Interviews: Downer Thoughts

In this new occassion we have had the opportunity to interview the Pop Punk/Post-Hardcore band Downer Thoughts, from USA. Check out this band and give them a like on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

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

Hunter: it’s a lyric from a Jack’s Mannequin song.  we had other names we were thinking about before but all liked this one.

2.Why did you want to play this genre?  

Caleb: In the past we all played in bands that focused on heavier music and got pretty tired of it so we wanted to start a band that went in a different direction than what was going on around us.  We were all fans of pop punk and playing that kind of music worked out pretty organically.  

Tommy: Pop Punk’s my favorite genre.   

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

Hunter: We all knew each other through different ways.  Kelly and I were in a couple of bands together in the past and started Downer Thoughts together We’ve known each other for like, 10 years.  Caleb went to our high school and had a class with Kelly.  He’d bought tickets to shows we’d play at school and we knew he played drums.  Getting him on drums was an easy decision.  Tommy played in another band we were friends with at the time and when that band ended we had tried to get a project going for a while.  It all came together really well.      

4. Each band member favourite band?  

Hunter: Something Corporate.

Caleb: It’s a tie between bayside and Coheed and Cambria. 

Kelly: Underoath.

Tommy: Blink 182 

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?  

Hunter: I’m inspired by what’s going on in my life.  I usually write music first and then take into account the feeling of the music and what I’m dealing with personally when writing lyrics.  Lyrically, Jaded focuses on my life after high school and going into college.  At that time a lot of people I knew took different paths.  Some of my friends moved away, some got caught up in drugs, some died. I went through some stuff myself.  Those years were like being caught in a hurricane.  I don't know what else I would have written about that would’ve been genuine.  Tommy:  I’m inspired by making the music I want to hear. 

6. Where was your last gig?  

Caleb: Our last show was at Jerry’s Pizza, one of the last local venues in Bakersfield that bands in our music scene can still play.  We were on the bill with Safe. So Simple, Hightides, and a Victory Records band called Abandoned By Bears.  Everyone was really cool and we made a lot of good friends there. All of those bands are awesome.  We’re hoping to play more shows with those guys soon. 

7. Where would you like to act?  

Caleb:  LA, San Francisco, Boston, I want to play anywhere we can. Hunter:  In one of my older bands I played a show at the bar above the Roxy on the sunset strip.  I’ve always wanted to play The Roxy downstairs, but aside from that I wanna play everywhere.  Hit us up to play your basements and garages.  

Tommy: I want to play Self Help Fest.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?  

Caleb: Anthony Raneri from Bayside.

Hunter: Andrew McMahon could sneeze on one of our tracks and I’d be the happiest person in the world. Ben from Neck Deep would be cool too. 

Tommy: Safe, So Simple or Hightides. 

9. Whom not?  

Tommy: Falling In Reverse. 

Hunter: Kanye West. 

Caleb: Yeah, Kanye.   

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

Hunter: I always get a little nervous right before we play but the key is to just have fun.  If you’re not having fun than you shouldn’t be up there.  I once got Bell’s Palsy and the nerves in half of my face didn’t work for 3 months.  I still played shows, they were still fun.  

Caleb: My first show was pretty nerve racking. But you’ve got to have confidence in what you’re doing, the crowd vibes that.  

Tommy: I used to suffer from stage fright when I was like 14 but after that not really unless my dad would be there. To beat it, just remember people are there to see you. 

11. What bands have inspired you the most? 

Caleb: Brandon Saller from Atreyu is the reason I started playing drums.  

Hunter: Something Corporate, Brand New and Taking Back Sunday have always been pretty inspiring to me.  

Tommy: Hightides, A Day To Remember, Blink 182, and Four Year Strong are constants on my playlists. They always inspire me regardless of how my interests change.  

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

Hunter: A fan once came up to me on stage when we were setting up and asked me to write an EP for him.  He wanted me to write and record the music and he’d put his lyrics to it about his cousin.  I still had to set my gear up so I told him to come up to me after the show.  He grabbed the mic a few times during the set to sing and then stage dived but I didn’t see him after that.  It would’ve been a cool project.  

Tommy: In Texas a girl proposed to me in front of her family.  I was like 19 at the time and she was 13. Her dad had to drag her away.  Another guy once tried to get me to see his insect collection.  Those were pretty strange. 

13. What do you think of your fans?  

Tommy: I think our fans are amazing.  We’re by no means a “big” band but its so amazing to know that when we play shows, kids come up to us and tell us they like our music and add us on social media sites.  I recently walked into a Starbucks and heard a kid playing our music on his laptop.  It was crazy.  

Hunter: Our fans are like our friends, whether we know them personally or not. Some of them sing along at shows, and others have told us how our music has helped them so that’s pretty cool. We love talking to all of you guys.  You’re the best.  

14. What do you think of our site? 

Caleb: It’s cool man!  Thanks for featuring us on the site.  I’ve found a lot of cool bands on the website.  

Hunter: What breathingthecore.com is doing is awesome.  It’s really cool that you guys showcase music that otherwise might not get as much exposure. Bands like ours really appreciate it.  It’s good to see people still promoting music and helping out artists.  

Tommy: This site is awesome, especially for showing an interest in us, thanks!  

15. Something to add?

Hunter: We’re currently working on our new EP and can’t wait for you all to hear it!  Until then, all our music is free on Soundcloud and Bandcamp.  Thanks for the interview!  It was fun.  You guys are rad.  

Caleb: Stay golden, Ponyboy.