13) It is said that Gameface’s sound has been created modeling so called “Cruz Sound” created by Descendents and ALL. I think Gameface’s sound is evolution of Cruz sound. And further, the original creator of new sound, fusion of EMO and Pop Punk. Doesn’t matter what I heard or what I think, the music you play is superb. How did you make your sound? Where is idea coming from?

I think that is a great way to describe it. We love the “Cruz sound”. When we were young, we would go see ALL and Big Drill Car play. In fact, that is where we first met. Todd and I met and became friends with Paul and Bob at an ALL/Big Drill Car show in Los Angeles (The Chemical People and Down By Law also played). As we evolved as a band, we picked up other influences from different music scenes across the country. I think our exposure to the east coast scene played a part in shaping our sound – bands like Texas Is The Reason, Lifetime, Quicksand, Errortype:11 and Jawbox. It’s always been pop/punk/rock/emo/whatever but it just comes out sounding like Gameface.

14) Please tell us who or which band was influential to you before starting the band?

For me, it was 7 Seconds, Descendents and Big Drill Car. Those were the bands that made me want to play music – and made me realize that it was possible to start a band. When I was much younger, I liked rock and heavy metal bands. They seemed larger than life to me. It was like they were from another planet. I didn’t know that it was possible to just be a normal person and be in a band. Then I discovered punk rock and it became so much more real. Punk music spoke to me on a personal level. My first punk show was in 1987. I saw 7 Seconds with Verbal Assault and it introduced me to a world where I felt like I could do anything that I wanted to. And so I did.

15) Please tell us who or which band is influential to you now?

These days, my musical tastes have changed. If I had to pick just one influence for me as a songwriter I would say Ryan Adams. He does it all – from quiet acoustic music to big rock songs with heavy guitars and solos. He’s very prolific and inspiring to me. I write a lot of songs.