Flat Dark Earth

Who’s Flat Dark Earth? How you guys all met?

Flat Dark Earth started with Cliff Wagner (vocals) and Kyle Lemery (drums). They are old friends and were in a band in early 2000 together. In late 2009 Cliff approached Kyle and said “I want to make music again and I want you as my drummer”. Kyle agreed and they started hunting for other members. Justin Brill (lead guitar) was introduced to the band from a friend of Cliff’s. Justin went through a rigorous interview with Cliff and Kyle. After the long interview and Justin not getting up and leaving they knew he was in it for the long haul. All three had never worked with 2 guitars in a band before so they wanted to try it so they were looking for a second guitarist and a bass player. An old friend of Kyle and Cliff’s said he would fill in until they found another full time bass player. Geeshik Borgenhagen (fill in bass) ended up recording their first demo as FDE’s bass player. In December 2010 Scott Engel (rhythm guitar) was found and added. They had a few bass players come and go in the time they have been together. They are currently working with a new bass player named Corey Fritschka. Nothing is official on this as of right now but things are looking very promising.

What’s the meaning behind the band’s name?

When we started we didn’t know what to call this project. We couldn’t settle on a name that everyone liked. One day Cliff was reading an article and he saw Flat Dark Earth. It is the tan color that they paint military vehicles when they are going overseas to go to war. Cliff liked the idea behind it and showed it to the guys. Seeing how most of the lyrics are written about how Cliff deals with his anxiety and depression due to P.T.S.D. it seemed way to perfect. After doing some more research we found no other band was using the name so we went with it.

How was it to performed with Korn?

It was a dream come true. Korn was a band that influenced and changed music and we were honored to play with them. Everyone used to listen to Korn back in the 90′s and to be in a band that gets the chance to play with them was something we never thought would happen. Unfortunately due to the venue we never got a chance to sit down and talk with them but it was still awesome to be able to play in support of their tour non the less. To say you played with Korn (either directly or indirectly) is still an eye opener for anyone that hears it.

What are your music influences?

Everyone in the band has different influences when it comes to music. All together the influences are Pantera, Demon Hunter, Chevelle, Slipknot, Stone Sour, All That Remains, As I Lay Dying, Evans Blue, Say Anything, I Am Ghost, Korn, Seether…ect. The list goes on and on. We love music and we love trying new things with all of our music that we make.

Memoirs of Pain and Anguish. How was the recording and writing process for this album? How you guys came out with the title?

Memoirs of Pain and Anguish was a process that evolved from day one. Trapped (#2 on the CD) was the first song we wrote. It was a building block for the rest of the album. As we wrote the music we wanted to make sure none of the songs sounded the same. So as we progressed with writing we keep changing and growing. Recording couldn’t have been any better. We worked with Jay Vissor at Sixsound Studios in Sheboygan, WI. Jay Vissor was in the process of getting his own band (Morbid Saint) back up and running. During that process he took a lot (and we mean A LOT) of his free time to record, mix and master our entire CD. It was the most relaxed recording process any of us have ever done. Jay was absolutely awesome to work with. The title was Cliff’s idea. He was taking a look back at what all the song lyrics meant to him and what each song in particular meant. He figured out the title by spending 3 days looking at all the songs and he felt it was like looking back at a different persons life. It was things that he went through and moved on from hence the word memoirs. The pain and anguish part was all of the time and energy it took to make it through all of these steps in his life thus far. There was a lot of emotion in the lyrics that he needed to get out and move on from.

Can you give us an insight about the your upcoming new album?

The new album is still in the very early stages. We think the new album will help establish a sound all our own but still keep our influences apparent. The new album is heading in a slight darker direction, but as you can hear on our first album that can, and more than likely will, change from song to song.

What has been the funniest moment you guys have been or took part in while touring?

We were playing the Mississippi River Music Festive in Belleville IL in 2011. We rented a hotel room with 2 beds. Well, first off we were a little crowded with one of us on the floor (Scott). Cliff and Kyle were sharing one of the beds and kyle fell asleep first. Cliff got into bed later that night and Kyle rolled over and tried to spoon with Cliff. Kyle was in a deep sleep and thought Cliff was his wife. Cliff tried to wake Kyle up and said, “Dude roll over I am not Amy”. Kyle woke up the next day and never remembered it happening. .

Are there any more plans for the future?

The future of Flat Dark Earth is not completely decided by us. We can only work and push so far. After that it is up to the fans to decide if we rise or fall. We have a great fan base in some areas but people are just not open to music that is not over played on the radio. We feel the more you hear us the more you can understand and like our music. However, if you never give us a chance that will obviously never happen. Our future has and always will rest in the hands of people outside of Flat Dark Earth.

What’s the message you guys are looking to spread with your music?

When we first started writing music our message was simple. Support our troops and show them that they are not alone with their struggles. Flat Dark Earth has always supported the troops and always will. That message has not changed and we feel it never will. However, we have brought that same idea to people outside of the military as well. We are writing for the masses so anyone can relate to something we create not JUST soldiers. FDE as a whole, or as individuals, have dealt with struggles that we feel are very relate-able, and we want people to understand that they are not alone in this world.

Do you guys feel you are moving in the right direction?

Yes. We are moving in a direction that making all of us very happy. Our music (creating and playing) is our outlet for life. It is like living a dream for us and that is the only direction we want our music to continue to go. Once it is not fun anymore we wont do it anymore.

