Punk Is Not Dead.net - Interviews

Band: Marathon
Date: 06/14/05
Label: Reignition
Format: Email
Interviewer: Bryan

Note: We at punkisnotdead would like to thank Mike at Earshot Media for sending these questions to Aaron of Marathon and Aaron for taking the time out of his day to answer these questions.

Bryan: What is your name and what do you play in the band?
Aaron: My name is Aaron, I sing and run around.

Bryan: How long did it take to write and record the new album?
Aaron: For the most part, we wrote all the songs late last summer. We used a couple that we had written prior to that, but we spent August and September writing the bulk of the record. We recorded it over two weeks at Nada studios in early October, which was good timing, because we could watch the baseball playoffs every night.and because the election hadn't happened yet, so there's still a shred of optimism in the lyrics.

Bryan: How does the writing process go for band?
Aaron: Every song is different, but usually, we start with a few guitar riffs that either Nate or Brian (our guitar players) bring in. From there, we strap the riffs together, add the drums, and arrange the song. It can take up to six or seven practices of repeatedly bringing in new riffs before we have even a basic foundation for the song. After that, I take a recording of the song home and work out vocal parts. Once the song feels like all the pieces are in places, then I write the lyrics.

Bryan: Where does the inspiration for the lyrics come from?
Aaron: It really depends on the song. Certainly the Bush Administration gives me plenty to write about, but on the new record, I tried to connect more of the responsibility to the average citizen, instead of solely blaming politicians and corporations for the world's problems. "Painting By Numbers" is about our role as the financiers of the military, and that we're the ones who bankroll these insane marches to war. And other songs are simply about our lives, and finding some meaning amidst all the apathy and consumption, and I don't necessarily suggest successful avenues for finding that meaning.it's more about depicting that struggle than offering answers. And some of these songs are about very literal struggles, like when I was living out of our van for 7 months, and just trying to make sense of the challenges it created.

Bryan: Who are some of you influences?
Aaron: I think we're sort of all over the map. We all have different tastes, but a list of our favorite bands would include Green Day, Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Bad Religion, The Pixies, Queen, Propagandhi, and Third Eye Blind. It's hard to say how much each of those directly influence us.I think each of the bands we like individually affect what we each bring to the band more than any one band affects our overall sound.

Bryan: What bands have you been listening to lately?
Aaron: Say Anything, Frank Black, The Mountain Goats, Fifth Hour Hero, Lucero, stuff like that.

Bryan: What do you do in you spare time?
Aaron: Between work and the band, there's not a ton of spare time available. I play basketball and softball, play acoustic guitar, have dance parties, and hang out with my friends.

Bryan: Anything you would like to add?
Aaron: Yeah.I think our new record is really fun to listen to, and unlike a lot of new music these days, it might make you think. I hope everyone reading this gets a chance to hear it.