Can you introduce everyone in the band and what instrument do they play?
Joe Gephart- Lead Vocal
Tallon Schwantes- Drums
Bryce Bernard- Guitars
Joel Carver- Guitars
Jaron Lamp- Bass
Who inspired each of you to start playing music?
Our influences and styles are all over the board. What I love about us is our tastes are all so different but we have a lot in common and that brings a really interesting element to our music.
Joe- Slipknot, Sevendust, Alice in Chains
Tallon- KISS, W.A.S.P, The Scorpions
Bryce- Boston, Ozzy, Guns N' Roses
Joel- Avenged Sevenfold, Dream Theater, Trivium
Jaron- Bullet For My Valentine, Linkin Park, Escape the Fate
Is there any secret meaning or story behind your band name?
When the band first formed, we were having a lot of trouble coming up with a name that we felt represented our sound. We came up with the name NonGrata because of the legal term, "Persona Non Grata" which is someone who is unwelcome or unwanted. At the time, there wasn't really a local "scene" that we felt we fit into and we were having a hard time booking shows with similar sounding bands in our area. Essentially, we felt like Persona Non Grata. The name sounded cool (let's be honest, most Latin does) but it was a bit longer than we liked so we dropped the "persona" and space between and the rest is history.
What is your favorite song that you’ve recorded and what is the story of how the song came to be?
Our favorite song that we have recorded is actually a new one called, "Find a Way". We recorded it at The Attic in Geneseo, Illinois. We wrote and recorded the entire song in like 6 hours and by the time we were finished, we were absolutely blown away by the result. We're hoping to get that out sometime in 2023 so stay tuned, it's going to knock your socks off.
Does anyone have a special ritual that you do before a show to get you in the headspace for going on stage?
We don't really have any pre-show rituals. To us, playing shows is really just hanging out with our best friends and playing the music we all love. The minute we walk into the venue, we're in the headspace. Usually a couple drinks to calm the nerves and we're off to the races.
What is the best piece of advice you could give someone who is wanting to start a career in music?
The best advice I can give is just to do what makes you happy. If you're passionate about what you're doing, there's a pretty good chance that someone else out there is going to connect with it too. Don't waste your time on things that don't make you happy and aren't scratching the itch. Believe in yourself, put your heart and soul and sweat and tears into what you do and don't ever take the time we're given for granted.
If you were on your way to a show and each member got to pick 1 song to play while you’re packing all your gear in the car? (This is our fun way of asking what's your favorite songs; You guys can put one for each member)
- Joe is going to probably play a million songs that we've all heard a million times.
- Tallon is going to play some 80s hair metal that none of us know and act like it's the coolest thing ever.
- Bryce is probably going to play Alter Bridge or Black Label Society (He likes pinch harmonics *shrug*)
- Joel is going to play a single Dream Theater song that lasts the ENTIRE GODDAMN DRIVE
- Jaron is passed out in the back.
Where can we find you guys at? (This is where you can share any and all links!)
Website: nongrataband.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NonGrataRocks
Instagram: @nongrataofficial
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