Hello Rockstars!
Today marks the one year anniversary of my Artist of the Week articles! So I thought it would be fun to catch up with the first ever AOTW, alt-band Psycho! We discuss how their year has gone, what the future holds for Psycho, what their thoughts are on the local music scene and so much more!
It was recorded live at The Madhouse Coffee. Enjoy!
Photo’s done by the amazing Tiffany Solerno! Please go check out her kick-ass work!
——VMS
Here’s the link to the Interview on Podbean:
https://vegasmusicscene2023.podbean.com/e/1-year-anniversary-aotw-psycho
Here’s the transcript of my interview with Psycho:
VMS: “Okay, so I assume we’re going to be doing official introductions of everybody.”
Ethan: “Yeah.”
VMS: “So the first introduction is, this is going to be the June 1st one year anniversary of Artist of
the Week, my first ever Artist of the Week I did for Vegas Music Scene with the band Psycho.”
Ethan: “It is us.”
VMS: “I’m so excited. I’m so excited we get to like, update, we get to catch up and all of that. Okay, so, just go into you guys. What is Psycho, what is the band, what’s been going on with you guys?”
Psycho: “So, an introduction to Psycho. oh my gosh, I get to tell our story. So, uh, originally
the idea with Psycho was to make a very experimental project that was mainly rock based, and
My idea behind naming it Psycho was that it was someone with a bunch of personalities in his
head, and these are all the personalities in his head that are telling their stories.
So, some songs, like you have “Crawling”, are songs from the personality of a drug addict, but
then you have, you know, other songs, such as, “Anger”, that are more based off of the
personalities and, and, you know, minds of people that have been through wars and stuff like
that. And, I, I thought the name Psycho was so cool for that because it gives me the capability of taking the music that I’m writing literally anywhere, and it’s totally acceptable, given the name. And it’s totally acceptable given, you know, the personality, the live shows and everything. It all just blends together very well. Um, and, part of this introduction, I got Brendan here with me. He’s uh, he’s right, he’s right
here. Introduce yourself with what you do.”
Brendan: “So, my name is Brendan. I [00:02:00] moved here originally from California. 2016,
Ethan was actually the first person I ever met and moving to Vegas, which is pretty cool. And,
uh, you know, in the beginning, I’ve always known him as like a guitarist guy and I never played,
I never even picked up an instrument. And, uh, yeah. So when he was starting up his, his little project, he was telling me about it and then he needed a basis. I never played instruments before, so I was like, okay, I’ll give it a shot. And then I learned how to play bass and then joined a band couple weeks later, like, was I
really got it down.”
Ethan: “Yeah, we had met in uh, freshman high school and he hadn’t picked up
bass until senior year or junior year?”
Brendan: “Yeah. Sometime around there.”
Ethan: “Funny thing is, when he first met me in high school, he thought I
was a goofball. He did not like me.”
Brendan:” I told him, cause like, literally the first person I ever met, [00:03:00] like, sat right
next to me in class, and like, my first impression was like, I’m not going to Like, all I did was like,
like, I can’t even remember why, but he said something to the teacher and I was like, I was like,
yeah, stay away from that guy. lol”
VMS: “You already had a reputation. lol”
Brendan: “But no, he turned out to be cool. So yeah, I don’t really looking back on it. I
don’t know how everything like came together, but yeah, it was just him meeting someone to be
on base. So I was just like, dude, I’ll learn it if I could join the band. And he was like, okay, so.”
VMS: “Nice. What was the um, so what were the beginnings like for you guys?
Like what was the first song you ever wrote? And just how did everything, was it all very
organic?”
Ethan: “So the first song that I ever wrote was called “Crawling”. And it was, it was recorded on
a tiny little audio interface with fake drums. I, [00:04:00] I played the bass on it and then from
there I recorded the guitar. And then from there I had to put down the drums, which is such a
weird process of recording music for the drums to come last.
And then I sat on that beat, and it’s one beat for half the song and then it’s one beat for the
other half of the song. And I think I sat on it for maybe a year before I even came up with the
vocals for it. And I just felt like the vocals that I had written over time, I had, you know, put lyrics
in my notes.
And then one day I was like, you know what, these notes fit this song perfectly. And, I had wrote that
and started writing songs after because it became an addiction. You know, same thing with
guitar. I got one guitar and then I ended up wanting more guitars. Same happened with
recording music and I could not stop.
