10 Quick Ones with ‘SAVAGE’ CAZARES JR. & JEFF LEE of COLOR TIL MONDAY – September 2017

According to a recent press release: “Color Til Monday originated in San Diego California with an Alternative blend of different influences. The band formed in December 2015, looking to be a part of something greater than the mundane everyday life. Color til Monday stands for staying up late before their work shifts and making time to get together to make a difference in a creative way. They present their struggles through art and music in hopes to reach the zombified public that seems more bored than ever before. They plan to take out their creative markers and “Color til Monday.” Stay original, stay beautiful, stay you! There has only ever been one you and there has only been one Color til Monday!” We get Ramiro “Savage” Cazares Jr (guitars) and Jeffrey Lee (bass) to answer our 10 Quick Ones about new music, their influences, and more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets the band put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

Jeff: Are there any hidden nuggets in our release? I would say There are a few beautiful music accidents in a few of the songs. We titled our first release “Make Your Mark”. It was our first collection of songs we decided to finish and release. haha well I suppose if you listen closely, we mess up sometimes when we play. BAM, we’re human!

Savage: Is there anything that is hidden in the album? There are a few things that we added that we do not do live. There are some things that we didn’t do in the album that we do live. But it was an amazing time working with Sean Tolley of Clarity Recordings. He made our record sound fantastic and added some stuff that we wouldn’t have thought of.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

Jeff: What got me into music were my favorite bands when I was growing up were all local bands from my hometown of Houston, TX. They were all so passionate and raw. I remember wanting so bad to start a band and start playing shows with those local bands. And so I did. And it was the start of my lifelong obsession with playing music with my friends. A Special shout out to Otenki, Eldridge, Morningside Drive, American Fangs, and Thee Armada.

Savage: The moment I realized I wanted to be a musician was the first time I played guitar and drums. I was terrible but I felt like this was something I wanted to do. I always watched videos of Guns N’ Roses and Motley Crue playing and I strived to be like them. But the one solid moment I knew I was a musician and destined to be one was when I played my first show in high school. The reactions I got after I was done playing is what solidified it.

3. Who would be your main five musical influences?

Jeff: My Top five are Anberlin, Jimmy Eat World, Blink 182, Taking Back Sunday, Bayside

Savage: The five Main influences I have are Guns N’ Roses, The Doors, Foo Fighters, Muse, and Blink 182. There are more to go with that but best if leave it to just the five haha.

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be?

Jeff: The one person I would call to collaborate with would be Dan Campbell from The Wonder Years.

Savage: Who I would call to collaborate with would fall down to two people; Slash or Dave Grohl. I know its just one but if I could have one of them on a song or just even in the room… actually even if they just did a like after hearing the song haha that would be enough. They are my idols and that would make my musical career complete!

5. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before?

Jeff: I would describe our sound as an alternative rock band with pop and punk influences. Just come to a show and see for yourself.

Savage: It is tough to describe your own sound haha. It is a mixture of so much. Our drummer is all over the place when it comes to our sound. Jeff is mainly on the pop punk side and I’m on the hard rock/alternative rock side. Our singer Jennie is also influenced by pop punk; mainly Paramore. So when put together I would say we are alternative to the pop punk side.

6. What’s the best thing about being a musician?

Jeff: Well, I’d say one of the best things about being a musician is sharing your creations with the world. That’s what it’s all about.

Savage: The best thing about being a musician is just what is possible with music both emotionally and physically. What can be on an instrument is amazing. I love playing a song that can connect to someone. Whether that is to start moshing or to just swing to the song and feel like it was written for them. Music Is powerful and being a musician is the wizard behind that power.

7. When the band are all hanging out together, who cooks; who gets the drinks in; and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

Jeff: Do we even hang out haha? Well, in a hypothetical situation, Ramiro would cook and hates acoustic guitars (joke), Jerrin would get the drinks in, Jennie would be singing, and Jeff would be…

Savage: When we do hang out I try and do a BBQ before a show. It gives us time to talk and relax before we play that night. Not to mention we usually have a few brews for the night so having a full stomach ensures everyone gets there safe but also does not get too sloppy before we play. I would say the first person to crack open a drink is usually Jerrin. He sometimes arrives with a rockstar in had already. Jennie would be the first person to sing due to the fact that she loves it and usually there is a song that is always playing in the background that she knows. Now as for the acoustic haha I like acoustics I just like electric more haha. Either one of us will pick it up and play it.

8. If you weren’t a musician, what would be your dream job?

Jeff: Oh the paradox of this question. haha damn. I’m not a full time musician. My ideal dream job would to be a professional musician. I’ve been working at in since I was 16. I won’t be stopping anytime soon.

Savage: If I weren’t a musician I would be recording. I love recording and making records. There is so much that can be done that the possibilities are endless. If not that I would be running the board for a band on tour. But like Jeff said, this is my career and I cannot see myself not playing shows.

9. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over”?

Jeff: If I could go back to a single moment, I would like to have a do over of my first tour that I went on with a band. It changed my life. I love being on the road and playing music. Also, knowing what I know now, they could have been more lucrative.

Savage: I have lots of situations where I feel I misstepped or would like to do over in my career but I honestly wouldn’t change much besides telling myself to have started earlier in playing music. I feel I would be much farther musically but like the cliché statement “I am who I am because of my past” I feel is true to this situation. I love where I am musically and cannot wait to learn and do new things.

10. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

Jeff: Oh wow, this is a hard one… What record would I like to be a part of? I’m going to take a stab at this and say Take Off Your Pants and Jacket ~ Blink 182. This album made me want to be in a cool rock band to make my life a more livable place.

Savage: If I could go back and be a part of a recording session who would it be? I have been staring at this question for almost 45 minutes trying to find one that would be the ultimate one… and I would have to choose The Door’s debut album. From what I can remember that album was the first piece of music I can say is the first music I remember listening to. The Musical genius that is The Doors must have been amazing to witness and hear.

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Category: Interviews