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Bandhappy Bandchat with Fronz of Attila

everybody out there on the Internet. I am Finma Kanti, the head of the music and Audio Channel here on creativelive dot com. I am here to talk with Mr Franz of Attila about the band. Happy behind the steins. Classy. He will he will be doing every day this year on vans Worked or so Franz, before we get started, I just wanted to let you know I am about that life. I might not look like it. A promise I am. You Can you contest me? You can quiz me later. I promise. I am okay. Take your word. You don't have to take my word. I'll prove it. So I guess to start with, I just wanted to kind of cover a little bit about your history. You know, I think maybe a lot of people Attila's really blown up in the past year or two. But I know you've been doing this for a lot longer than maybe some people think. Do you want to kind of give us a little bit of story about, you know, sort of how you got started? Ah, And what happened between then and now and kind of give people a little bit of sense of history th...

ere. Yeah, sure. Basically, Attila started 10 years ago. I'm 24 now, So I started the band with my drummer when I was only 14. And it's a cool story, Really. I was just a freshman in high school, just like anybody else that really wanted to start a band. And, um, you know, we met up one day and he gave me a demo in a ludicrous case of what was gonna become Attila. And then I joined became Attila. And, you know, we started off just like any other band. We were a local band playing in garages and driveways and just working really, really hard. You know, we, uh, unlike a lot of bands that are out there today, we actually had Teoh really grind it out and, you know, go to the shows and pass out our demos and flyers and, you know, work really, really, really hard. And, you know, through lots of hard work and dedication, we were able to get where we're at today. You know, a few years into being a local band, we would book our own tours like, you know, within the southeast, you know, just small tours. And it was hard and, you know, things were really rough in the beginning, But, you know, eventually the hard work and dedication paid off, and now things were great and I couldn't ask for more. So it's just been a It's been a long journey, but it's we literally started from the bottom. So it's really rewarding to be where we're at right now. Yeah. I mean, I remember, you know, I've been aware of Attila for, I don't know, probably six years or something like that. And it's amazing to see how far you guys have come, You know, from then to now. So we're all so proud of you, Chris. Just you know that. Um, So I guess we came here to talk about your band. Happy class. So can you tell us a little about what you're gonna be teaching there? What people can expect to learn some of the specific things you've learned in covering? Yeah, sure. So, basically, um, I'm kind of almost doing this class is if I was teaching the 14 year old meat or 15 year old Minnie. Um, I really want to be able to help out kids who are thinking about starting a band or maybe have a band and kids that just need more help. Because you know, there's a lot more Teoh to this industry than what people think. It's not just about being in a band recording and getting signed. There's just a lot to it. It's really complicated, and it's really hard toe Explain things to somebody, like through a blogger through, you know, Twitter something. It's something that you need to really sit down in person and talk to people about. So that's why I think the classes really good this summer because you'll be sitting down with me and you'll have probably like an hour more of my time. I'm so just be able to talk about this. And But, yeah, I wanted, uh, I want to help you start a band. If you're not in one and you're interested, give you some tips about that. If you're already in a band, I want to help you. Um, you know, learn a little bit more about what you need to do to take it to the next level, if that's what you're interested in. And, um, you know my class isn't just for vocalist or anything. I don't want to just talk about doing vocals the whole time, for sure. Um, but I'm open to any questions and everything. I'd like to answer everybody's questions and yeah, I mean, I'm I'm really talking a little bit about everything. I'd like to talk about the business side of music, Teoh, because I kind of know what happens on the other end of the spectrum. And I'd like to tell you guys about that, too. And, um, you know, I mainly just want to focus on young individuals who are in up and coming bands that, you know, need some tips and helped tow. Take it a little further. So if you could If you could go back in time to 14 or 16 year old Franz and kind of tell yourself one thing, what would that be? Yeah, that's a good question. Um, I would just tell myself that the hard work and dedication will pay off eventually, so just don't ever give up, Really? Because, you know, there's a lot of there's a lot of stages of being a beginning ban to getting to the touring level and a lot of those stages along the way. You just want to throw everything down and quit. And you know, the how people the difference between people who become successful and don't are the people who become