Young band from Boston, Westland, is on the rise
Meghan Hole
Issue date: 9/8/09 Section: Arts & Society
MH: Did [Jon and Carlo] going to Berklee influence any of your music styles?
WL: Berklee opened up Jon and Carlo's minds to so many different influences; also improving our musicianship. It definitely benefits Westland.
MH: What age did you start getting into music?
WL: One or two to be honest, just from our parents always playing it.
MH: How did you guys get started in music?
WL: We all come from different music backgrounds, [and] for some of us, we were into sports and just found music. For others, we just picked up an instrument one day and couldn't ever put it down. Some took lessons, others taught themselves by ear.
MH: Who are your greatest influences?
WL: The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Blink-182, Anberlin and Copeland.
MH: I've noticed that a lot of bands are influenced by Blink-182. Why do you think that is?
WL: Blink started the whole pop-rock/powerpop sound, I think. Well, Green Day too, of course, but Blink showed that playing this style is fun.
MH: Who writes the lyrics of the songs?
WL: Aaron.
MH: Where do you guys get your song ideas?
WL: Dreams.
MH: How many EPs or LPs have you produced?
WL: One LP.
MH: What is the name of your LP?
WL: Don't Take It Personal.
MH: What's a typical band practice like for you guys?
WL: We practice every day for about seven hours [and] going over our set just as if it was a real show.
MH: Do you guys ever get into fights about anything?
WL: We bicker like brothers.
MH: Have you guys played at Warped Tour?
WL: Not yet.
MH: What's the best thing about being on tour?
WL: Meeting new bands and making close new friends.
MH: What's the worst thing about being on tour?
WL: (Laughs) Well I guess of course when the bus smells bad, but also missing friends and family back home.
MH: Describe your best onstage moment.
WL: An obsessed fan ran onstage and tried to hug Aaron, but she fell.
WL: Berklee opened up Jon and Carlo's minds to so many different influences; also improving our musicianship. It definitely benefits Westland.
MH: What age did you start getting into music?
WL: One or two to be honest, just from our parents always playing it.
MH: How did you guys get started in music?
WL: We all come from different music backgrounds, [and] for some of us, we were into sports and just found music. For others, we just picked up an instrument one day and couldn't ever put it down. Some took lessons, others taught themselves by ear.
MH: Who are your greatest influences?
WL: The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Blink-182, Anberlin and Copeland.
MH: I've noticed that a lot of bands are influenced by Blink-182. Why do you think that is?
WL: Blink started the whole pop-rock/powerpop sound, I think. Well, Green Day too, of course, but Blink showed that playing this style is fun.
MH: Who writes the lyrics of the songs?
WL: Aaron.
MH: Where do you guys get your song ideas?
WL: Dreams.
MH: How many EPs or LPs have you produced?
WL: One LP.
MH: What is the name of your LP?
WL: Don't Take It Personal.
MH: What's a typical band practice like for you guys?
WL: We practice every day for about seven hours [and] going over our set just as if it was a real show.
MH: Do you guys ever get into fights about anything?
WL: We bicker like brothers.
MH: Have you guys played at Warped Tour?
WL: Not yet.
MH: What's the best thing about being on tour?
WL: Meeting new bands and making close new friends.
MH: What's the worst thing about being on tour?
WL: (Laughs) Well I guess of course when the bus smells bad, but also missing friends and family back home.
MH: Describe your best onstage moment.
WL: An obsessed fan ran onstage and tried to hug Aaron, but she fell.
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