So then I think I recorded about three or four more songs. And at this time [00:05:00] I had just
started going to local shows, not at all, not at all with the thought of me playing these shows, but
after going to these shows, seeing other bands play gave me a lot more inspiration and made
me want to get out there. Especially seeing bands like Eclipse and, their Francia now, or, other bands like Sage, I think there’s, there’s a couple of them that I can’t, Ugly Boy, yeah, they’re great. You know, desert island boys hanging out with all of those dudes. It was like, Oh, I got, I got to get out
there. I got to start doing this.
Yeah. So, so right, right after I started, uh, you know, asking to get put on shows, I was playing
shows alone on, on a stage, just the guitar and a microphone doing, you know, songs with a
backing track behind me. And then I started reaching out to, you know, people that would come
to the shows and like, I need a drummer, I need a bassist.
And [00:06:00] during this time we had gone through, you know, one drummer and
bassist and we had a blast with him and then, I ended up reaching out to Brendan and I was
like, you know what? This bassist that we have is a little weird, let’s, let’s try out, you know,
Brendan and see what, what he’s got. And then from there, from there it was like, oh yeah, this
guy’s a good fit, this guy’s cool. Yeah. He learned bass faster than I’ve ever seen someone learn bass, either, because, you know, I guess it was a, yeah.”
Brendan: “No,it was fun. I, when you were talking about the shows like early on, it just reminded me of the
very first show. I don’t know if you ever heard of the Hive.”
VMS: “Um, yeah. Yeah.”
Brednan: “So that was like the first ever show I went to. And at first I was like, I don’t know about this. Cause this is like before I was learning how to play bass. This is like way longer, like we were still in high school. And, uh,that’s crazy. I could like never see myself doing this. And then. Fast forward to me playing my first show, [00:07:00] it was like, I remember shaking because I was so nervous.But then, right after, I was like, Ethan, dude, that was crazy, like, this is so much fun. And then like, after that, it’s literally like an addiction now, where being on stage feels more normal than not being on stage.”
VMS: “So, how did your, cause I roughly remember what you told me originally. But with
your sound, how did you, how did you start creating your sound?”
Ethan: “My sound totally comes from the music I listen to around me. So I think, when I
was 12, I got into Avenged Sevenfold and Primus and System of A Down, and those were like shuffle
every single day, every week, put in my ear buds and I’m listening to those three bands. And I
think just over time listening to those bands.[00:08:00] I, I developed this idea of, well, I want to create something that’s new, that is me, while also having the influence of those around me. So, I, just create stuff that I wish existed that I’ve never heard before.”
VMS: Nice, who are your influences?”
Brendan: “My influences come very heavily from Ethan, because I used to not be into the music that
we played at all. Like, like, I don’t know. The music I listened to in high school, I can’t even remember cause like I was weird. I didn’t even really listen to music when I was in high school. So then Ethan showed me Primus. I was like, okay, this is weird, but it’s like, it’s like coffee. It has to, it’s like an
acquired taste.”
VMS: “Yeah. I 100% love them. But yeah, they are.”
Brednan: “I heard the first couple of songs and I was like, this is horrible. Like and then one of
the songs would just keep popping up. It was actually too many puppies. That’s like my favorite
song by them. [00:09:00] And it just kept on popping up. I was like, okay, actually, this is really
good. And, so I guess my three bands would have to be Primus, System of a Down. I love System
of a Down. I don’t even, I don’t even really know what the third would be, to be honest. It’s
tough, but Primus and System for sure.”
Ethan: “He was pretty dead set on, uh, was it the Dead Pirates there for a while? The Dead Pirates.”
Brendan: “I love them.”
Ethan: “He got me into them. So yeah, we can attribute that one to him.”
Brendan: “Yeah. I’ll take it. I’ll take that one.”
Ethan: “I’d say some of your current influences, I know Turnstile is another good one for
you.”
Brendan: “Oh yeah, I love Turnstile too. Yeah, just like energy music. Like, I’ll be in the car and a system song will come on, and I’m just like, hitting the gas pedal.Cause it’s just so good. Yeah. Oh yeah.”
VMS: “So tell me how this year, has been going for you.”
