Ten Questions with “The GoAround”

 1.   Welcome to Kick Acts. Tell us a little about yourself and your band and were you can be found at on the web.

Alexander- My name is Alexander Saddic. I started the band with a few friends during the winter of my freshman year in high school after a well-received last minute talent show performance. Anthony joined three years later. The band name, The GoAround, comes from a piloting term used to describe a second attempt at a failed landing. The fact that I have always been fascinated by aviation paired with my ultimate desire to use music as an empowerment tool made this a very fitting title for the band. Our music, merch, bio and links to all of our social networking sites can be found on our website, www.thegoaround.com. Our primary social networking effort is definitely Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/thegoaround).

Anthony- I am Anthony Saddic, keyboardist and sex appeal of The GoAround. We, The GoAround, play Rock music. We have really eclectic taste in music, and I think that it really shows through our music. You can hear a bit of blues, a bit of pop, a bit of rock, and so forth. Whatever type of music you like, it’s likely that we like it too, and we like us, therefore you would like us too! In all seriousness though, I think our music is suitable for just about anyone! We put our best efforts out both in the studio and at the live show and we love what we do. You can find our stuff on iTunes, amazon, CD Baby, facebook, myspace, and our website: thegoaround.com.

2.   Who are your musical heroes, influences & why?

Alexander- As a 90’s kid in the Philadelphia area, it was inevitable that a constant barrage of boy bands and radio pop was the fabric of my relationship with music during the formative/elementary school years of my life. Most kids moved on from that phase in their lives after a few years, but for one reason or another I never did. Pop artists such as Backstreet Boys, Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, and Savage Garden have a huge amount of influence over the way I write. It wasn’t until junior high when I began to really take notice of the music that my parents listened to, like Led Zeppelin, Metallica, The Beatles, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Eric Clapton and other “real” bands. The massive influence of blues guitar and rock vocals on my playing/singing became noticeable almost immediately. The integration of pop melodies and rock instrumentation is the staple of our sound. Although the blending of genres is not a new concept, our lyrical structure and our ability to create “signature” sounds by manipulating our gear definitely sets us apart from the monotony of mainstream/overproduced Pop/Rock music.

Anthony- – It appears as though saying that The Beatles are your biggest influence is really cliché by now, but I cannot tell a lie. The Beatles are my all-time favorite band, and I think that the way they weave in and out between rock and pop is absolutely perfect and is something myself and the band as a whole aim to master. As far as my personal style of playing piano, aside from the obvious piano greats such as Billy Joel, Elton John, etc. I actually take a lot of my influence from some of the great “guitar gods” such as Brian May, David Gilmour, and Jimmy Page, trying to mimic their guitar playing on the piano.

3.   Do you have any advice for someone just getting started in playing music? Any pitfalls they should avoid?

Alexander- My biggest pet peeve in the local/beginner music scene is the ego and disregard that seems to infiltrate musicians. The “I’m in a band so I can do whatever I want” attitude is everywhere. People starting out need to realize that if you’re not already a superstar, the only way to make people give a shit about you or your band is to be compliant and respectful. Be you, be crazy and be fun. But be on time, be professional, introduce yourself to the venue owners, bartenders, and promoters, and be nice to sound guys (who are often times very difficult and argumentative). It seems obvious to me that you should be trying to form a good reputation with these people, but you wouldn’t believe how many times venue owners have approached me just to thank me for NOT being an asshole like most of the bands they work with. It is basically assumed at most places (and for good reason) that bands won’t show up to venues and interviews when they are asked to. Something as simple as being on time can make a huge difference in the way promoters think of you and your band. Always respect the people you work with as well as your fans. These are the people who will control the career in music that you hope to have one day.

Anthony- I would have to say that laziness and cockiness are the two biggest pitfalls in musicians who are trying to make it. It is really important first of all that you go above and beyond in pursuit of your dream because there are so many people who want it just as bad as you do and the one who works the hardest will typically be the one at the finish line. Second, you’ve got to stay humble and be friendly with people. The music business is just that: a business. And people don’t want to do business with people who are unpleasant to work with.

