Interview with Ground’s Christopher Ryle

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By: Neon Blonde

November 9, 2002

Q:  Who were the members of Ground when formed in 1997?

  When we formed GROUND, the line up was: me (vocals), Jay Shannon (guitar), Billy Kovacsy (bass), and our drummer at the time was our good friend Scott Sullivan.

Q:  Who are the members now?

  When Scott left the band in the summer of 2001, we went on an extensive search for his replacement. We checked out many drummers and felt that Cameron White wasn't only the best for our music, but also the best for our chemistry. Being that he is also an old friend of ours didn't hurt our confidence in him either.  We have had the same band ever since.

Q:  Tell us about the new CD?

  T he new CD is a 5 song self titled EP that we recorded at Hot Trax studios in Garland back in July.  Chuck Frizell owner of Hot Trax and Jay produced it.  The original intention of recording the EP was for promotional purposes, but we got such a response from fans wanting copies that we finally said "fuck it, if they want it, let's give it to them" so we printed them up and sell them at the shows.  We are just ecstatic that there were enough fans out there enjoying our message enough to warrant us producing enough copies, so that they can have something to take home with them.

Q:  You guys have been described as “Powerful and intense”.  How would you describe the band?

  It's always tough to describe what we do.  I would describe us as a band that truly has fun.  We are all old friends in this band. We have known each other more then 10 years.  So if we look like we are having fun, we are.  It's genuine.  You can't fake it or everyone will know it.  Our music is very diverse.  We feel that we have something for everybody.  You have to see us to understand that we do nothing cliché.  There are no set crowd interactions.  Everything I say to a crowd live came right off of the top of my head, right then.  So many times I see local acts playing to a crowd of 50 people and acting like they’re playing the Cotton Bowl.  An audience will start tuning you out if you are not being sincere.  With all that said, I feel that the best way to describe us is "fun...and very spontaneous".  But "powerful and intense" sounds cool too.

  Q:  Tell the readers about some of your experiences (i.e. opening for any big name bands, etc.)

  An experience.  Hhmmm.  We were doing a little series of shows in Oklahoma earlier this summer, with a band from Lawton Oklahoma called Audkik.  So we did a Friday night in Lawton with them and after the show they came back to our hotel to hang out with us.  There were about 15 or so of us in there drinking it up and partying.  At about 6:30am all but one of them (Audkik and their friends) were already passed out, and the last guy (Provo-guitarist) said "man, I'm gonna have to throw in the towel.  I've got no more party in me".  So the next night (Saturday) we had to haul ass to Oklahoma City, for a show there, with Audkik.  We did our set and then Audkik went on.  Jeremy, their singer, came out and said about us "those guys aren't faking it.  They like a good party.  We partied all fucking night with GROUND and I mean ALL NIGHT".  Needless to say, they weren't too hip on the idea of another all-nighter. They went strait home and right to bed, but you would have never known they were tired coz they put on a badass show.

Q:  Who are some bands/artists that Ground has opened up for or that ya’ll have headlined for?

We haven't really opened for any big name bands, or anything like that.  But of local bands that we play with, or just appreciate, there is: Temper, Ventt, Big Iron, Nervewerks, Deaf Pedestrians, Sik, 4 Side Circle, Fair To Midland...etc.  We respect the shit out of these bands for not just being great musicians, but great friends as well.

Q:  How is the writing and recording process approached?

  The writing process in GROUND is one of two ways.  Typically I will write a song and lyrics on guitar and bring it to Jay.  Then Jay polishes up the music with the rest of the guys.  The other way is Jay will write music and record it for me.  I will then take it home and write my vocal lines and lyrics over it.  Then we will take it to practice and polish it up with everyone else.  As far as recording goes, we just show up and try to lay some magic down, without trying to force it.  Not too much prep work in recording for us.  Just know the songs and lay them down.

  Q:  On writing songs does everyone come to the table with ideas and material or is it just one person who does all of the writing?

  Jay and I do all the writing, but Billy and Cameron can and will give us their input.  That's pretty much what makes a GROUND song.

  Q:  Where do you guys rehearse and record?  Is it here locally?

  We rehearse at The Jam Station in Plano.  We record at Hot Trax in Garland.

  Q:  Who are some of your influences?

  I can't speak for the rest of the guys, but my influences are pretty diverse.  I grew up on Klaus Meine (Scorpions), Robert Plant, Freddy Mercury, and then of bands over the last 10 years or so I've become a fan of Alice In Chains, Stone Temple Pilots, Foo Fighters.

  Q:  The band was started in 1997.  Five years is a pretty long time to still be rockin’ with the music scene being like it is.  What do you attribute Ground’s staying power?

