If you didn't know, Backyard "...is a band that plays music", according to lead singer and guitarist Fil Nontell. "...well sometimes it sounds like music."
Backyard is a "punkish" band out of Centralia, WA, consisting of Fil on vocals and guitar, Mark Jendryka on drums and vocals and Zane Brown on bass and backup vocals. This interview was done in the back of a van with a very exhausted Fil (who was gracious enough to apologize before hand if he started nodding off or didn't make sense). He was up here mixing a record by a local band and let me pick his brain for a while instead of going to sleep.
(a quick note…) After knowing Fil for a couple years (and being in a band with him at one time) I've realized he just doesn't give himself or his band enough credit. Backyard really is one of the best independent bands out there right now. So if you get a chance to see them, definetlly go! You won't be let down.
Start this off by asking, how ya been?
(laughs) I'm alive.
Well that's good.
Ok (laughing)
So what has Backyard been up to lately?
The usual I guess. We're starting to get back into the swing of things cause we took all of March off 'cause Mark and Sara had a baby.
A boy right?
Yeah, CJ Jendryka is his name. He's gonna be a punk rock singer when he gets older.
Cool!
(laughing) Yeah.
But you guys have started playing fairly regularly again...
At the moment were pretty much booked through early July. It's a good feeling to actually be playing more then 2 shows a month (laughs). I don't know how many will fall through or not though... A lot of the shows seem to be kinda iffy.
But you're seeing all the fame and fortune now right?
(laughing) Well, we got payed in food the other night. We usually don't get that much, if any, as far as money goes. Our goal is to someday be able to pay for gas money.
Now for the standard questions... How long has Backyard been playing?
I'm not sure... 2 and half years... maybe a little longer.
How do YOU describe your music?
I guess it could be called fast... most of the time.
Does just one person write the songs, or is it a joint effort by everyone?
Both. I write a lot of the stuff, and me and Mark come up with stuff together by jamming. Mark has gotten way more involved in the writing aspect of the band, wich is way cool 'cause he's really good at piecing things together.
How about Zane?
He comes up with things here and there, and everyone once in a while will bring a really kick ass, finished song to practice. That is, when he comes to practice (laughs).
What are Backyard's influences?
Pretty much everything. With a lot of Ramones, Minor Threat, 7Seconds, Pearl Jam, Op Ivy, early Rancid, Swingin Utters, and a lot of local stuff. I can't think of what else...
So what are your goals with the band?
Well right now it's just getting the damn cd out and finding a permanent guitarist.
You're not into the three piece thing any more?
No. It works for some bands, but I don't like it. Joe, the singer from The Adhesives plays with us from time to time, and it's just so much fun. He's really good too, and it's just totally spoiled us by having him fill in (laughs)... We just need to find someone permenantly. I have more fun just "singing" then playing guitar for every song. I like to jump around like a dork and go into the audience and stuff, wich is hard to do with a guitar around your neck... (laughing) Besides, we always sound MUCH better when I don't play guitar.
Well I could see how that could suck.
Yeah, but don't get me wrong, I love playing guitar and still do on a good number of our songs, we just NEED another guitarist.
Tell me about the label...
Ummm... It's called Property Line Dispute Records. It's just something I started to put out our stuff and help out our friends' in other bands. Right now the main focus is on the Backyard cd, and getting something out by The Adhesives. God their such a cool band, I have a feeling their gonna be pretty big someday. Their just rad, they need their album out...
Any other releases coming out soon?
Well there's the super delayed, wondering if its ever gonna come out split 7" with Backyard and The Adhesives. Plus Stick Records is putting out another split with Backyard and I think it's Redline. Plus a couple labels want to put out something by Pretentious Rock $tar, wich is my solo thing.
Really? That's exciting!
Yeah, I guess. I don't know what I'm gonna do with it though. A lot of it is real personal stuff that I just play in my room when I'm alone (laughs). I don't think people would understand it.
What kind of music is it?
I dunno... Most of it is acoustic based. It's all pretty wussy (laughs).
Who all is in it, or is it just you?
At the moment, just me. On the stuff I've recorded, I just played all the instruments, but I would like to put together a real band in the future... But I don't think that much about it. I'm just gonna focus on Backyard for now.
Where do you see Backyard going in the future?
Well we want another guitarist. We wanna tour, and maybe make a little money someday (laughs). As for the music, I'd like to get some different instruments and sounds for the next album. Maybe some organ or piano. We are a very schizo band already, so I think it would be fun. We'll always play punk though.
What are your thoughts on the current trends in music?
Well the media keeps jamming the fact that "rock is dead" down our throats everyday, but the simple fact is it's 1989 all over again! Except now, Orgy has replaced Motley Crue... It makes me sick.
Any parting words?
Uhh... yea. If you haven't seen Backyard, come to one of our shows, and buy our stuff, and go to some more of our shows, and buy more of our stuff. And go to see the Adhesives too, and buy their stuff, cause I'm poor, and I need new pants.
I said parting words, not an advertisement! (laughing)
Oh, ok... How about, uhh... Dammit, go away I wanna sleep! (laughs).