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Rockin' Like Debussy
“We are a very modest band and don’t believe too much in putting on stage antics or showboating,” says singer-guitarist Michael Stauffer of post-shoegaze scenesters FMera (“FM era”). “We let the music set the atmosphere and speak for itself.”
Stauffer cites Joy Division and the Psychedelic Furs as primary influences. “Our work reflects the activities and turbulence not only in our own individual lives but what can be said about the lives of most everyone. Our quest is to find meaning in this short-lived ephemeral world.”
Though the band is relatively new to the local scene, singer-bassist Paul Welch has toured with legendary two-tone ska band the English Beat. FMera’s debut EP This Will Dissuade Me was released in March.
“On the inside cover of the CD,” says Stauffer, “you’ll find a picture of the great French composer Claude Debussy. Debussy was considered an Impressionist, but he rejected that label. His style may best be described as experimental, and he challenged the notion of fitting into any particular mold. This best signifies what we’re all about, too.”
WHAT’S IN YOUR MUSIC PLAYER?
Michael Stauffer, guitar/vocals:
1) The Dave Matthews Band, Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King. “I finally just got into this band. Man, have I been missing out.”
2) The Avett Brothers, I and Love and You. “Southern folk rock at its finest.”
3) Cat Power, The Greatest. “It’s Cat Power. Need I say more?”
Kurt Dunlop, drums:
1) Muse, The Resistance. “Personally, this album has provided a myriad of inspiration for some of our new songs.”
2) The Shins, Chutes Too Narrow. “Phenomenal writing with a really fresh sound.”
3) Pink Floyd, Dark Side of the Moon. “This album is always in my rotation.”
Paul Welch, bass/guitar/vocals:
1) The Helio Sequence, Com Plex. “So much achieved, with just two mates.”
2) Interpol, Antics. “Great progressions and crescendos.”
3) The Smiths, self-titled. “A nice dose of honest self-reflection and cynicism.”
Nic Stauber, bass/vocals:
1) Rogue Wave, Asleep at Heaven’s Gate. “Some ballad-style tunes, but mainly just easy listening with choruses that you can’t help singing along to.”
2) M83, Saturdays = Youth. “Heavier on the electronica and synths, but powerful music that almost feels like the soundtrack to a film.”
3) Vampire Weekend, self-titled. “I love that they’re not afraid to bust out some weird parts.”
4) The Notwist, The Devil, You + Me. “More of a darker electronic sound, but still very catchy.”
MOST-VISITED WEBSITES?
Paul:
1) msnbc.com. “In my opinion, a good U.S. view.”
2) guardian.co.uk. “Good world view.”
3) soundonsound.com. “Great recording and production articles.”
4) teoria.com. “A Puerto Rican site on music theory.”
Nic:
1) theworldsbestever.com. “Awesome design blog.”
2) gizmodo.com. “Gadgets.”
3) CNN.com. “I like to keep up with the times.”
4) blavy.com. “A hilarious video site.”
IF YOU COULD READ MINDS…
Michael: “I’d probably run and hide from all the things people are really thinking.”
Kurt: “I’d finally be able to hear the musical criticism from those too kind to share it.”
Paul: “I’d finally unlock the mysteries that make up the man called Morrissey.”
Nic: “I’d go to the casino.”
WORST MOVIE?
Michael: “Caddyshack 2. How could they do a sequel without Bill Murray and Rodney Dangerfield?”
Kurt: “The Happening. Spoiler alert: The trees are fighting back against pollution by releasing toxins that make humans commit suicide.”
Paul: “Pearl Harbor. A little piece of me died watching that film.”
Nic: “Paranormal Activity. They just don’t make ’em like they used to.”
VIDEO GAME JONES?
Michael: “Galaga. Once you get those two starships together for extra firepower, those insects are toast!”
Kurt: “Guitar Hero: World Tour. Self-explanatory.”
Paul: “I sometimes jam on Mario Kart.”
Nic: “Words with Friends on the iPhone is pretty addicting.”
MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTIONS?
Michael: “The Sun magazine has good short stories and light reading.”
Kurt: “Outside, because I love learning about new things to do outdoors.”
IDEAL NICKNAME?
Michael: “Mr. Sniffles, because I have bad sinuses and sniff a lot.”
Kurt: “Ringo, since I play a five-piece version of his classic four-piece kit.”
Paul: “Fats Welch, because Fats Domino was such a commanding name.”
Nic: “Nico.”
EVER BEEN A CRIME VICTIM?
Michael: “There was a bar fight outside the Daley Double Saloon up in Encinitas a few years back, and they ended up bashing in the quarter panel of my new truck.”
Paul: “Mostly pickpocket-type stuff while living in Madrid, Spain.”
Nic: “My house got broken into once, and my roommates lost a lot of stuff, but most of my valuables were tucked away.”
WHERE DO YOU TAKE OUT-OF-TOWN GUESTS?
Michael: “Ebisu Sushi in Hillcrest.”
Kurt: “The WaveHouse or the Shore Club. Both great bars with spectacular ocean views.”
Paul: “The Imperial House in Hillcrest has a cool cat who plays piano there, and it hasn’t changed since the ’60s.”
TWO THINGS WE DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU?
Michael:
1) “I’ve ridden in a private Gulfstream V.”
2) “I once got arrested for skateboarding in Huntington Beach and spent the day in jail.”
Kurt:
1) “By day I am a financial analyst.”
2) “I can wiggle my eyes.”
Paul:
1) “I played the bassoon in my fifth-grade band.”
2) “Hostess Cup Cakes are a culinary masterpiece for me.”
Nic:
1) “I’ve backpacked four countries in Asia.”
2) “I once appeared in a MasterCard commercial.”
Here's something you might be interested in.
