Band Interview: Stonerobot

Games, Brrraaains & A Head-Banging Life are pleased to bring you an interview with alternative rock/metal/post/industrial band, Stonerobot.

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1. How did you get started as a band?

B. Steels: Out of the ashes from a band called Independent Idiot. As a group, we had been slowly disbanding as life did its thing, however, the three of us always stayed in contact. Mr. Johnny Walker hit up JAM and I on a group text last year with an idea for a new project where all our eclectic musical tastes could come together for one sound. No boundaries. I was excited. Where else could I pretend to be like Roddy Bottum of Faith No More, Maynard James Keenan from Tool, and Old Dirty Bastard on the same album?

JAMessiah Rockwell: The three of us first united as a four-piece in the previously mentioned alternative rock band, Independent Idiot. But a few years after that band dissolved, Mr. Johnnie Walker, Steels and I found ourselves with the key ingredients to finally get what would become Planned Obsolescence rolling: the acquired technology, the pent-up creative juices, and an unyielding desire to flesh out the best ideas we had and collaborate as a truly democratic trio – from our respective homes.

Mr. Johnnie Walker, esq: Like the other guys said, our old project ran its course, but we still had stuff to say. The world shutting down gave us the time and space to think about how to say it. Planned Obsolescence was the message.

2. How would you describe your sound?

Steels: It’s a bit frenetic and changes from track to track. We’ve got everything from Alt Rock, synth-pop, post-punk, to industrial with a fair amount of hip-hop and metal to round out the sound. We like to call it avant-pop because while its sound is unique, we still think most of the songs are really catchy.

JAM: I have to plagiarize Steels from his poignant and metaphorical description of our new playlist (available of Spotify as the New England weather mix). Stone Robot sounds like “heavy winds and sunny grooves followed by clouds of introspection and heartbreaking rains that give way to thunderous and lightning rage, before the sun reemerges to melt your face––only to repeat the cycle in a different order.” And we blend the best of raucous overdrives, dynamically mellifluous drums, crystalline-cavernous synths and a rollercoaster of soul-piercing vocal melodies to deliver surprises of all textures in perfect timing.

Steels: Way to top me there, JAM. HA! Here is the link to that playlist if you’re into it (click here).

JW: It’s the (mostly) logical result of growing up in the music scene of the mid 1990s in western Massachusetts. Little bit of metal mixed with some hip-hop and synth hooks, seasoned with solid lyrical content and assembled with punk’s DIY sensibility.

3. What bands/artists would you say have influenced your style of music?

Steels: We’d be here all night if we listed all our influences, but I named a few of them in the first question. Faith No More, Tool, Wu-Tang Clan, the list is vast.

JAM: Anyone, from everywhere. Check out our Spotify playlists.

Steels: I’m here to drop links. This is our artist page of Spotify where you can find said playlists.

JW: I don’t think any of us would be playing music if it wasn’t for Mike Patton. I’ll leave it at that.

Steels: Word.

4. Has the rise of YouTube & music streaming helped or hindered you as a band?

Steels: If we didn’t have those services, we wouldn’t be getting our music out. So, I’d have to say it has kind of been the lifeblood of our project. Especially since we couldn’t jam together or play shows to promote. In fact, we recorded nearly this entire album without physically playing a note in front of each other. And while you’re here, check our YouTube channel.

JAM: To create, release, and promote an album during a global pandemic – streaming services have been our umbilical cord, rope swing, and safety net.

JW: I’m looking forward to doing more in the visual medium going forward, but I’m down with all things digital.

5. What do you enjoy doing when you’re not making music?

Steels: Anything creative. I do a lot of writing outside of music, I mess around with video editing and graphic design, and making my own booze in the basement.

JAM: Dreaming about making music. And going crazy thinking about making music. All while enjoying time with family and friends, learning about science and technology, and getting out to revel in nature.

JW: Hanging with the world’s coolest two year old.

6. What are your future plans musically? Tours?

JAM: Touring would be phenomenal. But I think our immediate plan is to promote the hell out of Planned Obsolescence, then tie up our personal affairs so we can reconvene our collective focus on making new music for a follow-up album. We look forward to interviewing for that one.

JW: I’m with JAM 100%. I would love to do a few shows to support this album, but I have always personally prioritized creation over performance.

Steels: Not much I can add here to my well-spoken band mates.




Links

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  • Owner/Administrator/Editor/Writer/Interviewer/YouTuber - you name it, I do it. I love gaming, horror movies, and all forms of heavy metal and rock. I'm also a Discworld super-fan and love talking all things Terry Pratchett. Do you wanna party? It's party time!