Interview with Versailles

Who: Versailles
What: Metalcore band in concert
Where: The Elks Lodge, 410 S. Main St., Pocatello, ID 83204 - map
When: Saturday, April 17, 2010

I caught up with Tyler Blake, of the hardcore metal band, Versailles, from Boise about their music and an upcoming show in Pocatello.


SLG: Describe your genre of music in as much detail as you like. Maybe list your three best crowd-pleasing songs? Can you explain in what way do you most appeal to your fans?

TB: All of our members draw influences from very different areas; giving us a unique, but still appealing sound. We try to keep the basic sound as a metalcore type feel, keeping it heavy overall and having very melodic parts as well. We try to throw in some different mechanics that other bands in our genre don't have; mixing certain sounds that normally wouldn't go together.

Our biggest musical inspirations are Bjork and The Wiggles. We feel our live show best represents us as a band. We love being on stage and playing as hard as we can every time we play, regardless of how many people show up. No one wants to see a band that just stands around playing their instruments, it's boring and it looks like the band doesn't want to be there. On a lucky day, you'll get to hear wacky Steve tell a terrible joke. We feel it's important to respect your fans and make a connection with them; standing around on stage isn't fun for anyone and you're ripping people off who paid to see you.

Fortunately for us, we have the weirdest bassist in town and he is very entertaining to watch. He makes some awful faces and has some signature moves to look out for. (We will list those later on in the Wacky Steve move list.) We love to talk to people in general, so if you see us at a show, please feel free to come up and talk to us, we're all very friendly. Our most popular songs at the moment are probably: "Consume Us All", "Let's Go Crazy Broadway Style" and "Weird Without the Beard."

SLG: Band member first and last names / instruments. How long has this line-up been together?

TB:
Tyler Blake - Vocals
Jordan Kuttler - Guitar
Derek Pearson - Guitar
Steve Collins - Bass
Jake Little - Drums

Versailles was created in May of 2009 and since then we've been doing everything we can to get our name out there. We were formed when a local band that Jordan and I(Tyler) were in broke up. We knew Steve, Derek and our first drummer Ben from another local band in high school that we were friends with. We asked them to join the band and that was that. Since then we've lost two drummers and we will soon be losing Steve to the world of professional catfish wrestling. No, he's actually going to be a nurse though and has to quit to pursue a higher education. It's unfortunate and we will miss him, as of now his replacement will be the great Cathy Bates. She is only temporary though and by that i mean we don't have a new bassist yet. So if you're interested in trying out, please contact us.

SLG: Tell us where you're from and currently based in what town

TB: Boise, Idaho

SLG: Past shows or venues you'd like to brag about? Past or future shows in the Pocatello area?

TB: Well the only places we really play down here is The Venue and a new place called Brawl Studios. We play shows at each place a couple times a month and when we aren't doing that, work on booking out-of-town shows as much as possible.

We've only been to the Pocatello area once when we played with From First to Last and Confide. The show on April 17th is at a place called Elk's Lodge and I don't know much about the show at the moment, but i know that These Cities Passing and Atlantis Falls Under will be some of the bands playing. I also know that it's 2 bucks and there's no reason you shouldn't go.

SLG: Any comments about the local live music scene, the music industry in general? What do you think is the best way to get your music out there.

TB: The music scene is like having a fat sweaty uncle who's always drunk. You don't want to deal with him because some of the things he says aren't even words and he can sometimes get violent when he's had too much booze. But you have to love him because he's part of your family and you just do your best to ignore him.

Some people in the music scene think they can say anything they want and talk down on anyone they desire. But it takes a lot to get on stage and do what bands do, everyone has to start somewhere. As a band you don't want to deal with these people, but regardless of what you do ,these people will show up when you play. The only thing you can do is ignore it and still play your heart out.

SLG: Recordings? Will you have CD's or more for sale at the show

TB We have our self-titled EP for sale at all shows for name your own price. We also have shirts for sale and possibly a few stickers left over. We plan on printing up some new shirt designs in the near future and you can contact us at myspace.com/versaillestheband.

We have our whole EP posted on our profile, along with a live-video at the bottom. For booking contact our myspace or versaillestheband@hotmail.com.

Wacky Steve Move List:

Churning Butter - This has become a rarity, but can still be seen from time to time. Steve will point his feet together in a pigeon-toe formation and swing the head of his bass in circles as though he is churning an invisible batch of butter. He will sway his body from side to side and often times will have his tongue out of his mouth.

Summoning Thor - When Steve gets really into it, he will point his bass towards the sky as if he is summoning the God of Thunder. He's form with this move is quite funny and is a must-see.

Face always has a look of pain - Steve has a hard time keeping his mouth closed and the faces he makes cannot be described through words, you must see this in person.

Very dangerous with bass - Giving Steve a bass is like giving a hyper-active child a mace and telling him to go play tag with it. Steve knocks over cymbals/equipment or anything in his way, including people.

Terrible balance - this leads to Steve stepping on various cables and pedals making it very difficult for us to play with out adjusting various things. If you're standing at the front, watch your toes and/or fingers.

Side note: If you are talking to Derek and he walks away quickly, chances are: he farted. We advise you to jump ship immediately as you will find basking in it a very unpleasant experience.