HOB.com's audio interview
Lauren's Interview with Waymon 9/99
Lauren's Interview with James 10/99
Interview with Waymon 6/24/00
Interview of Waymon by Matt
Interview with Splender
interview by: Matthew Chiabotti
The following is an interview conducted with Waymon Boone, the singer/songwriter/guitar player of Splender, after the band's September 25th freeloader concert at the Ogden Theater.
Are you starting a tour now?
Actually, today, this was the last show of this leg of the tour. We are going to be doing a couple of one offs, and then starting October 20th we're going to be going off on our own headlining tour until the end of the year.
Are you coming back to Denver?
Yeah, Like in November.
What's your most interesting/favorite city you've ever played?
Most interesting/favorite city… hmm… I think it's going to become Denver. I think the most interesting city was Dallas because, we had just, the record hadn't come out yet, but the single had gotten a lot of airplay, and we were touring around, and anyplace you go for the first time there's a few people, and the next time you go there's more, and the next time there's more, and the first place I remember hitting was Dallas, and it was packed to the brim. We just felt the Love, and we were just overwhelmed, and really surprised, so that was really an important pinnacle moment for us.
What kind of music are you listening to in the van?
We're listening to, Bjork, the new Julian Lennon record, Hunky Dory, Bowie… The Deftones, and Revolver… It's kind of wide, and we all have to listen to music collectively because we always travel together.
This is your first time out on a major label, what was your goal with this album?
This might be a strange answer, but our goal with this album is to be able to make it so that we can continue to make albums. We've been busting our ass for so many years now that it's, like, all about longevity.
The lyrics on your album are very poetic. Where does that come from? Do you have a favorite poet, or a favorite author?
Not really, I don't actually tend to read that much as far as books. I've read, seemingly a thousand biographies. I don't know why, but later on I thought maybe it was because I was somehow looking for a kindred spirit or something like that…. Like maybe there's someone out there, in space, that's going through what I'm going through, my highs and my lows. I think the poeticness just sort of comes from being in the moment of the emotion, and not being afraid to say what I have to say in the way that I want to say it.
What was the most interesting biography that you read, the one that you felt was most like you?
With the exception of all the drug taking, because I don't touch drugs, was the Stevie Ray Vaughn one.
So are you straight-edge?
Yeah, I'm straight-edge… I'm the only one whose really straight edge [in the band], but no one else touches drugs… we're a very clean, healthy band, and that's how we're able to keep doing shows every night.
The album deals with a lot of relational angst. Did you mean to go that direction?
Not at all. I always thought that I was never going to write a song about love, or relationships. I was never into any of that. I always thought it was corny, and I thought it was just something I wanted to avoid. Then I went through this vortex, and when I came out, I was spit out into this little dark room, and I literally spent weeks sitting in this room with no light on, just sinking into this abyss that I had no idea, I wasn't ready for, and there was like this song, songwriting was the only thing, and writing the words to songs was the only thing that got me out of there, and so a lot of it became based, sort of, around this one relationship and this one idea. I wasn't expecting it, but I'm glad it came out so sincerely… The I think is cool is that there's a lot of really, sort of dark brooding lyrics, but their surrounded by a lot of pop, melodic sensibilities, so that sort of gives it a duality.
I heard that the Police were a big influence on the band. What's your favorite police song?
I think it would be "When the World is Running Down, Make the Best of What's Still Around" because I like the fact that the drums have no fills in them. It's just this one beat, no toms, no nothing, just this one beat.
Do you have a life philosophy that you or the band live by?
Yeah. That, no matter what anybody tells you, don't listen to them. Believe in yourself, and if you believe in what you're doing, stick with it because there were so many times that I wouldn't have done what we're doing know if I had listened to other people that told me how hard it would be, and how far we wouldn't get.
Ending on a lighter note, what's your favorite breakfast cereal?
Hands down, Captain Crunch (Laughs)!!
"1. Where are you from?
I was born and raised in Manhattan.
2. What song from HDTS do you relate to the most and why?
There are a few on the album that I feel close too. But one of my favorites is "I Don't Understand". I like the grove on that song.
3. What made you decide to be a musician?
My dad plays guitar and my mom sings. So I grew up in a musical family. It was inevitable that I would have a career in music.
4. How long have you been playing your instrument?
Many Many years(he smiles):over 10.
5. Do you have a special memory from when you were on tour? What?
One of the most recent "Special" memory that comes to mind is a show we played with the Cult in Dallas. The show was a lot of fun, so much so, that by the end of the set we decieded to bring up some members of the audience on stage to sing with us. The Cults Production Manager did not care for this and "Freaked Out". He had the PA turned off and had SPLENDER ESCORTED OUT OF THE VENUE. Needless to say it was great to know that the fans that came to the show were supportive and stuck by our side throughout the entire ordeal. By the end of it, The Owner of the venue, got wind of what the Cult's Production Manager did and invited us back into the venue. He bought us dinner, drinks and invited us back to play in the future. It turned out to be a great night!!!!!!
6. Favorite bands/performers?
I have lots of bands that I really like. Too many too list! Everything from Depeche Mode to Janes Addiction.
7. What's in your cd player?
Depeche Mode's Greatest Hits.
8. Where's your favorite place to tour? Why?
We love to tour all the states. We love everywhere we go.
9. What inspires you to write?
Waymon has written most of the songs for this album. But a Splender song is never complete without my two cents!
10. What's your pet peeve/ peeves about being famous?
I don't really have any peeves. The only thing I don't enjoy are the long hours on the road traveling. It can be tiring and the food really sucks.
11. Any good/bad memories while recording HDTS?
All good memories! It was a pleasure to make this record. A Dream Come True.
12. What would you be doing if you weren't in Splender?
I would probably be singing and fronting another band or Waymon and I would of worked something else out.
13. Any piercings/tattoos?
No tatoos. Just ears pierced-two in each ear.
14. Any plans for the next album?
To soon to talk about.
15. What famous person would you love to meet? Why?
Wynoda Ryder-Do I really have to say anymore!!!(laughs)
16. Dating anyone? Details!! (it's a girly fan question, I'm obligated to ask this for the sake of my sister and her friends)
No.
17. What's the greatest gift a fan has ever given to you?
I havn't gotten any gifts yet! (hint-hint).
18.Who would you like to tour with in the future?
Honestly I would like us to do our own tour in the future and have the bands we pick to open up for us.
19. Last thoughts?
Yeah-IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE RECORD-GET IT AND COME SEE US LIVE!!!!!!
PEACE
JAMES CRUZ OF SPLENDER
10-7-99"
There aren't questions to these answers. I realize this...
"its Waymon..this might take a while to get all 4..so ill start this. youll have to chek for spelling and grammar mistakes