SYNCHRO NINE FACTOR

  I recently was able to get in contact with a local band from the Atlanta area. I had done a review of their single back in '97. It contained 2 songs, "song for luna" and "7:06". I was instantly hooked. The band dispayed a sound that reflected an older electronic beat mixed with some industrial/goth feel. At that time I had very little info on them except for a single and a few reviews on the single by other 'zines but I was able to contact them via e-mail. They were glad to do an interview with me.

  A brief history: The band originated in Atlanta with brothers Jamie(guitars), Nelson(vocals), Jason Hagood(live samples/visuals) and Robby Johnson(keyboards, bass, programming). Jason is the newest addition to the band. The name of the band was derived from something they read in art school but Nelson went further by saying, "Synchro Nine Factor is: to move or occur at the same time or rate in groups of three, multiplied by themselves equaling the number nine." They came out with their first EP in '97 and two years later released their first full length called Right Wing Conspiracy. The band has accomplished a lot since then and have had their music played over the air waves, selling CD's on line or at Record Exchange(Charlotte), and now touring greatly in the Southern states or in the studio working on the next CD. I was able to catch them for a moment before they were off again.

    Do you guys often get labeled or stereotyped because of the music you
play?

Robby:
We just let our music speak for itself and not worry about fitting a
stereotype or clique.  We usually call our music "industrial rock" but SNF
is just too much for one genre to handle.

Jamie:
Not really.  I think as a band we might label the music more than the fans
do.

Nelson:
The lines have been blurred so much lately. For mass consumption it no
longer matters, as long as you have a good song or two.

I had told you that I was doing a biography on Kraftwerk. I found that
their major influences and artists they felt revolutionized music were John
Cage and Stockhausen for their blending of classical music and computer
sounds in the 60's. What bands do you feel were real pioneers of music?

Robby:
Beatles, Black Sabbath, The Cure, Skinny Puppy, Metallica, Nirvana

Jamie:
Black Sabbath, Nirvana, Guns & Roses, Nine Inch Nails

Nelson:
Voivod, Neurosis

I see you have toured around some of my local hangouts in Georgia and
South Carolina. How have you been treated by the audience and have you had
any bad, funny, or bizarre experiences on the road?

Robby:
Audiences anywhere can be cold but I think we usually get a good response.
When we play out-of-state we have better shows and more fun than here in
Atlanta.  For Halloween 2001, we did a little tour in Missouri and due to a
promoter screw up, we ended up playing the "After Show Halloween Party" at
someone's house.  The funny part is that there were more people at the
house party than the original gig, so it turned out better for us.  We made
our biggest guarantee of that tour playing in someone's dining room.

Jamie:
We have a better response out of town.  Atlanta has too many styles.
SNF played a show in High Point, NC and someone actually asked to have my
guitar picks.

When do you guys plan to put out another LP and will there be any
difference in styles of music compared to the last one?

Robby:
The new CD should be out by January.  We're just now finishing up the
mixing and mastering.  I don't think the style of music has really changed
that much.  We are looking to add a live drummer and that may change the
sound some, but it's still Synchro Nine Factor.  In the meantime, we have
two remixes on an Invisible Records compilation called "Notes From Thee
Real Underground #5" due out in December 2002.

Jamie:
Next year.  Styles have changed.  Song writing for me is more of a duty now
than a hobby.
For "Right Wing" I had been listening to alot of new music.  For the new
album I went back to some old favorites.  "Right Wing" was recorded with six
string guitars.  The new one will be all seven strings.

Nelson:
01.02.03.
I think it is heavier and a bit more refined.

Do you guys ever hope to sign up to a major label or would you prefer
to keep it all under your control?

Robby:
A label has resources that we need to be heard by more people, so I would
defintely sign with a label.  We would just have to consider the deal.  I
wouldn't give up right to our songs or have someone mold us into something
we're not - just to be on a record label.  In a perfect world, SNF would
have total control but also have the money and push of a major label.

Jamie:
We are looking for music lovers, someone who would allow Synchro Nine Factor
to grow as artists and musicians.

Nelson:
The support would be nice, especially on the road.  Sometimes a band feels
like you have to beg to get a free drink at the club you are playing at.

As this year comes to a closing with snipers, edge of war threats, and an
economy slump, what are your feelings for the future? Positive? Negative?

Robby:
Positive.  Bad things happen.  You can't stop living life.

Jamie:
Positive.  What doesn't destroy you makes you stronger.

Nelson:
Make war not love.

For my final question: If you could be any inanimate(not living) object
in the world, what would you be?

Robby:
Money.  It sees lots of action in lots of different places.

Jamie:
Freedom.

Nelson:
A bottle of wine.

Catch the band on their website www.angelfire.com/ga/SynchroNineFactor or www.mp3.com/SynchroNineFactor