A Dirty Dozen with CHRIS LYNAM from GONE STEREO – October 2023

According to a recent press release: “Long Island has long been a breeding ground for pop punk bands that stand the test of time. Enter 5-piece Gone Stereo, who return with a powerhouse sophomore release on Negative Progression Records. The band’s new single, “I’m So Sick,” is another classic, early 2000s pop-punk, sing-a-long anthem that builds on their previous “Don’t Think I Forgot About You” single.” We get guitarist Chris 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?

It’s definitely super catchy. One of the catchiest things that I’ve been a part of writing. I love the harmonies on them. I just really think it’s super infectious.

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

It’s really hard to pinpoint one thing that got me into music. You know seeing friends bands play, hearing really awesome bands, for the first time. Bands like Green Day, REM, and Operation Ivy, these were all the the things that kind of pointed me in the direction of what I really really want to do with my time.

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

One commonality and everything that I really really love is melody the the melodies that stick in your head, the melodies that are easy and fun to sing. That’s when you know you got something really good happen in there when you can’t get it out of your own head.

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

It’s so difficult to choose just one but you know I keep coming back to my favorite band of all time which is REM and any of those guys. I think I could learn a lot and and I just think it would be something that would be an unbelievable experience.

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

I love to spend time with my family, my wife and my kids,  I read – I’d love to be able to do at all times.

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 definitely say we were a catchy band. I I really think a lot of the songs that we have are almost earworms you know something that I’ve disagreed with? Yeah everybody’s opinion is everybody’s opinion. I’m just happy people are listening to our music and have any kind of reaction to it at this point.

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?

I don’t know. That’s a hard answer too. Everybody’s super funny and super quirky just kind of the way human beings are.

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

I don’t really get star struck and I’m never really around people that would be popular enough to be considered famous. I’ve never been asked this question before and really my answer is I have so many friends that are so super artistic, and I’m just in awe of the things that they that they create, their prolific nature, their amazing art, tattoos, or songs that they write. It’s it’s crazy to think how many amazing people are in my circle.

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?

Best part about being musician is just creating with my friends putting art out into the world and and seeing people’s re on the other hand, my dream job that’s really really difficult for me to answer as well cuz I think I’m doing it. I’ve said before I’m a teacher in real life so I can’t think of a better thing to do with my time as far as trying to help and cause minimal hurt in this world.

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’ve always wanted interviewers to come at me with comparisons to either refute or or agree with. That said, “who are your influences?” Is a really  boring question, because I feel It is a limiting question rather than a question that opens up the possibilities.

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?

There are a lot of things I’d love to do overs on. I mean, who wouldn’t? I probably wish I spent more time practicing as a kid. In addition, the first record deal I signed a long time ago… It wasn’t great but you know you do things that you think at the time are right and hopefully they work out. If not at best they’re learning experiences.

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?

Feel like any of those mid to late 90s records that Rob Cavallo produced… something happening in there that you know was exciting and I feel like a lot of people had expectations and there was an excitement around that scene happening… and for a while almost everything he touched kind of came out really really good. So I guess any one of those, like,  Dookie, or  Dear You… Cool guitar sounds, big drums, tight playing, loose feel… So good… anything like that I suppose. 

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Category: Interviews