We Are Band Nerds: A Metal Rap Band

Brandon Cross talks about his band We Are Band Nerds

Interview Conducted March 15, 2018

By Dan Locke

We Are Band Nerds is composed of Brandon Cross (Lead Singer/Rapper), Tony Lucas (Rapper/Vocalist), Dorian
“Scullie” Thomas (Guitarist), Carlos “DJ Sol*Los” Juarez (DJ/Sampler), Stephen “S Dot” Bonilla (Drums), and Santos “Sandman” Johnson (Bass). The Band Nerds’ sound is a unique take on the nu metal experience, as it creatively blends elements of jazz, metal, electronic, rap, and rock music.

They are Deftones meets Outkast, weaving the former’s melodic approach to hard rock with the latter’s eclectic style of  hip hop to create a unique tapestry of sound, allowing their music to appeal to a variety of individuals with a range of life experiences. Their lyrics tackle the real-life perspective of middle class minorities, discussing relationships, racism, and poverty; they also provide a motivational and relatable commentary.
    
 The infectious energy on stage during a Band Nerds performance urges you to jump up and down and whip your hair back and forth, all the while screaming along to songs like “I Could Change” and “Whore.” “I Could Change” is an introspective song about feeling hopeless and stuck when your life hasn’t panned out the way you expected, and “Whore” is an all too familiar ode to being burned in a relationship and seeking non-committal relationships while nurturing your wounded soul.
    
We Are Band Nerds’ album, Forget Me Nots, hitted the shelves everywhere on February 23, 2018,

Brandon Cross: Most of our band have all been involved in music in one way or another. I
grew up playing instruments and being in band, Najee has been rapping since 15 years old,
Scullie has been playing guitar for years now, DJ Sol Los has been deejaying since he was a
teenager, our drummer s.dot has been playing drums for years and so has our bass player
Sandman with his bass.

What bands did you listen to while growing up?

I grew listening to a lot of jazz, artist like Najee, Richard Elliot, Kirk Whalum.

You are from Dallas TX. Are there any other bands like you’re in the Dallas area?

We Are Band Nerds

The bands closest to what we do would be 5 billion and Counting, Eagle Snake, Night School Ninjas, and Home Sick Alien.

How did you find your label?

We got in contact with them early last year. We sent them our first single Whore, and they
contacted us a little later that day to ask us if we wanted to sign with them. The rest is
history.

What clubs did you hang out in to check live music?

Normally when we do go out it would be clubs around Deep Ellum, Trees, Club Dada, The Door and Curtain Club.

How did you start your band?

The band originally started as a production group, producing for local artist in the area. It eventually turned into us producing our own music and forming somewhat of a r and b and hip-hop group. As members changed and we began incorporating rock music it slowly changed into what we are today.

How was the first concert your band played?

Very awkward. We hadn’t quite found our bearings of what to do on stage. But we’ve grown
since then ha-ha,

What was the first concert you saw and where was it?

The first concert I saw was on a military base. It was a free concert with Montell Jordan.

Any plans for any touring?

We are being booked currently to tour the Midwest, very excited about this!

What type of clubs/places do you like to play in (size)?

We normally play night clubs at venues with a capacity of 500 currently.

What music fests would you like to play in?

We really would like to play Afropunk this year. A yearly festival in Brooklyn New York

I see that you played at the Red Gorilla Fest. Why not SXSW?

We actually did play at SXSW last year, an event hosted by Dirty Dog!

How many times did you play a gig in Austin during the Red Gorilla?

We played twice last year during SXSW, one was the Red Gorilla Festival and the other
time was the special event hosted by Dirty dog.

How were the crowds?

Great! We made a lot of new fans and friends!

Since it happens at the same time as SXSW, did you try to go check out any bands at SXSW?

We Are Band Nerds

We always do! Lots of great music comes through Austin during that festival.

I see that you are asking for donates on your website. Have you tried crowdfunding sites like GoFundMe?

We have before, we really didn’t enjoy the format.  So we leave it at the persons discretion 
whether they want to donate or not.

I love your sound. It reminds me of Living Color with a Rap feel under it.

Thank you!

Are you a Rap band into Metal or a Metal band into Rap?

I’d say we are a rap band into metal definitely, we really enjoy hard rock and metal but
a lot of the bands roots can be found in hip hop.

I love your video Zombie. How did you get the idea to create that video?

I had an idea to record the music video at this pizza spot called JJ’s pizza in Denton, they
have a cool basement area that we always wanted to do a music video in.

Tell me about any endorsements you have and may how do got them?

We don’t currently have any endorsements.

How would you explain your live performance?

A lot of fun, and similar to a live DJ set in the way the band flows in and out of songs. We like
to get rowdy and interact with the crowd.

If someone was listening to you for the first time, what 3 videos or songs would you tell them to look/listen to and why?

Id point them to Whore, Savage, and our song Zombie. I think you’d get a feel for our
personality through those songs.

Who is your favorite Metal band and why?

My favorite metal band would probably be Alice in Chains. I’ve always been a huge fan of theirs.
Amazing song writers.

How do you see your band in the next 5 years?

Traveling abroad playing shows around the world.

Any guilty pleasures your fans would be surprise you listen to?

I listen to 80’s J-pop. I’m not really guilty from it ha-ha, but probably wouldn’t be something
you’d think I’d listen to.

What is on your bucket list?

To experience the night life of every major city in the world.

What is on your phone for music now?

A lot of ambient drum and bass right now.

Anything in closing you would like to say?

Check out our Album Forget Me Nots! Also Keep up with us at

 

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