Eve 6 is a punk-pop trio that released their self-titled debut when they were still in their teens. The core of Eve 6 -- Jon Siebels and Max Collins -- signed their contract with RCA while they were still in high school. It took them two years, plus a new drummer called Tony Fagenson, before the group released their debut in spring of 1998. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All-Music Guide

The youthful pop-rock trio Eve 6 traces its roots back to 1993, when then-13-year-old L.A. natives Jon Siebels (vocals/guitar) and Max Collins (vocals/bass) began jamming together. By 1996 -- when they were still in high school -- the duo had signed a record deal with RCA. Drummer Tony Fagenson joined the band shortly before it recorded its 1998 self-titled debut album, produced by Don Gilmore (X, John Doe). Eve 6 spawned the alternative radio single "Inside Out. Seth Hindin

Eve 6 'Inside Out' By Matt Levine

Eve 6's self-titled debut album is now out in stores on RCA Records. This L.A. based band's debut single, "Inside Out," is scorching up the charts and receiving airplay nationwide. I interviewed Eve 6's lead vocalist and primary songwriter, Max Collins, via the telephone as the band was being whisked out of their hotel room in Seattle.

Alternative Rock World: So, how did you three meet?

Max Collins: Jon (Siebels), Eve 6's guitarist, and I met four years ago in our freshman year of high school in P.E. class and we decided to jam together. We met Tony, our drummer, through our manager.

ARW: Where exactly are you from and what high school did you go to?

Max: La Crescenta Valley High school. Jon and I graduated last year. I'm originally from New York, then moved to Miami, and I moved here when I was eleven.

ARW: Were the kids at your school accepting of your music?

Max: Yes, after we became more well known and we started playing shows.

ARW: Did you start out as more of a punk band?

Max: Yes, our earlier music contained faster tempos. We still have that energy, but the music is slower.

ARW: Do you believe that you "sold out" with your move to a major label?

Max: Not in the least. You're not selling out unless you're compromising with somebody else and appeasing somebody It's ridiculous that people think that moving to a major label is selling out. It's only selling out if you have somebody change your music and your vision.

ARW: What would be your reaction if you heard "Inside Out" on KROQ?

Max: I'd flip out because it would be extremely exciting and fucking cool. I just hope that I'm not behind the wheel at that time.

ARW: Do you believe that there is "ageism" in the music industry and do you believed that you experienced something like that while getting signed?

Max: Yes, I believe that there's ageism because people tend to criticize younger people and the industry people are jealous.

ARW: Did the A&R guys try to screw with you because of your status as high schoolers?

Max: We got an advance and enough for us to not have to work. We basically had an allowance from the label. It was a decent advance and RCA has been pretty good with us.

ARW: How did you guys perform well enough and frequently in order to garner major label support?

Max: When we were still in high school, we recorded a couple of singles. We were just playing every other weekend and rehearsing. It wasn't high pressure. It wasn't until after graduation until things started heating up.

ARW: Are you planning on going to college and doing the Rivers Cuomo thing?

Max: No, I don't think that's in the agenda. I just can't even think about that right now. I don't have a school brain.

ARW: Who are your musical influences?

Max: Jawbreaker, The Meices, Elvis Costello, Built To Spill, The Muffs, Elliot Smith...

ARW: Who are your songwriting influences?

Max: Blake Schwarzenbach (formerly of Jawbreaker) is my favorite lyricist. I love "Dear You" even though people gave it shit because it was a major label album. I think that it was and still is a genius record.

ARW: Do you see yourself becoming a rock star and could you handle celebrity status?

Max: Um, I think I could. I don't know. Honestly I don't know how I'd handle it because it's such a head trip. We'll see. Sometimes I think I could handle it, but sometimes I don't.

ARW: What is your songwriting process? I love how the lyrics of "Inside Out" perfectly contour into the music.

Max: I write the melody first and then I write the lyrics. I'm really into rhythmic choruses. I love "Inside Out" and how the lyric and the melody hook together.

ARW: I've noticed that the hell that we call school shows up as a theme woven throughout your lyrics. Describe just how much you hate school... Also, are these schooling experiences autobiographical?

Max: (School) was really bad for me. I didn't even go to school in my senior year. I graduated with a 0.7 GPA and I just couldn't handle the bullshit work. Yes, these experiences are autobiographical. A friend of mine is also an inspiration for some of the songs.

ARW: Describe your live show.

Max: Energetic. We perform with short lapses of time between songs and I think that we're getting better at making the live show better.

ARW: What are your favorite venues in the Los Angeles area?

Max: I like the dragonfly. It's hard to find places to play in L.A. because there aren't many all ages places. I like this one place in Santa Ana because it's run by volunteers.

ARW: Are you planning on playing any festivals this summer or opening up for any major touring acts?

Max: We're doing a lot of that actually. We're playing with the Foo Fighters, Green Day, Semisonic, God Lives Underwater, Rocket From the Crypt and others. These are just radio shows; we're not touring with these bands.

