NSM
How did you guys find each other and form Clearlight Industries?

ED: Me and John Y had played together for quite some time to little effect for the most part. Then several years ago a friend from work mentioned a great drummer in need of a band. That was John Ops. He was the missing piece so to speak. His influences are pretty different than those that make up the overall sound but he makes it work in a way no one else can. The heaviness of rock played with a jazz players finesse. Like when Terry Bozio played with “Missing Persons.”

John Y: I had been playing guitar off and on for 10 years. Ed asked me to pick up the bass. It finally became a solid line up when we found John Ops to play drums in 2003. We took a hiatus between 2006 and 2007. John Ops moved out of state and Ed and I continued the album work. With the time we had away, John Ops moved back and we all had a newfound desire to really make an impact with our music. Here we are…

JOHN O: I found Ed and John thru a friend that was teaching at the same music store as Ed, they needed a drummer and I needed a band. When I first heard Ed's studio tracks my first thought was "this really isn't my style of music per se, but there is something really unique and genius about Ed's writing style, sound, and approach"....I strongly felt that if was ever going to be in a band that could be commercially successful, even to a lesser degree, this was it, you know they've really got something here. Nothing else sounds like this and that's why I joined the band.

NSM
Any fan needs to feel as if they know something about the artists/artist they’re listening to. So, let’s get a little into your personal lives. What do you do for a living, hold old are you, where are you from or anything you want to talk about?

ED: What do we want people to know.......

JOHN O: After graduating college I spent 5 years in the mortgage business, when that industry collapsed I went to insurance. I was born and raised in Guilford CT, my family has lived here a couple hundred years, it will always be home to me. My dream job would be making a comfortable living playing music with “Clearlight.”

John Y: I've spent most of my career designing high-end audio video systems and home theaters. I now help manage a Best Buy store. I grew up in different parts of CT and have never lived out of state. I am a huge proponent of skeptical thinking and as a result, Ed thinks I am spiritually lacking LOL… I just like evidence and do not mind debating it.

ED: I'm a musician that spent his whole life here in Connecticut making music. Strange child becomes strange adult. Music pretty much rules my life as I teach guitar, go to school for music and play in a band. I have a few other musical projects as well. A small studio etc... I'm into computers and technology. I'm into the paranormal.... esoteric knowledge....I’m a big Simpsons fan too. I'm very much an "all over the place" kind of person. If there’s anything I want to illustrate it’s the passion I have for this. I hope that comes through the speakers. I like to believe you can tell when people are faking it and when there is a sincerity on a spiritual level.

NSM
When and how did you learn to play your instruments?

ED: I've been into music since I was like three. I learned from probably 10 guitarists over the years. Lets see: Pat Russo, Ron Stebbins and Steve Famiglietti in my early years. In college, I studied guitar with Jamie Begian and Chris Morrison. I got a lot of knowledge from all of them. Different points if view on a vast subject. I also had a lot of training with non-guitarists. Arranging, improvisation etc...I'm always working on new concepts and ideas though. It’s an infinite road so to speak.

JOHN O: Well, I guess it all started with a "Shirt Tales" toy drum set when I was very little, eventually progressed to pots and pans (true story, go look at all the dented pot covers in my moms kitchen), then joined the school band in 5th grade. I was by far the worst drummer in school until I started taking lessons in 7th grade with a high school senior name Rick Brauchler (sic?). When Rick went to college, I went to his teacher Nick Forte...who I studied with for about 6 years. I credit Nick with teaching me everything I know, he is an amazing teacher and player and I consider him my "Mr. Miagi."

John Y: I am self taught and not classically trained, which is something I have always regretted; especially playing with great musicians like Ed and John Ops. Early on, I think I must have learned every “Metallica” and “Iron Maiden” song written.

NSM
On your News link, January 2008 talks about a gig where you encountered some problems. Can you elaborate on this and how you got through it?

ED: There was a problem with the PA and the vocals sounded sub-par. Some people said that the lo-fi sound kinda worked for us. That along with some other pieces of gear that had a few problems of their own........you do the best with the situation given. The show must go on. I try to always have the latest gear so I'm always at war with my machines.

NSM
I’d like to talk about your new album. Your website mentions that it’s ready for release. I gathered that you began working on this in 2006. Describe the journey you guys went through to complete this project.

