Big Nothing

Meet Big Nothing

This band is anything but what their name would suggest. Their knack for delivering amped up rock music has got me more excited than those kids in a SURGE soda commercial. Thats a lot of energy. For reference to what the heck I am talking about look at the fantastic commercial linked below.

Aside from vintage soft drink commercials this article is also chock full of bits from a super fun, and talented group of individuals. Take a look below to find out.

A Would you rather? With Matt:

Would you rather have to wear roller skates for the rest of your life or have to ride a razor scooter at all formal events?

Yo Razor Scooter for sure. I bought one for my freshman year of college and rode it all around the campus. People started calling me the scooter kid. I think they hated me and I fucking LOVED me.

Some Firsts With Pat:

How was it recording your first album? Are there things you would do differently the next time?

It was really difficult and really rewarding. We spent almost 2 years going back and forth with each other writing songs and rewriting songs and practicing and getting everything just right. Then when we went to record, we chose to do it in a cabin (which was amazing) so we had to transport an entire studio from Philly to NY... it was just a lot of work. But sooo fun and so worth it. Next time, I think we'll try and write the record in one shot at a cabin or something and then record it in a proper studio. It's just easier to write something stream of consciousness instead of laboring over each decision.

What was your first pet? Did you get along well?

My first pet was a Shih-Tzu named Sneaker. He was a great friend and chill dog. I have a weird thing where I don't get very emotionally moved by pets. Most people in my life have pets and it consumes them - I kind of see them the same as humans. Some are cool... some are whack... some are quiet and keep to themselves. It takes all kinds.

What was your first date like?

It was at a Catholic School dance. We spent the night complaining about the music and re-spiking our hair in the bathroom. I remember requesting stuff like Crass and Against Me! to the DJ and him barely acknowledging me. It was embarrassing in many ways.

What was the first instrument you ever owned?

Weirdly enough it was a snare drum. My school did this thing where you could just play a single snare drum in the band. It was fun and definitely carved out my affinity for music. Not long after was my first Aria Pro II stratocaster copy guitar. I wanted a copy because Billie Joe Armstrong's main strat is a copy.

What was your first show like as a band?

It was sick! It was a bar called Oddity Bar in Delaware which is one of my favorite places. It turned out to be pretty crowded and everyone had a good time. Oddity Bar is like vaguely Twin Peaks themed. Best place.

What was the first sport you ever played? How did it go?

First sport was probably basketball. My dad is huge into basketball. I played for many years... it was never great. I'm not much of a physical activity guy. I still love to play the game for fun... but I'm more of a "bring Pat in to foul this guy" kind of player.

When was the first time you got drunk? How did it go?

Actually more recent than most people. About 4 years ago when I was 26. I was straight edge up until then and I chose to get drunk on Yuenglings since that's what my brother drank growing up. It turns out the only beer I DON'T like now are Yuenglings. Much like any recently ex-straight edge kid, I spent the night texting people dumb things and probably playing guitar.

What was the first concert you ever went to?

Green Day in Wilmington, DE in like 2000 or something. It was the best night of my life and I think about it often. I wasn't tall enough to see the band and had a broken arm from a failed BMX trick. It was a really difficult night physically - but I remember the set and the feeling like it was yesterday. It made me forever want to play music.

What was the first album you ever bought?

Weirdly it was a Mozart album in a drug store in my hometown. I remember my mom being very excited because she thought I was a genius or something. Unfortunately it was soon followed by Sum 41's All Killer No Filler and her dreams were dashed.

What was your first mode of transportation? (bike, car, train, bus)

I actually owned a (Toy Machine) skateboard before I knew how to ride a bike.

What was the first song you learned how to play?

Brain Stew by Green Day. World's easiest first song to learn. Still took me a solid month or 2 to get it right.

What was the first book to have a major impact on you?

All of Shel Silverstein's books. I would devour them as a kid and they've stuck with me ever since. That guy had a talent of cutting to a person's core with very simple ideas and drawings.

Any final comments? (This is your electronic soapbox for one last answer.)

Just wanna say thanks for doing this! It's wild to us that anyone would want to interview us or learn more about us. We feel so grateful to be able to play music and express ourselves. Thank you!!!