Ready, Set, Play
Interview With One Big Lie
Orange County
From Issue 1.2, November/December 2004
Were it not for the sound of Larry’s drums and Dave’s bass, the sun setting on an industrial section of Costa Mesa, would have left behind a barren landscape of wire fences and gray office buildings.
Inside a small room with little ventilation, were the members of Orange County band, One Big Lie.
Stickers and various band fliers plaster the walls of this quintet’s practice space. Larry’s drum kit sits in the right hand corner while two stools are loosely slung on the left side of the room. A couch is sandwiched in the middle and a desk crowded with papers and more fliers is by the entrance.
This is the backdrop for a band that wants to be taken seriously.
It seems a little chaotic inside, visually proving that something is in the midst of being produced. This made lead singer Josh’s statement, that, “we’re not just some fly by night kind of band” a little more real upon entering the band’s studio.
The members of One Big Lie do not obviously fit the lazy stereotype synonymous with most bands and most bands’ downfalls. They have plans and the drive to want to be taken seriously.
“This band is definitely going somewhere,” said Josh with conviction. “We’re not just a flash in the pan.”
However, the band’s drummer, Larry balanced the assertiveness of Josh’s statement and said, “I would just love to go on tour. I don’t care about the money. I just want to see how far we can go.”
One Big Lie has actually come quite a distance from the band’s starting point in 2000. Originally a five-piece, the band consists of Josh and Larry along with guitarist Dave and bassist Ryan. Josh and Ryan started the band. Larry joined at the end of 2000, and Ryan came along 10 months ago.
Their latest release is an EP that came out in May of this year. The band also appeared on a couple of compilations and released a self-titled debut album in 2001
“We hadn’t really found ourselves,” said Josh of the debut album. “It [the album] was just us wanting to put something down. That CD, you can call it immature, premature.”
“We rushed that; a lot of the writing is different,” explained Dave.
The transition from the 2001 album, to the band’s EP is worth mentioning because the overall sound has grown up in many ways.
Aside from the shifts in line-up, the songs on the EP seem to have a little more depth lyrically and musically. Where the album proved to be a jumping off point, the EP distinguished itself because the members of One Big Lie created sounds unique to this band.
Where the album proved their ability to produce fast, catchy riffs, the EP (in only 4 songs) showed a wide array of talent.
It is catchy without being obnoxious whereas their freshman work seemed catchy while lacking substance.
They can play fast and faster. So, many would say big deal. Hundreds of other bands can do the same thing. The difference is that One Big Lie’s music incorporates the relative speed of their music with the sort of flavor no radio stations are playing right now.
This is obviously a well-thought out operation. The bass, guitar and drums are all tightly integrated with the throaty angst of Josh’s voice.
Perhaps guided by drummer Larry’s adage, that, “the slower it [the music] goes, the more money you make,” One Big Lie’s cohesive sound is evidence of this band’s desire to play quality, fast music rather than sell out for the money.
“There’s only a certain amount of money you’ll make playing punk. Bands like Pennywise or NOFX will never make the same kind of money as say, New Found Glory. No matter what, we’ll continue playing. We definitely enjoy playing together,” said Larry.
Listen to the demo and look out for their full-length album in December. This band’s music proves his comment is no lie.