4.   Do you have a greatest gig story you’d like to share?

Alexander- Despite the fact that some of the topics we sing about are a bit heavy in nature, we are awfully goofy individuals. The fact that I find a way to turn just about anything into an inappropriate joke, or at the least a very sarcastic remark even frustrates some people. After a really intense rainstorm, our basement flooded and completely ruined a guitar. We decided that we would smash the guitar at our next big show. Before that show, we were feeling especially goofy so we basically hired a handful of gymnasts to wear a bunch of animal costumes (including a big bird suit) and do backflips all over the stage at the end of our last song before a guy dressed as a gorilla rushed the stage with the washed up guitar and smashed it next to my microphone stand. The audience loved it, but they definitely didn’t see it coming. Their faces were priceless. I’ll never forget that.

Anthony- We had Big Bird doing cartwheels, a cow grazing, an old man playing trumpet, and a gorilla smashing an old acoustic guitar. I hope that isn’t a “you-had-to-be-there” story because it was pretty hilarious and should not have its glory lessened by word-of-mouth.

5.   On the same token as the above question. How about a “worse gig” ever story.

Alexander- Our first ever radio appearance went really well musically. Everything sounded good and we got great feedback as a result of the show, but the gig as a whole was a disaster! We had a very stubborn and ignorant drummer at the time (note that I said “AT THE TIME”). Before we leave for ANY gig I always make the band double-checks that they aren’t forgetting anything. This particular drummer always gave me a hard time about it. Needless to say, when we got to the radio station for sound check, his hi-hat and cymbal stands were nowhere to be found. He even had the nerve to blame me, saying, “I thought YOU double checked everything!” Being over an hour from home, and less than two hours till airtime I had to give him cash to go to the nearest music store to buy a new cymbal. When he returned, we only had 15 minutes left to sound check. Despite the circumstances he refused to move forward with sound check until he had his own stage monitor (we had more members than monitors so we had to share a few). Finally everything got sorted out and the performance went swimmingly. Despite a happy ending there were pissed off producers and sound guys, and we would have never been invited back if the head of the radio station hadn’t been on vacation that day (SERIOUSLY a lucky break for us). But the moral of the story, and you can add this to my answer to question #3, is that in addition to respecting the people you work with, don’t put up with any bullshit from band members. EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU needs to take your music career seriously. It only takes one asshole to ruin your reputation forever. Needless to say, we have a different drummer now.

Anthony-  Oh gosh. The first year or so of being a band, it seemed like every show was a “worst gig” because something always went terribly wrong. First song of first show ever: my synth stopped working. That sucked pretty bad.

Oh! I’ve got a good worst-gig turned great-gig story! We were playing an outdoor show and we got the cops called on us during one of the first songs. When the cop showed up, he liked our music and just watched the rest of the show. That was pretty great.

6.   Do you have any other hobbies other than playing music? Collect stamps? Collect hats from off the side of the road? Draw pictures of boobs?

Alexander- Haha I don’t draw pictures of boobs, but if you do I’d be happy to take a look at your portfolio and tell you what I think! I paint guitars in my spare time. There’s nothing cooler than making music with an instrument that you know NOBODY else has. I also love long boarding and grilling. As far as collecting goes, I collect Betty Boop memorabilia. There’s just something so loveable and kinky about her character that makes me happy, haha. Maybe it’s because my Grandpa loved her cartoons, or maybe it’s just me being ridiculous, but it’s everywhere (in the van, in my room, on my clothes…etc.) That’s another thing. I love pimping out my van. It’s one of those chunky rusty old vans that the news channels are always warning you about haha, but mines got a Betty Boop steering wheel cover, floor mats, a suicide wheel, and visor covers. My license plate says “GOAROND” (GOAROUND wouldn’t fit, haha). I haven’t gotten as far as shag rugs and a disco ball yet, but it is in the plan. And a custom paint job would be wicked rad.

