White Reaper played a great show at SXSW in Cheer Up Charlie’s. Which totally rocked if you got a chance to see them! The you are so lucky. We caught up with the band after all the awesome SXSW madness and here is what they had to say about their music.
MWN: Hello guys! Hope you had a great time at SXSW. I saw your set and it was awesome. So I bet you get asked this questions all the time, but how did you guys become a band?
White Reaper: I met Ryan when I was in 2nd grade, we met at a church. I met Nick and Sam in 5th grade, when we started going to school together. We all came together White Reaper: her when we were about 14, and played in a bunch of bands together.
MWN: Ah so it is like a brotherly bond. You guys have known each other for quite some time. So did anyone inspire your music?
White Reaper: I’m not sure if any of us were influenced to pick up an instrument in the first place, I think our musical influences came after we had a basic understanding of how to play, and what to even listen for in being inspired by a certain player. We were all really into black flag and minor threat when we first started playing in bands, but that was more of a stylistic influence than a life altering decision.
MWN: I like how you mentioned I guess I never thoug about it in that way. It is important to know what the heck your playing on the guitar before you can even start getting influenced by amazing band. This kind of leads me onto my next questions. I think that the music we like at an early age has a lot to do with what surrounds at home, but as we grow into our own states we start developing our own likes. So who would you say are some artist you grew up listening to and also grew into liking on your own?
White Reaper: Aside from ABBA and Bruce Springsteen, I really didn’t inherit much musical taste. I was lucky to have my dudes show me tons of cool music growing up. I don’t think it would be fair for me to claim that I found anything on my own. Nick got me into Piper at the Gates of Dawn, the first Pink Floyd record, Ryan has shown me some really cool old school country stuff like Conway Twitty, and Sam is constantly showing all of us all kinds of different stuff.
MWN: Piper at the Gates of Dawn is a kick ass record.! So speaking of kick ass music-from your music I really like the song “On your mind” to be honest it gives me a Beatles vibe with a little bit heavier instrumentals. Can you guys tell me a bit more about how this song came together creatively?
White Reaper: I was pretty much in bed all day when I wrote on your mind. It’s probably the most easy going song I’ve ever made, I think in the original demo there’s just like, a bass drum, a tambourine, and 2 guitar tracks. It was kind of funny to rework it with the band when we recorded it for our last record, we had never done anything like that before.
MWN: Simple, that’s cool that you guys did something new with this son. So what sounds, people, events inspired your last released album?
White Reaper: I think all of our music is inspired by the shows and tours we’ve done in the past. Just like, when we’re all together on the road, our brains just kind of mesh together in a strange way.
MWN: Well tours can get a little hectic so I can see that. Speaking of touring – What is your favorite song to play live?
White Reaper: One song we love to play live is I don’t think she cares. After having so much time to think on it, that’s my favorite one from that record.
MWN: I like that one too. I guess sometimes certain songs resonate more with us than other. From the album White Reaper Does it Again I also really like “Wolf Trap Hotel.” Is there any song from this album that resonates more with you guys?
White Reaper: I don’t think she cares? Maybe Judy French. The new ones are really fun. We don’t really have any unreleased music, there were a few unfinished ideas that didn’t make it into the World’s Best American Band, but that’s pretty much it.
MWN: So no secret songs hu? We are getting the full deal here! So lets go a bit into fire round questions. For me there are artist I wish I could have been able to see perform live- such as John Lennon or AC/DC (with their original singer Bon Scott). So for you guys who would be an artist you would have liked to have seen live?
White Reaper: It’d be pretty cool to see AC/DC with Bon, I never got to see David Bowie either.
MWN: Bon in AC/DC I would of loved to have witnessed such greatness on stage. Bowie was just out of this world amazing. Alright so, if you could have a jam session with any artist who would it be?
White Reaper: Jimi Hendrix was the first person I thought of, I don’t think I’d be able to keep up tho.
MWN: Do you still have the first instrument you ever bough?
White Reaper: I still have the first guitar I bought, it’s in two pieces though.
MWN: Two pieces oh no! So do you have any advice for upcoming bands?
White Reaper: Tour, tour, and more tour.
MWN: I like that touring is the best way to build up an audience and to get better at pretty much everything in regards to playing instruments. If you can play amazing live you can play amazing anywhere. So lastly, is there anything you would like to say to the people who have supported your music?
White Reaper: Thank you so much! We’re gonna keep on keepin’ on!
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