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Part One: The Life and Times [That's the joy of being Eric Quillington; I get to make it up as I go along, and people misinterpret my acts as ones of genius] ‘He’s mad’. These two words flew through my head repeatedly during my interview with Eric Quillington. With his rambling way of speech, to his constant motion around the room, it's a surprise he's not in a mental institution. Being in a room with this man is akin to the experience of trying to engage in a meaningful conversation with a fly.
So, why should we even pay attention to the ramblings of a crackpot? Because he's the frontman of Infinite. Throughout the trio's career, there has always been a large amount of attention placed on Mr. Quillington, and for good reason. It'd be a tough job to find someone with such an entertainingly extravagent personal life, which is our primary topic for the first part of our interview.
You’re currently on Miss Vanity’s tour as a solo support act, and as the headliner of the ‘Not Another US Tour’ with Infinite. How different are the two experiences?
"Like night and day. With the US Tour, I’m kind of the top dog, the head honcho. I don’t even know if people use those expressions anymore, but I digress. People are kind of at the shows to see Infinite, y’know? It’s a bloody egotistical thing to be admitting, but it’s true. The fans there are our people, and it’s amazing to have such a following in the States. It's the first time we've ever headlined anything important, and it was such an honor to be trusted with that position. I think Katie Coyle’s act has been my favorite part of the show so far; she’s such a shy girl, but puts on one hell of a performance. Oh, the things I would do if I wasn't sure whether or not she's underage...
Being on the 'Welcome to Hell' tour, though... just a different story altogether. No matter how big you think you are, how popular; you'll never compare to Miss Vanity. She's just one person, and she's playing in front of millions this summer. It's a massive, massive tour; fantastic stage designes, seemingly hundreds of stage dancers. And how the hell am I supposed to compete with that? I'm just a quiet little nerd, softly signing acoustic songs about aliens and black holes, while she's busting out Michael Jackson moves onstage. It's a great thing to be a part of; she's a proper solo act, probably the best in the world. I just hope her fans liked me."
Does Infinite have any plans for touring after the ‘Not Another US Tour’ is completed?
"Yes, sir. We’ll be embarking on our first major world tour. Stadiums, strobe lights, travelling to gigs in a jet; it’ll be the shit. What’s really cool about it, though, is how we’re going to present ourselves and the music. Most of the dates will just be your average arena rock show. But, we’re going to have a two-week stint with a more classical influence. To be more specific, we’ll be playing with a full-blown orchestra. It’s the only way some of the songs off our new album, like ‘Faust’, will really get the treatment it deserves.
The idea was kinda planted in my head when talking with Jason Smith about our new album. As most of you know, he was the producer, so he was the go-to guy for any ideas I had. And, y’know, the album’s bloody complex, so it’d be difficult to pull off a majority of the songs in a live setting. I was complaining about this to Jason, and he was just like, “Bring a fuckin’ string ensemble, then.” He was being a bit sarcastic, I know. But, it’d work.
Those dates will have us playing the entirety of Insomnia, from the opening track to the [as of yet unreleased] ‘Phase 3’. It’ll be spectacular, and I’m so excited to playing them. They’ll be the best ten gigs of Infinite’s career, I’m sure of it."
Despite being announced months ago, there is still no release date on the album ‘Dividing Divinity’. What’s the status on project?
"It’s still happening. We’ve actually finished a majority of the songs, but we’re just waiting for a later release-date. With him sending out ‘Still Waters’, and Infinite currently releasing ‘Insomnia’… it seemed stupid of us to promote both our own separate album along with Project; Prometheus’. We’re kind of casual about the release date, but a mid-summer kind of deal would be perfect.
I’m really looking forward to seeing people’s reactions to it. The songs on there are unlike anything I’ve done with Infinite, or anything he’s done with Mind. Just the most eccentric and experimental songs imaginable. Him and I have always had egotistical sides to us, so this was the perfect chance we had to indulge ourselves by making the most overblown shit imaginable. And I loved every second of making it.
All in all, it’s just been a joy to work with him. The man’s a fuckin’ musical genius, and I hope my own mediocracy doesn't overshadow that fact when our fans are finally able to hear the record."
You’ve recently announced via Twitter your intentions to start a ‘new project’ with several collaborators. Care to go into detail?
"Something of a solo EP. I've got this contract with Studio60, and I've done fuck all with it so far. So, I figured that now was as good of a time as any. I geniunely have no idea what it'll sound like, but I do want it to be a bit more electronic and dub-step then what I've done with Infinite. I also don't really have a clue about who'll be on record, except for Scott Armstrong from Cartographer being involved in some way.
As I said, it's just a spur-of-the-moment thing, but I'm excited to being developing ideas for it after all the hoobla for 'Insomnia' dies down. Will it be an ambient, experimental EP? A back-to-roots alternative rock album in the vein of 'Blue Nebula'? Fucked if I know, but that's the joy of being Eric Quillington; I get to make it up as I go along, and people misinterpret my acts as ones of genius."
