Long Time Divided Q&A

Your name: 

DJ Beckage.

Where are you from? 

Pittsburgh, PA.

Name of band: 

Long Time Divided.

Who else is in your band?  
Well, there’s me as the lead singer, Paul Terry and Dean Toughlain on guitars, Bob Beveridge on bass, and Slick on drums.

How would you describe yourselves? We’re a blue-collar, hard rock band. We enjoy writing music that we want to hear on the radio.

Who are your main influences musically?Boy, for me the 90s grunge rock scene was definitely music that I grew up and I think has helped to give me my voice (no pun intended) with the band.

What do you hope to achieve in music?
I just want the band to continue creating music that we enjoy. We’re working on tracks for our sophomore album and I’m looking forward to that.

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why?
I have to say that opening for Fuel was a big highlight for me. We’ve had a chance to open for a number of big name acts that we all enjoy – Static-X, Soulfly, Jimmie’s Chick Shack, Soul Asylum – and they’ve all been awesome people.

And what’s the moment you want to forget?
HA! I really don’t have one. I’m sure it will come eventually but so far, so good.

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why?
I’d have to say Requiem. The song has been a sort of linchpin for the band and really fun to play.

Where can we listen to it?
Our entire album is available on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, and pretty much anywhere a person gets their music, just look-up “Long Time Divided.” To hear Requiem, go to our ReverbNation page (reverbnation.com/longtimedivided).

Promote your mixtape at ReverbNation.com

Where can we find out more about your music?
Our home page - www.longtimedivided.com

Facebook - facebook.com/longtimedividedband

Twitter - @longtimedivided

ReverbNation - reverbnation.com/longtimedivided

SoundCloud - soundcloud.com/long-time-divided

Tumblr - longtimedivided.tumblr.com

Instagram - @longtimedivided

McHoodoo Q&A

Your name:

Jay T. McCaughtry aka. The Hoodoo Man.

Where are you from?

I am from the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area. I live in Marion, Indiana, now and my band is based in Marion as well.

Name of band:

McHoodoo.

Who else is in your band? 

Justin Sollars on rhythm guitar & backing vocals

Greg Marsh aka. Strange Childe, on bass & backing vocals

Mike Berry on drums & backing vocals

I play lead guitar & sing lead vocals.

How would you describe yourselves? 
We are a modern rock band. We play a wide spectrum or rock genres.

Who are your main influences musically?

As a group it is widely varied. We all have different influences.

Personally, Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin), Stevie Ray Vaughan, Randy Rhodes (Ozzy), Eddie Van Halen, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Motley Crüe, Lynard Skynard, Buddy Guy, BB King. I have a lot of different influences.

What do you hope to achieve in music?

Our goals are pretty high. We would like to achieve success in it's highest forms, creating good music with some depth to the lyrics, that people can enjoy and identity with. We strive to put on a show that people will remember, as well as make memorable songs.

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why?

I would have to say that our performance at Raw Fest in Pittsburgh this summer was pretty awesome! I received my endorsement deal with Raw Guitars there (I have subsequently became an endorser for Jet City Amplification as well), put on a guitar clinic, and the band really lit the place up with our performance. A great memory!

And what’s the moment you want to forget?
Honestly, none. The tough times make us stronger individually and as a group. Remembering what you didn't do well, or what went wrong in a situation helps to make the next show, recording, ect. better!

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why?

Master of Illusion, the first track from our upcoming CD, Bad Influence. Tentative release date in November 28th of this year.

Why? Because I feel it demonstrates what we are all about. There is theater in our music, power, passion, conviction! I feel this song demonstrates this and gives the listener some expectation of what they will see live.

I am releasing it for streaming right now on Reverb Nation, just to have it as part of this interview! Hope everyone enjoys it!

Where can we listen to it? 

http://www.reverbnation.com/mchoodoorocks/song/21926309-master-of-illusion

Learn how to get a song on itunes at ReverbNation.com

Where can we find out more about your music?

Facebook: www.facebook.com/mchoodoo

Twitter: @McHoodoo for the band. @MrMcHoodoo for me.

Official Site: www.mchoodoo.weebly.com

Reverb Nation: www.reverbnation.com/mchoodoorocks

Sound Cloud: www.soundcloud.com/mchoodoo

Band Camp: mchoodoo.bandcamp.com

Tumblr: www.mchoodoo.tumblr.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/mchoodoo for the band  www.instagram.com/thehoodooman for me.

Google+ account mchoodoo@gmail.com

Anything else you’d like to say that I forgot to ask?

I would just like to say thank you for the interview, and I have a little message for the readers as well: If you have something that you desire to do in this world, don't let anyone stop you, believe in yourself. You will have to overcome a lot to achieve your goals but you can do it! 

