Crimson Moon: How did the band get started?
Johnny: The band got started after I moved to LA and my guitarist Brian said I needed to play live to get chicks. haha At the time I wanted to be a recording engineer and songwriting was a hobby. I was working as a waiter when I met Brian, and his band “A Different Self” had toured, made music videos, and played the sunset strip so I looked up to him and did what he said. It turns out Brain was right. He was the push that made me move!
Crimson Moon: What kind of music do you play?
Johnny: I play Alternative Rock/Pop Rock.
Crimson Moon: How has the band response been?
Johnny: The response has been positive. People seem to like the music and more importantly my voice, Which is nice because Ive never been a fan of my voice. When I started playing music I was a drummer and didn’t have to worry about my voice but now its front and center. I still hate my voice.
Crimson Moon: Where did the band name come from?
Johnny: The band name comes from my actual name. My cousins began nick-naming me Johnny and it stuck. When I moved to LA I started going by Johnny Whiteside and everyone thought my name suited my personality very well. Johnathan is my alter-ego.
Crimson Moon: Introduce the band members
Johnny: Currently, I sing, Brian Lupo plays Guitar, Kevin Bair plays Bass, and Justin Pereira plays drums.
Crimson Moon: Who writes the music? Lyrics?
Johnny: I write all the music and lyrics along with my writing partner and Producer Paul Trust. We have a great relationship and complement each other very well. Paul also started out as drummer so it feels like we are on the same page, I’m just better at guitar.
Crimson Moon: And where do the lyric ideas come from?
Johnny: My lyric ideas come from past experiences, or stories Ive heard. Really from anywhere just like the song itself. Movies, books and whats happening in the world. I just try to put what I am feeling in my heart down on paper.
Crimson Moon: How many albums/cds have you released?
Johnny: I have released 3 EP’s so far on iTunes. I have been recording and making demos since I was 17. There is a lot of UN-released material. Some of which I’m embarrassed to show, so It will remain UN-released. I’m very hard on myself when it comes to writing and recording music. I want everything to be perfect and I don’t just want to release anything. I haven’t put out an album yet but I know its gonna take a lot to put it out because Ill still feel like it could be better. I’m never happy and also think I could improve which isn’t always a bad thing.
Crimson Moon: Tell me about some the songs on the latest CD?
Johnny: So far Ive only released the single “Heaven Without You” from the new EP. I go back into the studio in November to finish the rest of the EP. Heaven turned out better than I hoped for. The song was put together pretty fast and was recorded just as quick. I was surprised because I usually play all the instruments and it takes a while, but like I said, Paul and I work very well with each other. He had a vision for the song that I didn’t see and it came out better than either of us thought. I cant wait for everyone to hear the rest of the EP. Its my best work yet.
Crimson Moon: Tell me about some the songs on the latest CD?
Johnny: I have no side projects yet. My solo career takes up so much of my time that I don’t get a chance to work with anyone else. I would love to start something completely different someday. Maybe Country,Hip Hop or Metal. I’m not gonna start a side projects that just sounds like Johnny Whiteside, I want it to be its own entity and set apart from what I do. I would like to work with Wiz Khalifa. He’s amazing and I could see us working well together.
Crimson Moon: Who are some of your musical influences?
Johnny: I have so many musical influences from Pop to Rock to Country to Metal. I just love music and appreciate good music no matter what genre it is. I believe good music is good music. Just to name a few……..Johnny Cash, Nofx, Metallica, Korn, Wiz Khalifa, Michael Jackson, Pennywise, Jay-Z, Hank Williams Jr, Eric Clapton, Bad Religion, Lamb Of God, Britney Spears, Megadeth, Pantera, TuPac, Alan Jackson, Alice In Chains etc.
Crimson Moon: Which current bands?
Johnny: Currently I like Adelita’s Way, there great rock music. I also love Halestorm, I think Lizzy Hale is a great rock singer and guitarist. I like Nickelback’s heavy songs. I think they should ditch the soft rock crap and just go heavy because they have some kick ass rock songs but they wont because there Nickelback.
Crimson Moon: What is the band like when you play live?
Johnny: When I play live, I just try to lose myself in the music. I like my live set to have a lot of energy and emotion. When people leave a Johnny Whiteside show I want them to feel like they just left a REAL rock show for the first time. I want them to leave sweaty, bloody, tired, deaf and emotional. Something they will never forget. A show should be more pleasing then listening to the music on a CD.
Crimson Moon: What was the best band you played with?
Johnny: Can’t honestly say that Ive played with any good bands. Hopefully the future will be different.
Crimson Moon: Have you guys ever played in another country?
Johnny: Ive been offered to play in other countries but didn’t. In 2009 I was offered to play a festival in South Africa but I was comfortable with the deal I was given, so I turned it down. It would have been a cool experience but I also have to look out for myself. I know one day Ill get the chance to do it again but with the right people.
Crimson Moon: How big of crowd shows up at shows usually?
Johnny: My crowd sizes have varied depending on where it is. In LA it was tough because no one cares about who you are or to see you live. In Florida I could have a packed house every night. Just depends on the place.
Crimson Moon: How is the crowd response when you play?
Johnny: The crowd response has been good. People see me and think I’m going to play metal and then I break into radio singles, its pretty funny. I catch them off guard. But they seem to dig my music. They should know they didn’t come to see Garth Brooks. haha
Crimson Moon: What is the scene like over in your country?
Johnny: The scene to me is dead. Over flooded with too many metal bands. I love metal, don’t get me wrong but I like to see it left up to the pros(Lamb Of God). No one really tries to play Alternative Rock or doesn’t want to try. When everyone is running left I like to go right. Its just how I am.
Crimson Moon: What made you want to be in this band? And if you weren’t in this band what would you being doing now?
Johnny: I think the thing that made me want to be in a band is hearing how a song comes together. I love creating something out of nothing. Everyone has there role and hearing all the roles come together is like magic. I also love the response I get when someone tells me that my song has affected them or helped them in some way. I didn’t realize it when I started but its more rewarding that I thought.
Crimson Moon: What does the future hold for the band??
Johnny: What does the future hold for me? Well I just hope I can continue doing what I love and inspire a younger generation. I’d like mainstream success but I don’t need fortune or fame. What I’m doing now is great. The only thing I want is longevity. And I guess some money couldn’t hurt.
Contact them at:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Johnny-Whiteside-Music/160700060487?ref=ts&fref=ts
http://www.myspace.com/johnnywhiteside
https://www.reverbnation.com/johnnywhiteside
