Asbury Park Vibes' Band of the Week

November 6, 2020

HOMETOWN

Ludington, Michigan and Anchorage, Alaska

YEAR FORMED

2019

BAND MEMBERS

John Merchant – Vocals, Guitar, Songwriter

Todd Long – Drums, Bass, Guitar, Songwriter

1. YOUR MUSICAL PAST AND PRESENT IN ONE RUN-ON SENTENCE.

Todd - Drummer for The Verve Pipe, Dutch Henry, Molly and now artist at Golden Robot Records.

John - I honestly don't remember wanting to do anything other than make music from the moment I heard classic country artists like George Jones, Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard, and Johnny Cash but the band that really set me on my path was the Beatles and I just loved everything about them and wanted to be in a band, perform for people, and write songs then ulitmately got the chance to start doing that and then releasing music and touring nationally and starting Ghosts of Sunset with my friend Todd Long who I've played music with on and off for over 39 years.

2. SORRY, BUT WE HAVE TO ASK … WHAT’S THE STORY BEHIND YOUR BAND NAME?

John - It's an homage to the 1980s "hair metal" scene in Los Angeles California on the Sunset Strip, but it's also a salute to all the great artists from Frank, Sammy, and Dean to the Byrds, the Doors, the Runaways, to Motley Crue, Ratt, Poison, Faster Pussycat, LA Guns, Quiet Riot, Van Halen and a host of others who sought fame and fortune on the strip.

3. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR SOUND TO SOMEONE WHO HASN’T YET HEARD YOUR MUSIC?

Todd -We have that 80's Hard Rock feel with a modern twist!

John - Rock n Roll that isn't afraid to allow influences from several genres. We're always about great songs no matter where it comes from.

4. HOW DID THE STARS ALIGN TO BRING YOU ALL TOGETHER?

Todd - John and i have been friends for nearly 30 years. It is a natural friendship with our roots being the love for 80's hard rock!

John - Todd and I bonded over our 1980s "glam metal" music tastes. There weren't a ton of people in our school listening to Faster Pussycat, Vain, and Pretty Boy Floyd, so we instantly recognized a kindred spirit in each other.

5. IF BANDS WERE REQUIRED TO HAVE A SLOGAN … WHAT WOULD YOUR BAND SLOGAN BE?

Todd - "Love, Live, Laugh and Rock"

John - "Continuing a tradition of rock n roll greatness"

6. A PROJECT YOU’RE CURRENTLY WORKING ON THAT YOU’RE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT.

Todd - Currently promoting our Ghosts of Sunset second single "Never Goodbye" while writing for our 1st full length release for Golden Robot Records.

John - Ghosts of Sunset full length album! The songs so far are REALLY fun to listen to.

7. HOW DOES THE BAND FLESH OUT A SONG FROM START (IDEA IN YOUR HEAD) TO FINISH (RECORDING)?

Todd - Usually a melody will pop into your head while doing the silliest things. I can be doing laundry and a song idea will all of a sudden pop into my mind! Then i will either sing it into my phone or go into my home studio and lay down the idea. We pass our thoughts back and forth until we get it til the final end!

John - Usually start with a "riff" or musical idea and build what we call a working "skeleton". Once that's in place we start exploring characters and storylines. As those are unfolding we add musical parts and idea that further our narritive along.

8. WHAT DO YOU FEEL IS THE BEST SONG YOU EVER RELEASED, AND WHY? Todd -"Miles In-Between" was the first song we wrote together, the first song we released too. It is kind of special to us! John - "Miles In-Between" will always be special because it was our first single and our first introduction to like-minded music listeners.

9. PICK ONE WORD THAT BEST DESCRIBES WHAT YOUR REHEARSALS ARE LIKE. [YOU CAN ELABORATE IF YOU’D LIKE!]

Todd- lots of laughing, having fun and hard work!

John - "Hey, Hey, HEY MAN, wanna work on that song? (one or more members noodling on a riff or rock n roll song), Hey, wanna work on that song? (finally get everyone to play it...more noodling, classic song, 20 minute conversation about classic bands we like, run song down once all the way through followed by "that seems good, I'll do my homework for next time"

10. ANY MUSIC VIDEOS PLANNED OR IN PRODUCTION?

Todd - We have one quarantine video done for our song "Miles In-Between."  We shot one in the similar way for our second single "Never Goodbye" and we are waiting for that to be released.

John - The pandemic has been a challenge. So far we've been stuck doing "quarantine" style videos, but have already discussed with our video director what a proper video may look like.

11. LET’S GEEK OUT FOR A SECOND … TELL US WHAT YOUR ABSOLUTE FAVORITE PIECE OF MUSICAL EQUIPMENT IS RIGHT NOW.

Todd - I am currently in love with my Epiphone Thunderbird Bass Guitar. The sound that I am getting out of it is ridiculous!

