Family Force 5

June 19, 2018 by  
Filed under Music Interviews

Family Force 5 - FF5

By Julie Cook Hess

I had the unique experience of interviewing guitarist Chap Stique a.k.a. Derek Mount of the unorthodox and fun band Family Force 5. This Atlanta group has accumulated quite a resume with performing on national television programs such as The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson and Attack of the Show on G4 as well as performing on The Warped Tour and The Cornerstone Festival’s main stage.

Mr. Stique gave some very amusing and detailed answers to my sometimes odd questions. If you ever have the chance to see them live, I highly recommend it. This has definitely been the most fun interview I’ve ever done. Continue reading for Chap’s deep thoughts on hairstyles, jerk bands and weight loss programs. 

JCH: You guys are from Georgia but, are you all Atlanta natives? Do you think you’ll always stay in the Atlanta area?
 
CS: Soul Glow (Solomon Olds), Crouton (Jacob Olds), and Fatty (Joshua Olds) are 100% true ATL  for life.  Nadaddy (Nathan Currin) was born in Helsinki, but has lived in the durrty south for about 15 years.  Chap Stique (Derek Mount) was born in the Soviet Union, but immigrated to Georgia roughly 10 years ago.  Xanadu does not have a birth certificate, but it is common lore that he was raised by a pack of wolves.  I don’t think we’ll leave any time soon, but we do love San Diego.
 
JCH: How did you guys get your big break?  What has your journey been like from the early days up until now?
 
CS: There’s an old story about a blues artist that suddenly had a lot of success.  A reporter asked him what it was like to be an overnight sensation, and he said, “Yeah, I was an overnight sensation, but the night was eight years long.”  
 
There was no event or moment that made Family Force 5 leap into the limelight.  Instead, we spent years playing our hearts out for sound-guys across the world.  Last year, we spent about 300 hundred days on the road sleeping in vans and floors, washing our hair in sinks.  This band literally played a club show for 2 people in Pennsylvania…and those 2 people got their money’s worth!  We have sacrificed time, energy, and even our relationships to see this thing happen, and this is the first time we’re seeing some of the fruits of our labor.
 
There have been countless stumbling blocks along the way, but Family Force 5 has persevered with faith to continue to create audio blogs, Really Real Shows, and over-the-top live shows for our fans.  We love this, and we love them. If we didn’t, we probably would have all died of heart attacks by now.
 
JCH: What has been your favorite performance to date?  What is your favorite Atlanta venue to perform at?
 
CS: One night, we played at a high school, and our green room belonged to the school’s drama department.  While we were changing, everybody looked around and wondered, “Wouldn’t it be incredible if Crouton wore that bear costume over there?”  Once we saw how amazing he looked dressed as a grizzly, we all followed suit and grabbed outfits of our own.  This trend became a habit with Family Force 5, and we started the tradition of raiding drama departments across the U.S.  Fans ogled when the saw Family Force 5 appear as train conductors, newsies, bandits, cats, mechanics, bumble bees, and biblical characters.  
 
By far the coolest night of our masquerade was the night we all dressed as neon pink, purple, yellow, green, and blue gorillas.  It’s not common for us to boast, but please see these pictures, and you will understand why we felt like the coolest band since Parliament.  
 
Our favorite Atlanta venue thus far has been the Roxy Theater.  We did our CD release there, and it was incredible to look out into the crowd, because every single person knew every single word.  Let’s face it, nobody knows how to have a dance party like the ATL.
 
JCH: I must ask about the song Kountry Gentleman. Did anyone in particular inspire this song? Where is the best place to spot the illustrious mullet? Since you guys have pretty much toured everywhere, have you found a “Mullet Capitol” yet?
 
CS: The song Kountry Gentleman is a song about fried chicken, Nascar, commemorative plates, and good ol’ fashioned rednecks.  It’s inspired by Scott Stapp and his tank tops.
 
I’d have to say that the best place to spot the mullet is in Mississippi, where the “Mississippi Waterfall” is still a value deal at Great Clips (#1, $11.99, lunch special drops at 2:00).  
 
But the Mullet Capitol of the world is definitely Spain.  Spanish people defy all the rules. Somehow, they wear mullets, yet they look hot!  I don’t know how they do it, but I guess it’s either the Euro-confidence or their slim physiques that make it work.
 
