Whisker-A-NoGo

“Gone For Days” is a four piece rock band that you simply cannot mistake for anyone else. The unique sounding vocals and hooks of front man Chris Taylor, aggressive guitar playing of Jesse Hatch and the solid backbone of bass and backup vocals from Chris Dickman set you up for the last but certainly not least element, Justin Pacy on the drums.

Their newest single “Guilty Pleasure” was just (deservingly!) added to SiriusXM’s Octane Radio. [Check it out on iTunes by clicking HERE.]

The New-England based rock group originated in 2010 after lead vocalist Chris Taylor had left his current band Vegas Temper. His vision was to pursue a different songwriting direction that was more personal to him as a writer.  (Read the full bio HERE)

I’ve already been on the phone with my friends on the east coast, helping these guys spread the word.  

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Here’s my interview with Chris Taylor, vocalist for Gone For Days!

Briefly introduce yourself, and the band.

I’m Chris Taylor, vocalist/songwriter for Gone For Days.  Jesse Hatch plays guitar and writes as well.  Christopher Dickman plays the bass, and Justin Pacy plays the drums. Jesse and I met through mutual management and had done some long distance writing when he lived in Nashville with Dickman. Songs sounded good enough for him to uproot and move to New England to form the band. Dickman uprooted shortly thereafter, and then Justin, my old band mate came aboard. 

In no particular order, list your top ten inspirations, even if they’re not musical.

The band is comprised of 4 VERY different individuals, but my personal songwriting inspirations range from stupid things like arguments and daily mistakes to the mysteries of life and spirit. Most of my lyrical content is about things I observe in life, being surrounded by MANY colorful individuals and situations. I like the simple catchy melodies of KISS and early Beatles. The Grunge period through the 90’s gave me insight on how melodies and chord progressions don’t have to be in a box. Soundgarden, Pearl Jam and Nirvana are prime examples. Definite inspirations there! Pop radio and modern rock are more inspirations, if even only to give us ideas of what NOT to sound like! What can I say, I like listening to the radio! My parents who instilled values into me are definitely an inspiration, as is family in general. As dark as many of my lyrics are, most of them have double meaning or some nice ambiguity. Makes things fun when people try to figure out what a song is about. Then there’s our drummer, Justin, who gives me lots of lyric fodder to play with LOL…

What are your thoughts on the current status of the music industry?

Hmm… both changing and stagnant at the same time. Lots of opportunity for a band with good songs, talent and drive.  More-so than ever before. These days, I think, it’s more like your fate as a band is in your own hands. The knowledge and ‘roadmaps’ are all right online. It’s cheaper than ever to record, play out, promote your music to 1000s of people…something that bands 10 - 20 years ago couldn’t do on their own. 

Are you signed to a label? What are your thoughts on that?

As I said, there are lots of ways a band can be successful without a label, but there’s definitely a time where i can see the business end growing to be too overbearing for an artist. That’s where the label would step in. We’ve turned down a couple indi labels at this point because it’s stuff that we can do ourselves. If a label was going to put some funding into the band, that would be a different story. Money and connections would help our music reach more people. It really depends on where the band is in their career, what they want to do, and how much a label would be worth to them… which is kind of funny, because it seems completely reversed from what it used to be 10 years ago.

What would you hope people think about when they hear your music?

I hope people will be able to relate to the lyrics. I hope some parts of the song give someone goose bumps, or make them want to pound on the steering wheel. I hope that the melody and lyrics stick in their head so they sing it subconsciously. Maybe they will pull a story out of the song. Anything really, to answer your question…I hope they think about something that will make them want to listen to the song again, or see it played live.

Have you ever bought an album for its cover? Which one? 

Kiss Alive II - Last year… Got it on Ebay with the posters, tattoos and cool photo insert. Other than that one? No…

What’s one place/venue in the world you’ve always wanted to play?

Home town civic center of course LOL … we are working up to that….

Who inspired you to sing? 

I started singing because no one else in the band wanted to. That’s really the whole story. Chris Cornell really made me want to sing WELL.

What’s your favorite show or tour story? 

There are too many to list…. Direct support for sold out Staind show in Maine is probably a highlight…

What’s your least favorite thing about being in a band? 

Being in a band is like having a second family that you have to get along with to get anything done. There is so much frustration between time, money, writing, direction, relationships, etc…it’s really all one big mess that you wade through with your eyes shut hoping to come out on the other side. I guess that’s one way to explain it. A mixture of art, junior high drama, work, more work, business, more drama, and then hearing your song on the radio makes it all worthwhile.

What’s your most favorite thing about being in a band?

Mine would be creating a song in my head, seeing it evolve in the band, getting to play it in front of people, putting the final version down mix and then having it played on the radio. Lugging the bass cabinet is definitely not on the list.

In your opinion, what’s the best way for an artist to make $ these days? 

Well, besides keeping your day job…It’s so cheap to print your own stuff….cds, shirts, merchandise, etc…just do that, play out and sell the stuff. Give your songs away so people will have reason to come to your shows. Make money with the merch.

If you could go back and change anything in your career, what would it be? 

I would have started listening to Chris Cornell a lot sooner LOL. 

Do you feel like you sell more music online or at shows? 

Online definitely. You can reach more people and there are more outlets than ever before to sell your music online.

How do you feel about the new “facebook timeline”? 

Doesn’t bother me. 

If you could interview any musical celebrity, alive or dead, who would it be?

I think i would like to talk to Jim Morrison. I think he would make me laugh. Gene Simmons would be cool…he seems to know what he’s doing on the business end (ya think?) 

Any advice to up and coming bands?

Hmmm, that would be us. If I was going to give myself some advice I would tell me to smarten up and do your vocal warm ups.

Do you play in the band for a living?

I have before, but I got sick of eating white rice and bologna.

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when I say “U.S.A.”? 

Umm…Kennedy Space Center… you asked….

Random question- Who do you think would win in a boxing match, Jerry Seinfeld or Jerry Springer?

Ha, Springer for more than one reason! Yes, Justin, this really was a question!

@whiskeranogo