This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Local hard-rock band Adjacent to Nothing faces an obstacle. "While we aren't necessarily a 'pure metal' band, we incorporate enough elements of it to allow us to share the stage with a lot of great metal acts in the area," said Spencer Walker, who plays bass and keyboard for the band. "Sadly, the metal scene is kind of a dying one at the moment. There aren't a lot of venues that tailor towards metal, which is a huge factor."
The quintet — Walker, Mike Shumway (lead vocals), Craig Baker (drums), Clint Menlove (guitars, backing vocals) and Brennan Walker (guitars, congas, backing vocals) — is hoping for more opportunities when its second album is released later this summer or in the fall.
In an email interview, the five musicians collaborated on answers that touched on the local scene, the new album and Carly Rae Jepsen.
How did the band get together?
Well, Spencer and Mike are the founding members. ATN has been writing, recording and performing since 2000. We've tried out different bassists, guitarists and drummers over the years, and our current lineup with Craig, Brennan and Clint is the best we've ever had. We're essentially a hybrid of bands that gigged and toured with each other, and from that, we developed a mutual respect for the skills and creative elements each guy brings to the table.
How does your forthcoming album show an evolved sound?
We've finished recording the album and are working out the release date with our business partners. September is what we're looking at right now. This album is so much better than our first, but not to discredit where we were at as a band back then. We've improved in our musicianship, composition and daring. We've found a way to stride that meridian between heaviness and harmony.
Describe the local metal scene.
The best part about metal fans is their honest and unflinching loyalty toward the music they love. Utah is packed full of people who love and support metal and rock bands and all the flavors in between.
What do you think about fireworks or engaging in target practice in rural areas of a dry Utah?
It's all about freedom and consequences for your choices. Fireworks and target practice are both fun and shouldn't be criminalized or hampered, but you have to be smart and considerate with your choices of where and how you use them. And, if you do abuse your rights and impede others' safety, Craig's latest post on Facebook says it best: "They should make a new law [that] if you start a forest fire then you get to burn in it."
How did you come up with your name?
Mike was working for an engineering firm at the time, and one day he came to practice in one of his company's trucks, parking right in front of a huge waste bin by all the construction going around. Our drummer took note and started making fun of the verbose terms engineers use, and said something to the effect of how in engineering terms Mike had just "stationed his transportation apparatus adjacent to the waste disposal receptacle." There was a certain ring to the term "adjacent to," and after some thought, we soon added the "nothing," as it seemed appropriate to us.
What songs do you get stuck in your head all the time?
Spencer Walker: Usually it's a riff that gets stuck, not an entire song. Today it was the intro to "Golden Parachutes" by Fair to Midland and the drop on "Killing Time" by Hed PE.
Shumway: "The Waiting One" by All That Remains.
Menlove: "Inertia Creeps" and "Angel" by Massive Attack, or the beat to "Broken Jaw" by Foster the People.
Baker: My favorite song, "Burden in My Hand" by Soundgarden.
Brennan Walker: "We Are Young" by fun.
What do you think of the song "Call Me Maybe" by Carly Rae Jepsen?
It makes a better meme than anything else. And while we try to not to actively discredit the efforts of others, you asked the question. It's always disheartening to see how readily pretty mediocrity gets crammed down the public's throats while real musicians and artists are constantly overlooked. It's an acknowledged and unfortunate fact that an actual formula exists in the industry that is commonly utilized to churn out commercially successful fodder for the consumption of the indiscriminate sheeple. The use of this formula is especially common within the pop genre. "Call Me Maybe" does seem to be one of those songs. While this formula has proven to be effective in achieving commercial success, fortunately it cannot account for substance, emotional impact and response, or intellectual value. This formula rarely if ever produces an iconic and impactful song that stands the test of time. Revisit this question in 10 years and see if anyone even cares about this "artist" or this song.
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