All That Remains Interview

Interview
Jeanne Sagan
All That Remains

LINEUP:
Phillip LaBonte – Vocals
Oli Herbert – Guitar
Mike Martin – Guitar
Jeanne Sagan – Bass
Jason Costa - Drums

Jeanne Sagan of All That Remains (Photo: Erika Kristen Watt)

1/25/07
Interviewer: Karma E. Omowale
Photos: Erika Kristen Watt

"I guess everyone notices a woman in a band, especially in metal. And usually when a band is described it gets thrown in that “a girl vocalist, or bassist”. I really don’t pay that much attention to it, I just do what I do."

Another interview in our ever expanding Brutal Beauties series and this time the spotlight shines on bad ass bassist, Jeanne Sagan of All That Remains. This band, nor does Ms. Sagan, need no introduction as they are definitely one of the best bands from the well populated Mass. metal scene. Ms. Sagan displays her quick wit in this interview as she takes time out of her schedule to talk to us about the band's upcoming headlining tour, talks about newcomer (to the band that is) Jason Costa (ex-Diecast), and much more...

Karma: First off thanks for doing the interview with us Jeanne; last time we saw you was at the Vic during the DragonForce tour, again, you kicked ass!

Jeanne: Anytime… ha, ha. Thanks, that show at the Vic was awesome. The crowd was amazing, we had some friends there, and there was a little aftershow party with DragonForce and Horse The Band.

With all of the touring, you’ve been doing since the release of the album, how do you balance the time between the band and personal life. One thing is the guys you find yourself in company with have to be some of the most real and nicest in the genre!

There is a lot of time in the day to concentrate on personal life, but definitely finding cool people to hang out with on tour makes it easy and fun. I mean you could sit in the corner every night missing home and being miserable. That can only bring everyone else around you down too. Everyone on that tour made the same decisions to go out and make it happen. So you make the most of it.

As far as the lineup is concerned, you’ve DEFINITELY added to the evolution of the sound. How does it feel to have such an incredible addition with Tim Yeung now being aboard? This REALLY solidifies the rhythm section. Does it make you play harder?

Thank you… I’m trying ha, ha. Tim is a good guy, he only filled in temporarily for the Killswitch US and the DragonForce UK tours. He is a death metal player so the question is not if he makes me play harder but rather how fast he gets us to play. I swear my hands were going to fall off several nights on those tours. Ha, ha. We have a new partner in crime now. His name is Jason Costa. Practicing with him has been exciting, we are all ready to play shows. He is going to solidify not only the rhythm section, but I think the band as a whole.

Out of all your experiences/bands you’ve played with, what has been the one event that stands out that has shaped you to be who you are to this day.

I guess it would have to be the first show I played with ATR. I’ve played a lot of shows with other bands including the Mass Metal Fest and Hellfest. But, that day we played a show in Indiana with Lamb of God and Unearth, I think it was sold out. I learned the songs in a week to start filling in and I never got to practice other than to a CD. That show I had to prove to not only ATR and the bands watching, but to myself; That I could do it. The confidence I gained that day is still with me.

Since you’ve been in the band for a little over a year now, what has been your best and worst time thus far?

The worst times surround sickness. And the best times are when everyone gets along and hangs out.

Do you feel your position in the Industry, being a female, would place you in an iconic status automatically? Meaning every woman who’s in the Industry, you’re making a stance already, no matter how good, bad or indifferent they were as artists. What’s your take on this?

I definitely get more attention than I’m used to.

Do you believe the double standards have increased over the years now that more women are taking on what used to be more prominent, male dominated roles in the Industry? Do you believe more is expected out of us now than ever before?

I don’t feel like double standards have increased. I guess everyone notices a woman in a band, especially in metal. And usually when a band is described it gets thrown in that “a girl vocalist, or bassist”. I really don’t pay that much attention to it, I just do what I do.

What is one thing you would say you have in common with your female contemporaries?

Hormones…ha, ha.

What’s a common misconception that surrounds you that you'd like to dispel or debunk

That I’m not really in the band or I didn’t record on The Fall of Ideals… ha, ha. I have been kicked out of clubs for them not believing me, not let backstage, or not allowed to escort people with me. I guess it’s hard to imagine a tiny, quiet girl plays bass. But that will change, our next passes are going to have a picture of me on them ha, ha.

What’s your favorite song off Ideals? I STILL struggle between “Whispers” and “The Weak Willed”.

My favorites to play are “Not Alone” and “The Weak Willed”.

Peering into the crystal ball, what does the immediate future hold for All That Remains?

Our first u.s. headlining tour with Misery Signals and the Human Abstract. Also appearing is Light This City, Cellador, and Sanctity.

Now it is time for our infamous Speed Round Questions… Spiritual or religious?

More spiritual.

What was your on your Christmas wishlist… were you a good girl? J

Ha, ha - I guess so. I didn’t get arrested.

Who have been some of your biggest musical influences? Do you have an idol?

The biggest musical influences to me have been the bands around here. Aftershock, Overcast, Blood Has Been Shed, Shadows Fall, Unearth, and Killswitch Engage. I didn’t start playing bass until I was 20. I used to go to shows and be in awe of what those guys were doing. I wanted to know what it was like. I kinda have an idol. I used to watch Rachael from Indecision (now Most Precious Blood) and think to myself “wow, she’s really rocking out.”

What is the best thing about being a girl?

In a band? Being surrounded by guys in bands. Ha, ha.

As your best friend, describe yourself?

Are you implying I have no friends?

No never that!! Haha

I guess I would say someone that you don’t get sick of. Ha, ha.

In your opinion, which CD would you say was the most tuneful in 2006?

Just one? That’s hard. I listen to all kinds of stuff depending on my mood. I will give you three for roundness. Isis - In the Absence of Truth, My Chemical Romance - The Black Parade, and Killswitch Engage - As Daylight Dies.

Type of music you dislike most?

Hmm I guess country.

Name a CD/album/tape you played until it disintegrated.

I have an “…And Justice For All” tape in my car that I’ve had pretty much since it came out. It just broke recently… boooo.

What draws you to new music?

I’m not sick of hearing it yet. Ha, ha - new music on the road keeps you from going crazy sometimes.

Herbivore, carnivore, or omnivore?

All of the above?

How do you take your pizza?

Warm and cheesy.

Hugs or kisses?

There is nothing like a good hug.

If you could be a cartoon character, who would it be?

Maybe Cheetara from Thundercats.

If you could be part of one TV family which would it be?

The Wrigleys from the Adventures of Pete and Pete.

Last vivid dream.

I’ve been having a lot of lucid dreams lately. This morning I had one that we were at a show and my phone broke… I’m never good at explaining dreams really.

Choose your poison: favorite alcoholic drink.

Poison? Arsenic. Alcohol? Jameson.

Have you ever gotten your tongue stuck to something cold?

No, I watched “A Christmas Story” too many times to try that.

Role reversals: If you could commission a band to do an ATR cover, who would do it and which song would it be?

Duran Duran should cover “Not Alone.”

If your job were to interview bands, which one would you interview and what would be the one thing you'd want to know about them?

Metallica. I would ask them why they are still a band.

More role reversals, do you have any questions for me?

Do you like your job? No, it's not that I do not like my job (day job) but I love my career!

Any last comments or special messages to our fans?

If you see me, say, “hello.”

We'd like to thank Jeanne for her most entertaining and informative answers, to his band, to and to the rest of the ATR camp for making this interview a possibility!