Arm The Pit - Your Future Ex

ATP

For the record, who's answering the interview, what is your band's name? How did you come up with that name?

YOUR FUTURE EX

Dennis Freeman. Our band's name is Your Future Ex (YFX) for short. We thought the name was funny because everyone at one point in your life is Your Future Ex ___. Doesn't matter if it's your Future Ex Coworker, partner, friend etc... When the band members used to live together, we always referred to us as each others Future Ex roommates.

ATP

So who's in the band and what's everyone's life story in 100 words more or less?

YOUR FUTURE EX

Chris Corzine is our drummer. Jake Wilson is the bassist. Dennis Freeman is the vocalist/guitarist. We all lived in the same apartment building in Oakland during the start of 2012. Chris and Dennis started YFX and recruited Jake.

ATP

In a nutshell, please describe your sound.

YOUR FUTURE EX

Our sound is a mixture of classic rock, alternative rock, and blues with a hint of folk. Our vocal melodies follow chord progressions pretty well and we love to crash big on choruses.

ATP

Why did you each of you start playing music and was there a turning point from becoming the dream child that every mother and father hopes their child will become before discovering music? Why did music become a career choice for you?

YOUR FUTURE EX

Chris started playing drums in a band to create music about his friends. Dennis started playing as a form of expression. Jake always loved music but didn't get involved until recently.

ATP

What instruments do you each play? How did you learn to play, self-taught or school?

YOUR FUTURE EX

Jake Wilson plays Bass and he taught himself all the way. Chris Corzine plays the drums and he is self taught as well. Dennis plays guitar sings. He had classical vocal training and his guitar was self taught. Chris and Dennis started YFX in early 2012 and needed a bassist. They recruited Jake and taught him some basic bass lines. Now he's flying all on his own.

ATP

What bands have influenced each of you?

YOUR FUTURE EX

A lot of people say we sound like The Strokes and The Black Keys. Our influences are the Beatles, Sublime, Led Zepplin, Minus the Bear.

ATP

What makes your band unique?

YOUR FUTURE EX

We play with a lot of passion and the songs come alive during our performances. Our songs are unique because they have complex rhythm sections overlaid with melodies and have very simple hard choruses that are easy to sing a long to.

ATP

Do you write your own music? If not, who writes the music?

YOUR FUTURE EX

Our music is 100% original. Certain songs are a collaboration piece from all three of us. Other songs were written mainly by one or two of us.

ATP

What inspires the songs you write?

YOUR FUTURE EX

Other people in our lives create our inspiration. The songs range from heartbreaks from previous relationships to picking a brother up who has had a tough time. Oakland is also a melting pot of everything art and soul. The city gives proper inspiration.

ATP

How long does it take you to write a song that�s ready to record?

YOUR FUTURE EX

A while. I find that writing songs come in waves depending on your point in life. Songs need muses and muses come in different forms. During the last year there have been months where three songs were written quickly. Other months were more dry. On average it takes a few months for a song to be ready for recording. During those few months, several songs are in development. Songs are always in development or in different stages.

ATP

How would you describe your local music scene? Likes, Dislikes. What would you change?

YOUR FUTURE EX

There are a lot of trash and metal bands in the East Bay as well as hip hop acts. We love all types of music but wish there was more diversity in terms of electronic music, folk, classical, and regular rock.

ATP

What is your favorite local venue? Why?

YOUR FUTURE EX

Art Murmur in Oakland every first friday. It's a giant street party with vendors, food, and local live music. The entire Bay Area seems to show up to First Friday. We've recently started playing at 21st and Telegraph and love the atmosphere.

ATP

What's the biggest problem you find when working with other bands, booking agents, promoters and venues when settting up a show or a tour?

YOUR FUTURE EX

There seems to be a golden rule in setting up shows or getting attention from promoters. 9 out of 10 ten times people will ignore you/ deny you from getting what you want. All it takes is for 1 person to believe in you.

ATP

How experienced are you on the stage, a virgin or whore?

YOUR FUTURE EX

Getting to be a whore but more of a teenage slut at this point who wants more attention.