RAGINPIT MAGAZINE

Last year I wrote an article about the music education program put on every summer by Skip’s Music in Sacramento called Stairway To Stardom. It is essentially a program that takes a bunch of kids that play instruments, puts them in a band and they write and perform 3 original songs. More often than not, these kids perform at the final show and then go their separate ways, but some of them stay together, forming new projects or carrying on with what they started in the S2S program. One such band that was spawned from the program is STD, which consists of 3 of the program participants and their coach, Steve Mahoney. I had a chance to ask these guys about their past, present, and future. Here’s what they had to say:

Tell me a little bit about the history of STD. This started out as a Stairway to Stardom band, correct?

STD: We formed as a Stairway band in 2005 called Syndrome and our coach was Steve. We learned a lot about song writing during the Stairway To Stardom program. Then we wanted to stay together after the competition where we took fifth place, but wanted to shift the style of the music a little.

Steve: The guys were fantastic at the show! 3 out of 5of them (S, T and D) wanted to keep things going and working together.

Is this the original lineup?

STD: Yes, all the members that were in before were with us while we were called Syndrome. When we changed our name to STD, the lineup was the same as it is now. It's been Steve, Stephen, Dalton and Thomas since the beginning. Syndrome had another singer, Terry, who went on to start his own metal projects and compete in Stairway to Stardom again. Our Syndrome rhythm guitarist, Matt, plays blues music now.

So what bands have influenced you guys?

Dalton: Well, we all have our different influences which is what makes us unique, in my opinion. Personally, I am influenced by a wide variety of music including Pink Floyd, MSI, Soundgarden, Primus, and others.

Thomas: I listen mainly to metal - everything from Pantera to Between the Buried and Me.

Stephen: Rancid is my favorite band in the world! One of my big influences is The Transplants. I like fast punk like The Casualties too. I listen to a lot of 70's and 80's rock too: Led Zeppelin, Motley Crue, AC/DC and Van Halen. I'm either listening to or playing music pretty much all of the time.

Steve: I love all types of music and try to get some inspiration from everything.

Tell me about the writing process. Is it a collaboration or is there a chief songwriter?

STD: We all throw in musical ideas at times. Its been a collaboration from the start. One of us gets a riff and another adds to it. Sometimes someone will come to practice with a full song and if someone doesn't like a part, we all think of a way to change it to keep everyone happy.

Steve: Sometimes we just jam, but most of the time we actually sit down in front of the computer and work out ideas on the recording system. From there we refine them together in the rehearsals.

Where do you draw inspiration from for the tunes you write?

STD: Lyrically, we stay focused on things that are easy to relate to. Musically, whatever makes us go, "YEAAHH!"

Are there any notable bands you guys have had the chance to share the stage with?

STD: Pat Travers three times at the Boardwalk! That's been a lot of fun. We also played with the Cherry Poppin' Daddies and The Burden Brothers on their Sacramento tour stops. We love playing with The Secretions and have done that a lot and also Final Summation, one of the best local bands ever! Flip the Switch was a blast to play with - Flip the Switch and the Secretions both really gave STD a break into the local scene.

I'd like to know what the Sac punk scene is like. Is it thriving or does it need CPR?

STD: Well, we'd say it's definitely alive and well. I see plenty of kids actively supporting the scene. It would also be great to get some more punk touring bands coming around.

Steve: Yes, the people who would cry "the scene is dead" aren't the ones going to shows. Get out from behind the computer and catch some live music. You might find something you really like.

I hear you are releasing a full-length CD. What's the scoop with that?

Steve: The new CD is called "Spreading The Disease". It's our first full length album and it's going to include songs not only from our first EP, but some new tracks that we may have played live before and some that are entirely new to our fans. It's 13 songs of greatness!

So what studio did you guys take over to do this recording?

STD: It's called Clear Sounds and it's in Carmichael. Any bands interested in recording there just hit us up and we'll give you the details.

So tell me what the future holds for STD? World tour?

STD: A world tour would be awesome, actually. As for now, we're looking to play shows like mad in support of our CD after it comes out and expand our fan base outwards from Sacramento.

Steve: If anyone has an offer for a world tour, bring it on!

Do any of the members have other projects they're working on? Right now would be the time to pimp them out.

Steve: Stephen and I play in a metal band called Wings Of Innocence along with my two best buddies Mike and Paul. It's pretty cool and definitely different than what we do in STD. We also play acoustic shows.

Stephen: I also play guitar in a screamo band that's just getting started called A Shattered Innocence.

Alright, thanks for your time guys.

OK, all you punks from Sacramento and beyond, go check out STD at a venue near you and be prepared to have your socks rocked off! If you are interested in more information on the band and to pick up their new CD“Spreading The Disease,” contact them at http://www.myspace.com/stdsacramento.

-The Shocker

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