For the past three years, The Influence has been intoxicating crowds all over the East Coast with their vibrant performances and innovative sound.  With gigs at major spots such as Scotty Quixx, the Jewish Mother, and the NorVa (just to name a few), this indie rock quintet has made quite a name for themselves.  On top of back to back performances to promote their previous self-titled release, they have diligently been hitting the studio to formulate their latest not-yet-titled album.  The Influence is a compilation of various songs that have been tweaked here and there to achieve the closest possible measure of perfection.  Although their sound has matured from the old days of playing alongside an ongoing beer pong game, their ethics as a band have stayed the same: consistently playing good music. Before hitting the stage at Scotty Quixx, which they play monthly, the guys sat down with Magazine33 to give us the lowdown.

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The Interview

33:  So how did the name "The Influence" come about?

Tully (Bass):  A lot of bands have a couple influences and they start to sound like other band with the exact same influences, but I really like the name The Influence because we all listen to so many types of music.  Everyone [of us] has ten favorite bands and they're not all exactly the same.  The name The Influence fit, even though it was decided over pizza and beer.

33:  If you had to put yourself in a genre what you call yourself?

Will (Guitar):  I would say progressive alternative.

33:  Do you guys find a difference between playing the Virginia Beach scene vs. the Norfolk scene?

Matt (Lead Vocals):  In the summer we hit up Virginia Beach up really hard - probably over-expose our self in the process.  But in the winter you're hitting up the same locals every time.

Colin (Drums):  A lot of the Norfolk kids are college kids.  They don't have anything going on but hanging out and going to a show. Plus a lot of beach kids travel to Norfolk and not a lot of Norfolk kids travel to the beach.

33:  What's your favorite song to perform?

Will:  My favorite is a new song called "Falling Objects" or "Colorado".  We have two new songs that aren't available to anybody that everyone's singing along to so it's kind of like a... it feels good to have people singing along to something that isn't even on a disc.  People are connecting with those songs and that's what I like the most, I like to see people interacting with us because that's our job - to interact with people and have them reciprocate.  That's a good feeling.

 

33:  What does it take to have longevity in this business?

Colin:  Patience.  You enter a lot of roadblocks in this industry... I mean the record industry has been falling the last ten years.  Guys at the top are trying to make money, we're trying to figure out how to make money, and I think a lot of people get frustrated along the way.  We're one of those bands where our five guys are committed, and I think there needs to be genuine commitment to make it.

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After the interview and a few gin and tonics later I sat back to see if the boys could indeed deliver the performance I was anticipating.  They rocked the house with their original "Colorado" and ended the show with their Tool cover of "The Pot".  I must say the performance by The Influence was good, and the ability

to cover a Tool song well really said a lot about their musical ability and for that I tip my hat to them.  The Influence is anticipating their latest album in March 2010 and will be out on the road promoting the previous album as well as their work in the progress.  Whether you love or hate The Influence you

must give props when props are due, these guys are true musicians and they do their damnedest to put on a hell of a show.  And what they lack in experience and possibly variety they make up for in their true dedication to music.  If you have a chance to check these guys out I would recommend it, they will not disappoint.

For more on The Influence, visit their official site at TheInfluence.com.

By Author and Staff Coordinator: Mallory Douglas

Mallory loves to cover the Jam Band, Rock, Ska and even Bluegrass genres for the Seven Cities as she leads Hampton Roads Team33!

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