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

Mark Kairelshtein - Drums

Mike Monto - Vocals

Jon Plunkett - Guitar

Joe Derogatis- Guitar/Clean Vocals

Filip Halajko - Bass Guitar

For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to Drifter? How long has the band been around?

Mark: This is Fil and my first serious band, even though with played with countless other acts. Jon’s currently in another band, Noravilla, and Joe is also a part of two other projects, Blackwolf and BloodTouch. Monto has been a part of Alterations, and Monday Night Heroes but right now Drifter and another band called No Dice is what he’s got going on. 

What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?

Joe: Drifter has always been our name and our vocalist thought of the name a few years back. We picked the name just because we thought it was a really good representation of our music and how we look and sound.

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?

Fil: I’d say its a pretty big collaborative effort between all of us but the main song writers would definitely have to be Monto and Joe. Monto mainly writes the lyrics, which talk a lot about betrayal from loved ones causing major dissent in personal character. The lyrics are about the process he went through. Vicious Cycle hits home with a lot of people because its about overdosing on drugs, mainly heroine. Monto’s said he wanted a song for people who are addicted to know that no-one is going to bail them out but themselves and he wanted to inspire them to do just that. 

What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?

Monto: There are a lot of different bands that inspire us such as Bring me the Horizon, Architects, Underoath, The Devil Wears Prada, Pierce the Veil, Mr. Bungle, Dance Gavin Dance, Fall of Troy, Chon, Dillinger Escape Plan, and many more. 

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

Mark: Its pretty different for all of us. For me it’d definitely have to be Avenged Sevenfold. I remember being 12 years old listening to them watching shows and thinking that this is the only thing i want to do with my life. 

Monto: I listen and love so many types of artist. I would say the most inspirational to me growing up were The Fall fo Troy and The Bled. I really loved the creativity and aesthetic these guys had in their songs. I always wanted to have the chance to share the stage with them. 

What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, ect …

Mark: We like to keep a pretty regular practice schedule and play shows as much as possible to keep ourselves fresh and practiced. As for right before the show Joe and Monto do some vocal warm ups. I like to just get a practice pad and warm up my hands. Joe and Jon just noodle around on the guitar until they feel comfortable. Fil bounces around until he’s hype. 

What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?

Joe: By far our biggest highlight was being featured in Loudwire. Thats a really surreal achievement for all of us and really made us look back and go “holy shit”.

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

Monto: This is going to be a pretty weird line up but it would probably be us, Bring me the Horizon, Mr. Bungle, Underoath, My Chemical Romance, Nirvana, The Fall of Troy, The Bled, and Rolling Stones. 

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Jon: Be sure to check out all our social medias Facebook, Instagram, etc. Also a music video for our single Black Mamba is on youtube. Be sure to check out our debut EP on Spotify, iTunes, or Amazon!