Interview with The Low Life

by Sara McDowell

After interviewing bass player Neal Eckard, one isn't too sure what to think of the band The Low Life. Eckard doesn't dodge questions but he doesn't offer straight answers. It's unclear what real goals the band have and even what they're all about. All that IS clear is that The Low Life plan to stump music audiences with their eclectic sound that is difficult to categorize and answers that only conjure up more questions.

Dreams Awake: For starters, please tell me the names and ages of the people in the Low Life and what they play.

Neal Eckard: Evan Bliss is the hot lead singer/guitarist. He's 24. Karim Baki is a guitar player, I think, and is 24. Matt Monahan, 23, does it to the drums. Alan Falcony is at least 126-years-old (but won't tell exactly) and plays percussion. Neal Eckard plays bass, age 25.

DA: How would you describe your sound on this album to others?

NE: I always say it sounds like The Strokes so people will listen to it, but that's not true at all. It sounds like a beautiful girl on a beach in Bali rubbing suntan oil on your back.

DA: How did the band come up with the name The Low Life?

NE: A computer came up with it.

DA: On the web site it says The Low Life came from the Year of Darkness. Please explain this.

NE: Unfortunately, it's very difficult to explain the future to those who haven't lived it. Suffice it to say, it will make sense to you when you get there, but only then.

DA: What musicians do you admire and for what reasons? NE: Axl Rose, for obvious reasons. Jack White (White Stripes) for making the Blues cool again. Big Head Todd, for standing on his own two feet. Aerosmith, for selling out tastefully. DA: What is the first record you ever bought? NE: The first tape I bought was "Jam on It" by Newcleus. There was a song about drugs with lyrics that went something like "Either up your nose or through your vein, my white lines ain't going nowhere." My mom tore the tape up. The first CD I ever bought was Guns and Roses "Lies." I hid that from my mom.

DA: What is your favorite album of all time?

NE: "Appetite for Destruction."

DA: Is there any music out there that you truly despise?

NE: No, not really. I thought I hated Linkin Park, but I find myself singing their songs to myself from time to time.

DA: Where do you play shows and how long have you been playing them?

NE: We play on the east coast and sometimes we go back home to the Year of Darkness. We've been playing live for a year.

DA: Which do you prefer -- performing live or recording?

NE: Live shows. Recording just makes me really angry, except when it makes me really, really happy. Then it's great.

DA: What do you think about when performing in front of an audience? NE: Once we played at a sports bar, and I watched Sportscenter the entire show. DA: Where is your favorite place to play? NE: Frat parties are always the most fun because drunk people seem to really enjoy our music, but in terms of venues, Lion's Den in NYC or Recher Theatre in Baltimore. DA: Where would you most like to play? NE: Anywhere in Scandinavia -- no kidding.

DA: What goals does the band have?

NE: To weigh less than a combined 800 pounds in one year.

DA: Where would you like to see yourself in three years?

NE: 160 pounds, 7% body fat.

DA: What's the most valuable lesson you've ever learned?

NE: How to collect money from people who owe me.

DA: What are your strengths and weaknesses as a musician?

NE: My only weakness as a musician is that sometimes I don't know my own strength. I break a lot of my stuff.

DA: What do you think is the secret of success?

NE: Marry rich.

DA: Describe the band in three words.

NE: Give, sympathize, control.

For more information on the Low Life, visit their website at www.thelowlife.net.