ION INDIE MAGAZINE September 2015, Volume 16 | Page 12

MM: Sam, tell us about your musical background. Sam: I first started really getting into music around freshmen and sophomore year of high school. Musically, I was all over the spectrum. I was really into The Dropkick Murphys and Rancid back then. I went through so many phases, from listening to Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, System of a Down to Soundgarden. I was all over the board when it came to music. But there was always something that brought me back to Classic Rock though. AC/DC is my favorite band (Rock in Peace Bon). I think I just started to dive deeper into Rock bands like Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, The Who, The Rolling Stones, Aerosmith and I was hooked. I started singing along to songs using a hairbrush as a microphone upstairs in my room when no one was home, and I just kept at it. There was a talent show at Somersworth High School (NH). Tom and I got a group together to do a show--which ended up getting canceled--but we saw something in it and kept the music going. We just kept playing and practicing and playing and practicing. That’s how we got to where we are today. It’s always nice when your friend is supportive and has your back too, even if you think you’re sucking pond water! In college I started listening to bands like The Doors, The Black Crowes and Humble Pie. Today I’m really into Funk and Soul music. I’m always spinning a James Brown or Marvin Gaye record. I just love it! I'm taking lessons with Danny Smith out of Kingston, NH. He is an incredible vocalist/teacher and has taught me about vocal technique. I wouldn't be where I am today with his advice, knowledge and patience with me! MM: Barrett, what’s your musical background? Have you always played drums? Barrett: I have been playing drums since I was 4 years old (2 years old--if you count the pots and pans I used to drag out of the cupboards and bang on with wooden spoons) and initially I listened to a lot of 60’s pop stuff (The Association, The Turtles, The Byrds), but above all for me back then were The Beatles. Ringo was it for at least a decade of my life, but then my mom gave me “Led Zeppelin IV”, and that was my "Music like this exists?!" moment. From then on it was Zeppelin for a while, and then I branched out through middle school and high school. High school I had a big 90’s Rock phase (Soundgarden, Primus, Deftones, etc.), but then after joining Red Sky Mary, I got more exposed to the 70’s stuff that we play at our cover gigs. Where I am now musically I can trace back to when the new Sabbath album, "13" (which is AMAZING) came out. I bought it and listened to it nonstop, and I had to find out what the big deal was and what their old classic stuff was like. I haven't looked back since--Sabbath has been my favorite band ever since, and I've been ravenously looking for anything like them--old or new.