Inside Five Minutes Interview

The press may deem Detroit as the next Seattle, but every time I read an article I think about how diverse the city's creative music scene is. Massive changes in the city have created a creative environment that one could compare to in the late 60's and early 70's. On a late December evening, I found myself driving to a local bar to meet up with the best kept secrete of Detroit, Inside Five Minutes (I5M). An explosive live act on stage, I wondered as I strolled into the bar… to how I was going to conduct an interview and maintain a direction.

Sitting in a single row of barstools, I5M were conversing freely with Canadian Black Label brews at hand. An exchange of hellos and handshakes followed before we ordered the first of many rounds. Within minutes the assignment at hand * to interview I5M *. Gone. The interview shifted into the rare opportunity to view a music scene that will be defined by five gents around me. An appreciation for the city we live in and the progression as being an artist was expressed to me. I give you - Inside Five Minutes.

Interview conducted in person by Motor City Rollie, December 2001.

Names: Aron Lozo (Vocals), Kevin Brace (Guitar), Nick Hudyma (Guitar), Jason Vogel (Bass), Matt Gorton (Skins).

Band: Inside Five Minutes

MCR - Saw you guys about a year ago… I'm curious to hear about how you got together…

Aron - We were all in various bands together, we all knew each other. We all really wanted to play rock n' roll. We were on that kick at the time… So we all kind of started talking. We kept on talking to one another and that was the planned line-up so it worked out quite all right.

MCR - Within this last year, Detroit has had a lot exposure because of the White Stripes. "Detroit Garage City". One thing I admire is that you don't play with a lot of the same bands. Within one year you've played with the Tight Bros, Alabama Thunder Pussy (A.T.P.) and Hot Water Music. So it's coming from Punk, Emo to what have you…

Nick - I think it's reflective to our tastes in music. Different scenes that we're interested in you know? We've never been interested in latching onto one area. Were not a hardcore band but we know bands. Our friends are in bands that are Hardcore. Were not interested in being a fucking stoner rock band. Bands like A.T.P. We're into them. Well I am. But were glad to get on those kinds of shows and play what ever we can get going on.

Kevin - There's a lot of different aspects to what we kind of play. There's range. Of course influences over here. Maybe a little bit because we were into this kind of music for maybe a time in our lives, then it shifts into another. It's then consecutive in maybe one song or an album…. Honestly if there's a band that comes through that we want to play with. Then we'll fucking play with 'em. Because you know what? We understand that there is no bands that we should play with because it doesn't really mesh or whatever. It doesn't really matter. Well play shows and get on with bands that we appreciate. Depending on who's coming through or if someone asks us to play a show. We'll weigh it out. Is this going to be good for us, or is this something we really want to do. Because… We don't give a shit, honestly if the band that were playing with is like our band, As long as we respect them. It's pretty hard to come across a band that we're… in the same vain with this band.

Matt - I don't think that we've played with a band that we quite go with.

Aron - If they're nice people. Then that's all were really looking for.

MCR - In the same respect… You're not very click-ish, with a lot of other bands in Detroit that have become scenesters. Do you guys find it hard to play with other bands in City? Because your live act is so intense… do a lot of other bands resist having you play with them.

Aron - Yes

Kevin - I think people get a vibe from us… that were kind of Arrogant assholes. Because we don't feel that we fit into any of those scenes. So besides Matt I guess or Hudie (Nick) occasionally. We kind of keep to ourselves, if we don't know anyone… then we keep to ourselves. If there's a scene or a clickish situation, were usually in the corner drinking. For us it's about playing music. I don't give a shit if were playing with Murder City Devils, Hot Water Music or Brodzilla. It doesn't fucking matter. Were in it for playing music. You get a good show at a good venue, with some dudes that are cool. We want to play that show. Because it's about having a good time, were musicians. That's what we are. Fucking musicians.

MCR - Let me ask you something that you may have changed within the city (Detroit). The Gold Dollar closed a couple of months ago. It was a venue that was reflective of people playing. It wasn't a part of a circuit. It wasn't one of the 3 venues. (The Magic Stick, The Shelter, & St. Andrews) Now… Places like Jacoby's and the Lager House have opened up. Do you guys feel like you're the reason that so many of these bars/venues are opening up? Because they house shows that are out of the norm.

Jason - I'll tell you this. Some of our best shows have been at Jacoby's. Every time we play there… we have a good time. I like that small venue with people right in front of your place. Id play those shows everyday before I play with bigger place with half the people.

Aron - People go to shows like that… and they're fucking packed. People, who want to set up clubs, are doing that and booking band and setting up shows. I think it's been motivating. If you went to shows like that and you weren't part of that… You'd know that it would be an amazing thing to do. So maybe that's why bars like that are popping up. Not directly because of us.

MCR - It's still an alternative. Places like the Detroit Contemporary are having shows for bands that don't have a Garage sound. Do you think 2 years from now… we'll look back at Jacoby's and say that it was the next Gold Dollar?

Kevin - It will always be a great time, I don't think we could ever deny that time as being good. The Gold Dollar will never be replaced. You go in there… it feels like a rock venue. Everyone there is excited about being a part of music. It's totally worthwhile. It's what Detroit should be. Scenesters are eliminated, people want to be there and they want their fucking rock music. You grow up and you have aspirations. I want to be a fireman, I want to be a policeman, I want to be a teacher, and I want to be whatever. We want to be musicians and that's what we are. We're not going to get anywhere unless we bust our ass with music. Jacoby's has been a great stepping-stone. Fuck all the scenesters shit, people are have a good time because its about the music. You can go to a bigger venue, with their nose in the air… and they want to talk about the next day. Where they were last night and what they're into…

MCR - The city is recovering from one of its worse periods. Specifically the 80's. I think it's unfair to compare today's scene to that of the late 60's and early 70's. It's a different city. How do you see yourself working in Detroit?

Nick - I see Detroit as a nice place to live. It influences all so much.

Aron - I think Detroit has a great music scene. A lot of people talk shit but they don't work their ass off. I think we can have a better scene if bands, and publications worked their ass off. We're not one of those bands that have to move to Chicago or New York to be a band. There's something raw and real about being in Detroit. We all listen to the MC5 and the Stooges. But it's a different Detroit.

MCR - I want to ask you guys about the new 7"(Makoto 7" series) what's it sound like?

Nick - It's the best Tight Bros. Song every recorded. It's James Brown meets the Tight Bros.

MCR - Are you guys glad to be on the split with the Tight Bros?

Nick, Kevin - Yea.

Kevin - There isn't another band that could be more fitting.

Aron - It's going to be great release for us. It's a great song by both bands.

Kevin - Our song will sound like Sabbath meets the blues.

MCR - Where does the live energy come from? When I see you guys, I know that you're going to leave a pint of blood on stage. Where does it come from?

Matt - When I play live. I'm sitting on stage behind my drums to perform the songs I wrote. Nothing in my life that inspires more passion than the music I create with those four other guys. That's the inspiration of my life. As corny it sounds.

Aron - I don't think we've ever performed a song that we didn't truly believe in. We want to let them know… where you get into a mind set.

Nick - I get into a mindset where it's me against THEM. I see people from stage and when I see people not getting into it. I get pissed. I'm giving this to you. If you don't like it, fine. I'm not trying to make them like it. But I will always let them know how much I like it.

Inside Five Minutes are preparing to record their follow-up effort to Stately Chaos Home in 2002. They will have a split 7" with the Tight Bros on Makoto Recordings.
www.insidefiveminutes.com - Bio, pictures, and MP3's