A band out of Boston named Lansdowne took stage to kick off last year’s band camp and to be honest, I wasn’t ready for what I heard. Usually opening acts for Band Camp are definitely quality bands, but Lansdowne blew me away. Their music was addictive and their stage presence was immaculate and from that day I knew I had to learn more about those guys. So here we are 6 months after I first saw them play and finally I got the chance to talk with their drummer Glenn Mungo to talk about their album Blue Collar Revolver, his most memorable moment of 2011, and what their plans are for 2012.
Aaron Manogue: Who would you say are some of your influences are? Are these influences evident in any of your albums/songs?
Glenn Mungo: I've had Art oF Dying "Vices and Virtues" and Five Finger Death Punch's "War Is the Answer" on repeat for a while, and the band is generally listening to Sirius Octane when we're in the van. We all listen to a lot of the bands we tend to play with as well like Sevendust, Papa Roach, Halestorm, Adelitas Way, Pop Evil , Staind, 10 Years, and, believe it or not, we tend to rock out to some country every now and again.
Manogue: What's the most memorable thing that happened to you on tour in 2011?
Mungo: We pretty much got naked (down to woman's booty shorts to be exact) in Grand Rapids on the last night of the Puddle of Mudd tour, and took over the stage during their last song. (there are videos on youtube). That was a complete shit show. Last tour, Pop Evil was playing an acoustic song in the middle of their set, our singer Jon had a little bit to drink, so he took it a step further and got completely naked and went up there to give Leigh a hug. I know it seems like we pretty much just like to get naked which may be true, or may not be.
Manogue: How do you think the fans took to your album as you toured to country in support of it?
Mungo: We have honestly been blown away by the response. It's pretty incredible to have fans come up to you after a show saying before we took the stage they had never heard of us but after our set they are at our merch table picking up the record and hanging with us.
Manogue: What is your favorite Lansdowne song to perform live?
Mungo: Right now, it's between "Up All Night" and our current closer and single “Conquer Them All”. Both of are high energy and showcase the kind of band we are live.
Manogue: In your eyes, what's the biggest challenge about breaking into the music scene a.k.a. expanding your fan base?
Mungo: I don't think this is necessarily a challenge but the most important thing to us is fan interaction. I think there are some bands that after they start to break take their fans for granted and their communication with them starts to fall off some. We personally run all of our own digital properties handling all messages and comments. We also run our merch table at shows so once we get off stage and load out we are out front hanging and partying with the people who paid good money to come out and experience a live show.
Manogue: You guys have toured overseas with some of the largest bands in the world? What's it like to be Mungo: able to give back to the people who work day in and day out to protect us?
It was an honor to go over there and perform for the troops because music brought the troops a taste of home. Everyone appreciates music and it was humbling to have them come up and thank Lansdowne, when we should be the ones thanking them. The troops are out there risking their lives and without them being out there, freedom would not exist. No matter what your opinions are about the war, you support the troops, and are thankful that they are out their risking their lives.
Manogue: What are the bands plans for 2012?
Mungo: TOUR TOUR TOUR! We are the kind of band that lives to be on the road playing shows and hanging with our fans. We are also putting out an acoustic record in the spring to give our fans a few of their favorite songs stripped down.
Make sure to check out Glenn and Lansdowne soon as their tour with Pop Evil hits the road today. Find their music, information and tour dates here.
Aaron Manogue: Who would you say are some of your influences are? Are these influences evident in any of your albums/songs?
Glenn Mungo: I've had Art oF Dying "Vices and Virtues" and Five Finger Death Punch's "War Is the Answer" on repeat for a while, and the band is generally listening to Sirius Octane when we're in the van. We all listen to a lot of the bands we tend to play with as well like Sevendust, Papa Roach, Halestorm, Adelitas Way, Pop Evil , Staind, 10 Years, and, believe it or not, we tend to rock out to some country every now and again.
Manogue: What's the most memorable thing that happened to you on tour in 2011?
Mungo: We pretty much got naked (down to woman's booty shorts to be exact) in Grand Rapids on the last night of the Puddle of Mudd tour, and took over the stage during their last song. (there are videos on youtube). That was a complete shit show. Last tour, Pop Evil was playing an acoustic song in the middle of their set, our singer Jon had a little bit to drink, so he took it a step further and got completely naked and went up there to give Leigh a hug. I know it seems like we pretty much just like to get naked which may be true, or may not be.
Manogue: How do you think the fans took to your album as you toured to country in support of it?
Mungo: We have honestly been blown away by the response. It's pretty incredible to have fans come up to you after a show saying before we took the stage they had never heard of us but after our set they are at our merch table picking up the record and hanging with us.
Manogue: What is your favorite Lansdowne song to perform live?
Mungo: Right now, it's between "Up All Night" and our current closer and single “Conquer Them All”. Both of are high energy and showcase the kind of band we are live.
Manogue: In your eyes, what's the biggest challenge about breaking into the music scene a.k.a. expanding your fan base?
Mungo: I don't think this is necessarily a challenge but the most important thing to us is fan interaction. I think there are some bands that after they start to break take their fans for granted and their communication with them starts to fall off some. We personally run all of our own digital properties handling all messages and comments. We also run our merch table at shows so once we get off stage and load out we are out front hanging and partying with the people who paid good money to come out and experience a live show.
Manogue: You guys have toured overseas with some of the largest bands in the world? What's it like to be Mungo: able to give back to the people who work day in and day out to protect us?
It was an honor to go over there and perform for the troops because music brought the troops a taste of home. Everyone appreciates music and it was humbling to have them come up and thank Lansdowne, when we should be the ones thanking them. The troops are out there risking their lives and without them being out there, freedom would not exist. No matter what your opinions are about the war, you support the troops, and are thankful that they are out their risking their lives.
Manogue: What are the bands plans for 2012?
Mungo: TOUR TOUR TOUR! We are the kind of band that lives to be on the road playing shows and hanging with our fans. We are also putting out an acoustic record in the spring to give our fans a few of their favorite songs stripped down.
Make sure to check out Glenn and Lansdowne soon as their tour with Pop Evil hits the road today. Find their music, information and tour dates here.