ARW: Of just about any current musical act, who would you like to open for the most?

Max: I'd like to play with the Dandy Warhols. There isn't much current stuff out that I like that much. I think that Everclear would be cool too because I think that we're similar enough and people who like them would understand us.

ARW: Cool, I love the Dandy Warhols. Do you believe that you are ready to conquer the music world?

Max: Yes. I'd like to be able to talk shit about everything that sucks about school and other things.

ARW: Do you have anything else that you'd like to say in order to promote Eve 6?

Max: If you hear Eve 6 in your city on a specialty show or something, call up your radio station and request "Inside Out." Also, buy the record.

Article appearing on the Official Eve 6 Page

The L.A. area-trio may still be young, but the core of the band have been writing and performing together for five years--developing songs that capture angst and frustration with a refreshing honesty and poeticism as well as musical sophistication and raw power.

Nineteen-year-old singer and bass player Max Collins, who also writes the lyrics, and 18 year-old-guitarist Jon Siebels have been collaborating together since 1993, drawn together by a seriousness about playing in a rock band and a love of punk music. They were signed to The RCA Records Label two years ago while still in high school. Now, having teamed up with 19 year-old drummer Tony Fagenson and adopting the Eve 6 moniker, the band has recorded an infectious, self-titled debut album.

The first single, "Inside Out," about "wanting people to understand you," states the album's theme of the distance between outside appearances and internal reality, while the seductive catch-and-hold chorus of "Leech" underlines the tale of an emotional parasite ("Sucking on my brain/You're the teacher/I'm the student/Turning things around/Your story's not congruent").

"The songs come from our own experiences, from relationships, heartbreak and the idea of wanting to break out and be understood," reveals Max. The gradual build of "Jesus Nitelite," the punky glam swagger of "Superhero Girl" and the longing of "Small Town Trap" perfectly captures the feeling of being an outsider and craving acceptance.

"Open Road Song" is just what it says it is, an anthemic ode to "feeling that freedom you get when you drive real fast," says Max, while the twisted beat of "Tongue Tied" echoes the plight of someone assigned to a special education class because of behavioral problems experiencing the pain of being categorized as "slow" ("Take my tongue/It's cocked and loaded/You've been dubbed a special student").

One wouldn't expect such catchy choruses and sophisticated melodic subtleties from a young band's music. "That comes from having a wide range of tastes," explains Max. "We'll listen to classic singer-songwriters like Elvis Costello and Tom Petty on the one hand, and noisy pop like the Pixies, Jawbreaker and the Muffs on the other."

Eve 6 recorded the album in Los Angeles at Sound City and Chomsky Ranch, New York at Electric Lady and predominately in Seattle at Stepping Stone, the home of Don Gilmore--an admired engineer turned producer who had previously worked with the likes of X and John Doe. Wanting to get away from the pressure of recording in their hometown, the band spent several weeks in the Northwest city, where they won over new fans with a number of acclaimed local live club appearances.

"With every show we discover a different type of person that likes our music. It seems to have a very diverse appeal," observes Tony. "Hopefully others will be able to connect with our music and understand what we are about," adds Jon.

"Inspire me," sings Max in "Small Town Trap," the final song on the album and a paean to making something of yourself. "Something's gonna happen soon/ Because it must."

The Media Circus Turns EVE 6 "Inside 0ut"
-- RJ Johnson
MTV College Stringer
feedlocal@mtvmail.com
(October 5, 1998)

With increasing speed and a sense of direction, the emotional-rollercoaster sounds of EVE 6 passed through The Bronco Bowl this weekend. With the hit single "Inside Out" reaching number one on Billboard's Modern Rock charts, it is easy to see the confidence beginning to surface from the members of this soon-to-be-huge rock trio. Just a mere five months ago, the guys from EVE 6 showed the rest of the world what they had to offer when they released their self-titled debut album on RCA. Needless to say the music world has responded with great appreciation, as the group continues to sell over 30,000 copies per week.

EVE 6's melodic pop allows you to feel all the alluring qualities of happiness, yet tug at each and every emotion to the point that you almost begin to feel pain. We all bear witness as lead vocalist and bassist Max Collins reclaims his independence while uttering this summer's most popular phrase -- "rendezvous, then I'm through with you" from the hit "Inside Out." This emotion and intensity serves as the driving force behind the music, making it hard to believe that the oldest member of this group has just turned twenty!

Currently on the road with THIRD EYE BLIND, these guys plan to continue their vagabond lifestyle in support of their album for the next year or so. Along with a hectic schedule, EVE 6 is also learning to deal with the under-a-microscope superstar lifestyle. Newfound fame, of course, brings another rollercoaster of sorts: the media.

"More often than not, articles are just completely botched," guitarist Jon Siebels contends. "A couple of people on the Net have news sections on their Web pages with information that is so off."

"But then again, there are some that are so accurate it's scary," Collins is quick to add.

