Ken Andrews (Failure) Fan First: Tool Tours, Cure Worship, New Doc & More

On the latest episode of REVOLVER's "Fan First" podcast, Failure's Ken Andrews dives into his personal journey as a fan and artist - from his deep love for the Cure to the surprising bands he still has on repeat. He also discusses his group's songwriting process, connecting with TOOL's Maynard James Keenan when their bands first began, the open-minded people who embraced both acts at the time, and the career-spanning Failure documentary in the works. You can listen to the podcast - hosted by Christina Rowatt - on Spotify and Apple Podcasts at the links below. Failure's new album, 'Wild Type Droid,' is out now.
SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST:
Spotify: spoti.fi/2TzldGO
Apple Podcasts: apple.co/3x0vxFH
CONTENT GUIDE:
00:00 Introduction
00:35 Who was the first artist you put on a pedestal?
04:44 Who was the first artist you saw yourself in?
05:27 The first Failure record with Steve Albini vs. songwriting now
11:57 Producing other people’s records
12:34 The catalyst for writing songs & the physicality of analog
18:38 The “Dark Speed” music video that Ken directed
20:23 Who are you the biggest fan of, to watch?
21:30 His relationship with Maynard James Keenan of TOOL
23:42 The musical landscape back then & the scourge of hair metal
25:43 The two year quest to find a bass player
30:46 How did TOOL fans embrace Failure?
32:46 The power of college radio
35:49 Your Musical Mount Rushmore
39:03 Five Songs That Changed Your Life
42:04 The forthcoming Failure documentary
Subscribe to our channel: www.youtube.com...
---
Revolver on the web:
Revolver on Shopify: revolvermagazi...
Revolver on Facebook: / revolvermag
Revolver on Twitter: / revolvermag
Revolver on Instagram: / revolvermag
Subscribe to the Revolver Newsletter: signup.e2ma.ne...
#Failure #KenAndrews #FanFirst #Tool #maynardjameskeenan #spacerock #postmetal #postrock #shoegaze #stevealbini #hairmetal #grunge #postgrunge #progrock #progressiverock #wildtypedriod #metalpodcast #revolverpodcast

[@revolver]

CONTENT GUIDE & PODCAST LISTEN LINKS: Spotify: spoti.fi/2TzldGO Apple Podcasts: apple.co/3x0vxFH 00:00 Introduction 00:35 Who was the first artist you put on a pedestal? 04:44 Who was the first artist you saw yourself in? 05:27 The first Failure record with Steve Albini vs. songwriting now 11:57 Producing other people’s records 12:34 The catalyst for writing songs & the physicality of analog 18:38 The “Dark Speed” music video that Ken directed 20:23 Who are you the biggest fan of, to watch? 21:30 His relationship with Maynard James Keenan of TOOL 23:42 The musical landscape back then & the scourge of hair metal 25:43 The two year quest to find a bass player 30:46 How did TOOL fans embrace Failure? 32:46 The power of college radio 35:49 Your Musical Mount Rushmore 39:03 Five Songs That Changed Your Life 42:04 The forthcoming Failure documentary

[@Gonko100]

They are one of the best bands of all time. Criminally underrated, still.

[@jfayiii]

They've moved into my top 5 all time - really just now getting into them at 51."

[@nicolas.grisanti]

Fantastic Planet is a masterpiece

[@Nowheremovies]

love Failure so much can't wait to see the documentary.

[@mikereseigh]

Me too. Because I was interviewed for it in Pontiac Michigan last year. Hopefully I make the cut of the film but I was interviewed by Kellii's wife. Nice lady. Very professional.

[@dvader7272]

Wild Type Droid is absolutely amazing. Failure will always hold the title of one of the most tragically unknown bands in my lifetime. And one of my favorites.

[@nedim_guitar]

I love Failure, but I still haven't connected to Wild Type Droid, though it does sound great. We'll see what happens when my vinyl arrives and get to give it my complete focus and undivided attention.

