All Parallels

Splendid: Bands are often either likened to other bands, or dumped into a broad category (Emo, Hardcore etc.). Without using other bands or catch-all labels, how would you describe your band and the music you make to someone like, say, your grandmother, or your uncle, who not only doesn't know who Van Halen is, but wouldn't know what to make of a label like post-grunge-hard-rock?

Adam: It's funny, because you say that elders don't understand what these new genre categories mean... I barely understand what they mean! I would have to describe our music as just honest rock 'n' roll that's a result of what the three of us grew up listening to. It's heavy and loud, but at the same time thought-provoking and controversial.

Splendid: Where does the name All Parallels comes from? What does it mean?

Adam: When we started the band, we really had no name and couldn't come up with anything. If I remember correctly, Larry just blurted out "All Parallels" one day. We were like, "That's the name!" It's just a reflection of the way we live musically. We don't limit ourselves to one style. We are willing to throw in any influence and nuance of any genre.

Splendid: I have yet to see you guys live, but I've read that your live shows are pretty insane. Describe for us what an All Parallels show is like and why it's different/better than your average run of the mill band.

Adam: Our live shows are where we shine. We're very happy with the CD (Formulate A Tragedy) and our fans seem to be, too, but once you see us live, you get what we're trying to accomplish. We've had people who may not have been too into it and then came to a show and are now our biggest fans. We just pride ourselves on no preplanning and no choreography. We do preplan our set lists, but as far as what happens while we're playing, it's pure improvisation. We have a blast just going all out and sweating and breathing the music. It's really therapeutic. Ant's a fucking maniac.

Splendid: I've always had an affection for what I like to call "thinking man's metal". You guys definitely fall into that category because your songs and musicianship are classy without being a jerk-off, like, say, Joe Satriani. You also don't go in for the typical cheesy metal lyrics. Do you think that's a fair characterization? Are you consciously making an effort to avoid cliché?

Adam: That's definitely a fair characterization. We aim to write good songs that aren't just a bunch of riffs mashed together. We are completely influenced and inspired by some of music's best songwriters, who are not in metal and hard rock. We look to them for inspiration, just like we do our heavier influences. Larry's lyrics are straight-up honest and what goes through his mind. He has a very unique way with words. If you add that to three dudes who have lived and breathed their instruments since 1990, you get, I guess, what you call "Thinking man's metal". I dig it.

Splendid: A lot of bands not only define themselves by what they like, but also by what they don't like. What kinds of music do you dislike, and why?

Adam: I can't really speak for Larry and Anthony on this one, but I pretty much like most styles of music. I don't listen to everything, like, say, country pop, but whatever, man -- if they wanna do their thing, let 'em do it. There are some newer bands that I am not that into. I am very fortunate for the time period I grew up in. The music was great and still is timeless. Now there seems to be too much focus on haircuts and makeup. They're all gonna be embarrassed in 2015.

Splendid: Hard rock/heavy metal was in its heyday back in the eighties, when bands like Van Halen, Motley Crue and others ruled the radio and MTV scenes. Then there was a splintering -- the glam bands came to the forefront, peaked then faded, then grunge came along. What's the future for hard rock? Will it ever rule the world again?

Adam: Just like I said in the previous answer, there seem to be a lot of glam bands right now. I think hard rock has always ruled the world and always will. It never went anywhere and never will. It's up to the bands and the fans to keep it real. It's a shame these days when you see people wearing Van Halen or Motley Crue shirts they just bought from Hot Topic and are wearing as kind of a joke. These people probably think Cheap Trick is an inexpensive hooker and that Cliff Burton made snowboards.

Splendid: You're going to be touring this summer, right? Where are you going? Who will you be playing with?

Adam: Our 2005 summer tour was originally longer than it is now. Due to some misunderstandings it is now shortened, but it starts on the west coast and goes through every major city north, south, east and west. We are playing with three other bands, all from different states. I believe the bands are Classic Crime, Hate to Have to go Back, and A Step Behind.

