Interviews: Dark Avenue

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Hard Rock/Metal band, Dark Avenue 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?

Barry Lorberbaum: I was sitting in traffic one day and it sort of hit me. We had already come up with 6-7 names ideas and had them on a white board in the rehearsal room and had been revisiting/thinking about them for a while, but when Dark Avenue crossed my mind it sort of stuck out and fit. I did a bunch of research on it before bringing it up to the guys to make sure no one was using it or to make sure there were no conflicts….. it came back surprisingly clean/unused, so I brought it to the guys, and they liked it and felt it fit what we wanted to do. So then we tried it out on a few people who really thought it was cool, so we went with it!

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Barry Lorberbaum: Well that more or less happened organically. We play what we feel at the moment, and we sort of developed that way. What always was & is most important is giving Mario the musical “room” to feel free to vocalize with – the crazy thing is, is that a lot of the songs/riffs, if you hear them without Mario’s vocals, are much heavier sounding than with them: so we create this thing that is our sound/genre by having it all fit together and it comes out naturally.

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

Barry Lorberbaum: haha! Yes! So Dark Avenue was started as a side project to a band called Pistol Whippin Ike. I started Dark Avenue with some friends from some other bands in the scene as a fun side project to PWI – Mario, Jeff and myself were all in PWI together at the time, and before that Jeff and I had been in a couple of projects together as well. Funny and awesome thing is, is that we Mario/Jeff/myself always end up together, and that’s cool, as we have musically chemistry!

4. Each band member's favourite band?

Barry Lorberbaum: gezzz just one? I guess at the moment Rammstein, all-time favorite Judas Priest

Jeff Hathcock: Metallica

Andrew Lewthawaite: top favorite? KISS! The image, the show, the music… it’s so entertaining!

Mario Cadena: favorite? Soundgarden, Deftones, Sevendust, Tool Alan Sauls - Metallica

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Barry Lorberbaum: it’s just this thing inside me that’s there every day; it’s sort of like a driving force in me

Jeff Hathcock: Everyday life is what inspires me

Andrew Lewthawaite: Mostly things that I am going thru. It’s very good for the soul to have a place to release emotions and music is such an amazing place for that

Mario Cadena: Everything that surrounds me… Life itself

Alan Sauls: Life experiences, and when you watch a movie, or hear a song, read a book, or poem… all these can cause inspiration

6. Where was your last gig?

The Rail Club Live, Fort Worth, TX with Blacktop Mojo

7. Where would you like to perform?

Barry Lorberbaum: Europe, Russia, Japan and of course South America

Jeff Hathcock: every major city in the world

Andrew Lewthawaite: Red Rocks Amphitheater would be a dream come true for sure

Mario Cadena: I would love to play Mexico City

Alan Sauls: Festivals, I love playing music festivals

8. Whom would you like to tour with?

Barry Lorberbaum: Avenged Sevenfold, Rammstein, Sevendust, AIC, Iron Madien, NIN, Ghost

Jeff Hatchcock: Metallica, Sevendust, AC/DC, and any other band that would have us join them!

Andrew Lewthawaite: Anyone! Just get me back on the road lol!

Mario Cadena: Deftones, Sevendust, Tool

Alan Sauls: Alter Bridge or Metallica!

9. Whom not?

No one! We would take any opportunity that came along!

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

Barry Lorberbaum: Yes omg my 1 st live recital was horrible because I was so scared! I quickly learned to channel that fear into energy and excitement! Every stage, show & crowd is different, so realize they are there for a reason – to have fun, and so are you, so channel that fear into fun!

Jeff Hathcock: Every show is unique so sometimes the butterflies still happen. My advice is to take a few deep breaths and focus on your role in the band. Remember its fun…. So have fun!

Andrew Lewthawaite: Know your material so well that you don’t have to think about what you are playing, and just breathe and enjoy! Also whiskey never hurts!

Mario Cadena: Not really; maybe some nerves but it all goes away as soon as the music starts… so just close your eyes and let the music take you

Alan Sauls: when I was younger. I close my eyes a lot when I play and imagine I’m in my room just practicing

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Barry Lorberbaum: Judas Priest, Alice In Chains, Black Sabbath, Pantera, NIN, Avenged Sevenfold, Rammstein, Godsmack and lately Ghost,

Eisbrecher: It's crazy how I find new inspiration in bands all the time

Jeff Hathcock: Metallica, Led Zeppelin, Suicidal Tendencies, Anthrax, NIN, Depeche Mode, The Cure, Sevendust, Honestly I’m inspired daily from new bands and older ones that I come across as well.

Andrew Lewthawaite: KISS & Van Halen are the top two but over the years there have been so many great and inspiring bands out there

Mario Cadena: too many to name! I find inspiration in everything I hear

Alan Sauls: Metallica to Deftones to YES to Foo Fighters

12. What do you think of your fans?

Barry Lorberbaum: I love them! It’s really humbling that people love your music, your craft and are willing to take time out of their busy lives to come see you perform it live, or purchase your music, or share it online. It’s fulfilling to me to give them something that’s fulfilling to them. It’s a lot of fun to hang with them before/after shows and get to know them a little bit

Jeff Hathcock: I love them. I appreciate them taking time out of their lives to come watch a show, drop comments on our socials, listening to our music and saying hello while out in public

Andrew Lewthawaite: I love them; it’s the music fans that allow us to do what we love! Being a music fan first, I get it, and I’m honored that they get us!

Mario Cadena: it is more of a friendship really… when we play we feel like we’re playing for our friends, not just fans. It’s always felt more personal, so they are the biggest part of the experience!

Alan Sauls: I think of them more as friends and family 14. What do you think of our site? Very cool! It’s nice to see bands from all over the world and different genres represented there. There is a very nice sampling of tracks too.

15. Future plans?

Hopefully to tour soon, and be able to hit the festival circuit! And to record another album. This last year has given us a ton of new material to record!

16. Something to add?

Jeff Hathcock: If you are starting a band, or continuing the journey still, remember it’s not a job, so have fun! Don’t press so hard that you burn out. And DRUMMERS! Learn to play with a click track; even if you don’t use one live, learn to play with one

Alan Sauls: yes! Thank you for taking the time to listen to us!

Barry Lorberbaum: Thank you for this opportunity to talk to you, and hopefully some new fans as well! And if you like what we’re doing, follow us please hit us up on social media and say hello!