Dance Commander is co-headlining our Next Big Thing Show this Saturday night! Come check them out and see why the fans voted them #1.
1) Describe your music for those who aren’t familiar.
Our music has pop and rock roots. The sound is fun and energetic like our live shows. We combine digital beat and effects with aggressive pop-rock rhythms to make a sound everyone can dance or rock out to. And lastly, we add original sounding vocals and killer hooks to keep our fans singing and scream for more. We have a lot of fun writing and playing our music and we want our fans to enjoy it too!
2) Who are some of your biggest musical influences?
It’s very difficult to say what bands personally influenced us but there is a genre that really speaks to us as well as our fans. All of us were”MADE IN THE 80’S” and we carry this with us. Many of our songs have vintage style guitar tones and our keyboard player uses a true 1980’s keyboard to create some of the unique sounds you will hear in our recordings.
3) What are some of your favorite parts about the music scene that you come out of? What are some things that you wish you could change about the music scene?
South Carolina, specifically Columbia, has a great music scene. Its full of amazing people and organization, like SceneSC.com, who really care about the local hard working musician. I, Jeff Smith, have personally toured much of the east coast and have heard many other bands and fans talk about the growing scene in Columbia, SC. New Brookland Tavern has been referred to as the “NEW” CBGB’s. The only thing i would change about Columbia’s scene is the so-called “ELITISTS” who believe there own opinion of bands and music is fact and they only appreciate the sad lonely INDY music because it makes them look more artistic.
4) How did your band get started?
Dance Commander started out as a solo project by Columbia’s own, Kevin Snow. Kevin later recruited long time friends Mike Hammond and Kenneth Hein. After and few shows the guys teamed up with the guys of O’VERONA, Jeff Smith and T.J. Hennin. Jeff and T.J. have only been a part of Dance Commander for a few short months but they are very excited to join Dance Commander in their fight, to finally… to OPEN UP THE DANCE FLOOR!
5) What are you most excited about for the future of your band?
We are currently writing and recording Dance Commander’s debut EP. The album will showcase at least 6 killer tracks including hit singles “The Dance Floor” and “The Moves.” When the debut EP drops in store be sure t check out one the our live shows and be sure to bring your dancing shoes!
6) If you could change one thing about the music industry what would it be?
Well I’m sure most people say, “We wish people couldn’t download our music for free,” but we all know the industry is in a state of transition. We don’t know what to expect but all we can say is, IF YOUR GOING TO DOWNLOAD OUR MUSIC FOR FREE… THEN COME OUT TO THE SHOWS AND SHOW YOUR SUPPORT!
7) Who are some of your favorite South Carolina or Regional bands to play with? What band do you think your fans should check out?
We love Death of Paris, Sent By Ravens, Magnetic Flowers, Erison (RIP), and many more.
What makes music out of Indianapolis, Indiana so sad and lonely? That’s the only “Indy” I know.
Indiana Jones?? maybe? Jeff can’t spell anyways. LOL.
You ever tried to write, record, or produce a pop song? It’s not that easy. Listen to a song on the radio… I dare say something like, Britney Spears… and then go home and try to duplicate it. Then write your own of the same stature. There’s a lot of ingredients and methodical planning that has to go into it to make it a “hit/pop” song.
Now try to sound like Brand New… well damn, looks like every thrown-together band from middle school to adulthood is pulling that off at any music venue you go to!
You’re not seeing pop on local music scenes the way you see the obscure… obscure is easier to make.
Ha… Britney Spears. Well, we don’t really sound like her. But I get your point! Thanks. Come check out the showcase Saturday!
– Kevin
Thanks Balk! Pop is sooo hard to right because it can very easily be “wrong.” When you write obscure music you can hit wrong notes and not be catchy and it’s ok because your believe you are original or thinking “outside the box.” The truth is your really just playing it safe by setting yourself up in a genre with only “winners.”
when everyone’s a winner… everyone is nothing