Los Angeles band Flatline has been paving the way for over four years now. They've made a name for themselves and been living off of it for some time getting it heard by performances and promotional sources the whole nine yards. "Pave The Way," in close has been hailed by all various magazines such as Revolver, Metal Edge Magazine, AMP, Decibel and others. The band consists of Travis Johnson (Vocals), Randy Weitzel (Guitar), Tim Hassemer (Drums), Hector Gonzalez (Bass) and Joe “Paulo” Guerra (Guitar). Since the band's formation like many Flatline has faced various line-up changes, money ordeals, trips to the ER but that doesn't hold back what this band plans to accomplish in the world of metal. Released four albums on their and done constant touring with bands like 36 Crazyfists, It Dies Today, Walls Of Jericho among many others in the business, these guys got what it takes to continue to spread their music as far out as it can possibly go. Whether it'd be by downloading or dishing out the cold hard cash to buy one of their many amazing albums, Flatline is metal, and there is nothing else left to be said. Drummer Tim Hassemer was kind enough to take the time in answering some questions about how life is out on the road to the band's upcoming plans. So take a peek on what went down!
1. You guys just got back home, welcome back where’d you guys go and did you have fun?
Tim: Yeah thanks, we just got back. We were out on the East Coast - New York, Connecticut, etc. There are fans out there that have been bugging us for a while to get out there, so it was good to finally get the chance. We were out with the Threat Signal, The Agonist, and Thy Will Be Done for about a month. It’s good to be home for a little bit. A lot of fun with a little bit of drama in the mix.
2. Well I would like to jump right into talking about the new record, “Pave The Way,” that has been out for a while now. Does the whole album creating process simply get more difficult as time goes on? Have you ever felt pressure to top yourselves?
Tim: Yeah pretty much every time we write we try to top everything else, so it gets a little stressful. As far as writing goes it gets a little crazy but it’s all good, it just makes us better musicians.
3. That being said, what can be said that hasn't been said about “Pave The Way,”?
Tim: Nothing *Laughs* I’ve just said so much about it already I can’t think of anything that I haven’t said. Let me think for a second..... I can’t think of anything. Got any more specific questions?
4. What kind of steps does “Pave the Way,” take in comparison to your older roots? How do you view the leaps of growth Flatline took between “Redefining the End,” to “Massive Aggressive,” and from that to “Pave the Way”?
Tim: Well, it’s completely different from all of the older material. We’ve had several different musicians in the band since the first demo and different influences to go along with it, plus an extra few years of practice. With the line up we have now, we have come out with a different product.
5. Do you care what people think when it comes to Flatline’s music?
Tim: I do, and I don’t. If people are just talking crap and trying to be a critic just to hear themselves talk, then I couldn’t care less about their opinion. But I personally don’t mind a bit of constructive criticism.
6. Flatline is at the point, and has been at the point, where you affect a lot of people, and the chance lives with the new release your music brings. How do you feel about being labeled as torch carriers for heavy metal in the somewhat mainstream zone? Do you think Flatline could be a gateway drug for kids into heavy metal, sort of how Pantera was in the 90s?
Tim: I kind of hope so. I think it’s the goal of every band out there to be labeled as such. That would be pretty amazing, there is a lot of metal out there nowadays and there are a lot of people doing the same thing we do, but if we got to that status that would be great.
7. What's left at this point? Are there still things left to challenge Flatline?
Tim: The whole thing is a challenge. When we’re on tour it’s a challenge, recording is a challenge, coming up with new material is a challenge, everything in the business is a challenge. But you do it because you love to do it.
8. So what do you have going on this year?
Tim: We have a couple of tours coming up in August for the summer but nothing is confirmed yet so I can’t really discuss it. We’ll probably be doing some writing for a new album to be released early next year. Keep checking our website for tour info www.myspace.com/flatlinemetal
9. What are the biggest and smallest crowds you've played in front of?
Tim: Well the smallest is easy. There are always shows where you’re playing in front of a bunch of bar stools and that’s happened a few times during our early stages. Some of the worst shows we’ve ever played were in our hometown. One large show that sticks out in my mind was a few years ago. It took place at the Ericson stadium in Aukland, New Zealand. That was probably one of the biggest ones we’ve ever played, because of the amount of people there, and because it was our first time out of the states.
10. You have a music video for the song "Generations Fall,” can you give a brief summary on how it all came together.
Tim: Well, when we signed with our Record label we had a budget to do a video. So our label rep set it up with the people from Axiom Films. We went down there and shot the video in front of a green screen. We had never done anything in front of a green screen before, so it was pretty interesting. A lot of the time was spent sitting around drinking beer.
