www.facebook.com/bulletsforbodies
From: Kentucky
Sounds like: Punk Rock
1. How did you get started with music and how did you develop your sound? Who thought of the name "Bullets for Bodies" and is there any meaning behind it?
Ian: Well, my start was music was all-encompassing in my life from childhood my father, ran a booking agency at one point, so it was always there and at fourteen I wanted to sing. Our sound is a work in progress at this point; we do what sounds good. We wanted to play Rock N Roll, so we did. On the name that was me, there is a purpose behind it, but I like to leave that up to interpretation, and I want people to read into what they want. I know what it means to us as a band, but as far as for others. What do you think it means?
Zed: I just want it to swing. We can change our sound a million times, and as long as it swings, I don't care. Not enough bands do that. It's only a name.
Gwyn: I've always been surrounded by music. My dad would be playing anything from heavy metal to classical when I rode in his car as a toddler, and by the time I was a teenager I was getting into punk and alt rock. Over time it just started to stick with me, and I started trying to make the kind of music that I could never get enough of as a teen.
2. What do you want people to take away from your music?
Ian: For me, it is that we are a group of storytellers; we want to enrapture you in our lives, in what we want to say, and make you understand on an emotional level. How we feel.
Zed: I just want to watch people move to it. See their eyes light up with the riffs start. A good melody is timeless. I've thrown out countless melodies and progressions because I don't think it will affect a listener in a positive way.
Gwyn: I just want people to feel something, anything. Joy, pain, sorrow, rage, as long as they're feeling something, and it makes them feel alive.
3. How would you describe your sound to the average listener?
Ian: Hard, Fast, and Fun. We love Rock N Roll, and if you love the darker parts, you'll like us.
Zed: Fuzzy RnR mixed with punk aggression. I sneak a little.
Gwyn: Straight fuzzed out garage rock, the kind of thing that anyone from young punks to old heads can enjoy if they just wanna move doom in there from time to time.
4. Who are three bands you'd like to tour with?
Ian: That is a hard one as a pipe dream I'd love to tour with Alice Cooper someday; mans, my idol. My Chemical Romance, because of my inner emo kids and probably one that we'd actually work with Rancid; why not.
Zed: I don't even know. I'd like to find some local groups and all just take over the world together.
Gwyn: Difficult to name 3, because I'd love to just play a ton of shows with the local and out of state, small bands that I came up seeing at local venues.
5. How has Covid affected what you do as a band?
Ian: Well, in a way, fortunately, Covid helped us get our act together, I think, and work rather hard to get a stable lineup, better music.
Zed: It gave us time to do our EP.
Gwyn: Covid's been a nuisance, but it's given us a lot of time to keep working on improving our work as a unit.
6. What's your take on the current state of Punk Rock?
Ian: Punk Rock, oooo lots of opinions about that one. I believe that Punk as a genre is kind of aimless right now; to me, it feels like they have nothing to say. It's a scene that I feel lost its working-class roots; that's why I write a lot about being a poor kid growing up in the mountains. I think Appalachia has a lot to say in this genre and that it is time to make our stamp on Punk.
Zed: I like the energy it puts off. It feels like people are going to hardcore shows for the loud energy to release their frustrations. I'm always in support of a positive outlet.
Gwyn: I feel there's never been a better time to get into punk rock. We're living in a world on fire with social upheavel and pure calmity every day, who wouldn't want to wail in anger over top of some power chords with everything going on?
7. What's the current music scene like in Kentucky?
Ian: That's the million-dollar question right there. It is a rough one for rock bands, that's for sure, but we make do and work together. People are friendly and kind, I believe.
Zed: Country/Classic Rock cover bands dominate it. Some singer songwriters. I like those guys. Rock bands clique together and DIY out of necessity. They are ignored for the most part. Really sucks.
Gwyn: The local music scenes are largely dominated by country and oldies rock and roll cover bands outside of the city, which makes it difficult, but I've found it's helped small, but strong, tight-knit communities of outcasts come together for a love of loud, fast music.
8. What's your take on the royalties that streaming services payout to artists?
Ian: As a virtual nobody, I benefit heavily from streaming; I am not going to pretend I don't as I don't make money off of it as of now. I will also say that while I do feel artists are not being compensated fairly on steaming platforms, it did bring piracy down to low levels. I do support that it opens doors for poor mountain kids to share their music, though.
Zed: A double-edged sword. The internet gives a fair shot to indie artists that wouldn't have been heard otherwise, but plenty of known artists often complain about royalties from it. I'm in the first boat, so my opinion is positive right now. Ask me again in a couple of years.
Gwyn: Streaming services are extremely vital to the little guys these days, the young punks and upcoming rockers like us who would otherwise struggle to have any income from music, but at the same time, so many of these services exploit the artists, giving them literal pennies for thousands of listens on the music they've worked so hard on, so it's a case where you've gotta take the good with the bad.
9. What's next for Bullets for Bodies?
Ian: I believe we are currently working on new music. Isn't that correct?
Zed: Yea. We've been writing new stuff. Hopefully it'll put the "Madness" in the dirt.
Gwyn: Definitely new stuff coming, hopefully sooner rather than later, but regardless it'll be at just the right time.
10. Any shoutouts?
Ian: Of course, I'd like to shout out my Mom, Brother Ben, and of course, my father, who passed away. To think how proud he'd be of me now.
Zed: The people who listen to us. Those numbers keep my grinding.
Gwyn: All my friends and family who have supported me in this and other projects, and all the people listening to us and encouraging us. I cannot imagine where I'd be if not for all the little compliments and bits of love that I've gotten from people who have enjoyed the stuff we've put out.
