Interview by Derek(me) with Darren Shepherd from 2 Minute
Warning! (www.2mwband.com)
What's your full name?
"Darren Lee Shepherd"
What got you into playing music?
"My family has always played music. My grandpa was a well-known
fiddle player, and 2 of my uncles play instuments, so I guess you could say
it runs in my blood. The people who really made me want to play in a band
were local bands in this area, mainly Red Letter Day (formerly Down Time)
and blacklist. If I hadn't heard them, then I wouldn't be doing what I'm
doing today."
What interments do/can you play as of now?
"Guitar, bass, drums, piano, mandolin, and the banjo"
Why did you choose the members you did for your band?
"Well, first off, we I didn't 'choose' anyone to be in my band. I
just got together with a bunch of guys who played and that was that. There
weren't any auditions or anything, just a strong will to play music with
other people. Although Austin and I are the only original members, we didn't
choose Nathan, Danny, or Greg because they were virtuosos or anything. Hell,
I don't think any of us are even near that. We just knew that they had a
strong will to play, because they love the music just as much as we do. It
didn't matter if they were good or not. After all, that's what practice is
for. Its paying off too...for everyone."
Why and how did you come up with the name of you band (2 Minute
Warning)?
"I was reading a Sports Illustrated one day when I came across a
section called "The 2 Minute Warning". I thought that it would make a pretty
cool band name at the time, so I called up Jason (lead guitarist from
September 2000 - April 2001) and told him about it. Since we were in dire
need for a name at that time, he decided that it would suffice. The rest, as
they say, is history. I still think it is the worst name that a band could
have though. Its so damn lame."
What's the most challenging thing you have overcame since you have been
in a band?
"I think the most challenging thing would definitely be overcoming
each other's differences. Even when you are in a group of friends who are
into the same things, you are going to have your differences interfere once
in a while. I think we've all learned to compromise during certain
situations, and that definitely helps keep the stress level down. When
someone is doing something that another member doesn't like, then they
listen to suggestions. I think that's what a lot of bands need to do these
days. They work under too much stress and forget about having fun. That's
when bands break up. Let's face it, no matter how you look at us, every
single one of us is different from the other members. We all bring different
personalities into the mix and we all like to do different things when we're
not playing. We hang out a lot of course, but we're still different when it
comes down to doing things away from each other. I don't know...its kinda
hard to explain, so I'm going to just go to the next question."
What's been the most exciting thing that’s happened to you so far?
"Everything! The whole experience has been a blast, and it looks as
if its only going to be getting more exciting in the near future. Just the
simple fact that people are enjoying our music is exciting. Its the best
feeling in the world."
How does it feel being in a band with your younger brother?
"Its really not bad at all. In fact, he's became a vital part of our
sound. Sure, we have our occasional disagreements, but we usually get over
it pretty quickly. It makes the whole thing a little more sentimental too.
Also, I have to say that I'm proud of Greg for working as hard as he has
been. He has grown to be one of the most respected drummers of our area,
which isn't bad for a 15 year old."
Do you think your popular just because the fact that your in a band?
"Hell no! I mean, sure, when you do anything that involves getting up
in front of the public eye, you're going to acquire some popularity
somewhere along the way. Personally, I don't really care how popular we are
or aren't. We're just doing what we like to do and hoping that people get
enjoyment out of it. If they do and they like us, then that is fine. If they
don't, then that's fine too. I never started playing to become popular, and
I don't think I'm that popular now."
Some people do it for the money, some do it for fun. What's your opinion
do you play your music to make a little extra cash, or just to have fun?
"Its all for fun. If we didn't have fun doing it, then we wouldn't be
doing it. Sure, no one can say that picking up a little extra cash every now
and then isn't good, but that doesn't come until later on down the road.We
make enough to keep us happy, which usually means breaking even on what we
spend. It always has to be fun though."
Do you ever think you will make it big in the music business. Or is it
just a teenage hobby that will pass when you get older?
"I would love to make it a career someday, but you have to think
logically about things when you're in a band. I believe that you have to
work hard for what you want, and I plan on doing just that with this band.
Even if we never make it big, the experience of playing with four of the
best musicians in this area is good enough for me. I'm proud of what we've
accomplished already, and I believe that I'll be playing music until the day
I die. I can tell you right now, its not just a hobby!"
When do you plan on releasing another killer CD?
"Well, I don't know when the next "killer" CD is due out, but we do
have a new CD in the works right now. Its called "The Truth Manifesto" and
it is due out sometime in June of this year. Its our second professional
full-length, so we hope everyone enjoys it."
What's is your personal favorite CD that 2MW has produced?
"I would have to say that "The Truth Manifesto" is my favorite, even
though its not complete yet. The process of writing and making this CD is so
much more laid back compared to the last two releases (Every Second
Counts... 2002, Blue and Grey EP 2003). We have really opened up on this one
emotionally and musically. Its also allowed the other guys to come out with
their own things, instead of me and Austin telling them what to play and how
to play it. So yeah, the new is definitely my favorite."
Do you label your music. If so what do you label your music, is it punk,
EMO, metal or what?
"Lables are stupid. We 'genre-hop' so much anyway, I don't think you
could classify us as any of those that you listed. We mix all of those
styles together, as well as other styles, and come up with our own thing.
Labels can limit a band to write songs only in one genre. That's not very
good when it comes down to it, because you run out of ideas after a time. If
I feel like writing punk, then I write punk. If I feel like writing heavy
stuff, then I write heavy stuff. It doesn't matter, because nothing is
stopping me. We are mostly described as "emocore", and that's fine. Call us
anything you would like to because it doesn't matter to us. Hell, I hear a
lot of bands these days complaining because someone called them an "emo"
band. The word "emo" stands for "emotional music", so why are they
complaining? That's what we write songs from, pure emotion. So, in short, I
really don't label us as anything but Rock. You can call us what you want
though."
Last but not the least, who or what inspired you to be in a band and play
the music that you do? Their has to be someone or something that got you
into playing music.
"My personal inspiration has came from my parents. They have always
supported me with everything that I've decided to do, and without them 2MW
would be nothing. They let us practice in our living room for Christ's sake!
Anyway, I also draw inspiration from my uncle, Gary Shepherd, and Donald
Absher. They are they ones who got me started playing, and I owe a lot to
them too. As far as musical inspirations go, there are a lot. Like I said
before, Down Time and blacklist made me want to start a band. When I first
started out, I was influenced mainly by Metallica, Green Day, Pantera, and
Blink 182. Even shit like Lynyrd Skynyrd and The Doobie Brothers influenced
me. Now, I mostly follow in the footsteps of Finch, The Deftones,
Nothingface, 36 Crazyfists, and even Roger Clyne. There are so many more
that I could name off, but I don't think either of us has the time. Thanks
for the interview though and good luck to you in whatever you do."
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