Linda Ferreira
11/21/09, 07:28 PM
The following is a mini interview of generic questions that we posed to all bands that wanted to answer:
The City Strikes Back - Mike Andronico (Vocals/Guitar)
www.myspace.com/thecitystrikesback (http://www.myspace.com/thecitystrikesback)
1. How did you get your band name?
We were trying to come up with something during our first few practices, and one of our friends ended up coming up with it. It has no super significant meaning, besides the fact that I'm a big star wars nerd.
2. How did this band get started?
I was in a band very briefly with Phil (our current bassist) and Danny (our current drummer) in early 2008 and we never ended up doing much of anything. Over the summer, me and my best friend Mitch (our former guitarist) started jamming on pop-punk songs and Phil noticed we needed a band so it came together pretty easily. Mitch left the band to focus on school and shiz and Julio, a veteran in our scene, took his place on guitar. We're now the closest knit group of sweaty guys you can find these days.
3. What bands are you influenced by?
Though we listen to tons of different music, we all more or less grew up with pop-punk. I could list bands all day but some big influences include New Found Glory, Blink 182, Brand New, Hit the Lights, and Bayside. Say Anything is a huge influence on me from a songwriting perspective, there are few people who can put together and deliver a song like Max. Julio played in a lot of heavier bands before, so he definitely brought that influence with him and it blends perfectly when we write.
4. If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would it be and why?
This is super tough. I'd say Say Anything, just to meet Max. New Found Glory because they are probably my all time favorite and seem to always help out bands that grew up listening to them. And I wouldn't mind The Early November reuniting and taking us on tour, haha.
5. If you were a furry, what animal would you be? Why that animal?
Cat. Cats are the shit. That's all.
6. Why should people listen to your band?
I think bands are too tight musically nowadays. You guys need some sloppiness! In all seriousness though, people should listen to us because we aim to be as creative as possible while still writing great pop songs. We're not too popular in our scene and we pride ourselves more on creating music that we absolutely love.
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?
Our song "We Will Live Forever" off our new EP would be pretty fun. Five-starring it wouldn't be tough, but its got some tasty leads that I would enjoy playing with a plastic guitar.
8. If you won a Grammy, who would you thank?
My family for all being musical and supporting my out-of-tune shreddage over the years. Bob Saget and Sam Jackson for being general inspirators.
9. If you could change something about the music industry, what would it be?
It'd be sweet if you could survive on good music alone, and not shitty neon clothes and worse haircuts. There are still a few bands that get popular off of genuine talent, but I see so many pictures of girly-looking mini-men wearing ironic clothes and find it hard to believe they'll have long music careers. Also, unsigned bands should have to compete in donut eating contests to earn record contracts. It's far more telling (and tastier) of what a band can really do.
10. Memorable tour experience?
We actually haven't had the opportunity to tour yet. We've had plenty of memorable shows, one of my favorite being this Halloween festival we played last year. It was one of our first shows and we played to people waiting on a line so no one was really there to see bands, but I got tons of free cotton candy and generally felt like the man.
11. What does AP.net mean to you?
It's my bible. My life. There is nothing after AP.net. Hahaha. In all seriousness, I'm on AP.net all day, everyday. It's where I get my music news and once in a while post a review or two. It's second only to Facebook on my bookmarks, and that's saying a lot.
12. What is your favorite song to play?
It rotates over time, but our song "Coastlines" off our new EP is probably my favorite song we have. A close second is a newer song called "For What Were Worth". It's super fast and fun and is a really good indication of where our new music is going.
13. What is your vacation spot of choice?
I'm easily pleased. Take me to the jersey shore and get me some boardwalk pizza, I'm set.
14. What music reminds you of your childhood?
New Found Glory, Blink, Simple Plan when I was young enough to enjoy them haha. And Linkin Park. All day, errrday.
15. If you could have any super power, what would it be? Why?
I'd want the ability to not feel full. Eating is one of the coolest things in the world, imagine not having to stop for hours at a time?
16. Do you feel that your band has "made it"?
Not even close haha. Then again, "making it" to me is simply making music that I'm completely in love with. I guess in that sense you can say we "made it", because we created an EP that I'm insanely proud of and are writing a full-length that I'm even more excited about. We don't have too many fans, we don't get too much love on myspace, but when we write an awesome song or play an awesome show I feel on top of the world.
17. What is something that most fans don't know about you?
Well, something the "fans" might not know is that I had this weird foot problem as a kid. I walked just like Tommy Pickles from Rugrats, it was sick.
18. What's your favorite holiday?
This is a toughie, but I have a soft spot for Christmas. Nothing like family, food, and gifts from a fat man with a beard. My mom says he's not real, but I think she's going crazy.
19. What do you like to do in your spare time?
I spend most of my time writing music if I'm not busy with school. I'm also a huge video game nerd, add me on xbox live! (spidey89)
20. What kind of hidden talents do you have?
I wouldn't call it a hidden talent, but I'm pretty proud of my grammar and writing abilities. Maybe one day I'll be an old, miserable English teacher. I hope. I also dominated at Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3.
