This is Henry Black from Sound Express!
We had the opportunity to ask him some questions; to read his responses go ahead and click "read more"
1. So please state the names of all the members in the band and what position they take in it.
Well I'm the lead singer and guitarist. Jimi Kill is our bassist and also does some backup vocals, and Anthony Manzo is our drummer.
2. What are your musical inspirations?
I have quite a bit haha. I definitely love the Black Keys, as well as Tom Petty and bands like The Rolling Stones, The Beatles and The Who. Right now I'm really into Johnny Cash, The Temptations, and Jack White.
3. How did you guys come up with the name Sound Express?
Well, about 2 years ago with a different drummer(when this was a duo) we were about to go on stage but we realized we didn't have a name. We basically came up with that on the spot, and as of right now we're trying to find a different name for the band. We'll probably just end up using my name haha.
4. So you guys are pretty young for being in a band, how old are you guys?
I mean, I'm 16 so I guess I'm kinda young. My bassist and drummer are in their early twenties though. It seems weird but as musicians we don't hear a difference in age between us. I guess we've been playing for quite a bit and have practiced so much that we're able to gel really well with each other. We also have some similar influences too, the main one being Jimi Hendrix, probably.
5. What's the hardest part about being in a band?
The hardest part about being in a band is all of the hard work that comes with it. I mean we live in Orlando after all. You gotta work your ass off to make it here.
6. Who writes most of the songs, and is there a specific mood you have to be in to write a song?
A couple of the songs we have out were written by me alone, but lately me and Jimi write everything together, and I personally think it sounds 1000x better that way.
7. So you guys just recently played at the House of Blues, how's it like knowing you guys are playing the same stage many amazing bands have performed on?
It was a great experience, and every time we play HOB we are really grateful. Some of my favorite bands have walked on that very stage and it's weird to know that for an hour I can be in the same position as those bands. Maybe thats just me, I have no idea haha.
8. What are you trying to achieve while being in Sound Express?
Well hopefully this band goes places. Obviously I would love for this to be my life's work, because there's nothing I love more than making music that makes me and other people happy. I guess I just wanna get my point across to as many people as possible, if that makes any sense.
9. Is there a specific genre you guys classify your band?
I would say rock, if this were 1970. Sadly it isn't, and rock bands now are so far away from what I want to do. Modern "rock" bands are almost unlistenable to me. It's sad really, but I guess to answer your question we're more of a blues rock, southern rock kinda band, but not really. I have no idea. I feel like what I think we sound like and what other people think we sound like are on opposite ends of the spectrum.
10. Is there anything new coming up that the fans should know about?
We should be recording and releasing another single very soon, along with another video if we're lucky! I'm not gonna say any details, but if everything goes as planned we should have this done by the end of the month. Also, we're still working on our EP, mainly because whenever we think it's done, we want to add more to it or take away from it. It's definitely a process.
11. Any last words?
I should thank you for giving me my first real interview! Also, the pictures you guys took were badass. You're awesome.
