Finger 11 Drummer Rich Beddoe Interview

Kacy Norman May 11-2011

So, give us a little background info for those who aren’t familiar with you guys.

Rich Beddoe: We’re a Canadian band, from just outside Toronto. And this is our fifth record, “Life Turns Electric.” Obviously on the last record, “Paralyzer” was sort of the big song, and the album before that was “One Thing.” So here we are now on our fifth record, we produced it ourselves, we recorded in NYC, right in Time Square. After all the years, we’re still out on the road doing our thing.

How’d you guys meet?

RB:I’m actually the last guy to join, that was about, jeez, 14 years ago. The band has all been together since high school. There are two brothers in the band, the singer and the bass player. The other guys, everyone knew each other in school. It was kind of like a cover band, a Red Hot Chili pepper kind of band. They started writing songs, and there was a contest in Canada that they had won, and they got some recording time, and ever since that really, the band has been able to exist.  No one’s really had to have day jobs since high school.

 It’s pretty incredible that we’ve been able to do this, this long, and be successful, maybe not a major level, but it’s certainly enough to tour around and have people know who the heck we are. It’s pretty humbling. You see how tough it is out there. Bands that were once huge, having trouble selling tickets. It’s nice to go out and see people who know the band, and we don’t take that for granted, ‘cause that doesn’t happen to everybody.

One thing was really the song that catapulted you into the mainstream, what’s the story behind that song?

RB: It was. That was our third record. We had a bunch of rock songs before, that was actually the first single off the record. So we were probably like, a year into the record, then all of the sudden that broke, and Boom, it was getting played on TV shows, and people were recognizing it all over the place. We were getting the tonight show calling us to play that song. Pretty crazy, after all these years, we were kind of struggling to get our name out there, then it just kind of happened for us. I think a lot of people maybe would have that of that as a one hit wonder, but we were lucky enough that paralyze and whatever is above that song. Everyone really, globally reacted so positively to that song. That was just amazing to just take what “one thing” was and really take that to the next level, so people really start seeing the different sides of the band. There are heavy songs, there are lighter songs, we try to do a lot of different music, whatever comes naturally, and people have reacted positive to it so far.

 And on this record, there’s definitely a positive reaction. We’re getting out there and fighting just like every other band is. It’s not the same. It seems to get harder and harder. Makes you want to work harder, and prove to everyone that you’re not going away. We’re here.

It gives you the drive to get stuff done, basically?

RB: Absolutely. You know, in the past it was a lot different. It just keeps changing. We’re out here with papa roach right now, on tour, you know, I think those guys are the same thing. It’s just a lot different, there first record sold 6 million copies. Those days are kind of over. It’s really kind of unifying, all the rock bands together just doing their thing. It makes you stronger, makes you a better band.

 “One thing” went so far beyond just radio play. What is like for you guys?

RB: It was unusual, because we were going for so long, and that song being kind of a ballad, it was interesting how people discovered that for the first time. A lot of older people liking that song, then coming to see us live, and are like,  oh my god, these guys are like a full on rock band, how crazy. So, it was great. It opened a lot of doors for us. At that time we had t let people know that was just one side of the band, you’re not gonna get a whole show of ballads. And with “paralyze,” something about that, the tempo on it, the kind of “danciness” of it, something just grabs people’s attention. We really like to make records full of different stuff; we really don’t like to repeat ourselves. Some bands do, and it works for them, and maybe some fans want that, but we like to always keep moving forward, and challenging ourselves as songwriters, and hopefully you succeed that way, you know… I guess we’ll find out, ha-ha.

“Paralyzer” is a playable song on rock band, is it stuff like that, and the versatility of use for “One Thing” that sort of mark your success?

RB: That’s huge these days with kids. Kids aren’t buying records, they’re buying video games. And it’s really pretty amazing. I mean, first of all, it’s fun as hell to play your own song on a video game at home, it’s such a surreal thing. I guess as far as getting awareness out there to kids, about who you are, that’s what it’s all about now. That’s what kids buy now is video games. We tried to get on those guitar heroes for years. We were on a couple snowboarding games, but I think the band hero that paralyzer is on has really exposed us. That stuff along with movies is always helpful. And again its just such a change from where we started. Video games are such an important part of the puzzle now.

Each song, each album has such a different sound, what do you attribute that to?