The Forty Nineteens Q&A

Band name:

The Forty Nineteens, it is Calif legal code for Good Behavior Credit, our saying is Everyone deserves time off for good behavior. 

Where are you from?

The band is from Temecula, California. We are inland and between LA and San Diego. It is an area with many wineries. John grew up in Detroit, I'm from Pittsburgh, Chuck Hemet Calif and Chris is from New Hampshire.

Who is in your band?

John Pozza: vocals/bass, Chuck Gorian: guitar, Christopher Whelton: guitar, Nick Zeigler: drums

How would you describe yourselves?

We've been told that we have a modern take on the 80's garage/pop scene. I guess we somehow manage to take all the influences and give it a modern twist. We've never stopped listening to new music, so maybe that helps us. 

Who are your main influences musically?

John likes The Romantics, Beatles, Graham Parker and the Rumour, Chuck likes Social Distortion, Chris likes Allman Bros influences, and I like The Who, and garage rock.

What do you hope to achieve in music?

We achieve it every day, that is, just being able to play is a big achievement in its own right. We don't set unrealistic goals, we just make sure we continue writing a creating. 

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why?

May I break it down into recording and live?  The most important thing recording wise, is having David Newton from The Mighty Lemon Drops as our producer. He makes recording fun, and makes you want to get in there and not be afraid to try anything. That is rare!!  And for live: John and I go way back, playing with a lot of cool bands, but the biggest highlight for us was recently playing with The Fleshtones at Pappy and Harriet's. They are an incredible band, Legends!!, one of the last  active bands from CBGB's. Jumping on the tables, balancing on chairs while playing guitar solos. They do it all!! We provided the backline for them, so the even helped us load our gear. Awesome!  

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

That one night in Anytown USA on tour, Let's just say...stay away from inexpensive whiskey, and tilt-a-whirls, cos you'll lose every time. Seriously though, we've never taken ourselves serious enough to have a moment to forget. 

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why?

Pink '55 Bel Air. It's just a stomper of a song. Distorted bass, farfisa, two guitar solos, surf beat, and garage rock vocals. 

Where can we listen to it?

https://soundcloud.com/the-forty-nineteens/pink-55-bel-air?in=the-forty-nineteens/sets/spin-it

Where can we find out more about your music?

thefortynineteens.com 

@fortynineteens

Anything else you’d like to say about your band/music that I forgot to ask?

We'd like to remind everyone to support their local music scene. It depends on and needs you. 

Corey James Q&A

Your name:

Corey James.

Where are you from?

Venetia, PA (just south of Pittsburgh, PA).

Who else is in your band?

I am a solo artist.

How would you describe yourself?

I would label my music as acoustic/indie/pop. A lot of my songs are stories about overcoming the hardships in life and coming out the other side a better person.

Who are your main influences musically?

I listen to all music. My main influences are artist like Dave Mathews, Incubus, Third Eye Blind. Basically I enjoy artists who tell stories from the heart with their music.

What do you hope to achieve in music?

I just hope that someday my music will reach out to others and help somebody.

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why?

I played a show at the Hard Rock Cafe in Pittsburgh last year. I opened a show for the band Nine Days and a lot of people in the crowd were singing my lyrics along with me. There's no way to describe the joy I get from someone else liking my music enough to memorize the words. They were a great crowd and a really great show.

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

I have no regrets. Everything happens for a reason. Although sometimes that reason is unclear for a while, it always works itself out in the end.

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why?

(We are) Who we are. The song is about how we are who we are. And that we should love each other regardless of our defects. The world doesn't have to be full of judgement and hatred. But it's up to us to change it. We're all just trying to find our way in life.

Where can we listen to it?

www.reverbnation.com/coreyjamesmusic

Upload your music for free at ReverbNation.com

Where can we find out more about your music?

www.twitter.com/iamcoreyjames

www.facebook.com/coreyjamesmusic

Anything else you’d like to say about your band/music that I forgot to ask?

Music is all I've ever wanted to do. I hope to have the chance to travel, play my music, and hopefully make a difference.

White Light Spectrum Q&A

Your name:

Shawn Mazzei.

Where are you from?

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.

Band name: 

We're White Light Spectrum.

Who is in your band:

I am the lead guitarist; Matt Friday is lead vocals/keyboard/the occasional sax; Brian High is playing guitar; Shawn Hickman is bass guitar and, Sebastian Secret on the kit.

How would you describe yourselves?

I would describe us as a classically trained, and by classically trained I mean from the 60s and 70s, rock band. It's a soulful blend of blues, funk, rock n roll, and even some punk elements at times. But if we hear something, we just go for it and don't let "genre" get in the way of it.

Who are your main influences musically?

