Interview by way of Adrian Hextall
‘REAL THING’ the most recent unmarried from Sean Matthew Whiteford and the Area Birthday party Band is what we loosely describe as “a banger”. There’s no different approach to installed textual content the vibe you get from listening to this music for the primary time. It’s were given the similar attainable world have an effect on as PSY’s ‘Gangnam Taste’ but carries sufficient rock ‘n’ roll to stay the staunchest fan of denim and leather-based glad… as lengthy, in fact, because the 80’s was once their factor and that track with greater than a touch of a laugh and glitter will also be discovered of their LP assortment.
We took the time to trace lead singer and band founder Sean Matthew Whiteford down to determine just a little bit extra in regards to the septet and the way, with simply two singles beneath their belt, they’re already offering track for movie soundtracks and including cameos as smartly. Prior to you learn on despite the fact that, take a look at the video for the sensational ‘REAL THING’ under.
SMW: Smartly, I labored. A majority of my lifestyles up till COVID hit. I simply moved into a brand new house the place I used to be in a position to have a studio however report, however no longer doing a lot. I used to be simply doing covers of songs and whatnot. And that was once one thing that I used to be more or less fearful of doing, for a very long time as a result of I used to be fearful of simply YouTube trolls. I didn’t need to harm my ego an excessive amount of. However I used to be shocked by way of the overpowering make stronger that I did get from the covers. I even had Neil Schon (Guitarist and co-founder of Adventure) achieve out to me and a number of other participants of Adventure have reached out to me as smartly as a result of the covers and that more or less simply kind of targeted me in some way. Then, as soon as COVID was once cleared out and I used to be in a position to accomplish once more, I went proper again to theatre. I knew I used to be going to be a entrance guy for for rock bands, I knew I used to be going to do the rock band factor.
Now, the home celebration band that I’ve, that kind of simply landed in my lap. A pal of mine, was once reserving for a venue as me “would you be fascinated about opening for Corey Feldman?” I finished up getting a host of my shut buddies in combination that I had labored with in musicals, like, ‘Jesus Christ Famous person’, ‘Rocky Horror Display’, and extra. I additionally had a theater corporate or for 15 years, so I simply grabbed those those guys and we threw in combination this gig the place we did a host of covers, AC/DC, Weapons and Roses, all the ones nice 80s anthems. Once we did that, other folks simply went loopy over it. It was once an excessively certain, albeit bizarre enjoy opening for Corey Feldman, however we got here away pondering we must be doing this extra.
The reception we were given let to a company gig which additionally landed in our lap and we ended up flying out to Hawaii to try this. It was once wonderful as we had been simply actually getting began. So we’ve been doing those gigs after which very not too long ago I determined it was once time to start out writing authentic track. The chance got here our approach when I used to be employed to jot down a music for a film. After which the ones individuals who made the film got here to peer us reside, got here to peer the band they usually requested how we felt in regards to the band being within the film?
In order that turned into the primary music I’d written for the band, ‘Lifeless Guy Dance’. The second one music is then ‘REAL THING’. So we’re in reality simply getting began on this type right here. It’s a brand new path.
The piece that attracted the film pros, the reside gig they attended, right here’s a snippet.
MGM: At the again of the performances and the movie rating, has visitors progressed, is your track beginning to succeed in other folks?
SMW: We’ve been lucky, getting some radio mess around right here, which feels in reality excellent. Yeah, you understand, it’s any more or less encouragement like that feels excellent, you understand like even though nobody listens to the radio anymore but it surely’s cool to be at the radio that’s referred to as ‘Wild Kid (Lifeless Guy Dance)’. And if truth be told, if you happen to click on on ‘REAL THING’ on Spotify, it must be the second one music that performs proper after it. It’s written for a movie referred to as ‘Lifeless Guy’s Birthday party’. That comes out later within the 12 months.
MGM: Very good. And also you and the fellows are within the movie because the band as smartly?
