock
Label: Will be releasing something on High Scores and Records
Support Force on MySpace
Support Force Website
Location: Portland, Oregon
Members: Booth Wilson (Drums, vocals), Dan Schuman (Keyboards, vocals), Douglas Smith (Guitar, vocals), Jonathan Magdaleno (Guitar, vocals)
Genre: Weirdish Indie Rock
Label: Will be releasing something on High Scores and Records
Support Force on MySpace
Support Force Website
It's not often that I look at a bands MySpace and am greeted with a combination of dolphins, hieroglyphics, and Oprah Winfrey. But, with special thanks to Support Force, I have. I hate admitting that my first impressions were all but serious because of that, but once their music started playing...whoa. "Cyril Koestinger" greeted me with an interesting hymnal-like opener followed with an ambient guitar melody followed with a hypnotic, groove-like rock ballad. Each song is completely different from the other, which really isn't a bad thing.
Here's the (very interesting) interview I had with Support Force.
Here's the (very interesting) interview I had with Support Force.
That's an interesting picture of a dolphin on your profile. Do any of you guys have an obsession with dolphins?
Jonathan: I'd say our obsession leans more towards strange and hilarious pictures. It's crazy because that's an actual military photo. I don't remember what the device on its flipper does exactly (I read about it some time ago), but it looks awful laser-like/futuristic to me.
Dan: That picture's real?
Booth: I initially thought it was of the dolphin uprising of '89. But no, I think Jonathan is right on this one.
Even though you've been together since 2006, there have been thirteen different members/contributors. Have there been problems keeping members in the band?
Jonathan: Well, Support Force had always been a solo project (under various names) up until the past couple of months. I would always have friends play live with me and in recordings, but it was never an official "band", at least by definition. Those other members and the time periods were all determinedly temporary. It just happened to work out that I'd have a certain group playing with me for an amount of time, and then people would come and go as they pleased, which is exactly how I wanted it to be. The current situation with Booth, Dan, and Douglas is somewhat similar in that I write most of the music and kind of guide the process of everything, but when we four started playing together, there was a great amount of chemistry and I began to feel like Support Force would soon flow into more of an equal contribution type of project on its own. It is slowly developing towards that and thus things have only gotten better. However, I can't say what exactly I expect to happen in the future, which is super exciting.
Jonathan: I'd say our obsession leans more towards strange and hilarious pictures. It's crazy because that's an actual military photo. I don't remember what the device on its flipper does exactly (I read about it some time ago), but it looks awful laser-like/futuristic to me.
Dan: That picture's real?
Booth: I initially thought it was of the dolphin uprising of '89. But no, I think Jonathan is right on this one.
Even though you've been together since 2006, there have been thirteen different members/contributors. Have there been problems keeping members in the band?
Jonathan: Well, Support Force had always been a solo project (under various names) up until the past couple of months. I would always have friends play live with me and in recordings, but it was never an official "band", at least by definition. Those other members and the time periods were all determinedly temporary. It just happened to work out that I'd have a certain group playing with me for an amount of time, and then people would come and go as they pleased, which is exactly how I wanted it to be. The current situation with Booth, Dan, and Douglas is somewhat similar in that I write most of the music and kind of guide the process of everything, but when we four started playing together, there was a great amount of chemistry and I began to feel like Support Force would soon flow into more of an equal contribution type of project on its own. It is slowly developing towards that and thus things have only gotten better. However, I can't say what exactly I expect to happen in the future, which is super exciting.
Where did the band name come from?
Jonathan: It's actually the name of a glacier in Antarctica. It was named after a US naval fleet. In this house I used to live in, there was a map of the world on the wall of the bathroom. I'd always look at it whenever I was hanging out in there, doin' thangz. It really appealed to me upon first discovering it and what's when I changed this project's name for the fourth time.
Jonathan: It's actually the name of a glacier in Antarctica. It was named after a US naval fleet. In this house I used to live in, there was a map of the world on the wall of the bathroom. I'd always look at it whenever I was hanging out in there, doin' thangz. It really appealed to me upon first discovering it and what's when I changed this project's name for the fourth time.
Does Support Force ever play live?
Jonathan: Yes we do!
Where?
As of right now, we've just been playing in Portland since we love being a part of the music scene up here (and also can't really afford to travel anywhere else, ha).
How often?
This summer was when we first started playing shows, and I'd say we were doing 2-3 shows a month. We will continue trying to play that same amount as soon as the new EP is released.
What have been your best experiences live? Worst?
