Page 63 - ION Indie Magazine MarchApril 2018 Issue

Jay Petsko: What genre of music do you consider your work to be? Who are your major influences?

Sleepless Serenade: We are a Rock band. There is some pop in there, but we mostly consider our sound to be
Rock. We don’t set out and say we are going to write this way or that way -- our sound is just us. Our influences
include Van Halen and Def Leppard, to name a few

JP: How long have you all known each other? How did you meet?

Pete: Chris and I are brothers and we started playing when we were 2-years old. Later, we started forming bands
with friends. That’s when we first met Matt. He was one of the musicians we knew of from the area and we
formed local bands together. I met Eric last year while I was on tour with Last In Line. At the time, Eric’s band
was performing at the venue and I struck up a conversation with him. It wasn’t long before I asked Eric if he
wanted to sing for Sleepless Serenade and he joined the band.

JP: When did you form your band? What inspired you to make music together?

Pete: We started Sleepless Serenade in 2016, and as for what inspired us to make music together, it’s our love
of music. Our influences are all similar as well, there has to be that foundation, or it would never work.

JP: What can you tell me about your instruments? Are you subject to brand loyalty or will you play with
whatever's available? What made you choose the instruments you have now? Was it cost or was it a
style/model/brand/color preference?

Pete: I play Pearl drums, Sabian cymbals, Vic Firth Sticks, and Evans Heads. I have played others before, but they
didn’t have the sound I was after. My equipment takes a beating and has to hold up.
Chris: I’m using Mesa Boogie amps and I’m playing Charvel guitars. I need equipment that allows me to produce
the sounds I have in my head and this equipment hasn’t let me down.

Matt: I use Ampeg amps and Gibson bass guitars. There’s a reason you’ve seen many others using them – it’s
great reliable equipment.

JP: Where have you performed? What are your favorite and least favorite venues? Do you have any
upcoming shows?

Sleepless Serenade: Right now, we are focused on recording our EP which is being finished up and should be out
soon. Newly filmed live videos will also be released in the near future as well. As for venues, we have played
throughout NJ and NY, with our favorite venue being The Chance. As for our least favorite, we wouldn’t want to
diss anyone.

JP: Which songs do you perform most frequently? Do you ever play any covers? Do you have a set play list?

Sleepless Serenade: Yes, we have a set list and no, we do not play any covers.

JP: Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs? Do you think these
topics will change over time?

Sleepless Serenade: Inspiration can come from anywhere, but mostly it comes from what you are going through
at the time. So, it’s ever changing.