successful never quit. So that's just the really important thing, right? There is just, you know, there are tough times along the road and just never quit. If you really want something, you'll get it eventually. So well, that's kind of why I wanted to start off by talking about how long you've been doing this. Because, you know, just because somebody may have heard about until a two years ago or a year ago doesn't mean that it started a year ago or two years ago. And I think that's true across the board. Like, you know, every band that quote unquote blows up overnight. They didn't really blow up overnight, had been doing it for five years. You just never heard about it because they were doing it. 10 people in a V F W Hall in Georgia or something, you know. But they were doing it. You just didn't hear about it exactly. And that was us like circa 2006. You know, playing V F W halls and ice cream parlors and basements for like 10 or 15 people in a you know, just grinding it out as hard as we could and making sure those or 15 people wanted to come back again and turn into 2025. And you know, that's how that's how it all starts. And I think that's a cool thing. That is because a lot of bands thes days we're losing touch with that. They kind of just think that you can record a CD and then there's blow up instantly and, you know, while it works for some people, it's really rewarding to go through the whole process, and anyone can still do that. So, you know, Well, you you said before Ah, you know there's a chance for for someone. Ah, worked her to get an hour of your time. You're a busy guy. You got a lot of stuff going on, Especially Warped Tour is a crazy insane grind with a 1,000,000 things happening at every second of the day. Why take the time out of your day to teach this class? Why is this important to you. It's just important to me because of the fact that it's even available. I went to work tour when I was like, 15 years old, and there was nothing like this available. So the fact that this is even possible makes it important to me because it's just a great way for me to reach out to everybody. This is gonna be a class I'm teaching every single day, every single state, all aboard tour. So it's just, uh, great. You know, no matter what state you live in, it's not like a one time deal in one state. This is a every day deal, and it's worth it for me to take my time and do it because I have a lot to say, and it will be nice to be able to say it to you guys and help teach you guys and, you know, just get to interact with you guys a little closer than what we normally would be able to do. So it's pretty cool opportunity. It's It's hard to, you know, get an hour to sit down with someone like you. That's but that's seen so many sides of this business has come from, You know, the V F W. Halls to. Now that I know if I was 14 I would certainly have taken it. I mean, I would still do. I would do it now you know why not? I could I could learn something. You can learn something from anybody. Exactly. So, uh, you know, let's talk about parents. You know, we've said that, you know? Said, invite your parents to this. You know, Mom and Dad are oftentimes gonna be the ones buying the tickets for these band happy classes. Hello. Moms and dads at home. Um, So if if a parent has any concerns about this, you know, what would you say to set them at ease? I would just say, Don't be concerned. Your kids in good hands. You know, we're just gonna have a fun time. It's warped tour. It's a great safe environment. It's really fun. It's Your kid's gonna have the time of their life there. And, you know, if your kid joins my class, they're definitely gonna learn a thing or two. You know, uh, I'm sure there's a high chance that your son or daughter wants toe be in a band er, you know, be involved in this industry, and it's not as easy as you think it would be. So, you know, I would just like to offer them hoping hand and, you know, don't be scared when I'm joined my class, and we're gonna have a good time that somewhere, I swear they'll come back in one piece. So if your if your son or daughter is asking for more education, I think that's a pretty good Ah, pretty good sign. Um eso Franz kind of on that note. If you are a parent who has a kid that well, actually, you are a parent. So why do you think about that a little bit? Yeah, I'm a parent. I have a kid. His name's place. He's 2. years old and he's awesome. Um, we hang out a lot and we have a good time. We spent like three hours at the pool. Today was awesome. I'm a little red. Oh, man, that's a way. That's a long swim. It's awesome. I love being a parent, and, you know, I bring my son to warp tour, even though his little earned, he loves it. So you know I grew up going to hardcore shows in the nineties which were scary and not safe in a horrible place than wrong part of town with all kinds of crazy people there. And I love war tour because it's like the exact opposite of that. It's a place where, like a bunch of, like, pretty cool, you know, artistic kids come and watch bands and have a great time, and it's safe and there is plenty of there's. There's all kinds of first aid security people to help you to get lost, lose your phone, they hand out water. I mean, it's like the safest environment could possibly hope for, and I still go every year. I have a great