How did you get started?
We all started in different bands locally here in Pittsburgh. Steve and Jay were in a band together and after the band broke up, continued on to form Kill the Drama. Bryan was in another band struggling at the time and joined once he heard the instrumental demos. Mars was added later after our original bassist left to pursue an interest in a company that makes products for the game of Beer Pong.
Where you musical at school?
Jason was in the drumline in high school and Bryan was a music major in college focusing on singing and piano.
What is your favourite venue to play?
Since we’re very loud and energetic live, any venue with a large enough sound system and stage to support our full live show. There are a few of these in Pittsburgh such as Club Gravity, Mr. Small’s Theatre, and Diesel. Later this year, we’ll be trying to find more of these types of venues to perform at around the USA (and maybe Europe).
Do you have a favourite band/arists living or dead?
Bryan’s favorites are bands and artists like the Deftones, Coheed and Cambria, Randy Rhoads, Thursday, and eclectic mix like that. Steve is more into Muse, Failure, Tool, Placebo.. Jason- Dredg, 90′s grunge acts, Our Lady Peace, Mute Math.. Mars likes all kinds of stuff, like AIC and bands of that era, but he’s all over the board really.
What has been the best gig you have played?
Our last gig at Hard Rock Café in Pittsburgh, just because it was sold out, the energy of the crowd was amazing and we totally feed off of that. Not all shows give back from the crowd as much as we put in, but this show was definitely special. Once we can get out to see our friends around the world who are demanding to see us live, we’re sure most of the shows will be like this one.
What city-country would you like to visit?
Los Angeles in the US, just because of all the historical places to place on Sunset Blvd and our intense following out there. Outside the US, we’d say France and Germany just because we can see on a daily basis where most of our global support comes from on our websites and these countries lead the way by and large. We also have support sites in Russia, Brazil, and Mexico so we need to visit our friends there as well as soon as possible.
What would you say about the music scene now?
Locally, we don’t fit in with much of the indie rock scene in Pittsburgh.
Though there we have a lot of indie elements in our music, our sound is a bit too heavy or alternative to fit in with a scene that’s so shielded and confined. It actually works well for us, because we can make the music that we want to without having to conform to any standards or expectations from a music scene. Our loyalty is to our fans, around the globe, and they know what they want from us and we know how to satisify them. It’s the new model of how a band should work with the new technologies and social networking available today. We’re an unsigned, rock band from a small city in the United States that has fans all over with minimal touring at present. That distinction could not have been possible years ago.
Where does your music fit in?
We’ve been called Alternative Eurosex rock, which we kinda liked so we’re sticking with it. The alternative aspect comes in the musical backbone, from the riff-driven guitar work to the dynamics and content of the music during the alternative hay day’s of the mid 1990′s. The Eurosex part comes from our European influence and romanticism that you can really hear in Bryan’s vocal melodies, falsetto, and higher vocal tone that gives our music that sheen and presence that’s different from most bands today . There may be small element of Emo in there too, but that’s not on purpose. Much of that comes from a Deftones influence more than anything.
Would you allow your music to be used in commercials/TV?
Yes, of course. Unsigned bands need all the revenue streams they can get to make their career successful. Obviously if it was for a product we didn’t think was appropriate, we’d balk at the offer because nothing is more important than to put our music, message, and fans first over anything.
If there was one person you could work with who would it be?
A major producer like Rick Ruben or Steve Lillywhite, someone with that type of accomplished career. We self-produce all our own music and can only imagine how great an album could be with another set of ears, experience, and talent like that on the project. Plus it would mean we’ve made it at least somewhat and were only professional musicians. If we had that sort of time and could commit everything we have to Kill the Drama the sky would be the limit.
What would you say the worst thing about touring is?
Getting the tour together. We have big plans for touring the US, Europe, and may have the opportunity to jump on a US tour with a major signed band, but for a band at our juncture, we need to find the right band and tour to proceed with. We know we can do well due to our popularity, but we’ll only be as successful as the promotion and strength of the tour we’re on. We’re weighing our options now, but we owe it to all our loyal supporters to find a way to get on the road soon.
