Interview by Brian McLean
Shiva's
Eyes Tell All
An interview with Eyes of Fire member Dan Kaufman
Trying to trademark the name Shiva (pronounced She-va), the multi-arm Hindu god and one of the more powerful Hindu deities, is like trying to copyright the name Jesus Christ. It is just not possible.
That was a realization for Dan Kaufman, guitarist for Eyes of Fire, while recording Ashes to Embers, the full-length debut on Century Media Records.
The band formerly known as Shiva was knee deep in the recording process of Ashes to Embers during February 2003 when they realized a name change was needed. As Kaufman says, “Just bad timing over all.”
According to Kaufman, there are many bands around the world with the name Shiva, but there's not really anything anyone can do about it name wise. If it came down to it, only one band should have the right to use the name.
And no, it's not the Orange County version of Shiva that Kaufman is part of. It's another Shiva that has been around since the 1950s from India which is the home of Hinduism.
Kaufman and company elected to change their band name to Eyes of Fire out of respect for this India based group of musicians.
The band formerly known as Shiva was already building upon an ever growing following on the West coast. But Kaufman said things would just be much easier with a simpler and a not so common name. A name that wouldn't require trade marking and copyrighting in each country as Kaufman put it.
The band didn't have a name when they went into the studio but they would when they left.
Before agreeing on the name Eyes of Fire, there were many other candidates that came and went. Kaufman said that two of the members would like a particular name whereas the other three didn't and then the opposite.
Several days passed with no progress. Then Eyes of Fire was suggested. The name was presented to Century Media who in turn researched Eyes of Fire and couldn't find anything with the name of Eyes of Fire being registered. When the band finished recording and emerged from the studio, they were to be known as Eyes of Fire.
Blessings of Shiva
Band members looked to the god for guidance in a name change and received it. His eyes told the story, fire and all.
The Shiva merchandise that was available for purchase at the time consisted of a large eye and flame in the pupil. It was Shiva's eye.
Fortunately, Eyes of Fire could still utilize the existing merchandise that was originally created for Shiva. Eyes of Fire scored a victory where most bands would lose out.
Kaufman said when Shiva's eyes are closed things are being destroyed, but when the eyes are open then things are being created. And on this day in the studio, Shiva's eyes were indeed open.
Start the Fire
While Ashes to Embers was being recorded, there was another Eyes of Fire release unknowingly in the works at the time.
Kaufman says the three song EP called Disintegrate was actually recorded at the same time as Ashes to Embers.
He continued that Century Media suggested to put a three song EP out, two of the songs being “Hopeless” and “Anyone” that would be on Ashes to Ember, but the third song, “Disintegrate,” would not be on the full length. It would be a bonus track only on the EP.
Kaufman said the band debated for a few months which song not to put on the album. In all, Eyes of Fire had two-dozen songs to choose from for the debut.
As Kaufman explained, “We didn't want to blow our load from the beginning. We still have nine songs that aren't recorded that are mind blowing in our opinion but some wouldn't fit well on this album.”
Kaufman refers to it as a need for progression.
The EP was more of a teaser to introduce the band since they were formally known as Shiva for several years. The EP was released during the holiday season 2003.
If Ashes to Embers had been released during the season of the Santa, Kaufman is certain it would have been lost. He said, “No store would have picked it up since we are a new band.”
The original release date for Ashes to Embers was pushed back several times but now Kaufman is glad it came out when it did.
Kaufman says there were not a lot of albums being released at the time and it gave Century Media more time and opportunity to spend with Eyes of Fire. Something Kaufman is grateful for.
The songs that were not released on the debut will more than likely see the light of day on the next release.
According to Kaufman, there's some heavy pissed off songs while others are more melodic.
“The songs are much better than those on the debut since we have gelled as a band finally. We are all on the same page and know what we are supposed to be doing.”
Eyes of Fire spent two months at Maple Studios located in Southern California with producer Cameron Webb. The results are what one fan writes in the Eyes of Fire website guest book as “Beautifully Haunting.” Webb's credits also include Godsmack and Danzig.
Kaufman says working with Webb was one of the best recording experiences of his life.
“With Webb, it's a lot less stressful and laid back but he gets the best performance from the band. His criticisms are done the right way. He has a great reputation among musicians.”
Kaufman continued, “Webb is the type of person
that wants the underground bands to put out something that sounds like
it was produced on the major label budget but still at the underground
prices.”
Blackest Times
With the release of a new disc, tour support early on is vital. Unfortunately the Ashes to Embers release didn't receive the tour support it solely deserved with Eyes of Fire hitting the road.
At times things did look promising tour wise when it was announced Eyes of Fire would be hitting the road as part of the Blackest of the Black tour featuring Dazing, label mates Death Angel, Mayhem and a few others.
Two dates were announced in September with the tour commencing in Las Vegas in late October but just three weeks later after the initial announcement, the tour was cancelled.
According to Kaufman if he remembers correctly the original Blackest of the Black dates fell apart due to booking agents being changed.
“It started out with one booking agent and then I believe Danzig switched agents and I think he switched them again.”
Eyes of Fire were not able to secure another tour, thus no live support for the disc.
For the band members it was disheartening, but faith was not lost even though it was very frustrating. That may be a reason why there's been a change with the drummer and keyboardist.
Kaufman isn't sure if the departures were from the tours falling through but admits it can get frustrating.
“There are millions of bands out there doing their thing and people see us as some sort of untested band, which is true I guess, so we've just had to work harder to get a tour. Now we've got all our ducks in a row and we feel we'll be touring a lot more.”