time. So you know, and you see tons of kids there. You see parents, they remember. You know, I a lot of my friends have kids now started taking their kids to, so I think it's I think it's really cool. How family friendly work tourists. Yeah, me, too. I agree. It's It's literally just the best, you know, especially compared to like a small, dark venue in the ghetto or something. Thistles. Amazing. It's just a good time all around. So, uh, so talk about like, let's say, ah, that Ah, little Franz one day says that he wants to be in a band or wants have some kind of a creative career. Can you talk about how important education and knowledge of the business side of things is for someone that for for someone who wants to have a creative career like that, you know that it's not just about learning how to do the thing, but learning how toe make a living at it? Yeah, exactly. There's lots of people who are grated instruments and stuff but don't have the proper tools toe make use of their skill. And it is very important to know more about the industry and everything because there's just so much to it that you don't really know. And it's It's great nowadays because we have the Internet and we have so many tools at our hands to use. But still knowing that there's nothing that compares to actually just being able to sit down and talk to somebody. So um, yeah, I mean, there's just there's just a lot to learn, really. Um, you know, if your if your artistically inclined, then that's great for you. If you're not, there's still opportunity to learn. You know, it's not the end of the road. There's Ah, like I said, You know, with enough hard work, you can do anything. So if you're not good at something at first, there's always a chance you can get better at it and you know, But let's say that you already possess the skills to play guitar to play drums, your vocalist and you're amazing at it. Um, you know, there's still a lot more to it than just having the skill. And, you know, it's more about knowing how to apply it, you know, and especially when you're in a band, because the band is It's not just you. You know, you could be the most amazing drummer. But the rest of your band might not be so amazing. And you know that's not going to make a good band, you know? So that's you know, that's another thing. I like distress. You guys all have to be on the same page. When you're in a band, you have to have the same vision, the same goals, and you know, that's that's the really important thing about being in a band is compared to a solo artist, too. So I don't know. There's just so much to talk about really well, we got a bunch of questions coming, and so let me get toe those, Uh, but before I do that, if you want to get a ticket for this class, which I think you should go to band Hot band happy dot com slash warp tour you consent for Franzen's class consented for no. The other backstage classes are the Somerset The Ready Set issues and Crown the Empire, I believe so. Definitely check all those out. And now let's see what kind of questions we got here. Um, so we got a few people asking about this topic. Wo Jo is asking, Do you think it's more valuable to focus on school or trying to start a band? And there's a few people have kind of ask questions about this, Or can you talk about kind of the band versus school kind of thing? Ah, that's Ah, that's interesting, actually. Well, you know, I think when it comes to school and stuff like that, you know, I'm assuming you're talking about college because, you know, I believe everyone should try to finish out high school, at least, you know, because that is important. But, you know, some in some cases, like for my band. My guitarist was really when we started touring, so he couldn't attend physical high school. But he still graduated with a diploma because he did it online and got his GED or whatever it was. But But, I mean, it's ah, it's actually interesting, though, because when when I was in Attila, like I said, I was in Attila from when I was 14 Freshman in high school until now, And, you know, there was a point in my life where it was. You know, my parents really wanted me to continue on to college and take that route, and I was plenty smart enough. I actually had a free scholarship to college, which I just kind of turn down kindly because my true dream was being in a band. And, you know, you only get one chance to live your dream. And, you know, I could have gone to college and done something else, but I probably wouldn't have been nearly as happy as I am. No So you know, it's I always just stress that it's really your choice. You know, um, you just really have to decide that for yourself and think about it. You know, if being in a band is your destiny and your you think that that's your calling and that's truly what you want to do, then I suggest you should do it. Um, I don't think you should totally forfeit your schooling career if you can manage both, but I think it's more or less a balancing act, really, Because, like for me, um, Patillo was touring when I was still in high school. We started touring when I was 16 so I was like a sophomore or junior or something like that. And what I would do is I would just work it around my high school. So like, say, we had spring break for a week, I would do a tour during spring break. Let's say we had summer