Photo Credits: Shelby Shoots Stuff // Photo taken from band's facebook.
Hailing from Austin,Texas pop punk band Gold Steps sat down with us here at Kill The Music to give us some insight on the band. Being known for their hard work ethic and realistic lyrics, Gold Steps is a prime example of why you cant miss out on Texas bands. Read on below and find out what's next for Gold Steps!
Hello! Could you introduce yourself(s) and tell us your position in the band?
Zach Duarte, guitarist
Cam Lamothe, guitarist
David Ramirez, bassist
Roger Steadman, drummer
Liz Mauritz, vocalist
May marks one year since your debut as a full band. You all hit the ground running since your debut, was there any struggle with that?
Honestly, the only struggle we've had is having to balance so many shows while also maintaining progress with new material. For awhile we were playing any show that we could--we played more than 40 shows in 2016! We also became known as a “pinch-hitter” of sorts; there were quite a few shows that we hopped on after another band dropped when we were first starting out, and we still do that occasionally. We love performing for and meeting new people, and we always make a point to connect with touring bands so we can all build a strong network together.
You recently released a four song EP called 'Louder Than Words', what did the writing process look like?
Our writing process is pretty standard. Zach and Liz usually get together and write a skeleton of rhythm guitar and vocals, and then send that to the rest of the band. Then we get together as a full band in practice to finish the song. We then demo songs with our friend Andy (of Austin bands Nominee and Mothman) to do any rewrites, cut the fat, and make them stronger, more solid songs.
Is there any musicians or bands that you would cite as influences in Gold Steps sound?
Well, we are named after a Neck Deep song, so we’re definitely influenced by them. New Found Glory, older Fall Out Boy, Four Year Strong, Set Your Goals, The Story So Far, Real Friends and The Wonder Years are all bands we’d count as influences.
Austin is well known for being the home of many great musicians, do you find it easier or harder to pursue music in Austin?
As far as finding shows to play, it’s easier. Any given night there’s probably a show going on that someone is interested. What’s harder is trying to stand out because there is a huge amount of talent here. Some bands we are awestruck by in terms of songwriting and performance---and we’re lucky enough to play with many of them!
On the same note, what makes Gold Steps stick out from others?
We think we encapsulate a slightly less pretty or polished version of female-fronted pop punk. Our songs are catchy, but not overly poppy. We've got a bit heavier sound with easycore-influenced guitars and a lot of double-bass for drums. Liz’s lyrics are pretty hard-hitting too; she draws on personal experiences with anxiety and broken relationships, which a lot of people can relate to, but also anger directed at her experiences with people who are self-serving and take advantage of others.
What's everyone's gear set up? Or go to instrument?
Both Zach and David play custom Moniker guitars made right here in Austin.
Zach’s Reedsdale Moniker is fitted with Seymour Duncan pickups, and is painted a custom seafoam pearl. He uses a Blackstar tube 100-watt head with an Orange PPC 2x12. He uses a Decimator ISP noise suppressor.
David plays a Moniker Zuma bass, with an Orange Terror Bass 1000 head and an Ampeg SVT-810E. He uses the Tech 21 Boost Comp and Electro-Harmonix Bass Big Muff Pi pedals.
Cam plays an Epiphone SG with a Seymour Duncan JB pickup in the bridge and a GFS Retrotron in the neck. He uses a Crate Blue Voodoo 50-watt head with JJ 6L6 tubes and an Egnator Tourmaster 2x12, with Morley Mini Volume and Electroharmonix Small Clone pedals.
Roger plays an SJC custom kit with 22-inch kick, 12-inch rack tom and 16-inch floor tom, with a 14-inch pork pie big black “Bob” snare. His cymbals are all Zildjian: 13-inch Mastersound hats, 16-inch A Custom crash, 17-inch K Custom Fast crash, 18-inch A Custom Rezo crash, 18-inch Oriental China “Trash” and 21-inch A Series “Sweet” ride. He uses a DW 5000 series double pedal with all DW 5000 series hardware, and Promark 808 sticks.
Liz uses a Sennheiser e 945 vocal microphone.
What's ya'll's opinions on cell phones and other technology at shows? Any pros or cons?
It’s so ingrained in our culture now to use your phone to record your experience and share pictures and videos. We love when people share photos or videos of us; it means they liked us enough to share that experience with someone else. We personally use technology a ton to promote our music and shows. Liz and Zach run the majority of our social media, and Cam creates designs and videos for us. Without technology, it would be much harder for us to reach new people, especially as we gear up to tour new states in May.
Is there any goals you all want to hit as a band?
We would love to play Warped Tour or So What?! Music Festival. We also want to tour nationally if that ever becomes a possibility. We’re heading out on our first tour this May, so that right there is a huge accomplishment for us.
What's coming up next for Gold Steps?
We’re currently writing for our next EP and honing our live show for tour. We’re headed out west in May, including stops in New Mexico, Arizona and Vegas. The dates and venues are TBA, and we’ll post the tour on our social media when everything is finalized!
Any advice for anyone wanting to pursue music?
Be ready to put your heart and soul into it, and don’t make your happiness dependent on acceptance or success. There will be many, many moments where you feel like giving up, but push through it; you don’t know what tomorrow will bring and every obstacle you overcome makes you a stronger person and musician. Appreciate every person who takes time out of their day to listen to your music, attend your shows or buy your merch. And if you’re pursuing music with a band, be open and honest with your members and communicate! They will become your second family, so you have to be able to get along with each other to make it work.
Any last words?
Keep your eyes and ears out for our new video and single “Toughen Up,” due out later this spring!
Keep Up To Date With Gold Steps: