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State of the Art Hi-Fi
An
interview with Brandon of Living Stereo
By
Jennifer Adams |
Living Stereo (Brandon vocals, keys, Brett guitar,
Brent guitar and backing vocals, Paul bass, and Will drums) are an up
and coming rock band from Cleveland. Vocalist Brandon describes their sound
as, Elvis Costello backed by the MC5... or Humble Pie meets the Ramones.
Utter Trash: When/how did the band get together and
where are you from?
Brandon: Brett and I started the idea for the band in
the Fall of 2003. Brent joined after Lesbianmaker, the band he was in with
Jimmy from Dead Boys, had started to self-destruct. Paul came along a
couple months after and we're on our 4th drummer, Will now, who kicks ass.
We're from all sides of Cleveland and practice downtown.
UT: What artists influenced you and inspired you to
play music?
Brandon: Any good rock and roll bands, mainly
from 1964 through 1980. Most notable would be Small Faces, The Jam, Elvis
Costello, MC5, The Sonics, DEVO, Queen, KISS, The Damned... shit like that.
UT: Outside of playing music, what sort of things do
you like to do?
Brandon: I produce low-budget films that are gaining
popularity overseas, Brett is an ordained reverend of the church of rock,
Brent is big into scuba, Paul is an avid skateboarder who has turned down
endorsements from several top companies and Will is a male stripper... not
for the money, for the art.
UT: What do you hope to achieve with the band? What
level of success would you be comfortable with?
Brandon: We want to achieve a crowd in front of us,
and we want to make them enjoy themselves. Going for "success" only leads
to future heartbreak and playing for the wrong reasons.
UT: What's your favorite song you play and why?
Brandon: Probably "Why You Gotta Be So Young" - We
always end with it, it's just a gritty "Train Kept a Rollin" type song that
you don't have to think about much while you're playing. Just go nuts and
throw the mic stand and dance.
UT: What do you think of the Northeast Ohio scene?
Brandon: It could be better... could be worse.
UT: How important are lyrics to you? Do you try to
"say something" with your songs, write something fun and catchy, or write
about personal things?
Brandon: Different songs lends themselves to
different types of lyrics. We have our traditional rock songs about the
troubles females cause to a weak-minded man, and we have songs that vent
frustration for the sad state of the world. I'd be bored to write about the
same shit all the time.
UT: Any plans for touring or playing a few gigs
outside of Cleveland?
Brandon: To the extent in which we can afford at this
time. We don't have a record out, so there's nothing to really support
right now... we're hoping to build up a decent local following and spread
from there.
UT: Describe your best and worst gig experiences.
Brandon: Best: Playing with Amps 2 Eleven and The
Paybacks on Easter at the Beachland. It wasn't a huge crowd, but it was a
great crowd and we all had a ball.
Worst: Having to yell at our old drummer to stop tuning his snare and start
the fucking song.
UT: Anything else you want to add?
Brandon: Check out
livingstereo.net - oh, we made
t-shirts... they're boss! Remember... you're not too cool to dance.
You can catch Living Stereo live when they play The Hi
Fi Club in Lakewood on July 8th, 2005 with The Six Parts Seven
and Goodbye Ohio.
Visit the Living Stereo
website.
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