There is a time where boundaries are broken and instincts are the only thing that remains. Pushing the limits, undermining contemporary traditions, chaos at its best, and being something more than original, is what one band is all about. I found it hard to believe at first, but thus I was mistaken. Preconceived notions are thrown out the window. A new breed of band is born. Creativity is such a simple word when describing this band. It’s seems so small of a word, I don’t even know what to replace it with. I do know, a new era has been formed. One name, one completely different sound, is one called Sweet Cyanide. While talking to Sal, lead singer, I find that there really is more depth to what we feel when we listen to music. He’s a perfect example of what I mean. Beside, the New York accent tops it off just a little bit more.
STILLCODA: Being together for what’s considered a “short” time as a band, but looking at what you’ve accomplished so far, what has been people’s reaction?
SAL: We’re really not that new to the game. The four of us have been in bands before this. We’ve been hearing a lot of reviews that people love it, which is cool, because the initial idea for the record was to make it an interesting record; opposed to making a record where every song sounds the same as some stuff that comes out today. I always felt that would get repetitive and boring. The best thing about this band, was that we weren’t going to be pigeon-holed to a particular style of music. I mean, I love all types of Rock but I also into Pop, R&B, so this first record is a mix of things of everything that we like; take a little bit of influence from everything from what we really do love and put it all into one great record. And a lot of the reviews and the fans have been digging the schizophrenic feel that the record does have.
STILLCODA: Along with people getting to know the music, what are some headlining shows that you’ve played or are going to be playing?
SAL: We’ll be playing in Cincinnati at Midpoint Music Festival. As far as confirmed touring dates, we’re still in the works for those. We’re playing it easy right now, getting around New York, Maryland, Baltimore, Boston, Philadelphia, all the way up to Delaware. So we’re kind of staying in the Northeast for right now. We’ve been be playing with bands that have a bigger following than we do in their hometowns right now, but everyone’s taking to us really well.
STILLCODA: Being able to bring in all those elements and do it successfully, definitely makes this band stand out on it’s own.
STILLCODA: The writing process in which you have, writing the first song on the album to the very last in order, is really different and very unheard of. What made you decide to do it that way vs doing it another way?
SAL: Honestly, I’m kind of obsessive when it comes to that. Like envisioning it as a whole project, I know it sounds weird that you write the first track then you write track two,and so on but I feel differently about it. It’s like having a bunch of different songs on a record and the only way for it to really sit together is if you just kind of write them one after the other or just try to write as if you're envisioning a live set. Gotta open with a rocker. It’s weird, the way I write it just really odd. I’ll just write a song and just start planning the rest of an album with that one song.
STILLCODA: When you write songs that way, how do you find yourself recording them? Writing them done, typing them…?
SAL: I have a couple of tape recorders, so when I find myself having some time to write, I sit down and just run tape. I’ve even used my cell phone to record melodies or lines that I like. I like to free-flow I guess so I’ll sit down and start playing a riff on a guitar and sing. Another thing is that, I can’t start a song and not finish it. So I guess that’s where that weird obsessive thing comes in again (both laugh).
STILLCODA: I think that way of writing isn’t such a bad thing. You’re in that moment, so why not take advantage of it and finish the song?
SAL: Definitely! I could be doing worse things (both laugh). Like robbing people (both laugh again).
STILLCODA: What is something the band is planning or wanting to do in the next 6 months to a year from now?
SAL: We’re trying to get on a major tour, sell some records, that sort of thing. The pressure is kind of off right now unlike when we were with our previous band; we had record labels putting a lot of pressure on the band/artist to follow these weird guidelines that they have. Quite frankly, looking at the past couple of years,the record business is dead. So we’re just trying to do it our way and maybe look back in 6 months and say “Hey, we’ve made some mistakes along the way but at least we’re doing it the way we want to be doing it.” and if we're successful, it's even better.
STILLCODA: I think with being able to have that attitude and do things that work best for the band as a whole, means more and makes a difference to the sound you can create. It definitely makes this band stand out within the music as you took control and it’s the way you want it and not the way the industry wants it.
SAL: Exactly!
STILLCODA: Speaking of doing it your way, when does the new album come out and where can people get it?
SAL: It comes out on July 7th and you can get it on I-tunes, amazon.com, FYE and various other places. In time, it should be everywhere even as we don’t have major label distribution right now, but the cd will get there through different independent avenues.
STILLCODA: I’ll make sure to keep an eye out for it!
STILLCODA: Being together for what’s considered a “short” time as a band, but looking at what you’ve accomplished so far, what has been people’s reaction?
SAL: We’re really not that new to the game. The four of us have been in bands before this. We’ve been hearing a lot of reviews that people love it, which is cool, because the initial idea for the record was to make it an interesting record; opposed to making a record where every song sounds the same as some stuff that comes out today. I always felt that would get repetitive and boring. The best thing about this band, was that we weren’t going to be pigeon-holed to a particular style of music. I mean, I love all types of Rock but I also into Pop, R&B, so this first record is a mix of things of everything that we like; take a little bit of influence from everything from what we really do love and put it all into one great record. And a lot of the reviews and the fans have been digging the schizophrenic feel that the record does have.
STILLCODA: Along with people getting to know the music, what are some headlining shows that you’ve played or are going to be playing?
SAL: We’ll be playing in Cincinnati at Midpoint Music Festival. As far as confirmed touring dates, we’re still in the works for those. We’re playing it easy right now, getting around New York, Maryland, Baltimore, Boston, Philadelphia, all the way up to Delaware. So we’re kind of staying in the Northeast for right now. We’ve been be playing with bands that have a bigger following than we do in their hometowns right now, but everyone’s taking to us really well.
STILLCODA: Being able to bring in all those elements and do it successfully, definitely makes this band stand out on it’s own.
