FEBRUARY F*CK YEAH! Ditz Interview
We are closing out this awesome month with another interview from one of our February cassette all-stars — the post-emo band Ditz. The Wrightstown, NJ four piece chatted with us on how they met, how being bug boys led to their name, playing on cruise ships, and Aerosmiths CDs. Of course. Go on, check it out ...
How did you guys meet/get started?
Todd and Luke played together in high school as when Todd moved back to Jersey from California, they started playing together again. Soon after they recruited long time friend and door-to-door salesman, johnny, to join forces. We then asked Keith to design our logo, we thought it was cool so we just asked that cute art boy to hop on board.
What did you grow up listening to and how much would you say that influences your sound now?
Todd: growing up i was classic rocking boy, my dad gave me Pink Floyd and the Aerosmiths CDs. Steven Tyler is a huge influence on my voice as I’m sure you can tell. so from there it was game over as soon as i learned to “walk this way”
Johnny: I listened to me daddy’s music. then I really listened to Backstreet boys and that song “I’m blue abedebab di.” then i became able to pick my own music and i liked the get up kids and the fall of troy and all that stuff. yes i play exactly like that so yeah it influenced me style big time.
Luke: My dad told me to listen to Steve Vai and thats what I listened to.
Keith: My dad told me to listen to bluegrass and country so I listened to everything but that.
Nice work Keith. So, the name Ditz … how did you land on that?
Well Todd was really pushing “bobby and the Menthols” for a while … that wasn’t cutting it. We then settled on the name Ditz because we’re bug boys and all of us are scared of bugs.
Any hilarious (or awkward) fan or show stories you want to share?
We have an on again off again Facebook relationship with a Nigerian woman named Goodluck who friended and messaged us. She’s been with us since the very beginning.
Your go-to snack/drink during band practice?
Bud light Limes, Ripits Energy and bugs.
Gotta have the bugs. If you could play anywhere in the world where would it be?
We wanna go on a cruise ship tour.
So, tell us, why do you make music (this might be a little heady, but what keeps you going?)
We make music because its good and fun. we all love each other and were all in love with each other.
What does success look like to you?
When the crowd goes “sing!”
Speaking of, what's your favorite track to play live/why?
The majority of the band prefers Spanish subtitles over the others because its a fun crowdpleaser.
Johnny is more of a Big Bug guy and Todd is more into Crudwieser.
Your day jobs?
Luke is a big daddy truck boy, he gets em greased up and back on the road. Johnny is a student who also cooks food at a place. Keith is a student and does video production. Todd is a mold remediation specialist.
Told you these guys were rad. Check out their music on our February cassette and stay tuned for some new music from them and a video. enjoy the last 2 hours of February guys.
