Earl Greyhound ~ Interview

Words and Photos by Joe Koch

The last time I talked with these guys — Matt Whyte (vocals and guitars,) Kamara Thomas (bass and vocals,) and Ricc Sheridan (drums) — Barak Obama was just a few hours away from winning the presidency.

The band was excited to talk about the new songs for their second album, which was to be recorded in January 2009. The project was finished on time, but the next process went way slower than the band had planned.

“We thought we were gonna hit the ground running and tour all that year,” said Kamara, “but everything always takes longer than you think.”

Instead, they re-evaluated their business plan — and went independent. For their first album, Soft Targets, the band was signed on a small label that happened to be closing its doors as the album was released. Consequently, the label wanted the music out there, but didn’t want to dedicate the resources to do it: Only 500 copies were shipped.

“So, we’ve been fortunate to have been able to tour for the past three years on only 500 copies being sent out to promote it,” said Matt. Relentless touring has allowed the band, he said, to forge some great relationships with other bands, “Which has allowed us to stay on the road.”

There also have been challenges keeping the band intact as a creative cohesive unit. Matt and Kamara have played together for eight years; Ricc has been with the band for about four years now.

When Kamara and Matt first started Earl Greyhound, she thought it was going to be as easy as starting a rock band and then you become famous. Eight years later, she wouldn’t give it up for the world.

“I’ve learned so much and we feel really great about where our band is and the direction that we’re heading in,” said Kamara.

They have faced the same challenges that most bands face and some disband and some figure it out.

“Ya know, it’s only at the precipice that you figure out what you want … when you’re faced with the decision of making the jump of life without the band? And that’s when you say ‘No.’ Then you’ve gotta come up with whatever it takes to figure it out in order to move forward,” said Kamara.

The band is at that point. They’ve surrounded themselves with a management team that believes in them and they have matured as people and as songwriters. They allow their creativity to fully reveal itself on their new album, Suspicious Package, due out April 13.

“I feel we’re starting to break through the clouds a little bit,” said Kamara.

The Brooklyn-based band prides itself on capturing that big rock sound of the ‘70s with a relevance that the young and old will appreciate. Matt feels this record is a perfect representation of them musically. What you hear on this album is what you’ll hear live on stage.

You’ll definitely hear how they’ve grown as songwriters. The harmonies are more intricate and the jams, more explosive. You can hear Ricc’s input — the man who brings a box of CDs with them every time they hit the road.

“He’s been a real influence on opening my eyes and ears to new things,” said Kamara. “The limited thinking of what rock n’ roll should be… disappeared because of Ricc’s influence.”

As they prepare for the release of Suspicious Package, they will wrap up a tour with Coheed and Cambria, then hit the road with OK-GO for a month. Then, they head to Germany and Japan, where they have had some previous success.

For more information go to: www.earlgreyhound.com/