Like all great recipes, First In Flight contains a list of dynamic ingredients. In November 2015, best friends Richard (Guitar) and David (Bass) looked at each other during a concert and said “We can do this.” David had the attitude, the long black hair, and the focus. Richard had the energy and a deep love for guitar. A foundational duo to say the least. Their musical roots in heavy metal served as the first ingredient.
After weeks of writing in their gear stuffed bedrooms, it was time for the next piece. They needed a drummer, and the choice was simple. Max, described as a “child prodigy” and “bottle of sunshine” brought a certain brilliance and dependability to the group. The second ingredient was found. The sound and musicality of a neo-80s rock band was there, but it needed to be brought into the modern age.
Craigslist: Where you might find a worn in couch or a questionable used car, was where the final ingredient was found. Pat had moved from the Windy City with a pocket full of backflips and stories, and since his plane first touched down, he spent his time searching everywhere he could for a new band. Max exclaimed “You’re In!” the moment Pat finished his audition. The recipe for their sound was finally complete: Imagine eating cotton candy in the middle of a mosh pit. A sweet urgency that pushes you forward. That was First in Flight.
Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.
Pat McCloskey – Vocals/ Keys
David Topete- Bass
Richard Mier – Guitar
Max Huss – Drums
For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to First In Flight?
David and Richard met in high school and teamed up in college to form a death metal group called Savage Haven. Pat formed an Indie Rock band in high school called Ten and Counting, and followed up at the University of Michigan in an Indie Rock band called shAAka. Max started off in a high school band called The Rivals.
How long has the band been around?
The band officially formed in September 2016. Richard and David teamed up after disbanding their metal group and moving more towards Indie Rock. Max joined after leaving The Rivals, and Pat completed the group after leaving home in Illinois.
What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?
Due to our obvious Duran Duran influence, we chose “Paper Gods” as a placeholder name while the band was forming. Once Pat joined, we went public and changed our name to First in Flight. In choosing that name, our focus was on what brought us together. Pat and Max moved across the country to pursue a dream of music. David and Richard left old bands with the idea of starting something new. We all held our breath and took a big risk, but we knew staying stagnant in this industry would only leave us behind. The flights, travel, and the risk paid off when we got together for the first time and discovered our potential, and we agreed that when the next big opportunity or risk presented itself, we would be the first ones on board.
Who writes your songs?
We all do. Sometimes we start with a riff and we build it into a whole instrumental song and Pat adds lyrics and keyboards. Sometimes it starts with a theme and then the instrumentals come together around that theme. Its different for each song, we like to experiment to find what delivers the best finished product.
What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs and do you think these topics will change over time?
“Dalliance,” the title of our EP, is defined as a casual romantic or sexual relationship. From falling in love, falling in lust, and watching your best friend do the same, these are painful and relatable feelings from a person’s early twenties. The addicting highs, strings of insecurity, and all the anxieties that come from the “right” and “wrong” person at the right and wrong time inspired our latest three songs. Its an incredible period of someone’s life that really can’t be replicated, and we wanted to capture that experience.
As for future themes, I’ll leave that to the crazy experiences that have yet to happen.
What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?
We have a plethora of influences, but the most audible in our music are synth rock bands like Walk The Moon, Duran Duran, and Panic! At the Disco.
Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?
Pat first picked up a guitar in 2008 with inspiration from the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Richard had a metal background, but took a real liking to Indie Rock at “BFD,” a music festival hosted in the Bay Area, in 2012. Max was a musician from a young age as his parents met on tour. To tie it all together, David knew his life would be dedicated to music after seeing Walk the Moon live in 2015, which is when he set out to form this band.
What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, etc …
Pat has a specific vocal warm up he does and usually throws a couple backflips. David does ultimate hair prep that includes blow drying, mousse, combing, and more. Max never arrives to a show without a fresh coffee, and Richard is in charge of arranging and printing the set lists for the night.
What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?
Two really: Our single off our new EP “Danger” has received air time on ALT105.3 “The Bay Area’s Alternative” multiple times over the past couple months since its release, which is a station we grew up listening. Additionally, we embarked on a Pacific Northwest Tour in November 2017 where we played seven shows, met a lot of new fans, and checked that off the bucket list in our first year together.
If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?
Pat’s dream is to open for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and get a chance to jam with Flea on stage. David would love to open for Prince, and receive constructive criticism after every show. Richard would want to share the stage with Metallica, whereas Max leans on the lighter side and wants to open for the legend, John Mayer. But together, we want nothing more than to open for Walk the Moon someday.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
First in Flight has started a YouTube channel that puts up new content (Music Videos, Cover Videos, Acoustic Videos, etc.) every two weeks. We are just ramping up now, so check us out and subscribe at YouTube.com/firstinflightband.
Check out our social media at:
Facebook.com/FirstinFlightBand
Instagram: @FirstinFlightBand
Twitter: @FIFTheBand
Spotify: First in Flight - Dalliance
Shout out to our First In Flight Street Team! We have a North Bay and South Bay division who help promote our music, videos, and shows. They are the best!