Interviews: Strong Like Bull

In this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Rock band Strong Like Bull from the USA. Check out the interview and follow the 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?

A friend of the band would always say it after we had been drinking for a while. His reply to How’s it going? Or How do you feel? “Strong Like Bull!” We’ve made it into a drinking game at shows and fans like to yell it out. When you hear “Strong Like Bull!” take a drink, take a shot, or whatever you’ve got.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

We evolved into this genre. We started out heavier, but as Dave’s vocal range continued to expand, we started covering AC/DC, Jackyl, Led Zep and other bands at our gigs. When we began writing songs, this influenced our melodies as well. 3. Did you know each other before the band was formed? Yes, we’re from a couple of nearby small rural towns. We had all known each other or known of each other for several years.

4. Each band member favorite band?

DAVE: So hard to pick just one, but Bon Scott era AC/DC is near the top with Highway to Hell being my favorite album. For current bands, I really like The Wild! out of Canada.

SHAWN: I would have to say Metallica, especially the early albums.

JAKE: Oh boy, lol. I loved classical music when I was growing up, my favorite was Tchaikovsky’s Russian Dance, a fast pace and heart-pumping song for a 10-year-old, which lead me directly to the thrash metal of the eighties once the teenage years hit. Yep, Metallica.

NEVIN: I’m a big “heavy Devy” fanboy. ‘Strapping Young Lad’ and Devin Townsend’s solo work has had me hooked for a while now. 5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

DAVE: Most songs start with a melody in my head. Maybe just part of a song to build on. I pick up an acoustic and pick out what I’m hearing melody and chord structure-wise to pull it all together. I guess you could say the melody - the part of a song that should stick in your head - inspires me to pull it together. Topic-wise, life experiences are the inspiration. Our song “Live While You Can” has a couple of messages that most anyone can relate to. The simple message - Let’s party. The deeper message - Don’t let anyone or anything - including yourself - keep you from living the life you want to. You only get one shot at it.

6. Where was your last gig?

Kansas City, Kansas at The Red Eye. We play many bike events and rallies. 

7. Where would you like to act?

Going to interpret “act” as perform.

DAVE: I watched a documentary on The Wachen Festival in Germany. That looks amazing! It would also be cool to perform at Rocklahoma in Oklahoma. That is the largest festival anywhere near where we live.

SHAWN: Rock on the Range, if they bring it back.

JAKE: Rockfest, Kansas City!

NEVIN: Red Rocks in Colorado for sure! Some of the best shows I’ve caught were held there and the scenery is just mind-blowing!

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

DAVE: We will be happy to perform with any rock tour since we are just getting started but my dream/wishlist would be… 1) AC/DC on the tour they just announced. 2) The Wild!, Slash, Dirty Honey, Massive Wagons, The Lazys, Electric Mary 

SHAWN: Them Evils, we opened up for this band in Wichita Kansas. Super cool dudes.

JAKE: I think Jackyl would be a great band to play with.

NEVIN: I’d love to see on a big new wave of classic rock tour with a bunch of fresh bands like Dirty Honey, Them Evils, Joyous Wolf, Kiss Kiss Bang, etc..

9. Whom not?

DAVE: It just has to ROCK. No “Puppet Show after Spinal Tap” moments, please. Not putting any specific names/bands down. Too much negative in the world already. 

SHAWN: I’m sure few bands have their list for various reasons, but if you want to rock and have a good time, count me in.

JAKE: No negativity! Unless there’s a band called Negativity then we’ll see!

NEVIN: I’m not really that picky as long as nobody is being a jackass. Music is all music to me. As long as that’s what I’m doing, I’m happy.

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

DAVE: Not me. I love the adrenaline rush.

SHAWN: For me being practiced and prepared help. Also, have great musicians on stage alongside you.

JAKE: The first time on stage was really bad. I tried to get out of it just because I didn’t think I could ever take that step. Hoped the PA would go out, power shut off, whatever would be my excuse. My lack of courage to backout was greater than getting on stage that first time. After getting that monkey off my back, I never feel more like myself than when I’m up there!

NEVIN: Oh, many times! Hell, I still get the butterflies once in a while. How to beat it? Lots of alcohol. Okay, bad advice. All jokes aside...I’d have to tell anyone starting out to take a couple deep breaths and remember you’re going to be alright. We all have our good and bad days, the important thing to remember is to enjoy yourself.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

DAVE: I got into rock and playing guitar as a teen because of Led Zeppelin. I’ve listened to thousands of albums since and always come back to classics from Led Zep and AC/DC.

SHAWN: Early High School I would jam with a few classmates. So we learned a variety of music from bands such as RUSH, Metallica, Black Crows, Aerosmith, and more.

JAKE: Marilyn Manson and White Zombie were the first bands that got me into “heavy playing” then Metallica made drumming just fun as hell.

NEVIN: My parents raised me religiously on Pink Floyd and I was always infatuated with David Gilmoure’s playing, however, it wasn’t until I heard Randy Rhoads as a young teen that I realized how badly I wanted to learn the guitar.

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

DAVE: We recently finished playing a show, and it was very humid. I was soaked in sweat. A fan wanted to feel my hair. Maybe that’s not weird… Live Rock N Roll and sweat go together!

SHAWN: I think it would be weird just to be asked.

JAKE: Nothing. I’m a drummer.

NEVIN: Some older lady came up to me after a show and asked if she could lick my butthole. No joke. I’ve been offered a lot of things, but that was a first...

13. What do you think of your fans?

DAVE: They rock! Whether it is fans from a bike event in Kansas, fans from hearing our music on the radio in the UK, or fans that have found us on a Spotify playlist, the one thing they have in common is a love for straight-up pure Rock N’ Roll.

SHAWN: Nothing but Love and Respect.

JAKE: The entire reason we do this! Why we can do it!

NEVIN: The highlight of every night! A lot of sweat, blood, and tears have gone into this and our fans help make every bit of it worth it!

14. What do you think of our site?

DAVE: Lots of information!

SHAWN: Great site to follow.

JAKE: New to it and loving the behind the artworks!

NEVIN: I love seeing all the new bands and content I could have been missing out on!

15. Something add?

We’ve got more new music coming very soon. Also, we could not begin to do this without an excellent support team. Thanks to our Engineer/Producer Carter Green at GreenJeans Studios, Tom and the team at TAG Publicity, and Denny and the team at The Label Group / INgrooves Music Group. And a HUGE thanks to everyone digging our music and supporting our live shows.