Chris: We were listening to a lot of older music and got hooked on that. I started playing and had known Anthony since elementary school. Anthony started playing drums in high school. After high school we were still friends. We bonded.....

Anthony: And we’ve been working on it since then.

James: How long ago was that?

Anthony: It’s been about five years. We didn’t play shows for a long time. I wasn’t ready to play out. We needed to practice and were playing every day. We had a bass player for a while but he didn’t want to play everyday. He wasn’t ready to dedicate his time. We took what we had and just wanted to get better.

James: You’re listening to a lot of older music. What were some of the bands and artists that had a major influence on your development and sound?

Chris: One band I’d say was a major influence was Pink Floyd and Syd Barrett.

Their early days. Playing live with no rules. That early psychedelic ride.

Anthony: I’d go even further and say Link Wray. I’d have to add Chuck Berry,

Bo Diddley,  The Beatles and Zeppelin. A lot of 60’s stuff like Chocolate Watchband,

The Sonics, The Animals, Question Mark and the Mysterians. I love that guy

Chris: Awesome, awesome band. Zeppelin, Sabbath, Queen. There’s so many we can just go on forever.

James: What were some of the benefits and challenges of being a two piece?

Anthony: One of the benefits is there’s only two of us which makes it a lot easier to get together. Getting our schedules together and stuff. We live around the corner from each other so it’s like “Hey Chris, what are you doing today?”

Chris: “I don’t know. Let’s play some music.”

Anthony: I would have to say the biggest challenge would be having to fill in for the other instruments like the Bass. But I think we do pretty well making up for it. So just filling that up.

Chris: Yeah, the hardest part would be making up for the band members that aren’t there. (Laughs)

Anthony: You’ve got to build that wall.

Chris: That wall of sound.

Anthony: Some people say “You don’t have that bass or piano to build up the sound.”

We’ve just got to do it ourselves. There’s plenty of time to figure it out. It’s not something that happens over night. We’re still working on it.

Chris:The first thing people think of is the White Stripes but that’s not us or our sound.

We want to take some chances and do our own thing.

James: I would imagine it would help you to stand out because you’re so unique but it might also be a detriment because you don’t fit into any of the accepted genres.

Anthony: I think it’s a plus. We’re definitely different from anything around here. In a way we’re kind of fresh. People say  “You kinda sound like the White Stripes but then again you don’t.”

James: Are there any plans in the near future to add other elements to the band in the near future?

Anthony: I wouldn’t say we were looking but if something came along.

Chris: Yeah, if it happens it happens. We’re not really looking for someone but we’re not against it.

James: Are you both involved with building the songs? Who usually comes up with the ideas? Who writes the lyrics?

Anthony: We’re pretty much involved in everything.

Chris: I’ll come up with a riff when we start playing

Anthony We pretty much play every day. We go in the attic and Chris

Chris: Lyrically we try to deal with the melody or the harmony first. Then try to adapt it to the lyrics.

Anthony: I’d say it’s good feedback

Chris: I think we shock a lot of people. Nobody really expects two people to sound like that.

Anthony: I think we’re doing our job. Not everyone likes us. Some people say we should get a bassist.

Chris: A lot of people don’t understand the two piece. “This is the band? How many people are in it?”

Anthony: “Just us.” I like the reaction we get. I’m waiting for that reaction when somebody says “You guys suck.” I think we’re really humble. We know we have to get better.

We haven’t even begun what we hope to be. We’ve got a lot of potential.

James: What about touring and recording?

Anthony: Definitely.

Chris: Yes. No doubt.

Anthony: Once we can, we will.

Chris: Of course funding is a huge situation. But we’d like to do something. Even if it’s a small tour. We’d like to get out of the states too.

Anthony: We’re actually going to start recording with Paul from The Bad Whoremoans pretty soon. We’re dying to tour but that will come soon.

(Interview and images James Damion)

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