Bryan Fox Interview from 2004

I thought Bryan Fox would be a good person to start with for the New Year, so I asked him if he would do 20 Questions and he said he'd love to...so here is Bryan Fox !

What is going on with Bryan Fox and "End Of Me"?

We currently have been in somewhat of a transition mode trying to work in our new bassist Shaun Kennedy. Things are still cool for us, we are looking at a couple of different opportunities that have presented themselves to us at the moment. I wish I could discuss them further, but we all have kind of been taught that nothing in the music business is done until you have signed the contract and cashed your first check. We were just featured on the cover of Louisville Music News to promote our first true record as a band, which we are very excited about. We took all of the best recordings and put only those songs on the album. As far as what is going on with me personally, my wife and I are expecting our first child in March (a girl!), and I am working to try and transition myself and my patients into a different work environment. Being a great father has always been the biggest goal for my life, so I am excited to get started on making that goal a reality.


2. The band was originally called The Bryan Fox Band, why did you change the band name to End Of Me ?

The Bryan Fox Band" came out of a time when I had no band, just a group of friends that helped me out in the studio. When "Yes" was first played on the Fox's local show, I told them that it was a band called End of Me, even though it was just me and quickly called them back after the first show to change it to "The Bryan Fox Band." When the band lineup finally came together, Ryan and Danny were such an essential part of writing and arrangement that I didn't feel like that was fair to them to have a band named after me. We thought and thought about what band name would work for us and eventually came back to the name "End of Me"

3. How long have you been playing, singing, and writing songs?

I started out on bass at 13, and switched to guitar when I was 15, because I wasn't in a band and needed something that I could write more on. I never could sing very well, but I tried my hardest and it eventually developed into something people could stand listening to. Some people may argue with that still I guess…. I always wrote songs even from the very beginning, to me that is the whole point in learning an instrument. I would hate to know that I would have to live my life without that outlet.

4. Were you in any bands prior to The Bryan Fox Band and End Of Me?

I released my first CD at Murray State University when I went to school there. It is very acoustic based, and a very different style than what I play with End of Me. It contained some good songs, but my ignorance at the time about studio production really shows. We had about four to five channels on the whole record. Vocals, bass, drums, and acoustic. Malcolm uses around 110 on some of his productions.

5. Who first inspired you to play music and write songs?

My band teacher Keith Vincent was an amazing country singer/songwriter and especially a guitarist. He would always entertain us on band trips. I would just watch in amazement and just wish I could do that too. I played trumpet in the band and even though I was technically very good at it, I couldn't express myself at all. Guitar became a natural outlet.

6. Do you have any endorsements, and what guitars and amps do you play?

I had a Takamine endorsement at one time, but never took advantage of it very much. I play an orange dual channel combo for small gigs, and I A/B a fender twin and a 80's Marshall JCM 800 when I can fit it on stage. As far as guitars go, I usually play a Godin Flat Five X, which is a dual channeled Gibson 335 looking electric with an acoustic channel, which I play simultaneously through the PA. I am a pain in the ass to run sound for because they usually have to devote three channels for my guitar alone, but the effect of it when it works is great for our music. I also play a Larivee' Jumbo acoustic that I play on certain songs live. At home I have various other guitars that I collect and write on. My baby is a 1943 Gibson J-45 with the banner headstock. I love vintage instruments and gear.

7. You are chosen to be on a new reality show. You will be on a deserted island for 90 days. You are getting paid a thousand dollars for each day you are there. I will list some people that also will be on the island. They are also getting a grand a day, but you get to choose how long they stay. 1 day, 30 days, or the full 90 days. I will list the people and you decide how long you want them on the island with you.

1.) Travis Meeks - Absolutely 1 day. Travis has always been wonderful to me, and an absolutely amazing musician, but he is definitely not an easy person to get along with.

2.) Ryan Murphy - I would keep him around for awhile since it looks like from this list we are going to need a drummer. Plus, if he made $90,000, I would get to collect on all those unpaid dental bills and he wouldn‘t ask me all the time to buy him a beer!

3.) Gwen Stefani - Come on, is this even worth answering? 90 days.

4.) Emerson Hart - I really love his stuff, but I may need him off ASAP to keep my ego going…1 day.

8.) Hugo Ferreira - 30 days. I can’t say enough great things about Hugo, but he wouldn’t be any fun on the island because he would be macking on Gwen the whole time.

9.) Kevin McCreery - I love Kevin, but don’t know if my stomach could take all of the laughing… I’d have to give him 90 days anyways.

