[Article] At long last, Live is live on CD and DVD, Great Falls Tribune Options

[dangum]

At long last, Live is live on CD and DVD

By PATRICK DOUGLAS
For the Tribune

What will become lifelong personality traits aren't always evident at middle-school age, but if you ask Live vocalist Ed Kowalczyk, he'll say the seeds of his band's longevity were planted when his band was young.

Starting as four normal 13-year-olds experimenting in music, Live has gone on to sell 20 million albums and has yet to see one of those original members move on to something else.

"I feel like we just have a core chemistry with each other and our personalities just happen to work really well together as a band," explained Kowalczyk in an interview with the Tribune from his home in Ventura County, Calif. "We also formed a lot of who we were as people very early on by starting the band when we were 13 years old. We grew up together ... by the time we had a lot of success thrown our way, we had already been a band for 10 years."

That success came with 1994's breakthrough record, "Throwing Copper," which sold more than 8 million copies behind the songs, "I Alone," "Lightning Crashes" and "Selling the Drama."

The era in which "Throwing Copper" was released was a special time in rock history, one in which Kowalczyk is proud to be included.

"It was an incredible time for music and just the era was so creative," he said. "There were so many great bands all coming out at once, that it was a trip to be a part of. We felt a part of it, but at the same time, we felt like we had our own thing.

"A good portion of it was Seattle and that area and we were like this odd band from Pennsylvania that wrote about spiritual stuff and real deep lyrics and kind of like, had its own thing," he continued. "Overall, I'm just grateful that we were a part of it and we established our career in a time that was really a high point for creativity in rock and roll."

In the past 20 years, the band has released seven studio albums, eight if you count the debut "The Death of a Dictionary," released when the band was called Public Affection.

Perhaps the one thing missing from Live's repertoire was a live album. That issue was addressed and dealt with in November when the band released "Live at the Paradiso" in both CD and DVD format.

It was a long time coming for Live, but something that couldn't happen until the timing was right.

"For years, everyone said 'What about live Live?' There were a couple moments where we almost did it and then for whatever reason we changed our plans or it fell through," explained Kowalczyk. "We just decided to put it off. Can't say I really wouldn't have wanted to do it five years ago. It was just one of those back burner things where the timing came together and it was perfect."

The band brought in a Dutch production company and decided to record the live show at Amsterdam's famed Paradiso theater.

"For Live it's fantastic because there's just a tremendous base of support there," said Kowalczyk of Amsterdam. "The fans were amazing. As far as I'm concerned, they were kind of the stars of the show."

Approaching the two-night stand at the Paradiso wasn't much different for the group as far as preparation goes, but there was a small amount of pressure for the 37-year-old Kowalczyk, guitarist Chad Taylor, bassist Patrick Dahlheimer and drummer Chad Gracey.

"I'd like to think we didn't approach 'em any differently than we always do, which is just get up there and give a great show and put everything into it," said Kowalczyk. "(But) I think we upped the ante a little bit knowing that we were filming it. We stepped it up."

In addition to throwing in some of their more popular songs like "Dolphin's Cry," "Lakini's Juice," "Simple Creed" and "Heaven," the band recorded two new studio songs for the CD release. According to Kowalczyk, the new songs are a teaser for fans who are looking forward to a new studio album, possibly as soon as next year.

"The two songs are really brand new. Couldn't be more brand new," he said. "That's really the direction sonically and songwriting lyrically where I'm at. That's the direction we're headed in."

Reflect on 20 years of rocking with a mostly positive point of view, Kowalczyk doesn't take any of it for granted.

"It's just been sort of like this 20 year dream come true," explained Kowalczyk. "We keep doing amazing things. Not only are we still doing it, but we still have the same core passion that we had as kids.

"I think above everything else, it's four guys that not only love making music together, but love music, are moved by it, are passionate about it and do it well together. We're just having a blast."

http://www.greatfallstribune.com/article/2...STYLE/812310307

[Hoodstock]

the band recorded two new studio songs for the CD release. According to Kowalczyk, the new songs are a teaser for fans who are looking forward to a new studio album, possibly as soon as next year.

"The two songs are really brand new. Couldn't be more brand new," he said. "That's really the direction sonically and songwriting lyrically where I'm at. That's the direction we're headed in."

Well, I'm interested!!!!!