Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.
Frank Sacramone - Keyboards
Jamie Van Dyck - Guitar
Ben Shanbrom - Drums
Ryan Griffin - Bass Guitar
For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to Earthside? How long has the band been around?
Frank, Ben, and Jamie created a band called Bushwhack when they were in high school which persisted into college. Ryan joined Bushwhack just after the song “Closest I’ve Come” was written and being performed in the final year of that band’s run. We have now existed as Earthside for 3 years.
What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?
The name came from a long process of brainstorming. The band generally considers Earthside to be an entity separated from Bushwhack, rather and a continuation of that project.
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?
We write songs both collectively and individually. For the “A Dream in Static” album Frank, Ben, and Jamie each wrote a piece they can claim as their own. Each song has a different meaning, but most songs on this record come from a place of existential pondering. These topics will morph as time goes on depending on our personal experiences and our ponderings on current society.
What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?
Earthside’s music has always been about the ability to express ourselves in a meaningful way, so we’re not really thinking about other bands while writing, we’re just trying to figure out how to write music that speaks to us.
Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?
No, most of us started music early in life so music has always been a fabric of who we are. The band was formed so that we could express ourselves through music.
What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, ect …
If at all possible we try to have a run of the set in the early afternoon before shows. Other than that we don’t have any traditions or rituals prior to show time other than attempting to deal with an absurd amount of equipment.
What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?
I think the highlight would be the release of the “Mob Mentality” music video. It has gotten a lot of positive responses and we are very proud of the end result.
If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?
We’d love to tell Steven Wilson to get the boys from Porcupine Tree back together and do a tour with them! I think both of our sets would create an awesome atmosphere for the night.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
We are releasing our debut record on October 23, 2015, which includes special guest performances by Lajon Witherspoon (Sevendust), Daniel Tompkins (TesseracT), Bjorn Strid (Soilwork), Eric Zirlinger (Face the King), the Moscow Studio Symphony Orchestra, and more!