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

Cory Brent - Vocals
Mark Neidhardt - Guitar
Steve Zeiss - Bass
Matt Ruggiero - Drums
We’ve been missing a lead guitar player this year but we’ve been fortunate to have our friends Nick Sochan and Paulie Beladino fill in and shred for us when they can!

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

Cory and Matt were in heavier bands before this one (And The Sky Opened and Left Unturned) We’ve been around for 3 years now.

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

We got the name from an Arctic Monkeys song Reckless Serenade and haven’t changed it. I think the name Reckless Serenade fits because we’re always trying to combine different genres of music and not really stay in one genre. On our new EP each song is stylistically different than the one before it and I think that keeps things interesting. We never want to get pigeon holed into one genre because everyone in the band comes from a different musical background. 

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?

"A song writing process changes every time we write a song. I think that keeps our songs fresh though, just because we aren't working from the same template every time. Usually though, it starts with Mark or myself coming to practice with an idea for a part of the song. Lately I've been working with writing melodies first, and trying to arrange the music under it. It's kind of like a conveyor belt from there. We bounce it off of each other, and then jam it out with the rest of the dudes who always and in their own spice to it. I think it works well this way, just because the ratio of who adds what changes in each song. Mark often times will come with a half written song that we fill with our flavors. It keeps things interesting!

Our songs themes have really been constantly changing for the last three or so years. We try for the most part to keep our songs positive (we want people to feel good listening to our music.) This new EP's main focus has been on growing up while still trying to follow your dreams- an idea which seems unlikely for a lot of people. It takes that idea, and kind of shows all of the highs and lows that come with it. I think our themes will always be changing the older we get, and the more we start to understand the world around us. For now it's all coming out of the lens of a 23 year old college grad trying to make his way in the world." - Cory Brent

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

We draw influences from a wide range of bands like A Day To Remember, My Chemical Romance, Explosions In The Sky, Twenty One Pilots and Brand New to name a few.

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

We all went to Mahopac High School which had a big rock concert every year that you had to tryout for to perform in and that inspired all of us to really get into playing music and it’s where we all met. If you search for it on youtube you can see high school versions of Me, Steve and Matt covering Monkey Wrench by the Foo Fighters and Cory singing Can’t Stop by Red Hot Chili Peppers.

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

Leading up to the show we’ll always practice a lot to get as tight as possible. At the show we’ll usually do some stretches and throw some high fives around!

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

I think the biggest highlight of our career was a show we played this summer at my house. 3 years ago I started having a show at my house every summer because there’s nowhere to play in our town and it’s gotten bigger every year. This year was by far the biggest and best show we’ve had in our home town and it’s become a staple in the community for summer concerts. It’s been great to watch the shows grow each year as we grow as a band and we can’t wait for next year!

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

I’d want to tour with the Foo Fighters just because they’re my favorite band. I’m sure everyone would want to tour with their favorite band. Cory loves My Chemical Romance and The Beatles and Matt really loves August Burns Red and Led Zeppelin.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Our new EP “Out Here” comes out September 18th! Check it out and let us know what you think even if you hate it!