Danny: I think we each bring different individual music influence and perspective. A lot of times this helps further a song to become a little bit more evolved. CV NorthWest: Who or What is your major influence in music? Justin: My main influence is Duff McKagan, he has a way of playing bass in which he uses blues scales to make cool walking bass lines, but also knows how to ride on the root note in order to let the guitar do its work. He plays very well to the song. I also like the aggression in his tone from his pick/distortion pedals and how it cuts through the mix. I also enjoy John Paul Jones from Led Zeppelin for his similar technique at playing to the song. Domo: Everything!!! Rock and Roll is king for me but I think of music in two categories, good or bad, so good music with good energy is always an influence for me. I also really love Americana, so anything having to do with that also catches me. Ryan: Anybody who has ever slung a Les Paul down below their waist. I was raised on classic rock driving around with my dad...and then when I was 13 I got my first Aerosmith CD... it was all over after that. Danny: There have been so many great influences, it’s really hard to name a few without wanting to name a thousand. Not to sound generic, but all great music and art is what influences me. Great live performances that move people are what make you want to do that as well. The songs you listen to on repeat because they are so good make you want to write like that. Growing up, I was exposed to a lot of punk rock, 60’s garage rock, and I'd say a lot of that was my early influence.
great and the crowd was just awesome. We had many people that had seen us before tell us it was the best show they had seen us play, and people that hadn't seen us before being immediately won over and talking to us after the set. Even the red carpet event honoring the Doors leading up to the show was an incredible night, the whole weekend is something I will never forget.
Domo: I saw Aerosmith a few years ago and they were simply amazing. Ryan: When I was 15 I saw Bob Dylan. He was roughly 93 at the time. It taught me that good music is ageless. Danny: AFI is definitely one that sticks out in my head. I’ve been to thousands of shows and a seen a lot of greats, so why AFI? Because at the time, they weren't huge yet, but they were doing well in the local scene in the North Bay. Those guys were by far the hardest working band around. You would see word about them grow and grow. Eventually they sold out The Phoenix Theatre in Petaluma. But they didn't just sell it out, they sold CV NorthWest: What is the or one of the most it out to a bunch of kids who chanted to every memorable concerts to date? Justin: Sunset Strip Music Festival 2012 for sure. song and were excited to be there. There was an energy in that room that night that you could tell The energy the four of us had that day at the Roxy was something I've never experienced be- would carry the band far, and that was something that I never forgot. fore. Our playing was tight, stage dynamic was