Page 100 - ION Indie Magazine MayJune 2020 Issue

Marty Haviik: What are the band’s music influences?

Miguel: Prog rock bands like the Police, Genesis, Kansas, etc.

Dan: My influences come from an 80’s metal, alternative, and Prog
background, with classic rock added in later. I cut my teeth on Iron Maiden,
was blown away by Rush, moved on to Metallica, took a right turn at
Bauhaus, landed on Jane’s Addiction for a while, soaked up Soundgarden,
lost myself in the Doors, Led Zeppelin, and Jimi Hendrix, and now I just let
it all mix together in my subconscious and it comes out as “Dan.”

CJ: Personal influences include progressive and adventurous bands and
musicians that combine rock with jazz and other musical traditions. Always
looking for intensity and personal style. Bands…Black Sabbath, Rush,
Tool, Meshuggah, King Crimson, Blue Oyster Cult. Musicians…Allan
Holdsworth (G), Percy Jones (B), Jeff Berlin (B).

MH: Who does the writing in music and lyrics?

Mark: CJ is the main lyricist with Dan also providing a few songs. The music
comes together organically. Sometimes CJ or Dan will have a mostly done
song, sometimes Miguel will have a beat that he’s working on. Sometimes
we just throw down a jam and it turns into a song. The nice thing is that
there’s no pride attached to these ideas. We try them, if they work, we use
them. If not, we toss them aside without attachment. It’s the combined
influences and mixture of ideas and styles that make Then When what it
is. We don’t try to write a certain way. We just write what we want to play.

MH: Where do you see THEN WHEN in 5 years? Vision? Goals?

CJ: We’d like to see THEN WHEN swirling around as a band with a
reputation of putting on a great live rock show. Some region-wide attention
would be nice along with an expanded online presence. To have our music
played on some satellite radio shows and concentrate on venues and
events that can handle a bit of volume. We’re not dinner entertainment. We
rock loud and we like it that way. We also don’t like to polish up things too
much. Music is organic and it sounds best when created by humans. Our
goal is to step up promotion and booking so we can expand our audience.
In the end, we want to be known as a group that can play well, rock hard,
and not shy away from our heavy, progressive, alternative, rock roots and
still be playing music that interests us.

MH: If there is an opportunity to share the stage, with which band or
artist would you like to perform?

Miguel: I see THEN WHEN in the near future as one of the best all-original
rock bands in Tucson…and opening for The Police 2nd reunion world tour.