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Manda vs. Metro Station
So I'm going to take you back to last April while the girls and myself were in Detroit for the two My Chem shows. A friend of ours had driven out as well, and we were all in her van getting Starbucks, or... McDonalds... or... something as equally awesome for our health. We were on our way back to the venue and there was a song blaring in the background that had everyone dancing. When we got out of the car I asked who the band was, and our friend laughed and went "Oh! Metro Station, they're awesome, aren't they?"
I remembered the name, and I looked into more songs on their MySpace... well, I was hooked. They're catchy and dancey and just all the stuff I look for in a band. They just scream a good time, and well... every time I've seen them, they've provided. I got a chance to sit down and talk with Mason and Anthony about how the band formed, what inspires them, and... why they don't have a bass player.
“It's freaking hard to find time to eat sometimes.”
Mason Musso: Metro Station
For our readers who don’t know who you are, could you please introduce yourself and what you do for the band?
Mason: What's up, I'm Mason Musso, I sing and play guitar in Metro Station. The band first started when I met the other singer and guitar player Trace Cyrus. We met through out siblings who are casted on the TV show Hannah Montanna, his sister plays Hannah Montanna, my brother plays Oliver Oken. Our moms kind of put us together... it was kind of one of those weird things. Both family members talking to each other at the same time on the set everyday, and they wanted us to meet, so we decided to get together and meet. We met each other, and we were two totally different people, but we started playing music to each other and y'know, felt the vibe I guess? I don't know what you could call it, but it was fun. So it was like "Dude, come to my house, let's make a song together," and we did. And right then and there I think it was the beginning of something awesome. We started getting together and Blake was shortly found on MySpace and he kind of spiced everything up. I mean, he's the smartest dude I f*cking know.
Anthony: Yeah. They were a band for like, 6 months and then they wrote Seventeen Forever, and then that got huge on MySpace, like on the unsigned charts, and that's when I heard about them. So I joined 6 months after... so we've been a band for, what? Almost two years now?
Mason: Yeah, about two years.
Anthony: We've been touring for 15 months...
Mason: A year to this date we were playing the Kool Haus with Motion City Soundtrack and we were their opening band. So yeah.
Anthony: Yeah. They were a band for like, 6 months and then they wrote Seventeen Forever, and then that got huge on MySpace, like on the unsigned charts, and that's when I heard about them. So I joined 6 months after... so we've been a band for, what? Almost two years now?
Mason: Yeah, about two years.
Anthony: We've been touring for 15 months...
Mason: A year to this date we were playing the Kool Haus with Motion City Soundtrack and we were their opening band. So yeah.
What inspired you to make music?
Mason: I don't know, I feel that music is therapy, right? So just anything I'm feeling. My thing, is that I love writing the most fun song when I'm totally sad. I feel that it just expresses itself so much better. I don't know, it's weird. We also write sad songs, too, but I mean it's everything. Love, sex, fun, friends, time, loss.
Anthony: Yeah, I think because we write pop music- Oh, I'm Anthony Improgo, I play drums, by the way- but the way these guys write, Blake, Mason and Trace wrote the whole album before we were even signed to Columbia or anything like that. But a good pop song is sad lyrics with a happy melody. And that's kind of like the theme, right?
Mason: Yeah, I would say so. Like... it's all up. We try to keep the whole thing very upbeat. This record-
Anthony: It's very honest, too.
Mason: Yeah, it's like... I guess... innocence lost in a way. But kind of taking everything and making a joke out of it at the same time. Because you always have to have a positive attitude. Everything has to be funny. You have to have some comedy in your life or else you're just going to fall off the deep-end.
Anthony: Yeah, I think because we write pop music- Oh, I'm Anthony Improgo, I play drums, by the way- but the way these guys write, Blake, Mason and Trace wrote the whole album before we were even signed to Columbia or anything like that. But a good pop song is sad lyrics with a happy melody. And that's kind of like the theme, right?
Mason: Yeah, I would say so. Like... it's all up. We try to keep the whole thing very upbeat. This record-
Anthony: It's very honest, too.
Mason: Yeah, it's like... I guess... innocence lost in a way. But kind of taking everything and making a joke out of it at the same time. Because you always have to have a positive attitude. Everything has to be funny. You have to have some comedy in your life or else you're just going to fall off the deep-end.
You can be seen as a very unique band, seeing as you have two lead vocalists and no bassist. How do you think this makes you differ from other bands, and what made you decide to go with this set up?
Mason: ...No one really wanted to play bass.
Anthony: *laughs*
Mason: Just... no one really wants to play the bass guitar. Me and Trace love playing guitar, and we're always playing guitar together. And at the same time, Blake's doing a little bit of the bass on the keyboard as well as most of the melodies for the keyboard... so it just kind of worked out that way. We are Metro Station and this is what we want to do.
