Interview with Greeley Estates

Recently, I had the chance to check out the “Punk The Clock” Tour featuring My American Heart, Bleed The Dream, The Q, Greeley Estates and Mourning Maxwell. My friends Tim Harmon, and Mike Stoklasa picked me up for the show and we were on our way. We arrived at the Complex with just enough time to catch Mourning Maxwell. They were amazing, as per usual. Then I sat through My American Heart, who were pretty good and Bleed The Dream. Bleed the Dream’s vocalist threw a temper tantrum about the sound and he totally turned me off to ever wanting to see that band again. Then it was time for the band I came to see: Greeley Estates. Ryan Zimmerman (vox) was feeling sickly, so he demanded crowd participation. That, of course was fine with the crowd. Their show was awesome because their energy on stage is crazy. Bleed The Dream’s vocalist jumped on stage and tackled Zimmerman, which led to some laughs. He then finished singing “Through Waiting” with Greeley. After the show had ended and people began to fan out, I had a chance to sit down with Ryan Zimmerman (vox), Brian Champ (drums), Josh Applebach (bass), Dallas Smith (guitar), and Brandon Hackenson (guitar), otherwise known as, Greeley Estates.

Laura: How does it feel to be on tour with My American Heart and Bleed The Dream?

Ryan: Amazing! You forgot “The Q,” one of our favorite bands. I am so excited to be out with these bands.
Brian: Pretty cool. They’re all amazing guys.
Josh: A lot of fun. They’re cool guys. Keith let me borrow his equipment the 3rd day.
Dallas: It’s so cool to be able to play music night after night with our friends! It’s an awesome way to start out our first national tour!
Brandon: It’s devastating.

Laura: Is this your first tour and how is it going so far?
Ryan: It is our first nationwide tour. So far it’s going great.
Brian: YES! It’s a BLAST! Couldn’t be better!
Josh: First tour, yep! It’s going really well so far. All the people are the shows are great.
Dallas: This is our first national tour. So far it’s been amazing! We’re able to watch awesome bands and meet cool, new people everyday.
Brandon: Kind of… this is our first big tour.

Laura: What objects do you absolutely need to have on the road?

Ryan: Tea, Vitamin C, Teddy Bear.
Brian: Music (CD’s), books, drumsticks, CANDY!
Josh: Bottled H2O, Extra Winter-fresh Gum.
Dallas: Guitars, books and baby wipes.
Brandon: Hair flattener/straightener.

Laura: If you could give any touring advice to any band, what would it be?

Ryan: Get sleep and eat cheap.
Brian: Try to sleep, A LOT! Bring lots of CANDY!
Josh: Give me some touring advice!
Dallas: Don’t kill each other.
Brandon: Bring vitamins.

Laura: How has the crowd response been out of state?

Ryan: Good. Purevolume.com has helped us out a ton.
Brian: Pretty good. We’ve only played one out of state so far, but it was SICK!
Josh: We’ve only played one show out of state so it’s kind of tough to answer.
Dallas: It’s been positive so far, although this tour has only had one out of state date.
Brandon: Ok, so far. The East Coast is going to be rough, I think.

Laura: Where is your favorite place to play?

Ryan: Phoenix!
Brian: Hmmm… I like small, cool venues like the Big Fish Pub (Tempe, AZ) and the Mad I (Flagstaff, AZ).
Josh: Yuma, AZ
Dallas: Anywhere that lets us play and has good sound equipment.
Brandon: Mason Jar, and the shower… unplugged.

Laura: Closing thoughts?

Ryan: Punk the Clock Baby!
Brian: Say a prayer for us!
Josh: There’s a killer compilation for this tour that came out Nov. 9th. Punktheclock.com.
Dallas: Four more weeks baby! Word.
Brandon: Thanks to all the fans. You make it funner.

Greeley Estates is on tour until the middle of December. They are an amazing band and even greater people. If you get a chance go check them out. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

-Laura Digan SPSMag.com