John - I'm totally digging the Atomic Amps "Amplifire Box". Best amp models on the market. My Rockitt Retros 50 Watt Plexi is the amp I imagine God Himself plugs into when He wants to make rock n roll. Also, and this is an insider pro-tip, the Digitech "Drop" pedal is my most useful new practice tool! Allows you to detune without re-tuning the guitar. LOVE IT for my locking trem guitar. That means I can be tuned to standard, and hit a button to go to a 1/2 step down to play along with all my favorite Van Halen songs and such!

12. WHICH MUSICIAN OR BAND INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME A MUSICIAN?

Todd - My first love is KISS. The Police made me want to be in a band!

John - Beatles and John Lennon.

13. AN ALBUM THAT’S HAD A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON YOU.

Todd - Poison 1'Look What The Cat Dragged In" was huge in my life. I loved their look and the catchiness of their songs was undeniable to my ears!

John - All time: "Revolver" by the Beatles, runner-up "Born to Run" by Bruce Springsteen, hard rock/hair metal self titled Faster Pussycat. SLEEZE!

14. VOCALIST YOU ADMIRE THE MOST?

Todd - John Merchant from Ghosts of Sunset for songwriting alone and Tony Harnell ex T-N-T is my favorite! His range is truly amazing!

John - Currently on a Robert Mason (Warrant/Lynch Mob) kick, but all time I loved what John Lennon did with his voice. Donnie Vie from Enuff Znuff is a direct decendant of that style and I love him too.

15. GUITAR SOLO THAT ALWAYS GIVES YOU GOOSEBUMPS?

Todd - "Bed of Roses" by Bon Jovi has always been a favorite of mine.

John - I always gravitate to the ones you can sing. Too many to list

16. MOST BAD-ASS BASSIST?

Todd - I have always had a soft spot for Nikki Sixx of Motley Crue. He may not be the best, but he is the coolest.

John - Ronnie Lane from the Faces.

17. DRUMMER WITH KILLER CHOPS?

Todd - I have always been a fan of Rikki Rockett (Poison), Vikki Fox (Enuff Z' Nuff), Zoltan Chaney (Slaughter, Vince Neil). I love "The Show"

John - Todd Long from Ghosts of Sunset, Matt Starr (Ace Frehley/Mr. Big/others)

18. ROLLING STONES OR THE BEATLES?

Todd - Definitely The Beatles. The songs and harmonies seal the deal for me!

John - Beatles then the Stones. Beatles could rock, Stones could roll.

19. DO YOU HAVE ANY PRE-SHOW RITUALS?

Todd - Listening to music is my absolute favorite thing to do before a show.

John - Urinate between 800-1000 times

Todd - John is funny, yet so true!

20. FUNNIEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED WHILE YOU WERE ON STAGE.

Todd - I remember my drum throne broke during a show once. Luckily, I am pretty good at standing up and playing so it wasn't that huge of a deal.

John - I'm a recovering alcoholic so in my drinking days I was often a one man clown show. ANYTHING might happen.

21. IF POSSIBLE, DESCRIBE WHAT PERFORMING LIVE FEELS LIKE FOR YOU.

Todd - I love the stage way more than the studio. I love interacting with my band mates and the audience. There really isn't a rush like the stage.

John - Like I'm finally where God has always intended me to be. Like home. When its great it's like being wrapped in a warm blanket on a freezing night, when it's bad it's still pretty great.

22. IF YOU WERE SECOND ON A THREE-BAND BILL, WHICH BAND WOULD YOU LOVE TO BE SUPPORTING AND WHICH BAND WOULD YOU CHOOSE TO OPEN FOR YOU? [GOOD CHANCE TO PLUG A NEWER BAND YOU REALLY LIKE]

Todd - Would love to support Poison, and one of my newer favorite bands is Tuk Smith and The Restless Hearts

John - We support Bon Jovi and the first band is Dirty Honey

23. WHAT DO YOU HOPE YOUR FANS GET FROM YOUR MUSIC? IS THERE ANYTHING YOU’D LIKE THEM TO KNOW?

Todd - Our music is just for enjoyment. You won't hear politics in our songs. We aren't "That Band". We hope to be able to hit the road once the pandemic is over. We miss that!

John - Release, a moments rest from the day to day stress of living. Connection with other humans 

24. MOST DON’T ALLOW THEMSELVES TO BELIEVE THAT WHAT THEY REALLY WANT ... CAN ACTUALLY HAPPEN. CLOSE YOUR EYES AND VISUALIZE WHAT YOU CONSIDER TO BE YOUR ULTIMATE SUCCESS. WHAT DO YOU SEE?

Todd - Just being able to do what we do for a living is good enough for you. We are not in it to be rich or for chicks. That is not us! We love music for music.

John - Making a safe, comfortable, financially secure living making music

25. WHAT ARE YOU DETERMINED TO SEE HAPPEN FOR YOUR BAND IN THE NEXT YEAR?

Todd - Get our E.P "Headed West" out in 2021 via Golden Robot Records and play some shows. That is definitely missed!

John - Release a full-length album and some limited live dates. I can't wait to get into a room and sing these songs to people. Meeting people and sharing moments is what it's ultimately all about.