break for a few months. I would do a tour for the summer, so I mean, early on, I I worked touring and being a musician around my schooling. But then, when it came time to decide on college or the band. I chose the band and luckily things you know played out in my favor. But I think it was largely just part due to the fact that I was so diligent about it. I was just, uh I was just determined, like, you know, there was no stopping me just because, you know, that's that's the thing, though. There's it takes a lot of hard work. I would dedicate, you know, probably 8 to 10 hours of my day every day, just, you know, promoting my band and just booking shows for us and just pushing as hard as I can. So you know, it wasn't like, Oh, I wanted in a band, but I'm, you know, just going to sit here and wait for a miracle. I literally worked my butt off every single day, seven days a week, and you know, that's that's why I'm here. And, you know, that's why my decision to choose being in my band over college played out for me. So it's truly just a decision that's up to you. Um, you know, But like I said, it's it would be smartest if you just figured out a way to balance out school and the band. So that way you could do both. And when it gets to the point where your band needs to tour to take it to the next level, then you know we're either working around your school or choose the band. Because once you start touring, you kind of get a feel of where you're going in. You know, if your bands on the same page and you guys were ready to take it to the next level, then by all means pursue it. You only get one chance. You know, you've got college your whole life. I still might go back to college, to be honest, just because I'm interested in learning more about business and stuff like that. But, you know, there's no saying that I can't go back to college when I'm 30. So for now I'm just doing what I love and seeing the world cool. So here's a good question from fear. The name, uh, we're a band from Idaho that might have our first show soon. How do you get over stage fright? That's a good question. Um, I have a couple of methods for stage fright, but, um to be honest stage fright, something that just goes away over time. Um, you know, you're going to get really nervous before your first show or you know, your first few shows. But I swear the second you get on stage, it will all disappear. And the main thing I would stress to anyone with, especially if you're a singer, is, uh never turn your back on the crowd. Like, never never show that you're scared because, um, the vibes and energy you give off will feed into the crowd. And the crowd will kind of, uh, not enjoy your show as much because the, you know, the crowd can feel energy and just like you can feel the energy of the crowd. So, you know, I would just say, uh, just think about how awesome it is to play in a band. You know, don't don't have stage fright. Just think of how people out there in the crowd or just excited to see you and, you know, they're looking forward to you there. They're there for you. Be happy. So, you know, just know that this can you get on stage. It's all going to go away and you're just going to get right into it. So, Ray, an Rodriguez asks, we be talking, and we got quite a few questions about this. Will you be talking about how you started? Say, stay sick. I'm very interested in starting in clothing line. Oh, sure, I definitely can If a few people are interested in that than I definitely can talk about that, too. I'd be more than happy to talk about that. Um, I think what we should do honestly is just have everybody like, you know, collectively tweet at me or something. And, you know, just let me know if there's certain topics you want me to kind of touch on. I can add it into my lesson plan eso, but yeah, sure. I'd love to talk about stay sick. You know, I started it a few years ago in 2011 and, you know, at the time I didn't really even, um, you know, have any money or anything. And it was, uh, you know, I It was a bold move, but, you know, it's just like being in a band. Really, If you're really dedicated and you work hard towards it and you're positive about outcome, then you know your outcome will be good. So, yeah. I mean, I'd love to talk about clothing line this summer, So if you guys, if you guys all can agree that you want to hear about it, I'd love to talk about stay sick. Represent, is it? Stay sick dot com What it said were threads sick threads dot com. Okay, so few other people have asked about, you know, your vocal style so specifically, you know, a lot of people you think anybody can scream, which it's definitely not that easy. So kind of a couple questions asking about, like how you learn to scream. And then also how you came up with the idea of, you know, kind of the like rapping influenced screaming or whatever you wanna call it. Oh, well, basically, um, you know, I I kind of knew I wanted to be in a band when I was probably, like, 12 years old or so I was pretty young. It was when I was in middle school, and, um, I kind of tried everything, to be honest, I tried playing drums, I tried playing guitar and I was just pretty bad at everything. So my friends didn't kick me out of my band, which is why I just picked up the microphone and I just was deemed the vocalist. And, you know, I found that I wasn't