Bryan Cherry Band (Sean Williamson) Interview

 

Sean I’d first like to thank you for taking the time out to speak with us here at IndieMusicLounge.Com. I have had the pleasure of seeing you and watching your band mature over the past few years here in Milwaukee and I have to say that you guys are great. The chemistry between you, Bryan and the other guys is unmatched I’d say at least in Midwest rock music. So lets get into the interview.

 

First off, how did the Bryan Cherry Band come to be?

First off, thanks for the time and place.  I appreciate being able to chat with IML.com.  BCB happened spontaneously…like all good things.  Our drummer Chad Clausen & I saw Bryan perform by himself at Linneman’s on Milwaukee’s East Side in 2006.  We were blown away. We thought what was very captivating by itself could be a monster with a full band.  Bryan agreed.

 

What did you personally see in lead singer Bryan Cherry that made you entrust him to such an important office in your band?

There is an innate sincerity or genuine nature about Bryan that really comes out in his performance, both in the music itself and they way he presents himself.  You have to be in it for the right reasons, and that, more than raw talent I believe is what matters.

 

Now for those of you that don’t know Sean is the guitarist of the Bryan Cherry Band. What was it about the guitar that drew you to it as an instrument to play?

Now that one is easy.  I think it’s expressive, it’s phallic, it’s dangerous in the wrong hands.  Perfect for an adolescent kid into Nirvana.

 

If you weren’t playing the guitar what instrument could you see yourself playing?

I think drums.  I’ve always wanted a drum solo. 

 

Now with Bryan also playing guitar in the band do you feel that sharing the same instrument draws you closer together with each other?

Sure.  The guitar is just the means we both use to extract these ideas we have.  I have to think if we both played different instruments, the same things would find their way out. 

 

As I said off of the top of the interview there seems to be a great chemistry, at least on stage, between you and your band-mates. To what do you attribute this to?

Going back to the last question, with each instrument, the inspiration comes from the same place.  Where that is…not sure, but it levels the playing field.  There is no room for  a more “important” instrument, and I think we all have that understanding.

 

This chemistry is greatly important to a band because too often we see jealousy and envy and greed tearing apart great bands like yours. Speaking of other bands, who would you say are your biggest influences?

Biggest ones?  Well, early on it would have to be all the guitar gods and their bands that made the guitar what it is.  Hendrix, the Page, Clapton, and Beck collective…in that order. David Gilmour is still my hero.  Then, Phish took up many years of my musical palette.

 

In what ways do they influence your music that you play?

Overall, they taught me the difference between the studio and live performance.  The music and “the show” are two very different things.

 

Now I understand that you also operate under the name The Situation. Where did this nickname come from?

Oh yes, the Situation.  He does operate. I would tell you who he is and how he came to be, but then he would have to kill you…and everyone that reads this.

 

I also have heard from around town that you have a pretty great live show under the name The Situation. What is it like being the front man in a sense?

I guess deep down everybody wants to be a frontman, especially with eyeliner and teased hair.  There is a certain freedom about it.

 

Now lets talk music. You are now how many CDs deep with the Bryan Cherry Band?

3 cd’s deep.

 

Of those albums what is your favorite and why?

I would have to say Alley Apple, the latest and greatest EP.  I think it shows the growing musical maturity of the band. With each record our sound keeps evolving into something even more unique, and I think this one brings out all of our strengths.

 

What’s your favorite BCB song and why?

I would say “You’re Not Here.”  That was the first song where I was able to show Bryan music I had written, and then craft it with a full band.

 

What is the process that goes on behind the scenes when you all are crafting a song? Do you all write and have input or do a few of you take on this task?

There have been two distinct processes.  Most of our first record involved finishing songs that Bryan had already written much or all of the material.  After that, the songwriting took on a new identity.  A unique collaboration where Bryan could write lyrics over my own musical ideas, and Chad would help in direction and arrangement.  Our bass player Matt Turner has even influenced and played a key role in writing some of the newer material.  Now we go at it with both processes, and we’re pleased with that.

 

What’s your favorite part of crafting music?

I think it has to be the first practice with new material.  It is always cool to see your bandmates challenging themselves to pull ideas out on the spot.

 

What can the fans be looking forward to from the Bryan Cherry Band in the future?

More new music.  There is another project on the horizon.  This time, we aren’t pressing for a deadline, we’re going to let this one happen on its own time.

 

I’d like to which gears and ask a few question that I ask all of my guests here on IML. What would you say is the best advice ever given to you?

My parents told me I was smart enough to do whatever I wanted in life.  So do it.

 

What, if only one thing, do you wish that a person walks away from a Bryan Cherry Band show with?

Merch.

 

Aside from music what other hobbies do you have?

Being a graphic designer, I like freelancing in album art, band logos, etc.

 

What if you weren't a musician would you currently be pursuing?

I think I would learn to fly a plane.  Or build a hoverboard.  Or return to the NFL.

 

What person or thing could you not do without?

My friends.  They do great things.  The band thanks them dearly.

 

What one person or thing could you do without?

Peyton Manning.  He is a pouter.

 

Giving your most ingenious description, explain to those that have never had the chance to experience what displaying their original music before a live show is like for you.

 

It’s like that new car smell.  When you first write and perform original music, it’s there, but you have to keep writing new material to keep it…otherwise it goes away.

 

I need a new car.