Review Fix Exclusive: Pacific Radio Talks ‘Pretty, But Killing Me’ And More

Review Fix chats with Pacific Radio (Joe Robinson: Guitar and Lead Vocals, Joe Stiteler: Bass, Kyle Biane: Guitar and Hyke Shirinian: Drums) who discuss their new album, “Pretty, But Killing Me.” Breaking down their creative process, band origin and goals, the guys give us an inside look at what makes them unique.

Review Fix:  How did the band get together?

JR:  I was learning to record demos and Joe S and I were fresh off a five-year gig with a punk band. People liked the new vibe so we went with it.

JS:  Fate.

KB: I joined after recording the band’s first group of demos. In the recording process, we added quite a few new parts. When it came time to play the tunes live, I jumped in to cover them. After a bit of that, I officially joined.

HS: Yeah, I’ve been working on projects with Kyle for the last 8 years or so… He brought me in a few years after he had joined

Review Fix:  What’s your creative process like?

JR: I start with a general idea of where I want a song to go and beat my head against a guitar until it feels right.  If the band is excited about it we take it and run with it.

JS: I sit around with my bass locked and loaded. JR shows up with the ammunition and the mission, then we all go to work.

KB: Robinson is an amazing songwriter and his demos arrive at us with a very clear vision. Then we go into the studio with the songs and rip it apart from every way we can think of. New parts, different tones, harmonies… whatever we can think of, we try. By the end of that process, we end up with a song that sounds like Pacific Radio.

HS: JR brings us demos with almost all the drums written out. I think he’s a good drum writer so I follow his general and sometimes even specific direction.  Though, I do love bringing my flavor to it!

Review Fix:  What inspires you guys?

JR: I’m constantly listening and studying songs. From Neil Diamond to Beyoncé to The Clash, something made it stick. I’m not afraid to admit I throw on INXS and Wainwright with Costello and Byrne.

JS: I’m inspired by seeing others do their thing, in songs or stories or performance. When we show up to play a show and the band before us is killin it – I feel focused and inspired to play my best.

KB: Fear of having to work a real job.

HS: Haha Kyle.

Review Fix:  How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard you?

JR: A party.

JS: I’d tell them we sound like their favorite new band.

KB: Rock that makes you want to move.

HS: Americana Rock.

Review Fix:  What makes Pretty, but Killing Me special?

JR: It’s the first time I’ve ever been a lyricist/singer in a band. I loved being the guitarist, the cool guy who doesn’t need to talk. I even hesitated when this band started, asking if we should look into singers, but a little nudge and insanely positive crowd reaction got me there. It’s a lot of work, different work, vulnerable work. I feel like it’s a piece of me. I’m very proud of the whole process that became this album.

KB: It is our first full length as a band. It was also all of our first times making a record with our producer Eric Weaver. The process was long and very detailed. I really feel like turned over every stone we could on these songs. When it was all said and done, we had a record that I was very proud of. And I guess to me… that is special.

Review Fix:  What’s the standout track? How was it written?

JR: “Katie” for me. It was a riff with some chords under it. I took away the riff and wrote a vocal melody and it just all fit together. I’m proud of the lyrics too. Admiration and heartbreak. It’s was all pretty effortless and simple without trying. Everything there is needed and nothing is exaggerated, and I think that’s when the best things are revealed.

JS: I saw recently someone invoking the New York Dolls to describe “Last Night’s Makeup.” I’ll take it.

KB: “Smile” stands out to me. I was able to find space for some cool guitar stuff. As far as how it was written…I would play an idea, then look to the control room for a thumbs up or down. It sounds kind of harsh but it is actually a lot of fun and I really get to play around with the songs this way.

Review Fix: How are your live shows different from your studio work?

KB: Less guitars and no second takes.

HS: Oooh my. Two different worlds. Live shows are like a party on stage.  The studio is more like a science experiment.

Review Fix: What are your goals for 2018?

JR: Pay rent with a record. That’s all, I don’t need a yacht.. yet. And tour.  And start a second record.

JS: Hopefully we’ll play another festival or two.

KB: Tour and start another record.

HS: I’m trying to master my downward dog.

Review Fix: What’s next?

JR: Tour one album while writing another would be ideal.

JS: Working the next batch of tunes, which are outstanding.

KB: Shows.

Review Fix: Anything else you’d like to add?

JR: Come to a show if we’re in your city, if we’re not, message us about coming to your city because we’d love to. It gets wild. And grab a copy of the album dammit!

KB: Thanks to all the people who are supporting us. Follow us @pacificradio on Instagram and search us out on Facebook. Also, come out and say hi at a show sometime!