Review Fix chats with lead guitarist / co-founder of The Nearly Deads, Steven Tobi, who discusses the band’s new EP, “Survival Guide,†as well as their current tour and the future of female-fronted rock.
Review Fix: How important is female fronted rock?
Steven Tobi: That’s an interesting question. How important is any genre of music? There is a genre out there for each individual that connects with them at different levels. I believe rock has always been a genre that relates to people’s frustrations and angst. Being that it is a genre mostly made up of male musicians; I think rock groups with female artist can be important for those feelings of angst in the female community. It gives women an outlet, something they can relate to more closely. And as a guy, I, too, enjoy watching a strong woman on stage, kicking ass and taking names.
Review Fix: You guys are often compared to Paramore. How does that feel? How are you different?
Tobi: At first, it bothered us a little. Every musician wants to think of themselves as unique. But we understand the need to make things relatable. I am guilty of comparing a new group to something I’ve heard before as well. If comparing us to Paramore sparks your interest in us, then compare away. Paramore is a great band and has done some awesome things for women in the rock genre. We know that we have our own influences and stand apart; so that’s all that really matters.
Review Fix: What are your goals for 2014?
Tobi: 2014 is going to be a big year for us. I can’t give any details, but there will be new music and new music videos being released soon. The band is fully independent again and we have put together an amazing team around us. Our biggest goal is to keep building our fan base. So expect to see us on the road a lot this year.
Review Fix: What makes “Survival Guide” a special EP?
Tobi: I think the name says it all. It came out when we as a band had to learn a lot about the industry we didn’t know. It is also a “survival guide” for all the fans who have been so patiently waiting for our full-length release. For new fans, it has remixes of some older songs they may have never heard. For old fans, it has a couple singles coming out on the new record.
Review Fix: You guys are just about to set off on tour? Are you excited?
Tobi: We are always excited to hit the road. We would never go home if we didn’t have to haha. It’s just great to be able to meet our amazingly dedicated fans in person and shake their hands. There is also no better feeling than being on stage in front of a room full of passionate fans of rock ‘n roll.
Review Fix: Any cool tour stories? How do you guys get along on the road?
Tobi: There are always the classic, van broke down, stories to tell. But one we always enjoy telling is when we broke down in Ohio. We ended up loitering at a Starbucks for almost 12 hours, waiting on Kevin’s dad to bring us the new van. We took a break and watched the Lorax at the theater nearby. Otherwise, I think we set a record for Starbucks creepin’.
I think we get along great. We all share the same passion and goals for what we do. We also give each other space when needed; it’s important when you are stuck in a van or bus together for hours and hours on the road.
Review Fix: What was the creation process for “Never Look Back? How was it written?
Tobi: Never Look Back was a song that I had written for my previous band, but it never ended up being used. I had most of the music written and only some chorus lyrics. When TJ joined the band, she took the theme I had begun in the chorus and finished writing the lyrics and melodies. We then got with our producer Jon King, who is also a co-writer on the song, and finished making it what it is today. He helped us polish out the rough edges and bring it together to be a strong single.
Review Fix: How is your live show different from your studio work?
Tobi: Energy is the simplest I can put it. There is an energy that fills the room at a live show that can never be translated to a recording. It’s the interactions we have with the audience and connections we feel with them as they dance and sing along.
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