Gotham Theory has a new album, Why’d You Break Up With Me?, available and we were fortunate enough to get some time with these blues-rockin’ musical misfits.
Learn about Gotham Theory and the musical masterminds behind its creation in the below interview.
Who is Gotham Theory? How did you come together and choose this name?
Sam: Gotham Theory is four members…I’m (Sam) on drums and lead vocals, Stu on bass, Zack on Guitar, and Josh on Guitar and lead vocals. We do kind of have a fifth member, Ellie, but she’s more like our four-legged mascot and band manager. She’s still working on her effective communication skills though. I moved to Baltimore for work but with the idea that I wanted to start a band and was in and out of a few over my first couple years here. Josh and I had met several times around the Baltimore music scene and decided that we should join forces. We went through a few members and band names along the way and eventually were here with our current lineup. The band name came from a LONG text message chain with our original lineup and after a lot of mostly inappropriate names that I won’t mention, we landed at Gotham Theory.
Josh: Also, the band name does not necessarily have anything to do with Batman (even though he’s the best), we just thought it sounded cool. Some bars/people know us as Sam Brewer too but that’s an administrative error.
What influences your sound and writing style? What motivates you to keep going?
Sam: I think our influences are all over the place. I know for me it’s a lot of rock and funk with a soft spot for the pop-punk I listened to growing up as I was learning to play. You know the whiney stuff? Surprisingly good drummers for those bands!
Josh: I also think that the high expectations within the band influences our writing. I think we’ve set a high threshold for each other with the material and ideas we bring to practice because we are discerning in that regard. Lyrically, the goal is to be concise and directly to-the-point in what we’re trying to say. I like to call it literalism where we don’t beat around the bush. The goal is to write songs with multiple points of view that hopefully everyone can relate to on some level.
Stu: Everything. Growing up I listened to a lot of ska and I was always drawn to the upbeat funky bass lines. My motivation to keep playing is complicated. But, since I’m the bassist my opinions don’t matter much. I’ll actually be surprised if they submit my responses for this interview…
Zack: I’d say I’m influenced a lot by The Who. I think I must have a subconscious desire to destroy my instruments all the time and then I’m left playing with whatever is left. As for staying motivated: Sam beats us.
What is your favorite track on on the album? Why?
Sam: My favorite song on the album changes day-to-day depending on my mood. Probably a lot like having kids and choosing between them. I know 2AM is always a fun one though because its just a balls to the wall rock song that just doesn’t stop. We usually close out sets with that one so I subconsciously kick into that extra gear I think.
Josh: I’d have to go with Stepping Out. It’s a relentless tune and I personally love that we had somewhat reversed the role between verse and chorus by dropping out for the chorus to accentuate it. It’s my favorite to play!
Stu: While I agree with Sam, it’s hard to pick one, I would have to say Stepping Out. It’s fun to play and it gives Sam the best workout. If he’s catching his breath, he can’t yell at me for messing up.
Zack: Plaything. Also, You Bring Me Down. I like the guitar riffs. That’s all that really matters, right?
Is the Baltimore scene treating you well? Any plans to expand your reach through tours or festivals?
Sam: The Baltimore music scene is one of the best I’ve been involved with. You have a ton of support from all the other bands in the scene and I’ve never had any feeling other than love and support. Folks around the scene might take that for granted because I know firsthand its not always the same in other cities. We’re always looking to expand outside the scene to get people to hear and see us play. We were working on our new album when festival booking was happening this year so we were a bit late but who know what the next year has in store for us.
Josh: The Baltimore scene is really stimulating and picking up in a lot of ways from what I can tell! But beyond what it gives us, I think the amount of diverse talent on the scene is a boon to music fans in the area so I would say that that’s the best part.
What piece of advice would you give the younger version of yourself now that you’ve been walking the music path for a while?
Sam: Practice relentlessly and play or at least jam with as many different musicians in as many genres as possible. I know in the last 2 years or so I’ve taken that to heart and have grown as a musician tenfold.
Josh: Stick to electronic music, there’s so much less gear to carry… Just kidding! I think the best thing to always do is to keep pushing yourself personally to express more and keep learning your instrument. Playing with talented peers and people who exceed your ability is also helpful. It’s always easier to make great music when you’re part of a strong team so listen to them and let them guide you
Zack: Musical advice for my younger self… Gotham Theory votes on everything based on the weight of their band members. Get really fat.
Where can we connect with the band online? Hear more music?
Sam: We’re anywhere and everywhere you go to hear music! http://www.gothamtheory.com has all our latest info on songs, shows, pictures of Ellie, etc. We’re also on Spotify, iTunes, Youtube, and a whole mess of other places. You can link to all of those from our website too. Hell send us a message and we might come play in your backyard.
Josh: We also need pen pals, the more the merrier. No one sends mail anymore
Any last thoughts? Shout outs? Words of wisdom?
Sam: Check out our music and then tell everyone you know about us! If you don’t like us still tell everyone and then find another independent or local band you like and support the hell out of them.
Stu: Don’t eat yellow snow.
Josh: I think our families really deserve a lot of credit for supporting us and being the foundation. Likewise, all of our friends and fans who support the band, we really couldn’t do it without each and every one of you.
