Cold - Interview
(Photo Credit David E. Jackson)
Not so long ago Cold was one of the hottest bands in Rock music and then, through a series of setbacks, they were gone. After a brief, “under-the-radar” reunion tour, Scooter Ward & co. decided to throw their hats back in the game as Cold. The result is Superfiction, one of Cold’s finest moments to date.
Cold’s path has always been both intimate and melancholy but the two collide in a new way on Superfiction. We caught up with mainman Scooter Ward to find out more about the genesis of Cold’s return, the new album, and more. Here’s what he had to tell us…
By Mark Fisher
How are things in camp Cold these days? Seems like the band has a chance at a second life!
Good. Yes we do.
Since it’s been a few years, can you remind us why exactly Cold went away in the first place? I know that when A Different Kind of Pain came out you had had some heartbreaking times and switching labels probably didn’t help either…
The label switch was a small part of it but mainly we chose to relax a bit after 9 years of constant touring and creating. We needed to live a normal life and focus on our families.
When you signed on to reunite Cold, what made you decide to do it? What does Cold have to offer in 2011 that someone needs to hear?
We had a reunion tour in 09. It was supposed to be for us to just go out and have a good time playing Cold songs. After being away for 4 years, and having no promotion whatsoever, the shows we scheduled were still packed around the country. The fans inspired us to continue on and create again.
When you initially reunited it was the original band I believe. Is that correct? After a couple of them left again, what made you decide that Cold should live on regardless?
Only Terry had joined us for the reunion tour. We had no intention of getting Cold back together. Terry was on break with Evanescence and missed playing cold songs so he hooked up with us. When we decided to create the album we knew Terry would be busy again so it was never an issue.
Many things have changed in the few years Cold have been absent, particularly the ferocity with which technology continues to change the music industry. How did you approach the recording of Superfiction as opposed to past recordings? Was it much different?
At the end of it all? Not really. We recorded it in 3 locations. Besides having the luxury of doing most of the album at my house we basically went through the same motions we always do when recording. It’s always a beautiful thing.
When I listen to any Cold album, I immediately feel like I have been to the places you sing about. It’s a very intimate feeling for me and not a feeling I get from many bands. How important is to you to bring that feeling to the lyrics? How much of the lyrics on Superfiction are as intensely personal as they sound when you sing it?
Thank you. It’s always been the only thing that matters to me when writing. Ross Robinson said to me when we were creating the first album in 96. “When you step up to the microphone, if you can go to that place in your life when the song took place, and you can be in that moment for the duration of the song, that emotion will translate to the world and they will feel more than just a song. They will be in it.” I always think about that when I record any song. Whether it’s personal or not, the song was brought to life from a place inside me so all of them are valid and personal in a way.
One of my favorite tracks on the new record is “Flight of the Superstar.” Can you tell our readers a little about that song and how it was brought to life lyrically and musically?
It was written for my kid Raven. When she plays the piano it stops my heart. Hearing and seeing her play gives me chills. It’s beyond beautiful and is levels above me. I wrote the song about her making music that makes people feel and touches lives all over the world.
Is there a song on the album that you listen to and think “Yes, that was exactly right! That is Cold in 2011!”?
Not really one song. I think the album as a whole says that though. We make it a point that each album we create is different in a way so we aren’t rehashing the same thing over and over. I personally dislike it when bands don’t evolve. At the same time it detaches some fans. But it’s about the music first, so we follow our hearts, and usually, if you’re down with Cold at all, you’re down for life.
There are a lot more anthemic songs on this album as opposed to A Different Kind of Pain, which had a more melancholy feel in my opinion. Was that a conscious decision on your part or did it just somehow show itself during the songwriting process?
Epic stories need epic choruses, so I definitely focused on an anthemic theme more on SuperFiction.
You also, have a new label home. After most of your career on major labels, what made ElevenSeven the right place for Superfiction?
Not really sure what a MAJOR label means anymore, if anything. Eleven Seven , for rock music, is just as valid as any major, and have more artists on the charts weekly than most older labels. But the focus is basically on our genre of music so it works.
I appreciate you taking the time to do this interview. I really dig the new record and hoping there are many more over the next few years! Are there any parting thoughts you’d like to leave our readers with?
Thank you.
