Photo credit: Jason Siegel
Tell us about your tour vehicle. Any notable breakdown stories?
We tour in a recent year Mercedes Sprinter. It is pretty plain but has been evolving as we are still making mods. I am not sure of our mileage, would have to ask Rob (Squires). We have had some power system and computer type failures but overall it works well for us, especially in an era of tour bus drama and high gas prices.
How do you eat cheaply and/or healthy while on tour?
We all have different eating habits, but mine are as follows: I make my own breakfast: 2 microwaved eggs and cream of rice cereal, plus berries. Our typical band food layout usually has sandwich fixings for lunch. Dinner is the wild card, where we usually all order pick up from a local place. It’s not hard to eat a healthy dinner if you get a salad with it.
How many strings do you break in a typical year? How much does it cost to replace them?
Ernie Ball has given me great support and they have tremendous strings. I don’t know how much we pay because we get so many at a time.
I change my strings every two shows for every guitar I have out. It is usually 3 to 4 guitars. Doing that, I break fewer and feel the strings perform their best. I break 1 to 2 strings every other show I would say.
Where do you rehearse?
We rehearse at Jeremy’s basement. It is an older Tudor home with a very low ceiling type basement, but it is decked with all sorts of nice recording gear and someone amongst us (Jeremy Lawton) knows how to use it.
I can’t say much has ever happened “crazy” down there except a lot of practicing, relating, video making, and recording.
What was the title and a sample lyric from the first song that you wrote?
“Blues for Annie”, “Hey Annie, Don’t stop waiting”!
Describe your first gig.
Our first gig was in a basement. We were in high school at the time and a high school friend had let us set up. Because everything was loud I remember it being epic and sweaty fun.
What was your last day job? What was your favorite day job?
My last day job, also my favorite day job, was bicycle mechanic. I did that for 7 or 8 years starting at age 15. I happily quit to make music and have never looked back.
How has your music-related income changed over the past 5-10 years? What do you expect it to look like 5-10 years from now?
My music related income has never been better and has improved over the last 5 to 10 years. I have hopes that my good fortune will continue but there are no guarantees in any business not to mention the music business. We are getting older so you start to realize life has its limitations.
What one thing do you know now that you had wished you knew when you started your career in music?
I guess if there were one thing, it would be to trust one’s self a bit more. When you are younger you don’t tend to lean into your own opinions and gut feelings as much, because it is assumed that older professionals know what they are talking about. However I have learned in music, you have to be a light to yourself, and your own strongest instincts must be right. Eventually if an artist persists with that attitude, they get noticed. They make great contributions.