[@herniagaming]

The problem was they were making music that was like 5 years to a decade ahead of its time and no one got it. I mean they literally have post grunge songs on magnified when that genre wasn't even dead yet. Also space rock wasn't much of an interest in the mid to late 90s so I guess people didn't care for a more heavily produced and effected sound than the rawness of the rock scene at the time. Basically they didn't fit into any genre nicely, and though they made and make outstanding songs, they ultimately got over-shadowed from the lack of niche I reckon. People are starting to notice now and kind of go "hey, that band is actually really cool." As ken Andrews said, I think people get their music now and the time is now for the stuff they make to be received with the recognition it deserves.

[@bbernard1981]

The greatest rock interviewer hands down, and one of the greatest song writers........ ever

[@fredflinstime6676]

Ken has created countless songs that I love. I forever thank him from a deep place in my musical heart.

[@mikereseigh]

Same here

[@topangasideeye]

I've loved Failure since 1993... Ken's talking voice reminds me of Jim Gaffigan : )

[@aylamave]

I remember meeting Ken after a show in Toronto when they opened up for Soul Coughing in the 90's. It was hard for me to try and keep it cool. Still admire him and his music so deeply.

[@booyrnes]

I was at that show! Only went to see Failure. Had to get the last GO bus back to Hamilton so couldn't stick around. I felt like my friends and I were the only ones up front for them. Such a killer show.

[@aylamave]

@booyrnes I left during soul coughings set due to crappy weather. Hoping you were able to see all of Failure performance.

[@denverrandy7143]

Hell yes!!!My favorite artist of all time!

[@mikereseigh]

Met Ken, Greg and Kellii last Summer in Pontiac Michigan. Nicest people you'd ever want to meet. Ken is my favorite singer,song writer and producer. Love Greg and Kellii too very much. My wife was supposed to be with me that day but was in the hospital the night before. I only went without her on her insistence. They signed get well soon and were just great. Next Tour they stop in Michigan we are definitely doing the v.i.p. package again. Love the new album so much. It's spectacular! The band gets better and better. Keep it up up Guys! You rock in every way.

[@markg999]

Like hearing that about them. I definitely want to see them if they ever go thru Florida.

[@denverrandy7143]

Great questions throughout as well.

[@suedehead23]

YES! One of my top 5 favourite bands, I love the new album so much and it's heartbreaking that it made such little impact 😕

[@markg999]

I think in mid to late 90s Failure with Smashing Pumpkins or R.E.M. would have really helped them gather more fans than touring with Tool. Great interview.

[@dani_aalstein]

Absolutely love Failure, I'm really hoping they'll be able to tour this year. Thank you for this lovely interview with Ken! :)

[@keivspare]

OMG never put 2 + 2 together before and realized Smoking Umbrellas intro is Unchained

[@riblets1968]

I'm one of the few recent fans of Failure who is roughly the same age as the band members. I think it was Rick Beato from whom I heard of them. It was interesting to hear about some of the bits about the band's origins that I hadn't heard of in other interviews with Andrews. And I agree that the songwriting in their earlier albums just wasn't there yet, although it started to solidify around the time Fantastic Planet came about, and it's only improved since then, as their three most recent albums amply demonstrate. I look forward to seeing the documentary.

[@JackPeloquin]

Love this dude. And Greg. And Kelli. Glad they’re still around!!!

[@nichreynolds7712]

Met Kelli Scott. Hes a super nice guy.

[@evolexpeditions7675]

I’ve seen Failure open for TOOL several times since the early nineties. TOOL definitely helped them get exposure but I will never understand why Failure never got huge. Fantastic Planet is one of the best albums from the nineties and there were obviously a lot of good albums that came out in those years. I love the new Failure album almost as much as Fantastic Planet but bla bla bla… Anyway it’s cool to see an interview like this with Ken.

