10 Quick Ones with BRANDON CROSS of WE ARE BAND NERDS – February 2018

According to a recent press release: “We Are Band Nerds’ new album, Forget Me Nots, hits shelves everywhere digitally today, February 23, 2018, via Pavement Entertainment. We Are Band Nerds is composed of Brandon Cross (Lead Singer/Rapper), Tony Lucas (Rapper/Vocalist), Dorian “Scullie” Thomas (Guitarist), Carlos “DJ Sol*Los” Juarez (DJ/Sampler), Stephen “S Dot” Bonilla (Drums), and Santos “Sandman” Johnson (Bass). The Band Nerds’ sound is a unique take on the nu metal experience, as it creatively blends elements of jazz, metal, electronic, rap, and rock music.” We get Brandon Cross to discuss new music, his influences, and more in our 10 Quick Ones…

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?

Our latest release currently is “Whore (mend my soul).” Post break up song with two different perspectives, but ultimately just men not dealing with the hurt and trying to mask the pain by jumping into other situations. I would like to say there are a lot of Easter eggs in this single; will you catch them? Idk, how big of a fan are you (lol).

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

I’ve been a musician since I was like 10, growing up playing drums in church you know, but I would have to say, junior year high school jazz Band I started developing a unique ear. I was very heavy into multiple genres the previous summer and one day the coin dropped during 1st period (jazz Band), it was clear as glass.

3. Who would be your main five musical influences?

Wow there are so many, and I try to pay homage to most, but if I’m being completely honest I would have to say my older cousins Greg and Tim. I credit them for my ear being what it is today. Greg was the traditional jazz head and really got me into arranging and composition. He put me on to legends like Coltrane, Miles, Brecker Brothers, Maynard, but then listened to rock music at the same time. Tim was the smooth Jazz head, but also my introduction to R&B and hip hop culture. I get my cool from him.

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

I love this question, there are so many but gun to my head I’d have to say Dr. Dre. To me his engineering and his ear is unmatched. I mean the way the world will listen to music is forever changed because of him. His attention to detail is incredible. I know he would make a Band Nerd track sound phenomenal.

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

The best description we’ve heard and decided to run with is Deftones meets Outkast.

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

True Freedom.

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 sing-along?

Well Scullie I believe would say he is the best cook (he’s pretty good though). Santos is going to be the one I look to for the turn up, he always puts me in a good mood. And I’m always looking to play whenever possible, but if Sdot didn’t play a stationary instrument I think him and I would be neck and neck. I don’t think anyone practice as much as I do except him.

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

If I wasn’t a musician…I would want to not exist.

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”?

Looking back, there were a lot of missteps and I’m not doubting there aren’t more coming in the future, but you can’t call yourself an artist and not appreciate the journey, what the hell would we have to write about if it was all teddy bears and lolly pops getting here. I look at all the “do over” moments as artist development lessons. There are no losses just lessons.

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?

Miles Davis Kind of Blue (1959). I want to see the reaction of the engineers face when they end the track “so what”. Mr Davis approach to simplified chord changes gives me chills. He truly is a pioneer. He invented “cool” in my opinion.

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Category: Interviews