Niagras Falling
Interview with keyboardist Kate Schweitzer, vocalist Dave Triggiano,
and guitarist Steve Hoydis
Issue 3, Winter/Spring 2004
S&S: How does it feel to be the only [super hot and sexy] girl
in the band?
Kate: The boys are awesome to hang with. Although we are really close
and sometimes tensions are high, I can honestly say they are a bunch of
really sweet, well-mannered guys. And there's one for every age group! Sorry,
ladies, Mark and Steve are taken. And if you're into girls, I'm really sorry
but I have a wonderful boyfriend. I'd like to thank "the 'rents"
for my super hot and sexiness.
S&S: What instrument would you like to play besides keyboard?
Kate: The cello. I idolize anyone who can play and hopefully, in
due time, I'll have enough money for a Yamaha Electric Silent Cello. Can
I borrow $1,600?
S&S: What are you thinking about when you're playing (if anything)?
Kate: It's kind of like when you daydream in class; you're thinking
about a whole mish mosh of things, yet at tthe same time, your mind is somewhere
else. Half the time my eyes are closed! It's an amazing feeling, though.
S&S: Do you want the band to get big or are you content where
you are now?
Kate: I'm pretty happy with where we are now. I love playing show
and knowing that SOMEBODY is listening. Plus, local venues like KoC are
places of sentimental value to the band.
S&S: How does it feel to be in a band with your ex-boyfriend?
Kate: Mark and I ended on good terms and we're both happy with how
things are now. At first, it was rough and at times emotional, but enough
time has passed and we're both in great relationships.
S&S: Does it bother you that the genre of your music is not
moshed, skanked, or stomped to?
Kate: Dancing is definitely a sure sign that people like your music,
so in a way, we are at a disadvantage. But when people come up to us and
tell us they like what we're doing, it's reassuring.
S&S: How long have you been singing for?
Dave: I've technically been singing since I was in 6th grade, but
I sucked. I've actually only really been singing for around a year and a
half now.
S&S: How do you warm up before a show?
Dave: Well, I really don't warm up that much. Usually, I will wait
until no one is home in my house, then I will dance around and sing Saves
The Day songs to get myself in the whole singing mood.
S&S: Are your lyrics fictional or based on personal experiences?
Dave: Well, I usually don't write the lyrics for Niagra's Falling,
but it kind of depends on the song - whether it's a personal experience
or not. If you are asking about lyrics I write myself, then usually I write
about personal experiences. The only actual Niagra's Falling song I can
be sure is a personal experience is "Destination: Denver," which
Mark wrote.
S&S: Why are you so damn attractive?
Dave: Sixteen graceful years ago, 27 of the most attractive men in
the world and 9 super heros all got together and joined the DNA to form
the most amazing person in the universe. I know it's far fetched, but hey,
I am Dave Triggiano...Well, actually, I'm really not very attractive at
all.
S&S: What are some of your favorite bands?
Steve: Mineral, The Get Up Kids, Gin Blossoms, Counting Crows, Penfold,
Miracle of 86, A Dive.
S&S: If you could be any other member of NF, who would you
be and why?
Steve: Kate, because of all the new, fun parts? Just kidding. Probably
Chris, because I'd be young again [and] get a second chance to go through
it all.
S&S: Have you always played the same guitar?
Steve: I used to own a Squire Supersonic. It was a guitar they made
in the 70's and was kind of a Jaguar flipped upsidedown and strung backwards.
It looked cool but sounded bad, especially playing out of my computer speakers/bassamp.
I used to play bass, by the way. That's how N/F started. I was going to
play bass and it was going to be a Gin Blossoms cover band. Now, I play
a Mexican Strat through a Fender 1977 200 watt Super Twin Reverb, aka the
best 600 bucks I ever spent in my life, and I'm never getting rid of it.
I might get an American Standard Stratocaster or a 68 reissue Telecaster
(thinline) once the Christmas money rolls in, or I'll sell my old bass amp
and guitars.
S&S: What is the craziest thing you've ever done?
Steve: Probably bust my hand open over a girl. Not literally over
a girl, like on her head or something, but getting mad and punching a wall.