too bad at it. Granted, I I actually was pretty bad at first, but I think it was because I was trying something that was out of my style. I was trying to mimic bands that that didn't suit my vocal style. But when I was in eighth grade, not yet in high school, a band that wasn't high school asked me to be there vocalist for a talent show which would end up being the first show I ever played. And we were playing really heavy songs. We're playing zio and hate Bree it and stuff like that and, uh, you know, I hopped on the mic and started doing that vocal style, and it just instantly clicked. It was just natural to me, and, um, that's what was cool is just, uh, that feeling of just knowing, like, instantly what you were meant to do. And that's I think that's also now that I think about it, something that really helped me was doing a cover with my band just to see, like, what? Vocal style fit me. Because up until that point, I was, uh, you know, a fresh musician trying to do originals. And I obviously had no direction at that point in my life at only 12 years old. But, um, you know, I think, uh, if you're trying to find your vocal style and stuff, you should definitely do some covers and stuff. And, um, with vocals, it's something that you're really just going to get better and better at with time. So if at first you're not as great as you'd like to be, just know that there's lots of room for improvement, so your vocals will only get better if you keep doing them. Monica V. Wants to know. What are your feelings on girls getting into the industry? Are they treated the same? If anything, if you're if you're truly a talented girl in the industry, anything, it's kind of better for you. Um, uh, girls and bands air a great selling point from the view of ah, manager or label and, you know, especially a girl that can play their instruments. It's, uh, if anything you pretty much do have an advantage. You know, you you definitely have to be a strong willed woman, though, because it, you know, it is ah of an industry that's largely dominated by men. And, um, but don't let that, you know, discourage you because it really doesn't matter. And you look it. Look at Paramore. I mean, Haley's the bomb, and she kills it. And, you know, she's a female. So, you know, I definitely wouldn't get discouraged. I would say females, they're definitely treated the same. We've toward with bands that had females in the band and its school. I mean, as long as you're okay with, uh, you know, not showering a lot and, you know, using porta potties and stuff, I guess. Then you've got it your good joined the band. Let's let's do it. Porta potty Life s o h. See, Tony wants to know if you had one artist or band to pick as your biggest inspiration, who would that be? Oh, okay. That's a hard question, because the way I've kind of always answered this question, which is, you know, which is. My honest answer is I was never really inspired by one particular band, but I was more or less in spite me vocally, just speaking on a vocal perspective, I was more or less inspired by the lack of creativity with bands because a lot of bands didn't experiment with, you know, fast rhythm vocals and just interesting rhythm vocals and stuff like that. So I was inspired by the lack of creativity in bands at the time that I started Attila. So that's what inspired me. Really? I try. I try not to really, uh, look up to anyone like that or anything, because, I don't know. I just I just like to try to do my own thing. Really. And Robin Wilkins, one wants to know if you could have done anything else, What would that be? So if you weren't doing Attila, what do you think you would be doing? I'd be a NASCAR driver. Um, I really, really love driving fast. And I love racing and actually, like my whole life growing up by, I just really wanted to be a race car driver. Um, I still kind of do I want to be a race car driver, but I think it would be a lot more fun as a hobby, but yeah. I mean, I really wanted to be a race car driver or a weatherman, because I love the weather, and I love driving really, really fast. All right, Uh, and so one last question, which is what do you think is the hardest lesson that you've learned from all these years of doing? Until a probably just that no matter how hard you try, you're really not gonna please everybody. Um, you know, you can you can put out you can put out a song or you can put out music that you're so proud of That you think is amazing. You love it. You put your heart and soul into it, and people can just shrug it off. You know, you might have some people that understand it and love it, but there's some people that are really not gonna like it. And you just have to, uh, you know, you just have to swallow your tongue sometimes, and, you know, it's ah, it's definitely an industry where you don't want to burn bridges either. So, um, you know, you're not gonna please everybody, and you kind of just have toe hold your head up and just truck through things sometimes. So, yeah, cool. Well, thanks so much for your time. Um, and, uh, anybody who's interested in learning more about this can go to band happy dot com slash warp tour. You can buy a ticket for friends behind the scenes class every single day on this year's vans work tour. And, uh, I will hopefully catch you guys for a non expand chat. All right, bye, guys.