Thanks, Wry for this December Hit Parader magazine article/interview with becky members Rebecca and Paulie.

This month, Lyrically Speaking found ourselves in a dilemma searching for an answer to a few of life's more complex problems.

So, with this being said, and, us being in the word business, Lyrically Speaking stumbled upon a couple of songwriters who's honest approach to the craft is refreshing, and in one songwriter, her words could "shine" a bright light on lyrical sense all together!

We recently caught up with Rebecca Lord, lead vocals/songwriter, and, Paulie, guitarist/music arranger from the Southern California band, Becky in the recording studio working feverishly on their DVD/CD tentatively titled Studio/Live.

At press time, Paulie assures us that this musical masterpiece will be out by Christmas, and this compilation of the band's favorite studio sessions will be cut together with numerous live shows!

We couldn't resist asking the dynamic (songwriting) duo about the story behind their single Shine, and talk shop about their heart-stopping lyric writing and musical creations!

"Emotionally speaking, I guess my favorite song would have to be Shine," confesses Rebecca. "It's a simple message about love. We live in a world where people tend to focus on the bleak, but love is the key for getting rid of the darkness. Love heals, so it's nice to remind people about that every once in a while."

So, Paulie, how did the band Becky come together? "Rob and I play ice hockey together." He reveals, "We always talked about music, recording, and our favorite bands. Rob invited me over to his home to jam a little. It sounded great from the first chord progression. Rob is an amazing drummer with a great feel for all types of music especially, the upbeat stuff, which I love! We played for about an hour or so, and Rebecca joined in (Rob and Rebecca are dating, so they are always together!)."

He continues, "Right away, she started working her vocals into music I was playing. Her lyrics just fit into the music like a glove! I think we wrote about five or six songs that day! It sounded so unbelievable we decided to get a bass player and start a band. Since Rob has played with Keanu (Reeves) for over 10 years, it was a natural fit from the time we all first played together--and--that's how 'Becky' was formed! "

Speaking of storytelling, Rebecca, how do you bring a musical tale to life? "It's a really natural progression. I let myself run with a melody and the emotion the sound evokes brings the story. I don't go in with preconceived notions about what I want to say. The song tells me what to say- it makes writing flow a lot better, and the song ends up being a lot more honest."

Paulie interjects, "I like to write with tension in mind. in a good way, I like each section of the song to work off each other, so that one part will play off the other. I like to create a little song within the song with each progression should flow whether it's one part or five. It's very important to me with the style that I play that the music works perfect with the beat and Rob can really make it work. He is an excellent drummer who plays right on the money with the chord progressions that I play. That's why his nickname is 'Swatch Mono.' Swatch from the watch and mono from monophonic." (A cliff note: Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary says that monophonic means relating to sound transmission, record-ing, or reproduction involving a single transmission path!).

Rebecca, do tell, is there a secret on making the words sound right in revealing a part of your soul? "I definitely have favorite words- all my lyrics begin as stream of consciousness, but as I listen back, I notice a few words always pop up! I am in love with language-words have so much effect, if they are used in the right way. First, the emotion has to come through, if I don't feel that, I don't know how I could even begin to try to write lyrics. It's all about flow."

Paulie, describe your song writing process? "I write the music (guitar parts and arrangements), and Rebecca will sing along and come up with melody and lyrics. Keanu will add his bass parts, while Rob locks down the beat! "

Pssst... where do you listen for lyrics, Rebecca? "What inspires me in lyrics? I would have to say honesty. I love subtlety, and I love when artist show instead of tell. I am not a fan or really obvious messages. I like songs to be a little obscure, so people have room to interpret. Everyone has a different experience, so it is nice to allow people the ability, to take what they wish from a song. My idea is most likely a really personal emotion, so to understand exactly what I mean would be virtually impossible. I like people to have the freedom to interpret."

First off, Paulie, are you a lyrics or a music man? "Music, I am always jamming guitar chords. Rebecca just flows right into them with ease, Keanu, too! He is always writing the coolest little ditty- we call them! I love to use those and write songs around them! He is a very, very melodic bass player! "

On a personal note from Paulie to you: "I would like to say thank you, oh so very much, for this wonderful opportunity to make music that our fans enjoy! Without you, the fans- none of this would be possible! Thank you... Thank you... Thank you!"

For more information on Becky, please visit them on the web at: www.beckyband.com.