Avarice enters its makeshift theater where the only sources of light are several dim colored spotlights hanging from the ceiling. Speakers the size of a child border the walls. Max Fiedel tweaks the knobs of his guitar and shows off a few new riffs he’s been working on. Mark Maldonado adjusts the chair in front of his drums and warm up a few beats. Tim Gilmore fiddles with the knobs on the gigantic amplifier as his bass guitar leans against the soundproof wall. Shane Barakan picks up his mic and prepares his voice. Then after a quiet countdown, Avarice begins to play making the one window in the room vibrate to the point where one would worry about it’s structural integrity.
In the middle of the song, one of Gilmore’s bass string snaps. As the rest of the band continues playing not noticing the snapped string, Gilmore laughs it off and removes the broken string then continues playing. It isn’t until the song is over that the band realizes that their bassist is missing a string and joke about how they’ve gone “too far in the moment”.
“The music we play is basically we come into a room and we let whatever is inside of us come out,” said Maldonado. “There’s no structure. We sit in a circle and jam and we pick out the best parts. That’s kind of how we work. It’s weird but cool at the same time.”
Several people have been a part of Avarice over the years and most of them have left all for different reasons. The band mentioned one nameless person who angrily left the band to pursue a solo career and ultimately failed.
“I feel like we shouldn’t be laughing right now!” laughed Gilmore in reference to that nameless person.
Maldonado is the only original member of the band though the other members have a long history together outside of Avarice. Gilmore and Fiedel went to school together and were in a different band three years ago. Barakan and Gilmore have known each other since they were ten-years old.
As of now, all members of Avarice have a fond respect for each other and their abilities.
“I’ll step in right now and say that these three guys make the most noise of any three piece,” said Barakan. “Every band I’ve ever been with or every band I’ve ever played with, I feel like I’m just in some garage band practice. The first time I practiced with these guys I was like where’s the huge stereo that’s playing this tight CD.”
After an awkward moment following the mushiness of Barakan’s comments, Fiedel gave Barakan a hug and held up his hand and shouted “High five!” imitating the movie character Borat. An open palm slapping was engaged.
Avarice will be performing in Hollywood at the On the Rox, the bar on top of the Roxy on Sunset Blvd. on Saturday, Nov. 25 at 9:30 p.m. The maximum capacity is 125 people and to enter you must be over 21 years of age. For more information, please visit avaricefans.com.
Click the video link below for an exclusive video interview with Avarice.