[@markg999]

It was nice exposure but they don't pair up with Tool well. Best band for Failure to open up with would have been a band like Smashing Pumpkins.

[@Warstub]

Failure are just one of those bands that not everyone "gets". I mean, I've only just started listening to them and I've known about them since I first discovered Tool in 1993. I love Lusk's Free Mars, the Replicants' album, Autolux; I even enjoy Ken Andrew's solo album, but as a band Failure haven't really clicked for me until these more recent albums. And now I'm going back to Fantastic Planet to give it a good proper listen. It doesn't have the hard edge that Tool and Bad Religion had that I gravitated towards in my teen and twenties, nor the commercial appeal of mainstream pop songs; so in that sense its an acquired taste. Anyway, that's just my musings based on your statement. It's great that they're back together and making music again.

[@TheLebourreau]

Love, love, love Failure. Great interview. I appreciated the deeper dive on the music composition. As a musician, I relish hearing how others do it. Also, it was cool to know that Ken and I both love A Forest (The Cure). Looking forward to the tour (COME TO RICHMOND, VA!!!) and would definitely see the documentary.

[@Bones43x]

It was surprising and awesome to hear Ken say that EVH was a big influence! I love Failure and Van Halen, too.

[@amdrajt]

Ken Edwards, master of output

[@johnnygrind77]

I saw Failure during their anniversary tour for Fantastic Planet and I've been itching to see them again since! I wore the hoodie I got that night at a TOOL show and some guys wanted to beat me up and steal it off of me.

[@GG-ik6it]

I seen them in san diego on that fantastic planet anniversary too was such a unforgetable night

[@johnnygrind77]

@@GG-ik6it If you go to their bandcamp, the live version of that album was the show I was at. The venue is no longer open and they recorded every show and gave them to the band(s).

[@kuakilyissombroguwi]

Fantastic Planet is no question the best produced rock album of the 90s.

[@brandibeakley]

Loveless came out in 1991 so that’s hard to say but it’s definitely top 3.

[@photonfartsqueeze6694]

@@brandibeakleyLoveless is fantastic, but the production isn’t as great as that the third Failure album.

[@vinniecentz]

@@photonfartsqueeze6694 Loveless has one of the greatest productions ever along with Siamese Dream. My Bloody Valentine were supposed to sound that way, a neat and clear production like that of Fantastic Planet would have ruined Loveless

[@photonfartsqueeze6694]

@@vinniecentz Yeah, I know… still don’t think the production on Loveless is as good as Fantastic Planet although I love MBV and all their work.

[@xxczerxx]

LOL when he said he loves Unchained by Van Halen at 37:30. Weirdly, that has the same opening second as Smoking Umbrellas by Failure! Actually, you can hear the lineage, that's so bizarre I would have never thought he'd be into them, but once you hear it it makes sense. Also...the interviewer was absolutely fantastic. Great energy, and she genuinely put time into researching the band (assuming she wasn't already a fan), really great job.

[@MetalHeadAZ]

I think Kens 'ON' project is best

[@cdizzy42069]

Great interview, absolutely love Failure. Seems like a cool humble dude

[@billy2896]

I'm so, so, so hyped to see Ken in-person next month >:D

[@cusso1138]

Great interview, One of my musical heroes , I was introduced to his stuff through the Replicants album around 1999. An album which I have 2 copies of and is my favourite CD in my collection, Love Failure , Awesome volume of work. 👍🏽👍🏽

[@celladoor_uk]

Failure entered my conciousness after I had recorded my first album. They have since become an intergral part of my own music's DNA. This is thanks to my producer, 'Adam Bostock' (a truly great artist in his own right), who intrudocued me to them. We are a nobody, Rochdalien outfit from the grey north of the UK. Thankyou 'Failure' for the invaluable inpsiration and thankyou, Revolver, fort such an excellent interview and insight into the music that has inspired us so much. 🖤

[@tommj4365]

Failure was the first band I heard on the internet, just a few samples from their first album. Learned about them from Tool, and both of these bands were some of my very first CDs and bands I got really into. To this day they are in my top 10 bands of all time, and it's been crazy fun seeing new material from them.