Ethan: “So [00:10:00] this year has started off slower than any other year that we’ve ever
had. Yeah, um, mainly because we are recording a crap ton of music and we’re revamping our live shows to something that are more of a, a memory and a show for every single experience.So making sure that we play a brand new set every single time, making sure that we have you know, a stage plot, making sure that we bring lighting to our sets, and being more professional with how we do things.
I have, I’ve recently acquired new gear, started playing on a Fractal Axe FX amp, and I’m uh, experimenting with playing on fancier PAs, and you know, I’m kind of [00:11:00] telling myself, okay, if I want to do this seriously, if I want to be more professional, then I should probably be doing what the professionals are doing.While still staying true to myself and still, you know. It’s an investment.”
VMS: “It’s, it’s just, it’s an investment for you guys, but it’s also just the natural evolution of your
band.”
Ethan:”Exactly.”
Brendan: “Yeah, that’s true.”
Ethan: “I think this year we’re also really trying to focus on the idea of exploring everything
that’s outside of Vegas and getting new people to see us. We’ve played what feels like hundreds of shows in Vegas now. And we’ve only played a couple in California, one in Arizona. Like, we need to be getting out there and doing more.”
VMS: “Definitely expanding, that’s always the goal”
Brendan: “Yeah.”
VMS: “Nice. Oh yeah, so tell me, tell me about the new song. I love the new song, I think it’s so
[00:12:00] good. So please, tell me about your new song.”
Brendan: “So we got “Rapture” and then we also got, “The Chase”. So, we should talk about
“Rapture” first. That one is an interesting one. I want you to give the backstory. You wrote the lyrics, so take us through that.”
Ethan: “So, this is one of the first songs where I had a story that I wanted to tell. And everything was just written to fit the story that I wanted to tell. It didn’t come from a riff or lyrics that I had written. I wanted this story. And the story is, I was sitting on the couch and I was watching YouTube. And,everybody gets into these like YouTube rabbit holes, where they start off with the most normal video, and then the next thing you know you’re watching a video about nitrogen and narcosis, of deep sea diving, and the bloods, the [00:13:00] bubbles separating from your blood when you go too deep underwater. And it was, it was exactly that for us. I had gone into this rabbit hole, and then I found this one video, Like, this is so out there, I gotta make a song about it. And, and that, that became “Rapture of the Deep”.
Rapture of the Deep is their term for nitrogen narcosis, which is the blood sep the nitrogen bubble separating from the blood under your skin. And when that gets up into your brain, you feel a very euphoric high. So part of it is the bends and that is a horrible pain and it’s a slow death that you feel from not slowly taking that plunge and going too fast, you know, into deep waters. The other half of it is Rapture of the Deep and it’s the high.
So I wrote the song about the high and I wrote it about someone getting addicted to that high.
[00:14:00] Someone that loves to go deep sea diving just for that high. And chasing that feeling.
Right, so the song, the song starts off with this, this fear of going super deep underwater. You
know, it’s, it’s one of the most unexplored, you know, parts of the earth is, you know, the deep
sea.
So there’s, the beginning of the song is supposed to have this very watery, eerie sound to it. And
then once you get into that deep sea, and then you’re feeling the feelings that you’re feeling,
you’re feeling the pain, everything gets really scary. But then right as it’s the scariest
moment of your life, you know that you’re, you know, capable of dying in this moment, the
nitrogen hits your brain and all of a sudden, all of the pain, all of the fear that you had, just
turned into euphoria.
And, we switch it up with this, super clean, super crystal-y guitar sound, [00:15:00] and
then, the rest of the song is about being, being saved by rescuers. Being taken out of this
euphoria. It’s a euphoric place that you just discovered and having people there to, you know,
bring you back to real life. So it’s a little, it’s a little bit of a battle between addiction and that,
that’s something that unfortunately is very relatable for a lot of people, whether it be hard drugs
or whether it be deep sea diving and stuff like that.”
VMS: “Awesome. Well, what I’ve always, what I’ve always loved about your music for you guys is that it
feels like you’re taking a break. It’s taking me mentally on this amazing journey, you know?
Like, I feel like, there’s only a couple of bands that I listen to that I feel like take me on that, you know,
on, what’s a good way to put it, on that, I can’t say journey again for lack of a better word.
But, you know, it’s kind of like the same feeling I have when I listen to like Radiohead, for
example.
