Stayte Interview

Conducted by Sparrow

From the ashes of Carbon 6 now comes Vancouver/LA commuters Stayte. With their exceptional blend of alternative rock laced with electronic elements, they are gaining a name on each side of the border. Sparrow caught up with vocalist Joshua and guitarist Clayton to learn more about this fast rising groupt.

7th: How did the band come together? And how did the name come about?

Josh: Clayton and I played together in a really shitty goth band about 6 years ago...it was so bad we said - “we could do better” and started Carbon 6....STAYTE is the next incarnation of Carbon 6 - named after a street in White Rock BC that we would drive on to and from rehearsal back in the day...it was the road that split the rich neighbourhood from the poor.

7th: The release that we recently reviewed was actually a pre-release. When can we expect a full release?

Clayton: June 13th 2003

Josh: yes..and there will also be a short film called ‘Where’s the Beep’ accompanying the release.

7th: Can you explain the concept behind the creation of the interpretive cover “Major Oddity”?

Josh: When I was young, I used to roller skate to ‘Major Tom’...I would watch the video they projected on the wall and run into people. They would always say over the loud speaker, “Would the little boy watching the video go sit down so he doesn’t hurt himself?”

Clayton: It’s funny because it’s true.

7th: Splitting your time between Los Angeles and Vancouver, what differences between the scenes do you see? Which do you prefer?

Josh: A good show is a good show - regardless of the different scenes...LA is great because they are more people interested in the various live music scenes...plus we got to play with a midget porn star.

7th: Even though you split your time between two countries you do very few shows north of the border (according to tour info on your site actually none in the past year). Are there any plans to rectify this and do some Canadian tour dates?

Josh: Yes...I miss Canada...perhaps later this year?

Clayton: We haven’t played at home since 2000 - I think it’s about time we went back for a show or two this year...

7th: The Canadian music industry has been noted by many industry people to be nothing more than a testing ground, for new material, for the US record labels, what are your thoughts on the current Canadian music industry?

Josh; Canada is home to some of the best and innovative musicians in the world...unfortunately, they aren’t the ones you see on MuchMusic...I think Canada should be more supportive of the underground scene.

Clayton: Canada has always had some of the best underground bands - especially in the metal and industrial genres...unfortunately, it’s the various pop artists that are usually associated with ‘Canadian Music’ - especially in the US. But I do think this is going to change in the future thanks to artists like Devin Townsend.

7th: Where do you draw the majority of your influences from when creating material?

Josh: If you listen, you will notice that most of my lyrics are simply conversations with my diary, so I write from all the things that are heavy on my mind at the end of the day. The frustrations of living two parallel lives (LA/Vancouver) is a common theme.

Clayton: the highs and lows of life...oh yeah and caffeine - large amounts of caffeine...

7th: Social issues are a recurring theme in your music, including touchy subjects like child abuse. Why do you feel it is important for Stayte to make a stance on these subjects?

Josh: When your going through heavy things in life sometimes all you can do is lock yourself in your room and put on music. I want to be that ‘help’ that was there for me when I felt alone and needed to relate.

7th: Are there other social issues that you think that Stayte may address through their music in the future?

Josh: I’m probably going to write about the movie ‘Session 9’...it’s about multiple personality disorders...we all have them to some degree.

7th: What’s with the whole “Ray Ray” thing on your website (www.stayte.com)?

Clayton: it best not to ask certain questions...

Josh: Ray Ray is the cause of, and solution to all of STAYTE’s problems...

7th: What tactics have you used to “spread your own madness”? Any tips that you would like to pass on to other bands starting out?

Josh: The police told me to stop “spreading my madness” but my advice to others would be: Don’t stop; know yourself and follow your heart and don’t ever listen to anybody. Remember - Jimi Hendrix was booed off stage while opening for The Monkeys.

7th: Name some other artists that you think people should check out and support.

Josh & Clayton: Devin Townsend (www.hevydevy.com), Mindless Self Indulgence, Mike Patton, Therapy? and a cast of thousands.