JCH: Were you guys sad that Billy Ray Cyrus no longer had his mullet on Dancing with the Stars? I’m sure it was a very sad day indeed when he chopped it off. What are your thoughts on ‘Emo hair’? Is that the mullet of the future?
 
CS: The only thing we’re sad about is that Carmen hasn’t appeared on Dancing with the Stars.  I guess they were afraid he’d win, so they got Bill Ray. He’s still a real rocker in our hearts, but he certainly looked cooler with the mullet.
 
Emo hair is not even close to being the mullet of the future.  That’s like when people thought Dippin’ Dots was the ice cream of the future.  It’s 2007, and I still see people eating Baskin Robbin’s.  There is no such thing as an “ice cream of the future,” because ice cream will always be around.  Similarly, there is no such thing as a “mullet of the future.”  Do you really think that in 2080, people will stop sporting mullets?  Fat chance.
 
JCH: Although you guys are Christians, you have major cross-over appeal. What do you think some of the key factors are that contribute to that?
 
I know sometimes there can be a fine line because you don’t want to turn off non-Christians.  Unfortunately, some really great artists are automatically pegged as ‘just another Christian band’ and get brushed off.  Some people seem to think that Christians in a band equals lame music and won’t even give it a chance.  What are your thoughts on this?
 
CS: We like to think of “Christian music” in similar terms to the way we think of a person’s diet.  Bear with me on this one…I promise it makes sense.
 
Most people who go on diets try to lose weight by avoiding cookies, cakes, cheeses, butters, and fatty foods.  Instead (we’ll use the name Merlin for our example), Merlin eats a bunch of nasty salads made of iceberg lettuce and fat-free dressing.  His program also provides substitute or alternative meals from what he normally eats, [for example] “our version” of pot roast, ribs, blue cheese, etc. They’re gross.  After his diet, Merlin either:
 
a. Lost a lot of weight, but is still terribly unhealthy from lack of vitamins, proteins, and good carbs
b. Splurged and gained all his original weight [and] now experiencing guilt along with it
or
c. Lost weight, but hates life, because his meals are all imitations.  He can’t wait to have “real” food again.
 
When the Christian music industry was originally created, it was like one of these diets…a “safe” alternative.  Although there is tremendous value in turning away from music that causes a person to have a negative or pessimistic perspective (again, please realize that we think it is important to stay away from harmful messages), Christian music was often unoriginal and bland, and left the listener feeling unfulfilled.  
 
With Christian music (as well as Christian culture in general), I think the key is to stop running away from things we think are bad, and to start running toward things we think are good.  In our above example, Merlin gained nothing from avoiding fatty foods.  He could have gained a lot by eating bananas, fish, and pasta and working out.
 
Today’s Christian music isn’t just a safe escape from music that is “bad.”  Nor is it a watered-down imitation of the stuff that’s on mainstream radio.  It is a true, credible art that encourages and challenges the listener to experience life to the fullest through connecting with the love of Christ.  
 
The old mentality was, “Kids like Nirvana.  Let’s make a Christian Nirvana.”  The new mentality is becoming, “Kids like Muse.  Let’s make something that’s as cool and original as Muse!”  
 
So I guess Family Force 5 is a delicious, healthy smoothie and The Almost, Switchfoot, and Anberlin are Grape Nuts, turkey burgers, and watermelon.
 
There is a major revolution taking place in this thing that we call “Christian music,” and Family Force 5 is honored to be a part of it.  
 
JCH: What band is by far the “coolest” that you’ve met along with way? By that I mean that they’ve been super nice to you all.
 
CS: We love all the bands we’ve toured with, but House of Heroes really stands out as a bunch of champions.  They didn’t mind when we drew moustaches and unibrows on their faces, and we didn’t mind when they danced onstage with us during “Numb.”  But we’d also like to give some shout outs to Toby Mac and Diverse City, Maylene and the Sons of Disaster, and Disciple for ruling the world with kindness.
 
JCH: On the flip side, I won’t make you name names but, have there been any nightmare bands you’ve had to work with or share a bill with where you would rather be strung up by your toenails and flogged in the town square than work with them again? Give me a nightmare story.
 
CS: Yes!  We did a one-off opening up for a band that was very successful a few years ago, and they were a bunch of drama queens.
 
