Interview: Eric McNeely from Fallbrooke

We had the pleasure of chatting with Eric McNeely from Fallbrooke about the band’s influences, favorite fan moments, and their favorite TV shows. Check it out below!

Tell me a little bit about how you guys found each other and got started?

Eric: Kevin, Augusto, and I grew up together in South Florida and have played music with each other our whole lives. We met Chris while living in Los Angeles and searching for a lead guitar player. He saw a post absolutepunk.net put up and contacted us right away. We jammed out with him and asked him to join. Just 3 days later, we shot the music video for ‘Losin It’.

You independently produced and distributed your first album. How difficult was it to do without a label involved?

Eric: Not difficult at all to make, but a lot harder to promote since we didn’t have the people we have now getting radio and TV placements for us. I had gone to an institute for audio engineering called SAE which is located in Miami, FL. While attending, I had learned how to produce, track, and how to use Pro tools. There was no deadline or rush to release the album so Kevin and I took our time from the summer of ’06 to spring ’07 to write and record the songs. The quality was no where near as great as our new album, but it wasn’t bad for a first try. [laughs] After we finished the album, we just went through discmakers.com to print out copies of it and sold it at our shows.

How has your sound evolved since that first album?

Eric: It’s evolved a lot. I think people would think it was 2 different bands if listening to the 2 back to back, and they wouldn’t be wrong. Half our line-up has changed. “26 Seconds” (our first album) has sort of a pop/punk rock sound where as our new “self-titled” album has a more mature alternative sound.

If you could describe your sound in just three words, what would they be?

Eric: Alternative/Rock/Pop

Who are your musical influences?

Eric: Bands like Jimmy Eat World, Weezer, and Deftones are a big influence on me. Kevin is really into Smashing Pumpkins, Thrice, and Poison the Well. Augusto likes Third Eye Blind, M83, and Nine Inch Nails. And Chris likes Foo Fighters and Muse.

What’s your favorite song to perform live and why?

Eric: My favorite song to play live currently is ‘The Best Thing,’ because I don’t play guitar in that one so it gives me a chance to rock out with the audience. Kevin’s is ‘Numb,’ because it has the most feeling to him live. Augusto’s favorite would be ‘Condition: Response,’ because it feels right.

What has been your most memorable moment since forming the band?

Eric: Being in Lansing, Michigan and hearing our song on the radio for the first time.

Was there an album that you heard growing up that really changed your life and convinced you that music was your future?

Eric: Growing Up, “Around the Fur” from Deftones was that album for me. For Kevin it would be “Mellon Collie and The Infinite Sadness” by the Smashing Pumpkins. Chris’ would be Metallica’s “Black Album.” And Augusto would be “Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Silence” from Glassjaw.

What’s been your favorite fan experience?

Eric: The whole crowd singing Happy Birthday to Augusto on his birthday at our show.

Any favorite TV shows you guys keep up with?

Eric: Nip/Tuck, SNL, and Flash Forward. Kevin likes House and Family Guy, Augusto likes Gossip Gir and anything on Investigation Discovery, and Chris likes Curb your Enthusiasm and Entourage.

What’s next for you guys?

Eric: After we release these last new songs that we’re adding to our self-titled album to release physically in stores, we want to tour all over the US.

Interview By: Emma Loggins

– Fallbrooke Official Site