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Echolyn
Interviewed by Gary Hill
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| Interview with Brett Kull and Ray Weston of Echolyn from 2002 |
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| MSJ: Can you give us a rundown of the history of the band? |
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| Brett Kull: We started playing in the fall of 1989, released an album in 91(Debut), 92(Suffocating The Bloom), 93(...And Every Blossom), 95(As The World), 96(When The Sweet Turns Sour), took a break for a few years and released an album in 2000(Cowboy Poems Free). We are currently working on a new album to be released in June of 2002 plus a compilation of some of our older material etc. |
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| MSJ: Who are the members of the band? |
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| Brett Kull: Right Now it's Brett Kull (Guitars and Vocals), Chris Buzby (Keys and Vocals), Ray Weston (Bass and Vocals), and Paul Ramsey (Drums and Percussion). Jordan Perlson has played percussion and drums with us and will probably be doing so on the up coming album. Tom Hyatt played Bass with us from 1991 to 1995. Jesse Rayes played bass with us from 1989 to 1991. |
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| MSJ: What is the origin of the name of the band? |
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| Brett Kull: I just made it up. I don't know why it came to me. |
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| MSJ: How would you describe your music? |
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| Brett Kull: Progressive Rock |
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| MSJ: Who would you see as your musical influences? |
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Brett Kull: From the 60's...The Beatles, The Bee Gees, The Association, The Byrd's, The 5th Dimension, Ray Charles, Johnny Cash, Donovan, Cream, Jimi Hendrix, Roy Orbison, Simon and Garfunkel, The Beach Boys, etc.
From The 70's... Led Zeppelin, The Who, Joni Mitchell, Gentle Giant, Cat Stevens, Genesis, Yes, Black Sabbath, Neil Young, Pink Floyd, Chicago.
From The 80's... Kate Bush, REM, Jane's Addiction, U2.
From The 90's... Nirvana, Stone Temple Pilots, Alice In Chains, Pearl Jam, Sound Garden, Elliot Smith, Jelly Fish, Jason Faulkner, Aimee Mann, Radio Head, The Jayhawks, The Smashing Pumpkins, Grant Lee Buffolo, etc.
From 2000 on, Cold Play, Supergrass, Poe...
Ray Weston: Nat King Cole, Andy Williams, Camel, Kiss, Black Sabbath, Corrosion Of Conformity, Faith No More, Slipknot, Slayer, anything Mike Patton puts out. |
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| MSJ: What can people coming to the concert expect to see from the band? |
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Brett Kull: They would feel energy, they would hear volume and good playing and they would see a bunch regular Joe's doing their thing
Ray Weston: Four fat guys who can't wait until the set is over so they can drink themselves stupid.
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| MSJ: Where would you like to see yourself and the band 5 years from now? |
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Brett Kull: Still progressing with our music and having fun doing so. It's kind of like getting together with people you have a lot in common with and having some good beers.
Ray Weston: Out of Debtors Prison, working a steady job. Free of all temptation. Six inches taller.
The band will be going up against slipknot for the NU-Metal Grammy. |
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| MSJ: What was your biggest Spinal Tap moment? |
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| Brett Kull: I keep the Spinal Tap manual with me at all times so I do not have any of those moments. I did experience a moment though with the guitarist from Transatlantic (Roine... whatever his name is) in Philadelphia. We couldn't get on the stage because his head was so huge and his guitar prowess was blinding his sense of decency and knowing that he was in fact in a Spinal Tap moment. |
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| MSJ: What was the last concert you attended? |
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Brett Kull: Aimee Man or Gordon Lightfoot.
Ray Weston: The last show I saw was GWAR Feb. 28 at the Electric Factory . |
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| MSJ: What was the last CD you bought/what have you been listening lately? |
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Brett Kull: I've been getting into Michael Penn's music recently. Poe's last album was kind of cool. Perfect Circle, Big Star, we all listen to tons of music.
Ray Weston: The last 2 albums I bought are GOD FORBID and Aimee Mann |
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| MSJ: What is the one thing you would really like people to know about the band? |
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Brett Kull: We don't listen to prog music and are not familiar with every prog band from the 70's, 80's and 90's. I love J.R.R Tolkien but would never think of putting an elf, dragon, or wizard on the cover of one of our albums. We don't like space ships flying in the ocean or submarines hovering above the desert. We enjoy all kinds of music and utilize that knowledge in out tunes. And we try our hardest not to have any Spinal Tap moments!
Ray Weston: If we played as much as we used to, we'd be playing more than we do. Children, jobs, stupid life things, tend to take up more of our time as we go along. We try to make everything count. It's tough but worthwhile. |
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| MSJ: Is there anything you would like to add? |
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| Brett Kull: Thanks for all the support and interest over the years! |
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| MSJ: This interview is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2002 Year Book Volume 3 at garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2001-and-2002. |
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 You'll find concert pics of this artist in the Music Street Journal members area. |
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