HREX

This is Homunculus Rex, a band driven by curiosity, insane bass, and a passion for music made for musicians. Meet Lincoln Saxton, Sam Weld, Jack Bester, and Alec Gullerud. In this interview, we asked them what would go into the cocktail that best describes their band, their answer? A long island iced tea. Or when you go to a soda gun and get a little bit of each kind. In other words, made up of many different components. From strong bass, to crazy drum sets, to lyrics that actually mean something, H-rex knows how to make their listeners feel the music.

With their earliest influences being Rush, Greenday, and all of the guitar hero 3 soundtracks, we think they know a little something about rock and roll.

Alec says he used to just think of music as background noise, but once he found out about different types of music, he realized it can make you feel something. That’s the realization they’re striving for with H-rex.

What do you think people romanticize about this industry, that maybe they don’t fully understand?

“Rock and roll lifestyle does not exist” Lincoln says. And Jack agrees. “And if it does, this shit is kinda lame.”

The reality of touring, and being a band is not sex, drugs, and rock and roll. It’s mostly driving, and arguments about who farted in the bus. It’s not all glitz and glam like the movies make you think. Honestly, none of it is.

“You get a 30 minute set, and that’s basically the rush. But that’s what you do it for.”

Being an independent band is not for the weak. A con, but also noted as a pro, is that there’s no advertising push.

“We don’t have anyone pushing our work out, but that can also be a pro. We aren’t forced to make a tik tok every other day, like legally contracted, so that’s nice.”

“We put a lot of our own money into this band, we sell t-shirts, we all maybe put in a hundred dollars and use the money we make on those to put it back into the band.”

It’s nice to be independent, in the sense that they have more freedom to create what they want, and put it out when they want. No timelines, no deadlines, it’s all whenever it works for them. That being said, it leaves more room for creativity and individualism.

We asked about their creative process when working together to create music. Introducing a ton of different sounds, riffs and tempo changes, this is what makes Homunculus Rex different. They don’t completely fall into the pop culture scam, they continue to make their music their own.

If you take anything from this article, let it be that rock and roll culture does not exist like the movies, but it is full of exciting shows, and an amazing community.

AGONY IN THE LIVING ROOM

How long have you been making music as a band?

A little over a year now, but some of our members are newer than others.

Your first EP is called Walkthrough, can you explain what that name means to you and what the songs in this album represent?

Walkthrough is meant to represent a kind of walkthrough of an open house. I suppose our music is the house in this scenario, and we’re hoping people like what they hear and can afford the down payment.

Who were your biggest musical influences growing up?

We each picked one: Simon and Garfunkel, Pink Floyd, Tame Impala, Bob Marley, and Belle & Sebastian.

What was so influential about them?

Each of them capture elements of songwriting that we carry with us to this day. Also our parents imposed good music taste upon us.

If you could write a song with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be?

Chopin

What do you think that song would sound like?

According to Benen (our Pianist): probably like something by Renaissance.

Would you say your creative process is more chaotic or disciplined?

It’s pretty chaotic, we have spurts of really focused creation, and then we have trouble being productive for the rest of the time. Very collaborative though.

What would your inner child think of your music?

John M (vocals): very proud

Benen (piano): my inner child would be impressed that I’m making music

John P (guitar): shocked I am making any kind of art at all

Liam (drums): hopefully proud of where I’m at so far

Talia (bass): satisfied that I’ve been able to find some consistency in music, surprised how it all happened

What are you manifesting for the future of Agony In The Living Room?

Selling out and becoming a cash cow so we can effectively maximize shareholder value.

Where can we find your music?

Everywhere hopefully.

See more on their instagram @agonymn

Inquiries: agonyinthelivingroom@gmail.com