The Ones You Forgot is a pop rock band from Brick, NJ that was formed in 2014 after long-time friends and guitarists Ferdinand Benauro and Matt Thompson noticed remarkable covers on Instagram from vocalist Jenna Bruno.
Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.
Jenna – Vocals
Ferd – Guitar
Matt – Guitar
Justin – Drums
Lance - Bass
For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to The Ones You Forgot? How long has the band been around?
Jenna and Matt have only been in The Ones You Forgot. Ferd, Justin and Lance were in bands growing up throughout middle school and high school. We’ve been playing together for around 4 years now.
What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?
The band name really doesn’t have a certain meaning, and we like that it’s up for interpretation. I (Jenna) wrote a list of phrases that I liked on a piece of paper, and we kind of just chose our favorite one. From what I remember, some of them were so cheesy, I bet it would be hilarious to read right now.
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?
Jenna and Ferd are the main songwriters, but we did try new ways of writing with the whole band on this release. The song topics on ‘Too Afraid To Say’ are all based around the concept of fear. I (Jenna) feel this is a topic I write about quite often, so I can definitely see it making a come-back in future songs. It’s something we all experience, so I find it quite relatable as well.
What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?
Each member of TOYF has different musical influences, so when asked this question, we try to narrow it down to a few bands we collectively enjoy: Sum 41, State Champs, Paramore, All Time Low, etc.
Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?
Jenna: Warped Tour and Paramore played a big role in my desire to be a musician and be in a band. With Paramore, it was amazing to be 11 years old and see another woman on stage while attending my first concert. Warped Tour and the bands I saw throughout the years on it just gave me pure joy every summer, and made me want to be able to give that same feeling to other people.
Ferd: Sum 41. After watching their music videos growing up I’ve always wondered what it felt like to have that adrenaline and joy to play in front of people
Matt: Playing guitar I’d say Slipknot, Green Day, and like Black Sabbath! As for a concert goes, they all kind of had impact on me but I’d definitely say going to warped tour.
Lance: Listening to Metallica really got me into music and seeing them when I was 11 made me want to play in a band.
Justin: I was 14 saw Aerosmith/Motley Crue with my next-door neighbor and we started Stoneham (my old band) shortly after. Killswitch Engage inspired me as well.
What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, ect …
STRETCHING! WARM UPS! We also like to get together for a few minutes to pump ourselves up and chat to make sure we are all ready to go.
What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?
There have been so many, but the main ones would be playing Starland Ballroom a few times (a venue we practically grew up at), hearing ourselves on the radio, and releasing our newest EP ‘Too Afraid To Say’.
If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?
State Champs, All Time Low, Incubus, Icon for Hire, Queen, John Mayer. We feel some are a good fit to us musically, some spread similar messages as us, and some it would just be awesome to hit the stage with them.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Thank you for having us!