Linda Ferreira
08/31/09, 02:22 AM
The following is a mini interview of generic questions that we posed to all bands that wanted to answer:
Plan Into Action - (Nick)[myspace (http://www.myspace.com/planintoaction)] [ap.net profile (http://www.absolutepunk.net/artists/showlink.php?l=11902)]
Download new EP for free here (http://www.mediafire.com/?yzyylmjzwj0)
1. How did you get your band name?
We had been named Middle Name Danger. It wasn’t until a few months later we came across fellow Chicago band, Danger is My Middle Name. We felt, there was only enough room for one “Middle Name” band so we decided on a name change. After throwing around a lot of band names, 99% of them being jokes and not at all productive to the cause (Melon Pypher, Spice Boys, etc) we decided on Plan Into Action. It had a positive connotation to it and we’re a positive band. We felt it was appropriate and there wasn't 12 pages of other bands on myspace with the same name.
2. How did this band get started?
Tom, Keenan and I met in middle school and started playing together with an additional member at the time. We were all into heavier stuff at the time and were covering stuff like Korn, System of a Down and Three Days Grace, haha. Our tastes shifted and in turn the music reflected that. Phil then joined the band and we've been cruising ever since.
3. What bands are you influenced by?
Here’s a list of bands in no particular order that at least one of us, if not all, is into: Brand New, Cartel, Blink 182, Goldfinger, The Used, The Early November, Ace Enders, Northstar, Cassino, Say Anything, The Fall of Troy, Ben Folds Five, The Graduate, Weezer, Reel Big Fish, Sigur Ros, Third Eye Blind, GY!BE, The Format, Foxy Shazam, Gatsbys American Dream, John Mayer, Manchester Orchestra, Maps and Atlases, etc. Kind o fall over the place. We definitely believe in listening to everything and not living in the confines of a strict pop rock diet.
4. If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would it be and why?
We would definitely want to resurrect bands. So, Blink 182, cause who wouldn’t want to see them reunite. Hot Rod Circuit because we bailed on seeing their last performance due to bad weather for a 10 hour drive. Then The Early November and Northstar. If we weren’t playing in this hypothetical show I think we would empty our savings and checkings account to go if needed.
5. If you were a furry, what animal would you be? Why that animal?
Certainly not a Bunny because Tom and Keenan chase them around with blow dart guns. And definitely not a deer. Koala. Definitely. A Koala with a British accent, just to really throw everyone off.
6. Why should people listen to your band?
Because every band getting out there and making music deserves at least one listen from you, the listener. It’s one thing to listen to us and not like us, we completely respect everyone’s personal opinions. As long as they’ve heard our music to come to that conclusion. We want to get our music into the hands of as many people as possible and with our new EP being free to download, that helps make that possible.Also, we aren’t a trend band. We don’t wear eyeliner, we don’t think we’re from the 80’s, our vocals aren’t saturated in autotune, and we don’t chug open D chords….not that there’s anything wrong with that? (Oh yeah, and cause we love Seinfeld.)
7. If you were chosen to be in Guitar Hero/Rock Band, what song would you want in the game? How hard do you think it would be to five-star on expert?
Oh man…probably our song “Somebody Had to Say It” off our most recent EP, Serenity Now. And it wouldn’t be that difficult to five star on expert, haha. Maybe if there’s some awkward 3 finger chords strung together but other than that it’s not a “shredding” song, we’re not really a shredding band. We do try to challenge ourselves by bring different elements to the table; switching up structure, experimenting with time signatures, different keys etc. There’s a little of that in this song but nothing that will lead to guitar hero failure.
8. If you won a Grammy, who would you thank?
The National Academy of Recording Arts and Science, haha. Also, the creator of Slurpess and the fast food restaurant Sonic.
9. If you could change something about the music industry, what would it be?
There’s so many different ways to approach that it’s hard to side one way. I guess, the stranglehold some labels have on the bands. Also, the unfortunate distribution of royalties and the sad realization that even bands we look up to struggle with making enough money in the business.
