Before their January 2nd show at Eastside Joe’s with Last Call, Forever Came Calling, Snakebite and The Letter You, our very own Felipe Garcia sat down with Tony Geravesh and Bo McDowell from San Jose CA’s Stickup Kid to talk about what music influences their band, working on a new EP, and Tony getting hit by a car.
How did you guys feel about the reception of your debut full length The Sincerest Form of Flattery?
Bo: It was cool. To be honest, it was better than we thought. We never thought we’d be able to tour or anything. We were just playing local shows.
Tony: We were just jamming in a garage, kind of just because we missed each other. We missed playing in a band together, and it ended up where it is. It’s been cool.
You guys were on a sampler that I was just checking out.
Tony: Yeah! That was the Pure Noise sampler. All those songs are fucking awesome.
There seems to be a surge of really great bands from the Bay Area.
Tony: Thanks, that’s really nice. It’s cool. The Bay area has a really loyal scene.
You guys seem to pull inspiration from a lot of different genres. What would you say your biggest influences are?
Tony: Lifetime, definitely. As of late, bands like Third Eye Blind, Boys Night Out, Kid Dynamite and Brand New. We started off pretty pop punk but I think we’re getting a little harder now. Jonathon, our bass player, used to listen to everything that was fast. Now I catch him listening to stuff that is a lot slower. I think all of us have developed better music taste.
Tony, what made you want to start singing?
Tony: My grandma raised me, and she had the most beautiful voice. We went to church together every weekend and we sang in the choir together. I just loved her so much, and I love the music.
How did this west coast tour come about?
Tony: Joe from Forever Came Calling hit me up about a month ago. Usually you don’t book a tour just a month in advance, so all these shows are super last minute. But we didn’t have anything to do and they’re our good friends.
I saw online somewhere that one of you got hit by a car recently?
Tony: That was me. It definitely hurt. I had to ride my bike to school every day, and I always have my music in my ears. I live like 2 miles off campus at San Jose State. I was riding one day, and I was just trying to get to school as quickly as I can. I was lucky, because I usually bike without holding the pedals, I just go with my feet. But this day, I had my hands on the pedals, and this guy made a turn and knocked me over. It was cool that I didn’t break anything, but I was pretty pissed at the dude. I get really angry at people.
Any suggestions on bands people should check out?
Tony: Troubled Coast. They’re from the Bay Area, they’re our dudes. Basically any Pure Noise band is fucking sick.
Bo: Keep your eye on Forever Came Calling, they’re going to put out a really dope record. They’ve got some really awesome songs. Heart to Heart is another one.
Tony: Heart to Heart’s Deathproof was one of my favorite 7 inches of the whole year. And it’s cool, they’re some of our best friends.
Any big plans for 2012?
Tony: We’re putting out a 5-song EP in the Spring.
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