Interviews: MINDLESS HOPE

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Progressive Metal band, MINDLESS HOPE 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 plan it or came out just like that?

MG: The idea for the band name was a happy accident. When our original lineup was together, we had a song titled Mindless Hope on our debut album. One day our guitarist, Jim, who named the song, said, "I think that should be the name of the band". It was from that moment on that we decided that was our name. 

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

MG: I've always loved progressive music. I've always loved guitar harmonies. When the band was formed, it was supposed to be a solo project for me. I had a few ideas for songs for my first album, which was an instrumental album. After starting to put songs together, I realized that we were going to need three guitarists to pull off almost all of the songs live. So that's where our sound formed originally.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

MG: There have been two main iterations of Mindless Hope. The original lineup consisted of two very close childhood friends of mine. The other two members during that time were acquaintances of family and friends who tried out, clicked with us, and eventually became members of the band. The second iteration was when vocals were introduced into our music. I used to live in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. When I was there, I formed a band named Soul Existence which I was with from 2002 til 2009. From 2003 til 2007, Mark was in that band with me. We were pretty much instantly really close friends and bandmates. After I left that band and moved back to Pennsylvania, I formed Mindless Hope. Fast forward to 2013, Mark ended up moving back out here for a job opportunity and we reconnected and began to talk about adding vocals to Mindless Hope, which I wasn't too keen on at first, but I knew he was the only person I truly trusted to put vocals to this music. None of the other members I knew before were a part of the band.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

Matt - Joe Satriani

Mark - Tool

Frank - Metallica

Travis - Dream Theater

Rob - Metallica

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

MG: Everything in life inspires us to write music. I love hearing ideas from everyone, that's what inspires me and helps me hear what eventually becomes Mindless Hope music.

6. Where was your last gig?

MG: Our last gig as of this interview was at a backyard extreme wrestling show that we played at and shot our upcoming music video at. Shout out to Underground Wrestling Federation!

7. Where would you like to act?

FN: Don’t know about acting, but we want to play our music anywhere and everywhere and expose as many people to Mindless Hope as possible.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

FN: Even though they say never meet your heroes, it would be amazing to do a tour with some of our favorite bands - Metallica, Tool, Dream Theater, Between the Buried, and Me. There are so many bands out there where our music could connect with their audience.

9. Whom not?

MG: We definitely wouldn't work on a country or hip-hop bill hahaha

10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tips for beginners on how to beat that?

MG: Luckily, I started playing music in front of people when I was very young, like 8 years old, or earlier possibly. I used to have some anxiety when performing by myself in front of people when I was very young because it was very new to me and I knew I was being stared at by everyone in the room. My tip is to just concentrate and what you need to do and try to not let the nerves take hold. Easier said than done I know, but that's how I coped with it when I was young.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

MG: I would say Opeth, Dream Theater, Metallica, Death, Megadeth, Joe Satriani, Killswitch Engage, Yes, Def Leppard, and many others.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

MG: I've never had anything like that happen to me.

13. What do you think of your fans?

MG: Any fan I've had the privilege to meet, I've always told them how much we appreciate their support. I think the world of our fans, like any band, would.

14. What do you think of our site?

MG: You're interviewing us, so you're aces in my book!

15. Something to add?

MD: We'd like to take this time to thank Carlo Muselli at Sliptrick Records for giving us a shot and believing in our music.