ED: It was a long strange trip so to speak. The drum tracks were recorded at “Sleepless Sound” in Rockville with producer Chris Loin. A lot of bass, guitar, and vocal tracks were recorded there as well. We’d spend like a 10-hour day there just gettin' crazy with the tracks and getting some far out sounds and ideas. The next phase was tracking more tracks at “The Coffeehouse” studio with engineer Mike Arafeh. I also recorded the guitar solos at my own studio. Mike Arafeh also mixed and mastered the finished album. Chris was there every step of the way lending input on every aspect. There were a lot of gaps of time here and there to regroup and get the whole "vision" of the thing together. I think the next one will happen significantly quicker.

NSM
What’s the title and where can your fans buy it?

ED: The albums called “NEVEREVEN” and will be available at shows, online and eventually through services like SOUNDCLICK. com and iTunes.

NSM
Which song on the new album was the most difficult to finalize?

ED: Wow......"Wish" never got finalized at all and didn't make the cut. As far as songs people got to hear, I'd probably say, "If I were You". The intro never felt right so Mike (Engineer) did a little slice and paste magic on it so that the intro worked better. The wonders of the modern studio.

NSM
If your recording environment could be set up any way you wanted, describe what you would see when you walk in.

ED: A dream setup... I'm a high tech fanatic so it would no doubt have all the latest doo-dads. Definitely a well set up acoustic room. Can I stock it with people? Maybe Rick Rubin on the control room couch giving sage advice.

JOHN O: That would probably consist of a custom “Noble & Cooley” drum set...that is my dream kit...for the sole reason N&C was the manufacturer of my “Shirt Tales” toy set when I was a kid so that’s my emotional bond to them, plus I have a N&C snare drum which I love.

NSM
What has been your favorite cover song and original to perform and why?

John Y: I think I enjoy playing “Candlewax” the most; it’s got so many fun parts to play. As far as covers are concerned, since we play a bunch of “Police” and “Rush” songs as covers, it’s a debate between “Tom Sawyer” (always a crowd favorite) or “Cant Stand Losing You” from the Police.

ED: I also like "Tom Sawyer" as most three-piece bands don't perform it. Then again “Rush” was a three piece so........I also like anything John sings as it frees me up a bit. As far as originals, I like to play "Pale Goddess" because it’s a lot of sound and has several parts that can be taken "out" in an improvisational sense.

JOHN 0: I've really enjoyed playing “Ledge,” the 3/4 feel is always a nice change of pace and the different sections make it fun to play. Also, any of the “Rush” covers are fun because they are a nice challenge to initially learn.

NSM
On clearlightindustries. com you have lyrics up for three of your songs. As I was reading them, they reminded me of that “Dylanesque” style of writing. Can you explain what artists have influenced your lyrical writing?

ED: Weird, I couldn't name you three Dylan songs. Good stuff and all, just never considered it and influence at all..........I'm always apprehensive that my lyrics have too much of that simple "Dr. Seuss" quality to them. I'm definitely influenced by poetry in general though. Some of the early “Sufis” writing have boundless sort of vibe to them that I enjoy. As far as bands whose lyrics I enjoy........”Bad Religion”, “Rush”, “Ween” and a million others. Music and lyrics are inherently derivative so in way if I heard it, it has had some influence.

NSM
A lot of musicians say, when they were young they remember seeing an artist doing an interview or performing. They concluded they were the “God” of music and became strongly influenced by them. Was there anyone like that for you guys?

JOHN O: I’ve been influenced by tons of people...mostly Nick Forte. My musical influences are very different than Ed and Johns which is a good thing....the different tastes in music add to our sound in Clearlight. I can say I was never the same after my first “Grateful Dead” Show, and was lucky enough to see “Phish” many times, those 2 bands always pushed the envelope live and were huge successes despite mass media/radio/MTV, etc...they did it the old fashioned way by paying their dues. Needless to say, after seeing them, playing at MSG is my lifelong dream.

John Y: I don't remember a moment when I was younger that had the most influence, but there is a continuity in my live music experiences that keeps me in awe. It’s when a show is more than the band. It’s more like an experience of virtuoso musicianship… sights and sounds combined that brings out something inside. I experience this most by seeing “Tool” or “King Crimson” play.

ED: I've had many musical obsessions over the years. Lets see: “Kraftwerk”, “Ramones”, “Bad Religion”, “Slayer”, “King Crimson”, “Rush”, “Zappa” various World musicians.....I could go on for hours. I often find inspiration in obscure bands that never really "made it big". There is a band from down South called "Acid Bath" that I totally dig. It’s heavier than my usual listening but there was something it had for me.

Clearlight Industries Website

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