Interviews: After The Calm

In this new occassion we have had the opportunity to interview the  Rock band After The Calm from USA. Check out the interview and this band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

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

Jonathan Habermacher: We sat down for a few hours and just wrote out every band name possible that came to mind and ended up with an entire whiteboard of names. We then eliminated ones that didn’t fit certain criteria that we wanted the name to have. After several rounds of this we had about three names left and we all voted on our favorite.

David Nunez: We had a set of parameters that were made. For instance it had to start with an a. Then we all came up with our ideas. We threw them on a board and maked the names we individually liked with a colored tally. Many rounds of this happened until we ended up with After the Calm.

Kody Rattler: When we first started putting things together, we decided to come up with as many possible names as we could. We had a few rules to work with, such as wanting it to be less than five syllables and to start with the letter ‘A’ (placing us at the top of someones library.) Through a series of cross elimination, we worked our way down to a few names; ultimately deciding on After the Calm. Funny note: the person who submitted the song name is no longer in the band.

Henry Cota: We wanted the band name to start with the letter A so when it comes up in a search it would be easy to find.

2.Why did you want to play this genre?

Jonathan Habermacher: I’ve always enjoyed rock and metal. I couldn’t see myself playing anything else.

Logan Mircale: I've always found this scene of music to be such a special thing. You're able to relate to the things being sang and just have a whole group of people that feel the same way.

David Nunez: Sub genre wise I don’t feel we fit in just one. As a blanket genre of rock it boils down to our influences which all fit underneath that blanket genre.

Kody Rattler: I personally just have fun writing parts alongside the others; it could be just about any genre so long as I can just do my thing on the drums.

Henry Cota: We are considered post hardcore technically but our sound goes into multiple genres. Within post hardcore there are no limits of creativity.

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

Jonathan Habermacher: I’ve known Kody for about 7 or 8 years know but everyone else I met by finding band members.

Logan Miracle: I was one of the last to join the band so I met almost everyone when I joined the band.

David Nunez: I knew Hanky(Henry) since high school, I met everyone else as it was being formed.

Kody Rattler: Jon and I go way back, Hanky and David go even further back, and Logan… We met him around the time the band formed; 4+ years now.”

Henry Cota: Logan our singer is the only member who we found off of a straight ad. David and myself have been friends since meeting in beginner guitar in high school. Kody and Jon met working at a pizza restaurant and shared musical interest.”

4.Each band member favourite band?

Jonathan Habermacher: System of a Down

Logan Miracle: Either Blink-182 or The Story So Far.

David Nunez: Incubus

Kody Rattler: It’s always been Avenged Sevenfold, but I’m really digging The Story So Far.

Henry Cota: ...

5.Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Jonathan Habermacher: I just really enjoy creating music. I’m not sure what about it but at the end of this long process everything flows and just sounds amazing. It’s this crazy process where random noises come together and create something that can move people and create feelings.”

David Nunez: My inspiration I think comes from the need to express myself and the guitar has been my tool for many years.

Kody Rattler: Our fans, the people who consume our content. It started out as family and close friends but it’s expanded to complete strangers. The fact that we can write a song and someone out there will dig it, seems worthwhile to me!

Henry Cota: Lyrics for us comes from experiences in life. Family quarrel, love, heartbreak, we write with the intention of reaching the most people we can.

6.Where was your last gig?

Band Answer: At the Rebel lounge where we threw together the entire show for a touring band from WA called Waking Things.

7.Where would you like to act?

Jonathan Habermacher: I would love to play somewhere on the east coast like maybe New York just because I don’t get many chances to travel over there and I really enjoy the different weather and culture over there.

Logan Miracle: I would love to play Chain Reaction.

David Nunez: I think the hubris is speaking but Madison Square Garden lol

Kody Rattler: If there’s one place I could play, it’d be Japan. The country and culture is beautiful and it would be a huge milestone for us. The day we do, we can look back at this interview!

Henry Cota: A giant festival in Europe playing in front of thousands of new fans and alongside some huge acts that we love would be a dream.

8.Whom would you like to feature with?