You know, I [00:16:00] just feel, they’re just taking me somewhere, I’m not sure where, it’s a little scary, it’s a little out there, but I love it. And it does kind of feel the way I, mentally, I feel. I feel like we all feel like that makes any sense whatsoever, you know? Like, you guys have really tapped into something just amazing with your music. And I absolutely love it.”
Ethan: “Thank you.”
VMS: “Like, it’s, for such a young generation, which I definitely consider you guys a
young generation, or the next generation, you know, of the music scene here, I think it’s just,
that’s why I did an article about you guys in the first place. It’s because I, I just thought there was just something very unique about what you guys do. So I just, I’m just really excited to see where you guys go. And I had, do you have any, oh that’s actually a good question too, I was just wanting to ask about How do you guys feel about the current music scene here. The evolution of it, where do you want it to go, what are your dreams for it.”
Ethan: [00:17:00] “Well, I, it would be wrong for someone to say that they didn’t want to see it prosper.
I think, whatever state the scene is in, I want to see it better. I want to see it more united.
I want to see everyone, you know, coming together. I think right now that the state, the state that it’s in
currently, I think it could be a little more united. I feel like, um, I feel like there’s certain eras where everybody comes together and becomes, you know, super connected. And then there will, there will be drama between promoters, there will be drama between bands. And unfortunately, you have to see that division come. And it seems like it comes in waves. As, uh, new people come and go, there, there’s more people that, you know, begin to unify, and then there’s more people that divide.
I’m here for the unification of it all. I, when, there was a, there was a good year or so
where we were booking [00:18:00] shows, and it was my goal with every show to bring bands
from every single scene that I knew, and then put them all together in one show. Taking EDM, DJs, taking rappers, taking indie, taking hardcore, and then taking ska bands and stuff like that, putting them all into one show, and then showing everyone like, this is what an awesome show is supposed to look like. This is everyone, and this is You know, all of the different cultures, and it becomes a melting pot.
Hopefully it brings more, you know, inspiration to those, and, you know, creates something new that’s never been heard before.”
VMS: [00:19:00] “I love that. What I love about the scene that I’ve noticed is, you guys have so
much diversity. And it’s not just about, even though I love rock music, that’s the core of what I love, like there’s so much more than just that, and you guys have so much of it.
And I love that you guys do that. You’ll do shows together, with two bands. And I’m like, you know, I wouldn’t necessarily anticipate doing a show together. But I love that you guys are trying to make it more diverse, you know. So I really, really, really hope we keep doing that. You know, I think that’s incredible.”
Brendan: “I think that’d be really good for the scene, talking even just long term. Because you get introduced to other genres that you may not have even seen if you didn’t happen to go to a show where they were playing multiple different things. you know what i mean.
Like, if you’re going to just a rock show, and you’re only getting rock, Well, it’s like, yeah, you like
rock music, so you’re gonna have a good time, But like, who knows, a cool rapper might come
along, You know, you’ll never get the chance to see that guy if you’re not open minded, I guess.”
Ethan: “There’s definitely a lot of cool rappers that I’ve discovered within the past year
that [00:20:00] made me, like, rethink, wow, you know, there’s, it’s, it’s different than, You know,
mainstream rap, there’s, there is underground rap, and there’s people doing things with different
beats that you don’t usually hear on the radio, and I hear that a lot with, uh, Project 105, Young Cody, those are some cool dudes, I like what they’re doing. Hearing the new, the new stuff. I forgot, we didn’t even tell her about “The Chase.” “
VMS: “Oh yeah, I’m so sorry. Okay, yeah, sorry go back. Okay. So yeah, tell me about “The Chase”.”
Ethan: “So the I Started thinking about it because I listen to those rappers while I’m driving
around in the car occasionally So I was like, oh my gosh car rides car chase and that that’s what
the other song that was released on that single [00:21:00] was about was Driving around in your
car and having a song that you blast out full volume in your car, and diving deeper into it.
It’s about a high speed chase between, you know, cops and, someone else. And, you know, kind of having that high energy, vibe. But, for such a hard song to listen to, that is “Rapture of the Deep”, we had to have it. I song like “The Chase” to even it out, and I wasn’t going to put it on that single release, I was going to make it its own release, but with how wild “Rapture of the Deep” is, there’s gotta be something for the people that want just an easy going song to listen to.”
