Rock n' rollers XO Stereo is an all new rock band from Los Angeles, California featuring members from acts like LoveHateHero, From First To Last, and others! Expect them to release more material to follow-up to their current single and video "Show And Tell". Guitarist and piano player Justin Whitesel discusses this new project and where it plans to go.
1. Introduce yourself, tell me what you do in XO Stereo.
Justin: My name is Justin Whitesel. I play guitar and piano in XO Stereo.
2. Where is the band based out of and what is your music scene like there? Are there any local bands you could recommend?
Justin: We are based out of Los Angeles, CA. The rock scene out here isn't as cool as you think it is…unless you're in your 40's and have residency at one of the sunset strip venues.
3. What type of band are you?
Justin: The kind that plays instruments and sings and likes to dance. Sometimes.
4. Tell us the brief history of your band.
Justin: Well we met the same way a lot of bands do, in Vietnam. I know what you're thinking and no, we weren't in the war. We actually all met there before the war sometime in the year 1957. You see, we're the first 5 people to actually master the finer points of time travel and figured we should probably start a Rock N' Roll band. The rest is history. Or the future. Or the past.
5. How did you guys get your band name?
Justin: The name we originally chose was actually taken (somewhat) so we came up with this little devil of a name. It's based around Love (XO), Stereo (you know, stereophonic sound), and exoteric (which basically means "easy to understand").
6. Who are your musical and non-musical influences?
Justin: Musically our influences range from Refused, Nine Inch Nails, Acceptance, and Muse.
7. Who writes the songs, what are they about?
Justin: We don't really have a formula to our music. We literally write what we want and everyone adds their own form of individuality.
8. You guys are in the process of releasing your first single and music video can you tell me more about those?
Justin: Yes, we just released the first single and the response has been amazing. Myself and Cooper Campbell (Vocals) wrote this track. I'm not going to give away which lyrics I wrote and which lyrics he wrote, but the sections I wrote pertain to the downfall of a band I was in called LoveHateHero.
9. What type of release can we expect to see from you guys a EP or LP?
Justin: First release is an EP. Already have begun writing for our LP, however.
10. What are your dreams and goals?
Justin: Like any rock band, become as big as possible and have the ability to touch as many peoples' lives in the process.
11. The band is made up of other members from other bands and projects what's happening with those bands anything?
Justin: Nope. If those bands were still active, we'd probably all still be apart of them!
12. What advice would you give to fellow bands?
Justin: Fall in love with your instrument and get tight with your band before worrying about a gimmick or what brand of eyeliner to choose.
13. What are the biggest obstacles for bands?
Justin: Being an actual band. It's hard to hold down other forms of income, relationships, social lives, etc when this is your job 24 hours a day.
14. What can we expect to see from you in the future?
Justin: More releases including a lyric video for a cover song we did in the very near future.
15. What inspires you to do what you do?
Justin: Always creating something new brings a level of satisfaction that nothing else can top. Knowing that those creations potentially help people through their day is just a bonus.
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