Interviews: Gone Stereo

This is a new interview with the Melodic Rock band Gone Stereo from the USA. Check out the interview and follow the artist on his FACEBOOK PAGE.

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

The idea of creating a band name was very stressful. You can sit there for hours and as soon as you think you have the best band name idea, it's already taken. That, or it's just way too corny nor does it fit the type of music you play. There is a music venue on Long Island called “Stereo Garden” I thought that that name was awesome, but obviously already taken. I literally googled “band name idea” which took me to a generator site. I typed in the word “Stereo” and the first thing that popped up was “Gone Stereo” Thank you Google.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Throughout the years, I’ve/we’ve all been playing music in punk bands. My last project Idle Vice was a melodic rock band and I wanted to try to start something along the lines of that kind of music. I’m a sucker for harmonies and layered harmonies, kind of like the 1st Brand New record. Growing up I listened to all the Drive-Thru Records bands and had a computer full of pop-punk riffs and 30-second songs that I’ve written. Our song Taste of This was a riff I wrote when I was 18 years old, and now it’s a song on Negative Progression Records. Pretty surreal.

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

It’s interesting because Chris and I may have met at some point in the 90’s because the bands we played in at times played the same shows. I met Jay back in 2004 off of Craigslist list when Idle Vice was looking for a drummer and Chris introduced me to Mike and he’s one of the best bass players I’ve had the opportunity to play with.

4. Each band member favourite band?

Matty: Screeching Weasel & Allister

Chris: REM & Jawbreaker

Mike: Operation Ivy & The Decendents

Jay: Avenged Sevenfold & The Deftones 

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Inspiration comes and goes for me, and I had and still at times have a hard time writing lyrics. I have several boxes in my garage full of papers and notebooks with words on them from when I would just write about how I felt at the time. There was nothing really inspiring me. Those times were very dark for me, I delt with a lot of tragic events and bad relationships. These days, I use some of those lyrics I’ve written as a starting point then stuff just comes out. I don’t write happy songs.

6. Where was your last gig?

Our last show was at Kaycee Rays in Vineland New Jersey. It was our first show off Long Island and first in New Jersey and we had a blast. The place had a killer sound and lighting system and the bands we played with were awesome. We made a lot of new friends, and we plan on making another visit sometime in the fall or early next year.

7. Where would you like to act?

Me personally would’ve loved to perform on the Warped Tour, but that is no longer an option. I’ve had the opportunity to play a lot of great venues in the past, but If I had to choose just one now, I’d probably pick Irving Plaza in NYC.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

If I had to choose a band to tour with, hands down either New Found Glory, Goldfinger or Weezer. I know Chris had told me that if he had to choose it would be Jawbreaker or Frank Turner 

9. Whom not?

If someone tells you that they aren’t nervous before they get up and perform in front of a crowd are lying through their teeth. We have our first big show coming up and I’m not going to lie, I’m a little nervous thinking about it. For me, the nerves usually go away after the first 30 seconds of the performance. 

10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tips for beginners on how to beat that?

If you are new to this, our advice would be to just go up there and tell yourself that you are going to get out there and get past those 30 seconds and I promise you will fell a lot better after that. Remember, all those people at the show are A. There to see you or B. Not up there doing cool rock and roll shit like you. So give them what they came for.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

A lot of bands inspire me and not just bands, but all types of music. I grew up listening to county and oldies music. Not that new country they have out these days, but old country like Hank Williams, George Jones, George Strait. I got into punk when I learned about the Ramones and Green Day. Then I was listening to Screeching Weasel, The Queers, Weston to name a few. I have a lot of inspiration and influences from all the music I grew up with.

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

A fan asked me once if I can funnel a beer and I did just that on stage in between songs. I wouldn’t call it a weird request; I’d call it a challenge!

13. What do you think of your fans?

I wanted to say to our fans that we thank you for your support, thank you for adding us to your Spotify and Apple Music playlists, for coming to our shows, and all the nice comments and messages that you send to us. It is because of you and your support that we can continue to do what we love to do and that is writing music for you to listen to and/or relate to. 

14. Something to add?

Lastly, we just wanted to let you know that we will be in the studio this summer writing some more music that we plan on releasing soon, and we hope to see you at one of our shows whether that be somewhere by us, or by you. Our goals next year are to play on some of the festivals out in Florida and Pennsylvania and hoping to support one of those bands I mentioned earlier!