Randy J. Klodz - Instruction Shows America the Non-Glamorous Aspect of Rock Touring

Nov. 18, 2004

Instruction Shows America the Non-Glamorous Aspect of Rock Touring

By Randy J. Klodz

Though Instruction singer/guitarist Arty Shepherd has being doing what he called “do-it-yourself touring for 15-years”--a form of touring that includes driving a van, loading your own equipment and selling your own merchandise, among other less than glamorous things--the New York state-based hard-rock band plans to hit the road again in support of hard-rock icons Korn. The tour hits Chicago’s Aragon Ballroom on Nov. 26.

Instruction--which alongside Shepherd includes Tom Capone (guitar), Joseph Grillo (guitar, vocals), Adam Marino (bass) and Ti Kreck (drums)--played the second stage on this summer’s Projekt Revolution tour, a popular diverse festival tour that included main stage performances by Linkin Park, Korn, Snoop Dogg, The Used and Less Than Jake. Although Instruction had only a short 25-minute slot on each stop of the tour, Shepherd said that the band made ample use of every second of that time. “It’s really about the exposure; it’s more than just the set; it’s about your name being in the ads and you being able to sell merchandise there,” he said.

“We would sell a lot of records; it wasn’t like we were only playing 25 minutes; it’s actually kind of cool because people don’t know who you are and we just blasted through it doing our fastest, punkiest, hardest rocking set could do,” Shepherd said, “and then people buy the record and they know the songs. Then you can come back and play for 45 minutes. It’s actually ideal. I don’t want to sit through a band that I don’t know for 45 minutes, so why would I expect someone else to do it. We give the best 25 minutes you’ve ever heard.”

Since Instruction spent most of the Projekt Revolution tour driving from destination, the band didn’t have much time to hang around and meet members of many of the main stage bands. Since this will be the band’s second run in touring with Korn, Shepherd looks forward to finally meeting its members.

Instruction is touring behind “God Doesn’t Care,” which hit stores in August. “God Doesn’t Care” includes the hard-rocking tracks “Breakdown,” “Your Punk Sucks” and “Death to the 4 Car Garage Band.” The album also includes the mellow and exotic sounding “Feed the Culture,” which features the drum work of Stephen Perkins of Jane’s Addiction fame, a strings section and a sitar, among other instruments.

Aragon Ballroom is at 1106 W. Lawrence Ave. Tickets for this all-ages show are listed for each with a show start time of 7 p.m. Breaking Benjamin and Skindred are also scheduled to perform. Shepherd recommended that those planning to attend should arrive early, as Instruction plans to take the stage right at 7 p.m. For more information on Instruction log on to www.instructionrocks.com.