Online
interview with Jeff Schneeweis (Lead Vocals / Guitar) and Trevor Sellers
(Bass)
March 2004
Number One Gun
Dennis: A lot of people are gonna see this and say who in the world is
Number One Gun. So, in brief, tell us who, what, where and why.
NOG: Number One Gun is a Rock band from Chico, CA which is
near Sacramento in Northern California. The band is made up of Jeff Schneeweis
(lead vocals/guitar), Trevor Sellers (bass), Jordan Mallory (drums), and Chris
Keene (new on guitar/BGV's). We are just four guys who love playing music and
enjoy touring the US.
Nearly four years ago, Jordan and I had began to put together the band. We had
gone to High School together and started playing under the name "Paper
Trees," and had started to achieve some success locally which was
influenced by Pearl Jam & Guns and Roses. Meanwhile, Trevor played in
several local rock bands with former guitar player Ben Tietz who recently
departed from the band who had also attended our high school. Then, nearly two
years ago, a place for a bass player and guitarist opened up and the lineup and
the name were complete. With the demise of Paper Trees came the structuring of
our new band with new influences which we called Number One Gun. Early lineups
predicated the eventual blueprint that would define the band with new guitar
player Chris Keene who just joined the band. And that is how the band started.
Dennis: You guys are back home taking a break right now from a leg with the O.C.
Supertones and then next week will be out with John Rueben and Bleach then a
couple weeks with Side Walk Slam and then back with Bleach. You guys are staying
very busy right now with the release of your debut album. What are you guys most
looking forward to on the road and what will you miss the most while you are out
on the road?
NOG: Yes, we are very busy. I think we are most looking
forward to hanging out with our friends and fans on the road. All of these bands
have now become our good friends and we love the day to day talks with them or
playing Frisbee, or whatever. And every night we play shows together and I don't
think that anything can beat that.
Dennis: Your label sent me your debut album, Celebrate Mistakes, a few
weeks before it came out and I was very impressed. Your blend of modern rock
with a touch of emo was a refreshing style. I am usually the hard core fan and
this album doesn't fit that genre but I was even catching myself listening so
much I am singing along with many of the songs now. What is your musical
influence both lyrically and musically and how has it affected your styles?
NOG: Well, I can honestly say that there was no single
band that influenced us to write this album. I mean, we all listen to so many
different styles of music, it's hard to tell what is influencing us. I think
that we write what we want to hear.
Dennis: You guys seem to have been slotted into the Christian artist category
with the bands you are touring with but I have noticed almost a neutral setting
in some of the lyrics. How do you balance the ministry aspect with still enough
secular popularity to draw in those that need to be ministered too?
NOG: We really try to keep things well balanced by not
catering to one market or another. We just do everything fifty/fifty. I think
that it is kind of important to blur the lines of the Christian and Mainstream
markets.
Dennis: A lot of discussion goes on in our site dealing with the issue of
secular music. Our stance towards Christian teens has always been that they must
weigh whether the music is a positive or negative influence in their life. What
are your thoughts on the influence of secular music on Christian teens?
NOG: I think that is a defiant gray area but an important
one. My Opinion is that everyone needs to find what is best for them in their
own life and let God speak to them individually on that issue because there is
no formula that will work for every one.
Dennis: The album title is Celebrate Mistakes and I found on your site
that you guys said "Really it's all about humbling yourself, realizing our
humanity," What advice would you guys give to teens reading this interview
when they face those crazy mistakes we all make, both Christian and
Non-Christian?
NOG: Just that you are not going to be perfect and there
is no reason to try or act like you are perfect. I think that we need to learn
from our mistakes and move on and try not to make the same dumb choices next
time. And I know God has really shown me that in my life.
Dennis: What is been the toughest thing dealing with getting your big
break into the industry and if there was one thing you would have changed about
past band moves what would it be?
NOG: There haven't been very many tough things to deal
with since we've been signed. Everything's been pretty enjoyable, it's all been
a lot more fun than anything. As for moves we made as a band, there isn't
anything we could have done differently, just a lot of hard work and touring the
US hard will help anyone out.
Dennis: Not to overshadow the bands you have toured with or getting ready
to tour with....if you could name one band past or present to go on tour who
would it be and why?
NOG: That is a tough question, there are so many good
bands that we like and are good friends with. Last year we got to tour with
PAX217, Cool Hand Luke, Dogwood, Emery, Falling Up & The Benjamin Gate. And
touring last fall with Relient K & Anberlin on the West Coast was a blast. I
guess a band that we all admire is Hey Mercedes.
Dennis: This is your shot to plug away or let us know how this has been the best
interview you have ever done and www.wisemenpromotions.com is the greatest music
site ever..it is in your hands.
NOG: Until this interview I had never check out the
website before but upon viewing it I was very impressed by the diversity of your
reviews and interviews. It is nice to see a good online publication that mixes
things up a little. Thanks again for taking the time to do this interview and
hope that you have much success with the website for years to come.
Dennis: Always nice for you guys to suck up
to me haha. Thanks for the interview.