10.) Kimmet - Kimmy is great, she could stick around as long as she wanted.

11.) Susan Weber - Since Ryan is going to be there I better keep it at 1 day.

12.) Frank Green - The only bassist on the list, and he would round off the perfect rhythm section… 90 days.

8. If you could choose any songwriter to collaborate with on a full length cd, who would it be ?

I would say Paul McCartney would be pretty amazing to collaborate with considering the impact of the Beatles on Rock, but I think my heart would go with Eddie Vedder, he has probably influenced my love for rock more than any other.

9. Who has had the biggest influence on you as a person ?

My parents are without a doubt the greatest influence on my life. They are pretty amazing people who have dedicated everything to their children. I hope I am as good a dad as mine was. My wife is an amazing person also, but I think that I was already who I am before I met her… But she definitely makes me want to be a better person everyday.

10. There was a message posted on the Factor 9 message board (factor9.net) offering Donnie Hardin free or "at cost" dental care. It was under a guest post, but you usually post as a guest, so I was hoping it was a for real thing, plus I had a filling come out of a tooth and I don't have any dental insurance right now. So, was this a legit offer and if so, what has come of it ?

It was a totally legit offer. I know dental work is expensive, especially for young musicians or musicians in general. I remember in college how much 10 dollars seemed, much less $1000 for one crown. Sometimes I have holes in my schedule and I don't mind doing free or discounted work to those who appreciate it. Obviously I can't extend that offer to everybody, but Donnie's problem is something I could literally fix in 10 minutes, so why the hell not? I put the ball in his court, and he never has called and make an appointment. Unfortunately my job situation has changed since then, and I can't do free work now. That's one of the reasons I am trying to leave.

11. There was another rumor that Susan Weber offered to manage End Of Me, but under the stipulation that you get some sort of plastic surgery, is there any truth to that, and if so, did she offer to pay for it ?

Are you sure you didn’t make that up? The only place I have ever seen this rumor is in the 20 questions. Susan has always been really nice to me personally, but Ryan Murphy would rather quit the band than to have anything to do with her on a business level. I wish that rumor were true, I could use a little nip and tuck. We could always get Terry Harper to play drums…

12. What are your five favorite CDs?

Beatles- Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band

I think there will never be anyone even close to being as great as the Beatles…

Pearl Jam- Ten

Tears come to my eyes thinking of how amazing “Black” was being performed by them on MTV unplugged…

U2- Joshua Tree

just mentioning it makes me want to crank up “Bullet the Blue Sky”

Beastie Boys- License to Ill

that album is just so fly…

Red Hot Chili Peppers- Blood Sugar Sex Magik

I just remember back when I first heard that album, it just seemed like the most perfect thing I had ever listened to… John Frusciante became my favorite guitarist after that, even though I am not very impressed by their latest effort.


13. What are your five favorite movies ?
True Romance- a truly violent love story, absolutely everyone is in it. Quentin Tarrantino's greatest flick.

Shawshank Redemption- for once a movie based on a Stephen King book that was good.

Pulp Fiction- Quentin Tarrantino is amazing. I remember watching that movie on opening night. I looked over to my friend about halfway through and said “ I don’t have a clue what this movie is about but I love it!”

Clerks- I have quoted that movie more than any other. It is just so wrong…

Happy Gilmore- I still laugh so hard after seeing it 100 times at least.

I would probably have included the Lord of the Rings trilogy, but after reading the book the movies seem like such an outline of the book. Anyone who doesn’t read them is really missing out on one of the greatest stories ever written… and a different ending than the movies…


14. What band would you most like to share a tour with ?

Pearl Jam. As a kid Eddie Vedder was just such an influence for me writing and singing.
I was definitely not born with a good singing voice, I learned from singers like
Eddie Vedder and Bob Dylan that tone is not as important as feeling. SO, I
used to have confidence singing because I knew that if I just sang with my
heart that people would overlook the fact that I wasn't a great vocalist.
Tone developed from there…

15. What one person in the 502 scene deserves the most success and why ?

Without a doubt Ryan Murphy. Besides being an amazing drummer, he
contributes to every part of the songs. Plus, he was just born to rock- just
look at him while he plays. He has a rock star attitude and a head for
business. He has been at it for a long time and still wants it more than any
other person I know. There has been times when we thought that we were
absolutely getting a record deal and my wife and I were like "I am just so
happy for Ryan." Hopefully it will be with End of Me with his deserved
success, but if not, I still would be so happy for him.

16. I will list some people and you give your thoughts...

1.) Ryan Murphy - great person, amazing musician. I am humbled to be in a band with him.