26. UPCOMING SHOWS, EVENTS, FESTIVALS YOU’RE PLAYING?

Todd - Nothing the world is on hold for us. We are just writing and recording!

John - In negotiations with agent right now. Covid has made a mess of our industry

27. WHAT CONCERT DID YOU ATTEND THAT YOU’LL NEVER, EVER FORGET?

Todd - Van Halen with Sammy Hagar in 1992. Best concert I've ever seen. Kiss at Tiger Stadium on their reunion tour! That was killer too!

John - The Tragically Hip a HUGE band from Canada came down to Michigan for a club show. Mesmerizing. I couldn't take my eyes off the stage. I may have wept.

28. BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER BEEN GIVEN.

Todd - Be true to yourself. Do music for all the right reasons!

John - Never stand up when you can sit down, never sit down if you can lay down, never volunteer for anything.

29. WHAT IS YOUR MOST VALUED MATERIAL POSSESSION?

Todd - Well is family a material thing? If not that then my vinyl albums!

John - None. They're all replaceable. My family and friends are not.

30. WHICH OF YOUR BAND MEMBERS:

⇒ IS ALWAYS LATE?

Todd - Probably whoever lives the furthest away! Right now, that would be me

John - No one. This is our profession and we take it seriously

⇒ EATS THE HEALTHIEST?

Todd - Probably John, he's a runner and does yoga. He may enjoy Big Macs too though. I try to eat healthy but it is sooooo hard!

John - Todd Long has always been good with that for the most part, especially on the road

⇒ IS THE PRANKSTER?

Todd - Nobody really I don't think. Just kidding! That was a joke 🙂

John - Me. I love that kind of silly stuff. Jump out of a box type of stuff.

⇒ IS THE TASK MASTER TO GET THINGS DONE?

Todd - We both have good work ethics. If I can't get something done John will take the ball and roll with it. John - Todd. Every band needs a Todd.

⇒ HAS A USELESS TALENT?

Todd - I can juggle! CLOWN SHOW

John - I run a lot but don't really go anywhere

31. WHEN YOU’RE NOT PLAYING MUSIC, WHAT ELSE DO YOU LOVE TO DO?

Todd - I love movies. I have a collection of about 2500 films.

John - Running. I'm also a recent Yoga convert. I'm a homebody for the most part and it's usually music, music, music. I'm not good for much else.

32. IF WE WERE TO LOOK AT YOUR “GO-TO” PLAYLIST RIGHT NOW, WHO ARE SOME OF THE ARTISTS WE’D SEE?

Todd - Ryan Adams, Blink 182, The 1975, All Time Low, Poison, Bon Jovi, Kiss. I mostly love pop - punk and glam rock!

John - Lucero, Jason Isbell, Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen, Turnpike Troubadours, but I always keep some Ratt, WASP, Kiss, Faster Pussycat, Michael Monroe, and other similar stuff close by.

33. BEST BAND NAME YOU EVER HEARD?

Todd - For some reason i like the name Knuckle Puck. Why??? Who knows!

John -Oh man, I'm not sure. Led Zeppelin is pretty good.

34. VINYL RECORDS, CASSETTES, CD’s, OR DOWNLOADS?

Todd - I have a nice vinyl collection but downloads are my go-to these days. Way more practical. I am not a streaming guy!

John - Love the sound of vinyl and the convenience and instantious nature of downloads.

35. WHAT SONG IS AMAZING, YET NOT VERY POPULAR?

Todd - "Sleeping In" - All Time Low, "Darkside" - Blink 182. Two of my favorites right now.

John - Too many to list. "Shuffle It All" by Izzy Stradlin and the Ju Ju Hounds comes to mind.

36. AN ALBUM YOU NEVER GET TIRED OF LISTENING TO.

Todd - Bon Jovi - Slippery When Wet. LOVE THIS ALBUM!!!

John - Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen. It's always like a film in my mind.

37. WHAT SONG ARE YOU CURRENTLY OBSESSED WITH?

Todd - "Still Love You" - Wildstreet, "Make It There" - Black Swan, "Hit The Wall" - House Of Lords

John - Anything by Lucero. They're from Memphis Tennessee and I listen to them so much even my family is sick of them

38. WHAT SONG HELPED YOU WHEN YOU WERE HEARTBROKEN?

Todd - "In These Arms" - Bon Jovi

John - "Goldilox" by Kings X, "Heaven Tonight" by Cheap Trick, and "Whiskey Bottle" by Uncle Tupelo

39. WHAT ALBUM OR ARTIST DID YOUR PARENTS INTRODUCE YOU TO THAT YOU LOVE?

Todd - My dad loved the 50's music soI  have a soft spot for Doo Wop music! Miss and love you Dad!

John - Motown. My mom LOVED that music. She also gave my the record "Johnny Rivers LIVE at the Whisky a Go-Go". Game changers. Thanks, mom, I miss you RIP

40. WHAT’S YOUR BENCHMARK FOR A GREAT MUSICIAN?

Todd - Write a great song! Thats all of our goals.

John - When I can tell they're doing it for sheer LOVE. When I know it isn't something they DO, but something they ARE.

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