Back 2 Zero hit the alternative scene running, feeling electrified and ready to rock. The dynamic four-piece hails from Westchester, New York, bound by their roots to a small hometown. With a modern rock edge and passion for unforgettable lyricism, the band is sure to have you singing along before the chorus ends.

Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.

Niko Emanuilidis - Singer

Alex de Chaves - Guitar

Dan Barone - Bass

Ben Taylor - Drums

For starters, what bands (if any) were you guys a part of prior to Back 2 Zero? How long has the band been around?

So Alex, Dan, and I have all been playing together since high school, they’re the only guys I’ve ever played with which is crazy to think about. We’ve had a few different drummers along the way until Dan met Ben in college and he joined in 2015. We usually attribute that year as the true beginning of the band.

How did you land on the name Back 2 Zero? Were there any other contenders before choosing that one?

Coming up with cool band names has never been our strong suit, so we kind of got lucky with that one. We all love the band Third Eye Blind and at the time, they were releasing a new album with a song on the record called “ Back to zero.” Being that we were all graduating and it felt like a new beginning for us and the group, the name felt meaningful and just kind of stuck.

Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs and do you think these topics will change over time?

Alex and I (Niko) have had a pretty good system going through the years for our songwriting. I always come up with the melody and lyrics, but the musical idea for the song is sort of a collaboration between the two of us. The overall direction of this new record we are putting out was definitely driven more so by him, which gave us this big modern rock sound.

Typically the subject matter I gravitate towards is about personal experiences and relationships. I never try to force the topic for a song, I always let the musical idea sort of guide me there. I always start with the melody first before lyrics, I’ve just always been the way. Once I start really tapping into the emotion the song is giving me, I’ll sort of make a connection to an instance in my past when I’ve felt that, and that usually becomes what the song is about.

What bands are currently inspiring your music?

The last year or so I’d say our biggest influences are bands like Boston Manor, Don Broco, Normandie, and The Amazons. We love that big modern rock sound that still has those elements of pop music that make it so catchy in it as well.

Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?

I actually have sort of a two-part answer for that. The Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Blink 182 were the first two bands I heard that inspired me to want to be in a rock band. But I’d say the band that really changed music for me was Third Eye Blind, specifically their self-titled album. It made me feel a way towards music I had never felt before, and since then I’ve always wanted to give other people that same feeling when they listen to us.

What do you do to prepare for a show? Any pre-show rituals?

I’ve been saying we need one! Lately, I have been doing that handshake from School Of Rock, the “ Let’s rock let’s rock, today” one. I’m trying to make that our thing, god I love that movie.

What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far? (and why)

It sounds cliche to say but honestly the whole process of recording our new EP. We recorded at The Barber Shop Studios where a lot of bands we love have worked out of in the past, and it was the first time we really felt like we nailed the sound we were truly going for, so we’re really excited about it. Our new producer Rob Chiarappa really took us to a new level on this one and it feels good to finally be putting it out.

If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?

Well the serious answer would be one of the bands I mentioned earlier like Don Broco. But the alternate reality answer would be The Foo Fighters back in the day, I mean who doesn’t want to hang out with Dave Grohl?

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Our second single off this new EP will be coming out on October 15th, so if you like what you’ve heard, make sure you check it out! Throw your boys a follow @_back2zero_ on Instagram, find us on Spotify, Apple Music, all that good stuff.

Watch the new music video for “World We Live In “