Build A Machine
Originally hailing from Boston, Build A Machine aka B.A.M., a trio of
young men who seem to be driven to bring back a real blues style with rock
n' roll. They help shed a grunge light on a world that one could say, has
forgotten these back bones of American music. Their first album, "Once
Around the Sun", really shows how these guys can rock with an old school
style of methodology. B.A.M. gives a real fresh take on a neo-grunge style
that has not been seen in current music. The band is made up of
guitar/vocalist Mike Serra, Bassist Nick Serra and drummer Tyler Saraca. As
the story goes, Tyler and Mike met in high school and started playing
together with Nick, and "the rest is history".
The band has been together for a few years now and just got back to the east
coast from a long touring and recording stint in California. It was a true
"up from the boot straps" experience for the band. B.A.M. spent their first
month and a half in CA sleeping on the beach, crashing random couches and
crappy motel rooms. They eventually worked their way into living in an
apartment and making some loot after some serious hard work, promoting and
rallying for gigs. After that, they worked their way up to renting a house
in the desert and wrote their album "Once Around the Sun". The struggle of
this movement and the instability of being true "starving artist" can be
heard through the tracks on this EP. Some of their hardships can be felt
through their lyrics. Their sound is full of many different influences
balled into something they make all their own. They note their influences on
myspace which include Rage Against the Machine, Led Zeppelin, Eazy E, Jane's
Addiction, Ice Cube, and Red Hot Chili Peppers to name a few. All of these
influences plus lots more can be heard in their tunes. Their rock n' roll is
subtle and full of soul, it is progressive but not in your face.
The following interview was for Rockstars Glued:
We want to thank ROCKSTARS GLUED for doing this interview with us. Check it
out
1. Who came up with the name "Build A Machine"?
A: TY. HE CAME UP WITH IT IN OUR OLD APARTMENT IN TORRANCE CALIFORNIA
2. How long have you been together as a band and how did you meet?
A: WE HAVE BEEN TOGETHER FOR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AND A HALF NOW. I (MIKE)
MET TY IN HIGH SCHOOL WHEN WE WERE 16, AND 17 AND NICK IS MY COUSIN AND WEVE
BEEN PLAYING TOGETHER FOR LIKE FIVE YEARS NOW
3. Who were your musical interests growing up?
A: OUR MUSICAL INTERESTS BACK IN THE DAY WERE THE RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS, THE
BEATLES, NIRVANA, RAGE, JIMI HENDRIX, BAND OF GYPSIES, EAZY E, NWA, AND ICE
CUBE
4. Make your own Concert Bill. Who would be on it and why?
A: MUSE, THE MUSIC, JANES ADDICTION, RHCP, AND BUILD A MACHINE BECAUSE IT
WOULD BE AN EPIC DANCE PARTY OF RIFF ROCK
5. What is your ultimate goal as a band?
A: TO TOUR THE WORLD PLAYING MUSIC. AND TO MAKE EVERYONE GROOVE AND SPREAD
THE LOVE THROUGH MUSIC
6. Describe your music in three words...
A: DIRTY FUNKY ROCK
7. Who does your writing? One person, or do you collaborate?
A: WE ALL GET TOGETHER IN A ROOM, FEED OFF EACH OTHER AND ASSEMBLE THE JAMS.
WE TAKE THE BEST PARTS OF THE JAMS AND MAKE TUNES OUT OF EM' MIKE WRITES THE
LYRICS.
8. What is coming up for you guys? Plug away!
A: ALOT IS COMING UP FOR OUR BAND. WE ARE PLAYING THE VIPER ROOM IN
HOLLYWOOD OCTOBER 28TH AT 11PM. WE ARE SUPER STOKED TO ROCK THAT PLACE!
THERES CRAZY HISTORY IN THAT CLUB. WE ARE ALSO PLAYING A SHOW WITH BANYAN
(FEATURING STEPHEN PERKINS OF JANE'S ADDICTION AND WILLIE WALDMAN OF SNOOP
AND SUBLIME) ON HALLOWEEN IN ZION NATIONAL PARK IN UTAH. AFTER THAT WE ARE
BACK TO BOSTON TO ROCK THE EAST COAST
9. What would you like to see change in the music industry?
A: RECORD COMPANY SUITS THAT JUST WANT TO MOVE PRODUCT, NOT ART. PITCH
CORRECTION. BANDS THAT HOP ON THE LATEST TRENDS
10. Fill in the Blank: Hello, My name is_MUD_______ and I am a
great_SONG_______?
11. What has been the most memorable moment for you as a band?
A: HAVING STEPHEN PERKINS OF JANE'S ADDICTION COME TO OUR RECORDING SESSION
IN THE HOLLYWOOD HILLS AND GETTING HIM ON OUR HIDDEN TRACK. HE IS THE MAN
AND A GOD ON DRUMS
12. You wake up to the news that music has been banned around the world.
What do you do?
A: GO ROCK MARS
13. What do you feel that myspace or the internet in general has done for
bands? Pro or Con.....
A: PROS: IT IS A HUGE NETWORKING SITE TO BOOK SHOWS, MAKE CONTACTS, AND
PROMOTE
CONS: TOO MANY BANDS THAT SUCK ARE TAKING UP PRECIOUS SPACE FOR THE GOOD
BANDS TO PROMOTE
14. When did each of you know you would make music your career?
A: MIKE: BIRTH
TY: WHEN I STARTED BLAZIN' AND JAMMIN'
NICK: THE FIRST TIME I HEARD MUSIC ON SHROOMS'
15. If you could go into the studio and record/write with anyone, who would
that be?
A: RICK RUBIN AND MATT MAHAFFEY OF SELF.
16. As always, the last question...........What does music mean to you?
A: MUSIC TO US MEANS SOUL, FEELING, FREEDOM, ELEVATION AND THE ABILITY TO
EXPRESS OURSELFS BY DOING WHAT WE LOVE. PEACE