[@Voiceguy66]

Great interview with a great musical brain. Ken rules

[@NinoJoy]

Failure is such an incredible band who have influence countless others. Would be super cool to have Stephen Brodsky next time !

[@Aiur]

Really want Failure to headline festivals, they’ve earned it

[@thesean3194]

Great interview thanks

[@epidemika5054]

Great interview :)

[@federicorodriguezlopez6905]

Failure RockDoc ❤👏

[@jbrown2182]

Really enjoyed this interview as they weren't the same stock questions that you hear all the time. However, there is something weird going on with the sound that made Ken and the interviewer both sound nervous.

[@PopGunEnt]

she was nervous, ken has a speech impediment

[@mchabe]

@@PopGunEnt Where did you hear that Ken has a speech impediment? I've seen a lot of interviews with him and met him several times, and never heard about a speech impediment or even detected it. Not doubting you, just wondering how you came across this info.

[@ImYourHuckleberry_29]

Ken's On shifting Skin album is a masterpiece. I ❤️ it far more than his failure work.

[@tommj4365]

Ugh, when I listen to my copy of that album I can't get those tunes out of my mind for at least a month straight.

[@PMTluke]

👍👍🙌❤️🙏thank you awesome interview !

[@cusso1138]

Ken , I hope when you make the Documentary that you touch briefly on the “Replicants” project too .

[@GG-ik6it]

Alot of bands are revisiting first records where that story is the same you hear "just kids...not ready...just getting out there" you cant replace it but for bands it is cool to see them redo their rough starts. It doesnt "need" it because it is like she said "cool" but seeing a mature more developed well rehearsed and better equipment is cool to see the new versions.. id love to hear failures first redone ;)

[@godofdeadlydeath]

"Smoking Umbrellas" is totally just a slower "Unchained" so I totally see how EVH was an influence for Ken

[@nichreynolds7712]

It's almost identical chords progression.

[@skodty]

Every time I wear one of my Failure or TOOL t-shirts, I think, "Genius. These bands got people to wear a shirt with the word 'Failure' or 'TOOL' across their chest." It's as if you are advertising that you yourself are a "failure' or a "tool."

[@nedim_guitar]

Ken is great! Failure are great!

[@nichreynolds7712]

Is it bad that Ken's tone on smoking umbrellas blows evh s unchained tone away.

[@morokeiboethia6749]

Do goths develope vertebrae damage/wear from the head-whiplash move they do when they fling their hair wave away from their face? Is there an official name for that move?

[@jfayiii]

"It said something about The Cure, Bauhaus and Peter Murphy" "Who's Peter Murphy from again?" 🤐😐😐

[@stopbunsen]

I was surprised that my music taste was goth too.

[@nichreynolds7712]

I love comfort. I love hearing their growth through each album. Of course fantastic planet is the greatest. But man.they can't make bad albums. Ken andrews and Greg Edward's introduced to fuzz. SOMETHING I used to avoid. Fuzz is super heavy sounding when done right.

[@briansays2286]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@morokeiboethia6749]

If NASA makes a cool documentary about space I want Ken to narrate it b/c he's sounds like Morgan Freeman if Morgan Freeman had chosen a career in surfing

[@keivspare]

Dig it, but she says "like" a bit much.

[@jadew.6786]

Like I totally agree. Like yea. Like for sure. 😂😜

[@nichreynolds7712]

Less members equals easier time having true band democracy. 5 to 6 guys have a hard time agreeing. 2 to 3. Much easier

[@jacobbishop620]

She’s gotta stop doing that wheezing old man laugh! 😂

[@grubbn]

Interviewing Failure and doesn’t know who Peter Murphy is. Wretched interviewer.