Welcome to the feature where we talk to musicians about some of their favourite things about the industry. Today we speak to Take It Or Leave It about favourite things about the music industry.

What is your Favourite:

Song you have written:

Pints and Power Chords. Just so much fun and everybody loves to sing along to a good pub anthem. That chant-along energy mixed with the relatable lyrics makes it a setlist favorite every time.

Lyric

“You can’t expect me to light the way home.” That line from Cracked Ribs always hits. It’s got a strong visual to it and lands on a melody that really sticks. Plus, it’s one of those lines everyone’s felt at some point in their lives.

Musician

Mark Hoppus. No question. I’ve seen Blink-182 a bunch of times all over the East Coast and beyond, and everything about Mark’s style has influenced me. His tone, his attitude, his ability to balance being the backbone of the band while still having fun. Even his live stage banter on The Mark, Tom, and Travis Show album lives rent-free in my brain. I quote it constantly.

Film or Television Show

South Park or Arrested Development. Both are elite in their own way, but I’ll give the edge to South Park just for its longevity. It still hits, still takes risks, and somehow still surprises me. If it’s not playing on repeat, odds are I’m not home.

Venue to perform at

Olive’s in Nyack. That spot means a lot to us. It’s one of the best local venues around and has a sentimental vibe for most of us in the band (Craig got engaged there!). Great people, great food, and always a great time.

Item to take with you on tour

If it’s not my Gameboy SP (currently deep into a Pokémon Yellow playthrough) then it’s the Nintendo Switch. Gaming kills the downtime perfectly. If I could bring anything though, it would be one of my cats. But they hate the sound of my amp so that might not work out.

Instrument

I used to be a percussionist in school and fell in love with the marimba. I wasn’t the best, but I could play with four mallets and even got a few solos back in the day. It was a unique instrument that stood out, and I liked that.

Song to play live

Run, easily. It’s got everything I love in a song, big chorus, heavy breakdown, fun rhythm patterns. Plus, I get to kick it off. There’s something satisfying about starting a song like that and knowing the next three to four minutes are going to rip.

Album by another musician

Enema of the State and the live sequel album Mark, Tom, and Travis Show shaped the way I play guitar and perform. The studio album is polished pop punk perfection and the live record is raw, fast, and full of personality. Together, they taught me how to find the balance between tight musicianship and not taking yourself too seriously.

Memory of tour

On our road trip to Buffalo, Craig hit us with a riddle that messed with me for hours. I couldn’t get it, and when I finally did, it felt like I cracked the Da Vinci Code. I got it before Devon, but he caught on quickly once I cracked it. Still comes up from time to time. And no, I’m not sharing the riddle. It’s too valuable for that.

Era for music

For me, early 2000s. It was prime time for pop punk and alternative rock. Whether they started before the millennium or after, bands like New Found Glory, Sum 41, Yellowcard, Green Day, etc all exploded even more during these years. Plus you still had 90s grunge influences floating around and tons of major rock acts still going strong. That era shaped my taste completely.

Part of making a record

My favorite part is when we finally sit down to record and realize what the parts really are. It’s like “oh, that’s where that lead clashes with the vocal,” or “should that rhythm chug for one more bar?” The refining process is where the real identity of a song shows up. Sometimes we don’t notice those details when playing live so zooming in on the parts of each song really makes them stronger. 

Thing about performing at festivals

Playing outdoors during the day is unbeatable. You get the energy of a bigger crowd, fresh air, and sunlight. Plus, with so many bands on the bill, we love sneaking in a fun cover early to win the crowd over.

Quote

“If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.” – Alexander Hamilton.

Thing about the music industry at the moment

I love that more people than ever can make music. You used to need major money just to get a decent demo. Now, with a laptop and a mic, anyone can put their art into the world. It oversaturated things a bit, but I’ll always prefer more access than less. You never know where the next legend is coming from.

Thing about this year so far

The trip to Buffalo stands out big time. The crowd was wild, the room was packed, and we felt the love from beginning to end. That’s what Pasta Rock is all about, bringing real energy to a room full of people who came to feel something.

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