Backstage Pass - The Colossal Heads - Interview

ATP

For the record, who's answering the interview?

THE COLOSSAL HEADS

Danny Lester, Bassist, Vocalist, Manager, & Artist for The Colossal Heads

ATP

What is your band's name? How did you come up with that name?

THE COLOSSAL HEADS

Name: The Colossal Heads (from New Orleans)
Reason: I’m big into conspiracy theories, and as I was digging into some history I came across an article on the colossal heads of Easter Island. If you don’t know the story, there are dozens of these stone heads lined up (and scattered) along the island, but when the scientists estimated their origin there was no developed technology during that period of time to move them into their locations with such accuracy. We had just begun writing songs, and were coming up with plenty of terrible names, so I thought the mystery of the how the heads came to be in their locations also applied to the mystery of our sound and how it is difficult to put in any specific genre or category. After talking it over with the guys it became official, and the rest is “history.”

ATP

So who's in the band and what instruments do you each play?

THE COLOSSAL HEADS

Tony Italiano - Guitarist/Lead Vocalist
Danny Lester - Bassist/Vocalist
Kyle Carroll - Drums

ATP

How would you describe your sound. What makes you unique?

THE COLOSSAL HEADS

Our sound is always hard to put your finger on. After hard consideration we came to terms with Desert/Punk/Grunge. All 3 of us grew up in different musical backgrounds and like many different types of music. But, when we all come together those different influences mesh into a pure, original sound that isn’t like anything being done anywhere. Trust me I do the booking and research bands everywhere we go, and no one is doing what we are. These differences in musical preference allows each of us to stand out in our individual creativity and when it all combines it forms our powerful, all-original sound that is The Colossal Heads.

ATP

What bands have influenced each of you?

THE COLOSSAL HEADS

One of Tony’s favorites is Modest Mouse, Kyle is a die hard Kings of Leon fan, and I love me some Primus. However we all share our love for bands like Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Strokes, Incubus, Rage Against the Machine, Green Day, Bloc Party, Queens of the Stone Age, Jack White, and Muse.

ATP

How experienced are you on the stage, a virgin or whore?

THE COLOSSAL HEADS

We are all whores haha. Each of us has more than 11 years of on stage experience and have been in many different bands before we started playing together. We practice twice a week which keeps us nice and tight while we are slutting up our performances. We have been on 3 tours since we began writing together. Our next tour is titled the “Desert Slice Tour” and we depart May 14 - June 6 performing in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Nevada, and Louisiana. The last show we are playing will actually be our 100th show we have played together.

ATP

How would you describe your shows?

THE COLOSSAL HEADS

Our shows are loud. Our shows are wild. Our shows are passionate. And our shows are energetic. For a 3 piece we bring the heat and keep the sound in each song more full than most other 4 or 5 piece bands. We’ve whipped and beaten our instruments each night only itching to get back up there and do it all again the night after. It’s what we live for and why we are on this earth…to perform. For that hour and a half performance our crowds are fixated on us, forgetting whatever struggles are occurring in their own life. They just simply get lost in it. Our music creates a sanctuary for them, and helps them achieve peace in a time when all of our lives are nothing but money, status, and worry.

ATP

Tell us about your favorite show and why?

THE COLOSSAL HEADS

One of our favorite shows we played was in Conway, AR. We weren’t too sure about it heading up there, but when we got there we learned Conway was a dry county and we were playing the only bar that sold alcohol in the whole town. On a Friday night, it was packed and everyone loved us! We gained a large amount of fans and sold a ton of merch. That is how every show is supposed to be, but so many scenes have died off due to tasteless music reproducing like rabbits. People in these areas got tired of going to shows, seeing terrible bands time after time, and inevitably these rock scenes dissolved into the select few people who still care. It is our goal to show people that good, original rock music can still be created. In a world full of garbage music I feel we are on the forefront of a war that we will not lose.

ATP

Tell us about your worst show and why?

THE COLOSSAL HEADS

When we first started playing shows out of town I was contacted by a booking agent who promised the world. We went on our first tour based off of his routing and booking, and it took us on a wild goose chase full of empty bars and metal bands. We are clearly not metal. Our worst show was at a place called The White Swan in Houston, Texas, last April. When we arrived the owner had no idea we were even supposed to play. We got paid nothing and played for the bartender and a single gentleman sitting at the bar. Every show on that tour was a bust and we always came out in the negative; so much so that we spent all of our own money on gas getting to the next location. Broke and starving, we decided we were going to cancel the last leg of our dates, and shortly thereafter fired the booking agent. It took a few months for us to rebuild, but we all put in the work to get us back on our feet. I took over booking and managing duties and kicked things into gear. All it takes is a lot of hard work if you want to achieve anything, and our journey thus far proves that if you want something done right do it yourself.

ATP

Tell Us About Your Dream Show, who you'd like to play with and where?

THE COLOSSAL HEADS

Our dream is to play many of the different festivals around the country happening all year long to thousands of people. I know once we start playing to the large masses of people, everyone will understand our message and become fans of our music. It’s only a matter of time, but the amount of doors opening for us is more abundant then ever now with no end in sight.

ATP

Do you have a street team and how can you join?

THE COLOSSAL HEADS

We have many people who are helping us get the word out in each city. If you would like to join our street team message us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/thecolossalheads) or email us thecolossalheads@gmail.com. I will personally refer you to the people who are helping us in your particular area.

ATP

Do you have a record label and if not are you looking for one?

THE COLOSSAL HEADS

Of course we would love it if a record label comes along; that would be great. At this point though we are not depending on anything and will continue to persevere on our own accord. As we continue to tour the country there is no doubt in my mind the right people will hear us and give us our first big break. We came out of pocket to record our first 5 song EP titled “The Colossal Heads EP” (available to listen to on all major distribution sites like iTunes, Soundcloud, Spotify, CD Baby, Amazon, Xbox Music, etc), and we just finished recording our first full length album titled “Mammoths” that we will be releasing at the end of the summer. “Mammoths” will include 12 all-original tracks will help set the tone for the future of our careers. We are all perfectionists when it comes to recording, and when this album drops it will be a huge step forward on our path to success.

ATP

What are your plans for the future, in a year, 5 years?

THE COLOSSAL HEADS

In a year we hope to have gained a sustainable fan base in each city we play in, and we want to be able to return to these cities and have a better, bigger turn out each time. We want to be able to perform and travel full time without dealing with the financial struggle. In 5 years we will be represented by a label and touring to Europe, UK, Australia, and all kinds of different countries sharing our music with the world.

ATP

Finally, do have any words on what Arm The Pit means to you?

THE COLOSSAL HEADS

When I came across Arm the Pit, I saw what you guys were doing and I immediately had mad respect for you guys. There needs to be an Arm the Pit in every city! You guys take the time to help artists get their music and message out and get them in peoples ears. That is what this country desperately needs! To me that is more than 75% of people “involved in their scene” are doing to help. I’ve been doing this a long, long time and I can smell when someone is blowing smoke up my ass. You guys are really trying to make a difference for the artists and from all of us in The Colossal Heads, we are all very honored to be a part of it.