With such a busy future ahead, does this mean Infinite is finished?
"‘Course not. It’s actually pretty funny just how many times I get asked that question. I mean, yeah, sure… Matt’s punched me in the face when he learned I’ve stolen his stash of drugs for the umpteenth time. And I’ve slept with Greg’s sister behind his back. But that’s just normal human behavior, right…?
There has been numerous accounts of fighting amongst the three of us, can’t really deny that. I almost feel like it’s all my fault, too. I’m very much aware of the fact that I’m a difficult person to work with. Or to just even know, for that matter. I can disappear for weeks on end, to just go seeking inspiration. Be it in the form of a drug binge or a two-week stay at Abbey Road with Jason Smith, these experiences shape my creativity. Of course, they also make me the most irresponsible little fucker on the planet. I'd be a homeless bum if it weren't for Infinite. Of course, being in such a world-renowned band doesn't prevent me from making stupid decisions...
Take, for example, the recording sessions of Insomnia. I'd get burned out by the long-hours, so one weekend I went to a club. Woke up with a dead hooker next to me."
A dead hooker?
"Well, not a dead hooker. Just a notebook full of lyrics I’d written down while drunk. A hooker and Infinite songs are both just as unattractive and vile, though, right?"
What do you like to do while off-stage?
"As I said earlier, I like to go off on crazy little adventures. But, when not doing that, I just sit at home and watch the television while I tug and pull. Haven’t really had a girlfriend for the past two years, which is bizarre for a rock star, but I’m just not the kind of guy who’s good with relationships. Even friendships, just ask Greg or Matt. I remember one time, when I didn't see the good ol' bassist for a couple months, the first thing I said to him was, 'Holy shit, you dyed your hair black!' He then had to explain to me for the next ten minutes how his hair was always black, while I was just going, "Nooooo, nooo! Stop fucking with me, you're joking!' To say I'm an observant and caring guy is a slight lie.
Why does everybody keep asking me what I do in my personal life, though? It's so unoriginal, just the whole 'Do you have a girlfriend' thing. Just for once, it'd be awesome to have an out-of-the-ordinary conversation with an interviewer."
.... you're a wizard, Harry.
"I... I'm a what?"
A wizard. And a thumpin' good one, I'd say. Once we train you up a bit.
"No, you've made a mistake. I mean, I can't be a... a wizard. I'm just Harry... just Harry."
Well, 'Just Harry'; did ya ever make anything happen? Anything you couldn't explain when you were nervous, or scared?
"....."
Let's get back to actually being normal people for a second; you've always professed to loving music. So, what bands or artists are you into these days?
"The Beatles, Radiohead, Mind, and Reckoner; four best bands in history, period. But, aside from them, Saburban Sunrise and Fathers of Fury have been the two established bands I've been digging recently. With most people shifting into solo careers these days, it's nice to see there are still some geniune rock-bands out there. Speaking of solo artists, I have to say that MattY and the aforementioned Miss Vanity are my two favorites. Plus, I'm working on a track for MattY's next album, so I know the kid pretty well. His next album is going to be fuckin' massive, I can already tell from what he's shown me so far.
Gears of Bremen, though, are the shit. I'm anticipating their EP like none other at the moment."
What's the top-played song on your iPod?
"Hmmm, it usually shifts. But, right now it's 'Armistice' by Phoenix. Fucking love French Bands."
Alright, one final question; you claim to have a strong desire to be something more than the typical 'Rock-Star' cliche, and yet you indulge yourself with drugs and sex, have fights with band-members, and are probably going to die at age 27. What do you have to say to defend yourself?
"Heh..."Edited by user 07 April 2011 05:34:07(UTC)
| Reason: Not specified |
Kid Anything- Indie/Britpop/Shoegaze; influenced by Sigur Ros, XXYYXX, Kanye West, Blur, Oasis (Bringing together an eclectic group of influences, Ulysses' songs are sung with carefree abandon by Nick Junk) Kurt Ulysses - Songwriter, Guitarist, Backup Vocalist Nick Junk - Vocals, Mojo Infinite- Alternative/Experimental Rock; influenced by Muse, Radiohead, and The Beatles (Known best for their experimental music and their frontman's eccentric behavior, the band disbanded after Eric Quillington's death to pursue solo careers or, in Matt Robert's case, peace of mind. Infinite released four albums over the course of their career; Blue Nebula, Midnight Skies, Insomnia, and Dancing about Architecture.) Eric Quillington (Deceased) - Lead Vocals, Lead Guitar, Piano, Primary Lyricist Matt Roberts - Bass Greg Oldson - Drums, Backup Vocals, Secondary Lyricist Amelia Florentine - Keyboards, Piano, Lyricist, Backup Vocals "When asked 'how do you write?' I invariably answer, 'one word at a time', and this answer is invariably dismissed. But that's all it is. It sounds too simple to be true, but consider the Great Wall of China, if you will: one stone at a time, man. That's all. One stone at a time. But I've read you can see that motherfucker from space without a telescope." - Stephen King |
