An Interview With LA Based Punk-Rock Band, Taped3ck

Here’s All Access interview with punk-rock band, TAPED3CK:

Can you list all three members of the band and what they play?

Lillard Anthony – Vocals, Guitar
Al Walters – Bass
Kemble Walters – Drums

(Al and Kemble are not related)

Where does this interview find the band today?

TAPED3CK is gearing up for the Viper Room show this Thu, Oct 2. The release of the first single, “Hey LA,” is September 30th with the video dropping for that song on MTV Iggy on October 2nd also.

How did you guys come up with your band name?

TAPED3CK came about from a discussion between Al and I and as kids, how we both loved our tapedecks. We recalled how much joy music had brought us early on in life. I remember keeping my radio on real low so my parents couldn’t hear it when I was supposed to be sleeping at night. Al had similar memories. So, the idea was that TAPED3CK would harken back to a time in their lives when music was pure, without the white noise of the “industry.”

I have read that you guys got started jamming together in front-man Lillard Anthony’s Los Angeles home studio. Is this true? Can you remember the moment where you all realized that you could start an actual band?

There wasn’t a real moment when we realized we had started an actual band. Kemble, Al and I were jamming to some songs and we just kind of knew that we were going to make a record. I don’t remember saying to anyone that “we gotta start a band.” I think we all knew that there was a project right from the get go even when we started jamming from the beginning, if that makes sense.

How has being from LA influenced your music?

There is no greater city than Los Angeles- it’s complicated, intense, and harsh, but equally beautiful and full of love. I’d like to think that TAPED3CK music is all of those things also.

Tell me about your single, “Hey LA”. Where did the inspiration for it come from?

“Hey LA” is a fight song. Chasing dreams is a hard road and “Hey LA” is my reminder to everyone that it’s worth the fight. If you’re in a bad situation, you can get out. If you think that maybe it’s time to give in to your self-doubt and go the easy way, it’s not. It’s your universal obligation to do what you care about, whether that’s music, art, taking care of your family, or going to school, whatever. Forget all the naysayers and the critics- they are the weak ones, they are the ones that gave up. They want you to give up too so that they won’t feel bad about themselves. But, don’t listen to them. Do what you love and fight for that. Not only will you survive the fight, but you will flourish.

How are you guys feeling with the release of this single just days away?

Just EXCITEMENT!

What music inspires you guys?

All of us listen to just about everything. I grew up playing classical piano, but I always loved pop and rock. I played in punk and ska bands growing up but I also really love jazz. Recently, I’ve been studying film scoring at UCLA and that involves writing for and conducting orchestral pieces. So, I’m all over the place. Kemble and Al are very much the same. Kemble has great chops in everything. He is quite possibly the most talented musician I’ve ever worked with. I know he loves a shit ton of artists from Iggy Pop to Nirvana. Al is a funk guy, but he loves the Beatles and Dave Matthews Band also. Al’s been in just about everything I’ve done and I love him for it. He’s a bass wizard, I’ve never seen anyone play like him. We bring all of these crazy influences together in TAPED3CK.

What is the songwriting process like for you guys?

I usually have a basic idea and I show it to Al and Kemble and we refine the shit out of it

What was it like making an EP with multi-platinum producer Dave Jerden known for working with Offspring and Jane’s Addiction when you were in Putnam Hall?

Dave Jerden was great to work with. He taught me a lot about recording. He showed me that imperfections are okay on a record because they bring the human element into a track. When you lose the human element, you just have a math calculation, not a song. A lot of songs are missing that human element nowadays and we rely too much on quantizing rhythms and auto-tuning vocals. Also, Dave Jerden has the best rock n’ roll stories that I’ve ever heard. I can’t/won’t repeat them so you’ll have to ask him about that.

Living or dead, who would you guys love to work with and why?

I don’t know what Al or Kemble would say, but I would say Dr. Dre. I think we come from two wholly different backgrounds and I would want to see how he works. He’s produced some of my favorite tracks of all time and I just want to see how he does what he does and why.

Each of you have had successful solo projects. How has that affected your work as a group?

It’s made it better. The more you work on music, the cooler it gets.

Where do you see the band in 20 years?

Still putting out songs, videos and records!

Can you describe the sound of your music to someone who has never heard it before?

I always say that it’s a classic rock sounding band, but I think I might be wrong about that. haha. Whenever I say that, people look at me funny after they hear it. I guess it’s because they think it’s pretty “punky” sounding, but I definitely wouldn’t say that it’s a punk band. Kemble and I agree that it definitely has a ton of “pop” in it. Classic rock punkish type band with pop melodies? Does that work? Probably the worst description ever. hahaha

What are your favorite bands?

Mine are the Clash, Led Zeppelin, Nirvana, Operation Ivy and Guns n’ Roses