Joe DeAndrea
05/02/08, 02:28 PM
What is your name and your role in the band?
My name is Duane Okun and I play guitar and sing.
For those who may not be familiar with Socratic, can you give a brief history of how the band came about?
We formed in high school playing local shows in the jersey scene. We added Vincent about 3 years after that. Got signed to Drive-Thru Records that same year. Put out Lunch for the Sky. Toured. Put out an E.P. and now we are about to put out our second full length titled "Spread the Rumors."
How do you feel about the progression from your first EP to your new album? How has your influences changed throughout those years?
I feel when you are young you tend to copy music you like. We did that. As we got older and better at our instruments we changed into more of our original sound. We don't like or care too much about what is going on. We want to write our music.
What bands or musicians inspire you in general?
I love the Beatles. They took music and made it their own. I don't want to sound like them or be them. I respect them for trying to do other things. Experience is the best thing for a writer and I try to experience as much as I can.
What was it like working with Mark Hoppus? How did you grab his attention? Were you big Blink-182 fans?
Working with Mark was a trip. We are all Blink fans and we were super excited to get to meet him. We sent him demos and he wrote us back in two days. All of a sudden we were going to Hollywood in a little over a month. Shout out to Chris Homes, James Ingram, and Little Chris!!!
Was the "alien's exist" part on the album cover to Spread the Rumors Mark's idea?
It was not his idea. We didn't even realize it until somebody brought it up. It might have been a coincidence or Kelly from Drive-Thru threw it in there to be funny. I think that song was a Tom song.
You've already shot two music videos for songs off the new album. What's going to be the third? If you haven't decided yet, which one would you choose and why?
There isn't talk about a third video yet. I would like to do a video for " Spread the Rumors." It's a very pretty song that I feel is one of the best on the record. It is inspired by my friend Mike. The song was basically written for him.
What song that you've done are you most proud of and why?
"Relevant Elephant." It's one of the weirder songs and the recording does it justice. It is has two sections to it then the meet up again at the end. I love the vibe it gives out.
If someone was about to listen to your band for the first time, which song would you suggest that they listen to first?
If they liked pop music I would show them "Boy in a Magazine." If they wanted something more abstract then I would show them "Don't Say."
Will there ever be a full-length released for your project Rendez Vous?
Oh boy. Who asked this question? Me and Sexy Mix have been recording songs but never talk about making it public. It would be more up to him than me. He is he Oz of Rendez Vous and I am the Tin Man with my oil mouth.
What bands are you currently listening to that people should check out?
The Embracers. They are close friends to us and we dig the new stuff they have recorded. Check them out!!!! Tourmaline is putting out a new record which is going to be sweet.
What are your favorite bands to tour with?
The Rocket Summer, Steel Train, House of Fools is the shit. Say No More. My Getaway. In Aussie Plain White T's , Boys Like Girls, Starting Line, and All Time Low. Me Without You were great people as well.
What are your plans for touring this Summer? Will you be playing any dates on Warped Tour?
We start a tour with Bedlight for Blue Eyes at the end of June. As of now there are no Warped Tour dates although we would love to play. Also, We will be changing our name from Socratic to Socrates! I hear the exclamation mark is up for grabs so we call it first!!!! Kevin will be attending medical school via satellite on the road. Andy our tour manager has caught the clap from riding a tractor with his bathing suit on in South Dakota.
My name is Duane Okun and I play guitar and sing.
For those who may not be familiar with Socratic, can you give a brief history of how the band came about?
We formed in high school playing local shows in the jersey scene. We added Vincent about 3 years after that. Got signed to Drive-Thru Records that same year. Put out Lunch for the Sky. Toured. Put out an E.P. and now we are about to put out our second full length titled "Spread the Rumors."
How do you feel about the progression from your first EP to your new album? How has your influences changed throughout those years?
I feel when you are young you tend to copy music you like. We did that. As we got older and better at our instruments we changed into more of our original sound. We don't like or care too much about what is going on. We want to write our music.
What bands or musicians inspire you in general?
I love the Beatles. They took music and made it their own. I don't want to sound like them or be them. I respect them for trying to do other things. Experience is the best thing for a writer and I try to experience as much as I can.
What was it like working with Mark Hoppus? How did you grab his attention? Were you big Blink-182 fans?
Working with Mark was a trip. We are all Blink fans and we were super excited to get to meet him. We sent him demos and he wrote us back in two days. All of a sudden we were going to Hollywood in a little over a month. Shout out to Chris Homes, James Ingram, and Little Chris!!!
Was the "alien's exist" part on the album cover to Spread the Rumors Mark's idea?
It was not his idea. We didn't even realize it until somebody brought it up. It might have been a coincidence or Kelly from Drive-Thru threw it in there to be funny. I think that song was a Tom song.
You've already shot two music videos for songs off the new album. What's going to be the third? If you haven't decided yet, which one would you choose and why?
There isn't talk about a third video yet. I would like to do a video for " Spread the Rumors." It's a very pretty song that I feel is one of the best on the record. It is inspired by my friend Mike. The song was basically written for him.
What song that you've done are you most proud of and why?
"Relevant Elephant." It's one of the weirder songs and the recording does it justice. It is has two sections to it then the meet up again at the end. I love the vibe it gives out.
If someone was about to listen to your band for the first time, which song would you suggest that they listen to first?
If they liked pop music I would show them "Boy in a Magazine." If they wanted something more abstract then I would show them "Don't Say."
Will there ever be a full-length released for your project Rendez Vous?
Oh boy. Who asked this question? Me and Sexy Mix have been recording songs but never talk about making it public. It would be more up to him than me. He is he Oz of Rendez Vous and I am the Tin Man with my oil mouth.
What bands are you currently listening to that people should check out?
The Embracers. They are close friends to us and we dig the new stuff they have recorded. Check them out!!!! Tourmaline is putting out a new record which is going to be sweet.
What are your favorite bands to tour with?
The Rocket Summer, Steel Train, House of Fools is the shit. Say No More. My Getaway. In Aussie Plain White T's , Boys Like Girls, Starting Line, and All Time Low. Me Without You were great people as well.
What are your plans for touring this Summer? Will you be playing any dates on Warped Tour?
We start a tour with Bedlight for Blue Eyes at the end of June. As of now there are no Warped Tour dates although we would love to play. Also, We will be changing our name from Socratic to Socrates! I hear the exclamation mark is up for grabs so we call it first!!!! Kevin will be attending medical school via satellite on the road. Andy our tour manager has caught the clap from riding a tractor with his bathing suit on in South Dakota.