A Dirty Dozen with MIKE GUIDO from SONS OF A TRADESMAN – March 2022

According to a recent press release: “Today Sons of A Tradesman finally unveil a melting pot of vivacious, high energy, in-your-face, good ole rock ‘n’ roll on their debut album Stir The Pot. For fans of rock influences spanning from Led Zeppelin to Aerosmith, the concept album’s impressive tracks were fully self-recorded, produced and mastered by the band themselves. In case the DIY efforts weren’t awe-inspiring enough, the band’s hard rock riffs and chilling vocals set the tone for an elaborate storyline, which is intertwined in the tracklist. The concept was developed by their late bassist Nicholas Polycarpo and tells the tale of four brothers fighting for a coveted throne – a tale that Polycarpo intended on transforming into a novel before he passed away. Now, it is a musical masterpiece created in his honor.” We get guitarist Mike Guidothe guys to discuss new music, 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 you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

There are a lot of hidden gems in this album. They concept and story line is a big one that, unless you listen to the album as a whole, you would miss completely. Also, a lot of things happen sonically that you wouldn’t catch the first time around, especially in “On the Moon.”

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 into music ever since I can remember but what made me want to be a musician was in 2011 when I took a road trip to South Florida and saw Patrick Farinas of the band The Flyers perform. His prowess flipped a switch in me and my life after that changed forever.

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

Noted above.

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

Kevin Parker of Tame Impala because he is one of my favorite musicians / producers and I aspire to be like him in the fact that he writes, records, produces, and mixes entirely himself.

5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour? What do you like to do to unwind?

Hockey and photography.

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?

Modern rock with classic rock roots. Can’t really think of any comparisons I disagree with, tbh. We’ve been compared to Tool, Black Sabbath, AC/DC, and Alice in Chains.

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

Chris would cook, Andrew would be getting drinks, and that leaves me to sing “Kumbaya.”

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

When I got a picture with Kevin Parker of Tame Impala.

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

The best part is during a performance when all you are is in the moment. Engaged with the crowd. Not thinking about anything in life. Nothing else matters. Professional photography would be my dream job.

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

I think a good question for all musicians is “What makes good music?” A lot of people would answer very biasedly and give a certain genre or style. But to me what makes good music is if the person making is 100% passionate about it. I’m tired of answering “what genre of music are you?” Cause we honestly don’t know how to answer it except for “rock and roll.” And people respond with “you can’t just say rock and roll.”

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?

I wish I had started playing music earlier in life.

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 be a part of RHCP’s Blood Sugar Sex Magik. That record and the making of is a massive influence on how I approach music and recording.

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Category: Interviews