But just because there was no tour, that didn't stop Eyes of Fire from playing select shows throughout the area at venues like the Key Club.
Eyes of Fire played some West coast dates with Lacuna Coil, which were amazing according to Kaufman, as well as local shows with bands that were coming through town.
Kaufman says the support for the underground in LA isn't the best, but those who make it out to the shows are the best fans for sure.
Down but not Out
One of the down time shows featured Eyes of Fire debuting a 25-minute song that is set to be released later in August 2005 on the follow up to Ashes to Embers. The song originally started as fun natured but turned serious.
Eyes of Fire was asked to play the Century Media Christmas gig and roughly one week before the show, Eyes of Fire was informed they would only have a twenty minute set.
According to Kaufman, Eyes of Fire really can't give a proper set in 20 minutes.
Kaufman says the Eyes of Fire live shows are like a mini version of the album. With atmospheric stuff between songs. A 20 minute set which equates to roughly three songs by Eyes of Fire would not do the fans justice.
Kaufman said he showed at practice with the idea of having a 20 minute song and all the bands members thought he lost his mind, but once they started working on it, the whole thing made a lot of sense.
This 20 minute improvised song would see the light of day at the Century Media party but everything was kept on the down low until the night of the party.
Kaufman explains, “The night of the show I told our A&R guy what we had planned and he wasn't too pleased with it. So we get up there and start playing and this song just takes off with a life of its own.”
He continues, “The whole time I'm waiting for the beers to fly at us. By the time the song ended I was the last person left on the stage to say goodnight and the place went nuts. They loved it.”
After loading out, Kaufman ran into the Century Media US office president and their A&R person and received great feedback in regards to the song.
To Kaufman, it's funny how the small joke has transformed into something magical.
On the Road and In the Studio
The first week of January saw Eyes of Fire posting on the web site that the tour gods have spoken.
Eyes of Fire would be hitting the road to support Ashes to Embers with Danzig, label mates Kataklysm and Trivium. The tour would consist of 19 dates hitting major US cities with one date in Toronto.
The down time was not wasted. Locking themselves away, the band went into seclusion and started the brainstorming process for the yet untitled follow up to Ashes to Embers.
Eyes of Fire hit the studio in mid January where the drum tracks were laid at Grand Masters Recorders with the rest of the tracks being recorded at Shiva Industries, Eyes of Fire's own studio with the mixing to be completed at For the Record.
Matt Bayles who has worked with bands like Isis, Mastodon, The Blood Brothers, and Botch began mixing and production duties on the disc in early February.
As Kaufman says people near the band are very pumped
about the release.
He says the songs on the new disc are different yet they are the same.
He feels the band as matured and grown together. The lives of the band
members have changed and that always changes the music.
Kaufman added that some of the lyrics are depressing and some are very
pissed off and even disturbing whereas some have a glimmer of hope. But
the songs are pretty much to the point music wise.
There were times when Kaufman was so into what was going on musically
he forgot to sing his vocals.
“I was just listening to the music and being really stoked on what
was happening. I think people will be pleasantly surprised.”
The untitled disc is targeted to hit the streets sometime around August. The disc will be released as a two disc set with the 25 minute untitled song as the second disc.
Red Carpet at the Roxy
Kaufman is no stranger to the music industry. He's been around and done his time to network as with fellow musicians, management, and label contacts.
Many may not be aware, but Kaufman was part of Mindrot (Relapse Records), an underground doomy and deathly outfit that met an unexpected demise. When Mindrot came to an end, it left with two full-length releases under its belt as well as three EPs and numerous appearances on compilation releases.
Whether in Mindrot or other projects, Kaufman has always been on the look out for more contacts.
When the time was right, Kaufman and band mates had a showcase at the Roxy and rolled out the red carpet of those listed in the Rolodex. Representatives from Metal Blade, Nuclear Blast, Earache and several other labels were in attendance.
According to Kaufman, “We tore it up.”
Two weeks later, Kaufman received a call from Century Media and a meeting was set. The concern was the sudden stoppage of Mindrot and how the band broke up.
Kaufman said he had to explain, “This isn't Mindrot.”
That was nearly three years ago.
Kaufman explains the passing of the time very simple. “A&R people were coming and going but things are running smoothly now.”
Kaufman continued, “It's very nice having a label being behind the band and willing to put forth the effort. We are just looking for the right tour to be part of and the right booking agent. We just want to make sure all is lined up and that we have someone solid. They can now hear the record and get a feel for it.”
Kaufman's playing philosophy is a simple one that was rooted in the punk scene he was part of early in his musical career.
“Eyes of Fire will play anywhere. We will book shows for the kids that don't have much money. If it came down to it, we would play in a backyard.”
Do It Yourself
And the same punk scene philosophy applies to the band merch. It's very simple.
Kaufman calls it the “Do It Yourself” philosophy.
Kaufman says they have several ideas for merch artwork to accompany the remaining Shiva shirts. One possibility is creating a shirt with the EP artwork as well as a shirt with the Ashes to Embers cover.
“We want to keep prices down and sell shirts for ten bucks a pop and move the merchandise much faster. It's free advertising. The more merch out there the better.”
Kaufman reflected back to the times when he was a kid attending shows and being bummed not able to purchase a shirt. He is amazed at what people will spend for merchandise these days.
But Kaufman stands firmly where his roots are, firmly planted in the music world. It's for the kids.