Marc Lewis – Doors To Nowhere – Interview Exclusive
Written by Simon Hadley
Saturday, 22 May 2010 06:00
Doors To Nowhere are something of a new name to us here at Uber Rock, hailing from Santa Cruz, California the band consists of guitarist and vocalist Marc Lewis, drummer Alex Ross and bass player Sean Sandford.
They are members of the RRise family and count hardcore punk legend’s Bl’ast as friends. Doors To No Where are a band that is ready to take the world by storm. Our man in the know Simon Hadley caught up with Marc Lewis to find out more about the band.
How did the formation of the band come about and how did you guys meet?
Everything kind of fell into place. I had just moved back to the area of Santa Cruz. I knew I wanted to play music again. The previous two years I didn’t even really touch a guitar. I mean I would maybe pick it up and jam something like ‘Sweet Home Alabama’ or a Zeppelin cover at a party or something.
But really any one can regenerate an already written song. I really love writing my own music. I learned how to play guitar being in a band so I knew in order for me to be happy I needed to be in a band. I thought about getting my old band Live Wire back together for a show or 2, and there was even talk of a Fire Sermon reunion. But really I wanted something brand new. I had done some work with drummer Alex Ross in a project called ‘King Nothing’. I liked is style and thought that would be a perfect fit. In my time away from Santa Cruz I kinda got lost and fell of the map. I had not talked to Alex for about year.
He probably thought I was crazy cause I just called out of the blue and said let’s play some music. The direct quote was: “You’re alive?” classic Alex, but it worked out perfectly.
Alex was kind of in the same spot of life that I was. We were both coming out of some serious shit, so there was a connection there right of the bat.
We got in a room and just jammed. We where both stoked. I booked us a show at a local club. We had no songs, no bass player and no name, but it was a total kick start, It kind of helped create a local buzz about the band, like it was some sort of secret project.
That’s when Sean came into the picture. I grew up with the guy and I knew he played bass. I got his number and gave him a call. He showed up plugged in, cracked a beer open and just started ripping. I thought this is my guy. Five weeks later we were on stage.
Later down the line Sean had some other commitments. We used Jesus Lopez to fill on bass for a couple shows. He fitted right in. I told him he had better get used to the guitar, as you’re on rhythm when Sean gets back.
Who are you main influences?
I have so many its not even funny. That’s probably the hardest question for me. It’s like a parent trying to pick their favourite kid. I grew up loving punk rock. Bl’ast, The Germs, Black Flag, but I also love big rock like Zeppelin and ACDC.
I listen to a lot of Kyuss and Megadeth. I’m really all over the map. I started out a drummer. But I always loved the guitar. There is a Chili Peppers song called ‘I Could Have Lied’ on the album ‘Blood Sugar Sex Magic’.
The solo on that song just pushed me over the edge. I wanted to do that. Just be able to melt faces with a guitar solo. John Frusciante is one of my favourite guitar players. I love bands and players that separate themselves from the pack. I also love the whole album concept.
Music today is all about singles. Kyuss’ ‘Sky Valley’ had a huge impact on me. ‘It’s in My Blood’ by Bl’ast is like an anthem.
Megadeth’s ‘Countdown to Extinction’ and Corrosion of Conformity’s ‘Deliverance’ are great albums. There are so many I could go on for days. I was a huge fan of Nirvana, Alice In Chains and Pearl Jam as well and honestly one of the biggest influences is my peers.
Santa Cruz is filled with music and the Santa Cruz rock scene is more like a family. Bl’ast, Mock, Vincent’s Ear are all killer local bands. We are all friends and it’s always pumping to see your friends kill it on stage. Knowing them makes it real.
What’s on your stereo at the moment?
At this moment I’m rocking Lynyrd Skynyrd’s ‘On the Hunt’. It’s on the album ‘Nuthin’ Fancy’. It has such a rockin’ riff. The guitar just has killer dynamics. The playing is so natural and just straight up. There is no studio magic. It’s the player and his tone. I love that. I also love the keys when they come in. I have also been rocking LAB a lot lately and I just was hanging with Billy T from Bl’ast and we where rocking his new band Dusted Angels new disc due out sometime this month I think. It sounded killer. It’s going to be a must have for sure. I have all also been rocking out to Priestess.
You’ve described yourself as: ‘Party Rock’ on your Facebook page, how do you feel about people drawing comparisons with yourselves and other ‘desert rock’ California bands (I use the ‘desert rock’ term lightly!)
The party rock thing is really just an inside joke with the band. We all love to party and have a good time. It’s funny as I’m such a joker and laid back guy. People who know me trip out a little on my music and lyrics. I mean I sing about pretty heavy things. I’m not surprised we get lumped into the desert rock scene. I listen to that stuff and we are friends with a lot of those bands. It’s not a bad category to be put in. I mean any time you can be lumped with a giant like Kyuss, it’s got to be a good thing.
