The Fighting 44s

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Tell us a bit about your collaborative effort: how you develop themes, beats, what instruments you use.

S: People tend to think there’s this long process to how we put music together. To be honest, we’re both just music lovers at heart. We try not to sit there too often and discuss what feel we’re trying to go for. We put out tracks that we feel at the moment. I think that way there’s just more heart in it. No two songs are put together the same way. Sometimes m[ ]ndless will give me a beat and based on the feeling of the instrumental I’ll write to it. Or sometimes I’ll just write on my own with no beat and eventually he’ll make something work. I think when you add too much technicality to the process it takes away from the passion and soul.

m: m[ ]ndless on the beat and Saint Eve steady rocking heat!

You guys mentioned you have day jobs. Most artists - musicians, writers, actors - struggle early on between doing what they have to to live and doing what they’re driven to do. What’s it like trying to balance job, family, social, and artistic commitments?

S: It’s a constant struggle. On one hand you wish you could devote all that time in doing the things you love most, but on the other hand reality sinks in and you realize the responsibilities this world puts on you. Pretty much it’s all about sacrifice and meeting half way. We try to keep a good balance though. I think the last thing we want is to have this music turn into job rather than a passion. Once it hits that point, I feel that it’s worthless. Its definitely not easy, but I think if you have the heart and drive, things tend to work themselves out.

m: I definitely work harder than Steve. He’s kind of a lazy ass.

S: Fuck you!!!

What cities and venues do you regularly perform in? Are you going to tour outside of Cali anytime soon?

S: Well so far, we been having the majority of our shows out in LA. We hit up SF once in late August, but mainly in and around LA and Orange County. We definitely want hit up other spots outside of Cali, but due to the jobs we have it makes it difficult to plan out. I’m sure ‘06 will bring that opportunity.

m: For bookings contact here

If the 44s want a copy of your CD, where could they get it? What are all the ways you’re going to distribute it?

m: “Middle Ground” is actually a limited pressing and only available online at www.decyplz.com . It will also be distributed digitally through iTunes and other online music download services by mid 2006. All future releases should be available at your local record shop as well as online. Help us out by requesting your local record shop to carry Decyplz music and merchandise. Your individual voice has more power than you think.

Any opinion on the death of “Tookie” Williams?

S: It’s funny you ask this question cause I been debating back and forth for the last couple weeks and it’s kinda been bothering me. It really makes you question if this world gives people a second chance. Its obvious that he’s turned his life around and because of that you start wondering if the death penalty is just out for vengeance. Taking someone’s life will never bring peace of mind to anyone and I find it ironic that jails are called correctional facilities when people are still forced to die despite making corrections to their lives. I could go on forever about this topic and I’ve barely scratched the surface, but I’d probably just end up arguing with myself since I still haven’t analyzed it all the way through.

m: I’m against the death penalty unless it’s on the streets.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 14th, 2007 at 1:51 am and is filed under Exclusives. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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