Everyone likes the DIY sort of band – especially when their passion matches up with their impressive talent. And the trio of Alive in Stereo is the perfect example. Frontman and guitarist Chris Evans, drummer Toby Crisp and bassist Alex Browers are taking it to the blossoming Colorado scene, partially responsible for a renaissance that has produced numerous hit making bands as of late. Without a doubt, their success is due in part to their amazing on stage attitude. Chris says “That person in the back of the room waiting on a friend's band that's on later is the person I want to captivate.  If I can do that, then I've successfully done my job.” Trust me – give one Alive in Stereo tune a listen, and you’ll be captured.

You can actually sample a bunch of tunes on the band’s self-titled record; a collection that Evans says “was a bit of a shock to us.” He continues, “We set out to record a 3-4 song basement demo just to start booking and ended up with a fully produced 7-song EP that sounds like a million dollars. It's a really well rounded album too… We try to cover all the bases, hard, loud, soft, tight, fast, angry, cynical, forward-looking, elated, etc.  We really just want to keep the heads nodding, in the car, in the club, anywhere.”   

And if you have questions about the band’s style… we got answers: “Simply put, we write rock. More specifically perhaps, hard rock with pop sensibility… It's very easy to write with a formula but we try to actually through-compose an inspired song.  We'll take a song we thought was finished and rip it apart again and again until the right answer comes.” While the band is halfway done writing the next album, they are preparing for a fall/winter tour into next year, so check the schedule. There’s more below, so keep going for the answers to the XXQ’s.

XXQs: Alive In Stereo 

PensEyeView.com (PEV): How would you describe your sound and what do you feel makes you stand out over the others in your genre?

Simply put, we write rock.  More specifically perhaps, hard rock with pop sensibility.  Every band tries to say they don't fit into any particular mold or that they don't sound like any other band but what makes us stand out is the details.  It's very easy to write with a formula but we try to actually through-compose an inspired song.  We'll take a song we thought was finished and rip it apart again and again until the right answer comes.  In the end, when a song writes itself we know we're on to something, and there's no question whether or not it's complete.   

PEV: Calling Colorado your home tell us your take on the music scene there and what was it like trying to break into it? What is the best part about living there? 

Colorado's music scene seems like a hidden gem waiting to be refined.  With so much new talent stemming from Colorado in recent years, namely The Fray, Flobots, 3OH3!, One Republic, the music scene here is slowly creeping into the limelight.  The best part of CO's music scene is it's sense of mutual support and respect.  Bands here seem to know that if any band breaks onto the national (or global) scene, it brings more media attention to our state.  This breeds one unfortunate problem, though.  Colorado's music scene is disorganized.  People don't seem to go to venues just for the sake of seeing music.  People follow bands.  So, while booking shows and putting together fantastic bills is surprisingly easy here, filling the house is much more difficult.  We end up with 5 and 6+ band bills so the venues can make their overhead, but the crowds are transient.  They only stick around for their band. 

PEV: With that, what can fans expect from a live Alive In Stereo show? 

Alive in Stereo is out to do just that: put on a show.  We've always believed in the philosophy that one should put on the same show for 5 or 50,000 people.  Nobody wants to see a band with some sense of entitlement, acting as though they're too good to be playing a dead room.  We believe performing is a privilege, and to thank our audience we give them every last ounce of energy we can muster. 

PEV: What is the first thing that comes to mind when you step on stage?

"How can I entertain someone today?"  That person in the back of the room waiting on a friend's band that's on later is the person I want to captivate.  If I can do that, then I've successfully done my job.  

PEV: Having all been in other bands before how is playing with Alive In Stereo different then those other works?

Alive in Stereo is a truly collaborative project.  Although that sounds like a pipe dream, it's true.  We all have our strengths - rhythm, melody, lyrics, etc. - but we use them collectively.  At the same time, we try not to worry about taking things personally in the songwriting process.  If an idea doesn't fit, it doesn't fit.  It's not a personal affront and we know that.  We don't feel the need to interject a pointless hook or solo just to make someone's voice be heard.  The best way to write a song is to think about the collective goal before personal vindication. 

PEV: What was the underlining inspiration for your music? Where do get your best ideas for songs?

As mentioned earlier, an idea for one of our songs can come from anywhere.  It could be a particular beat, a hook or theme and variations on it, or maybe a funny or emotional anecdote that can be painted as a picture through notes.  Sometimes it's as simple as just a sense of urgency or listlessness that needs to be released.

PEV: Tell us about your new album? What can fans expect from this?

Our new CD was a bit of a shock to us.  We set out to record a 3-4 song basement demo just to start booking and ended up with a fully produced 7-song EP that sounds like a million dollars.   It's a really well rounded album too.  It starts off with the mid-tempo groove "Change Things," slows down with heavy rocker "Impossible," speeds up with "American," and just keeps on going.  We try to cover all the bases, hard, loud, soft, tight, fast, angry, cynical, forward-looking, elated, etc.  We really just want to keep the heads nodding, in the car, in the club, anywhere.  We have so much fun writing and playing and we want to share that with everybody through the new CD and our shows.  

PEV: Is there one area you wish you could travel around and play that you have not yet?

Europe, Asia, you know, the usuals.  In all seriousness though short term we'd love to get on the road and travel nearby markets ranging from Texas to California and try to build a following.

PEV: How have all your friends and family reacted to your career? What’s it like when you get to play at your hometown?

All three of us seem to get the same reaction from our friends and family.  They've come and seen us play with other bands in the past and have always been supportive but with Alive in Stereo we actually get a consistently positive reaction and an honest belief that this band has serious potential.  Here in Denver we love seeing people crowd the front of the stage singing every word along with us.  There's really no better feeling.

PEV: What can we find each of you doing in your spare time, aside from playing/writing music?

We live in Colorado so naturally we find ourselves outdoors often.  Chris loves camping and hiking and spending time with his family.  Toby is an avid road biker and movie buff.  I'm a die-hard snowboarder, but I'm also a bit of a geek.  I often find myself working on some design or recording project.

PEV: Name one present and past artist or group that would be your dream collaboration? Why?

Collectively we all really like Rise Against.  They're sound is just raw emotion and energy and we feel somewhat akin to them.  

PEV:  Is there an up and coming band or artist you think we should all be looking out for now?

Fulcrum, from Ft. Collins.  They're show is simply ferocious.

PEV: So, what is next for Alive In Stereo?

Currently, we're about halfway through writing our next album, our first full length. We're really anxious to get to the next town, make some friends, and share our music with everyone we meet.  Currently we're starting to book some regional touring for the fall and winter of 2010/2011.