Interviews: Simple Radicals
On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Retro Rock band, Simple Radicals, 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?
The Simple Radicals more or less came out of the way my lead guitarist John Griffin and I look at life and music. We’re both non-conformists and non-conventional. We like to look at things differently. Stay simple. But think radical. Hence The Simple Radicals.
2.Why did you want to play this genre?
We grew up listening to classic and alt-rock and we wanted to form a band that combined the sounds and styles from some of our favorite classic/alt-rock bands like Pink Floyd, Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters, Green Day and Cheap Trick. If you like those bands then I think you will like our sound.
You can check us out on Spotify
3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?
I developed the concept and wrote the songs for the “New Revolution” album and began laying down the construct of the songs in my home studio such as the rhythms, lead beds, drums, and vocals. I reached out to John Griffin, my fellow lead-guitarist bandmate from several years ago and asked if he would listen to the tracks and consider laying down the leads. He loved the tracks and laid down some absolute incredible shreds and The Simple Radicals were formed. John knew a great drummer (Griff Johnson) and bass player (James Page) to complete the band lineup.
4. Each band member favourite band?
We each have so many but if we had to narrow it down:
John Malkin (lead vocals/guitar) – Pearl Jam, Led Zeppelin, Foo Fighters, UFO
John Griffin (lead guitar/vocals) – David Bowie. King Crimson, Tom Waits
James Page (bass)- Sly & The Family Stone, Rancid, Mars Volta
Griff Johnson (drums/vocals) – Courtney Barnett, Phoebe Bridgers, Big Thief, Soccer Mommy
5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?
Life as we see and know it. When you distill it down to the basics and just take a look around, you’ll see that it’s so dynamic and malleable. Things develop and change right in front of your eyes every second. The challenge and opportunity is to capture that energy and decide what you want to do with it. It’s literally an open book with so much to write about.
6. Where was your last gig?
We played the iconic Cutting Room in New York City, An unbelievable room where John Mayer, Lady Gaga, Sting, Sheryl Crow and David Bowie have also played.
7. Where would you like to perform?
Being from Chicago, I’d love to perform at the Aragon Ballroom on the North Side of Chicago. I’ve seen many concerts there. That would be an ultimate dream come true.
8. Whom would you like to perform with?
Pearl Jam. Probably the most talented, electrifying and inspiring band in the last 30 years. And Eddie Vedder is originally from Chicago so I know he’d love it!
9. Whom not?
We’ll play with anyone and everyone. Any genre and style. We respect any musician and band trying to make it work.
10. Any of you has ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that?
I always have a little bit of anxiety before I go on. But once we plug in and the crowd starts to get into the music I get totally pumped and play off the energy of the crowd. There’s nothing better than sharing your own music with new and old fans. My advice for beginners is stage fright is completely normal. Play your game that you and your band prepared for. You’re in control of your own destiny up on stage.
11. What bands have inspired you the most?
Eddie Vedder is my musical hero. I’m mesmerized with his writing and try to capture the messaging, passion and energy that he does in his songs. If I can even come within a million miles of that I’d consider it a success. There are so many bands that have influenced me over the years including Zeppelin, AC/DC, Foo Fighters, Cheap Trick, Pink Floyd, and Pearl Jam. When I heard Pearl Jam’s “Ten” album I studied that day and night and still study it to this day. It truly had an influence on how I write and construct my music.
12. What’s the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?
Someone recently asked me to sign a completely black guitar pick with their black marker. I didn’t have the heart to tell them I might as well be signing it in invisible ink.
13. What do you think of your fans?
We absolutely love our fans. We love to perform live and our fans know that. We feed off their energy and passion and try to give it right back to them in the way we play our music. We also try to interact with the audience as much as we can since our songs are so personal to many. There is nothing more rewarding than watching people lose themselves in your music. It’s intoxicating.
14. What do you think of our site?
It rocks! And thank you for featuring us. We will share it with all our followers.
15. Something to add?
Stay safe. Stay healthy. And stay Radical.
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