Criminal Symphony
The "Pull a Question Out of the Hat" Interview
(The guys wrote their own questions)
How long have you been playing your instrument?
Charlie: Five years.
Where was your first show?
Mike: Our first show was at Middletown's Knights of Columbus on January 1st.
Favorite place to hang out?
Russ: Obviously Red Bank. I hang out there almost every single night.
Boxers or briefs?
Chris: I would have to say boxers, because I'm wearing them right now.
Who are your favorite bands?
Charlie: Rage Against the Machine, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Queens of the Stone Age, RX Bandits, Sublime, Incubus, System of a Down, Dispatch, Phish, Thrice, The Used, AFI, Nirvana, 311, Tool, Papa Roach.
Who would win in a wrestling match, Lemmy or God?
Russ: Lemmy is God.
What is our best song?
Mike: I'd have to say our best songs are "Harder Lesson" and "K-Pod".
Do you have anyone to thank?
Chris: I'm going to have to thank Charlie, Mike, and Russ for asking me to be in the band since they kinda started it. They just asked me to play drums so I said "Yeah". I'd like to thank all our fans for supporting us. I'd like to thank my drum teacher for teaching me how to play the drums. My dad and my brother for influencing me with music. And Sheri. And Elyse for interviewing us. And Todd Stern for recording us.
Why did you want to start a band?
Charlie: Because we were sick of hearing the same stuff played on the radio all the time and we wanted to play something new and original. And 'cause we wanted to get girls.
S&S: And have you accomplished both of those things?
Charlie: Yes.
From where to we draw influence and inspiration?
Mike: See favorite bands (laughter). Our lyrics, just from a bunch of different places. I just try to make them real.
Did you teach yourself to play? If not, who taught you?
Chris: No, I did not teach myself how to play. Lou Rosengrant over at Drummer's Alley in Red Bank taught me how to play. All drummers who want to get drums lessons, please go there. It's a great place to take them.
Favorite food?
Mike: Sublime (laughter). Pizza and ice cream. Linguini. I draw all my inspiration of favorite foods from the people around me.
Charlie: Roasted Pigs.
Mike: Dan. And Slurpees from 7-11.