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RoomForError

RoomForError - "Astronauts & Addicts" RoomForError - "Ten and 2" RoomForError - "Wasting Light"

Damn, it has been way too long Juggalos and Juggalettes, but fear not I’m back! That’s right I’m Johnny O and I’m back with another fresh edition of the Underground Spotlight. We have an interesting one for you this time around, as we bring back a former artist from the Underground Spotlight. Though he was featured here back in 2008 as an underground rapper, this time he returns as the lead singer for the rock band RoomForError.

Hailing from the small town of Ludlow, PA the group has amassed a following and even managed to land their first single on numerous radio stations. Of course, we’ll get into all of that in the interview.

So, let’s just jump right into this thing…

FAYGOLUVERS RFE @ OTR Pic

Johnny O: How would you describe the band’s style of music?

Zach D: Well, the phrase “100% Pure Rock” is on our business cards, so I’m gonna have to go with that.  We can get pretty heavy sometimes, but it’s never too heavy.

JO: Before we get into more about the band, we should probably mention that this isn’t your first appearance in the Underground Spotlight. So, can you tell us a little bit about that?

ZD: Absolutely.  I think the first time was in 2007 or 2008.  Long before RFE formed, I was known as the underground rapper, Falseface.  Some of the Juggalos may remember my most popular song, “Seven Levels”; it ended up on quite a few compilation albums back in the day.  That was actually the last song I recorded as a solo artist.  Soon after, another local rapper and I teamed up to form a hip-hop duo known as Cemetery Hill.  That project didn’t last long, but we did manage to make some pretty good music before it fizzled out. At the time, it was definitely the best vocal work I had ever done.

JO: What’s the transition from underground rapper to a rock group’s front man been like?

ZD:  I grew up on rock, so, to me, it’s been a natural progression.  In fact, “Puppet Show”, the last song I recorded with Cemetery Hill, was very rock-oriented; I even sang the choruses, which was a first for me.  I had been headed in this direction for a while, so, by the time RFE finally came together, I knew it was where I needed to be.

FAYGOLUVERS RFE Fountain Pic

JO: Over the last couple of years RFE has had some lineup changes, how has this affected the band?

ZD:  In a word, IMMENSELY.  When we started out, it was me on vocals, John Grimm on drums, and Chad Kelley on guitar.  At the time, my vocals were very grunge-influenced, which meshed well with Chad’s Classic Rock style of guitar playing.  John has always been able to sit down and come up with the most perfect drum beat for any song.  When it was all said and done, we ended up with a heavy Grunge/Classic Rock sound.  When Chad moved away in mid-2012, Brandon Kulp took over guitar duties, and Dusty Huff stepped in as our bassist.  Brandon brought some pretty heavy guitar riffs to the table, which definitely forced John and I to step our games up a notch or two.  With Dusty’s bass riffs tying it all together, we got a lot heavier.

JO: The band’s first EP was released early last year, what was that process like?

ZD: It was a lot more in-depth than any other recording I had ever done.  First, we had to write the songs, which wasn’t always easy.  When you’re a solo artist, you get your way 100% of the time, but when you’re in a band with three other guys, you only get your way about 25% of the time.  It’s definitely for the best though; there are a lot of checks and balances.  Plus, four guys’ influences, thoughts, and opinions are what make us who we are.  Once we had the songs written, we took them to Anthony Brown at Graphite Studios in Warren, PA (the same place I recorded “Seven Levels”), and started recording them.  The recording process takes quite a bit longer with a full band, but it was a great experience.  Anthony is a great guy, and we walked away with some high-quality recordings.  We’re not tied to any label, so we had complete creative control; in fact, I did all of the album artwork myself.  Getting the EP pressed up was a new experience for all of us, but it went very smoothly.  We’ve just recently embraced the digital world, so the EP should be on iTunes, Spotify, etc. by the time people read this interview.

JO: I know that the single, “Astronauts & Addicts,” caught some airplay, so how would you say the response has been?

ZD: It’s been amazing!  We were pretty excited when the first radio station played it, but we were blown away when it started popping up on radio stations all across the country.  At this point, I couldn’t even begin to tell you how many stations have gotten ahold of it.  People really seem to like that song; it’s even made its way onto some charts, which just confirms that.

FAYGOLUVERS RFE Gate Pic

JO: Currently the band is writing new material, anything you can let us in on?

ZD: We stand behind our debut EP 100%, but the new material is gonna blow it out of the water!  It’s heavier, darker, and all-around better.  We’re a better band then we were back then.  We’re more experienced and more focused this time around.  The first EP showed us finding our style, but the next one will show that we’ve found it.

JO: Since you’ve been a rap artist and are in a rock band, I have to ask what the underground music scene is like up in Ludlow, PA?

ZD: I always enjoy hearing the words “Ludlow” and “music scene” in the same sentence!  Ludlow is in the middle of nowhere.  In fact, Ludlow is in the middle of the middle of nowhere.  There is no music scene in or around Ludlow, so we typically have to travel at least 100 miles to play a decent gig.  We spend a good deal of time in Eastern Pennsylvania (Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Allentown/Bethlehem, Reading, etc.) because we have a lot of fans and connections in that area.  We also play Erie, PA and Pittsburgh, PA area from time to time.

