The 5:55 is a rock band from the Washington D.C./Virginia area. Their high-energy performances of original music and well known covers can be seen throughout the East Coast.

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

Collin Steves (lead singer/guitarist/), Kevin Goldman (lead guitarist), Max Biskup (bassist), Ryan Steves (drummer/singer).

For starters, what bands were you part of prior to this project? How long has this project been around?

Collin, Kevin and Max were part of a band called Even The Odds (ETO) from 2007-2015

Collin was part of an EDM group called Juva that wrote and produced music from 2013-2015

Ryan was part of a band called Monkey Fist from 2006-2008

What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs and do you think these topics will change over time?

The main way we tackle producing a theme is usually referencing something very specific that happened to us, and then broadening the way we address it so that the song is more relatable.

We grew up writing music pretty young, so naturally those songs were angsty and putting the blame on the system or others. Now our music puts the blame entirely on us. Most of the songs address growing up and realizing that we were in the wrong, and then finding ways to right that wrong.  

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

The classic rock bands and punk rock bands that we grew up listening to will always influence us. Right now we're impressed with a lot of pop and EDM songs that are being released. The sounds they're creating are really cool and different, which is always nice. The melodies are incredibly catchy, so whatever formula they're using is working. Those unique sounds and catchy melodies push us to write music that is more engaging. Current rock bands that influence us include Highly Suspect, Royal Blood, Catfish and the Bottlemen, and FIDLAR. The new PUP album is incredible so that definitely pumped us up. 

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

It's difficult to remember if there was a specific band or concert from another band that inspired this band to form. I was asked to perform for a sorority event, so I asked the rest of the guys if they wanted to perform with me. So our first show I guess inspired us to start a band haha

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

Definitely a lot of practicing, exercising and stretching. When it comes to hours or minutes before a show the only real preparation is coffee or Monster. We're used to having to perform as soon as we show up to a show, so we've never established any rituals. 

What has been the biggest highlight of you music career so far?

Man, that's a really tough question haha There were so many college shows that were absolutely insane, so it's difficult to choose from those. Opening up for a sold out Jesse McCartney show was pretty amazing in a surprising way. The crowd was 100% engaged and they were rocking out, dancing and singing along with us which was just mind blowing. Being able to perform at an Imagine Dragons concert is pretty high up there as well. I still can't believe they let us perform in that pavilion haha

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

When it comes to current bands, it would be any of the ones I listed above because they freaking rock and their fans are all about it. For the early 2010s we would choose Foo Fighters because they're one of our biggest inspirations. For the early 2000s we would choose the Pop Disaster Tour with Blink-182 and Green Day because they're incredibly funny so I'm sure there would be very few dull moments. 

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Thanks for this opportunity and letting us answer some questions! We have a music video for our latest single, "Slow Down" coming out in the middle of May and then an EP shortly after. Check us out on Instagram @thefivefiftyfive and shoot us a message with whatever music you're listening to. Always interested to talk!