Clear Static is the latest band to ape an 80s synthesizer sound and ride that retro wave. The big difference. They are actually a good band. Clear Static is made up of Tom Pederson, Michael David, Danny Kincaid, Rich Pederson and Jacob Shearer. Their album is Make-Up Sex and its kind of dirty, youll like it!!
Pre-order Make-Up Sex
Daniel Robert Epstein: First I want to get the age thing out of the way because you guys are younger than me and I dont like that.
Michael David: [laughs] Thats funny dude.
DRE: You cant even buy drinks at these places you play in.
MD: I know, its a shame.
DRE: But Im sure you guys get plenty of drinks.
MD: Yeah.
DRE: Whats it like to have the dream and then have it become a reality so soon?
MD: Its really unbelievable. We realize how fortunate we are because we started at a really young age like. We were freshman in high school but believe it or not, we actually have endured quite a lot of bullshit along the way. Weve been put in a position to try and share music if everything goes according to plan.
DRE: What got you guys into such an 80s sound?
MD: A friend of mine played me The Smiths so thats what introduced me to the whole era. What we find really appealing about the 80s is that it was pop music but at the same time it was really clever and well put together. All the textures were really interesting, which is something that is lacking in modern music, but I hear hints of it coming back.
DRE: What struck you specifically about The Smiths?
MD: I was really into Johnny Marrs guitar parts and then at the same time Morrisseys voice was just out of this world. The lyrics were just totally bizarre and dark but they had these really beautiful pop melodies.
DRE: I really liked your music video as well. I watched the nude version [laughs]. Whose idea was the video?
MD: We chose the song Make-Up Sex for a video because we wanted to make a statement. Also we wanted to have a performance piece because we are a live band and thats what were all about. As for the sexuality, we actually have a really great label with a really open mind and they were totally into it. Then our director Eugene Riecansky came along and visualized and conceptualized the whole thing which was very cool.
DRE: How soon after you got your deal with Maverick did you meet Madonna?
MD: [laughs] I have yet to meet Madonna but I cant wait to because shes a real icon. That would be cool.
DRE: Is the dirty version of the Make-Up Sex video going to be on a DVD?
MD: I think you can find it on the internet.
DRE: How did you end up opening for Duran Duran?
MD: That was unbelievable. We got the Duran Duran tour prior to being on Maverick. We were just on an indie label and our manager got word that Duran Duran was going to go on a worldwide tour so he sent Duran Duran and their management our material. They were into it and gave us some ins on the tour which was just amazing.
DRE: Did you get to hang with them?
MD: Oh yeah, they are super down to earth, super professional. They welcomed us with open arms the first day. They invited us into their wardrobe room and we all drank champagne. It was amazing.
DRE: I know that people dont usually go around passing out advice but did you ask for any tips?
MD: I remember one day we were watching from backstage while they doing their sound check. Nick [Rhodes] and Roger [Taylor] came up to us and said, We really like what you guys are doing. We started when we were really young as well and we were all childhood friends. Thats what kept us together all these years.
DRE: Wow!
MD: It was really cool to hear something like that. They didnt give a lot of warnings and cautionary tales. For the most part they just partied and had a good time.
DRE: How was working with Mike Shipley as your mixer?
MD: Dude, Mike Shipley is by far my favorite mixer of all time. Just to add to his merit he is the nicest dude to work with and has just the raddest stories ever. He talked about The Sex Pistols, The Clash, Queen and The Cars. On top of all that he took our record to that next level.
DRE: Did you ask for him?
MD: We knew we had to get the record remixed because the record company actually wanted us to. But it was actually [Maverick A&R man] Scott Austins idea to try out Mike Shipley. I never thought wed get him.
DRE: Who produced?
MD: A guy named Tommy Henriksen produced the record but he was with us from the very beginning. So we really did get to make the record that we wanted. But Maverick asked for like a ballad which was a brilliant idea. There are so many stories of labels wrecking an album but not in this case.
DRE: Have you guys been rocking that look since high school?
MD: Like the eyeliner and the tight pants, that kind of thing?
DRE: Yeah.
MD: Pretty much, I cant remember us being very much different.
DRE: Whats the writing process between you guys?
MD: The writing process its basically between myself and the singer, Tom. For the most part Ill write the majority of the music and some of the melody. Then Tom and I will work it out with the lyrics. After that we take it to the band and everybody puts in their bits and pieces to make it what it ends up being .
DRE: Were you guys friends before you started playing together?
MD: Ive been friends with Danny since we were nine years old. Tom, Rich and Jacob have been friends since they were six.
DRE: What did you guys do before music?
MD: I think we always made music but I dont think we were good enough when we were that young to put the band together. But I seriously cannot remember my life without music in it and Im sure I can say the same for the rest of the guys.
by Daniel Robert Epstein
SG Username: AndersWolleck
Pre-order Make-Up Sex
Daniel Robert Epstein: First I want to get the age thing out of the way because you guys are younger than me and I dont like that.
