 "Photo: Press Photo")
Minneapolis-based band The Big Strong Men is bringing their eclectic rock sound to Nutty's North tonight at 8. They released their debut EP, Don't Go Too Far, November 2010 and are currently on a Midwest tour to promote their new album which will drop this year. The Mirror asked a few question of drummer and vocalist Joe Silberschmidt to get some background on the band's unique sound.
Q: When did you know you wanted to be a musician?
A: All of us have been playing since we were young kids. Ben Greenwald and Philly Williams, who are The Big Strong Men's two songwriters, were next-door neighbors growing up in Mahtomedi, Minn. and would talk about growing up and playing music together. The band is really fueled by their deep musical understanding and vision. Some of our songs were written by either Ben or Philly when they were 14 or so. Jon picked up a bass in 9th grade when his friends started a band and needed a bass player (a funny Americana story that I find fairly common amongst bass players). I started dancing in the living room to Michael Jackson records not long after I could walk and drums naturally came soon after.
Q: Are there any musician(s) in particular that influenced or inspired you?
A: There are some definite inspirations for everyone in the band that clearly comes across in our music: The Beatles, Bob Dylan, The Band, The Clash, Elvis Costello, Weezer, The Beach Boys, Chuck Berry, James Brown, etc. Each person in our band has been in several different bands in the past: blues, jazz, hip hop, electro, punk, orchestras, choirs, noise rock and so our likes cover quite a bit of ground. We're able to use that to an advantage since everyone is so open, we're not particularly trying to "find a sound" as can be common amongst a lot of indie bands right now. Whatever comes up comes out.
Q: How would you describe your style of music?
A: Rock ‘n roll. Man rock. The sonic equivalent of winning the physical fitness award.
Q: Where do you find inspirations for songs? Are there any themes or messages that you like to portray?
A: Inspiration comes in corners. It comes in language, at the turn of a phrase. It comes in friends' art and living in a city like Minneapolis. It comes from being a little pathetic. Sometimes we're looking for it, other times it simply arrives unannounced. We've been inspired by so much music and art that I think it comes down to being as in tune with your own life as possible and telling that unique story. Our songs are short stories about how we've felt at one point or another about menthol cigarettes, getting emotionally drop-kicked in the face, hanging out, really liking a lady, dinosaurs, extinction, bitterness, making sacrifices and dancing with great fervor.
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