#3 Interview with Rob Filardo. Rob has probably been in or has had
association with just about any Rochester band that's cool that you
can possibly think of. He currently plays drums in The Quitters
(with Dan Snyder of Interview #1), the Thundergods, Duke Galaxy and
the Pipeliners, and the Veins (with Mike of Interview #2), and plays
bass in the Priests. Rob also runs Garage-Pop Records, a
local label that's all about putting out the music that matters.
Check out the bands, listen to the music, get some cds... it's all
good. This interview's a long one but worth it.
You are currently in 4 bands, give or take a few- and have been involved in many in the past. Has it ever been a struggle just keeping up with all of the hassles and pressures of being so involved?
***YES YES YES YES YES YES!!! I only recently found some great help from people I can trust with putting on shows, postering, *videotaping*, etc. It's a lot of work being in a band and putting on shows- *good* shows. Being in 3 or 4 bands just multiplies the work, not to mention the amount of songs to learn. Also, the other thing about being in multiple bands is dealing with so many egos every night of the week, but I've been fortunate to play with incredibly talented and humble people. Every band wants the 'good' spot at a show and every band wants THEIR band to have the best, so it's hard dealing with so many egos. I'm pretty humble and even get quite embarrassed when a band I'm in does well or people compliment me so it's easy for me to step down to accommodate the "underdogs".
Who or what had been the greatest influence on your music?
***My dad is a big inspiration for me personally and musically, and like I was just saying, all of my friends in town are in bands, and they are the
most direct inspiration and influence on me and the music I'm involved with. Dave and Dan Snyder are just amazing to watch not just play, but compose a song. I guess I have a great spot being the drummer in the Quitters and going to practice every week, watching those guys write. They're amazing and they do it because they love it, not because they want to be noticed. Pat McNalley is completely insane- Brian Wilson insane not Syd Barrett insane. He has entire songs, all the parts all worked out for every Thunder Gods song- drums included. I never have to change
anything, it's all great. My brother Jet and I probably have the closest musical relationship out of anyone. We've been in so many bands together(Texas Tunnel, Veins, Zezozose, American Vandals), we never have to speak to each other while we play or write; we know what each other is thinking, and most of the time we're thinking the same way. I kind of always
knew we'd work like that before I knew him. He's a great guitar player. So most of my friends are influential over rock stars like Aerosmith or the
Byrds, whom I've never met. I think I speak for a lot of bands in town. When there's a Rock and Roll show happening, chances are that most of the audience is comprised of other bands and we all react to each other. As far as more established groups, the bands from the 60's (mostly pre-1967) for some reason have a large effect on me; garage-bands, but I love all things
Rock and Roll from the R&B and roots rock of the 1950's to the punk and glam of the 70'S. After that, well it's hard to say... hardcore and metal are just
really fast Rock and Roll, and rap is rock without the music, just beats. Everything else is either noise or shit. What was the question?
What has been the most important lesson you've learned from being in such a diverse range (American Vandals to Zezozose, Duke Galaxy and the
Pipeliners to the Veins) of bands?
***I'm still learning how to say "no". I am just too nice sometimes and people walk over me to get their way. That's how I am in life though, I need to be more of an asshole like everyone else. I learned that most
people are in bands to "make it" and they will change their image, looks, songs, move out of town, ANYTHING- just to be "famous", which will never happen. They're the people in school always setting off the fire alarms and telling the teacher that their dog ate their homework. I also learned that if people drink enough beer and the lights are hitting you just right, a band like Zezozose is no different than a band like Duke Galaxy. It's all Rock and Roll. Everyone wants to fall in love.
(Okay, maybe this is just me, but) Over the past few months I've noticed an increasing amount of attention being given to the local music
scene in local publications (large "retro" article in the D&C, Garage Pop features in city Newspaper and Rochester Magazine, etc.) What has been your reaction to such features?
**It's about time. The music scene in Rochester (or anywhere) is always divided into 2 parts: the mainstream and the underground, and the
underground always gets ignored. Listen sometime to "Homegrown", the "Local Radio Show from Rochester's Biggest Radio Station". Who are those bands? Why aren't
The Grinders or Hi-Risers? Or even the Bug Jar? There's a reason why it's on Sundays at midnight, too. This city couldn't give two shits about local music or musicians.
Do you feel that local acts have finally begun to get the attention they deserve?
***Not as much as they deserve, but whoever doesn't know about the underground scene is just missing out. No one cares to be in the paper, it just happens.
Has it been hard at times to find support or an outlet for a particular musical project or group?
**No- it's been just the opposite- too easy. Check out the Haole Brothers at the next Garage-Pop. It's half of the Thundergods playing Ukuleles! Who else would give them a chance?! Other artists in town take even more chances musically, so hats off to them. Rock and Roll will always be around and I don't even know if that's a good thing.
Garage Pop evolved from being just a concert series to a label that has put out or is planning to put out many local releases; how do you feel about the accomplishments of this so far?
**I'm very happy and surprised. I used to be more involved with Duke Galaxy's label, "Trashcan Records", but we both decided that I should have my own label for what I want to do, so voilà-"Garage-Pop Records" was born. The shows semi-finance the label and it's releases, and so far, it's working. We have distribution, too, so that helps.
What has been rewarding from bands you're in getting the opportunity to play with bands such as the Groovie Ghoulies and Buckcherry, who have some national attention?
***Just a larger audience to play in front of, and sometimes (as in the case of Buck Cherry), the bands are really into what *WE'RE* doing. But beyond that,
nothing. We benefit more doing an all-local show because #1: we don't have to shell out a big $$$ guarantee to the national band, and #2: we have
more fun playing with our friends. Either way, no one "makes it big", so we may as well have fun and make records. We suck too.
If you had to go back and play with one of the groups you've been involved in, which one would it be, and why?
***We already had a Zezozose Reunion last year, and it was great! The place almost burned down! And I got together with the American Vandals (my first band)
before the end of 1999 and jammed for a bit. It was pretty bad but funny. Of course I videotaped it...
Is there anything that you or a band as a whole has done that you can look upon now and say that it really wasn't the best idea/action?
**Yeah, listening to other people's advice. No one knows what a band's about except those 3 or 4 guys. Listen to yourselves and don't take candy from
strangers. Oh yeah, the Thundergods should never have written "Soul Crusher"...
Any advice for someone who wants to be in a band?
****No just quit talking about it and do it already.
The world needs one more band anyhow.
What makes the Quitters so damn likable?
***I don't know. Maybe because we all evolved from monkees and they're so cute!!!
