Welcome Better Strangers:
We’re joined on the Starline by a Miami rock band. The evolution of the band started out as “What You Know”, morphed into “5800” to finally to where we are today. We welcome Joey, Ricky, Nic and Yang known now as “Better Strangers”.
Friends, let’s go Beyond the Mic. Your song “Nicotine Dreams” is based on a traumatic experience. How did the initial telling of your friend’s story inspire this song and change you?
Music is in your soul, it has to be, traveling around the world. Nic what’s one story from the road that shocked you from this last year? You go from protocols and not being able to play to going out and having fun again.
Better Strangers Introduces Themselves to you:
Let’s introduce the band to you. Who are you and what do you do in Better Strangers?
Joey, what’s one thing about Ricky we don’t know?
Ricky, what’s one thing about Yang we don’t know?
Yang, what’s one thing about Nic we don’t know?
And Nic, what’s one thing about Joey we don’t know?
More from Better Strangers:
As Ricky is in Texas and the rest of the band is in Miami, how does travel work?
How did the pandemic change are as a whole?
You have so many influences to your music. Why do crowds react so easily to your music? You have softer songs and rocking songs and different people react differently to each.
Whose idea was the 75th guitar track?
Have your sets change from venue to venue?
Ricky, which songs find they always their way on the set? If we play 1, 2 or 3 we know we’ll have the crowd going…
The Rockin’ 8:
It’s time for the Rockin’ 8, 8 random questions; answer with the first thing that comes to your mind. There is no Pressure. Since we have 4 guests, everyone gets 2 questions…
1. Ricky, who’s the neat freak of the band?
2. Yang, what is one thing you like to do by yourself to allow yourself to focus before a show?
3. Nic, what was your first drum kit and do you still have it?
4. Joey, which band is better, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Foo Fighters, Led Zeppelin, Pearl Jam or Jimi Hendrix Experience?
5. Ricky, favorite album of all time?
6. Yang, who’s the best bassist of all time that isn’t you?
7. Joey, last thing you bought from a secondhand store?
8. Nic, best gift you got from your dad?
Who’s the best drummer that doesn’t have the last name Collins?
The Back Half with:
Better Strangers joins us Beyond the Mic. You’ve played in clubs, festivals around the world. Where is your favorite place to play?
What is the biggest challenge for you today as a band and individually?
How have you evolved from “Lies” to “Nicotine Dreams”?
Why is Better Strangers the band for today?
When people listen the new stuff, what makes you nervous?
There is always a song, you are the most protective of. Which is it for each of you?
When I managed a band in the 90’s they had a song that started as the warmup riff that turned into their song Red. It just pushed them up and motivated them to get going so that makes perfect sense.
Has Rock Changed?
Why has rock changed for the better and worse in the last 10 years?
Who’s the most competitive of the band? Who’s the most competitive in ping pong and who’s the best?
Who would be the dream band who you would love opening for?
One Big Question:
Every band has dreams, what’s your one dream that will come true that hasn’t yet for each of you?
How can people find you online?
The Wrap:
Nic still has his 1st drum set in storage, Yang has to drink 2 IPA’s before a set, Joey last bought a second hand jacket & Ricky loves playing in Texas. Their single is “Nicotine Dreams” the band is Better Strangers thanks for taking the time to talk with us today.
And that my friends is Beyond the Mic.
See Nicotine Dreams:
Listen to other Beyond the Mic conversations with Musicians here.
Listen to other Beyond the Mic conversations with artists here.
