Free Press: Who is Loki? What do you play?
J.T: I’m J.T. (Jon Taylor) and I am the lead singer. On guitar is Jonathan Boyer. Seth McClellen plays bass, and Adam Nichols smacks the drums.
FP: So just how long have you been a band?
J.T.: We started at the end of ’99, so 8 years, going on 9.
FP: That’s a long time for a band these days. So Loki began at USM. How did that happen?
J.T.: I met Jonathan in ’98 at USM. He was in a band called Dome from Boston. We became friends hanging at this place called the Poolhouse. It was pretty much a party house, but it was just off the Gorham campus so the security couldn’t do anything. It was just a lot of musicians, creative people, hanging out. People would get together and jam for the night. One of these nights Tyler Stanley, who plays keys in Sly-Chi was playing, I started singing, and Jon Boyer heard it. I guess he liked what he heard. Shortly after, Dome broke up, and we were like “lets get something going.”
FP: Did you find it easier being a band with ties to a university?
J.T.: Yes and no. We got a few more gigs I guess, but I ran GEB (Gorham Events Board) for a year so we played USM on and off. We did a music video with the GTV thing, but it really didn’t get really going until we were out. We did establish a lot of good relationships at USM though. We met a lot of good people through the music and theater departments, and I’m still a Delta Chi!
FP: Now I hate to do this to you but…Top 5 bands. GO!
J.T.: Oh man.The Doors, Incubus, Tool, Led Zeppelin, and ugh.Rage Against the Machine.
FP: Tell us a little about your past releases, you have three prior to the new EP, correct?
J.T.: Yeah. Our debut EP called “Finity” came out in 2001 and people seemed to like it. We liked the direction it was heading so we kept going and released our first full length “Born” in 2002 and then we started working with Jon Wyman (producer/engineer extraordinaire) for our follow up called “Firelight” in 2004.
FP: So the new EP, “No Disclaimers,” which you also did with Wyman, came out a few weeks ago. What’s different or better about the new stuff?
J.T.: Well, we called it No Disclaimers because we didn’t have to make any excuses for ourselves. It’s us without having to say “this is with our old bass player, blah, blah.” We felt we always had to give a disclaimer before showing anything to anyone. You know, we spent a lot of money, worked really hard, and tried to pick the 5 songs that best represented the “5 buckets of Loki,” as I called it. We’re really excited about it.
FP: What has the reaction been like so far?
J.T.: It’s been out for 9 weeks and it debuted as number 3 on the Top 10 local releases at Bull Moose. The last 9 weeks it has made an appearance on the top 10, so we can’t complain. So far, knock on wood, there’s been a positive reaction. You know, friends of ours in metal bands, who don’t even sound like us, have liked it so I think it has a genre-weaving ability. The guys at WCYY, like Mark Kurdo, have all been cool, and I think as long as we can spread the Loki fever, the more positive responses we’ll have.
FP: Any comments on the local music scene as of late?
J.T.: With our style it’s a little tougher. We’re not as poppy as some bands but we’re not as hard as certain bands, so we’re sort of the fat kid trying to buy jeans; we’re just in between sizes. I think we’ve helped to close down more clubs in Portland than have opened. Haha. I think there’s been about 12 to 15 clubs in Portland that have closed since we started playing. But seriously, I think that there’s a lot of talent, along with more bands realizing that it makes sense to work together. A lot of the pettiness that used to exist is gone, and I think people are realizing that gaining allies is better.
FP: What is the most difficult thing about being in a band?
J.T.: Time. People don’t realize how much time it really is. It’s the same as having a 2nd job and 2nd girlfriend but with no pay and no sex. Ha. But no, if you stay committed, then you do it all the time. You know, with having jobs, wives, kids.if we didn’t love it, we wouldn’t do it.
FP: So the band is named after the Norse god of mischief and change.how did you come up with that?
J.T.: Well I was taking this psychology class at USM, and we were talking about this thing called the Message of Loki. It pretty much outlines how all adolescent males go through a state of rebellion. I thought it was something that people could relate to, so I researched it and liked what I found.
FP: Any advice for people starting bands?
J.T.: I would say.make sure you know the people that you’re starting it with. You have to make sure everyone’s personalities work together. It’s like having 3 more girlfriends. Also, you have to listen to your gut. If things aren’t jiving and you don’t listen to your gut, then you waste time with members and shows. You can save yourself a lot of time by listening to your gut.
Pick up a copy of Loki’s new EP “No Disclaimers” at any Bull Moose Music locations or go to www.myspace.com/lokiband for news and upcoming shows!