1. How did you start the band?
I developed the concept and wrote the songs for the “New Revolution” album (https://open.spotify.com/
I reached out to John Griffin who I played in a band with a few years ago and asked if he would listen to the tracks and consider laying down the leads. He loved the tracks and laid down some incredible shreds and the rest is history.
We brought on James Page on bass and Griff Johnson on drums and The Simple Radicals were formed.
2. Can the current moment be considered the best of the band?
There’s no doubt we’re operating on all cylinders right now.
I think we’re producing some really good material and we’re having a ton of fun at the same time. But we’re always eager to get even better.
3. What would you say about sonority? Where else do you fit into the acquired influences?
Eddie Vedder from Pearl Jam is my musical hero.
I’m mesmerized with his writing and try to capture the messaging, passion and energy that he does in his songs.
If I can even come within a million miles of that I’d consider it a success. Other bands that have influenced me over the years include Tom Petty, Foo Fighters, Cheap Trick, Pink Floyd, and Green Day.
4. Speaking of creation process, how much thought is there before creating new material? Is there a plan or do you let ideas flow naturally?
I see a lot of images and moods when I write. Certain chord progressions, finger pickings and riffs often direct me on how the song is constructed and then the lyrics start to flow. It’s a bizarre process but it works for me. I actually write a lot of my songs on an acoustic guitar.
Even riffs such as the songs “New Revolution” (https://open.spotify.com/
I feel that if it sounds good on an acoustic then it’s going to sound even better when it’s plugged in.
5. Have you ever thought of playing here in South America? Audiences in Brazil are very passionate about music!
We would absolutely LOVE the opportunity to play in South America. Rock and roll is a universal language, and nothing would be better than to share our music to our friends in Brazil.
6. We know that the music market is no longer the same ... what does it take to stay fresh and relevant?
The music industry today has incredible opportunities but also huge challenges. From an opportunity standpoint, with such advanced technology and portability, you can create some amazing music in your bedroom and even collaborate with people without having to be in the same room.
On the flip side, there’s thousands of songs being released on Spotify and other platforms every day so the ability to break out and get noticed is highly challenging.
You’re on your own to develop your sound, talent and audience and then you can try and make it. Tough times no doubt and it’s only for the diligent and resilient bands that want to really invest in their music and build an audience.
You constantly have to think and rethink what it takes to break out and get noticed.
7. Do you like the idea of releasing videos in lyric format?
We love doing videos. We released a lyrical video to the title track of our album New Revolution” (https://www.
We also just released a video to our song “Rich Man Wanna Be King” (https://www.youtube.com/
A video to our song “Medicate” which features Vernon Reid from the band Living Colour on lead guitar https://www.youtube.
And a quarantine video to our song “Raise Hell” https://www.youtube.com/
We have another quarantine video to our song “The Optimist” that will be released soon.
8. We finish here, the space is yours ...
We’re a retro-rock and roll band that combines sounds and styles from some of our favorite classic rock bands like Pink Floyd, Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters, Green Day and Cheap Trick.
If you like those bands then I think you will like our sound. You can check us out on Spotify https://open.
And please stay safe. Stay healthy. And stay Radical.
