Interview: Seaknuckle | Band | Frederick, MD

Seaknuckle is perhaps one of the most intriguing bands in the Frederick music scene, listing themselves under the thrash-pop genre on bandcamp. The band consists of Jon Phelps (Guitar and Vocals), Joe Jalette (Guitar and Vocals), Matt Dabson (Bass and Vocals), and Colin Shultzaberger (Drums and Vocals).

I interviewed guitarist and vocalist Jon Phelps on the band’s history, the story behind the name, and the future plans for the band.

Q: How did Seaknuckle form and how long have you been together now?

A: Seaknuckle, the entity, has existed for a meager 18 months. But what’s time really, man?

Q: What’s the story behind the name Seaknuckle?

A: Colin, our drummer, had a dream that the supernatural tool used to build the great pyramids using sound technology was called “a seaknuckle”. I’m not kidding. I don’t understand him sometimes either. Great name though.

Q: If you had to describe your sound in one word what would it be?

A: Majick

Q: What makes Seaknuckle different from other bands?

A: Majick,

Q: Who are some of your big musical influences?

A: I’m going to answer for my bandmates without asking them and see how mad they get at me. COLIN- Frank Zappa, some tribe with log xylophones in the Amazon somewhere. MATT- Notorious B.I.G., James Jamerson of Motown. JOE- Anton Newcombe, Wes Anderson soundtracks. Me- Nina Simone and every British band ever.

Q: What music do you currently have released? When do you plan to have your next release done?

A: We have a 4 song E.P. called Nailed It available on itunes, spotify, and bandcamp.  Right now we are in the mixing process for our debut full length album. We’re going to release our first single called “Shake Shake Shake” early this summer.

Q: What inspires your songs?

A: Lyrically, destroying capitalism, babes, hunks and love.

Q: Who goes about making the artwork and logos for the band? How would you explain the image you’re trying to portray?

A: Matt’s lady, Kristi, designed our monster and EP artwork. She also crocheted a 10 foot tall anatomically accurate bear, so the sky’s the limit.

Q: What are you trying to accomplish as a band?

A: I’m completely confident, Myles, our eccentric producer and manager would say, “TAKE OVER THE WORLD” without a single sense of irony. I want to not ever have to have a stupid job again. Oh yeah, end game: PLAY GLASTONBURY.

Q: What has been your favorite experience as a band so far?

A: This one time we invented a game where you had to catch leaves as they were falling from the trees and then eat them, thus taking on the leaves’ power. No one ever successfully ate them because it’s disgusting but we kept trying. That was violently hilarious. Since we haven’t toured the country yet I’d say playing our hometown to a packed house and everybody dancing and fighting is always good fun.

Q: Has Seaknuckle accomplished what you wanted to accomplish in the beginning?

A: We straight never satisfied. Know what I mean?

Q: Is there anything else you’d like to add?

A: Get our EP online, go to www.seaknuckle.com, like our dumbdumb facebook page, and get pumped up for our upcoming album and single coming soon.

Interview: Old Indian | Band | Frederick, MD

Old Indian is an underground Frederick band consisting of Cory Springirth (Vocals & Guitar), Mark Weeks (Bass Guitar). and Evan Owens (Drums). They released their first album Mumble digitally on January 31 and it is currently available to pre-order on vinyl on their bandcamp page (oldindian.bandcamp.com).

Q: How did the band come together?

Cory-  I was going under the name Old Indian as a two piece for a short period of time at the very start. Somewhere in 2008-2009? my good friend Mark joined as bass player which ruled. We had some songs together and played some shows but didn’t have a steady drummer for about a year. So a friend recommended we contact Evan. We did and he was a solid fit. So around 2010 is when the band as a whole really came together.

Q: Who were some of your biggest influences from the start?

Cory- Growing up skating I’d watch skate videos and if there was a song I liked in the video I would look the band up. So that was the way I found a lot of music at the time, which in turn has bled into our sound.  At the start I was just trying to play gritty blues rock n’roll. Just simple fuzzy blues songs. Once we started developing as a band… The Stooges, Black Sabbath, and Neil Young were pretty big influences on us.

Evan- The power of Detroit rock and roll and Jimi Hendrix with the swing of Black Sabbath had a serious impact on me as a drummer.

Mark-  When the band started I was listening to Jethro Tull, Sabbath, Sleep, Vader, Grand Funk, Earthless, Blood Ceremony, Om, Groundhogs, Canned Heat, Dust, DRI, Ramones, Bad Brains, Minor Threat….Tom Waits!

Q: You’ve finally released your first full length album this month after a few years as a band. Why did the album take as long as it did?

Cory – We tried to record sooner and we did some rough demos but I’m pretty hard on myself and never felt it was good enough or sounded right. Waiting a little while to do a official album let us develop our style more. I’m glad we waited but I’d like to get something else out by the end of this year. Also waiting on vinyl to get pressed takes a while. Mumble could have been out last summer if we didn’t do vinyl.

Q: Why did you decide to release the album only on vinyl?

Cory – All around I think it’s a better experience. From the looks of it to the sound of it, we just like it.  People take better care of vinyl, maybe even appreciate it more. It’s the least disposable format. Even if that means melting it and forming into some type of bowl to put on your coffee table. Haha. CDs just tend to get misplaced somehow in a tiny car. Plus a lot  of people just listen through their “i”devices in the car. Tapes are cool and nice and cheap to make. They have been making a comeback recently but we haven’t got hip to that yet. Almost.

