Bootleg Mercy - Interview - PETE'S ROCK NEWS AND VIEWS.COM

Interview with Pete Devine of Pete’s Rock News and Views (http://petesrocknewsandviews.com)

PD: What type of artist are you?

BM: We are a four-piece hard rock band. Our sound has been compared to Shinedown, Breaking Benjamin, etc. Mainly a cover band playing the local bar scene, we recently made the decision to switch gears and jump into the world of originals.

PD: Tell us a brief history of yourself.

BM: Originally formed in 2012, the band’s current lineup came together within the past year. During that time, the decision was made to commit to becoming an all-original band. Frontman Rich Thomson brings quality vocal talent along with a unique lyrical writing style. Rich cut his teeth on STP, Alice in Chains, and their contemporaries of that era. Drummer Erick Winebrenner brings a large repertoire of experience playing everything from Country and Metal to Blues. Just as diverse, Guitarist Curtis Nightingale brings multiple decades of writing, recording, and performing everything from 80s Classic Metal to Texas Blues. Rounding out the lineup is Bassist Jeff Butler. A local stalwart of the heavier Metal scene, Jeff lends his progressive metal ear to the bottom end.

PD: Who are your musical and non-musical influences?

BM: Citing everything from 90s Rock and the New Metal Scene, to Blues and even a parent or two, the band truly brings a ton of diversity to their collective sound.

PD: What are your dreams and goals?

BM: Producing great music and getting the opportunity to play it in front of people is a passion we all share. Rich likes to say, “I only want to write a hit song!”

PD: Who writes your songs, what are they about?

BM: Each of our songs is unique from the lyric content, to who comes up with the original idea, to how they are arranged. A group effort for the most part.

PD: How do you promote your band and shows?

BM: We pimp ourselves out pretty hard. Each of us comes from various musical backgrounds which equals networking. We work those contacts to find opportunities whether they be private shows or opening act opportunities.

PD: What do you think about downloading music online?

BM: It is the way of things now. We are working to make the best of it. It has taken the excitement out of releasing “albums.” You are better off just releasing singles now. We are adjusting.

PD: What song do you wish you’d written and why?

BM: Happy Birthday? EVERYBODY knows that song. But seriously, I think writing an “anthem” would be a career-maker. Songs like Crazy Train, Enter Sandman, Highway To Hell will make those guys immortal. It drives me crazy when you read or hear about somebody who claims they “HATE” singing their big hit. I have never understood how you can get tired or even “hate” playing a song you wrote that people love and pay to see you perform. Shut up and play.

PD: What are some of your pet peeves?

BM: Being contacted by promoters/influencers who “love your stuff” and then want you to pay to get on a playlist, pay for a blog/interview, etc. Does our talent have no value? They would not have a blog about music without the musicians…right?

PD: What is your proudest moment in music?

BM: Being asked to answer the “(nearly) famous 12 interview questions!!!!” =] I think individually we have all had different “moments” but I would say that as a band, the response we are getting from our first single ‘The Trees Are Listening’ has to be up there. It has been either a slow news year (tongue-in-cheek) or people genuinely like what we are doing and that is a huge bonus for us.

PD: So what are you working on at the moment?

BM: We are currently writing material to return to the studio. We did it a little unconventionally this first go around by going in with just a couple of songs. With the response we have received, we know we are on to something so we are taking what we have learned and are writing accordingly. We have a half-dozen ready to go with a few more we are messing with. We plan a return trip to the studio soon to record several more. So watch for additional upcoming releases from us!

PD: What music have you available online and where can we buy it from?

BM: Check out our website (www.bootlegmercy.com). All of our links are on there including our Online Store. Just know you can purchase our music anywhere you buy music…iTunes, Apple Music, Amazon but if you buy it directly from us, you are not paying the middle-man. Whichever way you go, just BUY IT!