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| ::Interviews:: |
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| review & interview content, as well as web site graphics & design, copywrite 2003-2004 Euphonia Online. use of materials granted only with reasonable purposes. |
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| interviewed by robby sumner |
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| Interview with Ryan, Mike, and Pat March 29th, 2005 |
Ryan Dunson - Vocals, Guitar Mike Kamerman - Guitar Pat Murphy - Bass TJ Holt - Drums |
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| E: Rookie Of The Year is an experienced musical project currently operating on the well-situated label One Eleven Records. How has the band expanded and involved since its original conception?
Ryan: Rookie Of The Year started as an acoustic solo project for me. I was bored driving one day on tour and realized that I didn't like touring by myself so I decided to get a full band together. I tried it out on a summer tour and got some friends who were off from college to see how things worked out. After that I realized that I liked the sound of the full band and began finding members who would stay for the long haul. A year later we now have our permanent line up. E: Were fans of the solo set pretty receptive to the new members? Ryan: Yes, very. The live shows were a lot more intense. E: Mike and Pat, when you first joined the band, what musical experiences did you come from? Mike: I used to play in a band called All Rights Reserved. We had toured with Rookie before so our musical tastes complimented each other well. I listen to everything. My main influences are U2, Tears for Fears and the Police. Pat: Until this band I had not played with any other serious bands. So yeah... this is pretty much my first band. E: Has writing music become a different experience for all those involved? Mike: Yes, very much so. We rearranged some of the older songs that Ryan had done solo. The new sound is completely different then the old Rookie record. So we are hoping fans of the old record will be receptive to the new album. E: What elements of the band's music will definitely remain unchanged as the rest of the sound evolves? Ryan: We always plan to keep that acoustic driven sound. But who knows what will happen in the future. E: How is it playing an acoustic-based set in a show with fully electrified bands? Ryan: It's always fun because I think our set is a bit of a change of pace from some of the other bands we play with. E: Have you already toured a lot with the new line-up? Pat: We have done one national tour and one East Coast tour. We leave in week for a short East Coast tour with our label-mates, Jinxed and Rory. It's going to be a good time! E: What about being part of an active band has proved to be the greatest reason for staying involved? Mike: We all enjoy touring and we do it a lot. I like In and Out Burger a lot and I probably wouldn't be able to eat it very much if I wasn't in the band. I pretty much use the band to eat burgers. *Laughs* Pat: For real! Ryan: I don't know what In and Out Burger is... E: Do you think there are a lot of misconceptions bands have when they first start out that can lead to them having trouble getting things rolling? Mike: Touring is amazing, but it's really tough at the same time. It is hard to live in a van with a bunch of guys that you play music with. We get along really well which I am very thankful for! E: How has One Eleven Records supported all the band's endeavors, and how would it be a good example of what bands should look for when they are looking to sign? Ryan: One Eleven Records has been there for us so many times in our times of need. The label especially helped us out when our van was stolen when we were on tour with The Spill Canvas. They helped us recover quickly. One Eleven Records also puts a ton of promo behind their bands. We can't wait to finally get our new record out to everyone. E: When you're not recording or touring, what's left to do as a band? Mike: Well, our band lives in different states. Me and Pat live in NJ and Ryan and TJ live in North Carolina. We haven't really had any time off since we've had this line up but I would assume that our time off would be spent being at home spending time with our families. E: Thanks a lot, guys. Keep up the good work. Ryan: Thanks for the interview, Robby! We had fun. |