Semiotics Are (Name, Instrument Played):
Nick- vocals/guitar
Seth- vocals/guitar
Crispy – Bass
Alex – drums
The Story of Our Name:Â The definition of Semiotics is the study of meanings and signs. When Nick attended Tampa he heard the term in a class and loved the idea of it. He wrote “Just Words” and asked Alex to record it with him under the name. We’ve been Semiotics ever since
We’re based out of: New Brunswick, New Jersey
Any new music coming out:Â We have released half of our Bobby Pins demo which features four songs we have been playing for a while and are currently writing for a six song EP to be released (hopefully) in early June.
You’ve seen us before [in other bands]: Probably not, but Nick and Alex were in Exist. Seth played in A Subtle Monument. This is Crispy’s first band.
Our sound has been likened to:Â CoolDad Music says we’re “wordy pop-punk”. That’s sort of accurate. But we feel like we make Alternative music.
Can you talk about the artists that have inspired you? Also, what people in your life have inspired you to create music?
Nick: Say Anything, Brand New, and The Matches are bands that inspired me. They tell stories in interesting ways with such emotion. These bands taught me to prioritize emotion over perfection.
As for people who inspire me, it’s really whoever is in my life. I draw ideas and feelings from everyday conversation and experiences. My sister’s ex-boyfriend was the one who inspired me to start a band and took me to my first show. He also had a red mohawk, a leather jacket, and tight cheetah pants at the time.
Seth: My two biggest musical inspirations are Laura Stevenson and Andy Hull (Manchester Orchestra). The way they tell stories through song never ceases to amaze me.
My friends, family and relationships are generally what I write about. I guess I follow the “write what you know” mentality when looking for inspiration.
What is one of your favorite and/or most outrageous moments you’ve had performing with Semiotics?
Because the bathrooms were overflowing with poop water at an Asbury Park bar we had to play acoustic for only 15 minutes.
There are so many bands out there in the Asbury and New Brunswick scene to check out — outside of your sound, which no one else really has, what do you think separates Semiotics from everyone else?
Passion and emotion. Technology and new age tools now allow any band to sound good. We take our time to craft interesting, bitchy, wordy songs that tell personal stories for people to connect with.
If someone read this interview and never heard you before, but decided to check you out, what song would you recommend they listen to in order to understand what Semiotics are all about?
Listen to these albums in order, Through Being Cool – Saves The Day, Commit This to Memory – Motion City Soundtrack, and then our last two releases Simple Requests and Bobby Pins. Then you’ll get a solid idea of what we do.
What can the people coming out to see you guys perform expect to see from you guys in terms of a live experience?
A lot of dancing, a lot of booze, and beautiful harmonies.
What’s on the horizon for Semiotics in 2015?
We are recording a six-song EP, playing a lot of bigger shows in March with Candy Hearts and Everything Ever, and going out on our first tour with American Lions for two weeks. Also ROMP will most definitely be tight in 2015
Semiotics performs tonight at Happy Mondays at The Wonder Bar in Asbury Park, New Jersey along with Seasons and Fossils. Admission is free. Click here for event details.
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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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