Straight outta Auckland (New Zealand, that is), Steriogram have jumped the pond to surface as a brash new band here in America. Tyson Kennedy (MC/frontman), Brad Carter (guitar/vocals), Jake Adams (bass), Tim Youngson (guitar) and Jared Wrennall (drums) combine heavy metal, hip-hop and funk-punk to create a boisterous jumble of riffs and attitude. Their debut video, the Michel Gondry-directed fabric fantasy “Walkie Talkie Man,” is nominated for four VMAs and their debut Schmak is stuffed with nutty wit and radio-friendly jingles. Revealing Sterio-tales of Missouri mishaps and cheerleading fantasies, Steriogram fare quite well in mtvU’s Hot Seat.
Q: Tell us about your craziest touring experience.
A: [Brad] We were out in Missouri and there was a snowstorm coming. Two hours later we were caught right in the middle of it, and our van slid one hundred and eighty degrees on black ice and went up a bank…two freezing hours later, a tow truck came and towed us to a tiny town that only had a WalMart and a post office, so we bought plastic tubs and slid down the hill. We got stranded there for two nights before the snow cleared.
Q: What type of college class would you most want to take and why?
A: [Jared] Cheerleading, and why do you think I’d want to go to cheerleading class?
Q: What city in America is the most fun to visit and why?
A: [Tim] Reno, ’cause it’s the poor man’s Las Vegas.
Q: What’s some of the best advice you were ever given?
A: [Jared] Don’t go to sleep with an itchy bum ’cause you’ll wake up with a smelly finger!
Q: What’s in heavy rotation in your mp3/CD player right now?
A: [Jake] Year of the Rabbit
Q: The last good book you read or TV show you’re addicted to.
A: [Jake] Bonzai, this crazy TV show from Japan.
[Tim] The last good book I read was Idiot’s Guide to Making An Album.
Q: What’s the first concert you ever saw? How was it?
A: [Tim] Amy Grant. I got one of the drumsticks and I wanted to marry her ever since!
Q: What are three items you can’t live without on tour?
A: [Tyson] Powerbook, iPod, cell phone
Q: Who are your major musical influences?
A: [Brad and the band] The Clash, Beastie Boys, AC/DC, and the Foo Fighters.
Q: What random messages or tips would like to give to mtvU watchers?
A: That we’re having a blast out here on the road, so when we are in your town make sure you come see a show and say hello.