2.) Scott Fraizer - easily the most positive person I have ever met, I wish him all the success in the world.

3.) Donnie Highland - He is a wonderful drummer as well. He actually played on "Higher Things." I haven't talked to him in a while, I hope he is happy.

4.) Travis Meeks - absolutely an unbelievable musician. Hopefully someday he will be able to accept his demons and figure out how to be a happy person despite of them.

5.) Hugo Ferreira - He defined End of Me's sound by producing the first version of "Yes." I owe a lot to him. He is a great guy, and a total rock star.

6.) Scott Stapp - He writes great lyrics and has made a career in Rock. Anything bad to say about that would just be out of jealousy for his status. Good for him.

7.) Susan Weber - Always been nice to me and always willing to help anyone out.

8.) Kevin McCreery - Great dude, hellified guitarist.

9.) Malcolm Springer- He is a really great friend, I am glad that he is on his feet again. He is a great rock producer and is filled with songs and ideas.

10.) Kimmet - Kimmet has an amazing voice. I don't think I have ever heard her sound bad, and I have seen them a hundred times.

11.) Doug - I know that if I practiced 8 hours a day for the rest of my life I will never be able to do on the acoustic what he can do.

12.) Shaun Kennedy - He is a great person. If I didn't like him, he wouldn't be our new bassist.

13.) Scott Kennedy - Those Kennedy's are just great people. Scott has always been so nice to me.

14.) Brian Vinson - Brian is one of my best friends. I always thought that the people who saw him play with End of Me only really missed out on how wonderful of a bassist he is. Brian is a jazz upright bassist. That is where he shines the brightest.

17. You mention that you and your wife are expecting a baby girl. Have you chosen a name yet ? If someone offered to start a college fund for her with a 100 grand deposit if you named her Ryanah Murphy Fox, would you do it ? What about Francis Green Fox ?

Definitely. I would have to go with Ryanah Murphy Fox. My wife’s name is Ryan and Ryan Murphy is a great dude- I wouldn’t mind naming my child after him.

18. Last of Bryan Fox...

Last time you signed an autograph. As me or the lead singer of Three Doors Down?

Last good cd you bought. Bought- I just bought Led Zepplen 4 again. Given- Neil Diamond’s Greatest Hits.

Last time you have been to a strip club. Last time I was in New Orleans I inadvertently walked in one looking for a bar. The chicks definitely weren’t worth staying…

Last time you looked at Kimmet's butt for more than 5 second without stopping. Are you referring to Doug?

Last time Shaun Kennedy looked at your butt for more than 5 seconds without stopping. Probably the last time we played… Saturday night at Uncle Pleasants, but he made no mention of it thank goodness.


19. What advice would you give to upcoming songwriters and musicians?

Never think that you are good enough and never close your mind off to new ideas that people may think of and offer. Singers are notorious for having an ego- be better than that. If someone has a suggestion, take it seriously and don’t get offended by it. A better song is a better song. Also- if you have 500 bucks and need to record and want it to be played for anyone in the music business, record your best song perfect, not 10 of them half-ass. Everyone in the business says that they can hear past a song’s bad quality production, but all of them are lying. Most of them are not musicians, they can’t envision anything artistically. First impressions are extremely important. If you can amaze them with one amazing radio-ready song right off the bat, then usually they will give you some money to do more if they are really interested. If you want to do that then call Chris Cassetta and tell him you want to do it right. That guy is the best for the money around that I have heard.

20. Is flossing over-rated ? What are some good tips for better dental care?

Flossing is not a cure for many people’s problems. I see a ton of gum disease that is way past the point that floss can help. Brush with the bristles pointing towards your gum at a 45 degree angle and go in circles. It should at least take you 2 minutes to do your entire mouth depending on if you still have all of your teeth. Try to go to the dentist at least once a year, preferably twice…… man this is getting boring. Let’s talk about music. Oh, by the way, every person that read this owes me a consultation fee… haha



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Let's recap...

Bryan actually offered to do some free dental work for Donnie Hardin, but hasn't gotten a call from Donnie yet.

Doesn't know anything about the rumor that Susan Weber offered to manage his band if he would get plastic surgery.

Admits that Gwen Stefani would be fun to be on a deserted island, as well as Kimmet, but doesn't care to say if he has looked at her butt for more than 5 seconds without stopping.

Bryan did a great job and got the answers back really quick.


Thanks Bryan !

I give Bryan 5 out of 5 stars for his 20 Question Interview. êêêêê