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FIFTY-50 - October 11, 2001

    FIFTY-50
  • Q: When you premiered your band at your school talent show in 1997 how long had you been working on your music together?

    • A: Our premier performance was just my brother, myself and a friend Jordon Mcmillin as the drummer. We had practiced cover songs for about a month.

  • Q: At what point did you have a pretty good idea of the direction you wanted the band to devolop in?

    • A: When we started writing our own music we were mostly influenced by classic rock, Jimi and Stevie.....then just added our own alternative sound. After playing original songs we preferred originals to playing covers.

  • Q: You opened for Skid Row at Pop's Saloon in St. Louis. What kind of experience was that?

    • A: It was awesome! No way to describe it ......maybe like going out with a supermodel.

    Runaway
  • Q: With the kind of exposure you've had has it made it any easier to play large venues or on live TV?

    • A: We Were never terribly nervous. If it was 10 people or a thousand people, we just liked to play. The first time we played live on the radio, we were just 11 and 12 - too dumb to be scared.

  • Q: How has the success you've garnered musically affected your school and social life?

    • A: School is dope. We have ZERO trouble getting girls...and about anything else you want. Once our photo was in the paper showing a pot leaf poster in the backgound and all our teachers saw it, so it can also hurt your classroom charisma...OUCH!

  • Q: What was the catalyst that convinced you all to form FIFTY-50?

    • A: Beer and Bitches......hehehe. Well at the grade school talent show we loved the thrill of performing on stage. We have never stopped since we were in the 5th and 6th grade.

  • Q: How old are each of you and when did you each start playing your various instruments?

    • A: I (Jesse) am 16 and started playing bass at 12, just for the talent show. Andrew started playing guitar at 10, T.J. started playing drums when he was 11 and Eric learned to play guitar at 13.

  • Q: What do your parents think of your music?

    • A: They like it. They play it for everybody...NONSTOP. It's kind of funny and flattering. My mom says our gigs are more fun than soccer games.

  • Q: Is one of you the primary songwriter for the band or is it always a group effort?

    • A: Andrew comes up with the ideas, then we all give it more direction. Eric does the guitar solos and most of the lyrics.

    Blackbeard
  • Q: Have you received interest from any record labels?

    • A: I think a few are watching and waiting til we have a little more experience and music.

  • Q: With a market saturated in copycat boy-bands it's really refreshing to see a young group of musicians that actually write and play their own music. Do you tend to surprise listeners at live shows when you start playing your own stuff?

    • A: Thats why we love to play .....to see the looks on their faces is great! It's like getting revenge on your worst enemy. I think they like our originals even better than the classic covers we play.

  • Q: Many of your songs explore busted relationships. Do any of you currently have relationships that you feel are solid.

    • A: Eric has and intense relationship with a girl - it's insane - I have no idea what's going on. T.J. has a FEW, hahaha. I have one and she's great. Andrew - he just likes to tease poor little girls.

  • Q: Looking at your calendar I noticed that you haven't played any live performances since the end of July - why is that? Do you have any future shows scheduled right now?

    • A: Our web site hasnt been updated, but we play regularly at the Town Lounge, T J 's Dad's bar.

  • Q: You have a new drummer, Pat Kramer, that replaced T.J. Wray. What influenced T.J. to leave the band?

    • A: TJ took some time off this summer to skateboard and chill, but that lasted a month or so. Pat was awesome - but you can't replace TJ!

    Hollywood Glow
  • Q: Where does FIFTY-50 practice at and do you ever get complaints about the noise level?

    • A: We practice at our house, the Cruzens. We get the cops over sometimes. Its great though 'cuz then we play for them and they say "Yea, I had a guitar once...BLA, BLA, BLA....then I became a 'pig'"

  • Q: How many songs have you written and are you currently working on any new tracks?

    • A: We have written 9 or 10 songs, with some things in the works, but women and school are getting in the way. My older brother, Casey, says what we need is SUMMER.

  • Q: Do you all have plans for college or are you going to concentrate on the music industry and see what kind of hand it deals you?

    • A: We don't really have a clue what lies ahead. I know my brother and I want to go to college no matter what.

  • Q: What has been the most exciting moment in your band's career so far?

    • A: I dunno...just everyday life is exciting when you are 16 and in a band.

    Heartbeat
  • Q: What advice would you like to give to other young, aspiring musicians?

    • A: I would tell them they need more practice...haha!

  • Q: What do each of you like to do when you're not practicing with the band?

    • A: We just play with girls and do homework.

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