Unsigned Spotlight: Old Neon
Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.
Drew Sipos: Vocal
Sean Michael: Bass
Bea Langer: Guitar
Mike McInnes: Guitar
Zach Pollack: Drums
For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to Old Neon? How long has the band been around?
Sean & Mike have been performing in bands from a young age, but never in anything that made a big impact
Mike: Thought Deposit, RC Static
Sean: Imperial Railway, The Eventide, owensring
Bea plays in another band called My Favorite Liar, and I believe this is Drew & Zach's first band.
The band was kind of born in 2021. We played our first show on 10/15/2021 at the Government Center, a local Pittsburgh record shop.
What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?
The original idea was to name the band "heel champ" - a heel is a villain in wrestling, so that's kind of the genesis, but i felt i needed something that had less direct meaning and settled on naming the band Old Neon, after the David Foster Wallace story "good old neon"
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?
It's a pretty collaborative process, but it usually begins with an outline of a melody that Drew or Sean bring in and everyone writes their own parts to. We are seeing a change in that more as the band has progressed and everyone is now bringing in song ideas that we're developing. Jumpstart, for instance, was a progression that was written by Mike. I think there are a lot of songs about interpersonal relationships. There are a few songs about death. I think our latest release, empty frames, is about emotional availability and how that can change over time.
What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?
It's hard to pin any one thing down because we are pretty eclectic. I'd say Mike's favorite band is the Midnight, Bea's favorite band is the Wonder Years, Sean's favorite band is Pedro the Lion, so it's kind of all over the rock map, and everything in between. We like pop, electronic, classical, showtunes, punk, emo, and whatever else is a vibe in the moment!
Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?
Yes, actually. I'd been playing more indie music for a long time, until I started to hear the sort of emo/pop-punk that was coming out of No Sleep Records & Run For Cover Records. For a long time I'd thought that kind of music was kind of over, but it turns out, I just didn't know where to look. I found Balance & Composure, the Wonder Years, Basement, Modern Baseball, and so many more in that short span of time, and I kind of thought "oh, I used to really love this stuff, maybe that's something I'd like to do"
What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, etc …
I honestly don't do much of anything (Sean) I've performed for a long time, on pretty much every kind of stage. These days I just kind of enjoy the moment with my friends.
What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?
Playing Four Chord Music Festival 9 was pretty fun. I was surprised at how many people saw us at our stage in the moment. It was a really fun day with a fun crowd! A close second would have to be opening for Knuckle Puck. They were another big influence in my getting back into playing the style of music we play.
If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?
1. The Wonder Years, I think that would just be good vibes and it would be such a treat to watch them every night.
2. Fall Out Boy: hey, why not? why not play for the absolute most people whenever possible?
3. Blink 182: they're such an important band for me and again, watching them play every night would be better even than the spot, i think
4. Between You and Me: I think they're a band that we all just really love and admire. they're excellent live and have so many great songs
5. State Champs: they're just good vibes. every time i see them, they bring it and it's a great show
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Yes! Listen to us - our little link hub is easy to find at oldneonmusic.com
Thank you so much for your time and for inviting us to be a part of Kill The Music