FUEL play The Coach House May 27; photo Abby Gennet
Looking to fill up on some new music? The band Fuel is back and ready to fill any tanks with a new ensemble of band mates and a closet full of new tunes. The platinum-selling band is hitting North America, stopping May 27 at The Coach House.
1998’s debut album Sunburn went double platinum, featuring songs such as “Shimmer” and “Bittersweet” while 2000’s Something Like Human also went double platinum and featured “Hemorrhage (In My Hands). 2003’s Natural Selection went gold, was nominated for a Grammy Award and included the hit “Falls On Me”.
Concert Guide Live caught up with front man Brett Scallions for a little insight on what’s going on with the new Fuel.
CONCERT GUIDE LIVE: How did the band form?
BRETT SCALLIONS: Fuel began back in the mid-90’s. We were just a group of guys playing at every bar we could, trying to be fulltime musicians. Five or six years ago I started Fuel again and put a new outfit together. They’re all friends of mine that I’ve met over the years.
CGL: How often do you tour now as opposed to before?
Scallions: I haven’t done any tours this year, just getting started for the summer. Last year we were on the road 75% of the year. This year I’m pulling the reigns back a little bit, just doing enough shows to have fun getting my rocks off and giving the fans a good time.
CGL: Do you play old stuff or new?
Scallions: We do clusters from different records. We try to put a little of something from each album in there.
CGL: How is the rock star life different from then and now, for you?
Scallions: The industry is different now. It used to be that you would invest around $250,000 on a record and now you try to keep it under $50,000. These days the artists have to split the bill on making the record for the most part. You’re not sending in demos anymore, you’re sending in albums.
CGL: What do you think makes a band good?
Scallions: Persistence. You can’t just sit in a room and write five songs and then stop and rely on those five songs. You have to continue to hone your craft. Practice your instrument. Just keep practicing, performing and writing with the band.
CGL: What’s your favorite tour memory?
Scallions: I’ve toured around the world, and with Rob Krieger of The Doors for a number of years. I was with them at Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, France on Jim Morrison’s birthday lighting candles with those guys, then doing a show at Olympic Theatre that night. There’s too many amazing memories to pinpoint just one.
CGL: What do you do in your spare time?
Scallions: I’m a father with two boys, 5 and 8. I do father stuff like coach their sports teams from time to time. I love being a dad and just having fun with that. I do voiceover work for commercials and things like that. I try to keep myself busy doing fun things.
CGL: What’s the hardest part of being a parent?
Scallions: There are so many different little things about being a parent. I have to raise a couple of men. Teaching them respect. Teaching them manners, right from wrong. It can be challenging at times because us boys like to get into trouble. It’s a good time being a parent, though. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
CGL: Does global warming exist?
Scallions: I do believe in global warming. I think we all need to take care of the earth and preserve this land so our children’s children’s children’s children can enjoy it too.
CGL: What do you do for your part?
Scallions: I try to reduce our carbon footprint as much as I can. I don’t use plastic bottles that much anymore. I have a water bottle we refill on a daily basis.
CGL: How often do you shampoo?
Scallions: (Laughs) Two to three times a week.
CGL: What inspires you to write?
Scallions: Life inspires me. I like to reflect on how things make me feel and write about it and hope that it does the same for the listener. I can’t write about something that I don’t know about.
CGL: How are the shows different now?
Scallions: I’m 44 now so I don’t run around as much as I used to. At the same time, I am more focused on the actual performance and playing. I’m not banging on guitar like I used to as much. I focus more on a quality show.