Gamblers – Pulverizer

By starrymag | January 23, 2025

By: Karen Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

A) I guess you’d call it Indie, or rock. But we definitely have a lot of other influences. At the end of the day, these are pretty much pop songs.

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

A) If I had to pick just a few for this record, I’d say artists like Huey Lewis and The News, Phil Collins, and Paramore. I could name a million others.

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Agita.”

A) Well, it’s a popular term in Italian-American culture on the east coast, specifically NY/NJ. It’s a term that was used a lot in my family growing up. The song and video are both dedicated to my Mother Rosemary, who passed away shortly before the release of the album.

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

A) I mean, on a surface level I think it’s really catchy. Beyond that hopefully the lyrics resonate.

Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?

A) The video is supposed to show how you love your family despite some of the dysfunction that can often take place.

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

A) No, not necessarily. But I would say most times we start with some chords and a beat, trying to get a nice progression going. Then, I’ll find a melody on top of that, and the words come last.

Q) How much of a hand do you have in the production of your music?

A) About as big a hand as you can have without physically turning knobs. I was a knob turner for a few years in my late teens / early 20s, but I eventually decided I really love working with engineers and other producers as well. I’d say I have “final cut” on everything, but it’s a very collaborative process.

Q) Your album Pulverizer is out now. What are some themes you explore on it?

A) Basically, the most traumatic things one can go through in terms of grief and near-death experiences. As well as dealing with sobriety and the dissolution of relationships. Sound like a fun time?

Q) What are some of your personal favorite tracks off the album and what makes them stand out to you?

A) I would pick the last song “Irish Sports Pages,” which is basically acoustic and piano, something we’ve never done before. I think it’s my best lyric performance to date.

Q) Which of the songs have you been enjoying playing for live audiences now that you’ve been touring the East Coast?

A) “Pulverizer” is really fun to play live. It’s easy to sing along too, so we generally have a bit of a party going on when it’s time to play that one. “Straightened Out” is a fun one too, thank god I do a lot of cardio now.

Q) What do you hope listeners take away from listening to Pulverizer as a whole?

A) I don’t know that I hope listeners take away anything in particular, to be honest with you.

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?

A) We had two really special shows in our respective “hometowns” last year. Our album release show in Manhattan and our 10th anniversary show on Long Island, both of which were packed. Always a good feeling.

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

A) Maybe Damon Albarn will let us hop on a Gorillaz track at some point?

Q) What artist/musician are you currently listening to and why do you dig them? 

A) Brian Fallon from The Gaslight Anthem. The band and his solo work, I think he’s one of the greatest songwriters of our time.

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) Thanks!

 

 

All Questions Answered By Michael McManus