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The Fabric

Sikes: I started my first synthpop group with my childhood best friend. Our parents helped us buy our first synthesizers, a Yamaha PSR-48 and a Roland U-110. We started writing sequences on my Macintosh 512K. Jeremy Frank joined us in our senior year, and we started a rock group called The Hurt. After The Hurt, we started a darkwave rock group called ODK (Order of the Dying Knights), which proliferated for about 10 years. We released two albums: our masterpiece, Miranda, and then our fate-sealing attempt at a sell-out, Jet Propulsion and Gin. Jeremy joined ODK after Miranda, and it really enhanced our sound and songwriting. He then left the group when we started recording Jet Propulsion and Gin. Our producer convinced us that we needed to lose our synthpop edge and phased out most of Jeremy's synth parts or converted them to bratty guitar riffs.

Frank: I have been exploring music since I was six or seven. I played piano first and even took a few lessons, until the teacher's German shepherd attacked my mom when she dropped me off at practice one day. I went to Northside School of the Arts in high school, where I learned a bit about music history and theory. I've worked in various musical contexts, including playing synths for ODK with Joe. My time with ODK really helped me grow as an artist.

Sharaab: I consider myself more of an audio technician first and a musician second. I've been using computers to make music in some form or another for over half my life. I've been producing and engineering for several years and have worked with many artists and bands on productions and remixes over that time, as well as releasing two solo albums of my own work. I have also been a DJ, although I consider that more as an outlet for my production work.

How did you first begin working together in The Fabric?

Sikes: In 2001, ODK had become less enjoyable and less than real for me. I needed a true creative outlet, so Jeremy and I started writing synth music together, and we called the project Fabric. By 2005, we had written and recorded many songs in our home studio, and a friend gave us an opportunity to start re-recording and polishing our songs in a more professional studio environment. This is where we met Sharaab. He was working out of the same space on various projects as well as his solo album, Evolution. At first, Sharaab started filling in on the production and engineering of Man vs. Prototype. We had a really good musical chemistry with him, so Jeremy and I asked him if he would help us with the post-production. He agreed to do it and did an amazing job. After it was all finished, we realized Sharaab was more than just our producer; he was an integral part of The Fabric.

How would you say the other bands and projects you've worked in compare to The Fabric? Is there a large overlap in terms of influences, inspirations, and techniques?

Sikes: In comparison with other projects, The Fabric has felt the most natural and free for me. We do share many influences and inspirations, but each of us is polarized slightly off from one another. As far as technique, The Fabric often works like an assembly line. Jeremy builds the frame and structure, I add components, and Sharaab does the finishing details.

Frank: There is definite overlap with ODK, with shared influences including The Cure and Depeche Mode. In terms of techniques, though, now we have less band members, and we are all like-minded. For that reason, we get more done with less frustration.

Your album, Man vs. Prototype, was recently released, but you actually recorded it a few years ago, right? What was the reason for the long period of time between recording and releasing the album?

Sharaab: Both my solo album and Man vs. Prototype were completed in 2006. I naively thought that since I had been previously signed to an independent label, I would be able to shop my album around and be able to find a label to release it. Joe and Jeremy were doing the same thing with The Fabric. After about a year of unsuccessfully shopping the two records around, I decided to go ahead and start my own label, called Undo Recordings, to release my album as well as any projects I’m involved with. It took about another year to get all the infrastructure and funds in place to ensure proper releases, so here we are. Man vs. Prototype is the second release on the label, after my album Evolution.

There's a classic electro-pop vibe running through Man vs. Prototype. Who are some of your biggest musical inspirations?

Frank: I love Depeche Mode! I also feel very inspired by the work of Peter Gabriel, even going back to his pre-1975 work with Genesis. He is just so elegant.

Sharaab: I love classic electro-pop, synthpop and industrial, as well as most current forms of electronic music.

Unlike a lot of groups that cite classic electro-pop artists as influences, your music seems to veer away from the focus on dance tracks in favor of melodies and harmonies. Was that an intentional goal on your part, or just something that organically arose out of the songwriting process?

Frank: This has to do with the way that we write. I think the three of us get really bored with formulaic dance tracks, which is what people primarily think of when they hear 'electronic music.' We want to express that electronic can mean 'songs.'

Sharaab: From a production standpoint, we wanted to use technology to enhance the songwriting, not the other way around. I think too many electronic musicians get caught up in how far they can push the technology and forget that music is supposed to be about the melodies and harmonies.

What are your favorite tracks from the album, and why?

Frank: I think my favorite tracks are 'Simplify' and 'Zero.' I like 'Simplify' because it comes from a passionate place and is very sincere. I like the unconventional format of 'Zero' and the yin-yang of optimism and frustration.

Sharaab: I like all the songs from the album, but 'Simplify' encompasses everything I like about electronic music. I also really like 'Spirit World,' as well. It seems like every new song Joe and Jeremy like is my favorite new song.

Now that the album is out, will you be touring for it?

Sharaab: We are actively seeking opportunities for live shows and would welcome putting together a tour for the album. If any ReGen readers can help us out with this, please contact us.

Do you have any other thoughts you'd like to share with ReGen readers?

Frank: I want to encourage your readers to cut through the shit and don't just listen to what is fed to you. Instead, dial in to music that either triggers an emotion that you want to feel or reinforces one that is already with you.

Sharaab: Take a listen to our sounds, and if you like what you hear, tell a friend. And you can always hit us up at any time through our MySpace or our Web site. We love hearing from fans and people passionate about this music!