"I have a hard time even calling it rock because so many of the things that define rock, we just don't do," explains Kaczynski. "We don't have riff-based songs; no power chord-oriented, blues based music. That's just not us."
Michael Moore adds, "I get a little nervous when somebody says 'Oh, that sounds like this or that.' Why work so hard at something and develop a sound for somebody to say 'Oh, that sounds like Rush.' Where's the achievement in that?"
Strong words perhaps, but this is a band that has created a strong artistic vision and persona, not out of arrogance or pretension but out of self confidence and a commitment to excellence.
"Basically we try to do what interests us first as musicians," states Letrick. "Hopefully, people will understand and follow that."
House of Usher's members are all versed in a variety of musical disciplines. Everything from rock to jazz and classical is featured, in good measure, on their new album. The group, over the years, has worked both acoustically and electrically, allowing it to play a variety of coffeehouses and rock clubs in the metro Detroit area. Performances have been light of late while they were recording their first album this past year. With this being their maiden voyage as a band, they decided to produce themselves, learning quite a lot about each other in the process.
"We may all be between the ages of 25 and 35 but that's where the similarity ends," explains the animated guitarist Moore. "Everybody has different religious and political affiliations, and when things got too heavy, everybody responded very differently. I think groups go through a storming stage where they get scattered and far apart and sometimes turn on each other. But, if you can make it through that, I think it's better in the end. We have a better line of communication and honesty now."
"And now Mike's having Aaron's baby," kids drummer Evans.
The forthcoming album, entitled Body of Mine, features an eclectic array of multi-textured symphonic oriented pieces that both probe the psyche as well as stir the heart. Graphic designer Scott Fray provided the exquisite cover art and the appearance of Detroit Red Wing Mathieu Dandenault adds a unique flair.
"We had this song that was untitled and seemed to have an incomplete feeling to it because the structure does not recapitulate," explains Aaron. "I wanted to call it 'It's Not Finished,' but in English it didn't sound right. I thought about another language, so I asked my friend Mathieu how that would translate in French. He said 'C'est Pas Fini,' and I thought it was perfect. Everything sounds good in French, right? So he recorded this little narrative intro I wrote, and it turned out great!"
Besides the new CD, they have recorded a song for an Italian Emerson, Lake and Palmer tribute album.
"We write music that is musically based, not trend based. I believe it will stand the test of time, be refreshing, and always stick with people. There will always, hopefully, be a market for a band like us."
R. Kaczynski, P.O. Box 1577, Royal Oak, MI 48068-1577
http://www.houseofusher.com
- reprinted with permission from Geoff Wilbur's Renegade Newsletter,
August 1998 Industry Edition
For more info about Geoff Wilbur's Renegade Newsletter or a printable subscription form, request a "Fact Sheet" or "Subscription Form" from renegade@voyager.net or go to http://membrane.com/renegade.