I attribute our staying power to the fact that we are very very very good friends.  We honestly have a great deal of respect and love for one another.  Every show, rehearsal, studio session are chances that we get to spend with our brothers.  This is truly what we love to do.  Very little of it is business to us and I believe the fans appreciate that.  I wouldn't feel comfortable giving them anything else.

  Q:  Do you guys have fans outside the states?

  We haven't done anything outside of the states as of yet, but we're growing.

  Q:  Why do you think rock/heavy metal is so popular in Europe and South America?

  I feel that Rock is a universally good feeling that you can't help but appreciate.  It's like in 1989 when that Russian band "Gorky Park" came out.  I was a fan of their m usic.  They did it well, and you could tell that they had the same bug in them that American bands have.  The fans are all the same.  They all want to let it out to some loud music and be something that they probably can't be all the time.

  Q:  How long was the process from start to finish on the new CD?

  The new CD took about 2 months.  We are still toying around with the art work.

Q:  Are you guys on a label or are you self-produced?

  We are self-produced, but we are also currently looking for management.  So if we find the right person or team of people that are willing to share our vision and message, and help us get it out to more listeners, then maybe all of that will change.

  Q:  Who are some local bands ya’ll have shared the stage with?

  I mentioned some earlier.  I'll just mention them again: Temper, Ventt, Big Iron, Nervewerks, Deaf Pedestrians, Sik, 4 Side Circle, Fair To Midland.

  Q:  How long have you been singing?

  I started singing at a real young age.  I come from a long family tradition of musicians, so the influence was always there.  I thought when I was younger that everyone's parents had band practice in their house.  But my first band I sang for was when I was 13.  I was in a little Junior High band called Diversion.

Q:  Did you have any kind of vocal training?

  I trained in school a little, and some one on one training off and on.  I find the best instructor is a collection of records and time to sit and hammer it out.  All the training in the world won't save a song if you don't really feel what you are singing.

  Q:  Have you been in any other bands besides Ground?

  I was in Neon Jungle, which was Jay, Billy, myself and Russ Dignam (current drummer for the Deaf Pedestrians).  I was in bands called Child's Play, Hired Gun, Bone Circus, Top Sawyer and some others I'm probably not thinking of at the moment. All of which were necessary for my development.

Q:  What do you think of the local clubs, fan turn out, are the clubs packed out or sparse?

  I feel that the local scene would be better if the local radio stations would devote a little more time to local bands other then late Sunday nights, when only their close friends are listening.  It's hard to develop a decent fan base when all you do is play local clubs to people who have never heard of you before.  Rock clubs shut down all the time because they don't promote.  It's a catch-22.  But until some innovative new club owner comes in and changes things, it's all we have.  Crowd sizes always vary.  You're up against the elements:  Weather, what once in a lifetime thing is going on at that moment, or just how far word of mouth stretched that day.

  Q:  Will you go on any kind of tour to promote the new CD?

  We won't tour to promote the CD, but we will sell it at any shows we do.  We don't need a reason to tour.  Shit, we'll do that just for the fun of it.

  Q:  What do you guys like to do for fun?

  For fun, I like to follow my favorite team in the whole world, THE DALLAS MAVERICKS.  I also like to read (preferably books about culinary arts or politics).  Outside of the band, I'm a lazy bastard.  I like to rent movies or go catch one of my friend’s bands or something like that.

  Q:  What would you like for people to get from your music?

  If some one is going to get something in particular out of our music, I hope it's a good time.  All I ever tried to do with one of our songs is make it catchy and something that will stay in their head.  GROUND is not setting out to reinvent the wheel, just make some good songs that people will enjoy.  I want people to go "hey, it's Saturday night.  The beer is cold.  Ground is on stage.  This is exactly where I want to be right now".  There really is no hidden message in our songs, other then "hey, have a good time".  It's only rock-n-roll, but I like it.... sorry, I couldn't resist.

  Q:  How would you describe your local fan base?  Male or female?

  I would say that we have a pretty fair mix of men and women in our fan base.  We do our damndest to have a little something for everybody.  We've been very fortunate to not be typecast so far.
 

  Q:  How did you find out about my page?

  Actually you found me through Dallas Entertainment net, when we were featured band of the month or something; but I'm real glad you did because you have a kick ass site.  I've had a lot of fun with it.  It's real nice to know that there are people out there who respect what local musicians are trying to do enough to help us spread the word.  For that GROUND says "Thank You" Neon Blonde:>)

  Well Christopher this has been great!  Anything you wanna say, the floor is yours!

       All I want to use the floor for is to say: If you haven't been to a GROUND show then you need to come and see what the buzz is for yourself.  We really do enjoy what we do and make it fun for everyone. You'll see:>)


Thanks Neon Blonde,
Christopher Ryle

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