Interviews: Grindhouse

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Hard Rock/Grunge band Grindhouse 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 come out just like that?

Joey: The band name was actually recommended to us by a close friend around 1992. We liked it immediately. (I actually think JS was referencing strip clubs as some were called back then) Plus the origin of the name goes back to the 20s referencing low-budget movie theaters that played movies on a hand-cranked projector. “According to historian David Church, this theater type was named after the "grind policy", a film-programming strategy dating back to the early 1920s which continuously showed films at cut-rate ticket prices that typically rose over the course of each day” I like a good origin story lol”

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Joey: “I’ve always felt the heavy riff-based grunge sound we employ lends itself perfectly to serious subjects. But unlike the grunge era, we make heavy use of multi-part vocal harmonies and big hooks, which can really lift a serious song when we wish to show the positivity that can come from overcoming struggles

Eddie: It was the thing to do and everyone else was doing it. I think all our musical tastes have evolved over the years since, but I believe we gravitated back to this because it still has appeal and meaning to us collectively.

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

Joey: Yes, we all grew up in the same small town as friends. We played in different area bands up until we formed Grindhouse around 1992. It’s a testament to that friendship that we are still the original 5 man lineup to this day.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

Joey: Queensryche, Rush, Sting & The Police, Prince, Audioslave, Tom Petty, Linkin Park

Herm: Radiohead, Beck, FNM, Ray Lamontagne, Bowie

Matt: Metallica, Anthrax, Meshuggah, Mastodon, Gojira, SRV, Pantera

Eddie: I am not sure I have any one favorite. Depends on the day and the mood. I love the Beatles, Foo Fighters, Tears for Fears, and Alison Krauss. I guess I am weird like that.

Mike: If we’re talking influence KISS was my Beatles. When I saw the Alive 2 album cover I was mesmerized. Ozzy, Metallica, Rush, Extreme, Alice In Chains, Foo Fighters

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Joey: For Grindhouse, we were able to focus all of our songwriting on some serious subjects that are in many ways timeless. Some of our oldest songs are topics that are still applicable today. “Vacant” for example was written many years ago on the subject of teen suicide. The fact that the suicide rate has increased heavily over the past decade tells us the topic is not only still valid, but the crisis has worsened to the point our song takes on a more urgent meaning. Our catalog of original songs focuses on other injustices as well. We touch on racism, cults of personality, child neglect/abuse, gender issues, and much more. I think fundamentally we are inspired by the need for change in social issues.

Eddie: The whole process of collaboratively working with talented friends certainly helps, but emotion is a big driver for me. Music can move and touch people in so many ways, and finding something meaningful to express is very powerful.

6. Where was your last gig?

Day of Rock Festival in North Carolina

7. Where would you like to act?

Joey: Red rock

Matt: Any place where we can connect with an audience

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Herm: Anybody with great music and better attitudes

Eddie: My son's band. :) Not sure if the crowd would be the same, but it would be truly special.

9. Whom not?

Herm: Anybody with arrogant horrible attitudes

Eddie: Grindhouse (Australian version). We may have to wrestle for the name.

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

Joey: Actually, singing for bands fixed my personal shyness. I think for me, it comes down to trust. You trust your bandmates are ready. They know their songs inside and out. You are well-rehearsed. Most fright comes from not feeling “ready”. Putting in the work builds confidence. Trust builds confidence. And finally, repetition. The more you jump in and face an audience live, the more comfortable you will become.

Eddie: Not really, but I probably should. I could be naively unaware of what was really going on. As for tips? Forget about what anyone thinks... go have fun. 

Herm: Yes, still do even after 35 years or so of playing live gigs

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Joey: I have a broad set of musical influences across genres. From Queensryche to Pearl Jam to Pantera to Prince to Sting to Paramore to Jason Isbell to the Avett Brothers to Blackberry Smoke”. New bands I dig are Royal Blood, the Struts, Starcrawler, Bad Nerves, and Turnstile.

Herm: Depends on the era. Younger me was really into heavy stuff like the Big Four. Later on in my mid-20s, it was the Beatles, Bowie, and more experimental stuff. Now, I go way back and enjoy classic singer/songwriter stuff, classic rock, and of course 80s/90s pop rock stuff”

Eddie: Anyone with extraordinary God-given talent. I am constantly running across artists who amaze me.

Mike: While my influences are mostly heavier, I love to listen to the songs from the 70s that I heard on the radio while I was growing up. I love the melodies, the harmonies, the songwriting.

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

Joey: I was once told by my barber that people would ask her for locks of my hair after my haircuts. I really didn’t quite understand why lol”

Herm: For my clothes. The ones I was wearing. I declined.

Matt: I was asked for one of my guitars after a show one time. I was flattered, but had to respond in the negative.”

Eddie: To turn it down while playing at Sams Club!! Love you Mike. 

13. What do you think of your fans?

Joey: For a band with the history we have, I’m always surprised how loyal our original fans still are. We had not played together for many years and reuniting was an unknown for us. We really didn’t know if people would still be interested. Our show at RobStock festival reminded us that our friends and family were as passionate as they were decades ago. It’s been humbling.

Matt: We love and appreciate them very much

Mike: I am continually surprised that anyone cares after 30 years. I am incredibly grateful for their support.

14. What do you think of our site?

Joey: I love that you dig into the story behind songs but also you consider the artwork. Growing up in the 80s and 99s, album artwork was as important as the music. I would buy a record I never heard of just because the cover art was so amazing. In the digital age, I think that cover art has lost some of its connection to the music. I think the Vinyl record comeback going on has a lot to do with the power good art makes to the entire music listening experience and many people still want that.