THEY STAY DEAD
Interview By Brad (Snow Cobra) Blanco
Who are They Stay Dead? Well, they are actually alive and well in Oklahoma City, OK. Bred in the tight knit community of the OKC music scene, I caught up with guitarist/vocalist Matt Owsley and asked him some fairly groundbreaking questions.
Who is in They Stay Dead (TSD) and when and where did the band start?
Matt, Dave, John, Danny. It feels like this band started a long time ago. We’ve all played in different bands together at different times, but it wasn’t until we got these four dudes in a room that it CLICKED. That was late November of last year in a little outbuilding in Oklahoma City.
Have members been in any other bands?
For sure… Danny was the pretty face at the front of Minutes Too Far (2000-2009, Doghouse). John & Dave were part of the last line-up on Wretch Like Me (1997-2002, Owned & Operated). Matt played guitar in his bedroom. Also, Dave just started playing bass for the latest incarnation of Screeching Weasel… So, yeah… we get around.
Who did you record your record with and how was it working with said producer?
Mike Kennerty (All American Rejects, These Enzymes) produced and engineered our last two EP’s at The Kennerty Household. It was, by far, THE most productive, creative, relaxing time any of us have had in any studio. Mike knew exactly what we wanted and how to make it happen. It’s rare to find someone who will put so much of themselves into another band’s material, but he did. The best part – we paid him in Dr. Pepper. He’s a FIEND!!!!! And it didn’t hurt that we had Justin Perkins from The Mystery Room tie it all together for us. His mixes are HOTT!
When you write, do you get hammered when you guys riff, or is it all natural?
Half of us remain natural and the other half partake in adult beverages so it seems to give us a balanced happy medium.
Does TSD have a collective favorite sports team?
The Hanson Brothers Hockey Trio.
Personally, listening to the songs that Mike did, I hear some heavy Descendents influence peppered with some A Wilhelm Scream riffs. Who or what bands directly influence TSD?
We all love the Descendents!! That influence will always be there. I think over the span of these EP’s the bands with the most plays have been: Red City Radio, The Flatliners, OFF, Mute, and Screeching Weasel. We just started getting into A Wilhelm Scream… we apparently have been living under rocks.
Solve world hunger, or take a rocket into space?
We can probably do both.
What tones or guitar sounds were you going for on this recording?
Pure shred.
Who would you challenge to a drinking contest?
Minor Threat.
Future plans for TSD? Records,touring,shows?
All of the above. We’re getting on it, Folks. Get ready. We’re comin’ for ya.
What’s up on a +1 for a future TSD shows?
You got it!
How to contact the band?
Theystaydead@gmail.com or www.facebook.com/theystaydeadmusic
Favorite thing to take on tour that you cannot live without?
Our Hearts.
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