In the Band and On the Road

Smack dab in the middle of their tour and promoting their new album, How to Ruin Everything (Vagrant), Face to Face seems to be gaining more style and recognition than ever. This is their first album ever as only a three-piece band, which was previously always a four-piece. Vocalist and guitarist Trever Keith, bassist Scott Shiflett and drummer Pete Parada are Face to Face and they intend to stay that way as long as their music continues to sell. Even though the band is one person short of its norm, have no fear; their own original punk rock sound is as strong as ever. The 15-track album features 14 "punk-rock" sounding songs, much like the fans are used to, with the last song having a surprising twist. "How to Ruin Everything" (track 15) is a much more mellow acoustic version than fans are used to, however Face to Face manages to pull this one off with flying colors. For this tour, the band decided to hold a contest open to local bands where the winning band opens for Face to Face. The winner is chosen by Face to Face, who listens to contestant's CDs on "the road." Face to Face will be playing in Chico at The Brick Works on Monday, May 13. The Synthesis was lucky enough to catch up with frontman, Keith on his day off in Austin, Texas on his way to catch a movie.

Where are you guys all from?
Well, the lineup has changed a few times, when I started the band I lived in the high desert area, then we relocated to the greater Los Angeles area, Ventura County.

How has Face to Face been adjusting to [being a] three-piece band?
The adjustment was actually a while ago, we've been touring as a three-piece for over a year now, but this is the first record we've made as a three-piece since our first album. At first it was a little rough, we kinda got stuck and had to do our tour as a three-piece, and because of that, we just eased right into it.

Can we expect another member to join up with Face to Face in the future?
Nope, we're keepin' it as a three-piece.

How to Ruin Everything, both the album and song, are a different style for Face to Face. What made you choose to go with a slower tune?
Well, that particular song was just singled out as we were writing music, and it just came together so well, and we thought it would be a good addition to the album, even though it's pretty different from the rest. The rest of the record is just pretty straight forward punk rock.

What is it like being on the road, and what are your favorite cities to play?
I would probably name like about 20 cities if you ask me that question. I like all of them. What's it like being on the road? It's the greatest thing and the hardest thing all at the same time. It's the best thing in the world that I get to play music every day, and interact with people, but it can get a little exhausting. It's like the best / worst of everything.

Where does Face to Face like to grub after a show?
We don't necessarily have a favorite place, but we usually stop late at night at places like Denny's. We really like the waffle houses down south, so [we] look forward to stopping there when we're there.

At a concert, what do people want to hear from you the most, the old stuff or new stuff?
The old…always the older material.

With you and Scott being married, how do you balance out enough time for the band and your marriage?
It's difficult, but not totally impossible. I was married before I even started Face to Face, so it's never really been much of an adjustment, it's just always been the way that my lifestyle is. It can be hard, we try and make time, and plan the tour in such a way that our wives can come out and spend time with us on the road, so it doesn't get too hard.

Do you think you will ever have time to have kids some day?
Actually, I have two kids. I have a six-year-old and a two-year-old. I'm old!

What do you guys do for fun on your down time?
We're always going into antique stores and comic book shops. We like to get tattoos, play video games, all that kind of good stuff.

What is your favorite video game?
Right now I'm playing this game called Extreme X G Racing for the Game Cube, it's like a futuristic racing game, it's pretty cool. But Tony Hawk 3 would have to be my favorite.

What kind of antiques do you look for?
I usually look for pin-up girl stuff, and old movie posters.

If you could open for any musician or band, who would it be and why?
Elvis Presley, because he is the king of rock 'n' roll.

Do you think he is still alive?
No.

As a band, what is the most bizarre thing you've experienced from a fan?
Geez, there is a bunch of them, but I'll give you a story. Last night we were playing in Austin, and between a couple of songs, I heard a trumpet in the audience, and I was like "what the hell?" I looked out there and there was this girl playing the trumpet, so I invited her to come up on stage. We played "Disconnected," and I actually had her do like a trumpet solo. It was awesome, it was totally spur of the moment, we didn't even catch her name; it was like the mysterious trumpeter.

Where do you see Face to Face five years from now?
I have no idea. We want to continue to tour for the next year, and continue from there. As long as Face to Face continues to be fun for everybody, and the fans are still coming to shows, and we continue to sell records, we'll keep doin' it.

So can we expect another album in the future then?
As long as things keep going the way they are, and keep getting better, there definitely will be.

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