A Dirty Dozen with WADE FITZGERALD from SECRET SOCIAL CLUB – February 2020

According to a recent press release: “LA Based, Alternative Rock band SECRET SOCIAL CLUB has released the official music video for their debut single, “Gravity.” Directed by Bobby Witewolf and filmed at Foxhole Hollywood, “Gravity” features a progression of imagery from live action to lustrous comic book animation, becoming a sci-fi fantasy as the main character is thrust into a futuristic space odyssey, which is further depicted in their associated comic book. Secret Social Club was formed in late 2018 after lead singer, Wade Fitzgerald, was introduced to Producer Matt Good (From First To Last), by mutual friend Sam Bettley (Bassist for Asking Alexandria). After working on a few demo’s, Wade and guitarist Andy Lutzka took off to start recording with Matt at his studio in Tempe, Arizona.” We get Wade to discuss new music, influences, and much 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?

“Gravity” is one of those songs that was so fun to record because almost any idea we had, we used. I think once people realize that it’s Matt Good who produced and recorded it they hear it differently. Matt is just so talented at helping bands develop a sound and he did that with us. “Gravity” was the first song we recorded and it definitely set the precedent for whatever we do next.

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

I don’t think it was ever one single profound moment. I have an uncle on each side of my family, one of which is a very talented drummer, the other is an amazing guitar player. Whenever I’d visit them I can remember just being so attracted to those instruments. My uncle wound up giving his drums to my brother, which I would sneak in and play all the time when he wasn’t home. I’m not a great drummer by any means, but rhythm is just something I can feel in my DNA. When I’m not playing music or around it I get very depressed. I think a lot of musicians often wonder if they could actually do anything else in life if they tried. I don’t think I could!

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

I remember certain moments as a kid, songs that would get stuck in my head or make me feel a certain way. From Billy Ray Cyrus’s “Achy Breaky Heart” to a band that my dad loved called The Tubes – They had a song called “Attack Of The 50 ft. Woman” and I remember when my dad would put it on in the car I would think this giant woman was behind us about to crush us! I just always remember dissecting lyrics and thinking “I want to make people feel the way I feel now. I want to write songs like these.” As I got older I explored so many different genres from punk, metal, pop punk, Motown, literally everything I could. Blink 182 is probably STILL my favorite band of all time. Both of my parents were just always so supportive and would let us buy whatever albums we wanted.

4. Who would be your main five musical influences?

Travis Barker, Elton John, Dave Grohl, Johnny Cash and Dave Matthews. There are so many others, but those were the first 5 that came to my mind!

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

Well, I think Ed Sheeran would be super fun to write with. I think Kendrick Lamar would be REALLY cool as well! I like Kendrick’s energy!

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

I’m not sure! We’ve had a couple comparisons, but none that have been cringe worthy. A few people have said that our songs remind them of a lot of bands they liked in the 90’s/early 00’s, but I take that as a compliment. I love that era.

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

Traveling and meeting new people.

8. 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?

When I lived in Anaheim it was kinda our meeting point between Andy in South OC and the other guys in LA. So I’d most likely be BBQing some Carne Asada. Andy has NEVER shown up to my place without a few beers in hand, so I’d say he’d be the one making sure everyone had a fresh one! Steve and Luc would for SURE be the ones to sing some old pop punk songs in the background.

9. When was the last time you were star struck and who was it?

January 26, 2013 – Victor Wooten

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

My buddy Conor recently became a barber and it looks insanely fun. I’ve cut my own hair since I was 12 years old, so I think I’d be decent! If not, then like an NFL Quarterback or something.

11. 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”, even if it didn’t change your current situation?

Yea, I wasted a lot of time trying to be in bands with people that just didn’t love it as much as I did. Rather than taking the time to surround myself with the right people, I was trying to force square pegs in round holes. I took way too much shitty advice too. I wish I would have trusted my gut instincts more. I was right about most things I questioned in the long run.

12. 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?

I would have loved to have been at Sun Records studio when Elvis convinced Sam Phillips that he was worth signing by performing “That’s Alright Mama” uptempo out of pure desperation. At this point Phillips rejected Elvis like 5 times already.. At a time when most people would have quit, Elvis took another shot and changed the course of history. The energy in that room had to be absolutely electric once Elvis found his confidence. I think a lot of people just think Elvis became a superstar overnight, but he was rejected for years and then when he had his big moment and felt it slipping he trusted his instincts and came out on top. I actually went to Sun Records and stood in the room where this all went down. It’s still one of the greatest moments of my life.

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Category: Interviews