“The Truth” is one of the many highlights on the band’s upcoming and as-yet-untitled album. Due this fall via oneRPM, it was recorded with producer Matt Good (Asking Alexandria, Hollywood Undead). “The Truth” follows the devilish single “
Never Worth It” which made its radio debut on KLOS ‘New & Approved with Matt Pinfield” radio show earlier this month. Previously released singles include the mental health awareness oriented “
Too Far,” the self-questioning “
Ghostlighting” (and its Scooby Doo-inspired music video) and the album’s debut anthemic track “
Voices.”
BUDDERSIDE is rounded out by a talented group of handpicked musicians who after being enlisted by Stone have been poached by some of rock’s top acts to lend their skills on tour and recording duties. Guitarist Sam “Bam” Koltun can be seen playing on tour with hard rock outfit Dorothy and glam rock/metal icons Faster Pussycat. Bassist Gabe Maska was cast as the lead role of Kurt Cobain for the Las Vegas rock show “27.” In addition, guitarist Logan Nikolic can be seen touring with rock singer Diamante, who are currently opening for Shinedown.
Q&A with BUDDERSIDE’s
PATRICK STONE
Can you share how BUDDERSIDE’s new album compares to past releases? What inspired or led to those artistic/style changes and why?
STONE: “It’s finally the music I’ve always wanted BUDDERSIDE to be. Not that my heart and soul isn’t in everything that came before, but the whole band being as talented as they are really makes a difference in the writing, the music and the vibe. I also blame our entertainment lawyer and close friend, Eric German. He had the balls to tell us what wasn’t working and wasn’t afraid to be completely blunt. I’ve always respected Eric and the artists he works with and instead of letting his advice break me, it set me on fire.”
You worked with producer Matt Good on the new album who’s worked with a lot of mainstream radio rock acts including Asking Alexandria and Hollywood Undead. Can you share how he may have added to developing BUDDERSIDE’s overall sound on the album? What did he bring to the table that you felt differed from past producers?
STONE: “Eric German introduced us to Matt and BUDDERSIDE quickly became his band, too. He demands greatness and constantly challenged us with styles and sounds we were uncomfortable with. It was exactly what we needed. Going in, I was completely hopeful a metamorphosis would happen, and it did. He’s hands-on about every detail and we don’t move forward until we all agree it’s perfect. We landed in a very unique and radical space with the new sound. “
“His style is what makes him stand out from the rest. Matt is producing what hasn’t been done before. He’s the leader in his genre if you ask me. I love the bands he’s worked with, and you can tell the difference in the songs they’ve recorded with him and those without. He brings that special energy. Something about me changed and you can hear it in the new music. My preconceived notions about vocals dissolved from technique to truth. I was like a guitar being plugged into an amp for the first time. Everything was on 11. Putting Matt Good’s name on ours is one of our proudest achievements.”
What inspired you to write “The Truth”?
STONE: “The truth. Pun intended this time. What the f*ck does this life mean? What are we doing here? What happens next? I’m suffering. Life seems to be one struggle on top of another and I don’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. I’m constantly afraid the next thing is going to push me over the edge. Have I lost sight of who I am? My bandmates believe in me and writing this song together helped me see I’m not alone. We all want to know. Give me the truth! Killing ourselves to mean something to someone, for something.”
If you had the chance to be abducted by a UFO, would you take the plunge? Why or why not? If so, what truths would you expect to find from such an experience?
STONE: “Definitely. I’d expect to find exactly that, ‘the truth.’ To know the truth and to unlock the great mystery would be extremely exciting and yet bring abundant peace.”
This has got to be your most asked question but you’ve shared different answers in previous interviews—for once and for all, will you tell us what the name ‘Budderside’ means and why you chose it for the band?
STONE: “There is no exact answer. What does life mean? Answer that and you’ve described its definition. How about the “F” word? Use BUDDERSIDE like you use that word and you get it. If you can explain it, you ain’t got it! Narrow minded people don’t get it. Lemmy got it and that was good enough for me. The people that understand me and accept me for who I am are behind the name. To challenge that is a fight you will lose. You could say Gandhi or Einstein are strange rolling off the tongue, but not once you understand what they stood for. Once you understand us, you’ll see it and say it differently, like we do. It’s the name of a very meaningful rock band.”
When people see/hear the name Budderside, what do you think they think the band sounds like? What do you want them to think?
STONE: “I would expect them to be very curious. When they hear it, I want them to be totally blown away.”
Knowing that you handpicked the members of the band, how does it feel now that other large rock bands have been ‘borrowing’ them for tours, etc?
STONE: “Dorothy thanked me backstage last night for letting her ‘borrow Sam’ for her recent tour. I’m sure she knows she didn’t have to say that, but she did anyways and made me feel really good about it. I love her talent and her songs, and she deserves the very best. She knows that’s exactly what Sam is. I’m really proud to be a part of BUDDERSIDE. BUDDERSIDE is Sam’s band just as BUDDERSIDE is Logan’s band, who’s opening for Shinedown in arenas every night with Diamante currently… and that’s where we belong. Five fingers of a hand clawing its way into the life we deserve, together.”
