article: I Just Quit My Job Jason

If you don’t know yet, Eisley is a five piece band consisting of four immediate family members and one cousin. Yes, singer / guitarist Sherri is now Sherri Gilbert (instead of Sherri DuPree) and is married to Chad Gilbert of New Found Glory fame. Yes, guitarist Chauntelle is engaged to Adam Lazzara of Taking Back Sunday fame. And while not too long ago, Eisley was known as “that really young, family band”, they have since grown up and have extended the family.

This two bit article started off with a Q & A via email and continued over to the Eisley show at the Avalon in Hollywood (on September 27th, 2007) as captured on video.
The following was answered by Sherri.

FR*A: What excites you most about your latest album, “Combinations”?

Sherri: That we’re “that much closer” to never having to play “Telescope Eyes” again!! (It’s a song off of our first record that I wrote when I was about 16, and we’re so tired of it) But seriously, just having fresh material to play that’s not 4 or more years old. It makes for a more inspired band and more inspired shows.

FR*A: Did you try any new recording techniques in the studio for this album?

Sherri: The studio we recorded at (Woodshed studios in Malibu) was so spacious that we were able to leave the drum kit set up for the entire recording process. It was so nice because if something came up that we wanted to change, all we had to do was go back and re-cut it; it gave us more creative freedom. Usually all of the drums are done the first week and then taken down and sent away.

FR*A: You recently played a string of acoustic shows…how was that experience?

Sherri: We were a little unsure about that tour before it began…didn’t have time to practice really either, and had a incredibly botched up (but funny) first show in Seattle (we’re sorry Seattle). But the whole tour ended up being SO fun. Because it was so mellow, it felt like we really got to just hang out with the crowd and joke around and stuff.

FR*A: What are your touring plans now?

Sherri: We’re about to head off on a 2 month tour with Mute Math! They’re incredible live, I can’t wait. They do flips over their keyboard! I was thinking, maybe we should start doing stuff like that to make our shows more interesting, but then I realized that if I ever even saw Stacy jump on stage (much less flip over her keyboard), that I would crap myself and wouldn’t be able to finish the show.

FR*A: What are your favorite foods to eat while on the road?

Sherri: Cereal (always). I love Honey Bunches of Oats. Panera Bread has this sandwich called the Turkey Artichoke Panini and it is ridiculous. If we had one where I live, I would be as big as a house. I also love Jelly Belly Jelly Beans, those popcorn ones are seriously good.

FR*A: What new music have you been listening to as of late?

Sherri: The “Wicked” soundtrack. The new Arcade Fire and the new Shins records, also the new Chromeo album. It’s so fun! And the new M.I.A., she’s such a creative weirdo, I love it.

FR*A: How has your lifestyle changed or perhaps stayed the same since being a new, unsigned band many years ago to now being an established band on a major label?

Sherri: I think because we’re all such a close family that it hasn’t changed much at all. We’ve adapted to touring live a lot more and have learned to really relish our time at home, you know? No one’s got big heads in the band because we’re all way too dorky and can’t take ourselves seriously enough, which is great…I mean, we’re sooo awesome for that. It’s like, we’re the best because of that or something. Just kidding *wink wink*

FR*A: In what ways have you grown most as a band?

Sherri: Taller. We’ve all mostly grown taller as a band then when we first started. We play better together now too.

FR*A: Anything else you’d like to say to your listeners out there?

Sherri: Gimme Jelly Belly’s!!!!

If you would like to hear/see/read more of eisley check out their site: www.EISLEY.com