Kevin Martin Excited About The Gracious Few (article) Options

[LivesMeltdown]

Interesting article. I disagree with his opinion on Ed in concert as Ed always gets the audience involved in the show. Don't know how I feel about a new version of White, Discussion. Pretty cool they are already talking about a new album, although that depends on the "success" of the 1st one.

http://www.alternativeaddiction.com/musicn...he-Gracious-Few

While the formation of super group The Gracious Few featuring Candlebox lead singer Kevin Martin along with Live guitarist Chad Taylor, bassist Patrick Dahlheimer and drummer Chad Gracey may sound like it was a new concept, Kevin Martin says that the idea of collaborating with the members of Live had been kicked around for years with drummer Chad Gracey, who’s a longtime friend of Martin’s.

“We talked about five years ago, and jokingly said we should get together sometime and make a rock record,” Martin told Alternative Addiction. “Then last summer he called me and said Pat, Chad, and I have been writing and we think you are the perfect singer for this project.”

Martin immediately jumped on a plane and flew to see the guys in August of 2009. The musical chemistry between the former members of Live and Martin was immediate, and the group was able to write over 9 complete songs in just over a week.

“At that time we realized we were on to something special,” said Martin of the new band. “It’s really rock and roll. It’s honest, unbridled, in your face, emotional; it’s everything that I look for in my writing, and in my favorite bands. And the guys have so much talent, it’s ridiculous.”

The band’s self titled debut album is now completed, and slated for an early September release on EMI worldwide. But this record is just the beginning for the band according to Martin.

“The long term goal of the band is to release 2 or 3 records,” said Martin. “We already have another seven songs written. We’re going to tour into the fall, and then pop in the studio at the end of the year to get another record ready, and release a second album within a year. It all really depends on the success of this [first] album.”

As one might imagine from his comments, The Gracious Few is now much more than a side project for Martin, it’s his full time focus for the next few years. Despite The Gracious Few being Martin’s main focus, it doesn’t spell the end for Candlebox.

“Candlebox is still around; we’re just taking a break,” explained Martin. “We have five songs that will come out on an EP early next year, but we’re not really concerned about writing full albums worth of material right now.”

After Candlebox’s reunion four years ago, the band has been working nearly non-stop, and Martin says he began to feel a bit burnt out. He admitted that he actually approached the band to explain to them his intentions to join The Gracious Few.

“We needed a break,” said Martin. “I approached the guys and said ‘I am going to go do this new band because I need to emotionally and mentally, I need a change, and I think it will be good for us.’ I think all things considered everyone is real positive about the move forward. Candlebox will always be there, it will always be something we can do.”

With the blessing of his Candlebox band mates, Martin will join his new band (which now also includes guitarist Sean Hennesy from Candlebox) for a full tour this fall, something that Martin is eager to do. Even fans unfamiliar with The Gracious Few’s music should enjoy the show, as the band has written new versions of Live’s classic songs including “Lakini's Juice” and “White Discussion” as well as Candlebox fan favorites like “Far Behind” and “Best Friend.”

“We open with the first song on the album, we’re coming out guns blazing, it’s a rock record and that’s how the show is going to go,” says Martin of the band’s live shows. “We’re going to keep your interest into the music, it’s all about the songs. That’s what our show is all about, keeping you engrossed in the songs.”

Martin says even with the reworked versions of classic Live songs, fans should expect a very different show that what Live put on with Ed Kowalczyk.

“I’m a lot more interactive with the audience, I tend to share stories on stage and include the audience in the show,” said Martin. “From what I have seen of Live, Ed really wasn’t that type of a front man, he was more of a in his mind sort of guy. I prefer to connect more with the audience; it makes me feel like I am doing my job.”

The Gracious Few are expected to announce dates for the fall tour soon at their website thegraciousfew.com, the first single from their self-titled debut album, a song called “Honest Man” is available on iTunes and Amazon now.

This post has been edited by LivesMeltdown: Jul 2 2010, 7:23 pm

[tiger]

Interesting article. I disagree with his opinion on Ed in concert as Ed always gets the audience involved in the show. Don't know how I feel about a new version of White, Discussion. Pretty cool they are already talking about a new album, although that depends on the "success" of the 1st one.

http://www.alternativeaddiction.com/musicn...he-Gracious-Few

If you listen to the audio version of the interview you'll hear what Kevin meant about the next album. They're definitely doing more than one, the timing of which will be determined by the level of success of the first. The more touring they do for the first, the less time they'll have to finish the second. Plus, he said they already have some songs in process for the next album.

