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Interview with that Noble Fury - by Chrissy Prisco and Kristina Tortoriello
A- Anthony Blaha T - Tom Fellows
How did the band start?
A - The band started when we were freshmen at Johns Hopkins University. I met Tom playing guitar in his room across the hall during move-in.
T - It was that fateful day. We never looked back.
Where did the band name come from?
T - The name "Noble Fury" came to me late one night right as I was about to fall asleep. We had been searching for the right name. I texted Anthony, and he went straight to Google.
A - "Noble fury" is from the plays Cymbeline and The Life of Timon of Athens by Shakespeare. I also happen to have a cat named Cymbeline. I also happen to be a theatre nerd.
T - I thought he was joking. I knew his cat Cymbeline, but had no idea about the play. We knew we had it.
A - There are a lot of "The..." bands, so I offered "That". That was that.
What are your biggest musical influences?
The Beatles. If you are making rock of any sort, you start there. Other major influences are Queen, The Decemberists, Jimmy Eat World, The Killers, The Smashing Pumpkins, Guster... a number of influences from the theatre as well. We can't forget KoRn and System of a Down. Bet you weren't expecting that!
In addition to those, I would have to say Allman Brothers Band, People in Planes, and Rage Against the Machine. "Bulls on Parade" was the song that flipped a switch in me back in middle school. People in Planes we saw opening for The Bravery and have been obsessed with since.
What artists (local, national and/or international) are you currently listening to?
We just saw Radiohead live, which is a religious experience if you get the chance. Rufus Wainwright - Want Two I keep coming back to. I also can't get enough of Mr. Oizo, but that's a whole other can of eggs. Ten Minute Turns and Ugly Ugly Words. The Emerson String Quartet and Florence + the Machine.
T - This very second? Bon Iver - Holocene. The past month I've been very into People in Planes' album Beyond the Horizon, Jaimoe's Jasssz Band - Dilemma, Nine Inch Nails - The Gift, and very recently Grouplove - Tongue Tied. Kind of all over the place.
What's the first concert that you ever attended and first album that you ever bought?
A - I saw Green Day live when I was in middle school. Amazing showmen. First album I bought was Led Zeppelin IV.
T - First concert was an Allman Brothers concert where I got to sit on stage. Mind blowing experience. Seeing the crowd from there has been forever imprinted in my mind. First CD I ever purchased was Rage Against the Machine - Evil Empire.
What do you love about New England’s music scene?
A - New England has a great sense of identity. So much great music has come out of here.
T - It is genuine. Musicians here push the boundaries in so many different ways and they're not afraid to try something original.
What would you like to see change in the local music scene?
A - A line around the block to hear us at the Middle East downstairs. Wink-wink.
T - I love seeing the progression of where everything is going - we are in a really fun era of music right now, and the mystery of where it will go is part of that experience. Maybe people will incorporate some more nobility and/or fury into their music?
What are your plans for the upcoming year?
A - We are going to be doing select dates along the Northeast Coast in support of the album. Bringing the Fury to the people.
T - We will be performing shows like no one has ever seen. Get ready.
What was your most memorable live show?
Would have to be our post-graduation show. Along with friends and fans, our families were there watching us for the first time and the place erupted in a chorus of "what's the metaphor?!" from our song The Matador.
T - It took us by surprise! There is nothing like the audience singing your song at the top of their lungs, with all the enthusiasm in the world.
Is there someone who has helped your band grow through support?
A - We have the best fans. They pushed us to make this record and we have to thank them for that every day. They don't make us thank them every day, but we do.
Our fans are unbelievable. There are so many that would do absolutely anything to help us become known. We wouldn't be here without them.
Is there a piece of equipment you couldn't live without and why?
A - I am an equipment junky. I spend entire days in Guitar Center playing with things. I have two cheap workhorse guitars that I love to death and write a lot of our guitar stuff on. My Korg SV-1 piano is my pride and joy. I have a Korg monotron that I got as a gift (with the original MS-20 analog filter) and that thing peels paint the sound is so deep and rich. Korg, if you are reading this, call me! Also, I love my, ehem, ELECTRO-VOICE N/D767a vocal mic. Electro-Voice makes it. I love Electro-Voice. Okay, I will stop saying Electro-Voice.
T - My metallic green Gibson SG.
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