RB: Especially on this new album, “life Turns Electric,” being produced within the band, that was something new. The results, we were so proud of it. I think in the past, maybe it was just to rely on someone else’s opinions, or thought or approval… it was nice just the five of us to be in a room and after all these records we’ve made, and all this time and songs we’ve been putting together, to do it ourselves is pretty rewarding to have it, and listen to it, and it’s a solid rock album full of great songs. I don’t think that means were going to produce every record in the future, but I think it’s always neat to try different things. And of course recording it in NYC, we recorded the last two albums in Chicago, so when this opportunity came up to record in this little studio right in time square. I think this album, it’s probably the fastest tempo record we’ve ever made, and I think a lot of that is just the energy of time square. There’s something about Times Square, walking to the studio every day before you start work, you’re just sort of energized. And I think the album, to me, I can hear NYC.

So, is the different sound you guys exploring as artists, or just strictly not wanting to repeat previous works?

RB: I think yeah, any different sounds within this band just come from not making any rules about what we’re going to sound like. I think sitting in a room creating something, there are no borders, no walls. At the end of the song, sometimes you might listen back and go, “oh wow, that sounds kind of like a country song” which is really cool. We just really like to not have any rules. Every record keeps changing.  Then of course each guy in the band has gone though different things in his life since the last record, and I think that really shows in the albums.  We’re different guys than when we wrote Paralyzer, and different guys from when we wrote “One thing.” Each record is sort of where everyone sort of is at that time.

What’s the writing process like?

RB: Kind of a few different ways; sitting in a room in a circle banging things out. We’ve also sent ideas back and forth without being in the same room, kind of a fun way to use the new technology. You don’t even have to all be there.  Which is incredible. But we also like to go off to Canada, we’ll rent a cottage and go up there for a couple of weeks, do the writing process. It is nice to change it up and not make it too sort of, stale. You want to keep the creative juices flowing.

Do you guys head into the studio with specific singles on your minds? Or is it just a free flow of laying tracks down and whatever happens with them, happens?

RB: You never know. There’s definitely songs you hear that you think, ‘wow that could be a single” when I heard paralyzer, I felt like I just knew, this song is going to work. But at the same time, you can think that and be totally wrong. We’ve done that with a few songs, we were so sure were going to work, and they didn’t. There are so many factors into what’s going to be a hit. It’s the timing and some of the climate of the music at the time, and what some of the stations are playing at the time. We try to make every song good enough to be a potential single.  Of course there are some songs that stand out. 

As a band, what are you influenced by, and who are you in particular influenced by?

RB: Growing up for me in my house, I’m like Welch kid that moved to Canada. There was always Beetle’s playing in my house. Michael Jackson, as a little kid, was a big thing. As I got older I got into more rock music. It was a pretty musical family. And I think the Red Hot Chili peppers were a big influence for the band. We’re all just music fans, were always checking out new artists and stuff, getting inspired. So it’s great that it never ends, you’re sort of always being inspired. Even going back and listening to stuff that you forgot that you liked. You’re sort of always rediscovering things you used to love, and falling in love with them all over again, and then always discovering new stuff as well.

I end all my interviews in the same way… do you have any final words, or any messages for the fans?

RB: I guess, this new record, “Life Turns Electric,” if you haven’t heard it, just check it out. And if you hear about us coming to town, come out and see us. We’re an exciting time. It’s just a good time. We’re hoping we can see as many people as we can, and that as many people can listen to the songs we’re writing. And I would just say, check out “Life turns electric.”

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I was able to attend the Finger Eleven, Papa Roach show at the Summit Music Hall in Denver shortly after this interview. Rich spoke so passionately about his band; I thought I would definitely be seeing the most epic of rock shows. Unfortunately, I was a bit disappointed. While Rich was enthusiastic and energetic, Lead singer, Scott Anderson, left much to be desired. His lack luster performance was actually kind of shocking to me. I’ve been to many a rock show in my day, and have never once seen any member of a band, let alone the lead singer, stay so completely static on stage. It was as if Scott had a red “X” marked on stage, that would cause his demise if strayed from. The crowd did however enjoy their set list, especially their oldies, but goodies, “Paralyzer” and “One Thing.” But it wasn’t until Papa Roach hit the stage that the crowd really livened up and started to rock.

Lead singer, Jacoby Shaddix, was on point to the fullest extent. His intense, rap-rock vocals and undying energy had the crowd pumped. Queue moshing! Their set was long, and flowed flawlessly, mixing fan favorites from early recordings, with new, instant classics, that seemed to have more of an edge than previous works. Papa Roach is such an entity on stage, their love for their music and fans shines through without a doubt.

~Kacy Norman

Theconcertscene.com