Interview
The Makers: Rising above
By Tom Masters

In a disposable culture like ours today, rock 'n' roll bands come and go like fast food burgers. Most appear on the scene long enough to become flavor of the day...then quickly disappear from the menu altogether.

Not so with Spokane/Seattle/Portland veterans, The Makers. Online indie/garage band catalog Grunnenrocks identifies a recording history for The Makers that spans more than a decade, with over 11 ep/lp's, more than a dozen singles, and numerous compilations.

The newest album, Everybody Rise, due to be released August 20th, 2005, reveals the payoff from those years of experience: depth, versatility, and sophistication. For example, while songs like "Everybody Rise," the previously released "Tiger of the Night," and "Matter of Degrees" thrill the rock/glam crowd a la Rock Star God, other down-tempo tunes like "The Story of You and I" and "Ordinary Human Love" harken back to the pop/pensive days of Psychopathia Sexualis and Strangest Parade.

The Makers are: Michael Maker - lead vocals; Jamie Maker - lead guitar; Tim Maker - guitar; Donny Maker - bass; Aaron Maker - drums.   Their new CD, Everybody Rise, is available from their Web site or from their current record label, Kill Rock Stars.

In honor of their new release, The Makers plan to play Portland on August 19, Seattle on August 20, and Spokane, September 3, 2005. For a preview, check out photos and video clips of their May 20, 2005, performance in Spokane.

Spokane Underground: What’s the significance of the album title, Everybody Rise?

Michael Maker: There's a song on the album called "Everybody Rise!" which is about how people tend to brutalize themselves for no apparent reason.  I think people in general are really hard on themselves and they shouldn't be.  Our producer Jack Endino suggested it as the album title.  For us, there are multiple meanings such as rising above the doldrums, rising above the manufactured world of pop music, rising above your preconceived notions of what the Makers are all about, things like that. 

SU: Does the new album hark back to previous styles…or represent a forward evolution?

MM: I think our most moody album was "Strangest Parade" but all of our albums have their moody moments.  We try to connect on a real level without hiding behind obtuse lyrics or whatever style of music seems to be popular.  So much music nowadays feels like it's been test-marketed to death.  We're just trying to write good songs that have some kind of resonance.  This new album is incredibly upbeat I think.  We're always evolving and moving forward, at least it feels that way.  You just do these things in a manner that feels true. 

SU: If the songs were recorded last March, why so long to release? Where was the recording done?

MM: There's always about a 5-month period between the recording and release date.  The label and distributor have all kinds of reasons for this.  The recording was done in Seattle at a studio called Litho.  It's a great place with lots of room to stretch-out. 

SU: Is August still the projected release date?

MM: August 23rd to be exact.   

SU: How do you like the production on this album?

MM: I think the production is tight as hell.  Jack Endino did a fantastic job.  We owe him a huge debt of gratitude. 

SU: Any mentionable collaborators on the new release?

MM: Jason Staczek played keyboards and Johnny Sangster sang some backing vocals.  We worked with both of these guys on Rock Star God.  Their contributions were vast. 

SU: Which record label will release Everybody Rise?

MM: The new record will be released on Kill Rock Stars, and they're a dream come true.  It's a great label for us. 

SU: Some of the previous sides were thematic? Any themes in the new album?

MM: There are probably some themes running around on this one, but nothing intentional.  It's just a really solid batch of songs.  The record turned out way better than we expected.  We couldn't be happier. 

SU: Any favorites off the new album?

MM: It's hard to choose.  I've been partial to "Story of You and I" lately.

SU: The Makers have always had a pretty fluid lineup. How’s the
chemistry of the current lineup?

MM: Not much has changed.  Tim is back in the band, but he's always been with us on and off.  Jamie, Don and myself are still here.  The newest Maker, Aaron, is a great guy and an amazing drummer.  I'm sure we'll have many good times together. 

SU: Members of the band seem to have multiple projects going. How does this affect The Makers?

MM: It hasn't really affected us.  The Makers have always been the priority with everyone so it's not a problem.

SU: I’ve heard that Jimmy isn’t playing drums on this tour? Why not? Who will replace Jimmy?

MM: Jimmy is our good friend but it wasn't working out for various personal reasons.  We were really lucky to find Aaron when the time came. 

SU: What are the details of the June tour? After that?

MM: There's a west coast tour in August followed by a midwest/east coast tour in September.  We'll play the CMJ and SXSW music festivals.  Maybe the Noise Pop festival.  Hopefully we'll have a UK/Europe tour next year.

SU: Listening to anyone new? Favorites? Any favorite Spokane bands?

MM: Lately I've been listening to old blues music again.  I've been living in Portland for a few years so I'm not very current on the Spokane music scene.  The other guys still live in Spokane so I'm sure they can answer that one better than I. 

SU: Spokane seems pretty oblivious sometimes. What do you think of your hometown scene?

MM: I used to hate Spokane when I was younger and growing up there. Geographically, it's very isolated.  But there are tons of cool people living in Spokane, and it's not nearly as bad as some major cities we've been to.  For instance, Spokane audiences are way more fun than Seattle audiences.  Seattle crowds are appreciative but incredibly uptight and self-conscious.  Spokane audiences totally cut loose and go nuts.  In that respect, I'm proud to be from Spokane.

SU: If you had to have your next promotional photo taken in Spokane,
where would it be?

MM: Little Nell's record store - is that still around? [Editor's note: Little Nell's closed months ago due to the Monroe Street bridge construction.]

SU: What’s your favorite bar in Spokane? Seattle? On tour?

MM: Spokane:  The B-Side.  Seattle:  The Sunset Tavern  Other:  The Empty Bottle in Chicago.

SU: The Makers have multiple sites on the Web at this point. The one currently listed on the album art doesn’t show up yet on Google. Will
http://www.themakersband.com become the official band site?

MM: Yeah, themakersband.com is the official site, but our friend Kyle has a good one too. 

SU: Bikini, thong or none at all?

MM: How about frilly old-fashioned bloomers?