What was the beginning point for your music career? How did it all start?
Michael Fenris (Vox/Guitar): For me it started when I was a kid. My old man played bass in a couple bands, and he would take me to band practice with him a lot when there was no sitter. Music was just a normal part of our routine.
Josh McClure(Drums): I started trying to learn the guitar from my stepdad who always had his buddies over to the house to drink and Jam out in the basement. I struggled with the guitar for a couple of years, couldn’t stop playing it like a percussion instrument, and then one summer when RockBand came out I bought it and sat down behind the drum kit and everything just came naturally to me.
Myles Weaver(Bass/Vox): The starting point for music was when I was about 12 years old and my father taught me my first chords on a guitar. After that I was listening to any kind of rock music I could find.
What kind of challenges have you had to deal with?
Josh: Pushing through self doubt as a musician has always been a struggle. I’m completely self taught so I always feel a little behind my band members who’ve had actual training.
Myles– Finding the right group of people that have the same goals.
Michael: Basically what Myles said, I always had an impossible time finding like minded musicians. Even this band has gone through a few different lineups trying to find the right fit musically and personally.
What was the most fulfilling and satisfying moment so far?
Michael: Recording our music. As a kid it was never something I expected to do unless I was in some commercially successful band on Atlantic records or something. Nowadays it’s easily taken for granted, but it was legitimately a dream come true for me to have that experience.
Myles– Playing our music for people is the most fulfilling feeling I could get.
Josh: Every time someone tells me they like our music.
How would you describe the music that you typically create?
Michael: Psy-Fi Rock, Cosmic Groove, Stoner/DOOM, I dunno. We mix a lot into our rock ‘n’ roll, space rock lyrics and concepts, funk grooves, punk energy, psychedelic interludes, and riiiiiiiiiffs.
Myles– Gritty stoner rock mixed with groove
Josh: Genres are so finicky and hard to pin down. We’re kinda funky kinda fuzzy pretty dirty and definitely groovy. So whatever genre that is.
What is your creative process like?
Michael: Riffs, then lyrics, then arrangements is typically the order of operations, but we try to write songs in whatever way works, specific to each song. I like to experiment and try different techniques.
Myles– Mike or myself will come with some riffs and we gel it all together. Mike’s writing is done at the same time meaning lyrics and music were created for each other and I typically work on poetry and then make chords for it.
Josh– Usually Michael or Myles come to practice with a riff or some words and we all try to jam it out until we figure out how all our pieces fit together.
If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be?
Michael: More people investing in what they want to hear, and less greedy industry assholes mooching and monetizing art they didn’t create or invest in.
Myles– Gas station hot dogs should be free for traveling musicians.
Josh: I’d make streaming services pay artists more.
If you were asked to give a piece of advice to upcoming bands, what would that be?
Michael: Assume you will go nowhere and do nothing. Then you can’t be disappointed when things get rough, and likewise, every success you inevitably do experience will feel heaven sent. Really just don’t compare yourself to other bands, it’ll just drag you down.
Myles– You should practice more. Play with as many people as you can so you learn from them too.
Josh: Don’t ever stop playing! Especially in spite of self doubt.
What has been the best performance of your career so far?
Myles- I love giving a show my full energy so as long as I have the room to move around I will give it my all. I feel like It just keeps getting better each show so I’ll get back to you.
Josh: House shows are usually always a great time but I think my best performance was when I got to play in both of my bands the same night opening up for Red Fang.
If you didn’t become a musician, what would you be doing now?
Michael: Probably tattoos or something art related.I used to do a ton of visual art before music started moving for me, and I still do most of the art and design for the band. Or I’d be a drifter on a Harley, that’s essentially my backup plan if shit doesn’t work out.
Myles-I would probably be doing something outside. I really enjoy the outdoors.
Josh: I’d be bored out of my mind.
What is new with the band at the moment? What are you currently working on and would like to share with the world?
Michael: Well, we just released a lyric video for our most recent single Bloodlust Boogie which is available for your viewing pleasure over on our YouTube channel. You can stream the new single and all our music on Spotify or wherever you do your thing. Other than just finishing up our next full-length album and getting her prepped for a 2023 release.
Myles-We have been working on some recording and fine tuning every aspect of our songs. We love what we have been working on so far and I am excited to release it.
Josh: New music coming sometime next year! Hopefully should have a tour coming up and we got merch at https://childrenofatom.bigcartel.com/
Buy something so we can eat!
www.childrenofatom.bandcamp.com
