With their sophomore album "Slow Me Down" being released this past August, 3PM members Brandon, Scottt and Brennan continue to enjoy the long but satisfying ride to the top! Their pop punk sound is reminiscent to that of Blink 182 but with their own personal, homegrown twist. With their members ranging in age from 16-22, their youth, if not their passion for their music, will keep our ears immersed in the pop punk sounds of 3PM for years to come! I Do What I Want Radio had the esteemed pleasure of conducting an interview with the guys of 3PM. Check out what they had to say:
Your band has been on the rise ever since it was formed about 2 years ago. Tell us, what's it like in a day in the life of 3PM?
Well we wake up at 8:00am to a call from our manager to talk about everything that needs accomplished that day. Then we get to work! On good days we have time to breathe, eat and sleep.
Just by listening to your music, we can tell that you've been influenced by a few different bands. Which one do you think is the most influential and why?
Blink 182! Fo’ Sho. They’re the reason two of us started playing music in the first place and they’re still one of our favorite bands. It was definitely them that got us to follow the sacred path of pop punk.
There's a 6 year age difference between Scott and Brandon. Does the fact that you differ in age ever create any problems for you guys?
It can make our marriage difficult at times. But love conquers all.
It must be hard to balance school, relationships, touring and playing gigs all at the same time. I know I couldn't handle it. How in the world do you guys do it?
That’s actually what “Slow Me Down” is about! We’ve been doing it for a couple years now and at first it was very difficult but now it’s become such a part of our lives that it’s second nature. And coffee. Lots of coffee.
Your second album "Slow Me Down" has been getting all kinds of positive reviews, not to mention that it's getting people to check out your debut album "Change of Plans". How does it feel to know that you are on your way to becoming that pop punk band that will one day influence others to share their music with the world?
Well that’s a humbling thought. Thanks for the vote of confidence! We really enjoy doing this and we’re putting our all into it. If in the future we do reach that point then it will be nothing short of a dream come true. That’s exactly what we’re after.
Tell us, what's the craziest thing that's ever happened to you guys while either playing a gig or being out on tour? Don't worry, you don't have to censor yourselves for us!
So while we were on stage one time, a tornado literally touched down right next to the venue. This was in Hagerstown, MD by the way. We had to stop and turn off all the power and lock ourselves in and hide away. Then when it was over we were in the crazy world ruled by this powerful man named oz. We met some crazy characters along the way! There was this lion who was such a little girl. And a Tin dude who just wanted a heart. And a really dense scarecrow. Turns out, we had what we wanted all along<3
Brandon, you've been playing the drums for close to 15 years now! What made you pick up those drum sticks for the first time?
When I was in 4th grade everyone in my school was forced to picked up an instrument. I was always hyper and very physical and had no interest in anything else so I took the drumming test! They had cuts too, in 4th grade…everyone wanted to play drums and we only had four. Well I was a natural because I scored highest on both the written and performing test! Plus I had just gotten into blink 182 and Travis was my hero. I ran with it from there!
Scott, you're the youngest of the group. Do you ever have any trouble getting permission from your parents to get to those late night shows?
Believe it or not, no! My parents have usually been pretty good about it, and if I get home after midnight on a weekday it’s not the end of the world. However, some venues are less lenient! We’ve been turned down shows in the past due to my age.
Brennan, your voice is like a crazy mix between Tom DeLonge, Mark Hoppus and Jesus! Have you had any vocal training or do you learn by listening to the bands that influenced you most?
I’ve never had any real vocal training! Thanks for the compliments though! I’m self taught for the most part on any instrument I play. Singing came kind of naturally to me. I listen to a wide variety of bands in and outside 3PM’s genre, so I draw inspiration from many of those bands. And between you and me, no one has ever seen Tom DeLonge, Mark Hoppus, Jesus and I in the same room.
You guys were amazing in the Vans Warped Tour this year! We see that you're campaigning to be in the VWT again next year. If you had to speak directly to the coordinator of the VWT, why should they choose YOU?
KEVIN LYMAN! If you’re reading this, you should absolutely have us on the Vans Warped Tour next year because we represent the same culture, values, and style that the tour was founded on. We have a strong DIY ethic, we’re all about hard work and having a good time the good ol’ fashioned pop punk way!
You guys like to have fun on stage and that makes for a great show. But what do you guys do for fun in the little free time you have?
Videogames! Work out. Eat. Watch family guy and south park! Mess with our manager Nathan.
Your album "Slow Me Down" is made up of songs that are about your personal experiences. What's one personal experience that's not on your album that you feel has shaped
you guys as a band?
Now that we think about it, we don’t have a song about our friendship. Which probably is most responsible for shaping us into what we are now. That’s just the vibe we give off, three stupid friends chasing dreams. It’s because we’re so close that we have this chemistry that gives us our songs and our shows and our image. So that!
Inquiring minds want to know: who's single and who's not?
Who’s asking? ;)
The story behind your band name, 3PM, is a closely guarded secret. Does it stand for 3 Punk Masters? Can you give us a hint?!
The 3 stands for a 3
What would you like to say to the fans that you're racking up all over the world?
Thank you for being a fan! If we could we’d cuddle with you all!
3PMOfficialMusic@gmail.com
Write up done by Dwayne Drayton
DDrayton@idowhatiwantradio.com
