Interviews can be both the greatest and worst parts about having a webzine. Its great because you get to meet bands and it sucks because you have to translate the answers. I consider Email interviews "Pseudo Interviews" because there is no real interaction. They are a lot easier, but you can't dig much deeper into their thoughts though technology. I wanted to interview Snapcase because they are a band that I admire and I've had questions floating through me head since End Transmission was released. I am weary of telephone interviews (the reason is explained below), so an Email interview was the only option. It was so nice of Frank to take the time to write down some answers, but I would ahve rather asked these questions in person and I hope that I will be able to the next time Snapcase comes around..

I know that you guys usually do phone interviews (I'm scared to do them because I screwed up and didn't tape the last one right and I couldn't salvage anything-which killed me because it was with Dave Smalley). What are the pros and cons of phone interviews, Email interviews and in person interviews?

I personally don't like email interviews in the least. Phone and "In-Person" interviews offer a level of interactivity that can't be reached with an email interview. There is no possibility for discussion or follow-up questions, leaving the interview rather one dimensional and somewhat boring for the most part. I tend to shy away from interviews in general, being that the most discussed topic is always the lyrical content of our songs. That being said, I would stress that I very rarely if at all answer any email interview questions. I think this interview is a little different in that there are some questions directed toward me personally and since I had a larger than normal part to play in the creation of Bright Flashes I take more of an interest in discussing these sort of things.

What, if any, types of literature were you reading during the lyric writing process ofEnd Transmission?

I didn't write the lyrics.

I saw hints ofBrave New World by Huxley and1984 by George Orwell. My review of the album (and personal interpretation can be found here:http://theplaylist.net/reviews/snapcase.htm ). Any comments about my interpretation or what type of message and/or story you were trying to convery lyrically?

See question 2.

You left some songs off of End Transmissionthat were recently released on Bright Flashes. a) What do these songs add to the story? b) Is there a reason that they lyrics weren't included?

a) In the most basic of senses, they complete the story of End Transmission. However, I must reiterate that I took no part in writing the lyrics.

b) The lyrics are included in in the insert of End Transmission.

Frank, could you talk a little bit about your recording studio (origin, projects, whatever you want to say)?

The studio started as a means to help Snapcase during the writing process of End Transmission. The band initially invested some money to get the ball rolling and being the tech-nerd in the band I was put in charge of setting things up. During that process it became my passion and I took the reigns and invested a bunch of my own money into things to step it up to a quasi-professional level in hopes of perhaps recording other projects outside of Snapcase. I have since recorded a few projects for friends and have a few things in line, but over the past year I haven't really had much time between work, touring and working on Bright Flashes to entertain the idea of producing other bands in my own studio. That's all in the process of changing now that I have more free time since Bright Flashes is completed. I hope to put a few more projects under my belt, including my own music project I'm currently working on with Ben, over the next few months.

(Rest of band): Hows it feel having a studio engineer in your band? Does it makes things easier? More/less stress?

(I'm not the rest of the band unfortunately)

(Frank): How has working with the bands that you've recorded skewed your outlook on music/your personal songwriting process and the songwriting process of Snapcase (if different) and/or your recordings?

Everything musical that I come into contact with effects how I view music and how I write. Also, I find I am influenced by pretty much everything, musical or not, that I come into contact with. My outlook has not been skewed in the least. If anything working with music serves to inspire me to continue doing what I'm doing. Music in one way shape or form has been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember and I don't see that changing anytime soon. Other music that I come into contact with inspires me to better myself as a musician, songwriter, and producer.

With bands changing labels like sweaty clothes, do you think that there is any loyalty left in the music industry? If not, does it really matter? Why or why not.

On a whole I don't necessarily see much to give me the impression that there is any loyalty in the world period, music industry notwithstanding. I believe a certain level of selfishness should be present where one's personal art is concerned, but the "me first" attitude that many people adopt in this business, though justifiable on some levels, just makes me want to have less and less to do with the "industry" side of things.

How do you differentiate between music being an art and music being a business?

One makes me happy, the other I find most irritating.

What changes have you seen in the music industry (both as an art and as a business) since the inception of your band and what is your perception on what you've noticed?

I try not to pay much attention to the music industry these days for reasons mentioned in the previous questions.

If there was one thing that you could/had to change about your musical experience, what would it be?

I think I've had a pretty good run of it so far. I don't believe there is much I would change other than perhaps touring more. I love writing and recording music, but nothing in the world compares to the feeling of giving that music to the fans who truly appreciate it in a live setting. Being able to see the satisfied faces first hand at a show is quite possibly one of the greatest feelings in the world. Dare I say it's spiritual. It also opens up opportunities for personal interaction with people who enjoy the music, though I must say sometimes I get the impression that people are intimidated to talk to me. Perhaps it's the beard. In any event, rest assured I do not bite. In fact, nothing makes my day more than hearing from a fan how something I've poured my heart and soul into has affected them or helped them through a rough time. When not on tour I try to maintain a friendly level of personal interaction by being present and interacting with fans as often as I can on the message board on our website.

If you had to pick a love that wasn't a person or music, what would it be?

That's difficult to say. I work at a graphic/web design company with a good friend of mine where we did the artwork and layout for Bright Flashes. I've also designed most of the band's t-shirt designs over the past eight years I've been a part of Snapcase. I really enjoy doing that. I also read quite a bit and really like to travel and get a change of scenery from time to time.

What do you think is the best thing that you could give/add to the world?

I don't really know how to answer this without sounding trite. However, I guess my answer would be my music. It's what I am most passionate about and what I'm best at.

What is your take onBright Flashes?

I'm very satisfied with it and excited that it is finally out, though being a perfectionist I wish I would have had more time to work on it. I'm my own worst critic and there will always be things that I am not 100% satisfied with where any of our releases are concerned. However, nothing and no one is perfect and one must accept that and use if as inspiration to move forward. I'm on a constant quest to outdo myself.

Feel free to use this question as an open forum.

Thanks to everyone who has supported Snapcase over the years, without you we would be nothing. Thank you for the interview.

Interviewed by RF

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