AJ: What are your main musical and lyrical influences?
Eric: My influences for the music are My Bloody Valentine, Medicine, and Andrew Prickett. I probably learned more from Andy than anyone else.
Wayne: Since I'm not a schooled singer, the melodies I write are mostly subconscious. I figure they come from being raised listening to Elton John and the Bee Gees.
AJ: Why did you decide to get into the music industry? And how?
Eric: When I was in high school a friend of mine asked if I wanted to play bass in his band. I said yes, even though I have never played any instrument before, didn't matter. He gave me his bass and showed me what to do.
Wayne: I don't think there is a specific time when someone "gets into the music industry." I just wanted to be in a band and play shows and record. We just ended up being in a band that did a lot in the music industry.
AJ: How would you describe the Lassie Foundation's sound to someone who hasn't heard you?
Eric: Beach Boys meet Noise pop
AJ: What can you tell me about your upcoming album "Pacifico?" Do you think there will be any touring following it's release?
Eric: In regards to "Pacifico," I'm not quite sure what it is going to sound like, since we have not started to record it. That usually determines what or how the record sounds. I know that we will turn up the vocals a lot more, and there will be a larger emphasis on the vocal melodies. So generally, we will try to keep everything pretty chic. There will most likely be no touring for it. We will be concentrating on playing locally in Southern California.
Wayne: "Pacifico" will define pop music for the next decade (apologies to Richard Ashcroft).
AJ: Why the switch in instrumentation from the Prayer Chain to Lassie Foundation (As in: Prickett playing bass, Wayne singing, and Eric playing guitar)?
Eric: It was not a conscious decision to switch instruments. While in the Prayer Chain, we toured so much, that we never got to write songs unless we were making a record. That it what I loved most about music is writing, so to continue to practice writing songs I needed to play guitar. Therefore, the songs on California and about half of Pacifico were written while I was in the Prayer Chain. To sing my songs I needed a singer, and Wayne writes great melodies. So we both decided go for it, myself never playing guitar and Wayne never singing, and write music together. So far it has worked out pretty well. As for Andy, we did not want him to play guitar because this was not a Prayer Chain project. That will come later as CUSH. So that is why the line-up is what it is at the time
AJ: If there was a band you could tour with, who would it be?
Eric: I would pretty much tour with anyone at this point, as long as it was not in the Christian circuit.
Wayne: The Spice Girls.
AJ: If you could cover and entire album, what would it be?
Wayne: "The Neverland Sessions"
AJ: Why Velvet Blue Music? Did you want to have a more underground approach (as opposed to your efforts with big-wig label Reunion Records as the Prayer Chain)?
Eric: We choose to go with Velvet Blue, because we like Cloud a lot and we were friends so it seemed like the ideal thing to do at the time.
Wayne: We wanted to do a demo, and we didn't have the bread to manufacture it, so Jeff offered to pay for it and release it for his new label. But basically we have made a pretty concerted effort to stay away from the Christian music scene.
AJ: Would you be willing to explain the lyrics to "I'm Stealin' to Be Your One in a Million?"
Wayne: "Stealin'" is pretty self-explanatory. Boy meets girl, girl not impressed, boy tries to get girl to like him. It's about innocence and romance--therefore the name "The Lassie Foundation." Lassie=girl, get it? Hmmmm.....
AJ: Would you be willing to tour with Hanson? *GRIN*
Eric: I'd love to tour with Hanson. I am a huge fan of "Mmm Bop."
AJ: If you were to appear on the cover of "The Rolling Stone," which I'm sure you will, how would you pose?
Wayne: Like the Spice Girls.
AJ: In the credits of "California," you thanked Nolan Ryan and Rod Carew, would you be willing to explain?
Eric: Rod Carew and Nolan Ryan both played for the California Angels, and Wayne and I are both huge Angels fans. It was honor for us to have them listed in our record.
Wayne: I treasure my Nolan Ryan autograph.
AJ: Are you pleased with the way your music has been accepted by the media (Both critics and consumers alike)?
Eric: We are totally happy and suprised at the way people have taken to the Lassie Foundation. We had hesitations, because it was not similar at all to the Prayer Chain. For ourselves, we are proud of the record and regardless of what people would say about it negatively or positively.
Wayne: I'm especially pleased by the
way that the word is getting around so quickly. Every show more people
come out; and as we're getting better as a band, it seems like more people
are digging our style.