JO: In May it looks like RFE will be playing a pretty big show in Pittsburgh, can you tell us more about that?

ZD: On Sunday, May 18, RFE (along with several other equally kick-ass bands) will be playing the Rex Theater in Pittsburgh, PA. We realize it’s a long haul for the majority of our fans (especially on a Sunday), but it’s the opportunity of a lifetime for us. If we can sell at least 50 of the pre-sale tickets that they gave us to sell, we’ll be entered into an online “battle of the bands” along with any other band on the tour that were able to do the same. If we win this contest, we’ll be flown out to LA to work with Jeff Blue one-on-one. This could be our big break. We’re playing the show regardless of how many tickets we sell, but, again, we have to sell at least 50 to be entered into the contest. There’s very little money to be made from this show, but the stakes are higher than they’ve ever been. So, if you’re not going to be busy on Sunday, May 18, we urge you to show your support. Purchase a pre-sale ticket through us and come on down to the show. If you know any music lovers in the Pittsburgh area, please ask them to do the same. The fans at this show WILL NOT be disappointed. Every band that will be at the Rex Theater on Sunday, May 18 is on their way to the top.

JO: You mentioned a one-on-one with Jeff Blue, for fans that may not know his name, can you tell us a little about him?

ZD: Jeff Blue is a music producer from LA who has worked with numerous acts such as Linkin Park, Korn, and Limp Bizkit. He and Gorilla Music are putting on a 75-date tour featuring the best up-and-coming bands in America. We’re proud to say that we’re one of… those bands.

FAYGOLUVERS RFE RR Pic

JO: Who would you say have been your inspirations?

ZD: Personally, I’ve always been a huge fan of Grunge, so I’ve taken a lot of inspiration from Scott Weiland of Stone Temple Pilots and Layne Staley of Alice in Chains.  Outside of Grunge, I would say my main inspirations have been David Draiman of Disturbed and Phil Anselmo of Pantera.  I’m only a quarter of the band though- Brandon is our resident metalhead; John loves Metal too, but he and Dusty are pretty eclectic as well.

JO: Who are you currently listening to?

ZD: At this very moment, I’m listening to “This is the New Shit” by Marilyn Manson.

JO: If fans want to check out more RFE, where should they go?

ZD: 

https://www.facebook.com/rfeband

https://twitter.com/RoomForError

http://www.reverbnation.com/rferoomforerror

JO: Okay, before we end this thing, how about a few shout outs?

ZD:  First off, I’d like to thank Johnny O. and the crew at Faygoluvers.net for featuring us on the Underground Spotlight.  You guys have always been there for me, whether you’ve been helping me out, or just providing me with the most up-to-date underground news.

We would also like to thank Hazleton OurTownRadio for everything they’ve done for us.  These guys are out there every single day helping unsigned bands get heard.  Check them out at www.ourtownradio.net.

Speaking of getting heard, we’d like to thank Igor at 100.1 The Hero out of Bradford, PA.  A lot of radio stations have played our music, but they were the first.

On that same subject, we’d like to thank Brandon West of Home Pro Audio in Wilcox, PA.  We look forward to working with him very soon.  Check out his studio here:  www.homeproaudio.webs.com.

A special thanks goes out to our friend/roadie/videographer/security guard/superfan, Reese Bloss.

Lastly, we would like to thank our fans, all of the bands we’ve played with, and all of the venues that have welcomed us into their establishments.  Without them, we’re nothing.  If there’s anyone I forgot, thank you too!

FAYGOLUVERS RFE Debut EP Cover Pic

Okay, Fam that’s gonna rap up another edition the Underground Spotlight. I want to thank Zach D, Brandon, Dusty, John and of RFE. Remember, if you’re in the Pittsburgh area be sure to head out on May 18th and check out RoomForError at the Rex Theater. Hell, if you’re going help a fellow ninja out and hit Zach up for one of those presale tickets.

Oh, and before I go I just want to assure everyone out there in Faygoluvers Land that the Underground Spotlight will be back faster then you think. I can guarentee you won’t be seeing a lengthy gap like this again anytime soon.

Of course, I want to say THANK YOU to all of the fans out here in Faygoluvers Land for taking the time to read through this interview. As always, remember if you’re an artist and would like to be featured right here on the Faygoluvers’ Underground Spotlight just hit me up at [email protected]. Make sure to include a short bio, why you want to/should be featured, a pic or two and a couple tracks. Of course don’t forget to include UGS or something similar in the subject line. So, until next time…

Peace,

Johnny O.

 

WEBSITES:

RoomForError @ Facebook

RoomForError @ Twitter

RoomForError @ ReverbNation

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    Faygoluvers Comments

  1. Scottie D

    ScottieD

    Comment posted on Sunday, April 6th, 2014 07:32 pm GMT -5 at 7:32 pm

    This band sounds pretty damn good! I’m hearing some Godsmack / STP / Buckcherry influence. I’d love to see them play the Gathering!

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