VMS: “Yeah, that’s fair. No, I like the, yeah, the juxtaposition is great. and then, oh, so [00:22:00] do you, so, Okay so, what is the, sorry I’m, I’m not really good at the transitions, the transitions are
absolutely terrible, sorry. lol. Okay but, I’m just like thinking of what we need, what I want to talk
about, um, so what does the, so right now where you guys are at cause you’re recording more
music, um, so what does your future look like right, right now as we speak.”
Ethan: “Our future right now, do we say what the future is? This isn’t coming out until June,
right?”
VMS: “June 1st.”
Ethan: “So, I think we can, we can tell everyone. We are re-recording our first two albums
entirely so that they are mixed better and mastered better and that is why we have been gone
for so long. So, that’s the biggest thing to expect is more consistency.
And that’s, that’s, that has been the whole focus of this [00:23:00] year is becoming consistent,
having a consistent sound, having a certain sound to us. So when you go back in our
discography, you don’t hear songs that are like, ooh, you can tell that this was his first time mixing on a studio platform and you want to hear everything and go, wow, that was done very well.
You could say, you could compare it to bands like System of a Down or Avenged Sevenfold.
They had a bunch of demos before they released music. Even I think Red Hot Chili
Peppers. Mr. Bungle. Mr. Bungle has like three albums entirely that never surfaced. And there’s
only songs picked from those albums that they decided to put onto their discography.[00:24:00]
But, all of those old albums you can still find somewhere and listen to them archived.
We kind of want to do the same thing where everything that you hear when you listen to us
on Shuffle is good. And some of the worst things that you can do is go to a band, hit Shuffle, and
then hear songs that you don’t want to hear. There’s a bunch of them that are like that. Unfortunately, And I don’t want to be one of them. Whether, whether it be like live albums to you, you hit shuffle on a band and then you hear like their live album.”
Brendan: “To be fair though, you started the project in high school. You just wanted to get music out,
release it. So I think, I mean, I don’t, I don’t know. Like I was telling you, I was telling them, I want to like
brag about our music and I want to show it off to people. I don’t want to, [00:25:00] I guess.
Yeah, have them click on a song that’s not like properly mixed and like doesn’t sound as good
as we want it to sound so Yeah, that’s kind of where we’re at.”
Ethan:”It’s definitely something to be proud of when I can take someone to show off all
of our music. Not only be able to say that it was written and recorded by us, But it was also mixed,
mastered, distributed on our own label and everything, yeah all with that high level of
consistency, I think, I think would propel us forward a little bit.”
VMS: “Definitely, definitely. Do you think, because of the way everything is now, with, you
know, streaming services and the record, I feel like, honestly, if we’re gonna be honest for a
second, I kind of feel like the record industry is slightly dying. Just for the sheer fact of, you
know, streaming has taken over and unfortunately that leaves out, [00:26:00] like, the
smaller bands. And I love the fact that there’s so many, independent labels and there’s so many record
companies that are trying to, you know, get all these, you know, whether it’s local bands or the
smaller bands, do you think that’s basically, in the music industry, do you think that’s where
we’re headed. Or do you think because right now it’s so hard for those, the way everything is
now, it’s so hard for like the, the, the smaller bands to get their word out because there’s like so
much saturation basically.”
Ethan: “So, I think, I think the era of what the Record label used to be is dead, and I think
record labels now are moving more towards a band management side of things, helping bands
emerge from the saturation that exists. I don’t think record labels are so focused on getting a
band into a studio and recording music anymore. I think that has become so conveniently available to artists [00:27:00] that record labels Can focus more on who they distribute things to, how they run ads, how your music finds other people. And I think that’s where, you know, that’s the only
way that I see record labels, you know, continuing to exist. Because right now you can do all of
that yourself for under a hundred dollars a year. Yeah. So at a certain point, you got to question, well, is the record label even. Do I just need a band manager? Do I just need a booking agent? And even within the past six months, there’s apps that are booking agents for you. So you can do the booking yourself. So I
think at a certain point, even booking agents are becoming more and more, you know, outsourced via apps and stuff like [00:28:00] that. I think it’s, you know, I think it’s important to continue working with humans and continue working with, You know, the people you know because all of the saturation is easy to get lost in and the one thing that you’re losing in it the most is networking.”