10. Memorable tour experience?
Not necessarily a tour. But a show at our high school – I think that’s the most action our school's cafeteria has, and will ever see. Great time.
11. What does AP.net mean to you?
An obsession. Thanks a lot, haha. Really though, it’s awesome to have a one stop source to up to date news on bands we care about. Admittedly, I haven’t jumped in the community AP has to offer much. I’ve been a member since 2003 and some people who joined last week probably have more posts than I do.
12. What is your favorite song to play?
I don’t think we could collectively agree on one song, but a song titled “Ring Face Down” off of our last EP always results in a great crowd sing along during the bridge, which is always awesome to hear.
13. What is your vacation spot of choice?
We haven’t been there yet. But it will be a campsite some where in Illinois/Wisconsin. Last year we were going to have a manly man camping adventure but thought of it too late. The plan is to go to a local grocery store and can only spend $10 on whatever we want and it has to fit in our backpack. Then go camping for 4 days. On second thought
14. What music reminds you of your childhood?
For myself (Nick) – Third Eye Blind, Nirvana, Metallica, Smashing Pumpkins. My parents were good influences on me.
15. If you could have any super power, what would it be? Why?
The power to convince women that yes, they are wrong.
16. Do you feel that your band has "made it"?
As far as the music we’ve created I think we feel accomplished and we’re proud of it. The term “made it” would imply bigger and better things to me though. So, no. But hopefully some day.
17. What is something that most fans don't know about you?
Despite an “unblemished record of staunch heterosexuality”, it’s not uncommon that genitalia makes an appearance somewhere we go.
18. What's your favorite holiday?
Groundhogs day > William Murray > William Murrary Me (Track off of EP, “Serenity Now”)
19. What do you like to do in your spare time?
Work. Record. College. When the weathers good we are an active bunch – basketball, football, soccer, volleyball, badminton, tennis, skateboarding, “hot lava monster”. Tetris all year, haha.
20. What kind of hidden talents do you have?
When we all put our rings together one of us proclaims, “ By your powers combined, we are Plan Into Action!”. And rather than make music we fly to a local highway and clean up garbage with unreal efficiency.
Plan Into Action - (Nick)[myspace (http://www.myspace.com/planintoaction)] [ap.net profile (http://www.absolutepunk.net/artists/showlink.php?l=11902)]
Download new EP for free here (http://www.mediafire.com/?yzyylmjzwj0)
1. How did you get your band name?
We had been named Middle Name Danger. It wasn’t until a few months later we came across fellow Chicago band, Danger is My Middle Name. We felt, there was only enough room for one “Middle Name” band so we decided on a name change. After throwing around a lot of band names, 99% of them being jokes and not at all productive to the cause (Melon Pypher, Spice Boys, etc) we decided on Plan Into Action. It had a positive connotation to it and we’re a positive band. We felt it was appropriate and there wasn't 12 pages of other bands on myspace with the same name.
2. How did this band get started?
Tom, Keenan and I met in middle school and started playing together with an additional member at the time. We were all into heavier stuff at the time and were covering stuff like Korn, System of a Down and Three Days Grace, haha. Our tastes shifted and in turn the music reflected that. Phil then joined the band and we've been cruising ever since.
3. What bands are you influenced by?
Here’s a list of bands in no particular order that at least one of us, if not all, is into: Brand New, Cartel, Blink 182, Goldfinger, The Used, The Early November, Ace Enders, Northstar, Cassino, Say Anything, The Fall of Troy, Ben Folds Five, The Graduate, Weezer, Reel Big Fish, Sigur Ros, Third Eye Blind, GY!BE, The Format, Foxy Shazam, Gatsbys American Dream, John Mayer, Manchester Orchestra, Maps and Atlases, etc. Kind o fall over the place. We definitely believe in listening to everything and not living in the confines of a strict pop rock diet.
4. If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would it be and why?
We would definitely want to resurrect bands. So, Blink 182, cause who wouldn’t want to see them reunite. Hot Rod Circuit because we bailed on seeing their last performance due to bad weather for a 10 hour drive. Then The Early November and Northstar. If we weren’t playing in this hypothetical show I think we would empty our savings and checkings account to go if needed.
