All four members of Freshmen 5 artists Every Avenue sat in our Hot Seat, and gave us the inside scoop on the band. From their craziest nights, to their favorite cities, get intimate with each member, and find out what makes them tick in this week’s Hot Seat.
Q: Tell us about your craziest touring experience.
A: Every Avenue
David Strauchman: We played the House of Blues in New Orleans with The Audition and then went out after and it was a riot. People got lost, went to jail, and it was a crazy good time…. The next day was a rough one haha
Josh Randall: It might not be the “craziest,” but the most surreal moment was our first show overseas. We played in Japan and there was a room full of people singing our songs and wearing our shirts. It blew my mind to hear people on the other side of the planet sing songs that we wrote in our studio at home.
Matt Black: This was with a different band in 2006. We were playing in Kansas and got there early. We ended up panhandling, and made enough money to go to the bar. This old man in the bar started buying us pitcher after pitcher, and by the time we had to play, we were all extremely drunk. After what was I’m sure a terrible performance, we were invited back to the bouncers apt. to party… someone started trouble with our drummer and a huge fight broke out, during which we beat up the owner of the bar we played at, and the bouncer. Probably the wildest night of my life.
Mike Govaere: Warped Tour in general was really crazy. Every day you meet so many people and hear and see different things. There’s always something funny or weird happening at Warped tour.
Q: What type of college class would you’d most want to take and why?
A: Every Avenue
David Strauchman: If I went back to college, I would take some sort of music related classes for sure, and science… I like science haha.
Josh Randall: I always liked performing arts classes. So I would probably take something like that. I enjoyed any class that involved as little paperwork as possible and was never a fan of math. History and Literature classes were always more my cup of tea.
Matt Black: I’m a huge history buff, so I’d love to take some college history classes. I’m not sure what century or era I’d choose though..
Mike Govaere: I would most likely be in a music class. As a drummer I find myself wanting to know more music theory, and wanting to further my music knowledge.
Q: What city in America is the most fun to visit and why?
A: Every Avenue
David Strauchman: I love Chicago! It’s just a rad city and always a good time.
Josh Randall: I love being on the west coast. It’s just so different out there than it is back home.
Matt Black: I’m a bit biased because I used to live there, but I always have the most fun in Richmond, VA. Northern NJ is a close 2nd.
Mike Govaere: New York City is a lot of fun when you don’t have a van or trailer. Anytime we’re in a bigger city without either it’s a good time.
Q: What’s some of the best advice you were ever given?
A: Every Avenue
David Strauchman: My dad always said “don’t do anything I wouldn’t do”. He also made me believe there was a monster in our basement when I was younger. I wouldn’t go down alone…
Josh Randall: Don’t expect anything to be handed to you. If you want something, work for it.
Matt Black: Don’t sweat the small stuff
Mike Govaere: My parents always taught me to trust myself when making decisions and pursuing goals. I try to follow that advice as my life progresses in different directions.
Q: What’s in heavy rotation in your MP3/CD player right now?
A: Every Avenue
David Strauchman: Bob Dylan, Acceptence and Saves The Day are constantly playing lately.
Josh Randall: The Mile After, Nickel Creek, Dear Noel, Jackson Browne, Elliott Smith, Acceptance, Saves the Day… the list can go on and on but those are some of my favorites. Also, the new Brighten is really good.
Matt Black: Four Year Strong and Set Your Goals are in constant rotation, and I’ve been listening to Anberlin a lot lately as well.
Mike Govaere: Lately, I’ve been listening to a lot of Acceptance, Sting, Ben Folds, Phil Collins.
Q: The last good book you read or TV show you’re addicted to.
A: Every Avenue
David Strauchman: I recently just read “Invisible Monsters” by Chuck Palahniuk and I loved it. I am also addicted to the Heros series!
Josh Randall: “Haunted” by Chuck Palahniuk. I’m addicted to Heroes. Matt and I rented the DVD’s when we were home from tour and got hooked. I think Jimmie and Dave are addicted now too.
Matt Black: Just finished a 7 book series by Steven King called “The Dark Tower” and it was amazing… as far as tv shows go, I’m a junkie for Lost and Heroes.
Mike Govaere: When we get to our hotel after a show every night I usually turn on Adult Swim. They have a show called Home Movies. I never used to get into that show but recently started watching it, and I really like it now.
Q: What’s the first concert you ever saw - how was it?
A: Every Avenue
David Strauchman: My first big concert was MxPx, Good Charlotte and Ultimate Fakebook. MxPx was my favorite band at the time and the show was awesome. I went crazy and my friend’s mom drove us home.
Josh Randall: I don’t even remember. I think it was MxPx or the O.C. Supertones. I went to so many concerts in middle and high school they all seem to blend together.
Matt Black: When I was I think 15 I saw Linkin Park, Taproot and Alien Ant Farm in Pontiac, MI. It was the first concert my parents let me go to.
Mike Govaere: The first legit concert I saw was 311. It was awesome, one of the coolest things I’d ever experienced. Everything sounded so huge.
Q: What are three items you can’t live without on tour?
A: Every Avenue
David Strauchman: I can’t live without my phone, deodorant and socks ha.
Josh Randall: My Phone, Deodorant, and toothbrush.
Matt Black: Deodorant, New Era hat, good book
Mike Govaere: My mac, phone, Gummi-bears. If I have those three things I’m good to go.
Q: Who are your major musical influences?
A: Every Avenue
David Strauchman: Man, I have had so many it’s hard to pick but I, for sure, have to say The Beatles are one as well as Jimmy Eat World, and of course I had my blink 182 phase haha.
Josh Randall: Elvis Costello, Elliott Smith, Saves the Day (Mostly Through Being Cool and Stay What You Are era), and Green Day (Dookie). There are so many, but those are a few.
Matt Black: Early Metallica, Rancid, The Clash, Blink 182, A Tribe Called Quest
Mike Govaere: Growing up I was influenced by Abe Cunningham of Deftones. Also Chad Sexton of 311. Stewart Copeland of The Police is a current influence. I listen to a lot of stuff, and focus my ears on drums all the time. So I’m influenced by lots of stuff and probably don’t even realize it.
Q: Any random messages or tips you’d like to give to mtvU watchers?
A: Every Avenue
David Strauchman: Come to a show and hang out with us! We love meeting new people and havin’ a good time.
Josh Randall: Hellooooo! Thank you for checking us out!
Matt Black: Come see us live, we’d love to hang out with you!!!
Mike Govaere: Come see my band, Every Avenue, this fall with our boys All Time Low, Mayday Parade and The Maine!
