Filter comes clean about new album

Filter frontman Richard Patrick isn't angry at the world, per se. At the Bush administration? Yes. About war? Definitely. About the devastation that politics and war ravage on the world, not to mention the society in which he must raise his newborn? Um, yeah.

But just because "Anthems for the Damned," Filter's first album in six years, comes soaked in outward, fuming disappointment, doesn't mean the still-sober Patrick doesn't have something to hope for - not the least of which includes his latest tour since ending the band's three-year hiatus.

It's been more than a decade since Filter released "Hey Man, Nice Shot," the song that still defines the band's mainstream status, and less than two years since Patrick released his side project's self-titled debut, "Army of Anyone." A lot has happened since then. In preparation for "Anthems," Patrick rebuilt Filter with new members and funneled several years of writing and pent-up aggravation into what fans have called his most personally revealing album yet.

As the band prepared to return to the U.S. from their European tour in support of "Anthems," we asked Patrick 10 questions about the album, reviving Filter and his March show in Kuwait.

Q. You've said the motivation behind "Soldiers of Misfortune" was a letter you received from a fan who ultimately lost his life in Iraq. What's the chronology there in respect to the rest of the album? Had you started writing anthems about societal concerns before you found out he passed away or was he the tipping point to unleash your frustration?

A: Good question. I actually began writing some of this album before I put together the Army of Anyone project with Robert and Dean DeLeo After the AOA record came out and we toured, I sat back down and finished "Anthems for the Damned." So, the ideas behind some of the material began to materialize four years ago. But my societal concerns began well before that. Justin's death did have a profound effect on me as well. It shows you how close to home this useless war actually is.

Q: Speaking of frustration, in the song "What's Next" you write "they just keeping swallowing us." Who are you referring to? Is this a reoccurring character throughout?

A: "What's Next" is definitely an anti-Bush song. I believe this administration has continuously lied to us and has forced us to truly question our leaders and their motives.

Q: It feels like you really bear a lot of yourself in this album. What was the writing process like for "Anthems for the Damned"? Did you have a clear idea of how you wanted to structure the album when you started writing it?

A: I do bear it all on this record. I am upset with a lot of things, but I also have some hope for the future. There are a lot of things going on in my life: my sobriety, the birth of my daughter, etc. I think those two life-changing events have helped me to look at things a lot differently.

Q: It sounds like the anti-war/pro-troops single "Soldiers of Misfortune" has garnered mostly a positive response so far. Did you anticipate it being met with more controversy than it has?

A: When I write songs, I don't try to be controversial. I write what I feel. I'm grateful the song has been met positively. I'm very supportive of the troops.

Q: When you performed in Kuwait in March, how did soldiers there respond to the new material and did you get a chance to talk with any of them?

A: The soldiers were great and very enthusiastic. We spent four days hanging out with the men and women serving in the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines. The trip to Kuwait was something I will never forget. It helped put a face to the word "troops" for me. And they were so gracious to us all. I felt like it was my duty to go over there and they were so grateful to us for coming. It was awesome.

Q: What was going through your head during that show, as you stood with the people you essentially wrote the main single/album for - especially when your former bass player, Army Sergeant Frank Cavanagh, joined you guys on stage?

A: It was an incredible life changing feeling, and hooking up with Frank again was so cool. When I joined Army of Anyone, Frank joined the Army so being able to play with him again in Kuwait on "Hey Man, Nice Shot" was unbelievable. Frank, in full uniform, tore the place up. He was once one of us, now he was one of them, know what I mean? It was unreal.

Q: Tell us about your transition from Army of Anyone back to Filter. How did you assemble the new band of players? p.s. Is there an official fifth member?

A: After the AOA cycle ended, I wanted to go back to Filter. Luckily, I was able to put together a band of truly talented musicians - Mitchell Marlowe, Jon Spiker and Mika Fineo - all of whom are in this group now because of their true talent. If there was an official fifth member of Filter, it would have to be our producer Josh Abraham, who helped make this record so enjoyable.

Q: What made you decide to write "Anthems for the Damned" with new Filter mates instead of with Army of Anyone?

A: Well, kind of at the same time I told Robert and Dean (DeLeo) I was going to make a Filter record, they began putting Stone Temple Pilots together again. It worked out great for everyone. We've even been doing a few shows together and it's been great.

Q: Considering you deal with some pretty heavy concerns about the future of the world, have you reached any personal resolution after releasing it all through the album?

A: I just want to do my part to make the world a better place.

Q: What can fans expect at your June 14 Durty Nellie's show? Any old songs in the set?

A: My Chicago homecoming? You can bet there will be old songs in the set. In fact, the set will feature songs from each of Filter's four albums, and I can't wait to get back to Chicago where it all began.