Published: August 16, 2009 12:28 AM EST
By: Isaac Davis Jr., MBA (Juniorscave.com)
New Music Spotlight August 2009 Edition
Blank Tape
Blank Tape Photo Credit: Jo Lopez
One of the best parts to this next band is their sound that mixes elements of Powerpop, Alternative, and Rock into melodious tunes. Even more appealing about the band is the energy that pours out into their music. Blank Tape, comprised of four young talented artists from Southern Florida, is capturing the hearts of fans all around the sunshine state. In this recent spotlight with Blank Tape, our Webzine gets the 411 on what's happening with the band. Enjoy!
Blank Tape is:
Lennon Livesay - Vocals/Guitar/Piano
Gabriel "Fonzie" Sandler - Guitar/Vocals
Efrain Lopez - Bass/Vocals
Alan Penton - Drums/Vocals
Isaac: What was the best part of 2009 so far for you musically?
Blank Tape: The best part of 2009 so far was our CD release show at the beginning of the year. We played our favorite local venue, The Talent Farm in Pembroke Pines, FL. All of our friends bands played and the line-up was great. It was PACKED and the energy was ridiculous. Lots of stage diving and all sorts of wild fun.
Isaac: What do you feel was your biggest accomplishment for 2008?
Blank Tape: I think our biggest accomplishment was recording our album, "When The Sun Goes Down". We're super proud of how it came out and we couldn't ask for more as far as the production and mastering goes.
Isaac: Describe the music scene in your area.
Blank Tape: The music scene in South Florida is pretty strong by necessity.
Because of the fact that not a lot of good tours make their way down here, the local bands have really stepped up to compensate and keep the scene strong.
Isaac: What has been the best venue to perform at and why?
Blank Tape: The best venue to perform is hands down The Talent Farm in Pembroke Pines, FL. We always have a great turnout there, awesome staff, awesome vibe. It's a really cool venue.
Isaac: Elaborate a little about whom were your biggest influences in the music industry and why?
Blank Tape: Our influences are really varied. I'd say our biggest influences are early Fall Out Boy, Lifetime, Guns Up! and Comeback Kid. I think that our sound is pretty much a solid blend of influences from those four bands.
Isaac: Let's talk about what you feel you will bring to the music industry?
Blank Tape: I think what we bring to the music industry is the fact that we combine radio-friendly pop-punk with our hardcore influences listed above. There have been some bands to do that before, but the majority of them either eventually moved away from their hardcore roots or didn't have the pop sensibilities in the first place to appeal to a bigger market. I think we've hit the sweet spot with just the right combination of both aspects.
Isaac: If you had an opportunity to work with one artist or group, who would it be and why?
Blank Tape: I'd say New Found Glory. Those guys are from South Florida so they've always been sort of "hometown heroes" to us and they've been play music for a long time and have definitely stayed true to themselves and put out amazing album after amazing album.
Isaac: How would you describe your music to others?
Blank Tape: I would describe my music as Pop-Punk with Hardcore sensibilities.
Isaac: What type of feedback have you received from fans about your music?
Blank Tape: Well in a scene full of bands who either play Deathcore or Powerpop, we kind of sit in the middle and don't fit in with either side, so we've been surprised to see how well we are received by kids from both aspects of the scene.
Isaac: What can fans expect from you in the next five years?
Blank Tape: Well we just put out our album, "When The Sun Goes Down" earlier this year, so we're going to be playing a lot of shows in support of that for the time being, But we've been writing like crazy so definitely a new album sometime in the near future, as well as more extensive touring.
Isaac: Time for some shout outs to your family, friends, and fans…
Blank Tape: I have to give a shout out to all of the parents of the band members for being so supportive of everything. A big shout out to our boys in Agony's Arrow, a really solid SoFla Metal band. And last but not least Adam Shemony, really talented SoFla Singer/Songwriter.
Isaac: Final words…
Blank Tape: My final words are some advice. Younger kids in the music scene should do some research and not let trends dictate what you listen to! If you just listen to what magazines and TV tell you is cool you're gonna miss out on a whole world of awesome music!
