CLEVELAND, Ohio — The mid-90s was a “Shine”-ing time for Collective Soul.
The Atlanta band had its first hit, “Shine,” in 1994 and released its first two albums — the double-platinum “Hints Allegations and Things Left Unsaid” and the triple-platinum “Collective Soul” in short order. It’s gone on to release 10 more albums, including a live set and a hits compilation, and notch a dozen Top 10 Billboard Mainstream Rock singles — seven of them No. 1.
Frontman Ed Roland and company are looking back this summer with re-releases of those first two albums, including an expanded 25th anniversary edition of the self-titled set. But, he tells us, there’s a great deal more to come — including two Collective Soul albums in the can, a solo project of his own and a side band he’ll be unveiling at some point soon. And Roland promises this is all being achieved without cutting quarantine corners — too much, at least…
Twenty-five years for “Collective Soul,” and longer for “Hints…” Does it feel like it’s been a long time?
Roland: I haven’t thought about it in that way, to be honest with you. I never really go back and listen to (the old records). We play it live, so sometimes I’ll go back and stream it, just to see what my thoughts were. It doesn’t feel like 25 years, I will say that. It kind of feels in-between, that’s the best way I can answer it.
What’s the biggest difference between “Collective Soul” and “Hints…?”
Roland: I think on (“Hints…”) you hear me becoming a songwriter and producer, and us learning to be a band. That came from demos I made in a basement over a five-year period. I recorded, like, 50 songs and I picked 12, 13 of ’em, and I was just trying to showcase different things I could do. When “Shine” hit we figured, “OK, we’ve established ourselves for a rock audience, so we need to be more of a rock band,” and we followed that direction on the second album. Basically the public dictated where we wanted to go.
Where did you think Collective Soul fit in back then?
Roland: During that time Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Stone Temple Pilots, Soundgarden were making their mark. That was rock in the mid-90s. I said, “OK, lemme try to incorporate that.” I’d bring songs to the band and go, “Let’s try to make it rock-y here. Check this riff out and I’ll find a melody to go on top of it.” I wanted a pop sensibility to it, but at the same time some rock riffs in there.
Did touring and having the players around make a significant impact on the “Collective Soul” album?
Roland: Yes. The second record came out eight months after “Shine” was released on a major (label), so every day off we had we were in the studio. And on the road, I would be writing and sound check was basically pre-production. “Hints…” was so uncoordinated; The songs were all over the place, which was all right. But for the second one we were trying to pick the songs that went together best and had some continuity, so I’d listen to the guys and their parts and just kind of go from there.
“December” in particular was such an unusual and unique song, much less a single. How did that come about?
Roland: I wanted to write a song that was the same chord progression over and over. So that song is basically four chords but with four different melodies over it. I was challenging myself as a songwriter and producer/arranger. So, it was about these four melodies coming together. The funny thing is it’s the only song we ever fought about. The other guys were like, “This is a worthless piece of s***. This is boring as hell!” And I was like, “No, no, no, no…” It’s the only time I put my foot down. I said, “Give me a chance on this one.”
For a time it was thought that “Smashing Young Man” was about Bill Corgan.
Roland: Everyone thought that because he was busy smack-talking about us all the time — which didn’t bother me at all. It’s kind of his schtick. It’s just a fun song, and the next thing you know Billy starts coming at me again and I’m like, “Dude! No, no no…” And finally, there was one point where I just said, “Yeah, it was written about him, sure. Whatever he wants to think, I don’t care.” But I love Smashing Pumpkins. If I ever met Billy, I’d tell him what a great musician, great songwriter he is. I’ve got nothing negative to say. I’ve got other things to do in life than to bitch about people.
Collective Soul had its first hit, “Shine,” in 1994 and released its first two albums — the double-platinum “Hints Allegations and Things Left Unsaid” and the triple-platinum “Collective Soul” in short order. The albums are being re-released this summer.
Has it been tough not being able to function as a band right now?
Roland: Oh, man. This is the longest we’ve ever been away from each other. It’s not only the band — it’s best pals. We started zooming, like, once a week, and (during early July). I said, “Y’know, if y’all feel comfortable, come down here and hang out and let’s make some music.” We spent nine days together and made another album, but at the same time being very respectful and responsible. We were willing to see each other, but we were careful. Our bass player, his two younger boys had the virus but didn’t have the symptoms. Johnny, our drummer, his wife had the virus with the symptoms. It’s one of those crazy times; You just make a judgement call. We were all ready to see each other and ready to make music. We did 11 songs in nine days.
So this is an album in addition to “Vibrating,” which you’d already recorded?
Roland: Yep. We’ve got two albums ready. “Vibrating” was supposed to come out in June, of course, but that got put on hold, and before that there was an EP that we did for Record Store Day that got put on hold. I have a solo record — that’s put on hold (laughs). And I have another band called the Living Room, ‘cause I was stuck in Sarasota with recording gear. My pals were around so we started this band, which is more of a New Wave record. There’s a lot of music (laughs), but there should be, y’know? That’s what we do.