Recently I was able to schedule a Zoom call with the lead vocalist of rock band Finger Eleven, Scott Anderson, to discuss the upcoming release of the band’s first greatest hits compilation. In this interview, I asked Scott about how he and his bandmates narrowed down the song choices included in the set, the memories that stood out from each of the albums in their discography, as well as the best piece of advice he’s ever received in his career. The digital version of Greatest Hits will be released on June 16th, while you can also pre-order various vinyl variants here.
So thank you so much for your time today, Scott, and congrats on the upcoming release of Finger Eleven’s first greatest hits compilation. What went into the process between you and your bandmates for narrowing down the 12 songs in this set?
Well, everybody had a lot to say. Like every relevant project, we gotta make sure everybody’s happy. And there was some data to look at…it’s like, okay, well, what constitutes a hit? And these were the biggest ones. And there were some no-brainers, but then there’s a few that we had to kind of figure out, well does this deserve to be on the greatest hits? And then does it knock this other <song> out? So to have the catalog to kind of play that way was fun, just to retrospectively look and go, wow, we made it! Yeah, it took us a while. But we made a bunch of records, and one of the bigger cooler elements is we finally were putting a vinyl out. But there’s constraints around that where we have to worry about filling space on either side of that record. So that blew the conversation open again. We considered putting it in chronological order, but that really might not have sounded good enough. And Rick has always been in charge of our setlists, whether we’re doing live shows or whatever. And so he eventually came up with the running order, with all those constraints in mind. However, many weeks later, we finally got back to everyone. We’re famous for missing deadlines. And this was no different, but we finally got there. So it’s been a labor of love. And it’s nice to finally say that it’s coming out!
Nice! Can you talk a little bit more about the vinyl packaging of this Greatest Hits record and who designed the artwork?
Well, speaking of labor of love, James Black has kind of always been our designer. Our man inside, and he’s worked closely with the labels, creative department, and then sometimes just outright, in this example, kind of did it pretty much on his own. And it’s awesome. There’s all kinds of variants, and he just really put together a package that’s making us look good. It’s a treat for the rest of the band because James will show us what he’s been up to. And to have a visual artist in the band is as talented as James is….it’s just such a bonus. So it’s all coming together with James kind of spearheading all the art, and us picking the tracks, and in which order they go.
I’m a big fan of that format of vinyl, so I’m really excited to get my hands on that eventually, too! Finger Eleven has been a band for 20 plus years, which is a remarkable achievement just in its own right. What’s the best piece of advice you ever received over your tenure in this band?
One of the best pieces of advice is that you have to share with your friends. That’s one of the keys to longevity that we’ve learned along the way. If one of us wins, we all win. That’s one of the secrets of staying together as a band. Yeah, and also it’s important to take everything really, really seriously. We originally didn’t start as Finger Eleven. We were kind of like a funk rock band. And everybody in Canada knows we were the Rainbow Butt Monkeys and we put out a pretty fun, pretty decent record, and then said, “Okay, no, we have to be serious.” We had to acknowledge that we had changed and that upset the record label, but we became Finger Eleven. And I would say that we maybe overcorrected. You don’t need to be that serious. If you play live and you screw up, don’t let it ruin the show by obsessing over that mistake. The audience will forgive you if you forgive yourself. It’s only rock’n’roll and it’ll make the show better. We’re not at the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra! You just have fun, man. And I’ve seen my idols just screw up and if you can laugh at it and push forward. That’s it’s own moment. And that’s gonna be okay. But it took me a long time to learn that. I used to get very, very upset at every single mistake, of which there were many. Now I’m out to have as good a time with the audience as I can.
Yeah, that’s a great piece of advice to give for others to kind of learn from that as well. The greatest hits album also features a great cover of Pink Floyd, “Welcome to the Machine.” So what drove your band to tackle this track in particular? And were there any other cover songs that were under consideration?
Well, tackle is the right word! We got the idea to open some of our live shows with that song. I mean, it’s definitely a really dramatic way to start a show. Then, years later, we had some time in the studio, and we said, “Okay, well, why don’t we try a studio version?” And so we did. And it wasn’t very good. <Laughter> So we scrapped it. And then I think another handful years went by and said, Okay, let’s try it again. And that session went a lot better. So, Pink Floyd’s sacred ground for us, as well as for many people. But it means something to us as well. And there’s something about doing a cover song that just brings you as close as you possibly can to a band that you love. I hope that fans of Pink Floyd enjoy it as much as they can.
Yeah, I definitely enjoyed it from the early advance that I got to the record. So it sounds good to my ears. I think you guys did it justice. I’m also thrilled to see that the song “First Time” was included in the set. It’s one of my all-time favorite Finger Eleven songs, and just to let you know that it was one of the first songs I think I legally downloaded from the iTunes store when it launched! Do you have any core memories from the recording of that record, The Grayest of Blue Skies?
