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SOCRATIC :::::: |
THE BASICS Name : Duane Okun Band : Socratic Job In Band : Singer/Guitarist Website Address : www.socraticband.com HOME Hometown : Linden / Cranford Hometown is best known for : Pizza Best thing about the music scene in your hometown : There isn't a band that has really made it out of our hometown. So everyone keeps it very down to earth and normal. Most influential band to yourself that's come out of your home town : I never really knew a band in my hometown. Best up and coming band from your home town would be : Temperature Hot Muppet THE BAND What's the story behind the band name? The name is just a name. It came about from tom's sister. I think kevin and tom were gonna call the band Socratic Method but there was The Crystal Method so she said, "What about Socratic?" When did the band begin and how did it come about? The band began in about 2000 i'd say. Tom and Kevin started the band. Then i joined a bit after. We always wrote original songs but we also did our fare share of covers. Mostly punk kinda stuff. Some Nirvana. Then just kept going. How would you describe your sound to the average Joe on the street? I would describe us mostly upbeat. We have a piano so we throw some pretty little melody some rocking songs. I would like to say we rock more like the Partridge Family then a band like Aiden. What's your current release? Tell us a little about it? Our current release is called, " Spread the Rumors." We recorded with Mark Hoppus in West Hollywood. It was a great time. We used alot of old guitars and amps. I mostly tracked with a 1963 jagmaster through a 60's Sears amp. It was this amp sears made for a tiny bit in the 60's. I loved it and had a hard time playing anything else. What image do you think / hope your music conveys? I guess you can never really say what we give off. Everyone takes things in different ways. Even all of us in the band hear it differently. At least lyrically with the release there are parts that aren't meant so serious. At times it is light hearted. We try to keep things normal. In five years time the band will be? Playing and recording still. In bigger and better places. OFF THE STAGE What was your first introduction to music that made you think seriously about playing it? I really got into nirvana at a young age. So i think i learned About a Girl on my first guitar. My friend Pat bought a guitar first and i really liked it. I used to get guitar tabs from all my fav songs and just learn how to play like that. Never really had lessons. Although I should start doing it now. What was your first band name and what style did you play? We were called, " Tsunami." It was me on guitar, two of my friends on bass and drums. I think all we played was " Whats my age again?" haha We were terriable. Tell us three albums you couldn't live without in your collection Any Beatles record, Jet's to Brazil Best piece of musical advice you've been given If you want to succeed you have to sacrifice for it. Especially with touring. But at the same time you have to take it lightly because if you don't you will lose your mind. It's a tough biz. Two groups/artists you'd love to take out on the road House of Fools and Jets to brazil. Favourite song of your group? This Opinion of Mine The thing you most look forward to just before a tour is Leaving and meeting new people. Also goodbye sex !!!!!! The thing you least look forward to before a tour is Not seeing my family and friends. I also miss driving around town in my car. There is something very relaxing about it. When your not doing band related stuff, what are you usually found doing? I like to stare. haha Drink with my friends. I'm a pretty chill guy. I don't go like sky diving or stuff like that. I like to stay on the ground. Keep writing. ON THE STAGE / ROAD What gear do you use? I use a fender evil twin. I have been playin an Epiphone dot. Favourite place (city/town/country) you've toured? and why? Japan was very exciting. So many lights and people. The best show you've ever played was? and why? With Hellogoodbye and Say Anything in LA. All the shows were so crowded and the people were very into it. It made me feel all fuzzy. yay!!!!! Who hogs the stereo in the van the most? Whoever is driving and in passenger get to control. We are very nice like that. Except when Vincent plays Paul Simon too much!!!!! Sorry Vincent haha After a week in the van/bus on tour which band member will have the messiest section, and what would we most likely find stashed there? We all tend to throw our shit everywhere. But once Tom had a rotten banana stuck on his seat!!!! That just takes the cake I think. Who in your group has the worst 'bad habit' on tour, and what is it? We all used to smoke anywhere in the van which was a bad habit. Kevin sometimes decides to cut his nails in the van. Most embarrassing moment on tour? We are a hard group to embarrass. I'm sure the embarrassing things we do we can't remember usually late at night. Give us a good quick 'on the road' story, funny, embarrassing, memorable, whatever? One time during the Steel Train tour I rode their pulling cart thing all the way down this driveway. It was pretty great. I took this turn like a bob sledder. Your manager calls and says the venue you are about to play really wants to keep you happy, what?s the first thing you chuck on the rider? Some beer and some nice food. Also a couple packs of cigs and a whole dressing room of woman. Like Elvis used to do. RIGHT NOW What's getting the most spins in your stereo right now? I have been listening alot to Help. The Kinks as well. Tell us a band or artist everyone should check out and why? Pickpocket. Their album sounds really really really good! If you could change one thing about the music industry today, what would it be? That people bought records like they used to. I hate computers and all that stuff. I understand downloading but its so boring. What happened to buying the record and staring at the artwork while you listen to it for the first time. I feel like Will Smith in I-Robot! But with music!! As soon as I've finished answering these questions I'm about to? Run around my yard with my 12 dogs. I trained them to make this formation at night by standing by each other and I sleep on them. |
