BAND: Shiny Toy Guns
INTERVIEWER: Kelly Engle (kelly@bandvibe.com)
INTERVIEWEE: Jeremy Dawson from Shiny Toy Guns
DATE OF INTERVIEW: 12.21.06

BAND MEMBERS:
Carah Faye-Vocals
Chad Petree-Vocals/Guitar
Jeremy Dawson-Synths/Bass/Guitar
Mikey Martin-Drums

BV: How did your band develop?
Jeremy: It started with Chad and I. We’ve been writing music for about 16 years and moved to LA 6 years ago. We met the other members there about three years ago and it kind of went from there. We started recording right away. Before the others came into the group we had most of the record completed. We already had the music so we recorded the demo.

BV: How did you come up with your name?
Jeremy: The name comes from one of the songs called "When They Came for Us" Inside is our name and the song is like a reflection of a child’s young mind which is easily influenced and taken on by a higher entity. They’re told to do something and the younger mind has no idea and do it oblivious to the fact that they hurt people. Something that is shiny and seems like fun actually turns out to be a weapon.

BV: What do you think about your new album, "We Are Pilots?"
Jeremy: We’re happy with it. It’s where we are today and what we sound like. It’s the best and we’re going to progress but for right now it’s exactly what we are.

BV: How would you describe your unique sound?
Jeremy: It’s hard to do a verbal description. We’re a rock band with machines. It’s an aesthetic. We have a boy and girl singer who equally lead. The modern technology and the basic things of being the band melt all of it together; that’s Shiny Toy Guns.

BV: How does you writing process go?
Jeremy: Usually music first but every song is different. Nothing is ever similar.

BV: What are your major influences?
Jeremy: Recently we’ve been listening to Mega 4, and 120 Days. But during the making of our CD we didn’t listen to anything. If we did, it was only to get a grasp on recording like a specific snare drum of a Radiohead song or something. But no one song or artist was a direct influence.

BV: Is there a message you try to get across through your music?
Jeremy: Not as a whole because every song is so completely different. But we’re a very people driven band and we try to be the best we can as performers. As an entity our goal is to put people first always over any other aspect or our careers.

BV: What do you like about making music?
Jeremy: The funniest part is when you’ve been trying to force yourself to write and nothing happens for weeks. Then suddenly in three hours you create something you’ve been looking for. It makes it all worth it. In poetry, journalism, or anything you hit a nitch and start to move.

BV: What do you think of your fans?
Jeremy: We love them. They are the most important thing. It’s a massive family we rely upon for support.

BV: Where do you see Shiny Toy Guns in the future?
Jeremy: What we’re going to start doing this year is having a much more global presence. We are going to go to regions and see people that most American bands never reach out to because of careers or profits. We’re gonna go there and play music.

BV: What’s the band working on currently?
Jeremy: We’re at the end of a 16-month tour and I have no idea what I will do with my time off.

BV: Is there anything you’d like to say to your fans on Bandvibe?
Jeremy: I encourage everyone to search for new artists. Amazing people are out there that don’t have the resources. People that have the same vision need to reach out to them. Go to as many shows as you can because you never know if the opening band is going to blow you away.

For more official information on Shiny Toy Guns, please log onto:
http://www.shinytoyguns.com/
http://www.myspace.com/shinytoyguns

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