Who are some of your biggest musical influences? Any influences besides music--people, art, literature, film, etc? Are there any particular eras or places or both that have influenced your work?
(TREXEL) My influences come from the hundreds of concerts I have seen. I love the energy of live music and I have made a conscious effort to create APPLESPACEBAR songs for the stage in mind. First, I want to write songs that I know I will enjoy playing live and second, that I know the audience will enjoy watching us play live. This is after all intended to be "entertainment." Specific artists that I admire are very varied and may or may not be reflected in our music. They include Stone Temple Pilots, Pink Floyd, Tool, old Aerosmith,
Collective Soul, Led Zeppelin, and Coldplay. I enjoy travelling and soaking up the vibe of different places which I know brings alot to the creation of any art, including music.
Did growing up where you did influence your music at all? Do you feel a kinship with your hometown?
(TREXEL) In our town growing up there would be concerts very often, almost every other week and they were very affordable unlike now. I certainly feel a kinship towards my city, Birmingham, Alabama, for the fact that it sometimes feels like a big city and sometimes like a small town. It's easy to get around, there are great people and tons of great food. Food is very important to me.
What bands do you think you sound like, if any? What bands have others told you you sound like? Any strange or incongruent comparisons? What bands would you like to sound like?
(TREXEL) Instead of wanting to sound like a particular band, I would rather evoke similar emotions that they evoke but do it in our own way. I try to bring something fresh to the table with each song or riff. If you are simply rehashing, there really is no point. We have certain songs that sound similar to the Foo Fighters or Stone Temple Pilots, maybe a little Collective Soul. Some people say we sound like bands that I personally have never heard of.
What do you think you would be doing right now if you werent a musician? What did you want to be when you were a kid?
(TREXEL) Unfortunately for many of my family who have depended on my earning capabilities. I have always wanted to be a musician. I have pictures of me holding a guitar when I was three years old. I used to draw strings on my play blocks with a magic marker. If I weren't a musician, I would be a groundskeeper at a resort in the Caribbean.