VMS: “No, definitely. And I, there’s, you know, like anything, there are pros and cons to like an
Instagram or a Facebook or, you know Bandcamp, Soundcloud, whatever you
choose to use, There’s definitely the pros and cons. Like, I have found so many amazing artists like you guys just simply through Instagram, which you wouldn’t think, but they’re just,
they’re all over the place and I loved it, but, but unfortunately you still have to read through
everything else.”
Ethan:”I think it’s good to be independent and to [00:29:00] accept and use
technology to your advantage always. You know, embrace change and love it to the fullest
extent while also at the same time knowing how things used to be and acknowledging that and
working with that as well. And taking a little bit from both sides. You know, I think that, that’s what puts people ahead. It’s learning both sides, and being able to embrace them.”
VMS: “Definitely, I’ve noticed this interesting, I’m just curious about your guys, your thoughts on it. Like, the, the interesting trend with my kids, cause I have three teenagers. And they really have gotten more into the physical copy of things. Like, they’ve gotten into CDs actually. Actually, they’ve gotten into vinyl, they’ve gotten into even cassettes, like they’ve, it’s so funny that like all of the social media and [00:30:00] all the
streaming services and all the things like, at least with like the younger generation, it feels like
everyone’s going backwards into the physical.
Do you think that’s where we’re basically going to be headed at this point.”
Brendan: “I think so.”
VMS: “I have physical everything. Like I love my records and I love that.”
Brendan: “I think it’s more just like, I don’t, I don’t know how to word it, but I was just like telling Ethan, Like last week, having something that you can physically hold and like look at and see like, it’s like art
and it’s in a way, I guess, versus looking at like pixels on your screen, you’re actually like holding
something physical and it’s just a lot more like tactile. I guess it like feels, it feels more like authentic. I don’t know the right word for it.”
Ethan: “I can talk about that for forever. I’m a vinyl record fanatic, I love it. I think today is the 16th. Eight days ago was my birthday. [00:31:00] And for my birthday I had gotten some Chicano Batman records and Idols records. And that’s like my, my go to thing when I wanna, you know, sit down and relax. I put on a vinyl record and, um, you know, like Brendan said, it became a form of art. So I decorate my
house with vinyl records and stuff like that. But it’s a way to Continue supporting artists and
that is the best way to support artists right now is physical copies and t-shirts because shows
are expensive to put on venues struggle to put on shows, And you know come out on top and
that’s why there aren’t a lot of local all ages venues out here and uh You know the best way for
artists to stay, you know, making a little bit of money is with shirts and CD’s I think CD’s are dumb
I’m against CDs. But I love vinyls.”
VMS: “I think it just depends on what it is, to be [00:32:00] honest, like, I’m all about the vinyl,
but I don’t know. There’s certain artists that I’m like, I just want all their CDs, I have no idea why.
But it’s just, I guess it just depends.”
Ethan: “Yeah. I think Buckethead’s one of them. He started doing cassette tapes and I bought one and I don’t know what to do with it. it’s small, it’s blocky, I can’t hang it on a wall, but yeah, that’s why I love vinyl. because they’re big, they’re beautiful, as long as the art on it is beautiful.”
VMS: “No, the art on a record is unlike anything else. It also tells the story of what you’re going to
be basically delving into. I love that. I just, I think that’s another art form in itself right there. But I’m like, Oh, so on a side note, my ex got me into Buckethead. lol”
Ethan: “Oh yeah. lol”
VMS: “And I was like, who is this person? I was like, they’re amazing. I don’t how have I never
heard of them before? But yeah. Yeah, they’re just, they’re so fucking good.”
Ethan: “Yeah, right? Three, three hundred [00:33:00] goddamn albums, and I, how hadn’t I heard of this person before.”
VMS: “Yeah, exactly. like, damn, I feel awful for not knowing who they were. Awesome. Um, so, I mean, it’s probably not fair to say, who’s your favorite local band? Because it’s probably like asking, who’s
your, who’s your favorite child, really? You know, so.”
Ethan: “I can give you a good, like, top five. Do you have any current local bands? Favorites.”
Brendan: “When I think of one local band, my mind automatically goes to ugly boy. I don’t know, I just, honestly, I just, they’re all just super cool dudes. I like their vibe, but it’s everything about ’em. So I would say Ugly boy for me.”
