Interviews: Sixty Miles Down

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Hard Rock/Grunge band, Sixty Miles Down 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?

John: I wish I had a really awesome story to tell you about how we came up with the name but unfortunately, I do not. It was said in a conversation between me and the co-founder of the band and it just stuck out to me so we kept it.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

John: When I was young I was introduced to Kiss, sabbath, and Ozzy. I was obsessed with Ozzy and sabbath in my early teens and that just really turned me on to writing hard rock. I didn’t plan on writing and playing that genre, but it just happened that way.

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

John: The band has been around 26 years now and has gone through a lot of lineup changes. With the original lineup, me and Pete, the co-founder and lead guitar player went to high school together. Me and the bass player both came from a previous band called Into Darkness. The other 2 members of the band, Andy and Pat, I did not know before the band. Everyone else that has come and gone over the years I met through musician wanted ads including my current bass player Jay.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

John: My all-time favorites are Black Sabbath, Ozzy, and Kiss

Jay: My favorites are Iron Maiden, Queensryche, and Rush in that order.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

John: It can be anything. It can be something in another song that I’m listening to that gives me an idea or a show on tv or the news. I get a lot of ideas from just sitting down and messing around with the guitar.

6. Where was your last gig?

John: The last gig was 4 years ago. We had not played a show since somewhere around 2010. I finally got the live band back together in 2016 I think. We played our first show since then in 2018 which was absolutely awesome. Then we played one more in early 2019 and then the pandemic hit, everything shut down and the band fell apart again. Me and my bass player Jay had to start all over again. We’re just finalizing a new lineup now so things are looking good again.

7. Where would you like to act?

John: I don’t know a thing about acting. As far as playing with the band, I would love to open for a band like Alice In Chains at one of the big venues by me. Sixty had the opportunity to play on a big stage once with a lot of big bands and it was such a great experience.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

If I was an actor, I wouldn’t care who I was featured with as long as I was getting paid really well!

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

John: I still have stage fright. Right before I hit the stage is when it peaks. It’s a lot of adrenaline and for me it’s a lot of worrying about my voice. A drink or 2 usually helps me but as soon as I get on stage it goes away. My advice would be to try not to worry about how you’re going to perform and don’t get all caught up in worries and negative stuff. It’s rock and roll. Just go out there and play for your friends and fans and have a great time. That’s what it’s all about.

10. What bands have inspired you the most?

John: I guess it would have to be the same as my favorite bands. Black Sabbath, Ozzy, and Kiss. Especially Kiss.

Jay: Maiden, Queensryche, and Rush

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

John: Someone a long time ago asked me if they could have the hair tie I was using after we played a set. I thought that was kind of odd and a little gross.

12. What do you think of your fans?

John: I absolutely love our fans and appreciate them a lot. We’ve been around for a long time and it’s so awesome to still talk to those that have stuck around since the beginning.

13. What do you think of our site?

John: I really like it from what I have seen so far. I really like the Genres section. Very interesting stuff. I had no idea that there were so many subgenres of metal. I found it to be very interesting and educational. I also like how you have the bands categorized by genre and there’s so much music! I plan on stopping by again and checking out a lot of the music you feature on the site.

14. Something to add?

I just want to say thank you so much for your time and for the interview. We are working on a new album that we are hoping to release by the end of the year and we are finalizing a new lineup right now so who knows? Maybe we’ll get a show in soon. Check us out at 60md.com. That’s the gateway to all the other sites we are on. Thanks again!!