11. When it comes to a show what do you like seeing, hardcore dancers, or mosh pit action.
Tim: I personally don’t care too much for the hardcore dancers. Actually, I can’t stand that stuff! I’d much rather see a giant circle pit going in front of me than a room full of Kung Fu theatre. However, if it’s a choice between Hardcore dancing and nothing at all, I’d rather see the hardcore dancing.
12. How has MYSPACE and the internet impacted your band and do you think downloading helps or hinders the artists?
Tim: Well, pretty much everything that we have achieved up to this point has come from the internet and MySpace. Our label found us through MySpace, some of the tours we’ve gotten on have been set up through the internet, and it’s a great promotional tool. I think the internet and MySpace are both great. As far as downloading goes if you’re a band like Metallica or some giant band then you’re probably getting ripped off. But for a smaller band that’s trying to get recognized, what’s the harm in downloading? It’s free promotion. I don’t see anything wrong with it. We’ve had people write us and say they bought the album and then burned 20 copies for their friends and I say, “Thanks, I appreciate it.”
13. What is the toughest lesson you ever learned in the studio and on the stage?
Tim: To be well rehearsed before going into either a show or the studio, because if I’m not, it can be a huge problem.
14. What is one hang-out spot in L.A. that you just have to tell everyone about?
Tim: Oh god that’s a horrible question. I don’t hang out anywhere but my house. I’m not a night person, well I am, but I don’t like going out and socializing a lot. I think everyone hangs out on Sunset at the Rainbow or something?
15. If you had a chance to go back in time, where, what, and why?
Tim: I would go back and visit my younger self when I started smoking, and kick myself in the face. That was the dumbest thing I ever did. It’s the hardest thing in the world to quit!
16. What's your reaction when/if a fan told you a very meaningful statement such as "Your music changed my life?" Has this ever happened to you?
Tim: I would say, “Thank you.” I am always very appreciative of what our fans say and it happens often. I haven’t heard that one quite yet but I have had a lot of fans come up and tell us how much they love our music.
17. One summer movie you have to see?
Tim: Oh, Harry Potter for sure! I just finished reading the sixth book, so I got to see the movie.
18. What's it like when you're not out on the road, does it feel awkward?
Tim: No it feels normal because I’ve spent a lot more time at home than on the road. Although lately we’ve been on the road a lot more often and after I got home from the last tour it was a bit awkward for a few days. When I get home I’m much more relaxed and don’t have these sweaty guys all around me.
19. Do you ever feel that when you perform or create an album that it may be your last?
Tim: My last? Oh no, hell no! I would never think that, I’ve never had that thought run across my mind.
20. What's the craziest thing you've ever done?
Tim: That’s also a very broad question. Crazy how? I’ve Bungee jumped off on bridges and cranes, Jumped off of cliffs on skis, jumped out of airplanes, been scuba diving in different countries, gotten married. I’ve done all kinds crazy stuff.
21. Are you always the one who gets stuck when it comes to doing interviews, that’s what I noticed.
Tim: Recently it seems that way yeah, and I don’t know why. The other guys don’t seem too interested in the interviews, or maybe I’m just the first person to get to them. I’m not sure.
22. What are your favorite person, place, and thing?
Tim: I have many favorite persons, places and things. Everyone in my family are my favorite people. As far as places go, I am originally from New Mexico, and I love going back there to visit. I think my favorite things are my cats Willy and Zena.
23. You did a cover of Cannibal Corpse’s “Hammer Smashed Face,” why did you choice this song? Do you plan on releasing a covers only album like Hatebreed?
Tim: My guitarist (Paulo) and I both have some background playing with death metal bands. We used to mess around with this song during practice, and the other guys thought it sounded awesome! A few months back, we were off tour and had nothing to do, so we decided to record a cover song to put up on our Myspace page. Recently our label rep asked us if we’d like to re-release Pave The Way with the Cannibal Corpse song on it. I don’t know if it will happen or not, but we’ll see.
24. Do you think the other sub-cultures are at war with one another, i.e. emo, punks, goths etc.
Tim: Yeah, I think it’s pretty silly. It seems like there’s always some tension between the Emos and the Goths and the Hardcores and the Deathmetalers and the Punks. I thought going to a show was for the music. But I guess that’s just human nature. Can’t we all just get along?
25. Any last words?
Tim: No *Laughs* Thanks for the interview and go check us out on our website http://www.flatlinemetal.com and MySpace www.myspace.com/flatlinemetal
And go buy our album! We hope you enjoy it!
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