Our best experiences playing live so far have probably been the past four shows or so in which we've received many kind words and developed lots of new friends. I'd say our worst experiences always have to do with our equipment. I have an amp that sporadically spikes in volume, which I foolishly tried to use at a show one time. We're saving up to fix these problems, though.
Dan: I'm ambivalent about our most recent show. One of the best shows yet, but my keyboard stand came apart and my Moog almost came crashing down mid-song.
Douglas: My favorite part of playing live has been getting to play with so many amazing local bands and meeting a lot of very cool people who are genuinely interested in our music.
You guys have had six past releases. How did your listeners like them?
Jonathan: It's hard to say what people thought about them because I never really took them too seriously. There were a couple releases that I was complimented on but not by any more than 40 or 50 people, most of which were friends or people I knew before I started recording. Whenever I write music, I write it based on what I'd like to hear or what's important to me. The fact that anybody else has an opinion will forever be crazy and awesome.
Are you recording a new EP or album soon?
Yes, we are currently recording a new EP which does not have a release date yet. We would like to release a full-length vinyl by next year.
Jonathan: It's hard to say what people thought about them because I never really took them too seriously. There were a couple releases that I was complimented on but not by any more than 40 or 50 people, most of which were friends or people I knew before I started recording. Whenever I write music, I write it based on what I'd like to hear or what's important to me. The fact that anybody else has an opinion will forever be crazy and awesome.
Are you recording a new EP or album soon?
Yes, we are currently recording a new EP which does not have a release date yet. We would like to release a full-length vinyl by next year.
I noticed Oprah Winfrey as number one on your top friends. Do you think the next 'Oprah's Favorite Things' episode will be lavish or low-budget due to our economy?
Jonathan: To be honest, I do not know what that is. The only thing I remember was when she gave everybody in the audience a car and they all went fucking crazy. She's in our number one spot because I think the whole 'top friends' thing on MySpace is pretty ridiculous. To sit down and order people and bands into numerical importance is strange to me.
Booth: I'm waiting for her to buy the whole country dinner again, like with KFC. That or Oprah stimulus checks.
Douglas: I can't say I have ever seen a full episode of Oprah. I'm all about People's Court.
Jonathan: To be honest, I do not know what that is. The only thing I remember was when she gave everybody in the audience a car and they all went fucking crazy. She's in our number one spot because I think the whole 'top friends' thing on MySpace is pretty ridiculous. To sit down and order people and bands into numerical importance is strange to me.
Booth: I'm waiting for her to buy the whole country dinner again, like with KFC. That or Oprah stimulus checks.
Douglas: I can't say I have ever seen a full episode of Oprah. I'm all about People's Court.
Are any of you four in any other bands?
Dan: All of us somewhat work on solo recordings, but nothing outside of SF.
Booth: I am, for another few weeks. The songwriter of the band is leaving Portland. We're doing a joint show with SF as a farewell for him.
Douglas: I had a solo project that I was never able to get very serious about. I would play shows with Jonathan a lot, but it was mostly just for fun. I do intend on starting something up again. I have been writing a lot and I am pretty excited about it, but my focus right now is on Support Force.
Booth: I am, for another few weeks. The songwriter of the band is leaving Portland. We're doing a joint show with SF as a farewell for him.
Douglas: I had a solo project that I was never able to get very serious about. I would play shows with Jonathan a lot, but it was mostly just for fun. I do intend on starting something up again. I have been writing a lot and I am pretty excited about it, but my focus right now is on Support Force.
Is there a hidden message in your 'About Me', with all of those crazy symbols? Or are you aliens, or, dare I ask, alien dolphins?
Jonathan: No, no hidden message. I came across that text on accident and thought it looked rad, so I just put it in our bio. I think the fact that I'm Mexican makes me pretty alien dolphin.
Jonathan: No, no hidden message. I came across that text on accident and thought it looked rad, so I just put it in our bio. I think the fact that I'm Mexican makes me pretty alien dolphin.
What are some of your strongest musical influences?
Jonathan: I try not to let other bands influence my songwriting, which is always an impossible attempt. I've had a lot of favorite groups and artists since I really started liking music in the 5th grade, so I'd say all of those groups kind of meshed into my prepubescent and adolescent development. Currently, I'm really into Neil Young and the song "Gypsy" by Fleetwood Mac. For the past couple of years, I've been really into Liars and Califone, along with the Kinsella family (Joan of Arc, Owen, American Football, etc.). There are many others that I really enjoy as well.
Douglas: I've been really into The Books lately, but Neutral Milk Hotel was what really inspired me to start writing and playing music.
