THIRD EYE BLIND
I scratch my head and yawn. I look to my left and there is a guy in a suit. I look to my right and this guy in a suit just hands me a drink from Starbucks. I hate Starbucks. What the heck is a double light mocha with caramel anyway? This is supposed to be cool? I look straight up. Tony Fredianelli, the guitarist for one of the best bands of all-time, Third Eye Blind, is going to do this interview. Now THIS is rock n' roll! Read more...
Asif: Movies! The new Ninja Turtles movie comes out today. I'm pretty stoked!! I know you are a fan of comedies. Do you have a favorite?
Tony: "Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny" – I don't care what the stupid critics say!
Asif: I haven't seen that one yet – I'll have to put it on my list of flicks to check out soon. So, I'm all about conspiracies myself. I know you don't think Oswalt shot JFK. What do you think happened? Have any thoughts on any other conspiracies?
Tony: It was a concerted effort – the CIA-Mob-Mossad. I don't believe that everything is a conspiracy. Just most things related to power and the continuance of keeping power in the hands of the few.
Asif: Hmm – cool dude! Speaking of cool, you recently teamed up with, and are a huge advocate for BurnLounge. For the fans out there that do not know what BurnLounge is, can you describe it a bit and tell them what part you have in it?
Tony: Burnlounge is cool because you can form your own record store. And you get kick backs in cash when you buy your own or sell music to others.
Asif: Sweet!
Tony: [The website is] www.burnloung.com/guitarherorecords . I haven't been as involved recently. I just think if you are your own band- and want to offer your music too others and get something back for it-instead of handing everything over to iTunes- check it out.
Asif: When you aren't on the road or recording, what do you like to do for fun?
Tony: Write music. Read. And read be a good father. 
Asif: Is there a song you love to play the most live?
Tony: (smiles) "Jumper" cause I get to take a solo!
Asif: Solos rule! Alright dude, you knew I was going to ask this question – and it is the question that Third Eye Blind fans worldwide are thinking about or wanting to ask you guys: What is the status of the band and when can we expect another Third Eye Blind album?
Tony: The completion of the new album remains in the hands of Stephan Jenkins. As most fans know- we have had enough songs for the album for some time. Arion- has chosen to take a holiday- of his own doing.. More than anyone I wish he would mend his fences and come back into the fold. I can't force it though- he is his own man.
Asif: Awesome! I'm sure fans everywhere are stoked for the new album. And Arion: come back home! You know, you guys have been such an inspiration to so many new artists (Quietdrive, Envy on the Coast, etc). How does that make you feel knowing that growing up you idolized bands like Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, and Elvis Costello…and now people idolize you guys?
Tony: Surreal! It's nice that people appreciate this band. Big or small, it's all about the love of the music and the communication with everyone that sets this music apart- on a gut level.
Asif: In one word, describe each of the guys in the band.
Tony:
Me- Monk
Stephan- Mind
Brad- Even
Arion- Lost child
Asif: Hmm…very cool! Alright, so personally what is the biggest difference for you– scene wise- in going from living in Las Vegas to San Diego, but recording up in San Francisco?
Tony: Vegas is like a 24-hour town. San Diego is the Land of the Surfers. And SF- The inside walls of a beautiful recording studio.
Asif: Are there any bands that you are listening to right now that you feel the rest of the world should know about?
Tony: I listen to classical music right now. Let's face it- it's the hardest shit and most beautiful melodically to listen to. Rock is on life support, I mean Wolfmother--Gardensound... where is the originality?
Asif: I agree dude. I don't get why everyone loves Wolfmother. You know, the past couple months I've done interview with Richard Patrick from Army of Anyone/Filter and Jacoby from Papa Roach and we were talking about the current state of rock music and the consensus was pretty much what your saying right now. I like the way you put that – that rock is on "life support". Why do you think that is though?
Tony: People don't value music the way they used to. They would rather play video games, be on the computer, etc. People are distracted in more ways than they used to be- plus- taking music for free makes it valueless. Spending that 12 bucks- was an investment--now there's a lot of thievery.
Asif: Man, I totally hear ya. Do you think the fact that the "emo" or "alt rock" scene being so huge has anything to do with it too?
Tony: It doesn't help. It also doesn't help that there's a serious lack of originality out there.
Asif: So, what do you think is the remedy man? What can rock music do to be dominant again?
Tony: New bands with new sounds need to breakthrough. It has to be less about the radio song and more about the mood of the record. Less about singles- more about the record.
Asif: Name the one thing you hate the most about the music industry.
Tony: Peoples preconceptions about fame. And how so few people in it are in it for the art- and are in it for the bullshit images.
Asif: (laughs) Dude, you just hit the nail on the coffin. I just go to shows and do this website and I totally know the "bullshit image" you are talking about. A bunch of posers are out there just for the notoriety, booze, and chicks. If you could say something to all the "fake rockers" out there, what would you say? 
Tony: It all comes down to the art. Do you got some? Formula music is dead. Long live the creative spirit. It's what keeps me and you from mega depression!
Asif: Damn! Beautifully said!
Tony: Keep it real!
PHOTOS: Courtesy of Tony Fredianelli & Third Eye Blind
