originally published: 03/09/2022
Stonebrother is a hard rock band based out of Nova Scotia, Canada. Their Bandcamp page says the band combines the raw energy of 70s punk rock with the shredding solos and thundering bass of Van Halen and Metallica and has influences ranging from heavy metal, to grunge to pop. The Penguin Rocks presents this interview with Stonebrother.
The band includes Zach Smith (Lead Guitar/Lead Vocals), Ethan Smith (Drums/Vocals/Piano), and Leo Cox (Bass/Guitars).
How long has the band been around? Is there a story behind the band name?
(Ethan) The band has been around for the better part of a decade in some form, it started with just me and Zach jamming to Beatles tunes and Green Day stuff in our basement. Eventually it became “man, this is actually pretty cool” but we needed a bass player. We’ve had a few along the way and they were all great but they didn’t have the special je ne sais quoi, then along comes Leo introduced to us by a family friend. We get to jamming with him and we have this moment of “holy crap, this dude is incredible” and the rest is history.
The story behind the band name is we needed one, desperately. We’ve gone through so many names, some better some worse. Then one day Zach comes in and says “boys, what do we think of the name ‘Stonebrother?’” And we collectively agreed that’s a great name.
Advertise with The Penguin Rocks for $50-$100 per month, click here for info
Tell me about your latest record. What songs are you most proud of on the record?
(Zach) The last thing we released was the Every Second Counts EP. Of those songs, I would say End Of The Line is my favourite because I think it shows a lot of energy, showmanship and musicality. It’s definitely one of my favourites to play live.
How many records, eps, or singles has the band put out in total? How has the band changed over time?
(Ethan) We have two EPs out as of right now entitled First Things First and Every Second Counts, released in that order. As a band our sound has evolved quite a lot in between those releases. Our songwriting has improved, we’ve gotten more willing to experiment with weird sounds and just make the songs as good and full as they possibly can be. Not only that, but for the Every Second Counts EP (and hopefully for our first full album we’re hoping to record this summer) we got into a proper studio which pushed the quality of the sound itself up to the degree it needed to be.
What was one of your favorite gigs? What made it memorable?
(Leo) Playing Gus’s pub, a little divey bar in Halifax. The staff was super nice and it was a very fun, freeing place to play, great for lots of energy!
What would be the “next step” that you’d like to see the band take?
(Ethan) The “next step” I think we need to take is record and release our album, get some music videos, and as many shows as humanly possible. Just get the word and spread to as many ears as we can get.
Finally, if the band does any cover songs. What artists do you cover? Who would be an artist you haven’t covered yet that you’d like to cover?
(Zach) We work in a few covers in our show. We do ACDC, Led Zeppelin, Van Halen regularly, but we’ve done all sorts of stuff. Rush and Guns n Roses have definitely come up a few times.
For more on the band, follow them on Facebook, Instagram, Bandcamp, SoundCloud, YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Music.
The Artist Spotlight series features interviews with artists and bands from around the world. If you would like to be considered for an interview, email info@thepenguinrocks.com and provide a link to your website or socials for us to check out. There is no cost to being part of the series. Interviews run at The Penguin Rocks and NewJerseyStage.com
Advertise with The Penguin Rocks for $50-$100 per month, click here for info
COLUMNS
Makin Waves Song of the Week: "What I Need" by Gab Cinque Band
The Makin Waves Song of the Week is "What I Need" from "Highway Junkie," the debut EP by the soaring Gab Cinque Band.
MORE NEWS
The Weeklings to Perform FREE Outdoor Show in Matawan
(MATAWAN, NJ) -- On Thursday, August 1, 2024 at 7:00pm, The Weeklings will celebrate 60 years of The Beatles and more in a FREE outdoor concert in Terhune Park.
Chris Batten & the Woods release "2 For The Summer"
The Plainfield Symphony Orchestra Announces 2024-2025 Season
Sieminski Theater presents Summer Cabaret Series in August
UPCOMING SHOWS
NJPAC Announces Lineup for 2024 Sounds of the City FREE Concerts
(NEWARK, NJ) -- Experience an amazing lineup of diverse artists under the stars this summer at New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) for exciting, FREE concerts during the Horizon Sounds of the City series every Thursday from 5:00pm to 9:00pm. The series unites Newark's cultural diversity by bringing together residents, workers, and visitors for unforgettable evenings of great music, food, and fun. This year's lineup includes Brazilian percussionist Cyro Baptista, Afrobeat singer and artist Kofi Kinaata, New Orleans funk band Galactic f. Jelly Joseph, rap icon KRS-One, and New Orleans bounce singer Big Freedia. Some performances will also showcase a guest poet from Dodge Poetry, as well as local opening talent and NJPAC's student performers.
Mercer County's $5 Friday Summer Concerts are Back!
West Windsor Arts presents "Summer Music and More" Free Concert Series
Paper Mill Playhouse Announces Summer Nights at the F.M. Kirby Carriage House
Advertise with The Penguin Rocks for $50-$100 per month, click here for info
The Penguin Rocks
© 2024 by Wine Time Media, LLC
PO Box 811, Belmar, NJ 07719
info@newjerseystage.com
Presented by New Jersey Stage