5. If you were a furry, what animal would you be? Why that animal?
Certainly not a Bunny because Tom and Keenan chase them around with blow dart guns. And definitely not a deer. Koala. Definitely. A Koala with a British accent, just to really throw everyone off.
6. Why should people listen to your band?
Because every band getting out there and making music deserves at least one listen from you, the listener. It’s one thing to listen to us and not like us, we completely respect everyone’s personal opinions. As long as they’ve heard our music to come to that conclusion. We want to get our music into the hands of as many people as possible and with our new EP being free to download, that helps make that possible.Also, we aren’t a trend band. We don’t wear eyeliner, we don’t think we’re from the 80’s, our vocals aren’t saturated in autotune, and we don’t chug open D chords….not that there’s anything wrong with that? (Oh yeah, and cause we love Seinfeld.)
7. If you were chosen to be in Guitar Hero/Rock Band, what song would you want in the game? How hard do you think it would be to five-star on expert?
Oh man…probably our song “Somebody Had to Say It” off our most recent EP, Serenity Now. And it wouldn’t be that difficult to five star on expert, haha. Maybe if there’s some awkward 3 finger chords strung together but other than that it’s not a “shredding” song, we’re not really a shredding band. We do try to challenge ourselves by bring different elements to the table; switching up structure, experimenting with time signatures, different keys etc. There’s a little of that in this song but nothing that will lead to guitar hero failure.
8. If you won a Grammy, who would you thank?
The National Academy of Recording Arts and Science, haha. Also, the creator of Slurpess and the fast food restaurant Sonic.
9. If you could change something about the music industry, what would it be?
There’s so many different ways to approach that it’s hard to side one way. I guess, the stranglehold some labels have on the bands. Also, the unfortunate distribution of royalties and the sad realization that even bands we look up to struggle with making enough money in the business.
10. Memorable tour experience?
Not necessarily a tour. But a show at our high school – I think that’s the most action our school's cafeteria has, and will ever see. Great time.
11. What does AP.net mean to you?
An obsession. Thanks a lot, haha. Really though, it’s awesome to have a one stop source to up to date news on bands we care about. Admittedly, I haven’t jumped in the community AP has to offer much. I’ve been a member since 2003 and some people who joined last week probably have more posts than I do.
12. What is your favorite song to play?
I don’t think we could collectively agree on one song, but a song titled “Ring Face Down” off of our last EP always results in a great crowd sing along during the bridge, which is always awesome to hear.
13. What is your vacation spot of choice?
We haven’t been there yet. But it will be a campsite some where in Illinois/Wisconsin. Last year we were going to have a manly man camping adventure but thought of it too late. The plan is to go to a local grocery store and can only spend $10 on whatever we want and it has to fit in our backpack. Then go camping for 4 days. On second thought
14. What music reminds you of your childhood?
For myself (Nick) – Third Eye Blind, Nirvana, Metallica, Smashing Pumpkins. My parents were good influences on me.
15. If you could have any super power, what would it be? Why?
The power to convince women that yes, they are wrong.
16. Do you feel that your band has "made it"?
As far as the music we’ve created I think we feel accomplished and we’re proud of it. The term “made it” would imply bigger and better things to me though. So, no. But hopefully some day.
17. What is something that most fans don't know about you?
Despite an “unblemished record of staunch heterosexuality”, it’s not uncommon that genitalia makes an appearance somewhere we go.
18. What's your favorite holiday?
Groundhogs day > William Murray > William Murrary Me (Track off of EP, “Serenity Now”)
19. What do you like to do in your spare time?
Work. Record. College. When the weathers good we are an active bunch – basketball, football, soccer, volleyball, badminton, tennis, skateboarding, “hot lava monster”. Tetris all year, haha.
20. What kind of hidden talents do you have?
When we all put our rings together one of us proclaims, “ By your powers combined, we are Plan Into Action!”. And rather than make music we fly to a local highway and clean up garbage with unreal efficiency.