"They know stuff, and we are like, 'How did you know that?'" says Siebels.

A great example of all of this Internet hype recently surrounded an over-hyped movie which had Max Collins in a staring role.

"It's never even going to come out. It was a favor that I did for a friend and it's basically a demo deal," Collins states. "It was a deal where some idiot that wants to make hype about it on the Internet, got ahold of a poster for it, and tried to make it into something that it's not. I guess they told people that it's a real movie, but it's not."

Media invasion issues like this are all too common these days. However, EVE 6 doesn't seem very worried about being understood. The music speaks for itself. In a day and age when many of the "adults" in the entertainment business seem to be acting out their childish instincts, it is refreshing to see the relatively young guys from EVE 6 doing just the opposite. With level heads on their shoulders, EVE 6 continues the journey into the world of rock 'n' roll with a sound and style that makes it all look easy. And that's a fact.

Board Generation
By Neva Chonin
Appearing in RS magazine pgs. 103-10

Birds twitter through the clean air of La Crescenta, California, as the three members of Eve 6 sit in a parking lot, peeking through car windows at a ramshackle motel, where a dark doorway offers a glimpse in Room Ten. Room Ten has a history: "This is Max's sex palace," says nineteen-year-old guitarist Jon Siebels, the only band member with a steady girlfriend.

Max Collins, 20, Eve 6's vocalist and primary songwriter, explains, "I once had sex with a girlfriend in Room Ten. She lived with her parents, and I lived with my parents, and we just thought it would be a really hilarious thing to do. The bed was slamming up against the wall, and the landlord told us we had to be quiet, because there were old people trying to sleep."

Drummer Tony Fagenson, 20, peers in as a cleaning lady makes the bed. "That is so cool," he sighs.

Jet-lagged from a European tour that ended two days ago, Eve 6 (named for an X-Files episode, "Eve") are enjoying some rare downtime in their hometown, a bucolic suburb fifteen miles north of Los Angeles. Thanks to their inescapable louder-than-pop, sweeter-than-punk single, "Inside Out," their debut album has gone gold-making Eve 6 one of the most successful new rock bands of '98.

Like so many other kids from the SoCal suburbs, the members of Eve 6 were influenced by a mixture of metal and hardcore-punk culture. Collins started his first band in the ninth grade with Siebels, soon after getting turned on to the Dead Kennedys and Operation Ivy at skateboarding camp. The two spent so much time jamming in the garage together that, later, they almost flunked out of high school. Scoring a major-label deal while they were juniors didn't help their GPAs, either. The bad grades didn't bother their parents too much, though-they were just glad to see their kids on a career path. "The schoolwork wasn't happening, it's true," says Nannie Collins, Max's mother. "But it was clear, even in junior high, that Max was orchestrating his career. I always felt he knew what he was doing. We're all given talents, and my husband and I think we should help our kids find theirs, even if it's belly dancing."

Fifth period is just getting out as the band drops by Crescenta Valley High, Collins and Siebels' alma mater, from which they graduated in 1997. With his carrot-red hair, acne, tattoos, green nail polish, black Army T-shirt and neck chain sporting the word SLUT, Collins raises no eyebrows as he lopes down the school's pristine hallways. Nor does Siebels, who sports freshly dyed burgundy hair and a prominent nose piercing.

"This is good breeding ground for rock & roll," observes the Lost Angeles-raised Fagenson. "There's just something special about the apathy and nothingness of a small town." Unlike his band mates, Fagenson, the son of famed producer Don Was, grew up in the heart of the rock industry. "I was a good boy," he says. "I just studied all the time, because I felt I had to impress my parents and get into the best college I could. I sort of rebelled against my dad and didn't want to have anything to do with the music business. Then," he adds with a laugh, "I met these guys."

The band greets high school friend in the hall with casual salutations of "Dude!" A bell rings, disgorging hundreds of teenagers into the corridor. The Eve 6-ers duck into a classroom, where one of their former teachers, Mr. Leek, has just dismissed his students. "I wrote 'Inside Out' during Mr. Leeks' study hall," Collins says, sliding his lanky frame behind his old desk. "I was the only student I knew who flunked that class."

Mr. Leek seems delighted by the visit. "I've had several well-known students," he proudly informs a posse of girls lingering in the doorway. "There was the one who ended up on death row in North Dakota, and the girl who became a porno star. But Max is the best of all. He was on David Letterman."

Collins blushes. The girls giggle.

Later, back in the car and winding up a road toward the mountains of Angeles National Park, where Siebels and Collins used to jam on acoustic guitars, the boys look embarrassed when "Inside Out" blasts from the radio, courtesy of L.A.'s KROQ. When they were high schoolers, they dreamed of one day making the KROQ playlist. Asked about their current dreams, they hesitate. "Well, I dreamed I was having sex with Gillian Anderson two nights ago," Collins says finally. "I can't remember the scenario, but I'm sure I'll dream it again someday. I'll just have to wait awhile so it'll be special again.