Features / One Question Interviews

Mark (Brown Brogues)

SPB: Assuming that you're not playing a show, what is a typical Saturday night for Brown Brogues? What does it involve?

Mark: If we're flush with cash we would go out in Manchester and drink posh cocktails and prosecco. If not so flush we would drink cheap beers at each other houses then go to …

Allen Maier (American Scarecrows, drums)

SPB: Do you wear earplugs when you play? Why/why not?

Maier: I have heard people say they wish they took better care of their hearing when they were younger. Playing almost every day I was getting tired of trying to fall asleep while my ears were ringing. The more I was playing the …

His Dream of Lions

SPB: Assign each member of your band to a character in The Breakfast Club.

His Dream of Lions:

Colby - Criminal - He thinks his hair cut is really cool (applicable to all members) 

Blair - Brain - He eats differential equations for breakfast

Seth - Princess - Like Claire, he …

Gypsy Eyes

SPB: What's your favorite movie sequel?

Gypsy Eyes: I'd have to say my favorite movie sequel is "2046" by Wong Kar Wai. It's the second in a trilogy of films, the first being "In The Mood For Love" and the third being "Days of Being Wild." The film is about a science fiction author struggling to …

Dominic DiCecco (Seagulls)

SPB: Have people confused you with Eagulls yet?

DiCecco: I called out sick from work once and it happened to be the day Eagulls played Atlanta, at The Earl. One of my co-workers had mistakenly confused my band with Eagulls and it appeared to him I called out of work to play the show. My …

James Goodson (Teen Death, guitar/vocals)

SPB: Who is your favorite band to see live?

Goodson: I think my favorite band to see live is AFI. Not only are they one of my favorite bands in general, they also kill it live. Every show feels special and epic: they always seem like they're giving it everything they've got. They …

Toby Driver

SPB: How have your musical taste evolved over the years? Do you think your “high school self” would appreciate the music you make now?

Driver: I think my aesthetics are still similar to what they were when I was in high school, but I'm quite a bit more open-minded when it comes to the social implications …

Richard Minino (Horsebites)

SPB: Do you think the digitalization of music has negatively influenced your trade as there is less emphasis on cover art?

Minino: Not necessarily because now bands are putting a lot of that lost income in their merch. If their record sales are down because of downloading then they just make other stuff for people …

Josh Weaver (Royal Thunder)

SPB: Do you have a favorite type of van or bus?

Weaver: Dodge Ram vans are definitely our favorite vans. I bought a ‘95 full luxury Dodge Ram van from my friend Johnny Collins for $200 around 2007-2008. It had 200k original miles on it and Johhny's band, Thunderlip, had used it for years. …

Austin McCutchen (Choir Vandals, vocals)

SPB: What is your favorite cover to play? Why?

McCutchen: Choir Vandals as a band has actually never done a cover, but for me personally I love covering any Elliott Smith song. Most of his songs are decently difficult so I feel accomplished after learning them and I feel such a strong connection …

Luke Schwartz (Loose Planes, vocals)

SPB: What is the worst stereotype you encounter when strangers discover you’re in a band?
 
Schwartz: The worst stereotype I encounter when people find out I'm in a band is usually that I'm rich. Normal people aren't aware of the fact that musicians are making a fraction of what they were ten years …

Krigeist (Barshasketh)

SPB: What are the origins for the name of the band? 

Krigeist: Barshasketh was something I read years ago in an occult text around the time I was composing the first demo. It refers to a subconscious pit of destruction relating to self-advancement.

David Vincent Kelling (Culture Abuse, vocals)

SPB: What is most ridiculous sub-genre name you’ve heard?

Kelling: Calling something a sub genre is fucking ridiculous in general, still rock and roll to me...

Niklas (Ef)

SPB: If you had your choice, which guest musician would you want to feature on an album?

EF: Have always put a lot of interest in arranging strings and horns in order to create a beautiful and bombastic touch to the normal guitar based post rock setting. Until now we (or our member Daniel) have been …

Laura Pleasants (Kylesa)

SPB: When you're on tour, how is it decided (or who decides) where you'll eat?

Pleasants: The promoter generally sets the schedule. Sometimes they will ask when we would like to eat and then we'll decide on the spot.

Neil Debnam (Fighting Kites)

SPB: Is there a particular record you've heard this year that surprised you? In both a good or a bad way?

Debnam: Speaking from a strictly personal point of view rather than as the mouthpiece of four individuals now separated geographically by a few thousand miles, I think it has to be Robert Turman's …

Russ Van Cleave (The Tim Version)

SPB: What got you interested in pursuing science on a professional level?

Van Cleave: There are a lot of different reasons, but the easiest answer I could probably give would be high school physics. I quit marching band my senior year so I could free up room to take a physics class. …

Sam Russo

SPB: How do you primarily find new music?

Russo: I still find new music the way I always have -- on the road and through friends. When I'm on tour I write down dozens of bands people recommend me and I always listening to the radio in the US. I have a few friends who are …

Dex Romweber (Dex Romweber Duo)

SPB: Who is the first musician whose technique or technicality really stood out to you?

Romweber: Benny Joy of Tampa, FL and his guitarist Big John Taylor. Find “I'm Doubtful of your Love”and “Hey High School Baby.”

John (Stop Breathing, vocals)

SPB: What do you think of bands playing an album in its entirety as a tour concept?

John: I am all for it, as long as the albums they play are good ones!! I've only been to a couple shows like this, but I'm envious of all of you in Chicago this weekend watching …