7 MONTHS is the new sensation in the Progrock scene, but they will appeal to fans of other genres as well, because their music is super melodic. AOR/Melodic Rock and Progrock fans will all enjoy the wonderful debut CD of 7 MONTHS. The choruses are catchy and very melodic, unlike many other prog bands that mostly are focused on the instrumental parts, so the band is not your typical progrock band. This makes it very interesting, as 7 MONTHS is a band with an own style that contains influences from both prog and AOR/Melodic Rock. I hope the interview I had with the band will help them to gain some attention in Europe as well, because they deserve it!
Please introduce
the band, when did you form “7 Months”?
7 Months consists
of the following:
Joe Booe- Lead
Vocals
Chris Jacobson- Guitars, Vocals
Garegin (Greg) Kalajian- Keyboards, Vocals
Barry Magnuson- Drums, Percussion
Shawn “The Dude” Richkind- Bass
Each of the members had been in several other bands previous to
the formation of the 7M lineup; some with recording projects
under their belts, some with more focus on musical education and
some with a great deal of live performance experience. 7 Months
actually experienced a few beginnings and near endings. It was a
band that almost wasn’t. Chris and Greg went to MI
(Musicians Institute in LA) together in ‘95-’96 and
subsequently played together in a school project band. Focusing
on a progressive sound, the two established not only a
friendship, but also the musical foundation of what would later
develop. They worked on their own ideas and material and searched
for additional musicians Barry also attended MI and later
connected with Chris and Greg while playing with another
bassist/vocalist back in early ’98. While the project didn’t
work out, the three found the cohesiveness that each had been
seeking. A few months later, the three tried again, but Greg
cancelled; Barry lost faith. A few more months later they tried
again, but this time added a fourth; “The Dude”. The
first night’s session resulted in the song later entitled
“ The Night”. More music followed. For the next seven
months the band worked on several songs and pieces of songs, and
auditioned (mostly bad) vocalists. Joe had just moved to LA from
Chicago in July of ‘99, and had been auditioning with
several (mostly bad) bands and had answered the group’s ad
for a singer. The circle was now complete. After 1 rehearsal,
“the Night” was completed. After another practice, 3
more songs were almost finished. Good fortune appeared to have
shined upon this nameless band.
But it seemed it
would be short lived. Two weeks after starting, a break-up with
his girlfriend and lack of money was about to send Joe back to
Chicago. The band wouldn’t allow it. The guys made calls,
insisted on helping and encouraged Joe to stay. The chemistry was
too RIGHT. After a brief stint on Chris’s couch, Joe lived
in the rehearsal room until he could afford to stay. So after
7months of searching, 7 months of writing, (New Age took seven
months), and 7 months of struggling, 7 months of recording,
coming up with a name was simple: 7 MONTHS.
Can you tell us about your CD?
We started
recording in June of ’00 at Private Island Tracks; great
people there. We focused on drum tracks there and recorded
everything else in Chris’s apartment on ProTools. Chris is
an absolute WIZARD with the stuff. Since each of us have full
time jobs and some of us have families and other distractions, we
took our time with the recording process. This really helped in
keeping our heads clear and our hearing accurate. And nothing got
past Chris. We finished in December, and started mix-down in
February of this year. The CD was released in May 2001.
Your music has influences from Progressive Rock/Metal, but also
some influences of ‘80’s AOR/Melodic Rock can be heard.
Which bands influenced you?
Our tastes are all different, with each member coming from a
different direction. We share some common influences though in
bands like Rush, Kansas, Yes, Dream Theater, Queensryche, Boston,
Styx, Sting, Steve Vai, …the list could go on forever.
Are there any stories to tell about the songs?
Joe Booe:
Every song has a story, some are very general and universal and
some are more personal. New Age and Change are both about the
same subject but with different direction. New Age sends the
message of change outward to a world that needs to be forgiving
and understanding if it is to survive, while Change is a personal
reflection on the desire for internalized development and self
improvement. Stay was inspired by a recent break-up and the
struggle we all go through with relationships nearing a breaking
point. Start It Over addresses breaking habits of dependency, and
the healing process of recovery and forgiveness. Say Goodbye is
just a funky groove about leaving the past behind, accepting our
faults and realizing our commonality. Greg wrote You and Me about
a piece of land in the desert, the woman of his dreams, building
a family and a dream home (He’s got
3 out of 4 so far). The Night is dedicated to The Dude’s
love of vampires. Sometimes describes late-night nonsensical
sensibilities. And finally, Senorita Serenade is about an
incredible trip to Cuba that will forever hold my spirit
romantically captive. Ladies of Cuba, I thank you.
Any contracts with record labels outside the USA or progressive
labels in the USA?
We are currently
unsigned and operating self-sufficiently. We’ve spoken to a
few parties, but haven’t found what we are looking for. We
have our own label established and have a great deal of resources
at our disposal, but juggling all the necessary functions it
takes to make a band successful is difficult if not impossible.
So we are actively seeking additional avenues of opportunity;
investment possibilities or affiliations that will benefit the
future of the band, but we are selective as to who we want to
work with.
Are you popular in your area?
We are establishing
a growing popularity in Southern California and beyond. We are
currently setting up distribution and promotion both nationally
and internationally to help spread the word about us. Hopefully
this article will help to start 7 Months awareness overseas as
well.
What are your plans for the next coming months?
We’re trying
to play out as much as we can, concentrating primarily on
Southern California. We’re also writing some great new
material for the next CD. It’s great when you can get
excited about what you’ve done, more excited about what you’re
doing now and even more excited about what you’ve yet to do.
That’s what makes life worth living.
Finally, do you have anything to add to our readers?
Thanks for being
out there to listen! We are very pleased to have found an
additional audience. Rock lives, so keep the faith! If you’ve
lost the faith, then take the following prescription:
Step 1: Get the “7 Months” CD
Step 2: Listen to it
Step 3:Repeat steps 1 and 2 until your faith has been renewed
Step 4: Spread the word. To your friends, local radio, the
internet, anywhere you think people have the need or have lost
there faith in good rock music. And remember, there’s always
room for jello!