Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.
Lucas Esterline: Vox/Lead Guitar
Cameron Reck: Bass
Alex D: Vox/Rhythm Guitar
For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to The Turbos? How long has the band been around?
Alex D: I was in a couple different bands most notably a band called Motion to the Faceless in Chicago, IL.
Lucas: Cameron and I were in a band called Astro Gypsy based out of Powell, OH. The Turbos started quite abruptly in January of 2016.
What is the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?
This band started as a side project between Cameron and Alex as Astro Gypsy was deconstructing in a sense, going from four members to two (Lucas and Cameron). Alex brought in a drummer and we decided to continue as Astro Gypsy until we could hone on our sound and decide on a name. The Turbos was one in a long list that we went through, as many bands do. We spent a lot of time going to local shows and seeing bands really put out the type of energy that made us want to head bang, fist pump, and dance along. They “charged” us up, for lack of a better word so naturally The Turbos clicked.
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?
We are three-headed beast similar to Cerberus unified by rock and roll. Alex brings the R&B/Pop, Lucas brings the Blues, and Cameron the Funk. So far, we’ve touched on love, politics, and partying. We have some songs in the pipeline that’ll bridge those gaps. You can’t help all the things that happen to and around you so naturally our music will change because we write mostly from the now. Socially, we live in a ripe time for material. I guess we’ll see! ;)
What bands are currently inspiring the music that you are making?
We are always trading bands between each other. A short list would be; Nothing But Thieves, Queens of the Stone Age, Death Grips, Ron Gallo, Arctic Monkeys, YONAKA, Moses Sumney, and PUP.
Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?
Lucas: Led Zeppelin
Alex: The Doors
Cameron: Red Hot Chili Peppers
What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, ect …
We do many things; vocal warmups, jumping jacks to get our heart rates up, changing and stretching strings, also practicing as much as possible throughout the day of.
What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?
Selling out The Shrunken Head here in Columbus, OH for your first single release this year for ‘Murica. It was very diverse bill and the crowd rocked with every band on the bill all night. It was the first time we could actually hear the crowd singing our songs louder than the stage monitors.
If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?
Alex/Lucas: 2005 Kings Of Leom
Cameron: 1990 Red Hot Chili Peppers
Is there anything else you would like to add?
We’ve dropped two of six singles slated for release this year. Expect new singles the third weekend in June, August, October, and December.
We’ll also be embarking on our first tour in August. We’re amped to get on the road.