<sickamongthepure.com>

By Dæmon

plugged Pillars of Nein’s Apathy into our computer, and fired up iTunes. Polished production, solid vocals, sultry female back-up, and chugging guitars poured out of our beleaguered and battered speakers, and we were left speechless. As this writer’s foot began tap-tap-tapping away, we drilled deeper into the act that is Pillars of Nein. Lo and behold, it was discovered that frontman and founder Chuck Nein hails from North of the border (Canada, people), and later relocated to sunny Portland, Oregon, where he founded Pillars of Nein. A hockey fan, but no friend of the Material Girl, Nein has produced a sparkling, cleanly honed sound that should take him down the paths that lead to radio play and much bigger magazines that this. But before Pillars of Nein and Chuck’s head get too big, SickAmongthePure delivers their first thorough interview. This is Pillars of Nein. And this is good, solid shit.

SickAmongthePure receives hundreds of underground releases every month, and every once in a while, we have the immense pleasure of listening to an indie submission that isn’t just good, but great. Such was the case when we

SickAmongthePure: As far as scene recognition goes, you’re pretty much brand, spankin’ new. Break down the history and evolution of Pillars of Nein for us.

Chuck Nein: I started writing on my own while living up in Vancouver, British Columbia. When I came to Portland, Oregon, I thought it was time to test the interest in what I was doing by putting a group together. Finding “good” musicians proved difficult, but I kept at it and finally hooked up with Angel. We then refined the sound to a point where we decided that it was time to put a record together. Enter Chelle Beck, Keith Sommers and Steve Sundholm. Between myself, Angel, Chelle and Keith we were able to accomplish what we wanted and Steve added the production edge we were looking for. Once done, some talented musicians became interested. For example, Ash (drums) and a long-time friend Ari (Kandles at Nine) joined us on bass.

SATP: Tell us a little about each band member.

CN: Angel – original member since early 2003 and a skilled guitarist as well as some piano proficiency. Currently residing in Boston, attending Berklee College of Music.

Ash – drummer and true professional. He understands the mechanics behind the live show, sorting out the backing tracks and providing a solid rhythmic platform for us to work from.

Ari – an accomplished musician/actor and very personable type of character. He handles most, if not all, of the image of the band. I give him an idea and Ari makes it happen.

Chelle – voice of an angel and the ultimate rock femme fatale. She came into the project as a favour, seeking nothing in return. Her voice is simply perfect.

SATP: What are the band’s musical roots? In other words, involvement in other bands, training, et cetera.

CN: Chuck – classically trained on guitar. Started a band called The Bedspins in college, kind of a grunge/indie rock band.

Ash – various Portland-based bands his roots in drumming can be traced back to drum corps in junior high school.

Ari – Kandles at Nine, C.R.O.W. bassist.

Chelle Beck – lead singer for the band Stabitha (metal) and Bolder Soul (folk).

Angel – graduate in music from the Portland Community College, aspiring guitarist and composer.

SATP: What artists have inspired Pillars of Nein’s sound?

CN: It would be easier to say what artists have not inspired me! Like Madonna. I fucking hate Madonna! [laughs]

I will probably leave someone out here but artists I have really enjoyed are in the mainstream for the most part. David Bowie,

pillars of nein :: chuck nein [circle23]

Photography by Circle23 Photography and Christian

The Beatles, NIN, Depeche Mode, Marilyn Manson, Tim Skold, KMFDM, Stabbing Westward, Rammstein, Prince, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Tim Rice, The BeeGees, Neil Young, Skinny Puppy, Pink Floyd, and Tool. Ah, fuck it! This is starting to sound like a cheesy add for musicians like, “16 year-old guitarist with 10 years experience wants to jam! Sounds like...”

SATP: Tell us about your debut record, Apathy.

CN: It's a story line from one song to the next.

The album follows the story of one man's failure in life and love. The slamming first track, “Need”, expresses his desires, which become quickly fulfilled. “Epic” tells of a

chance encounter that results, ultimately, in a beautiful union of marriage. During the union, (“Have and to Hold”), there are hints of darkness caused by insecurity and inner turmoil.

Once the infatuation tires, irreconcilable arguments turn to resentment. In “None Anyway”, he arrives at the absence of emotion. Offering no explanation, his resentment turns to hatred. The relationship, already in ruins, takes a further turn downward with accusations and seemingly insane metaphors in “Personal Slave”. Then, name-calling sets in and a dark reflection wails in “Broken Bones”.

The mental abuse becomes physical, erupting in the violence of “Coming Around Again”. In “Set Another Free”, she finally gathers the strength to leave him. His feelings of betrayal and rage culminate in “Burden of Proof”.

As time passes, he begins to point the finger of blame in another direction. In “Pull Me Down”, he blasphemes to the sky for everything wrong in his life. Introspection renders him looking inward. In “Clean”, the explanation is to no avail why he is the way he is. The dark story is recapped in the last track, “Larry”, screaming aloud the fate of a man taking his own life.

SATP: Describe the recording process for Apathy.

CN: “An exercise in stress management...”

Angel, Chelle, and I spent most of 2003 and all of spring 2004 in my studio tracking and re-arranging songs to select for the record. Then, like a game of hot potato, we passed the tracks via the Internet and firewire drives between myself, Keith, and Steve. Tracking and re-tracking and again until I was satisfied with the result. We got together in an upscale reference room in Welches and wrestled over the final mixes during the Labour Day weekend in 2004. After commissioning the cover art, the album was sent to print and ultimately released in spring of 2005.