Check out more at: http://www.reverbnation.com/flatdarkearth

Who’s Flat Dark Earth? How you guys all met?

Flat Dark Earth started with Cliff Wagner (vocals) and Kyle Lemery (drums). They are old friends and were in a band in early 2000 together. In late 2009 Cliff approached Kyle and said “I want to make music again and I want you as my drummer”. Kyle agreed and they started hunting for other members. Justin Brill (lead guitar) was introduced to the band from a friend of Cliff’s. Justin went through a rigorous interview with Cliff and Kyle. After the long interview and Justin not getting up and leaving they knew he was in it for the long haul. All three had never worked with 2 guitars in a band before so they wanted to try it so they were looking for a second guitarist and a bass player. An old friend of Kyle and Cliff’s said he would fill in until they found another full time bass player. Geeshik Borgenhagen (fill in bass) ended up recording their first demo as FDE’s bass player. In December 2010 Scott Engel (rhythm guitar) was found and added. They had a few bass players come and go in the time they have been together. They are currently working with a new bass player named Corey Fritschka. Nothing is official on this as of right now but things are looking very promising.

What’s the meaning behind the band’s name?

When we started we didn’t know what to call this project. We couldn’t settle on a name that everyone liked. One day Cliff was reading an article and he saw Flat Dark Earth. It is the tan color that they paint military vehicles when they are going overseas to go to war. Cliff liked the idea behind it and showed it to the guys. Seeing how most of the lyrics are written about how Cliff deals with his anxiety and depression due to P.T.S.D. it seemed way to perfect. After doing some more research we found no other band was using the name so we went with it.

How was it to performed with Korn?

It was a dream come true. Korn was a band that influenced and changed music and we were honored to play with them. Everyone used to listen to Korn back in the 90′s and to be in a band that  gets the chance to play with them was something we never thought would happen. Unfortunately due to the venue we never got a chance to sit down and talk with them but it was still awesome to be able to play in support of their tour non the less. To say you played with Korn (either directly or indirectly) is still an eye opener for anyone that hears it.

What are your music influences?

Everyone in the band has different influences when it comes to music. All together the influences are Pantera, Demon Hunter, Chevelle, Slipknot, Stone Sour, All That Remains, As I Lay Dying, Evans Blue, Say Anything, I Am Ghost, Korn, Seether…ect. The list goes on and on. We love music and we love trying new things with all of our music that we make.

Memoirs of Pain and Anguish. How was the recording and writing process for this album? How you guys came out with the title?

Memoirs of Pain and Anguish was a process that evolved from day one. Trapped (#2 on the CD) was the first song we wrote. It was a building block for the rest of the album. As we wrote the music we wanted to make sure none of the songs sounded the same. So as we progressed with writing we keep changing and growing. Recording couldn’t have been any better. We worked with Jay Vissor at Sixsound Studios in Sheboygan, WI. Jay Vissor was in the process of getting his own band (Morbid Saint) back up and running. During that process he took a lot (and we mean A LOT) of his free time to record, mix and master our entire CD. It was the most relaxed recording process any of us have ever done. Jay was absolutely awesome to work with. The title was Cliff’s idea. He was taking a look back at what all the song lyrics meant to him and what each song in particular meant. He figured out the title by spending 3 days looking at all the songs and he felt it was like looking back at a different persons life. It was things that he went through and moved on from hence the word memoirs. The pain and anguish part was all of the time and energy it took to make it through all of these steps in his life thus far. There was a lot of emotion in the lyrics that he needed to get out and move on from.

Can you give us an insight about the your upcoming new album?

The new album is still in the very early stages. We think the new album will help establish a sound all our own but still keep our influences apparent. The new album is heading in a slight darker direction, but as you can hear on our first album that can, and more than likely will, change from song to song.

What has been the funniest moment you guys have been or took part in while touring?

We were playing the Mississippi River Music Festive in Belleville IL in 2011. We rented a hotel room with 2 beds. Well, first off we were a little crowded with one of us on the floor (Scott). Cliff and Kyle were sharing one of the beds and kyle fell asleep first. Cliff got into bed later that night and Kyle rolled over and tried to spoon with Cliff. Kyle was in a deep sleep and thought Cliff was his wife. Cliff tried to wake Kyle up and said, “Dude roll over I am not Amy”. Kyle woke up the next day and never remembered it happening. .

Are there any more plans for the future?

The future of Flat Dark Earth is not completely decided by us. We can only work and push so far. After that it is up to the fans to decide if we rise or fall. We have a great fan base in some areas but people are just not open to music that is not over played on the radio. We feel the more you hear us the more you can understand and like our music. However, if you never give us a chance that will obviously never happen. Our future has and always will rest in the hands of people outside of Flat Dark Earth.

What’s the message you guys are looking to spread with your music?

When we first started writing music our message was simple. Support our troops and show them that they are not alone with their struggles. Flat Dark Earth has always supported the troops and always will. That message has not changed and we feel it never will. However, we have brought that same idea to people outside of the military as well. We are writing for the masses so anyone can relate to something we create not JUST soldiers. FDE as a whole, or as individuals, have dealt with struggles that we feel are very relate-able, and we want people to understand that they are not alone in this world.

Do you guys feel you are moving in the right direction?

Yes. We are moving in a direction that making all of us very happy. Our music (creating and playing) is our outlet for life. It is like living a dream for us and that is the only direction we want our music to continue to go. Once it is not fun anymore we wont do it anymore.