Artist Interview: Underdog Rock Band [2022]

Let's Meet Underdog Rock Band - Artist Interview [2022] 

    You know the experience all too well. You meet someone and you both connect. It's the same experience meeting Underdog. They are down-to-earth, hardworking, and cool musicians from Boston. Underdog doesn't pretend to be something they are not, and their music is a sharp representation of this. 

    Sit down, grab a snack, and join your host Bolivar T. Caceres and Blair Kerr as they interview Underdog about their latest album, Ether Dome, their inspiration, and more. You are sure to love these guys and their music thereafter! 

    Below is a written interview, separate from the podcast. Each form will look at the artists at different angles, so there is plenty to learn and discover from your favorite artist. 

    When done reading the interview below, check out Soundbox Reviews's First Effect Season 1, Episode 4 on Underdog's single "There Goes The Neighborhood," and grab a listen to the in podcast interview. 

    But wait! There's more... Check out our critique and see how many boomboxes we gave  Ether Dome by Underdog. 

    If you enjoyed “Ether Dome" or like Underdog, you can connect with the band and purchase the album at Underdog.rock. You won’t be disappointed. 

    Please tell us what song you want us your thoughts on Underdog & their music social media, @Soundb0xReviews.

    Are you a musician? Have a new song or album out? We'll love to review it! For more information on our review policy, please visit here. 

Check out First Effect's Interview with Underdog.

1. What made you want to become a musician?

Scott: I’ve been playing music of one sort or another for as long as I can remember,

staring with piano when I was around 5 years old. I know that growing up the in 60s The Beatles were a huge influence on my life, in many ways, and definitely steered me to picking up a guitar and wanting to be in a band.

Bryn: My interest began before I can remember. An early recollection is of seeing Micky Dolenz playing drums and singing on the Monkees TV show. It occurred to me that if I could play music and write songs to support myself then that was absolutely what I wanted to do. The excitement of hearing music has never gone away.

2. Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of music?

Scott: Spending time with my wife, Priscilla, and our dog, Suzie, who just happens to be the band’s mascot. I also enjoy oil painting, movies, reading, vintage sports cars, and travel, which can be a great inspiration for writing songs.

Bryn: My groovy girlfriend, my motorcycle, contemporary art, performing arts.

3. What strengths do you have that you believe make you a great musician?

Scott: Not sure I believe I am a great musician, but trying to constantly expose myself to new and different styles of music helps to expand my awareness, and is hopefully

reflected in my songwriting. I try to play guitar or bass daily, even if it’s just for 30

minutes. I wish I had more time to devote to practicing drums, but I still try and soend

time behind the kit a few times every week.

Bryn: i keep an open mind towards the music world and endeavor to experience music from across a broad spectrum of artists. I also try to maintain a consistent practice regimen.

4. Do you have any weaknesses that you’re actively working to improve on?

Scott: My guitar playing can always be better, and I try to challenge myself with the

songs I write. My drumming is also something I work on, and tend to push myself

beyond my actual ability. I’ve never liked the sound of my voice, and I’m constantly

working on trying to improve my singing technique.

Bryn: Always trying to improve on my instruments, song writing. Self discipline and time management are still big challenges.

5. What is it about music that makes you feel passionate?

Scott: There is a certain feeling of well-being I get when working on our songs, but when listening to music in general, it’s often of overall sound of a song that will first draw me in, or perhaps a certain part an instrument does, or how they are working together to create the greater whole. Also hearing an outstanding vocal performance can be a thrilling experience.

Bryn: The groove, the melody, a funky bass line, a shredding guitar, passionate singing, cool chord changes.

6. Describe your favorite part and less favorite part of being a musician?

Scott: My favorite part is creating new music, that is hopefully unique in some way. It’s always exciting to play a song with the band for the first time, and hearing the transition from hearing it in my head to hearing it come alive in the world. Even if I have tracked a demo of it, there is nothing more satisfying that seeing a song come to life, and then taking it onto a stage. My less favorite part is the struggle to get heard, or find opportunities to play live.

Bryn: Favorite part is making something that satisfies me, and connects with other listeners. Less favorite thing is not having opportunities to rehearse, record, and perform.

7. Describe your creative process when you write a new track.

Scott: I don’t have any set way, a lot of times I will just come up with licks, or chord

progressions while playing guitar, that become the start of a new song. Other times it’s a thought, or lyric that jumps into my head while walking down the street or driving along somewhere. I love playing with sounds and textures to try and compliment what the song is about. I often refer to them “sound paintings.”

Bryn: It varies. Sometimes the beat or rhythm appears along with a lyric or song title.

Other times a melody or chord changes drive to song development. I usually record a

guide guitar part and a reference vocal. From there I add, maybe drum set, a bass,

percussion, other guitar parts, voice, etc.

8. What new projects are you working on? Any new tracks or albums in the pipe line? Tell us about how it started and why you’re passionate about it.

Scott: At the moment Underdog is my primary project, although I probably have some

songs that might be better suited to another outlet. I have well over a hundred songs

written, of which about 40 have been tracked, and are ready to go, so that we have a

wide selection to choose from to work on for the next album. I tend to find that I am

usually excited about the most recent songs I’ve written, which is why I like getting the

demos done quickly, to capture as much of the initial concept and energy as possible.

Bryn: Always writing and learning new/old songs. Some of the songs might end up on the next Underdog release. Also getting songs together for upcoming performances. I'm developing a repertoire of songs that I can play in different settings. This is fueled by the desire to express myself, connect with listeners, and hopefully gain recognition and cash money.

9. What’s the best piece of advice another musician ever gave you?

Scott: It actually came from Billy James, who although not a musician, discovered

several major acts in the 60s. He told me “Stay true to yourself. Don’t try and change

your style or vision to adapt to current trends and fads.”

Bryn: Practice, listen, hold onto your dreams, don't do drugs, stay in school, don’t give up yer day job...

10. What’s your process for dealing with performance anxiety?

Scott: This sued to be a bigger deal for me, but over the years it has somewhat

diminished, probably from being in a couple of bands that were gigging on a regular

basis in the 90s and 00s. I still have to deal with trying to remain aware of not letting the adrenaline take over, and try to stay in the moment.

Bryn: Try not to consume too much caffeine, stick to a vegan diet, get enough sleep, exercise.

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