I sat down with a few of the coolest cats around, The Henchmen, to discuss their new music and upcoming show at Baltimore Soundstage!
Q: Growing up who influenced you musically?
Kevin: I was a huge Michael Jackson fan as a kid. Who wasn’t? Wish I would have picked up his dance moves along the way, but no dice.
Drew: My early music tastes were shaped by my parents and my grandmother. Fats Domino was one of her favorites, but I took to Ray Charles and Sam Cooke. After that it gets fuzzy with the teenage hormones getting me into random music for different reasons.
Nick: Drum wise bands that influenced me a lot were Tool and Primus.
Q: Is there a story behind the band name?
Kevin: I’m big into comic books, and also the Rat Pack era of music. It just seemed to click that it was the perfect name for us. The producer of our new EP, Tony Correlli, called us Hock & The Henchmen as a joke in the studio. We figured, we can make this work…
Q: What is Mobtown Groove Rock?
Drew: It’s a brand of music that ideally people will just want to move to in their own way. Want to tap your foot? Bob your head? Pat your hand on your thigh? Shake your hips? Sing the lyrics with a friend while you’re recording the song with your phone? Go for it.
Kevin: You know those movies where people are DANCING in front of a band. I always watch those and say “That’s what I want. Give me that.” Mobtown Groove Rock is our effort at getting the crowd shaking their butts.
Q: Favorite song off your new EP?
Drew: I think this is where I’m supposed to drag my feet saying that I like all of them and ultimately say one of the songs that came about from one of my ideas, but it’s “Scoundrels” at this moment.
Nick: “Scoundrels.” Love that groove.
Kevin: “Muscle Memory.” It gets me going.
Q: What is your favorite part of performing?
Kevin: The connection. Sounds silly, but it’s 100 percent real. To know that there’s other people in the room who know the lyrics and have gone through what you have, and understand it. It’s a small miracle to me.
Nick: The rush you get and feeding off the crowds energy. Unreal.
Q: I dare to ask this question, but screw it. What is your favorite local venue?
Drew: I don’t see how Kevin could possibly pick one venue, considering his job. Good luck answering this one, bro. If I’m playing the show, I’ll say Metro Gallery or Soundstage because they’re both one room so all the people are there on the floor.
Kevin: Drew’s answer works for me, LOVE those two. I do think we have a great selection in town right now. The 8×10 is still on my bucket list. We played one song their for a surprise proposal to my girlfriend. It was a tease. I gotta play that venue!
Q: Favorite part of the Baltimore music scene?
Drew: Baltimore has a couple different music scenes, but this particular one is great because people have gotten to know each other a little bit and want to support their friends even if they’re not completely into their music. Ideally you’d like to have both, but I think there are a lot of people that pay it forward because they’re happy to support friends.
Kevin: Our resilience. The “scene” has it’s ups and downs, but in 2016 it’s up, up, up. So many bands working hard and getting in front of new crowds. The best is yet to come. I promise.
Q: Kevin, you’ve been a part of the scene for a while now..how did it feel to win the Largest Contributor Award at the Maryland Music Awards?
Kevin: It was a rush of emotions. Surreal. It meant a lot to me, and I really appreciate it. Hung it right next to my show posters in my office! Having bands thank me for my help is really the best reward, though.
Q: Excited about your red carpet release party at Soundstage?
Drew: Without a doubt. We released a new song “Wrecked” and have gotten a lot of positive feedback, so I’m excited to play that for the first time in addition to a couple other surprises.
Nick: Can’t wait for the red carpet release its a very exciting moment to get to share our art with people and to not only put on a show for the fans but to create an experience
Kevin: Nah. (Wink)
The Henchmen headline Baltimore Soundstage this Friday, with a red carpet release party!
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