What’s the story behind you guys?
We’re all cut from the same music scene on Long Island, which seems to be dominated by Pop Punk, even still. We’ve all been existing under the surface of all that for a while, it’s so easy to play kids just won’t let it go away. We’d played together in different amalgamations over the years but never all together, so there’s a limit to the familiarity, but we knew we wanted to take the best from what we’d already done and do something new. We could all tell from the beginning it was worth our time because of how fast music happened and how much we were digging what the other was doing. We sort of had to grow up a bit to make it here, but the band is still based on respecting each other’s space. We’re a very true four-piece in my opinion.
How would you describe your music for people who don’t know you?
“Rock and Roll”. Those second two words are missing in today’s “Rock Music”. The attitude and connection need to be there again. Rock and Roll isn’t planned and doesn’t have a formula. You can’t help where you come from, but you have to give the finger to something and it’s usually at the expense of the safe road. We don’t mind loving real Rock and Roll Artists who paid their dues and did something new. No offense to Daughtry. Talent is worth its credit, but Rock and Roll isn’t “brought to you by” anything.
What made you get into music?
I think this answer is the same for most musicians: Being around it in someway and at some point realizing it was the best way to express yourself. Lots of people played in school or grew up with musicians, but if they didn’t have the latter… Well, we’re happy they became accountants and production managers.
You’ve just recorded your debut album – was it easy to write and record?
It was very humbling, time consuming and educational. We were no strangers to the recording process, but we did try a lot of new things: rooms, amps, mixing boards, tape formats, microphones, even engineers. I’m an engineer myself and wanted to concentrate on the playing so we hired someone to help with the first songs we did. The Engineer, Mic Angelo had a pretty impressive Hip Hop resume, but had done work with Peter Gabriel, Seal and was an unashamed classic rock and Tom Petty guy so it really worked out nicely. In the end it really just makes you want to be a better songwriter and player. Once the novelty wears off and you’re going through those steps, you don’t want to be polishing a terrible song. Anyone can get on stage or on iTunes, and it’s really our responsibility to remain disciplined and honest about what we put out.
What sort of reaction have you been getting since it was released?
We’re happy to say that it’s been quality over quantity. We have die-hard fans who tell us they can’t stop listening to it, as well as some critics too. There are also people who prefer one end of the record to another, which is fine. One thing we’ve always had is a lack of attachment to fads. We have to really earn everyone that buys our music. We don’t attract people as fast as trendy Noise or Indie bands do, but no one in the mainstream cared about them a few years ago and most likely won’t when they’ve tired of it. If you write good songs that people can relate to then sooner or later they will and we’ve always had that encouragement from the people who get something from us. There will always be empty shows or lackluster sales, but real connections make everything worth moving for.
Do you have any songwriting advice for aspiring musicians?
I have other musicians’ advice. Take Pete Townshend – he would say the song needs to be able to exist and be interesting on just acoustic guitar [and voice]. Also, someone, and I forget who, said if the song is not seriously happening in the first hour, it won’t happen in five. Ideas should flow out of you and from our experience our most favourite and successful songs were written in almost as little time as it takes to play them.
Who’s your ultimate icon and how have they influenced you?
We all love Dave Grohl. It’s kinda hard not to. His passion, endurance, shocking musicianship and sense of humor are really engaging. I was personally so happy to see a record made on a tape machine become so successful on so many levels. We all want to be masters of our craft, stay honest and perform with a love and intensity that we see in him and many others.