You know how these bands just come out of nowhere and blow up to massive stardom? Well, that’s what it’s kind of like with Danger Radio. Not only do they have all the cute haircuts that girls go wild for, but their music will not tolerate your body’s wish to stay still. Think Fall Out Boy, Maroon 5, Justin Timberlake, and Michael Jackson. I already hear those high pitched squeals from a distance.
Girls, it’s not just their good looks that keep you coming back. Guys, they’re not after your girls. However, they’re writing those infections tunes you wish you wrote first. These guys know how to get down. Rock, electronica, dance and pop are all infused within their music and well, that combination just takes skill.
What’s even more impressive? Danger Radio has decided to grace LA with their presence - tonight! They’ll be here dancing up a storm at the Troubdaour as they support Cute Is What We Aim For. The dirty beats and guitar ripping starts at 7:00, so be sure to join them! What’s that, you say? You can’t wait those long dreadful hours? Well, here’s an interview with guitarist, Andy Brookins, to tide you over. Learn about his love for The OC, his relation to Kieran Culkin, and more.
Could you give a brief description of your band?
It’s pretty fun, not very serious a we like to get down kind of sound. We like to call it progressive pop, I guess.
What was the first record/CD/tape you ever bought?
Whoa. Well uh - Oh! Haha, the first CD I ever bought was Weird Al Yancovic. Oh my god, it was the one with the Gangsta’s/Amish Paradise.
How long have you been playing music and how many instruments can you play?
I play drums, keys and guitar. I’ve been playing drums and guitar for probably and going on 7 years. The band has all probably been playing a little longer than me. They’ve all been in orchestra, jazz band and stuff. I’m the odd one out when it comes to that. I just always played music for fun and never took classes. I took drum lessons once.
What’s the best cure for a hangover?
Oh, I already know the answer but I don’t know if I can tell you. It is the best cure! Haha, [that] and OJ, or just don’t drink that much.
How do you get ready for a live show?
We don’t’ really have rituals or anything as a band. I just try to chill out. I do a little stretching and some vocal warm-ups but that’s pretty much it. But when we were on tour with The Maine, we did this thing where everyone gets together in a circle and chants “We like to party!” for about a minute then there’s silly running and slapping hands but that’s only when we’re on tour with them.
What’s your favorite song to play live and why?
My favorite song to play live would probably be, “One More Chance.” It’s probably one the heavier songs we play and I’m into harder music. So it’s fun for me to play.
What’s your guilty pleasure?
What?! Ohhhh, okay. I always get asked this question but I can never answer it. I can probably say The OC.
It’s over though!
Yeah, I know but I still love it. I still watch it.
Do you have DVDs?
Yeah, I do. Don’t tell anyone that! Just kidding, I don’t care I don’t care.
Who’s your favorite character on the show?
Seth Cohen. He’s my favorite. He’s f***en hilarious. I love that guy.
Dead or alive; What five acts would you have play with you at a festival?
Probably The Darkness, Hanson, Alicia Keys, Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson.
There’s quite a variety in there.
Yeah, there is!
Have you been listening to Hanson’s new stuff?
No, I haven’t actually, but they’re probably another one of my guilty pleasures, right there.
How did you come up with the name for your band? How many names did you have to go through before deciding on this one? What were some of the other contenders?
Well, we went through one name before that: Chasing Tomorrow, which was really random. I wasn’t even in the band then when they were called that Well, do you want the real way we came up with the name of the band? It’s really boring. I can make something up.
Whatever you want to tell me (and our readers.)
We were sitting around for a couple weeks thinking, “We need a new name, we need a new name ” and throwing names back and forth through AIM. Then we settled down on Danger Radio. The others were just really lame. I don’t even remember them, not worth remember, actually.
How did you all of you in the band meet?
Well there are three original members: Andrew, Nico and Marvin. They’ve all known each other since kindergarten or first grade. I just ended up meeting them through middle school. They played a talent show where they did some Blink 182 covers and I met them then. I joined the band a couple years after that when their guitarist quit. We all pretty much met through school. We met our other band members, Elan and Spencer, through mutual friends.
Who would play you in a film based upon your life?
Oh my god, Kieran Culkin! A lot of people have said we look a lot alike, and he’s a f***in’ bad ass. Igby Goes Down is one of my favorite movies of all time.
What messages do you hope your songs send out to listeners? If any.
What I would like to convey the most is to not care about what others think. Do you whatever you want. Life’s all about being happy. That’s what I like to say, at least. Andrew might have a better answer because of the lyrical mindset.
What’s your most memorable experience on the road?
Probably something that happened months ago. A day before we were shooting a video, we were shopping for a hotel in San Francisco. Well when Elan and I were getting ready to leave, we ran over Spencer’s foot with the trailer.
What’s the best piece of advice someone has ever given you and did you take notice?
Yeah, “Don’t eat the yellow snow.” I definitely followed that one.
What are you looking forward to most when you play in LA?
I just love the whole atmosphere in LA. We have a lot of friends there we don’t get to see very often. LA is also always a fun place to play.
What three things could you not live without?
I couldn’t live without my hands, probably food and water.
Tell us a fact about yourself we probably don’t already know.
Hmmm Let me think. I don’t know. I can’t think of anything. Um I don’t know. Man, I’m indecisive? Oh god, I totally am! I’m completely and utterly indecisive! The other day, it took me 10 â 15 minutes to order something from a Jack in the Box menu.
Photography: Steven Taylor
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1 response so far ↓
1 Winnie // Jul 25, 2008 at 6:07 pm
Great interview, Seraphina! I love Danger Radio.
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