How does it feel to be part of the RRise family, alongside bands such as Bl’ast and Fu Manchu?
RRise is our home. It’s by far the best merchandise company I have ever been involved with. It’s more like a family, plus they are legit. RRise is not some jackass with a whack haircut trying to be hip and be your friend while ripping you off and putting some lame design that you never got to put any input into. That company knows how to do it and having Fu Manchu and Bl’ast on the roster is great. I love both of those bands. We are planning on doing a lot more with RRise in the very near future. I would love to see an RRise army tour. All I can say is keep checking http://www.rrise.com/ often.
What kind of reaction have you been getting in around California?
We have had some great shows. The crowds have not let us down and I hope we have not let them down. We have tried to come out firing. I can’t wait to get back out there. I take playing live very seriously. I don’t want to be a studio band that sucks live. To me that’s not real music. Music needs to be in the moment, live energy. Way too many bands are worried about how cool they look that I think they forget what music is all about.
How useful have websites such as Facebook and Myspace been in getting Doors To No Where to a wider audience?
Social sites make the world go round. It has been a great way to get our name out there and reach the fans, but I don’t want to be just another Myspace band. Don’t get me wrong we use both, but anybody can do a home recording and have a page. It in a way takes away some of the magic. A lot of bands worry more about image and crap like that. I’m old school; I want the music to be the main thing. I mean there is magic in getting in a crappy van with your bro’s with no money and hitting the road with nothing but your music to back you. The whole digital world can make this happen for a lot of bands. Your connections can be clicks away, but that can also help spread a lot of crap.
California has always seemed to be a hot bed for rock and metal bands, what do you think the reasons for this are?
I think it probably has a lot to do with L.A. and San Francisco. The Bay Area in general is a hot bed of talent and really Cali is a very open state, very excepting of all sorts of art and music. It’s full of culture and personality. It’s got pretty girls and great vibes, not to mention it’s the centre of the entertainment world.
Are there bands locally that you guys are currently influenced by or could recommend for us to check out?
Vincent’s Ear just put out an album titled: ‘Earth to Space’. Kyuss bass player Scott Reeder produced it and it rocks. It was recording in Reeder’s studio. It’s a must have. The Ear has been a Santa Cruz rock monster for a long time. Dusted Angel is a force. My buddy Jared Hajduk, formally of the band Del Rio, has a yet to be named project coming real soon that will be mind blowing. Jared is such an exciting and dangerous guitar player. You never know what you’re gonna get.
Are there any plans to tour the rest of the US in the future? Personally, I think a joint tour with Gusto would be awesome!
I’m with you on that one! Mike from Gusto and I will be playing together real soon. That’s a killer band, and I’m sure when our next album comes out we will be doing some heavy support for it. I’m a huge believer in bringing it live. There are so many bands that can’t perform live, that is just not right to me.
I recently saw Bruce Springsteen in concert. The guy is 60 and just killed it for about three hours. To me that is rock n roll, making every show seem like it could be your last. I really think music has gotten so far away from its roots. It should be about the music and my idea would be to have Gusto and us hit the road and a film crew to record it all and see what comes of it.
Also, on the subject of touring, are you guys eventually looking to one day bring Doors To No Where to the UK and the rest of Europe?
I would love to and when the time comes we will be bringing are party anywhere we can. If we make it over there you better be ready to have a beer! It seems like the UK and Europe are way ahead of the U.S when it comes to rock music. Orange Goblin and us, let’s do this!
You’ve released an EP entitled ‘I’m Alive’, are there any plans to release a full-length album in the future?
We sure did. We actually recorded ‘I’m Alive’ about six months into the bands life. The title track ‘I’m Alive’ was the first song written. For the most part that whole disc is about getting back on the horse in a way. The past four years or so we were kind of lost in translation for me, but I’m back and I’m feeling good. I’m in a great place and surrounded by great people.
As for the future of the band, we just started tracking and writing new tunes. I’m so excited for the future. We will be hitting the studio in June and will be working on a full-length album.
The band is ready and the band is pumped. The new songs seem to have a new energy and a life of their own. I’m not sure I have ever have been so excited about my own music. I’m always my worst critic, but with these new songs I’m just feeling like it’s the best stuff I’ve ever written.
As of now we have seven songs completed, and about one more about 90% done. We are hoping to head into the studio with about 16 songs and see what happens. We are also planning on doing some covers for shits and giggles. I want to deliver a record that I’ll be proud of for the rest of my life.
We couldn’t let marc go without asking him about a classic gig from hell he had endured with Doors To Nowhere, and you can read that tale of woe right here. We’d like to thank Marc for taking the time to talk with us at Uber Rock and if you want to check out the band’s ‘I’m Alive’ EP, visit their Myspace page at the link below: