Can you tell us about the origin of the band name, a history of the band and a little bit about the various members?
I surmised The Behaviour many years ago when I was kicking around ideas for names that would best represent the sound and vision for what I wanted to do with this solo project. It is an open-ended enough concept that almost any meaning could be drawn from, but for me personally, it is a way to convey reflecting on the world around me, and myself, in the music I create. During these last several years, I underwent some major life changes while experiencing some very traumatic, life-altering, and sobering experiences. Once my perspectives and mindset started to clear and become more focused, I began writing proficiently, solidly for a couple of years. In that time, the mold began to take shape, having a natural progression that led to finally recording the album last year, and bringing it to where it is today. Up to the current moment, it is just myself who has handled every aspect of this. At some point there may very well be a drafting of potential members to help bring this to a live setting, but it will be a very rigorous vetting process. It must be ensured that anyone brought into this orbit is proficient, productive, professional, competent, mature, and sober. I have no time or patience for anything otherwise.
Are you all from the same area? How did you get together as a band?
I created this while living in Colorado, and spending time in the Midwest. Many of my closest relatives and friends are there, which is how it came to be recorded with the assistance of Scott Mackey, a very talented producer and mixing engineer who tremendously helped bring it to fruition. As well as getting Mike Nolte at Eureka Mastering to master it. I now reside in New England.
Who are your favourite artists/bands and how have they influenced your own sound?
The list is endless. For the sake of helping to understand the The Behaviour’s sound and style, I will mention Jeff Buckley, Soundgarden, Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, my bloody valentine, Slint, Swervedriver, Failure, Killing Joke, Leonard Cohen, Sisters of Mercy, Swans. I love their huge, vast, textured, open sounds; some being harsher and some being more majestic than others. Chris Cornell, Buckley, Cohen, Bowie – their lyrical approaches all vary greatly, but are undeniable in the way they deliver them. Each is unique in their own way, but all are eloquent and certainly influential in my style of writing and sound. Each artist listed has very admirable and varying songwriting styles, and I take something from all of them combined, just as a foundational layer. One never wants to emulate but be their own thing, and I hope to achieve this no less.
Did you always have the ambition to be a musician and in a band or did you originally have other plans?
Since I was a young boy, I was brought up in a very musical environment, as my father was a musician. I learned to play the drums as I learned to walk, being present at his rehearsals and watching his drummers like a hawk. Though I excelled academically and have always found interests in other areas such as science, mathematics, literature, philosophy, etc, music has always been a constant. My first professional music gig was actually being hired as my father’s band’s drummer when I was 15, and that taught me so much about the weaving interpersonal dynamics of playing with others. Of course I always had my own bands going on as well, and by the time I was halfway through college, and doing exceedingly well, I was presented with an opportunity to dive head first into pursuing this avenue. At the time, it was either give one-third of myself to academia, another to attaining reliable income, and the other to pursuing a career in music. I gave all to the latter, and never looked back. I went on to some amazing things with very remarkable artists that I will always be proud of. Now I am here, better, healthier, more focused, and invigorated more than ever as a solo artist.
What songs or albums are on your current playlist?
“Dance Me to the End of Love” by Leonard Cohen, “Red Eyes and Tears” by Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, “Like Suicide” by Soundgarden, “Stuck on You” by Failure, “Grace” by Jeff Buckley, “Glenn” by Slint, “The Egg” by Shiner, “Resurrection Song” by Mark Lanegan, “Love of LIfe” by Swans, “Song with No Name’ by Dax Riggs, “Shelter Song” by Temples, “Be All Things” by Chelsea Wolfe, “Only Shallow” by my bloody valentine
Do you sing in the shower?
Occasionally, depending on my mood.
Do you have any plans for the band for this year and into next year?
The first 2 singles are currently out, from the album A Sin Dance which is out on September 15th. Following that, there will be more recording and singles into next year, with occasional shows throughout that time with promotional campaigns as well
Do you currently have any new songs/albums ready to be released?
Yes, as explained above.
If you could play at any venue in the world where would you choose?
Red Rocks in Colorado
Do you have a favourite album? If so, what is it?
Pink Floyd’s Animals or Miles Davis’ Bitches Brew
Do you have any guilty pleasure songs/albums?
I’m not sure I feel guilty about any, but perhaps Kiss’ Unmasked
If you were putting together the greatest show on earth, who would be playing?
Nine Inch Nails, Queens of the Stone Age, Failure, Autolux, Nick Cave, Swans, my bloody valentine, Diamanda Galas, Einsturzende Neubauten
Can you remember the first album you bought with your own money? What was it and do you still have it?
Deep Purple’s Machine Head, and yes I do
As your fans will be reading this, is there any message you would like to send out to them?
I hope that any of the artists I have mentioned as influences you are curious to discover for your own self, and that leads you to a greater and deeper appreciation of independent and/or underground artists such as myself, and unique, left-field or niche music/artists that deserve appreciation and respect as much as those that are more popular
Finally, let us know all your social media sites so your fans, old and new, can find and follow/like you!
On Instagram @thebehaviourmusic
We, at The Music Asylum, would like to thank you for your time. Is there is anything further that you would like to add?
I very much appreciate you doing what you do to help independent artists and for your support
This interview is the property of The Metal Asylum