They opened the encounter with a splendid first impression by kicking us out of our own dressing room so that they could stretch out a bit more…we ended up changing in the bathrooms that night because there was nowhere else to do so.
 
Next, their tour manager cussed out Ziplok (our tour manager) because our merchandise setup was “too elaborate for an opening band.”  They complained until we removed all of our bling and merely put some CD’s and shirts on a blank wooden table.  
 
They followed that stellar performance by refusing to eat the catering outside (I guess they didn’t want to get sunburned), and they blew up at the company for not having good enough food…we sat on rocks and ate pizza while they rejected the chicken and forced the university to take them to a nice restaurant.
 
Upon returning from their feast, they noticed that it was raining and screamed at the promoter until he used his own money to buy them a tent to cover up their equipment.
 
Finally, they concluded the evening by insisting that we stop selling our merchandise until the show was over…their reason: too many people were in line, and they didn’t want them to buy our merch rather than watch their show.
 
Thanks for nothing, guys.
 
JCH: Who has influenced you the most as a band and as individuals?
 
CS: Neil Diamond
 
JCH: Are there any cities in particular that have been especially receptive to FF5?
 
CS: Minneapolis goes bananas every time Family Force 5 comes in town.  Nashville and Atlanta are also wonderful places for us.  Each city in Ohio gives us love like you wouldn’t believe.  The crowds have received us warmly, but those cities certainly stick out to us.
 
JCH: How many siblings total are in the Olds family? Are they all musically gifted? Are there any plans of the Oldses adopting you and Nathan?
 
CS: There are 3 brothers in the Olds family: Soul Glow Activator, Crouton, and Fatty.  And yes, they are all musically gifted.  But Fatty’s better at whittling wood than he is at playing the bass and he’s a really good bassist, so that should tell you a lot about his whittling abilities.
 
No plans to adopt.  It’s too expensive.
 
JCH: You have signed a dual deal with Gotee and Maverick, is that a pretty common practice for bands? I wouldn’t imagine that record labels enjoy sharing their artists.  What are the benefits of signing with two labels?
 
CS: Family Force 5 signed with two different companies, one Christian and one mainstream, to allow our music to reach all audiences.  We are doing things differently, and we aligned with these companies because we thought it would give us have a strong team that would be capable of marketing a distinct band with a unique message.  
 
To answer the first part of your question, the music industry is changing drastically, and it is becoming more and more common for bands to sign unique deals that are out of the ordinary.  The blurring of the line between what is considered “Christian music” and “mainstream music” has caused a lot of bands to be tossed into the category of “cross-over,” which I think is a big reason that some bands are currently using more than one company.
 
JCH: Have you ever met your label “mother” Madonna?
 
CS: Madonna!  Please turn down the Family Force 5 on your stereo!  I’m in the middle of an interview!
 
Wait…I was having trouble hearing you.  Could you repeat that question?  
 
JCH: What advice would you give to struggling, up and coming bands?
 
CS: Play every show like it’s your last.  Treat everybody you meet with the utmost respect.  Be yourself.  Keep the fans happy.  Get on Myspace right now, and don’t get off of it for awhile.  Remember that the love of Christ is way more important than the band will ever be.  Watch a bunch of Stryper videos for study.
 
JCH: What equipment does each member of the band perform with?
Soul Glow Activator:
Guitars:
Fender Telecaster 1952 reissue
Gibson Explorer
Ovation Breadwinner
Amp:
Mesa Boogie triple rectifier head
Pedals:
Boss TU-2 Tuner
 
Crouton:
Spawn Drums
Gibraltar Hardware
Whatever cymbals he hasn’t broken that day
Regal Tip drumsticks
 
Fatty:
Music Man basses
Ampeg cabinets and amps
 
Nadaddy:
Novation bass station
Pioneer mixers
Hardcore tambourines
Akkaii MPC’s
 
Chap Stique:
Guitars:
Paul Reed Smith Guitars: Navarro edition and Standard 22
Sozo Guitars: Z-series
Amp:
5150 head
Randall Cabinet
Pedals:
Morley Bad Horsie Wah
Boss Tu-2 Tuner
Digitech Whammy pedal
MXR Phase 90
Line 6 DL-4
Custom pedals by Brian Wampler at indyguitarist.com

For more on Family Force 5, visit; www.familyforce5.com

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