See Spot Run for me is one of a handful of really really great Canadian bands. They have four full length albums, five charting singles and have had five videos on Much Music. Their hit single "Weightless" from their second album, also titled Weightless, reached #9 on the BDS rock chart, #6 on the top 40 chart, and #5 on the all Canadian chart. This same album made Canadian recording history, as the title track was certified as "the highest charted independent song on the rock chart since the inception of BDS".
The boys in the See Spot Run camp have done tour after tour nationally and have been entertaining their fan base while making new music since 1997. They are a four peice rock band based out of Montreal, Quebec Canada featuring Chris Brodbeck on bass and vocals, Aaron Little on guitars, Dave Fudge on drums and last but not least Randy Bowen also on guitars. I have enjoyed their records, been at their shows and will continue to be a fan and supporter of the boys. So without further ado, it is an honour and a privilege to present to you SPUN's second interview with none other than See Spot Run's front-man himself Chris Brodbeck.
SPUN: For someone who may not know, what genre of music do you consider your work to be? Who are your major influences?
CB: The longer you stick around in the music business the more genres change names. At one time we were considered alternative rock, then pop/rock, then power pop, we were even called emo! So how about alternative power pop rock?
There are many influences including many new bands. We grew up listening to The Police, U2, The Clash and Elvis Costello but also enjoy The White Stripes, Fountains of Wayne and Radiohead.
SPUN: Not long ago you played Bayfest with legends Bon Jovi, was Jon's hair that perfect in person and kidding a side how was it to play with one of the huge legends of our time?
CB: T'was an absolutely spectacular experience to play in front of 22,000 Bon Jovi fans! Jon’s hair was blowing around so much in the wind it was hard to tell if it was so perfect. We also played with The Stone Temple Pilots just this past July at the very same festival. We’re thrilled to have been a part of these events.
SPUN: What was the first record you ever bought and do you still own it?
CB: U2 - The Joshua Tree. Still got it!
SPUN: As a bilingual band, is it hard to write for both French and English audiences and do ever play/sing different versions at shows?
CB: We just recently released our first full length french language album called "Super héro sous peu" The lyrical interpretations were done by a few Quebecois artists including french singer Francine Raymond. They all did an excellent job reinterpreting the lyrics that were originally written in English. We wanted to speak to our French audience not only in their language but also in their culture.
We have done all French shows as well as some mix shows. Sometimes I'll switch on the fly during "Weightless' and start singing in French : )
SPUN: Everyone loves KISS, who is your favorite member and why?
CB: I love them all but Gene is the one I have always liked. I can paint my face like the god of thunder in 45 minutes!
SPUN: Which songs do you perform most frequently? Do you ever play any covers?
CB: The songs, which became popular charting singles like "Weightless", "Au Naturel", "Lucy" and "Terrified". Then there are the other fan favs like 'iLona' and 'Girl Like You'
We love including a few covers in a set. I always love it when I see a band pull off a wicked version of someone else's tune.
SPUN: The band is starting a tour tomorrow, what cds must come on the van or bus?
CB: Ironically we don't listen to music in the van. We love the pure pop sound of silence. We all have iPods so we can retreat to our favorite musical worlds when we're tired of listening to the din of the road.
If a song must slip into the tape deck it would have to be Black Sabbath or Van Halen.
SPUN: You recently had your single "Gonna Getcha" on "Degrassi: The Next Generation". How was that experience?
CB: It was great hearing our music in an episode that included one of the DeGrassi girls whipping her top off!
SPUN: You and your guys all make yourselves really accessible and approachable. I am sure there up and comers out there that directly or indirectly consider you guys mentors. When getting started who did you look up to for your musical guidance?
CB: We've always been impressed with musicians who see this business as a community of friends. Kiss has always been that way, it is a big part of how they became successful. Country artists make themselves very accessible and the fans they have are as loyal as they come. Somehow this is lost on many bands and musicians who prefer to "star trip". When we toured with I Mother Earth we were blown away at how accessible and down to earth they were. We played hockey with them and have remained friends. You don't enjoy this great journey by hiding on your tour bus.
SPUN: As a fellow hockey fan, who do you think is the most rockstar player in the game today?
CB: Alexander Ovechkin
SPUN: Do you have a worst show story any major train wrecks?
CB: We’ve been fortunate not to have had any “worst show” or any train wrecks.
SPUN: "iLona" is probably my favorite track by you guys. If you had to tell someone to listen to only one track that wasn't a single, which would best describe your band?
CB: I would say there is no one song that defines our band. We like to leave it up to our fans to decide which songs they love and which songs best represent us. ‘Weightless’, being our most popular song, has been our calling card since hitting the top ten.
I think it's cool that you're fav is iLona. It was originally called "Lona" but then I met a waitress in Calgary named iLona, so I asked her if I could use it.
SPUN: How can fans-to-be gain access to your music?
CB: iTunes in Canada. Our official website www.seespotrun.ca for US and International fans.
SPUN: Give me one of your favorite lyrics or one lyric people should remember of any SSR song to finish this interview?
CB: "Like I am on acetaminophen all the time" (from Weightless)
I have yet to find a 6 syllable lyric in a popular song. I'm sure most people don't even realize what I'm singing. It's a scream to watch people sing it at a show.
SPUN: What's coming up for you and they boys?
CB: Currently we are writing new material and testing it out on our unsuspecting fans : )
SPUN: Lastly just give me two words to end this interview.
CB: Push On
http://www.myspace.com/seespotrun
Very cool interview Kent. See Spot Run are definitely one of the most underrated bands out there.
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