11.14.02 - Tablet Newspaper. Seattle, WA
by Kristopher Monroe

WHO THE HELL IS THIS BAND: THE PLAINS
The Plains is a new project by Ohio singer/songwriter transplant Aaron Semer. Their debut album on Global Seebej Records, On Earth As It Is In Heaven, is a mixture of country, folk and rock. The album works as a sort of travelogue of the sweet, sorrowful working class life of an artist. The band members all manage to maintain meaningful lives, lending credence to what the Plains manifest as a band. Aaron (guitar, vocals, songwriter) has worked numerous shitty jobs, but now splits his time between his music and working with runaway youth. Jonballs Killian (drums) has various side projects and works at one of the zaniest (and frequently craziest) downtown shelters for the chronically homeless. Mike Toschi (guitar) owns Global Seepej, which also distributes his other band, the Help, who play politically influenced melodic-punk. Mike just returned from teaching in the Bronx for a year. Josh Atkins (bass) works as an artist and carpenter, as well as being a musician.
Rather than following the traditional question and answer format, I’ve chosen a few random quotes from members of the Plains that came up in our recent conversation.

Aaron: Most of my songs tend to be ... a lot of relationship stuff for sure, but also ... I don’t want to say political, but I guess social observation. I try to strip everything down to its most basic musical elements.

Jonballs: I think it comes across really well. It’s not very pompous, like White Stripes kind of stuff… [chatter and laughter] Hey, I’ll talk shit about White Stripes all I want. There’s a band called the Black Keys that fucking kicks their ass. You know, black is always better than white.

Aaron: It’s about losing track of all the things you hold dear to yourself because you get in a comfort zone and let comfort rule your life instead of ideals.

Josh: I’d rather be an artist/musician completely. I’d rather do that as a way to make a living, but it doesn’t happen for too many people.

Mike: There are a lot of amazing artists out there, but it’s so hard to break through without the kind of money it takes to get airplay – even on college radio. Marketing, distribution… all that.

Jonballs: There’s always a constant struggle between what you need and what you want. I’ll always do social work to make money to be able to play music. That’s the most important thing to do to keep me happy.

Aaron: A good song will never go out of style. I’m not trying to be a part of any movement, just to write good, simple, reputable songs.

Jonballs: Most people have band problems. We all have back problems.

Aaron: I’m a big Scott Baio fan too.

Intrigued? For more information about the band or to hear their music, visit theplains.net. Their CD release party is Friday, November 15 at the Mars Bar on Eastlake. The Band That Murdered Silence are also playing and should also put on a fun and moving experience. The Plains’ CD will be on sale cheap and very worth it!