Unsigned Spotlight: The Fill Ins
Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.
ALEX STIFF: Lead Vocal and rhythm guitar
MIKEY BLACK: Lead Guitar
JAMES NUNN: Bass
ADAM PATTERSON: Drums
For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to The Fill Ins? How long has the band been around?
ALEX: I had been in a few different punk and metal bands before forming The Fill Ins. Those were fun experiences and showed me what life on the road was like at an early age, but the music just really didn’t speak to me, so I didn’t last too long with either one of them. Those few bands were the only ones I was a part of before forming the idea of The Fill Ins in 2010; though it took until 2013 for the band to finally start performing and recording.
JAMES: I was always a guitar player in rock and country groups when I played in bands in Knoxville. I didn't start playing bass seriously until I moved to Charlotte and met Alex, who was looking for a bass player at the time, and I happened to have a bass guitar. The rest is history you could say.
What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?
ALEX: The name came out of the first “lineup” of The Fill Ins back in 2010 when I was still located in Roanoke VA. The band at that point consisted of ex-members of the bands I had been a part of before.. And after a few nameless practices, someone randomly said “We are just a bunch of Fill Ins aren’t we?”... Nothing much was said after that, it just stuck and had a ring to it that nothing else we were throwing out did.
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?
ALEX: In the early days and during the writing of our debut album “Hipster Killers” (2014), I had a very heavy hand in the writing and song structure. By the time we were writing our follow up album“5th Time’s The Charm” (2015), I had become more confident in the lineup that recorded previously (Mikey, James and Matt) and kinda stepped back and let Mikey and James contribute a little more. It was never out of a controlling mindset as in “if it’s not what I write, we aren’t playing it”, but more or less wanting to make sure that we have a clear cut path of who we are and what we sound like so that the guys can share the same goal.
5th Time’s The Charm really showed the growth within the band and I think that shows with the song writing. Today; all of us are equal songwriters and I like to see myself more or less the orchestrator when it comes to songwriting; rather than controlling the music.
What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?
ALEX: I would say the same bands that always have.. For me personally; The Ramones, Supersuckers, KISS, AC/DC, Metallica, The Damned, Thin Lizzy, Motorhead… they have all played a big part in my songwriting and style.
JAMES: A lot of 60s garage rock like The Sonics, The MC5, and The Stooges, to early 70s glam rock like T Rex, New York Dolls, and Ziggy Stardust era Bowie.
Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?
ALEX: I always wanted to play music, but I think KISS and The Misfits kinda kicked me in the ass and made me want to do this “for real”.. I loved the theatrics that both bands brought to the table.. You weren’t only getting a kick ass show, but they gave you some awesome visuals and frontmen to go along with it. That’s part of the reason you’ll never see us standing still on stage. We are a very energetic band and we can’t stand still when you play the music that we do.
JAMES: Watching Led Zeppelin and AC/DC videos corrupted me in a big bad way for sure. Made me want to pick up a guitar and learn how to play rock music, and I haven't looked back since.
What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, ect …
ALEX: Vocal warm ups have saved my butt so many times. Starting out, I never really saw myself as a singer, but I did see myself as a frontman; It only took a few years for me to realize you have to have a good singing voice to also be a good frontman.. Haha. So aside from some basic vocal warm-ups; I just try to clear my head and do a few jumping jacks. That’s really about it.. I’m always ready for the stage!
JAMES: I’m always keeping my mind busy by doing warm up exercises on my bass, prepping all the gear I have to make sure everything’s nearby in case something goes wrong, taping my fingers, making sure everything’s in tune, etc.
What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?
ALEX: Me personally; it has to either be opening for GBH and getting to use their drum kit or playing the “big stage” for Tremont Music Hall’s Final Show (Charlotte NC - 2015). So many amazing bands that we’ve looked up to had played that stage and it was such an honor for us to be one of the last bands to play on it.
If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?
ALEX: I would have loved to be along the ride for The Ramones’ “Road To Ruin” tour.. I think that has to be my favorite Ramones era and I think that would have been a great tour to play on..
As of today? We’d love to tour with Supersuckers or Dwarves… and they know how to get a hold of me; just waiting on the call.. haha.
JAMES: Pantera in the 90s always sounded like a blast, even though I doubt we would have gone over very well. My loftiest opening slot would be for Cheap Trick for sure. A Willie Nelson tour sounds awesome too, but for different reasons.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
THE FILL INS have a new single “HIT THE GAS” available on iTunes and Amazon (along with their online store).
2017 Tour Dates up and down the east coast are currently being booked! Always check back on the official website for all dates!
iTunes: https://itun.es/us/X0Imfb
Amazon Music: https://www.amazon.com/Hit-the-Gas/dp/B01LWQRJTI