Jonathan Habermacher: Recently, Joe Cotela from Ded has been poppin off and am really proud of those guys. I think it would be a lot of fun to work with him.

David Nunez: Dave Grohl

Kody Rattler: There’s so many musicians that I would be honored to collab with, but if I could pick anyone I’d love to see what we could do with Jeremy McKinnon from A Day to Remember. It’d be fun to see Logan and Jeremy work together.

Henry Cota: To play bass for Jack White's solo music would be an accomplishment since his first band did not have a bass player.

9.Whom not?

Jonathan Habermacher: There is really no one I wouldn’t want to work with, unless they are just unprofessional and do not work hard.”

David Nunez: Lil Xan

Kody Rattler: I can’t think of anyone I would refuse to feature. I feel even if it was someone way left field we would just end up becoming friends

Henry Cota: I should never be allowed to even attempt to play with Red Hot Chili Peppers. Fleas bass style is from another dimension.

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

Jonathan Habermacher: I used to a long time ago. The way I got around that was to play a whole bunch of open mic nights with Kody in a small bar where no one cared if you did well or bad. It was just for fun and I got all my mistakes out doing that for months in a row.

Logan Miracle: I did music all through school and always had stage fright with singing. But being the frontman in a band, I can just let loose and have the most fun of my life.

David Nunez: I did at the beginning but the more you play love the easier it gets

Kody Rattler: I still get the butterflies on show days, but mostly cause I have so much going on and it’s both exciting and nerve wracking. As far as advice for beginners, make sure you practice a TON before you decide to hit the stage. If you know your parts, you’ve got nothing to worry about. Just do you.

Henry Cota: Sadly yes. My first bands very first show was in a High School auditorium, maybe a few hundred students. I was the lead singer and bassist so for me the pressure was doubled. For a beginner, I recommend a quick little cardio session or any type activity that gets the blood pumping. Something to loosen you up a bit.

11.What bands have inspired you the most?

Jonathan Habermacher: Incubus, System of a Down, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and a whole bunch more.

David Nunez: Incubus, Deftones, Thrice

Kody Rattler: A7X, Blink-182, Breaking Benjamin

Henry Cota: Thrice inspires me as a musician and a person in general. After 20 years and several albums and tours their fan base is just as strong and they are still on the radio for a new audience to discover.

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

Jonathan Habermacher: There really haven’t been any weird moments like that yet. We have had a random interview before a show where this guy asked us super random questions that didn’t really make sense but that is about it.

David Nunez: To touch my hair, but st the same time I’m cool with it

Kody Rattler: Can’t think of anything ‘weird,’ though I did let someone temporarily take my beanie only to find out I’d never see it again.

Henry Cota: When a fan asks to take a picture with just me it still odd. I am just a ordinary guy who makes noises with wood and steel.

13.What do you think of your fans?

Jonathan Habermacher: I’ve met so many of them and I love going to shows and interacting with them. I feel we have a great fanbase that really enjoys local music and supporting everyone.

Logan Miracle: They are the reason we do this. Cause I was a fan once. Who related and loved this music and wanted to create and play the same stuff.

David Nunez: They are some of the most amazing people I’ve ever met. Whenever I doubt myself I look at their comments and it all goes away.

Kody Rattler: We’re all connected; one big network of friends. These are the people that mean the most to us. I can’t imagine I would have the drive to release new songs if no one cared to listen.

Henry Cota: Our fans are dedicated to say the least. They know all the words to the songs and take the time to spread our music to others. Wouldn't be here without them.

14. What do you think of our site?

David Nunez: I think it’s easy to navigate and I truly appreciate what you're doing for the core music scene. We need more contributors like you.

Henry Cota: Having the option to search by Country is amazing! I enjoyed the interviews with the bands and discovering the similarities/differences we share.

15. Something to add?

David Nunez: Thank you so much for the interview and we look forward to doing this again. Make sure you all check out the other singles we have. Captive for you Metalheads and Porcelain for those Angelic melodies.

Kody Rattler: Don’t forget to eat your veggies.

Henry Cota: I’d like to end with a inspirational quote: " You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. Wayne Gretzky" - Michael Scott.