Quor is the fun of odd humor, excellent musicianship and brilliance of imagination. They state that it’s hard to nail down a genre and they’re simply awesome. Most of that is true. It’s because of Corn’s vocals that you won’t be able to pinpoint exactly what style of rock you’ll listen to from one track to the next. But Smitty doing his fantastic bass lines and Cordes on drums and you know you’re in a world of harder rock styles. In fact, I was reminded often of Faith No More as far as they’re variety was back in the 90’s with a touch of Tool and some System of a Down. In fact, not too long ago they won a cagematch pitted against Powerman 5000.
I was an instant fan after seeing their “Watching You” video. Then I went on a Quor listening spree at reverbnation.com/quormsic and instantly jumped on the opportunity to interview them. All you need to know is that their fun musical variety of charm deserves your attention. With a melding of two Eps into a single album of enjoyment, Human Paradigm, you have to hear from these boys yourself to fully appreciate what makes them Quor (the name coming from the word “liquor” without “li”).
I thoroughly enjoy the magic formula of fun and badass music combination you have going on. I got a big kick out of the video “Watching You” with the skeletons playing the instruments. Were the lyrics related to the theme of the video or was this just a fun idea?
Corn: Does it seem like the skeletons are “Watching You”? Just kidding, but seriously, Does it?
Is Doug really going to give out full size candy bars this Halloween?
Smitty: Yes. Doug is a crazy mofo that loves to hook the children up. He remembers the one house on his block growing up that had full candy bars. It was the business.
I also enjoyed the video “Let’s Rise”. So facking cool! The credits mentioned it was based on “Dead Man’s Party” by Ryan Rosenow. Elaborate on this.
Corn: This may sound a bit backwards but “Ryan Rosenow” is actually the nickname for a man named Laser5000. Long story, short on time. So, Laser5000 and I were enjoying a few government regulated beverages and discussing great movie ideas. Laser is always full of them. He had the idea to expand the concept of “Weekend at Bernie’s” to be a big party were everyone was dead but set up like they were enjoying the fantastic party. His description was hilarious and we laughed. I thought this concept would be great for a music video as I believe every band has had a gig were everyone in the club appears to be dead.
Let’s Rise – Music Video Cut
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Since Brian has a hand in video production, screenplay, etc. is the pursuit of movies or stories a side project currently or on a back burner for the future?
Corn: I am a big fan of mixing up the arts whenever possible. I don’t think there’s really a pursuit of movies it’s just great to put the music on a different canvas. So far we have just fumbled our way through a couple good video projects. Smitty and Garrett Jones took the reins on the Watching You video. It was awesome. I always wanted to do a puppet video and we controlled our own respective skeletons so they would reflect our personalities. Snap let us cut some of his own hair to give the skeletons facial hair. So weird.
Since you scored a merit award for IndieFest film festival it just makes sense. Is this something you try to accomplish every year? And how long have you been entering it?
Corn: The IndieFest film festival was a one off. It was really a surprise and a great honor to have the Let’s Rise video recognized at a major filmfest.
Halloween is coming very soon and so far I’ve seen this concept in the videos. What’s the craziest costumes you’ve ever worn?
Corn: I made light up pants for a show one time. The band I was in had an intervention meeting and said I couldn’t wear them anymore. It was bullshit, those pants were awesome. (laughs)
Smitty: If birthday suits don’t count, I would have to vote for the Geico lizard outfit I wore on stage. I wonder if watching a Giant green 6′ 6″ lizard dancing around on stage playing bass was as awesome as doing it? Super fun!
What about for this year? Any plans to dress up crazy like or do any type of horror show somewhere?
Corn: No plans. It’s never good to over plan awesomeness. Just let it happen.
Smitty: The thing about QUOR is…. We don’t let cultural holidays influence our innate desire to want to wear something awesome; we’ll just do it. One time, I road a 5ft wave wearing a yellow banana suit on a giant yellow surfboard. See video below..
Smitty Banana Paradise
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Your “Human Paradigm” EP is set to release on September 10th. With these new songs were you exploring specific themes that differ from your previous release?
Corn: This release is actually the joining of two EP’s. The latest recordings are for the Human Paradigm work. These pieces definitely reflect our growing experiences as a project so far. The themes have become much more personal and less abstract.
I must say, your style has excellent variety making me wonder what I’m going to hear from one track to another. Your title track single is especially delicious. What’s a back story behind the title of this EP?
Corn: The single “Human Paradigm” means a lot to the band and the new record, hell, we named the record after the song. It begins the very personal journey and victory of the records completion. The song Human Paradigm contemplates the idea that we are all just irrelevant blips in the universe. We all strive to be something more, and yet most of us will fade into oblivion. Are we cut from the same program or can we change our fate and in effect change the path of our human kind, our human evolution?
Let’s say our readers were going to check out your music based on only this question: If your music was a sundae, how would it be uniquely decorated?
Corn: Gummi Bears and Unicorn Sap.
Also, for the heck of it, would swimming in a pool of melted sundaes ever be something you all are down for?
Corn: I would take much enjoyment in this opportunity if it ever presents itself.
Smitty: You get me that pool, and I will show you 275lb man doing a front flip into it. I would even do it naked, solely because of the once in a lifetime event that is occurring.
You should totally tour with Psychostick. I’m telling you, that would be double fun for many! Speaking of, what’s your scheduling tour looking like?
Corn: Those guys are awesome. They have a good beard song, it’s very emotional. We are currently planning USA and European dates throughout next year.
Due to your ever increasing fan base known as the “QUORalition”, if I got that correct, you scored two multi-state tours reaching “literally from one end of the country to the other” as your bio states. It also mentioned something called “folk edge” acoustic tours through both Europe and Japan. Are your acoustic stuff totally different songs or are your songs restructured for that angle?
Corn: Most of the songs are actually written on an acoustic guitar so they have just naturally seemed to work in the acoustic setting. It’s been interesting to see how people respond to the music across the formats. Some of these songs are pretty fuckin heavy and some audiences would immediately turn and run but with the acoustic sets we see people of all demographics getting into the material. We played the acoustic set at the OC County Fair awhile back and a lady probably in her 80’s came up and told me the music was “very nice”. We don’t adjust the music much for the Folk Edge sets so I always laugh inside that most of those folks would have a whole different opinion if they saw the full plugged in set. P.S. “Folk Edge” started here. I checked the hash tag history.
Speaking of Europe, well, I was going to mention hairy armpit stereotypes but instead tell me what your favorite crepe would contain.
Corn: Gummi Bears and Unicorn Sap.
Smitty: Strawberry crepes. Mmmmm.
I totally knew you guys had wonderful sense of humors so I am doubly excited to have been able to interview you. Is there anything you’d like to add?
Smitty: I have a collection of cat shirts; Cats in outer space to be specific. Not sure if it’s an official genre of shirt, but I keep finding them, and keep buying them.
I thank you for this opportunity and am very excited to hear more and especially see some new videos when the time comes! Take care!