Yeah, I sure do. The Grayest of Blue Skies was probably the most difficult record. And of course, it was our second record, so that’s how it goes. But we were living in the studio and we were working really long hours. And there wasn’t too much of an escape. And there were many unfinished ideas. And once you see your time runs out <in the studio> that’s it. Now, with the objectivity of time, that’s kind of a good thing. Because flash forward, and it’s been seven or eight years between releases. But we’re in the studio, and there’s problems that need solutions. And “First Time“ was a work in progress. And it wasn’t until James came up with a different way to sing the chorus. He was putting the emphasis where I hadn’t thought to do it. And I used to think my opinion was the only way to go. I mean, not necessarily, but it was harder to be swayed. But I was listening to James’s idea and then going okay, well, I I think I can internalize that and figure out how to do that, and make it my own. And that sound really turned a corner. We’ve since been opening with it at our live shows for a very long time, and it became a special song. So it was nice to work all the way through that. But my reputation at that point was a guy that was difficult to work with. And, I was also trying to protect what I thought was cool and trying to make the songs as good as they can be. So, that was a tough record.
Yeah, it’s a great story to tell about the recording for that as well. This album also showcases your band’s depth with ballads, like “One Thing” that did really well on radio, as well as a dancey side of your group, with the smash single “Paralyzer.” Why do you think these two songs connected so strongly with your fans?
Well, I think there’s something to it when you’re trying to write songs. I think there’s an element of trying to get out of your own way. If there’s something there, some core idea, then sort of focus on that. Don’t mess it up. Both of those songs took a very short time to write. They both had very strong music. Very often, the guys will give me this piece of music and I will think of nothing else, except, oh, I need to just sit here and write and carve out what this music is saying to me. And “Paralyzer,” our biggest hits are kind of that’s what happens. I’m a little bit possessed by the music and enchanted, or however you want to say it, and I think they’re just kind of powerful songs that do punch through. Everybody has a different story. People tell me about, oh, I really liked your song, “One Thing.” Either there’s happy moments associated with it as much as difficult, tragic moments, but that song has helped them through or enhanced their lives in some way. And I can’t think of any bigger compliment. I love when that happens to me, and there’s a song that takes you to a time and place, or it’s an important moment for you. That’s why it’s music, man. There’s nothing else that can do it like that. So to be a part of somebody else’s story because of these songs. I mean, it just absolutely makes me very, very happy.
Yeah, I’m great that people are connecting with the music still today and all that too! Do you have a favorite band that you’ve ever toured with, and is there a certain reason for that?
Well, we’ve had the pleasure of playing with a lot of bands. I mean one of the biggest was we got to tour with Ozzy Osbourne and Mike Bordin of Faith No More was playing drums and I was just kind of falling over myself. I didn’t go near Zakk Wylde at catering. He was just like a Viking having some breakfast. I’m gonna leave him alone…but Mike Bordin would watch our set. And sometimes when you tour, you don’t have all the time in the world to yourself. And for him to watch our show was a really, really big compliment because that was a difficult tour. It sounds good on paper, because you’re playing with Ozzy Osbourne, but guess what? Ozzy Osbourne fans just want to see Ozzy! And you as the opener, I mean, I get it. But as the opener, you got 30 minutes to win them over. And they’ve already made up their mind before they’ve heard a single note, but you’ve got 30 minutes. And we did the best we could with our 30 minutes. And sometimes the shows went really well. We got them eventually, but then it’s over before it’s done. A really memorable tour. And whenever we tour with Three Days Grace, they like to watch our show. I mean, we get along really, really well with those guys. But, it’s a fantastic compliment to have the musicians that people are there for, show up to watch your set.
That’s great. Do you have a craziest live show memory that you’ve experienced?
Well, there was a show in Minnesota where I lost my voice completely really early on. When you’re touring, your voice might wear out, and you may not be able to like belt out the frequencies as loud as you normally can. But I had lost my voice completely. And I was trying…It’s like in your dreams when you can’t walk up the stairs…it was the same thing. Except it was real. I couldn’t say anything. And it was a tough show. But the memorable moments are not the absolute winners. Although we were somewhere in Alberta and a rainstorm erupts. And the rain was going sideways. Like, it felt dangerous. We were playing outdoors. And again, it didn’t seem real. It felt like a music video. And I was like, if lightning shows up, this isn’t like the worst way to go…
Doing what you love to do, right?
This could be the final chapter of this rock’n’roll story. That’s kind of all right. So I came to terms with that. And then just singing you’re like it was going to be the last song I ever sang. So, you know, that one was great. I once had a shoe just connect with my head. Now, this is a headlining show, this isn’t a festival show where you’ll normally get stuff thrown all over the place. But I got hit so hard. And it’s hard not to take that personally. Now, who knows? Maybe they were throwing the shoe with love. Maybe they weren’t aiming for my giant head. <Laughter> But those aren’t necessarily crazy stories, but they’re certainly memorable.
Yeah, everybody has their own little “war stories” along the way from touring and all that, for sure. The last question I have for you today, Scott, is that usually when a band releases a greatest hits album, it means that they’re closing out a certain chapter for their band. What are you most proud of in Finger Eleven’s tenure thus far, and what do you still hope to accomplish?
I like that we’re putting out the greatest hits, and it might be the end of a specific chapter, but we’re also still making music that we’re just as proud of, if not more proud. We’ve never been more excited. We know the ideas that we’re sitting on. And the last idea we’ve just released, has gotten everybody else outside of the band excited. So I’m really proud that we’ve come this far. And I can’t wait to have another record made. And I’m proud that it’s still just so much fun to play with my friends on stage and make music, and create something out of nothing. That is really an awesome accomplishment, and it keeps us feeling like we’re 16 years old. We’re all pretty much the same dudes. It’s the music that’s keeping us young and we still love doing it!
That’s awesome. Thanks again for your time today, Scott and keep rockin’!
Thanks, Adam!