STILLCODA: The writing process in which you have, writing the first song on the album to the very last in order, is really different and very unheard of. What made you decide to do it that way vs doing it another way?
SAL: Honestly, I’m kind of obsessive when it comes to that. Like envisioning it as a whole project, I know it sounds weird that you write the first track then you write track two,and so on but I feel differently about it. It’s like having a bunch of different songs on a record and the only way for it to really sit together is if you just kind of write them one after the other or just try to write as if you're envisioning a live set. Gotta open with a rocker. It’s weird, the way I write it just really odd. I’ll just write a song and just start planning the rest of an album with that one song.
STILLCODA: When you write songs that way, how do you find yourself recording them? Writing them done, typing them…?
SAL: I have a couple of tape recorders, so when I find myself having some time to write, I sit down and just run tape. I’ve even used my cell phone to record melodies or lines that I like. I like to free-flow I guess so I’ll sit down and start playing a riff on a guitar and sing. Another thing is that, I can’t start a song and not finish it. So I guess that’s where that weird obsessive thing comes in again (both laugh).
STILLCODA: I think that way of writing isn’t such a bad thing. You’re in that moment, so why not take advantage of it and finish the song?
SAL: Definitely! I could be doing worse things (both laugh). Like robbing people (both laugh again).
STILLCODA: What is something the band is planning or wanting to do in the next 6 months to a year from now?
SAL: We’re trying to get on a major tour, sell some records, that sort of thing. The pressure is kind of off right now unlike when we were with our previous band; we had record labels putting a lot of pressure on the band/artist to follow these weird guidelines that they have. Quite frankly, looking at the past couple of years,the record business is dead. So we’re just trying to do it our way and maybe look back in 6 months and say “Hey, we’ve made some mistakes along the way but at least we’re doing it the way we want to be doing it.” and if we're successful, it's even better.
STILLCODA: I think with being able to have that attitude and do things that work best for the band as a whole, means more and makes a difference to the sound you can create. It definitely makes this band stand out within the music as you took control and it’s the way you want it and not the way the industry wants it.
SAL: Exactly!
STILLCODA: Speaking of doing it your way, when does the new album come out and where can people get it?
SAL: It comes out on July 7th and you can get it on I-tunes, amazon.com, FYE and various other places. In time, it should be everywhere even as we don’t have major label distribution right now, but the cd will get there through different independent avenues.
STILLCODA: I’ll make sure to keep an eye out for it!
STILLCODA: What made the band go with the name “Sweet Cyanide?”
SAL: There’s actually a good story behind that (both laugh). When I was in high school, my very first band that I started when I was a freshman, was called Sweet Cyanide. After high school, I was never really happy with what went on around me musically, so i ended up going through band names and changes, different styles of pop-rock, all this crap, things just sort of came full circle. ironically, my bass player , Angelo, wound up getting a tattoo while he was drunk and put the name Sweet Cyanide on his arm before we even settled on it.(both laugh!). So when you do that, you kind of can’t go back and say “Hey, we’ll just change the name!” (both laugh again). Kind of the default name I guess. But i feel it fits the bands style and sound very well.
STILLCODA: With that being said, it seems like every member of the band is completely different than the next but as a whole, you’re “complete.” How do you guys make it work and make it work well?
SAL: Angelo and I were in a band called “Crashbox” while Joe and Mike were in a band called “Moment Theory.” We were all friends bouncing from scene to scene, and we got along really well, similar musical tastes, etc. We did a couple of regional tours with them, going all the way down to Florida and back, we just hit it off. We joked about it saying “Let’s start some band one day and do whatever the fuck we want.” And ironically, we started doing it! It’s been a great ride ever since! We never looked back! This is probably the first band line-up i've had that feels like a real band. Ya know?
STILLCODA: When you guys lay down a track and it’s completely done, what’s one of the first things that has come to your mind?
SAL: I’m really finicky, so I’m listening to the little things, but I do pull myself away from it once we finally get done with it.And it’s just really amazing once the song is done, it’s just a great feeling. It's like giving birth to a baby, ya know? Not that I would know first hand, but I’m assuming that’s what it’s like (both laugh).
STILLCODA: Having the finished product is something that you can always be proud of, because you know what went into it to make it what it is now. When you guys are playing, what’s something that you “feed” off of when watching the crowd?
SAL: I know what you mean! When I’m singing, I notice people in front of the crowd that sing along with particular lines of songs, lines that mean something to them i suppose. And when I see them mouthing those words with us, you always feel awesome. It always puts us in the zone. I feel like I’ve made that connection with them and that’s the best thing. It’s just amazing to be in this band. Seeing us live and being in that moment. The first thing we said when we put this band together was, the live show has gotta be badass! People are going to leave remembering Sweet Cyanide, whether they liked the show or not. The shows that we put on are definitely high energy! I have to do cardio now just to keep my stamina up! In the past couple of years, I didn’t realize that playing in a pop-rock band was going to be so much easier than what we're doing now, but it's so worth the extra blood, sweat, and tears. There's shows now where i feel like i'm just gonna vomit (both laugh). You know you’re really working it when you feel like that.
STILLCODA: I can not wait until you’re in the area so we can see this amazing show! There’s something about this band that almost guarantees pure excellence all the way around!
SAL: Well thank you! I can’t wait to get out there and give you exactly that!
STILLCODA: We’ll be waiting that’s for sure! Thank you so much for talking with me today and I’m really excited for the record to be out!
SAL: Not a problem at all! Thank you for listening! See you soon!
Make sure to check out Sweet Cyanide’s new music and get their 10 song CD that comes out in July!
Check out the links for Sweet Cyanide as well:
MYSPACE:
www.myspace.com/sweetcyanidenyc
WEBSITE:
www.sweetcyanide.com
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