Rockin' Like Debussy
Rockin' Like Debussy
“We are a very modest band and don’t believe too much in putting on stage antics or showboating,” says singer-guitarist Michael Stauffer of post-shoegaze scenesters FMera (“FM era”). “We let the music set the atmosphere and speak for itself.”
Stauffer cites Joy Division and the Psychedelic Furs as primary influences. “Our work reflects the activities and turbulence not only in our own individual lives but what can be said about the lives of most everyone. Our quest is to find meaning in this short-lived ephemeral world.”
Though the band is relatively new to the local scene, singer-bassist Paul Welch has toured with legendary two-tone ska band the English Beat. FMera’s debut EP This Will Dissuade Me was released in March.
“On the inside cover of the CD,” says Stauffer, “you’ll find a picture of the great French composer Claude Debussy. Debussy was considered an Impressionist, but he rejected that label. His style may best be described as experimental, and he challenged the notion of fitting into any particular mold. This best signifies what we’re all about, too.”
WHAT’S IN YOUR MUSIC PLAYER?
Michael Stauffer, guitar/vocals:
1) The Dave Matthews Band, Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King. “I finally just got into this band. Man, have I been missing out.”
2) The Avett Brothers, I and Love and You. “Southern folk rock at its finest.”
3) Cat Power, The Greatest. “It’s Cat Power. Need I say more?”
Kurt Dunlop, drums:
1) Muse, The Resistance. “Personally, this album has provided a myriad of inspiration for some of our new songs.”
2) The Shins, Chutes Too Narrow. “Phenomenal writing with a really fresh sound.”
3) Pink Floyd, Dark Side of the Moon. “This album is always in my rotation.”
Paul Welch, bass/guitar/vocals:
1) The Helio Sequence, Com Plex. “So much achieved, with just two mates.”
2) Interpol, Antics. “Great progressions and crescendos.”
3) The Smiths, self-titled. “A nice dose of honest self-reflection and cynicism.”
Nic Stauber, bass/vocals:
1) Rogue Wave, Asleep at Heaven’s Gate. “Some ballad-style tunes, but mainly just easy listening with choruses that you can’t help singing along to.”
2) M83, Saturdays = Youth. “Heavier on the electronica and synths, but powerful music that almost feels like the soundtrack to a film.”
3) Vampire Weekend, self-titled. “I love that they’re not afraid to bust out some weird parts.”
4) The Notwist, The Devil, You + Me. “More of a darker electronic sound, but still very catchy.”
MOST-VISITED WEBSITES?
Paul:
1) msnbc.com. “In my opinion, a good U.S. view.”
2) guardian.co.uk. “Good world view.”
3) soundonsound.com. “Great recording and production articles.”
4) teoria.com. “A Puerto Rican site on music theory.”
Nic:
1) theworldsbestever.com. “Awesome design blog.”
2) gizmodo.com. “Gadgets.”
3) CNN.com. “I like to keep up with the times.”
4) blavy.com. “A hilarious video site.”
IF YOU COULD READ MINDS…
Michael: “I’d probably run and hide from all the things people are really thinking.”
Kurt: “I’d finally be able to hear the musical criticism from those too kind to share it.”
Paul: “I’d finally unlock the mysteries that make up the man called Morrissey.”
Nic: “I’d go to the casino.”
WORST MOVIE?
Michael: “Caddyshack 2. How could they do a sequel without Bill Murray and Rodney Dangerfield?”
Kurt: “The Happening. Spoiler alert: The trees are fighting back against pollution by releasing toxins that make humans commit suicide.”
Paul: “Pearl Harbor. A little piece of me died watching that film.”
Nic: “Paranormal Activity. They just don’t make ’em like they used to.”
VIDEO GAME JONES?
Michael: “Galaga. Once you get those two starships together for extra firepower, those insects are toast!”
Kurt: “Guitar Hero: World Tour. Self-explanatory.”
Paul: “I sometimes jam on Mario Kart.”
Nic: “Words with Friends on the iPhone is pretty addicting.”
MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTIONS?
Michael: “The Sun magazine has good short stories and light reading.”
Kurt: “Outside, because I love learning about new things to do outdoors.”
IDEAL NICKNAME?
Michael: “Mr. Sniffles, because I have bad sinuses and sniff a lot.”
Kurt: “Ringo, since I play a five-piece version of his classic four-piece kit.”
Paul: “Fats Welch, because Fats Domino was such a commanding name.”
Nic: “Nico.”
EVER BEEN A CRIME VICTIM?
Michael: “There was a bar fight outside the Daley Double Saloon up in Encinitas a few years back, and they ended up bashing in the quarter panel of my new truck.”
Paul: “Mostly pickpocket-type stuff while living in Madrid, Spain.”
Nic: “My house got broken into once, and my roommates lost a lot of stuff, but most of my valuables were tucked away.”
WHERE DO YOU TAKE OUT-OF-TOWN GUESTS?
Michael: “Ebisu Sushi in Hillcrest.”
Kurt: “The WaveHouse or the Shore Club. Both great bars with spectacular ocean views.”
Paul: “The Imperial House in Hillcrest has a cool cat who plays piano there, and it hasn’t changed since the ’60s.”
TWO THINGS WE DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU?
Michael:
1) “I’ve ridden in a private Gulfstream V.”
2) “I once got arrested for skateboarding in Huntington Beach and spent the day in jail.”
Kurt:
1) “By day I am a financial analyst.”
2) “I can wiggle my eyes.”
Paul:
1) “I played the bassoon in my fifth-grade band.”
2) “Hostess Cup Cakes are a culinary masterpiece for me.”
Nic:
1) “I’ve backpacked four countries in Asia.”
2) “I once appeared in a MasterCard commercial.”
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