Our influences are all over the place really. Matt, our vocalist, started  out playing jazz sax and ended up somewhere around this grungy sort of rock singer and covers the ground in between. I'm a die hard blues fan and listen to a lot of 60s music but I listen to everything under the sun. Shawn Hickman has a serious punk rock background but has a very diverse playlist. Brian trains his ear to the classic singer/songwriters from back in the day but also really digs Jack White. Sebas is the biggest extreme going as far back as us but also diving into the dubstep scene. So needless to say, our influences come from anything that catches our attention and has soul. Gotta be able to feel it.

What do you hope to achieve in music?

I hate to give the cliche, broke musician response but honestly I just want to travel and share my music with everyone. It's the universal form of communication. It's something that everyone around the world gets. As far as more specifics though, I'd love to play the Royal Albert Hall in England. Red Rock in Arizona is like my dream venue. That place is gorgeous. More personally I'd like to be able to say I created something completely its own. Just to have a voice in the scene that's unique. Nothing monetary that I can think of. To be honest, I just got off the phone with a music store spending yet another 2k on a guitar and I could care less if I ever get that back lol.

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why?

I remember New Year's Eve when I was 18 I think. I walked into Moondogs, which is a legendary blues club in Pittsburgh who's seen everyone from Buddy Guy to Derek Trucks. This place was packed to the brim. Norman Nardini was playing - he's an old school rock n roller who's been around since the 70s. I've seen him around before but I had not had the chance to meet him yet. Somehow my dad talked him into getting me on stage that night. It seemed like he was semi-interested at best at the idea and didn't give it much thought. I mean he had a crowd to entertain, was probably worried about other things. So I go up there and light that stage on fire (not literally. I'm saving my Hendrix rendition for another day). Knock out a couple blues rock tunes. Crowd's going crazy and I remember Norman's face, jaw dropping to the ground. We've been great friends since and he's continued to be my mentor since and has been one of the most important people in my life.

And the moment you want to forget?

I'll be honest, nothing rings a bell with this one. Maybe I was drunk and already forgot it haha. Maybe that experience is right around the corner. I'll let you know when it happens.

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why?

WLS is still this everchanging thing. We're still so young as a band. I'd say our recording of "Love To Bring" is a good staple. We recorded this tune on the fly about five months in and it got a lot of attention and got us invited to play the biggest radio station in Pittsburgh. 

Where can we listen to it?

You can find it on our ReverbNation page http://www.reverbnation.com/whitelightspectrum

or just "like" our facebook https://www.facebook.com/WhiteLightSpectrum and there will be a link to our ReverbNation page from there.

Learn how to get your music heard at ReverbNation.com

Where can we find out more about your music?

We also recently showed up on Twitter @wlsbandofficial and we're working on launching a website very soon as well.

Anything else you’d like to say about your band/music that I forgot to ask?

I'd just like to tell everyone to stay tuned and keep an eye on this band. I've played with a ton of people from all over the place with different styles and I really feel like this band has something. Every practice we keep writing better songs and finding our groove. Be ready for a CD release by the end of the year! We're almost done writing for it now.

Mr Jonny Clean Pick Q&A

Your name:

Jon Rose.

Where are you from?

Charleston, South Carolina, by way of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.  

Band name:

Mr Jonny Clean Pick.

How would you describe yourself?

Fun loving, hard working, family man is how I describe myself.  

Who are your main influences musically?

My musical influences cover a broad genre from Al Green, The Temptations, Motown, Jackson 5, to Jose Feliciano, the Romero Bros., Carlos Montoya, and Carlos Santana, to Hip Hop such as KRS ONE, Public Enemy, Mos Def, EPMD, Rakim, to acoustic rockers like Ed Sheeran, Dave Matthews, my personal hometown favorite Darius Rucker.

What are your ambitions in music?

I just want to make quality music for people to enjoy that has a positive message.  

What has been the highlight of your career so far?

The highlight of my career is currently working on a music project with Texas rapper King Tut also trying to do a project with music producer Juscelino. 

And what's the moment you want to forget?

The one thing I wish I could forget was sending a wack mp3 to Nomo music when I first started playing the guitar.

If you could choose one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why?

The song that best describes what Mr. Jonny Clean Pick is all about is "Hope." The experience of life's struggle to the God given outcome we are destined to live.  

Where can we listen to it?

www.reverbnation.com/mrjonnycleanpick

Learn how to get a song on itunes at ReverbNation.com

Where can we find out more about your music?

You can find Mr. Jonny Clean Pick on www.unsigned.com/mrjonnycleanpick,www.purevolume.com, www.myspace.com/mrjonnycleanpick, www.tunecore.com/mrjonnycleanpick, and Mr. Jonny Clean Pick on Facebook.