The band I am hanging out with today has been rocking the city of Indianapolis for quite some time. Bringing an incredible name, a polished image, and incredible vocals matched with impeccable song writing and instrumentals they have what seems to be the whole package. Sit with me today as I introduce to you Indianapolis based rockers, State.
You guys are playing on Valentine’s Day. Any sweethearts in the band?
(Tre) I am by far the sweetest member of the band. (David) We are the sweetest hearts you’ll ever meet.
How long have you guys been together?
(Tre) I’ve been in the band since 2005. (David) This line up has only been together since August 2008 but this is also the 4th incarnation of STATE. I started this band back in 2003 when I was still with Extra Blue Kind but didn’t really do anything with it until around 2006.
How did you all meet?
(Tre) I met Dave initially at a party at 11th and Park in Bloomington, but neither of us remembers that specifically. We officially met through our old drummer, Dagan, and Dave and I had seen each other’s previous bands. I’ve known Birch since 2001. I met Ben through Dave. I met Matt through his old band, Metal in the Microwave. (Dave) I’ve known Ben since high school but I met everyone else through the Bloomington circuit.
You guys play a select number of Indianapolis gigs. Is that on purpose?
(Tre) I wouldn’t say it’s “on purpose”. All bands have to be careful not too play too many shows in too short a time, lest the public grow tired. We also have to work around five members’ schedules, taking into account that three of us live in Bloomington, and one of us lives in Columbus, Indiana.
What is your favorite song to play?
(Tre) “Carousel”. (Dave) “The Littlest Song”.
Does any song get played in every gig?
(Tre) “Crash” does.
What is your favorite venue to play?
(Tre) We like playing house shows. (Dave) I don’t really have a favorite venue to play, much like I don’t have a favorite bed to fuck in.
What is the largest crowd you have played for?
(Tre) Not sure. Something like 500? (Dave) I’m not sure, really. It could have been opening for Eagles of Death Metal last December.
The smallest?
(Tre) Just us and the bartender! (Dave) Probably at the Little People of America National Convention in 2007.
Any tattoos in the band?
(Tre) Ben has some. (Dave) I think so. We haven’t really had a “Show Me Your Tats” party yet.
Who has the most?
(Tre) Ben is the only one who has them at all, I believe.
If you guys could live anywhere else in the world besides Indiana where would you go?
(Tre) New Zealand. (Dave) I’d like to settle down somewhere in the Mediterranean. I’d grow a bunch of facial hair and drink White Russians made from goat’s milk. My wife and I could open up a bakery. Life would be good.
You guys have some play on X103.3. What has that been like hearing your tunes on the air?
I don’t get X103 in my area, but that’s pretty rad! (Dave) We’re glad people are diggin’ on the new record!
Tell me about the other guys in the band.
(Tre) Birch does not eat meat. I eat the meat that Birch does not eat. Ben eats tortas de lengua, almost exclusively. Matt eats junk food and power bars. Dave eats everything else. (Dave) A couple of them need to get laid really bad.
Describe your genre in one word.
(Tre) Unfair. (Dave) Pseudopseudohypoparathyroidism.
Who are some of your biggest influences?
(Tre) R.E.M., Faith No More, Buddy Holly, Refused, Lemonheads. (Dave) John Kaada, Mike Patton, Josh Homme.
Who did your graphic design for your shirts and stickers?
(Tre) Birch did the “Houdini” shirts; Ben Bussel of Sump Pumps designed the “Snakes” shirt, which is also our album cover. We don’t have stickers, but we’re ordering them soon! (Dave) Our bassist Birch Miller put together the latest shirt design. We don’t have stickers yet.
Any thoughts on a nation wide tour this year?
(Tre) Probably not. We don’t have a vehicle that would allow us to do that. (Dave) We’d love to do it but it’s just not feasible at the moment.
Where do you guys get inspiration to write a new track?
(Tre) It usually happens by accident, out of nowhere.
Where do you guys practice?
(Tre) Either in Bloomington or Columbus.
You guys all have other jobs besides music?
(Tre) I have two jobs. I’m a chef in fine dining, and a web designer on my days off. (Dave) We do a variety of stuff. We’re like the Village People. We do everything from landscaping, cooking, office work, and Matt Weimer is an Indian Chief.
Let’s get some pizza. What toppings?
(Tre) White pizza. Chicken, artichoke hearts, spinach. But really, gimme a calzone. (Dave) Why don’t you want tacos instead?
PC or Mac?
(Tre) PC, but I’m not anti-Mac. (Dave) You should probably buy me a Mac.
Where did you come up with the name State?
(Tre) Dave was working in Columbus at a place on State Street. I, too, wish this were a more engaging story. (Dave) I wish there was some epic badass story for our band name, but there simply is not. It was much like an unwanted pregnancy. We made a decision to keep it and now we have to feed it.
Where do you guys see yourselves in five years?
(Tre) Out West, or in the Eastern Hemisphere. (Dave) We don’t plan that far ahead.
What do you want to be remembered for when this is all said and done?
(Tre) Being a decent human being, and hopefully leaving a little something behind that others can enjoy. (Dave) The records we’ve made and the shows we’ve played.
I always let the artist get the last word. Go.
(Tre) It’s early in the morning, and I am about to prepare a massive breakfast burrito. (Dave) Chonto.