Q: How would you describe your sound?

Cory- Rock ‘n roll that is fond of ‘60s and ‘70s tones. Is that too vague?

Evan – We have gotten a couple descriptive genres made up by people writing about us that deserve a mention – “Doom Garage” “Surfy Doom” “College Garage”. But the general rock ‘n roll mixed with denim still holds true.

Q: You recently played the Frederick Music Showcase. How did you feel about the experience of the new event?

Cory- It was awesome. Big thanks to Frederick playlist for making it happen. Hopefully more to come.

Evan- It was a great feeling to play in a building designed for looking at the stage. The people that came were intent on watching all of the bands. In clubs it’s easy to hang at the bar, or do something else. In the theatre setting, there was no where to run from the tunes.

Mark- It was a blast, then it was over. Hope to do it again soon someday.
 
Q: What do you think makes the Frederick music scene unique?

Cory – It’s a small scene but lately it has been growing and progressing. There are a lot of good people trying to help each other out.
Evan – The interesting thing is how many styles of music are involved. All of the original music is totally distinct. For such a small town, each band has a specific sound. There is no definitive Frederick sound.

Q: What has been the biggest challenge for the band?

Cory – Communication skills.

Evan- Cory, you never told me that! What are you talking about? Ha. I would say visibility on the independent level. We have kind of taken the old school approach of going and gigging to build a following. Sometimes its the luck of the draw, but it does seem that more people have been hearing us.

Mark- Fitting the bill, or finding bands that we pair well with musically.

Q: What are the future plans for the band?

Cory – Keep playing shows, write another album soon. To not get lame.

Evan- Continue rocking, more denim, bigger shows.

Mark- More guitar solos, drum solos, bass solos and open mic nights

Q: What advice would you give to young aspiring musicians?

Cory- I don’t know if I have the right to give anyone music advice, but if I did …. Practice often. Focus on tone more. Try and be creative and have a good time.  Skateboard.

Evan- I would say, play what you feel, play what is fulfilling. Music is all about the feel, and shouldn’t be held back by imaginary boundaries. And practice as often as possible.

Mark- Don’t think, feel.

Follow Your Dreams

“I’m sick of following my dreams. I’m just going to ask them where they’re goin’, and hook up with them later.” (Mitch Hedberg, brainyquote.com).

Senior year is almost over with nearly just one term left. All of your friends are getting accepted to colleges and getting ready to pursue their future careers, but you feel terrified because you still don’t have a secure future in place. Does this make you a failure?

From a young age in school we are told we can be whatever we want when we grow up. Some kids give the responses of ballerina, veterinarian, astronaut or actor. Over the course of time we change and maybe we don’t want to take on those professions anymore, but some of us still have that desire inside to follow those dreams.

Personally, from a young age I latched onto music. I went to my first concert at a young age and over time the musicians on stage became my idols. I wanted to follow their every move to someday have the opportunity to be on stage and have my name on a marquee.

Once I hit middle school I was able to form my first band. Every day we practiced after school I would get off the bus and run straight to the house we practiced in. We wrote our own songs and were able to play a few shows now and then. I had never felt better about my life and future.

When asked about what career I wanted to take on in middle school, I said musician. But unlike most people who were met with positive responses by the guidance counselor, I was instantly pounded with the question, “What is your backup plan?” I couldn’t find an answer to give them because I couldn’t find anything I loved more than music, and I still haven’t.

Just before I entered high school the first band broke up but I found another band to join. This time around we released two albums and were even played on the radio! I was beyond excited as the radio DJ announced the song and it roared through the speakers.

But just as things were starting to look permanent, the band fell apart at the end of my junior year. I was lost, so I found a job and tried to forget about it. For a few months I barely played or wrote any songs. A part of me had lost hope that I could still follow my dream.

I had entered the very first dark period of my life. Everyone knew me as a very outgoing and positive person but I became the most depressed I had ever been. Every morning I felt myself going through the same routine: School, work, sleep, school, work, sleep… I felt worthless and pointless. Anyone could easily do my job better than me and I didn’t enjoy one second of it.

The beginning of senior year, like everyone else, I was called in to the guidance counselor’s office to map out my future. When asked what I was planning on doing after college, I gave the empty response of trade school. I couldn’t believe I had even uttered the words. Never had I ever wanted to pursue trade school, or even had a remote interest in it.

A month later my brother’s favorite band Breaking Benjamin was playing a small show after announcing they had reunited with a new lineup. I instantly purchased tickets to go knowing how rare these kinds of opportunities are. I knew I had work that night but I decided that I would see this show even if I had to quit my job.

The day of the show arrived, and as we waited outside the venue, the lead singer of the band greeted us and let us take a picture with him. I was starstruck and in complete awe. He talked to a few fans nearly crying as they hugged him and thanked him for saving their lives as they had been contemplating suicide before they found his music. That night I realized the power of music as I saw my brother’s eyes light up as he sang along with the band. The music revealed a side of him I had never seen.

After that show I realized that no matter what obstacles we face, we should never give up on the dreams and passions that make us love life. No one should be discouraged from doing what they want to do, because in the end it is their choice.

“But only in their dreams can men be truly free. ‘Twas always thus, and always thus will be” (Dead Poet’s Society, IMDB).

Photo from: imgbuddy.com