2005 05 MAY RAG - RAG Magazine

With the Foo Fighters, Grohl has crafted an outstanding project worth
the prestige and healthy recognition garnered throughout ten years.
No longer behind the drum set, Grohl took the responsibility of lead
vocalist and guitarist. The music is loud, but the true focal point to the
Foo fighters songs remains in the melody and the introspective content
in their lyrics. Many will forever compare Nirvana to the Foo Fighters,
however I would debate that both bands have their own flavor with
fine craftsmanship and ingenuity.
In late 1994, the original lineup of the Foo Fighters consisted of Grohl,
former Nirvana guitarist Pat Smear on rhythm, William Goldsmith on
drums, and Nate Mendel on bass guitar. With what seemed like the
perfect lineup for years, the band was somewhat disjointed midway
into their career. Despite the sudden departure of Smear and Goldsmith,
they persevered.
A blessing in the disguise, they recruited Taylor Hawkins as
percussionist, a very precocious musician that gives Grohl a run for
his money with his drumming. And once the band enlisted guitarist
Chris Shiflett in 1999, they embarked on another journey, a global
conquest in support of their future victories as one of the greatest
bands this industry has ever come across.
“Well you know acoustic guitar is such a different animal than playing
electric,” says Shiflett. “It’s just a whole different vibe to the whole
thing. As a guitar player I primarily sit at my house playing an acoustic
guitar anyway, which is how I learned to play guitar which probably
goes for most people whom have ever picked up a guitar. So it’s a
pretty natural thing to do. I think it’s a nice balance, you have sort of two
opposite sides of the band.
“I don’t like to get over analytical about the music we make, we just
play songs that we like. When we’re recording we usually go
through a lot different parts and ideas and record a lot of different
stuff and the songs that work usually sort of just show itself. So it’s
never really much of a debate within the band with what should
make it out on the record.”
In Your Honor’s first single, the magnificent and grandiose “Best of
You” showcases years of development from a songwriting perspective.
It’s a song with uncanny fury with pristine melodic balance that was
written from the heart. “Best of You” doesn’t read like stereo instructions,
it’s a very clear and honest statement recited through a breathtaking
wreath of passion.
After persevering for ten years, the Foo Fighters felt
the need to challenge themselves beyond what
they’ve experienced before. And so it was that the In
Your Honor double disc opus was conceived. Along
with producer Nick Raskulinecz, the Foo Fighters’
unique vision of both balls-out aggression and melodic
tenderness was born.
You can’t always expect to enter into a project with
guaranteed job security, but in the following weeks
since Shiflett joined, the chemistry amongst this
quartet was undeniable.
TOM
HELIO
PETTY
SEQUENCE
& THE
HEARTBREAKERS
REVOLUTION
SOUND PHOTO: SEAN ADVICE MCCLOSKEY AMPHI-
THEATER
“It was just kind of a whirlwind thing when I first
joined,” says Shiflett. “I started playing with the band
right after the third record was made, so I went
through that whole touring cycle and then a break
before we actually recorded anything. So yeah, I
was in the band a long time before we actually made
an album.”
PHOTO: SEAN MCCLOSKEY
Still touring in Germany and due to the time
difference here in South Florida, I answered a
telephone call from Shiflett around 6:00 AM. We
discussed their often unexpected songwriting
process, the impact of Nirvana and the most
noticeable guest musicians that grace the new
record such as: Norah Jones and Led Zeppelin’s
legendary John Paul Jones.
“The record label initially wanted a greatest hits
album,” says Shiflett. But the band just wasn’t quite
ready for it, instead they professed their interest in
releasing a double record with two totally different
vibes. For an album that was supposed to be a
historic document, it turned out to be so much more.
The mix of muscle and melody has always been
the Foo Fighters’ calling card, and although you
may not find replicas of their previous hits on In
Your Honor, you’ll still be amazed by their level of
maturity on two records filled with indelible
sensations.
The acoustic guitar is something that’s been brought
out to the forefront with In Your Honor, and with
past songs such as “Times Like These,” it’s
interesting how Shiflett approached his instrument.