Michael David: [laughs] Thats funny dude.
DRE: You cant even buy drinks at these places you play in.
MD: I know, its a shame.
DRE: But Im sure you guys get plenty of drinks.
MD: Yeah.
DRE: Whats it like to have the dream and then have it become a reality so soon?
MD: Its really unbelievable. We realize how fortunate we are because we started at a really young age like. We were freshman in high school but believe it or not, we actually have endured quite a lot of bullshit along the way. Weve been put in a position to try and share music if everything goes according to plan.
DRE: What got you guys into such an 80s sound?
MD: A friend of mine played me The Smiths so thats what introduced me to the whole era. What we find really appealing about the 80s is that it was pop music but at the same time it was really clever and well put together. All the textures were really interesting, which is something that is lacking in modern music, but I hear hints of it coming back.
DRE: What struck you specifically about The Smiths?
MD: I was really into Johnny Marrs guitar parts and then at the same time Morrisseys voice was just out of this world. The lyrics were just totally bizarre and dark but they had these really beautiful pop melodies.
DRE: I really liked your music video as well. I watched the nude version [laughs]. Whose idea was the video?
MD: We chose the song Make-Up Sex for a video because we wanted to make a statement. Also we wanted to have a performance piece because we are a live band and thats what were all about. As for the sexuality, we actually have a really great label with a really open mind and they were totally into it. Then our director Eugene Riecansky came along and visualized and conceptualized the whole thing which was very cool.
DRE: How soon after you got your deal with Maverick did you meet Madonna?
MD: [laughs] I have yet to meet Madonna but I cant wait to because shes a real icon. That would be cool.
DRE: Is the dirty version of the Make-Up Sex video going to be on a DVD?
MD: I think you can find it on the internet.
DRE: How did you end up opening for Duran Duran?
MD: That was unbelievable. We got the Duran Duran tour prior to being on Maverick. We were just on an indie label and our manager got word that Duran Duran was going to go on a worldwide tour so he sent Duran Duran and their management our material. They were into it and gave us some ins on the tour which was just amazing.
DRE: Did you get to hang with them?
MD: Oh yeah, they are super down to earth, super professional. They welcomed us with open arms the first day. They invited us into their wardrobe room and we all drank champagne. It was amazing.
DRE: I know that people dont usually go around passing out advice but did you ask for any tips?
MD: I remember one day we were watching from backstage while they doing their sound check. Nick [Rhodes] and Roger [Taylor] came up to us and said, We really like what you guys are doing. We started when we were really young as well and we were all childhood friends. Thats what kept us together all these years.
DRE: Wow!
MD: It was really cool to hear something like that. They didnt give a lot of warnings and cautionary tales. For the most part they just partied and had a good time.
DRE: How was working with Mike Shipley as your mixer?
MD: Dude, Mike Shipley is by far my favorite mixer of all time. Just to add to his merit he is the nicest dude to work with and has just the raddest stories ever. He talked about The Sex Pistols, The Clash, Queen and The Cars. On top of all that he took our record to that next level.
DRE: Did you ask for him?
MD: We knew we had to get the record remixed because the record company actually wanted us to. But it was actually [Maverick A&R man] Scott Austins idea to try out Mike Shipley. I never thought wed get him.
DRE: Who produced?
MD: A guy named Tommy Henriksen produced the record but he was with us from the very beginning. So we really did get to make the record that we wanted. But Maverick asked for like a ballad which was a brilliant idea. There are so many stories of labels wrecking an album but not in this case.
DRE: Have you guys been rocking that look since high school?
MD: Like the eyeliner and the tight pants, that kind of thing?
DRE: Yeah.
MD: Pretty much, I cant remember us being very much different.
DRE: Whats the writing process between you guys?
MD: The writing process its basically between myself and the singer, Tom. For the most part Ill write the majority of the music and some of the melody. Then Tom and I will work it out with the lyrics. After that we take it to the band and everybody puts in their bits and pieces to make it what it ends up being .
DRE: Were you guys friends before you started playing together?
MD: Ive been friends with Danny since we were nine years old. Tom, Rich and Jacob have been friends since they were six.
DRE: What did you guys do before music?
MD: I think we always made music but I dont think we were good enough when we were that young to put the band together. But I seriously cannot remember my life without music in it and Im sure I can say the same for the rest of the guys.
by Daniel Robert Epstein
SG Username: AndersWolleck
VIEW 4 of 4 COMMENTS
buster_bluth:
They're SO pretty; like a short haired Poison.
mylatehope:
CS is one of my faves! I've seen them in Boston, Hartford, and Providence. An amazing band to see live, I wish them luck for the future!!!