SMW: then. Yeah, we make an look within the movie making a song the music and a much like ‘Oingo Boingo’ more or less type. [laughs]
Musically, you’re a captivating mixture of rock from bands like The Darkness and Van Halen. The imagery from Justin Hawkins (and the voice from time to time) blended with the guitar soling of Eddie Van Halen, it makes the band a captivating premise. There’s obviously a love of 80s in there as smartly?
SMW: I’m enthusiastic of the 80s. It’s additionally an excessively giant awakening for me despite the fact that. If truth be told to be like, oh, all I in reality need to do is simply be myself, realising that most of these issues will also be blended in combination. I will be keen on the 80s in addition to a musician.
I acquire VHS tapes, I’ve principally my very own video retailer in my space but it surely’s like several that tradition. All of that, the stuff that I used to perhaps really feel like I used to be a dork or one thing like that. Those are the issues which might be if truth be told serving to me create my artwork, and transfer ahead as an as an artist. Being myself as a substitute of looking to like are compatible into some kind of field.
MGM: It’s a kind of issues that, I believe we leave out in fashionable society as smartly. Other people overlook simply how one can have a laugh and also you’re bringing that again. I imply, you’ve best were given to observe the ‘REAL THING’ video to peer, it’s a laugh, you understand. Sure, the track’s there and that guitar solo, your guitarist performs – it completely shreds, however the entire thing is simply nice a laugh.
SMW: Yeah, he’s extraordinary. I’m very, very lucky to paintings with such superb other folks which might be right down to get bizarre with me.
They’re all artists in their very own proper. Certainly one of our singers additionally has her personal track, her personal singles and the entirety. So like everyone is bringing their maximum original self to it. Yeah. I believe it creates a in reality attention-grabbing solid of characters while you see this all in combination. It’s like everyone’s were given their very own factor occurring right here.
MGM: Talking of seems… Your outfit I imply…. it makes you need to carry satin again into type once more, doesn’t it?
SMW: I’m very fortunate my spouse is a manner clothier. Yeah it’s been without equal collaboration (rather than our kid – [laughs])
MGM: Let’s speak about ‘Wild Kid (Lifeless Guy Dance)’. Written with the movie in thoughts does it have a distinct flavour, to suit with the film or is it additionally consultant of the band?
SMW: Smartly, the Director had instructed me if you’ll be able to use the phrases, “Lifeless guy dance” in it, that was once the important thing element. When writing it I instantly considered Danny Elfman, so it’s impressed by way of the way in which he may have written it. ‘Lifeless Guy’s Birthday party’, being the identify of the film, but additionally with the identify of the music, is kind of Danny Elfman impressed, however on the similar time I’m understanding that that taste of track is simply more or less embedded in me.
I don’t assume it’s other than ‘REAL THING’. It seems like the similar band you understand. But it surely’s been difficult looking to are compatible at the radio playlists. We get certain comments, however on the finish of it, it’s all the time like this is sort of a little bit too fancy for what we’re searching for, or it’s just a little too 80s or just a little too polished, we’re searching for one thing darker. So the place will we are compatible in? I’m simply looking to make the track I need to make, there’s no area of interest for us. I assumed there was once however we’re operating tougher, carving it out ourselves.
MGM: For our readers, I’d say ‘Dance Macabre’ by way of Ghost is a superb fit, songs by way of Electrical Callboy (when listening to the technol component), top power tunes by way of Adventure and extra. Actually if Adventure, The Darkness, Van Halen and Ghost collaborated, then ‘REAL THING’ may just smartly be the end result.
SMW: Smartly, at this time I’m looking for those different bands that we will turn into buddies. with, you understand, like they’ll the your next step once I would really like could be to discover a band that we will suits us in some way that like lets bounce on excursion with anyone and open for them.
In the event you or your pals love this like we do then get started tagging bands that might be an ideal fit on excursion dates. Let’s get SMW & The Area Birthday party Band at the street ASAP!
AME & JASHA RENEE, – Vocals,
MARK GARTHWAIT, – Lead Guitar,
MARK KLETT, – Keys, Synth & Guitar,
NOEL ROBERGE, – Drums & Vocals,
GENE TAYLOR, – Bass & Vocals,
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