www.facebook.com/thewompsrock
From: Boston, MA
Sounds like: Folk Rock/Punk
1. How did you get started with music and how did you develop your sound? Who thought of the name “The Womps” and is there any meaning behind it?
We all started playing our instruments in our pre-teen years. We grew up listening to very similar kinds of music, so it was easy for us to come together as a band when we met at Berklee and work on each other's songs. Developing our sound has had some interesting twists, because even though we have similar taste, our backgrounds are different enough that we bring in our own styles when someone brings in a song. All the songs are representative of who we are individually and as a group.
As for the name "The Womps", JP (bassist) blurted out the words on a late night spree, and we hated it. And if you think you know what it means, then you're right.
2. What do you want listeners to take away from your "Lastly, We Hope You Live In A State Of Constant Wonder" EP?
We're very keen on being a great live band, in our shows and especially in our recordings. "Lastly" is the beginning of our efforts to make an honest representation of who we are in when we're on stage.
3. What can people expect from your live show?
At every show, people witness us attempting to become Jamlord Supreme. We have a lot of fun on stage, and we hope that we instill that in our audience.
4. What's your favorite track to play live?
"Before Your Eyes" or "Into The Wind" are some of our favorites, but what we love most is jamming over our songs and messing with them a little.
5. Who are three bands you’d like to tour with?
Ween, Pearl Jam, and Flogging Molly.
6. Any crazy show stories?
Back in July, we played a porchfest in Jamaica Plain. We were planning on doing half the set without Kailey (violinist), as she was traveling from Hawaii to Boston that day. We got started with our set, and in the second song, Kailey showed up in a taxi after 12 hours of traveling, and joined in on the song. We played for another 2 hours that day! Kailey said that that was one of the most rock-and-roll things she's ever done, and we all like to think of that as one our best shows.
7. What’s your take on the current state of rock?
There's a lot of good new rock coming out, but it's not nearly on the same commercial success level as the bands we admire from "the good ol' days" (The Who, Led Zeppelin, Yes). Rock isn't going to die, it's just going to come back in another form.
8. What’s the current music scene like there in Massachusetts both locally and state wide?
The overall Massachusetts scene is decent, but it's no Nashville. A lot of great bands form in MA and especially in Boston with all the music students coming through the area. However, Boston is notorious for being very hard to get your foot in the door. There's a lot of people that are trying to accomplish the same things as we are, and most locals aren't keen on supporting the local scene.
9. What’s your take on legal/illegal music downloading?
Illegal music downloading is an issue that's starting to be addressed, which we're happy about. It seems like there has been a lack of education and enforcement, (the current YouTube issue is a good example). Unfortunately, this doesn't mean it will stop, but if people were more aware of the repercussions it has on a musician's livelihood, the overall situation will improve.
10. What’s next for The Womps?
Our plans going into next year will be to really build up our original repertoire. We have some new songs in the works, and we want to include some of those in our album that we'll be recording in the summer. And as always, press on and do as many shows as we possibly can!
11. Any shoutouts?
Mothers, fathers, cats and dogs. Sisters, brothers. We love you all!