Anthony: *laughs*
Mason: Just... no one really wants to play the bass guitar. Me and Trace love playing guitar, and we're always playing guitar together. And at the same time, Blake's doing a little bit of the bass on the keyboard as well as most of the melodies for the keyboard... so it just kind of worked out that way. We are Metro Station and this is what we want to do.
What's your favourite song or lyrics that you've written, and why?
Mason: Uhm... ...recently?
Anytime ever.
Mason: We love playing Control last at every show. We've always done it, and I think that's our song that we really love to just jam out to, y'know? It's always a fun song.
Anthony: It's funny because that's the song I first heard. Before Seventeen. I went home, went on MySpace and was like "Oh, Metro Station, huh?" And I listened to Control and was like, "I wanna be in this band!" (Laughs) It's just a really catchy song.
Anthony: It's funny because that's the song I first heard. Before Seventeen. I went home, went on MySpace and was like "Oh, Metro Station, huh?" And I listened to Control and was like, "I wanna be in this band!" (Laughs) It's just a really catchy song.
I have to say that's actually my favourite song, too.
Anthony: Oh really?
Mason: Thank you!
Mason: Thank you!
It's kind of on the same note, considering you already pretty much answered which song is your favourite to play live, but the whole question is; What's your favourite song to play live, and which gets the best reaction from the audience?
Anthony: Wish We Were Older is always a good one, too.
Mason: Wish We Were Older is a great one to play live, too. But our song Shake It has been getting a lot of reaction lately. The whole thing about this tour is the fun, party atmosphere we're trying to bring to the table. It's the 'Disco Balls and Blow Up Dolls' tour, and that's pretty cool and it's been going well. I think each of us has our own favourite song that we like to play live.
Mason: Wish We Were Older is a great one to play live, too. But our song Shake It has been getting a lot of reaction lately. The whole thing about this tour is the fun, party atmosphere we're trying to bring to the table. It's the 'Disco Balls and Blow Up Dolls' tour, and that's pretty cool and it's been going well. I think each of us has our own favourite song that we like to play live.
With the help of MySpace, you sort of shot up in the eye of the public pretty fast. How has it been adjusting to the sudden limelight?
Mason: It's been awesome. It's been a lot of fun. It's been a lot of work, I mean we're definitely... as we see people taking an interest in us it's more of us trying to get out there and see those people and keep going on tour seeing our fans, and they're the thing that's keeping us going. So much love to them.
Anthony: It kind of sucks sometimes though because, like... in the beginning we'd like, hang out with everyone, but now our schedules are just so busy, like flying here, flying there... sometimes we can't go meet everyone. So that's the only bummer.
Mason: It's freaking hard to find time to eat sometimes.
Anthony: It kind of sucks sometimes though because, like... in the beginning we'd like, hang out with everyone, but now our schedules are just so busy, like flying here, flying there... sometimes we can't go meet everyone. So that's the only bummer.
Mason: It's freaking hard to find time to eat sometimes.
Okay, so this is more of a personal question of mine, because I found out you guys are signed on to help with the Good Charlotte Remix CD-
Mason: Yes!
And I've been a huge fan of Good Charlotte for...ever. *laughs*
Mason: Us as well!
Now is there anything you can tell us about that? Like what song you'll be helping with? And what made you decide to help with the project?
Mason: We just got really close with those dudes. I mean, they're the most humblest, most down to earth guys we've ever met. They used to take us out and treat us all to Dave and Busters. I don't know if you guys know what that is (Manda's Note: Referring to us being Canadian...) but it's like a game place where you can just have fun, eat food and just relax.
Anthony: Arcades.
Mason: Arcade style, it's really cool. We talked about it a little bit and right now it's in the process, we don't really know what we're going to do yet or which song. We're thinking about it.
Anthony: Arcades.
Mason: Arcade style, it's really cool. We talked about it a little bit and right now it's in the process, we don't really know what we're going to do yet or which song. We're thinking about it.
Manda's Note: It's since been announced that Metro Station will be working on a remix of Dance Floor Anthem (I Don't Wanna Be In Love)
What's your favourite part of, and what's the biggest challenge you have to face, while touring?
Anthony: Hm. ...I think it's just that our schedules are so busy right now it's just.. trying to ... sleep *laughs* Because we literally, just this past week, flew to Vegas for a radio show, and then we were in the airport for ten hours, flew back and did interviews, interviews, interviews, played a show, and then had to fly to another city. So you just have to coordinate things better. I mean, we're not complaining or anything. It's great that Shake It is huge and everything... but I think we could all use a little break.
Mason: I'm going to say also... missing home. Being in a stable place for more than twelve hours.
Mason: I'm going to say also... missing home. Being in a stable place for more than twelve hours.
That's understandable.
Mason: Yeah... it's hard to keep friends.
...Aw!
Mason: No, really, it is! I mean, all your friends are doing their own thing, college and what not- well, my friends are. They're going to college and doing their own thing... So it's just hard to keep in contact with them.
That's what the internet is for.
Mason: Ah...well... *laughs* Not necessarily! Even with that-
Anthony: *laughs* No internet on the bus!