This post has been edited by tiger: Jul 2 2010, 7:36 pm

[LivesMeltdown]

If you listen to the audio version of the interview you'll hear what Kevin meant about the next album. They're definitely doing more than one, the timing of which will be determined by the level of success of the first. The more touring they do for the first, the less time they'll have to finish the second. He really left it open to doing more than even two.

Ok, cool. Reading the article I kinda got a different interpretation, but quotes are easily taken out of context for interviews. Thanks.

[SJN1279]

Interesting article. I disagree with his opinion on Ed in concert as Ed always gets the audience involved in the show.

Say what you want about Ed, but he always involves the audience in his performance and is an excellent front man. The fact that Kevin Martin feels the need to take a shot at Ed, an inaccurate one at that, shows the blatant insecurity the man has.

[Aitkens]

Say what you want about Ed, but he always involves the audience in his performance and is an excellent front man. The fact that Kevin Martin feels the need to take a shot at Ed, an inaccurate one at that, shows the blatant insecurity the man has.

In the past I have seen Ed make the same comments about each song. It would be more interesting for him to mix it up a bit.

[Aitkens]

By the way, what about the fact that you're wrong once again about Kevin only viewing this as a side project?

[SJN1279]

In the past I have seen Ed make the same comments about each song. It would be more interesting for him to mix it up a bit.

That's fair, but as a performer he really brings the crowd into the performance. The guy just knows how to connect with an audience.

Maybe The Gracious Few will now be Kevin's main focus, but him taking shots at Ed just makes him look petty and second rate.

[OutToDry]

That's fair, but as a performer he really brings the crowd into the performance. The guy just knows how to connect with an audience.

Maybe The Gracious Few will now be Kevin's main focus, but him taking shots at Ed just makes him look petty and second rate.

You forget Ed banning him from a show.......I read that somewhere,,,here I believe. Who's jealous??? Looks like your Ed cocksucking reunion will last a long time



2-3 albums..................cue the dancing bannanas baby!!!

[Aitkens]

"This is a song about sex on the beach, the act, not the drink" followed by giggles. I can't even count how many damn times I've heard that said before they started The Dolphin's Cry.

[Bob]

I normally don't bite on flamebait, but I can't stay quiet for this. I've seen Live in concerts more times than I care to admit (and listened even to more thanks to teh internets) and I think KM absolutely NAILED how Ed interacts with the crowd. Or, more appropriately, doesn't interact with the crowd.

Ed's version of interact with the crowd is "How ya doin' NOW" in every song's breakdown, or not singing during the last part of I Alone so the crowd can sing it instead. That's not crowd interaction.

Kevin, on the other hand, is constantly running around the stage, bending down and shaking hands or high fiving people, while telling stories between songs and trying (as much as he can) to get the crowd into it more than just sitting there and watching a show. That's not even counting the after show FREE meet and greets that all of Candlebox does immediately after the show. I felt way more comfortable with Kevin... he WANTED to know more about me and he lit up like a Christmas tree when I told him how excited I was for TGF, which was right after it was announced.

Frankly, I think Kevin is a better frontman *to the audience* than Ed ever was. As far as vocal ability goes, that's a toss-up and not as easily defined... that's more opinion than anything else.

Flame on,

~Bob

[OutToDry]

Ed hasnt interacted with the audience in 15 years.....his cod piece quips over and over grew tiresome in 1999. Nick you clearly don't know a thing

[TheBeacon]

Holy shit this is super exciting news and insight! White Discussion coming is exciting news and the fact that TGF has Kevin complete focus for the next few years is awesome! THis is a big boost for TGF and its success! I like the small shot at Ed too! Let the fireworks begin!

...Ed's talking to the audience was always fake because he would say the same shit over and over each nite just different city. I watched them three consecutive nites once in three different cities and it was a bit of dissapointment of how Ed came off as just repetitive and not genuine when talking to the crowd. Like I said, said comments between same songs over and over.

[OutToDry]

then there's his rants about this and that which were totally fake.....like 'fuck with the mainstream'.....he makes me want to barf

This post has been edited by OutToDry: Jul 2 2010, 9:30 pm

[SJN1279]

If Kevin actually believed he was the better frontman, he wouldn't feel the need to knock Ed in public.

[crazy1]

This is great news! 2-3 albums?!!! White Discussion!!! Very cool!