Introducing: Houston Calls

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Houston Calls emo-tinged power-pop may not be an entirely new sound, but they play it loud and with a certain amount of style. We recently caught up with the band as they ready their second album for release to the British public.

For people out there that have never heard of you. Give us three reasons why they should.
1. In an industry of overzealous, I-take-myself-way-too-seriously-and-don’t-do-anything-original musicians I think we could be taken as quite refreshing.
2. We’re not trying to sell you any bullshit, what you see is what you get.
3. Come on, you can never know too many bands.

Can you recall the moment when you first decided you wanted to become a musician?
I’d say as a young child it was when I would dance and sing along to David Bowie and Mick Jagger’s rendition of Dancin’ in the Streets. In my early teen years it was when my friend introduced me to Green Day.

Where do your songs come from? What’s your inspiration?
I’ll decide what I want to write about, start jotting ideas down, and typically my original subject idea will be completely changed when I get going. I feel like I have an awful lot to say about the state of our local scene here in New Jersey since I grew up in it, but even more so on a larger scale.

Name your Top 5 records.
Green Day – Insomniac
Saves the Day – Through Being Cool
Screeching Weasel – Anthem for a New Tomorrow
The Weakerthans – Left and Leaving
The Mr.T Experience – Love is Dead
(and since I couldn’t leave it off the list Jimmy Eat World – Clarity)

What was the first gig you ever played and was it a success?
The first time I played in front of an audience of not just my friends was probably in a band called Red Eye Reduction at my middle school talent show. It was 1994 or 1995 and it was so fun, sloppy, and care-free…The way I like my music. It definitely made a few girls see me in a different light and back when I was 13 that was unreal. Ha ha ha.

What one piece of criticism has stuck in your mind and was it justified?
People always said we did the same thing as everyone else on our last CD. Yes it was justified I’d say, but we were young and really had no plans for our style and were just happy to be recording and on a record label so relax on us we are just having fun!

What one thing has caused you to waste your free time in the past 6 months?
Delivering Chinese food in East Rutherford, NJ.

If you weren’t making music, what do you think you’d be doing?
…Delivering Chinese food in East Rutherford, NJ…just kidding, I’d probably finish up with school and honestly I’d love to become a teacher.

What’s the worst job you’ve ever had?
Uh, delivering Chinese food in East Rutherford,NJ

We’d like you to make us a mix-tape. Pick five tracks with a theme of your choice.
Screeching Weasel – “Thrift Store Girl”
Valencia – “Away We Go”
Millencolin – “Bullion”
The Lawrence Arms – “Brick Wall Views”
Blink 182 – “Violence”

Houston Calls on Myspace