SATP: How has the critical reaction been to Apathy thus far?

CN: Very good. We have had only positive reviews this far. What do you think of the record?

SATP: We love it, and that’s why we’re talking to you! Along the same lines, how has the commercial reaction to Apathy been

thus far (sales)?

CN: Sales are doing well, actually. Yes, even I'm surprised, as we have no distribution deal. The combination of a strong following on MySpace with CD Baby and Amazon has made the difference.

SATP: What led to the decision to cover “Broken Bones”?

CN: Chris Sheppard and the band Love Inc. came out with this song when I was going through a difficult transitional time in my life. I had to make some really hard decisions. The lyrics were so relevant and self-descriptive, that this song has immense personal meaning. I spoke with Chris a few times and had asked him

would he mind if I covered it. Being the master DJ that he is, he was all for it. He ended up really liking the song and I believe spun it a number of times on his radio show.

SATP: The packaging and promotional material for Apathy is extremely professional, despite being released independently. Tell us about the process and various individuals’ involvement behind this particular aspect of the album.

CN: I stumbled upon the cover artist, Hoon (Dark Horse Comics, Mes Studio) while trolling the Internet. Hoon jumped on the opportunity when he heard the music. He just drew what he saw as being the main character of the storyline. The inside photos were done by long-time friend and famed Portland photographer Circle23. The layout was done by drummer Ash’s wife Kathy and I.

SATP: Why is Pillars of Nein not signed to a label?

CN: Because we’re new? I’m not very well connected? Not sure, really, but we are looking.

SATP: What are your touring plans?

CN: Nothing yet, but don’t get too excited. We are all in agreement that we would do shows locally and perhaps along the West Coast, but nothing extensive is planned just yet. We need to get some airplay first and some backing from other regions before we are willing to tour. We simply cannot drop everything and drive to Miami to play for three or four people.

SATP: Will Pillars of Nein be playing any Canadian dates? International dates?

CN: Perhaps Vancouver. We would love to get into a festival or showcase over in Toronto.

SATP: Who would you like to partner with as far as a tour goes?

CN: Anyone that can get a crowd moving. Opening for Rammstein in Europe! That would be a fucking dream job, for sure.

SATP: Chuck, you’re Canadian. Where were you born and raised?

CN: Nova Scotia. A little town called Musquodoboit Harbour. I moved out to Halifax at 17, and then a few years later moved to Vancouver, BC.

SATP: What drew you away from Canada and down to Portland, Oregon?

CN: I was offered a good career opportunity down here in electrical engineering. I also could not get anything going musically up in Vancouver. I’m not sure why, but Portland is a Mecca for musicians, some of which are very talented and some of which are a lot of hacks!

SATP: You’re also a hockey fan. Please give us your thoughts on the recent NHL lockout.

CN: I’m “pro salary cap,” but the lockout was crazy! Simply put, any Canadian should be pro-cap. The caps will keep the team costs low enough so that our smaller Canadian city teams can survive. Without the cap, I’d give Calgary four more years before they go under. Just like Quebec and Winnipeg.

SATP: Who’s your favourite team?

CN: Ah!!! This is a sticky subject with me. My team was Des Quebec

Nordiques. Then, of course, they went under, got sold to Colorado and won how many cups? Arggghh!

SATP: On that note, who is going to take the Stanley Cup this year?

CN: This is going to sound crazy, but… the Penguins are looking good, eh? There should be a rule that no one can hit Mario. Let’s see how long he lasts. They also have Sidney Crosby. Everyone will be watching that kid.

SATP: Any other Canadians in Pillars of Nein? What demographic do the other members of the band comprise?

CN: Nope, they are all crazy Americans! And yes, it is true there is an enormous mental divide between Americans and Canadians. We’re often completely at odds on everyday, seemingly trivial things like the proper pronouncing of the letters “out” together! Often I think I am gonna lose my mind down here!

SATP: What plans do you have concerning single and video releases?

CN: The fans are voting on the web site for the video right now, but the track “Need” is looking like a clear win at this point. Ari is working on a video concept I had for the song.

SATP: What type of material can we expect from Pillars of Nein in the future?

CN: I’ve been playing around in my studio again after a prolonged absence while supporting Apathy. I was really burnt after the last record. I have a few new ideas in mind, all of which are crazy! I was toying with a musical idea I have called “The Chair.” Everyone laughs at me about this one. I have a couple other new industrial sounding songs that are ongoing and a few pop songs that I haven't a clue what to do with. To me, a song starts as a conceptual arrangement and takes on its own life from there. The genre it fits into is never controlled or forced. Let it breathe and see where it goes. Even if it isn't what you thought it would be, finish it. That way, you and your musician friends can sit around and laugh at how ridiculous it sounds!

SATP: Leave us with any closing statements or comments that you wish.

CN: If you are ever in an S&M relationship, make damn sure you are the S…

That’s advice you can’t argue with! And neither can you debate the finely-tuned engine that is Pillars of Nein. So do yourself and the underground scene a favour, and pick up Pillars of Nein’s Apathy, a rock solid, expertly crafted rock-n-roll record. We all love the synths and samples that are industrial and EBM, but everyone needs an injection of guitars to cut all that electronica every once in a while, and you could do much worse that Pillars of Nein for your daily fix. And let’s all overload Nein’s inbox with requests to see them on tour soon!

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