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

[LivesMeltdown]

I've seen Live almost 20 times and Ed has always been very interactive with the crowd. Always moving from side to side on the stage and getting the crowd involved in the songs. Did he rehash some of the same lines and stories at different concerts? Yes, but I find that to be no different than CT doing the same movements, stomps, etc at the same points during various songs. Unfortunately when a band has been around as long as Live and played as many shows as they have, there becomes a formulaic approach during parts of concerts. That doesn't necessarily make it bad.

I'm not trying to compare who's a better frontman, Ed or Kevin. I've never seen Kevin perform, although I'm looking forward to it with Candlebox at the end of July and whenever TGF play this area. I hear he is a great frontman and definitely does interact with the crowd. He could be a better frontman than Ed, I don't know. It's kinda like CT, I think he's great but that doesn't mean he's the most talented guitarist in the world. With Live I always thought. the sum were greater than the parts. Now back to my point, Kevin made it seem like Ed just stands behind a microphone and sings for an hour and a half to two hours and that is absolutely not the case. Maybe the quote was taken out of context and I'm looking at it wrong, but that's what he appears to be saying IMO.