GayGuy/StraightGuy might ‘just’ be a duo, but they can match a ten-piece prog metal band with the intensity and volume with which they play. Nick Cucci and Bob Paulos, who you’ve seen in countless bands in the scene, came together a few years back to form a truly amazing, grunge-tinged duo that just kills on every level. It’s everything that the grunge movement embodied – great lyrical work, combined with intoxicating vocals, and an infectious, bad ass groove. Yet, this is no retro act, this is a duo that is current, fresh and flat out awesome. Tonight, the duo performs at Happy Mondays at The Wonder Bar in Asbury Park.
GayGuy/StraightGuy Is (Band Members & The Instruments They Play): Nick Cucci – guitar/vocals, Bob paulos – drums/vocal
We Formed In: Early 2011
We’re Based Out Of: Asbury park
Story Behind the Name: We used to play in a band called “The Fire.” We would get together before practice and play through Weezer’s Blue Album as a two-piece. We always joked that we should play out as a two piece called ‘gayguy/straightguy’…eight years later it happened. Haha.
You’ve Seen Us Before In Other Bands: Nick used to play in River City Extension, Bob plays in Ether Sunday and Give Me Static.
New Music Coming Out: We have a new record called Shut Your mouth and Eat Your Cake coming out on vinyl this summer on in the clouds records
Our Sound Has Been Likened to: 90’s influenced. Nirvana/ Black Keys kind of vibe.
There’s such a 90s grunge sound to this band – what do you guys love about grunge?
It’s the music we grew up with, so it’s what we naturally feel most connected to. We both listen to a ton of different bands and styles, but when we get together to play, that style is what gets created.
GayGuy/StraightGuy performed at Pop-Break’s Wonder Bar show in 2013 – how have you guys matured as a band since then?
I think as you keep playing in a band with someone, you get more comfortable and have a better feel for the other player(s). We just kind of know where the other one is going at this point.
What Do You Love About Being In This Band?
It’s easy! One phone call to make, one car to shows. There isn’t a mess of schedules to worry about.
For someone who isn’t familiar with the band, what song would recommend they check out to truly understand what GayGuy/StraightGuy is all about, and why?
Check out ‘Nashville.’ It’s heavy and has a good groove. That’s typically what we aim for.
What do you guys have planned for for the rest of 2015?
Release this record and play more shows. Nothing too crazy; just trying to make new music and keep moving.
GayGuy/StraightGuy performs tonight at Happy Mondays at Wonder Bar in Asbury Park, NJ with Dentist and The Cold Seas
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Bill Bodkin is the Owner, Editor-in-Chief and Co-Founder of Pop-Break. Most importantly, however, he is the proud father of a beautiful daughter, Sophie. He is beyond excited that Pop-Break will be six years old in 2015 as this site has come a long, long way from the day he launched in it in his bachelor pad at the Jersey Shore. He can be read every Monday for the Happy Mondays Interview Series as well as his weekly reviews on Law & Order: SVU, Mad Men and Hannibal. His goal, once again, is to write 500 stories this year (a goal he accomplished in 2014). He is a graduate of Rutgers University with a degree in Journalism & English. Follow him on Twitter: @PopBreakDotCom
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