Interview with Andre Vanchot of X Factor X

By Neon Blonde

June 20, 2003

How long have you been involved in the music industry? 

X Factor X is my first real band and first real foray into the music biz…so basically I'm learning as I go along, and it's been a great trip so far!

Have you ever had vocal training or are you self-taught? 

No, no vocal training at all. I kind of just fell into this whole singing gig by accident. I've been into hard rock and metal since I was a kid, but I didn’t have any aspirations to be any sort of musician growing up. I went to art school and graduated with a degree in illustration and then the next thing I know I'm the lead singer in band w/these guys. Fate works in funny ways.

Do you play any instruments?  If so, which ones? 

I'm a frustrated guitar player, lol.  I started to mess around w/guitar in high school but I never really got good enough to go anywhere with it.  I still have my guitar, but I can't play anything worth listening to. John and Chris seem to disagree, but I think they're just being nice and don't want to hurt my feelings, lol.

Out of the four band members who are the principal songwriters or does everyone have a part in this process? 

We all contribute to the finished song…it's a cohesive process. Someone might come in with a riff, a melody, a verse/chorus arrangement, or a nearly finished song idea; but in the end we all add our parts and our individual personalities to the song that finally makes it whole and makes it ours.

How long has X Factor X been around? 

We started playing around our local area in late 1994. Our sets consisted of mostly covers (so we could get gigs and spark some interest)  w/some original tunes thrown in for good measure. In 1996 we recruited our former drummer Tony Mei, an old friend of mine from high school, and started concentrating on original material only. That's the day XFX was truly born. Since then we've played tons of shows in front of tons of people and have kept the XFX machine rolling forward.

How would you describe the scene in New England? 

I can’t speak for all of New England, but I can say that here in CT there's a large amount of vastly underrated and talented bands playing out all over the place…each one with it’s own unique style and sound. Hopefully the masses at large will one day discover what a great scene we having going on around here.

Do you guys mainly gig in the New England area or do you get to go other places? 

So far we've only played gigs in the New England area, but we're looking to change that and play out more places as soon as we can to as many people who want to see us.

Who are some of your influences vocally?  Musically? 

Vocally my favs are Steve Perry, Bruce Dickinson, Freddie Mercury, Paul Stanley, Geoff Tate, Ronnie James Dio and Michael Kiske. Musically I love KISS, Iron Maiden, Journey, Helloween, Queen, King Diamond, Queensryche, as well as a few others I'm sure I might be leaving out.

What do you have in your cd player right now? 

Helloween-Rabbit Don't Come Easy, Masterplan-s/t, Queensryche-Rage For Order, Anthrax-We've Come For You All

How do you feel the band, and you as the vocalist, have been received by your peers and the fans? 

We've gotten some great responses to our stuff since we've started out and it’s been truly gratifying to hear. We just do what we love to do and the fact that people dig it just proves to ourselves that we must be doing something right!

Tell us about how the studio recordings are going.  Are you guys finished? 

First of all I have to mention that working w/Mike Vescera is a blast. He's the nicest guy, funny as hell, and he's a great producer who really knows his stuff. I personally appreciate the fact that he, being a great vocalist, works and helps to get the best performance out of me every time. Thanks Mike! As far as the songs go, they're moving along at a steady pace. Right now all the drums, bass and rhythm tracks are finished. We're in the process of doing solos as well as my vocals. I can’t say with any certainty when exactly we'll be done (we're juggling w/15 songs) but I can tell you that so far it sounds KILLER!!!!

When can we expect the new cd? 

Hopefully late summer/early fall, but that's just an estimate. When it's done, it’s done. We don’t want to rush it, we want to make sure when it’s out its going to make people sit up and take notice! We want jaws to drop and ears to bleed!!!

How will the people be able to get the cd? 

Mike Vescera is going to try to land us some label backing which would broaden our distribution considerably so we'll see what develops. As always though we'll have our new CD (as well as our self-titled disc and KUVRS CD and other swag) available at our website, http://www.xfactorx.com

You bio says you’re a Sci-Fi/Horror enthusiast.  What are some of your favorite movies in that category? 

Other than the obvious (Star Wars trilogy) I love the Evil Dead trilogy of movies (Ash rules!) as well as the 1980 classic Flash Gordon. Bring me the bore worms.

Also it says your into comic books as well.  Tell us about that. 

I've been reading and collecting comics since I could remember…I love 'em! As a matter of fact the first book I learned to read with was a Batman golden book when I was about 4 years old or so. I feel that it's a classic American art form that can transcend the limits of the written page as well as the imagination. Even with that being said, my friends still don’t quite understand why I bought a life size Thor hammer or why there's a full size Captain America shield hanging on the wall in my living room…oh well.lol.  On another note, with all these new comic movies coming out (X-Men, Spider-Man, Hulk, etc..) I've been in a state of comic-geek bliss! Batman and Robin sucked ass though. Big time.

Tell me about your bike!  I really dig motorcycles! 

Well, I just started riding actually.  I credit my interest being directly influenced by the TV show American Chopper, as well as recommendations from my band mates and friends who also ride…John and Todd picked up bikes over a year ago and our old drummer Tony did as well. It's very relaxing…when I'm on it all my stress just disappears and all I feel is a rush of adrenaline and freedom.

Tell me about the cover band Kung Fu Grip. 

X Factor X has and always will be my #1 priority…KFG was just a vehicle to go out and have fun and make some easy money with some friends of mine. A cover band is a no-brainer, so we figured it's better than getting second jobs, ya know?

How long have you been in this band? 

I've been in KFG for about 4 years now. It's not a full-time thing, just a gig here and there every now and then on the weekend. Just your typical bar cover band.

What other bands have you been in besides XFX and KFG? 

The only other band I was in was my first one, called Deadline. We played only cover tunes and it lasted all of two high school talent shows as well as a bunch of band practices. It got me singing on a stage in front of people for the first time though!

I take it you’re a wild party man?!  I looked at the pixs on the KFG web site and read the Captain’s Corner…very interesting!!  LOL

I don't think I would classify myself as a wild party man, but I do enjoy having a fun time when the timing's right (or even when it's not right…I usually deal w/the repercussions later.lol). As for the Captain, I take no responsibility for his past actions, nor would he want me to. He is truly a man amongst men. LOL.

Do you remember what the first rock or metal concert was that you went to? 

The first rock concert I went to see was Bryan Adams back in 1985…but my first REAL concert was Ozzy on the Ultimate Sin tour with Metallica opening…back when Cliff Burton was still alive. That was an insane show!

Could I persuade you guys to come to Dallas? 

We're willing to go anywhere people are willing to see us play!

Thanks Andre for taking the time to do this interview!  The floor is yours if you would like to say anything to the people out there!  Take care and Keep Rockin’!!!

KEEP ROCKIN'!

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