Anthony: *laughs* No internet on the bus!
If you were put in charge of the music industry, what would be the first thing you'd change?
Anthony: Hm. That's deep. *laughs*
Mason: Well... If I was the head of the music industry I would hire the dopest bands because I think I've got a good ear, but that's just me. *Laughs* Naw, I don't know what I'd do... I mean, our label, Columbia Records, our label that we're signed to, have been amazing for us. It's helped us, and... helped make us who we are. We're really happy, but who knows. Everyone has their own opinion about everything and you know, that's why it's an opinion.
Anthony: I have this weird dream that someday music will all be free. I know the labels will probably freak out, but if it's free, more kids would just go to the shows and it would be more of a live situation. But... I don't know. Everything is so calculated these days with like with radio, and hits and everything... I think, like Mason, I'd just sign bands because I liked them. Not because they have the look.
Mason: Well... If I was the head of the music industry I would hire the dopest bands because I think I've got a good ear, but that's just me. *Laughs* Naw, I don't know what I'd do... I mean, our label, Columbia Records, our label that we're signed to, have been amazing for us. It's helped us, and... helped make us who we are. We're really happy, but who knows. Everyone has their own opinion about everything and you know, that's why it's an opinion.
Anthony: I have this weird dream that someday music will all be free. I know the labels will probably freak out, but if it's free, more kids would just go to the shows and it would be more of a live situation. But... I don't know. Everything is so calculated these days with like with radio, and hits and everything... I think, like Mason, I'd just sign bands because I liked them. Not because they have the look.
Or you think they'd sell more CDs...
Anthony: Yeah. It's all like... I mean, we love our label, but they put in a lot of hard work. Like research and pie charts and everything, y'know? *laughs* So that's what I would do.
Mason: I couldn't do all that.
Mason: I couldn't do all that.
What can we expect from you guys in the future?
Mason: More music, more partying, more having fun. We'll be doing this until... we're too old to do it, I guess. But I don't know!
Anthony: We're thinking of doing a Christmas song!
Mason: ... We can't. I want to! I really, really want to do a Christmas song.
Anthony: Mason loves Christmas. *laughs*
Mason: I do love Christmas. And I want to do a Christmas song, but I would never do that. ...Because it's lame. *laughs*
Anthony: ...I don't think it's lame.
Anthony: We're thinking of doing a Christmas song!
Mason: ... We can't. I want to! I really, really want to do a Christmas song.
Anthony: Mason loves Christmas. *laughs*
Mason: I do love Christmas. And I want to do a Christmas song, but I would never do that. ...Because it's lame. *laughs*
Anthony: ...I don't think it's lame.
Yeah, me neither!
Mason: Okay! We can cover a Christmas song acoustically for Christmas, that'd be cool. But... yeah. ...My favourite Christmas song is Last Christmas by Wham. ...But that's just me. For real. That's my favourite. ...*laughs* It's the best one!
So we at The Sound Faction are five of the most random people, and we try to end every interview with five quick, random questions to leave everyone smiling.
Mason: Ok.
If you could have lunch with any fictional character, who would it be and why?
Anthony: Mine would be Benjamin Linus from Lost. Because I just bought season four and it's like... AUGH! Just tell me what's going on!! Dammit!
Mason: I don't know. ...Peter Pan...
Mason: I don't know. ...Peter Pan...
If you could be any old school rock star for a day, who would you be and how would you abuse the power?
Mason: I would be Paul Simon, and I would just be loving life, because I was Paul Simon.
Anthony: I would be Tommy Lee.
Anthony: I would be Tommy Lee.
What girly movie are you secretly in love with?
Mason: I love Mean Girls! Mean Girls is awesome. It's so funny.
Anthony: I'm going to actually admit this, I actually cried in The Notebook. That's my girl movie.
Anthony: I'm going to actually admit this, I actually cried in The Notebook. That's my girl movie.
Aw!
Mason: *laughs and shakes his head*
Anthony: What?
Mason: Nothing...
Anthony: What?
Mason: Nothing...
It's okay.
Mason: It's okay Anthony...
Anthony: Thank you.
Anthony: Thank you.
Who would you want to win a date with?
Mason: I don't know...
Anthony: I don't know either.
Mason: Carmen Electra.
Anthony: Uhm..... Keira Knightley? She's the first one that came to mind- oh! no no, I'm sorry... Scarlett Johansson...
Anthony: I don't know either.
Mason: Carmen Electra.
Anthony: Uhm..... Keira Knightley? She's the first one that came to mind- oh! no no, I'm sorry... Scarlett Johansson...
*Laughs* Awesome. And last one... if you were a scented candle, what would you smell like?
Anthony: Mint. Because it's clean.
Mason: .........Hemp.
All: *Laughs*
Mason: .........Hemp.
All: *Laughs*
Thank you again to Mason and Anthony for taking the time to talk to us. If you want to check out Metro Station (Or you've been living under a rock and haven't heard of them before...) you can find their MySpace here.