Ethan: “For me, desert Island Boys and Ugly Boy are definitely who got me into the scene and I love that they’re one of the bands that has continued to stay in the scene. Because it kills me to watch [00:34:00] bands disappear so currently for me, those two are up there. One of the newer bands that I’ve recently discovered, there’s a hardcore band called, I think Life’s Torment that I saw a couple days ago, and they fucking rocked the place. And then, let’s see, Kewk, K.E.W.K, Kill Em With Kindness.”
VMS: “Yeah, yeah, yeah.”
Ethan: “They’re awesome, and I love, I love the music so far, and I’m really excited to see
where it goes. They have like a whole group of bands that they play with all the time, like
Hunter’s Briefcase, Elevated Underground, Twist Off, that whole group of people.”
VMS: “Oh yeah, no, they’re all amazing, absolutely amazing, and they’re all really nice people.
Like everyone I’ve met so far has been just super fucking nice, like there’s not been one weird
toxic person, so far. it probably exists i’m sure, I love it.” [00:35:00]
Brendan: “That’s good Yeah.”
Ethan: “I think I think the scene does a good job of filtering those people
out. calling things out as they see it.”
VMS: “So I’ve basically asked all my silly questions of is there anything in particular you want to
focus on or anything you want to talk about.”
Brendan: “I was thinking I’ve just been in the back of my head to get one thing I guess. More of
just putting it out there, but I feel like this scene, you said what I think, like, where I would want the scene to be at. And I would say, instead of bands and other bands, like, almost like, dragging another band down or something like that. More just like, everyone just elevating together.”
VMS: “Oh yeah, definitely.”
Brendan: “And I feel like, there, I mean, I don’t know, I guess. I can’t, like, pinpoint [00:36:00] a
scenario that I’m thinking of, but I’ve seen multiple scenarios where bands are trying to bring
other bands down, and I just, I look at that and I kind of, I was like, ew, that sucks, you know,
like, I feel like we should all just be going up together.”
VMS: “Yeah, no, we should be elevating each other, like, we’re, it’s a community, we are a music
community.”
Ethan: “Yeah, going back into pulling inspirations from all of the different genre scenes within Vegas, one of the coolest things that I noticed when I discovered, is that they do collaborations with
other music artists. Why aren’t the bands doing that? It is so easy to do it.
Get a band to collaborate with you, you know? That’s one thing that I’d love to see.
So, anybody watching this, reach out to us. Let’s do some band collaborations.
I have a fun, a fun, goofy question: So, for those listening, we are
conducting this interview inside of Madhouse Coffee.
I am curious, what kind of coffee did you get? What kind of coffee person are you.”
VMS: “Oh god, this is not a good representation of me today. “I got the chai latte with an ad
shot, but normally I drink really strong shit. Because I don’t sleep and I do way too much.
So there you go. lol”
Ethan: “We’re twins. I didn’t do the ad shot, but I did get myself some chai. This is my go to every day.”
Brendan: “I was basic today. I don’t really drink coffee, but I just got
an iced mocha.”
VMS: “I mean, that’s good though.”
Brendan: “Can’t go wrong with it. So it all worked out.”
VMS: “So do you guys have any other questions you want to talk about.”
Brendan: “I don’t have any.”
Ethan: “Yeah, I don’t know. I got my curiosities out there.”
VMS: “I’m just so [00:38:00] excited to finally meet you guys. It’s just been cool watching you guys this whole time, you know, and just like just and I absolutely love your music. So it’s going to be exciting to see like, you know, the new mixes and mastering that you guys do or everything because I think you’re absolutely amazing. And I’m just excited for, like I said, the evolution of you guys. I think you will definitely go far, honestly. And I’m not trying to be whatever, I just, that’s just how I personally feel.
I just really vibed with your music, you know. Like, I really, really did.”
Psycho: “I appreciate that a lot. I appreciate it. that’s awesome. Cool.”
Ethan: “Sweet. We cut it here? Is that good?”
VMS: “Yeah, I mean, I’m good. Hopefully it sounds good.”
Brendan: “Oh yeah, I was worried about, I was thinking about that like midway through and I was
like, we should have like tested, Cause we didn’t even test it. We’re gonna listen to this back and
there’s gonna be so much background noise.
Well…
VMS: “If it’s raw, it’s raw.”
Brendan: “We cut around it too. [00:39:00] Who knows. it’s all good.”
—-VMS