Jonathan: I try not to let other bands influence my songwriting, which is always an impossible attempt. I've had a lot of favorite groups and artists since I really started liking music in the 5th grade, so I'd say all of those groups kind of meshed into my prepubescent and adolescent development. Currently, I'm really into Neil Young and the song "Gypsy" by Fleetwood Mac. For the past couple of years, I've been really into Liars and Califone, along with the Kinsella family (Joan of Arc, Owen, American Football, etc.). There are many others that I really enjoy as well.
Douglas: I've been really into The Books lately, but Neutral Milk Hotel was what really inspired me to start writing and playing music.
Do you have any goals for Support Force?
Jonathan: Our current goal is to play as many shows as possible and eventually tour a lot. Ideally, in the future, I'd love to be able to live off of making music. But what musician doesn't, you know?
Booth: Ideally, we want to take on U2 in a battle of the bands.
Jonathan: Our current goal is to play as many shows as possible and eventually tour a lot. Ideally, in the future, I'd love to be able to live off of making music. But what musician doesn't, you know?
Booth: Ideally, we want to take on U2 in a battle of the bands.
Lyrically, my favorite song is "Cyril Koestinger". Jonathan, what inspired you to write that song, as well as your others?
Jonathan: "Cyril Koestinger" is pretty much about what I felt in the process of going from 18 to 20. From my aspirations to my frustrations to my realizations, etc. It's just a giant vat of teenage angst and introspection. It's also about wanting to blow everything off in order to give music all of your attention, which to me just means understanding that nothing is as important as personal happiness and self-fulfillment. Being 20 is just so strange to me, for I still feel as if I'm 15. There's a lot of that in there, too. Almost all of my other songs are about similar things or current world situations and how they relate to me or how I perceive them. Ultimately though, most of my songs are incredibly personal and I treat them as a complete expression of who I am. They're very important to me in that aspect.
Jonathan: "Cyril Koestinger" is pretty much about what I felt in the process of going from 18 to 20. From my aspirations to my frustrations to my realizations, etc. It's just a giant vat of teenage angst and introspection. It's also about wanting to blow everything off in order to give music all of your attention, which to me just means understanding that nothing is as important as personal happiness and self-fulfillment. Being 20 is just so strange to me, for I still feel as if I'm 15. There's a lot of that in there, too. Almost all of my other songs are about similar things or current world situations and how they relate to me or how I perceive them. Ultimately though, most of my songs are incredibly personal and I treat them as a complete expression of who I am. They're very important to me in that aspect.
What is your biggest struggle as a small band?
Booth: We still have to pay for our own burritos and wash our own clothes.
Jonathan: I'd say just getting a name for ourselves. There are so many bands out there that are all trying to do the same thing. It takes a lot of work to try to get people continually interested in you. We don't want to just jump on a bandwagon and get immediate success off of the coat tails of others, which makes it more difficult because that's usually what the general population wants: similarity, continuity, etc.
Booth: We still have to pay for our own burritos and wash our own clothes.
Jonathan: I'd say just getting a name for ourselves. There are so many bands out there that are all trying to do the same thing. It takes a lot of work to try to get people continually interested in you. We don't want to just jump on a bandwagon and get immediate success off of the coat tails of others, which makes it more difficult because that's usually what the general population wants: similarity, continuity, etc.
What do you guys do when you're not making music?
Douglas: I love to cook with my girlfriend and hang out with my two cats. I have been trying to get back into skateboarding, but I don't go as often as I would like. When we are not playing music, we are usually out at a show or something.
Jonathan: I like to read, cuddle with my 20 pound cat, and chill hard with my girlfriend. Other than that, I hang with these goobers quite often.
Booth: Currently, online chess. My cat isn't morbidly obese, so she's not that much fun.
Dan: Coding, circuit tinkering, and reading. I tend to devote a lot of time to music though, so nearly nothing else.
Douglas: I love to cook with my girlfriend and hang out with my two cats. I have been trying to get back into skateboarding, but I don't go as often as I would like. When we are not playing music, we are usually out at a show or something.
Jonathan: I like to read, cuddle with my 20 pound cat, and chill hard with my girlfriend. Other than that, I hang with these goobers quite often.
Booth: Currently, online chess. My cat isn't morbidly obese, so she's not that much fun.
Dan: Coding, circuit tinkering, and reading. I tend to devote a lot of time to music though, so nearly nothing else.
Any last thoughts?
Booth: Not really. Thank you.
Jonathan: Thanks so much!
Dan: Michael Jackson lives.
Booth: Not really. Thank you.
Jonathan: Thanks so much!
Dan: Michael Jackson lives.
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