Changing Gears Out of Neutral
Trust Company Look to Build on Their Success

>> TRUSTcompany's Kevin Palmer belts it out.  >>

>> Speaking with drummer Jason Singleton from Trust Company, its clear that being a rock star hasn't gone to his head.  Even with all the attention that came with last year's hit record and monster tour with Korn, Trust Company recognize that the music industry is all about what's happening now.  After nearly two years away working on their follow up, the stunning True Parallels, it is always a question as to how the fans will receive you, if they remember you at all.

If the scene at Anaheim's House of Blues was any indication, not only do the fans remember them, they couldn't wait for them to come back. If the crowd was there exclusively for Papa Roach, it wasn't apparent by the enthusiastic reception given to Jason and his band mates.

Trust Company certainly did not disappoint - in fact, it was obvious that those months off the road hadn't hurt.  Singer Kevin Palmer may look like a surfer, but he carries himself like a rock star.  He’s got the front man persona down, and he certainly remembered how to work the crowd.

Trust Company played a mix of tracks from both records, though the fans seemed equally familiar with all the tracks. "Downfall" and "Hover," their two primary hits from the first record received the most enthusiastic response.

Spending little time on small talk, Palmer seemed much more interested in rocking as hard as he could.  With their distinct mix of emo and metal, Trust Company's music is conducive to sweating, and Palmer and his mates were dripping halfway through the first song.  By the second, most of the crowd had joined in.  The night went off from there.

Not long before Trust Company embarked on this tour of rock power houses, we spoke with Jason about the demands of the industry, time off and the desire to get back out there.

>> Palmer had the crowd eating out of hand. >>

VOX: You've been out of the spotlight for a while - what have you guys been up to?
Jason: Marking this record, mostly.  The last year and a half we've been basically working this.  We did a month of pre-production and writing, then recording.  It takes longer than most people think.
VOX: How did it come out?  How does this record compare with the last one?
Jason: Still Trust Company - exactly what you should expect from us.  There are some differences, but it isn't a major departure from what we've done in the past.
VOX: What are those differences?
Jason: Better production, for one thing.  I think we've also learned to write better songs.  This is a solid record from front to back.  There are some heavier songs and some lighter ones as well. There are some that are softer than anything we've ever done before...then there are also some that are very heavy.

VOX: Are you more nervous or excited when a record comes out?
Jason: Both - we're more prepared now that we were before, but there still those butterflies.  It's a new product and you're not sure how the fans will react.  It's hard to listen from a fan's standpoint.  I may think I like it, but I wish I could listen like it was the first time and get that first impression all over again.

>> Trust Company rocked the HOB crowd. >>

VOX: Is there anything you would do differently from the past?
Jason: The main thing is the production.  You think it sounds great, but then you make your next record, and the quality is better and you think about how good the first record might have sounded.

This was our first time in a real big studio and it makes you realize how good things can be.

We've also gotten better at communication, and we've got a better grasp on how to lay songs out.

It's all a learning process.  I wish we could do this better or do that better, but we know that with each record, we'll keep improving and learning.

VOX: Have there been any changes in the band since the last record?
Jason: Yeah - we've got a new bass player.  Out old bass player got married, and he had a business opportunity, to start his own business, and we understood that.  If someone has something else they want to focus on, you have to understand that, and wish them the best.

Now we got Walker Warren playing bass for us.  He's a 19 year old from Las Vegas. He's brought a new youthful energy and a different musical personality.  He brings a whole new set of influences as well.

VOX: What are your expectations for this record?
Jason: I hope the fans will still dig what we're doing. Our first record went gold, when we had no expectations. We're hopeful we'll continue to have some success, but we don't want to put any extra pressure on ourselves based on expectations.