Stereo Skyline Interview: SXSW 2010

Although having formed in 2006, Long Island, N.Y pop band Stereo Skyline has no original members to speak of. The trio of singer/guitarist Kevin Bard, drummer Rob Michaelsen and bassist Brian Maddox is on the cusp of touring the U.S. with We The Kings, the Maine and Cartel as part of the Bamboozle Roadshow. But that will be preceded by the Class of 2010 tour with Stephen Jerzak.

Stereo Skyline also hopes to release its new as-yet-untitled album later in July, which will be the follow-up to 2008's self-titled EP.

Spinner spoke with Brian Maddox about the lineup changes, Ke$ha and blowouts.

How did the band form?

Well, it kind of originated like a group of kids playing in high-school. Throughout the years people came and went and did what they wanted. How we all came together was that I was in a band in Texas called Scenes And Sirens and we were on a summer tour which we self-booked with Stereo Skyline. Then we kind of broke up as they were losing a guitar player. Then I moved up to New York and it's kind of been us three ever since. It just felt right, it finally clicked and we all agreed on the sound and the image and everything fell into place perfectly.

How would you describe your sound?

It's feel-good pop with a little bit of...it's just feel-good pop, it's a little Jonas Brothers-y with a little bit of Hanson and all of that with our own flare on it.

Who are some of your musical influences?

Honestly,when it comes to our music we don't specifically look at certain artists or people like that. We just take what happens in everyday life and what we feel it takes to make a feel good pop song and take that and channel that into our songs.

How did you decide on the band name?

We just wanted something that was catchy and snappy and gets your attention. It came from a brainstorming session and we thought that was pretty cool. It's kind of like there always seems to be that one (name) that pops out. That's what we're going through now in naming our record that's going to come out this summer. We know there's going to be that one that pops out.

What's in your festival survival kit?

5-Hour Energy, I would pack that and food definitely as well as some earplugs and maybe a portable air mattress. [The festival] would definitely be exhausting and tiring but it will be the most fun you ever have.

Are you looking forward to SXSW?

I'm so excited. We've never played the festival before and you always hear about how cool it is and how much fun it is and the industry is there. It's just amazing to be a part of the entire weekend of it. We have like one show a day so we definitely have time to see our friends. It's like you go on tour all year, all the people you're on tour with and miss and want to catch up with are all at the same spot, so it's pretty cool.

What would you say is your biggest vice?

I'm not too sure what you mean. Like something to take the pressure off? Well my biggest vice is definitely at the end of the night when I get into my hotel room I like to watch a funny movie like 'Zoolander' or 'Step Brothers.' It helps me relax and forget about whatever is going wrong. It helps me recharge for the next day.

What is your musical guilty pleasure?

Ke$ha! (Laughs) Definitely and honestly I secretly love jamming out to '90s pop like the Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears and stuff. It's a guilty pleasure but it makes me feel good and that's kind of what our music is about.

The Beatles or the Rolling Stones?

I would say the Beatles. I actually watched a documentary on the Beatles recently and it was pretty cool. I honestly think the Beatles had the same image and music that we're portraying, but we're in a way more modern form and not as hippie. I mean as far as the feel good pop songs and the girls going crazy for them, that's the stuff that we're going for and looking at. They kind of had that image.

What's the craziest thing you've experienced on tour?

I guess the craziest thing that's happened to me on the road was in May of last year when we were on tour with Danger Radio and My Favorite Highway. We had a blowout going about 70-miles-an-hour. We all thought we were going to flip and we were going to die. It was just the adrenaline and shock. That was probably one of the craziest moments of my life -- it was frightening.