Anthony- I paint a little bit. It’s hard to find the time to but I love painting. I usually paint surrealistic stuff. I also play a lot of classical piano music. I suppose that’s not a hobby outside of music, but it’s definitely a big enough part of my life to mention.

7.   What do you think about the present music scene or lack of?

Alexander- The present music scene, like anything else, is exactly what you make of it. There aren’t really a whole lot of great bands in the West Chester area to play with and people aren’t really excited to go to local shows like they used to be. But if you play your heart out for a crowd of 10 and they really enjoy it they will come back with friends the next time. If you give 110% at every show your audience, however quickly or slowly, will inevitably grow. The scene isn’t really “popping” here in West Chester, but we have a solid growing fan base that we love and appreciate more than words could express. We have certainly branched out of West Chester a little bit and had relatively good success, and we will continue to travel further and further out into the nation in the coming year.

Anthony- Too many rock fans complaining about pop music, and at the same time too many pop artists who let computers do all the work. WAY too many people buying singles and never buying albums.

8.   Tell us something about each of your band members that we wouldn’t expect to hear… (Like their hobbies or something like that)

Alexander- Well there are only two of us, haha. Before I got to be any good at guitar I wanted to be a pilot for the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, which is something that people don’t typically expect to hear about me. I still go to see them at airshows every summer. One time my Grandpa drove me 10 hours to the gulf coast to watch them practice but we got evacuated because the infamous Hurricane Katrina hit that shore about 8 hours later. I have AWFUL motion sickness though, so that would never have worked out for me, haha.

Anthony is a total Pokémon nerd though. He spends so much time playing N64’s Pokémon stadium, and all of the old Gameboy color games. He and our ex-guitar player still have little tournaments against each other all the time. He used to have a MASSIVE collection of cards too, which I don’t know if he still has or not. I always thought that was a kind of random thing for him to still be into.

Anthony- Alex is an AVID Backstreet Boys and Savage Garden fan. He has every single Backstreet Boys album ever made, including the new stuff that nobody knows exists. Me? I grew up as a sheep-dog in New Zealand.

9.   Hypothetical situation. You’re stranded on Gilligan’s island and you get to hook up with only one of the girls. Is it Ginger, Mary Ann or Mrs. Howell and why?

Alexander- Mary Ann without a doubt. She’s so adorable. I tend to think that “cute” is hotter than “hot.” But she’s “cute” in such a way that is subtly but purposely kinky at the same time, which totally turns me on. She’s definitely got Ginger beat, even though Ginger has long sexy legs (and I’ve always been a legs guy). At this point though, I might as well have just hooked up with Mrs. Howell because in reality they are all old enough to be my Grandma.

Anthony-  Ginger. Because it’s on my bucket list.

10.       # 10 is called “Shout It Out Loud”. It’s where you get to talk about whatever you want to talk about. So go ahead and “SHOUT IT OUT LOUD”!

Alexander- PENIS! Haha, just kidding. The thing that bothers me more than anything in the modern music world is the usage of pre-recorded tracks. I just want an opportunity to rant about it in public for once since I’m always whining about it to my friends at home. If people want to listen to their iPods they could do that at home. People pay money to see performances. So many “bands” (even famous and successful ones!) go on stage and have prerecorded backing vocals, guitars, synthesizers etc.…that they play along with on stage. People used to throw a fit about pop artists lip-synching on stage. Isn’t this the same thing? I can’t tell you how many bands we’ve played with who resort to such tactics to improve their live sound. When we fall short handed in the way of musicians, we do an acoustic show. It just seems like cheating to me. People can appreciate and connect to a raw and emotional performance way better than a cookie cutter digital reproduction. I don’t even see tracks as an option. I don’t really have a problem with looping or sampling though (in moderation). It feels good to get that off my chest, haha.

Anthony- In “We Didn’t Start the Fire” by Billy Joel, I always wonder why after all of the horrifying events of the 20^th Century, it’s the cola wars that drive him over the edge.