Interview: 20 Cent Dreams

In this new occassion we have had the pleasure to interview the Pop Punk/Pop Rock band 20 Cent Dreams, from UK. Check out this band because they are amazing and do not forget to follow them in their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that?     

Joe: The name came from a mates T-Shirt who had ’99 Cent Dreams’ on it. Just kept the Cent Dreams and stuck 20 in front of it. We didn’t really think about it too much. We just needed a name and it kind of stuck.  

2. Why did you want to play this genre?    

Joe: Well when we first formed we just tried to copy the bands that we listened to and some of it was really terrible. When it came to writing this EP it felt like a natural progression, we didn’t really think too much about what genre we wanted to do.  

Sam: I think we’re becoming more of a crossover between Pop and Rock music, since the melodies are becoming stronger. But as Joe said we just tried to write the best songs we could.    

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?   

Sam: Yep ! Joe and I have been mates since we were 6 years old at primary school. I met Liam when we were 14 and we played in a teen pop punk band before starting 20 Cent Dreams.  Joe: And I met Liam at the high school we all went to.    

4. Each band member favourite band?     

Joe: Radiohead   

Sam: You Me at Six    

Liam: Periphery    

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?    

Sam: I think it varies for all of us. Joe very often comes up with riffs, whereas I’ll more start with an idea for a vocal melody. Liam has an excellent ear for how drums can fit in with our ideas, and sometimes it can just come form us jamming something out in the rehearsal room. I’ll usually then add lyrics, sometimes with Liam, about a feeling or situation I’ve been in.    

6. Where was your last gig?     

Joe: Our last proper gig was quite a while ago. It was The Gunners in Arsenal sometime in November. We chose to take some time away from gigging to focus more of our efforts into recording this EP.  

Sam: Joe and I have done a few acoustic gigs to experiment with how the songs can sound when stripped back as well. Joe got his guitar chops on.    

7. Where would you like to act?     

Joe: Reading Festival would be pretty great!   

Sam: Seconded.    

8. Whom would you like to feature with?    

Joe: Biffy Clyro would be pretty sweet.  

Sam: I’d love to support the Foos. Imagine the banter backstage.     

9. Whom not?    

Joe: We don’t tend to be all that picky with who we play with as long as they’re friendly and put on a good a show!    

10. Any of you has ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that?     

Joe: We’re not the kind of band that has really suffered from stage fright. It’s hard to explain. We tend to get anxious and really excited before we play shows. In terms of advice, being comfortable with who you are is one. It goes a long way not worrying about what people think of you and just being confident with what you’re doing. Just remember they’re just people, like you!    

Sam: Doesn’t matter if we’re playing to the best crowd ever or a room with 2 people who hate us, we’re there to have fun.    

11. What bands have inspired you the most?   

Sam: I think that varies for all of us. Me personally it’s been a bunch of indie pop bands/artists like the 1975, Pixel Fix, KYKO, and young UK pop punk bands coming up (Boston Manor, The Gospel Youth, As It Is). The lads have also been into a lot of Djent, like Tesseract, Periphery, and bit of math rock too.  

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?    

Joe: Can’t say a fan’s ever asked us to do anything weird.  

Sam: I got given a mini guitar thing once. That was nice.  

13. What do you think of your fans?    

Joe: Not going to say we have a huge fan based but since we’ve been in London we get to meet more people at shows and they’re always positive toward our music and just have a great attitude.  

Sam: I love anyone who cares about our music. As long as they’re not like a misogynist or a racist I guess.    

14. What do you think of our site?    

Joe: Very professional looking! It’s great to see a site promoting young bands.  

Sam: Awesome sauce.    

15. Something to add?    

Joe: Cheers to anyone who’s checked out our music and continues to support us. New EP ‘Generations’ is out on the 28th of April.