The City Strikes Back - Mike Andronico (Vocals/Guitar)
www.myspace.com/thecitystrikesback (http://www.myspace.com/thecitystrikesback)
1. How did you get your band name?
We were trying to come up with something during our first few practices, and one of our friends ended up coming up with it. It has no super significant meaning, besides the fact that I'm a big star wars nerd.
2. How did this band get started?
I was in a band very briefly with Phil (our current bassist) and Danny (our current drummer) in early 2008 and we never ended up doing much of anything. Over the summer, me and my best friend Mitch (our former guitarist) started jamming on pop-punk songs and Phil noticed we needed a band so it came together pretty easily. Mitch left the band to focus on school and shiz and Julio, a veteran in our scene, took his place on guitar. We're now the closest knit group of sweaty guys you can find these days.
3. What bands are you influenced by?
Though we listen to tons of different music, we all more or less grew up with pop-punk. I could list bands all day but some big influences include New Found Glory, Blink 182, Brand New, Hit the Lights, and Bayside. Say Anything is a huge influence on me from a songwriting perspective, there are few people who can put together and deliver a song like Max. Julio played in a lot of heavier bands before, so he definitely brought that influence with him and it blends perfectly when we write.
4. If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would it be and why?
This is super tough. I'd say Say Anything, just to meet Max. New Found Glory because they are probably my all time favorite and seem to always help out bands that grew up listening to them. And I wouldn't mind The Early November reuniting and taking us on tour, haha.
5. If you were a furry, what animal would you be? Why that animal?
Cat. Cats are the shit. That's all.
6. Why should people listen to your band?
I think bands are too tight musically nowadays. You guys need some sloppiness! In all seriousness though, people should listen to us because we aim to be as creative as possible while still writing great pop songs. We're not too popular in our scene and we pride ourselves more on creating music that we absolutely love.
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?
Our song "We Will Live Forever" off our new EP would be pretty fun. Five-starring it wouldn't be tough, but its got some tasty leads that I would enjoy playing with a plastic guitar.
8. If you won a Grammy, who would you thank?
My family for all being musical and supporting my out-of-tune shreddage over the years. Bob Saget and Sam Jackson for being general inspirators.
9. If you could change something about the music industry, what would it be?
It'd be sweet if you could survive on good music alone, and not shitty neon clothes and worse haircuts. There are still a few bands that get popular off of genuine talent, but I see so many pictures of girly-looking mini-men wearing ironic clothes and find it hard to believe they'll have long music careers. Also, unsigned bands should have to compete in donut eating contests to earn record contracts. It's far more telling (and tastier) of what a band can really do.
10. Memorable tour experience?
We actually haven't had the opportunity to tour yet. We've had plenty of memorable shows, one of my favorite being this Halloween festival we played last year. It was one of our first shows and we played to people waiting on a line so no one was really there to see bands, but I got tons of free cotton candy and generally felt like the man.
11. What does AP.net mean to you?
It's my bible. My life. There is nothing after AP.net. Hahaha. In all seriousness, I'm on AP.net all day, everyday. It's where I get my music news and once in a while post a review or two. It's second only to Facebook on my bookmarks, and that's saying a lot.
12. What is your favorite song to play?
It rotates over time, but our song "Coastlines" off our new EP is probably my favorite song we have. A close second is a newer song called "For What Were Worth". It's super fast and fun and is a really good indication of where our new music is going.
13. What is your vacation spot of choice?
I'm easily pleased. Take me to the jersey shore and get me some boardwalk pizza, I'm set.
14. What music reminds you of your childhood?
New Found Glory, Blink, Simple Plan when I was young enough to enjoy them haha. And Linkin Park. All day, errrday.
15. If you could have any super power, what would it be? Why?
I'd want the ability to not feel full. Eating is one of the coolest things in the world, imagine not having to stop for hours at a time?
16. Do you feel that your band has "made it"?
Not even close haha. Then again, "making it" to me is simply making music that I'm completely in love with. I guess in that sense you can say we "made it", because we created an EP that I'm insanely proud of and are writing a full-length that I'm even more excited about. We don't have too many fans, we don't get too much love on myspace, but when we write an awesome song or play an awesome show I feel on top of the world.
17. What is something that most fans don't know about you?
Well, something the "fans" might not know is that I had this weird foot problem as a kid. I walked just like Tommy Pickles from Rugrats, it was sick.
18. What's your favorite holiday?
This is a toughie, but I have a soft spot for Christmas. Nothing like family, food, and gifts from a fat man with a beard. My mom says he's not real, but I think she's going crazy.
19. What do you like to do in your spare time?
I spend most of my time writing music if I'm not busy with school. I'm also a huge video game nerd, add me on xbox live! (spidey89)
20. What kind of hidden talents do you have?
I wouldn't call it a hidden talent, but I'm pretty proud of my grammar and writing abilities. Maybe one day I'll be an old, miserable English teacher. I hope. I also dominated at Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3.