Fixtures is a cult. The Richmond based five-piece have been steadily building a following over the last year, and with two major releases on the way, it appears their day of reckoning is upon us. Fixtures recently finished recording for a split 7” with This Time It’s War, which will be released November 12th. As well, they are currently writing and recording for an as yet untitled EP to be released on Sink/Swim Press.
Fixtures is a cult. The Richmond based five-piece have been steadily building a following over the last year, and with two major releases on the way, it appears their day of reckoning is upon us. Fixtures recently finished recording for a split 7” with This Time It’s War, which will be released November 12th. As well, they are currently writing and recording for an as yet untitled EP to be released on Sink/Swim Press.
Even after playing with acts such as La Dispute, The Bled, and Pianos Become the Teeth, Fixtures are still most comfortable speaking with me over tater tots and cheese whiz. Vocalist Jeffrey Bias works driving a snack truck and claims snacks and napping as two of his biggest hobbies. “I actually slung snacks at a porn shop today.” He says, smiling under a mustache that, paired with his glasses, makes him look like a scruffy Jim Jones. It fits.
Fixtures started as a side project, formed from members of Since 1913 and several other bands. Originally, Bias envisioned Fixtures as a collective, with a rotating cast of members each contributing musically to a song or concept. However, the line-up soon cemented itself, as members left other bands. Drummer Travis Jordan hadn’t played in over two years, and was excited to be doing something musically again. Bassist Ashley Small and guitarists Reed Mincey and Blake Melton filled out the remaining slots.
Jordan says, “We’d all been friends for a pretty long time…” about the formation of the band. However, this applies to their cult-like following as well. “You tell ’em we’re gonna play here on this day, and they’ll be there. It’s like support, not just doing it to hang out,” says Bias of Fixtures followers. As they grow in popularity, the band’s excitement over what they’re doing only seems to increase.
They all agree that nerves before a show, no matter the size of the show, are a good thing. “I’m always nervous and stuff when we play,” says Bias. The same emotion applies to their writing process. While Melton is credited as being the genius behind the basis of most of their songs, Fixtures state that they let emotion dominate their music. “These songs are a lot of emotion, and I try to play them intense.” Says Jordan.
“It’s a personal release.” Adds Small. Their songs are haunting, driving, and ambitious to say the least. Dark overtones and complex melodies mix with Bias’ strangled vocals to give Fixtures a sound that no other band in Richmond has right now.
Owning up to a fascination with religion, Bias admits that most of what he writes has to do with religion. “When I was at VCU, I did a big paper on how religions are all cults. I started with Heaven’s Gate and I was really intrigued with that, how someone can find and control people so easily. That’s crazy to me. I feel like Fixtures is sort of like that…” Bias trails off.
With upcoming shows October 26th and November 12th, Fixtures plan to continue building their following, and are looking to begin playing out of town as often as possible. In the meantime, they have songs for download on Facebook and Bandcamp, and are continually writing new material. As we pay for the tater tots, Bias jokes about their online presence. “[Blake] has us signed up for every social network site available.”