Splendid: Europe seems to have far more dedicated fans, especially when it comes to hard rock and metal. I know some older acts are touring Eastern Europe and killing it. Have you had any European vacations or do you plan to?

Adam: All Parallels has not been to Europe yet, but we would love to go and rip it up there. I definitely know that the dedication of the fans over there is way cool. I guess they value the music more than the "scene".

Splendid: One of you went to Berklee (Larry I think?), but you've all been playing since you were in high school. Did Larry's education at Berklee inform or change what you guys were doing in any way?

Adam: Actually, I went to Berklee. Larry and Anthony have strong musical training and backgrounds. I think Ant spent some time at percussion school in LA. My Berklee education has influenced the band more on the business side of things as far as dealing with record labels and lawyers. I don't really bring the technical theory shit in to our playing and writing process. Music has no rules and no note or chord should be questioned in this group. If it sounds good and feels good, let's do it.

Splendid: You guys were involved in the Boston scene for a while but moved back to Jersey. Why?

Adam: While I was living in Boston and attending Berklee, Larry and I started flirting with the idea of starting up a band again. We'd had a band several years earlier. He was still in NJ and Anthony was living in LA. We started writing songs over the phone and decided Larry should move up to Boston so we could get established. In the meantime I was getting in with other bands and clubs, just checking out the whole vibe up there. I also got a practice space in the same building our studio is in, which helped out a lot. Fast-forward a year or two and all three of us were living in Boston doing gigs back and forth between there and New York City. We put out two EPs on our own and our NY shows were kicking major ass. We then were offered our deal with On the Rise Records, which is based out of NJ, and being that NJ is really our home, we said fuck it and just came back to our roots. It was a good feeling, being that I was residing in Boston for the better part of a decade. We still play Boston as often as we can.

Splendid: Your lyrics are pretty dark. In general the world as described by All Parallels seems to be one of depredation and despair. Is that really the world you guys live in?

Adam: Larry is the man behind the lyrics. I'd love for him to answer this question, but he's actually out finishing up the shooting of our video for "Lousy Reasons". I'd say the lyrics are honest. Larry is a unique individual with unique thoughts and visions. Putting these words to music is definitely a sanctuary for Laurence.

Splendid: If you could go back and do one thing over in the history of All Parallels what would it be and why?

Adam: We love the recording process. I would spend most of my time recording if I could. We get along so well with our engineer/producer team of Nick Zampiello and Marc Schleicher. They are like two other members of the band. The recording of Formulate A Tragedy was just a great experience, and ridiculously fun, too. We went up to Boston to record at New Alliance Studios and just had a blast taking these songs that we had only played live at rehearsal and creating tangible recordings of them. That feeling of going in the control room and listening back to your creation is one of the most satisfying feelings. I would relive that period in time if I could go back.

Splendid: Your dream tour has you headlining. Who are your opening bands? Why?

Adam: My dream tour would definitely not have us headlining because the bands we would be playing with are Gods. A tour with Megadeth, Metallica, Faith No More, and Alice In Chains would be nice. Unfortunately, FNM and AIC are defunct. These are all bands that have paved the way for bands like All Parallels and I also happen to love their music and live show. Foo Fighters, Deftones, and Cave In would be cool, too.

Splendid: What CDs do you guys listen to when you're on the road?

Adam: Wow, we listen to such a wide range of music. We'll go from Pantera to Interpol to Elvis to Tribe Called Quest to Jeff Buckley to Mars Volta to Motley Crüe to Phil Collins to Soundgarden... get the picture? Phil Collins is a band favorite.

Splendid: Are there any other questions you'd like to answer that I didn't ask?

Adam: I guess a question about new material from All Parallels. We have a ton of new songs that are being sifted through as we speak to make the cut for the next record. You can expect new sounds, better and different songs and just honest rock 'n' roll.

Splendid: Is there anything else you'd like Splendid's readers to know about All Parallels?

Adam: Anyone reading this can find more info on All Parallels at www.allparallels.com. Listen to the music check out a show. You will dig it. Thank you Splendid!

-- Sean Sullivan