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LA based rock band XO Stereo is a new rock endeavor exploding on the music scene. The band is a super group of sorts featuring ex-members of successful acts like From First To Last, LoveHateHero, Eyes Set To Kill, I Am Ghost.
GroundSounds caught up with guitarist and pianist Justin Whitesel to discuss the bands formation, inspirations, new music and more, check it out below.
For those just discovering XO Stereo, can you tell us about forming the band and what it was like creating tracks early on?
The band was founded originally by guitarist Justin Whitesel. Now that I’ve gotten talking in the third person out of the way in this interview, lets have some fun.
In so many words, I was sick of being a “session guy” or “touring member” for multiple bands after LoveHateHero disbanded and wanted to write a record that I someone like me would like to listen to.
I was going through a pretty rough patch in life during the time and unfortunately so was Jinxx Ferguson of Black Veil Brides, who happened to be close friend at the time. I showed him some of the demo ideas and he wanted to help me out and get them recorded. The first XO Stereo song ever written actually had him playing lead guitar on, surprisingly enough. Once he helped me get my foot in the door meeting some engineers, I contacted Cooper Campbell (Vocals) asking if he’d be willing to help me out with these tracks with his insanely talented vocal and drumming abilities. After a week of working together he quit his band and made XO a full time priority. Jinxx went back to his full-time band and we started gathering members (such as the ones currently in the band) because it just “felt right”. The fact that these guys are some of the most talented musicians I’ve had the pleasure of working with, is a huge bonus.
Can you tell us about the writing and creative process for the track “Show and Tell?”
Show and Tell started off as a guitar riff (the main hook you hear during the intro / verses) that I aptly named “Breakfast Club”. Why? I don’t know. The original demos of this track (when I was the only writer on it) had more of a straight forward / pop punk sound with not much intensity and lasted only about 2 minutes. Once I heard it recorded, I immediately thought “Wow, this sucks” and went back to the drawing board. I wanted something intense, with a strong hook, that was still easy to grasp for your average listener. I almost wanted it to sound like Paramore; but with a guy singing and more shred-worthy solos. I remembered having extreme writers block and decided to go through and beat the video game Silent Hill 2 (again). During the climax of the game, *spoiler alert* where he realizes he kills his wife *spoiler alert*, there’s a very depressing song that plays…and it instantly influenced me to write what is now known as the chorus for Show And Tell (musically). Once I had the music 90% done, myself and Cooper would write the lyrics / try out vocal melodies / etc until we hit something that just…felt right? When Cooper came up with the chorus melody, I instantly knew we had something special. Since we both co-wrote the lyrics, the song means something different to each of us. It’s pretty easy to tell which lyrics I wrote, due to the LoveHateHero references. Cooper ended up taking my original drum samples and rewriting / rerecording a lot of them (which is probably why they sound so awesome) and Jon took over the bass writing on this track. It’s safe to say, we put a lot of time and effort into it and we are very happy with how it came out.
What was it like the day of the video shoot for “Show and Tell?”
Intense. We never even practiced together before the shoot. This band was a studio project that ended up becoming a band and we had never been on stage together and really didn’t know what to expect from one another. I’m used to seeing Cooper (Vocals) behind a drumset, so I was definitely doing double-takes with him upfront. Luckily everyone didn’t disappoint. It made me remember why I chose to work with these people…it’s because they’re professionals and I know they can be trusted. Also, I would like to point out we had an amazing team of people that worked on this video for us. Everyone (thankfully) was so excited to work with this project and it felt good that there’s still people that want to work out of passion because they believe in something as opposed to who can write the biggest pay check. The guys over at Schecter guitars were also very amazing by giving us all the dummy cabs and heads they had in their warehouse for the shoot.
Justin (guitarist) is in the painful process of removing his tattoo, what is he going to cover it up with?
Another tattoo by a better artist.
When you guys are onstage performing live, what typically goes through your minds?
I generally like to think about sea turtles. I sometimes catch Cooper trying to think about my sea turtles at the same and I have to tell him those are my sea turtles and he has to think of his own.
Aye. Sea Turtles.
What is it about rock that attracts you guys to this sound?
There’s something about rock music that is just so much more appealing to us than any other genre. It’s organic, it’s loud, it’s fun, it can instantly put you in a great mood, and it’s one of the few genres in mainstream music nowadays where you can hear it for the first time and say “wow, that sounds awesome.”
What do you guys enjoy most about LA? What is one thing every visitor should see or do?
The weather. I wouldn’t change one thing about the weather here. Even though LA is a very touristy spot, like most cities, there’s a very “locals only” vibe in a lot of spots. One thing you definitely must do is hit a Dodger game. I think Jon (Guitar) might love The Dodgers more than anyone else in this city…so if you ask him to join you at a game, he’ll probably say yes.
We read that you guys might be touring soon, is this true? Are there any dates set?
It is true. Unfortunately that’s all we can say at the moment.
When you guys are on the road, what do you enjoy most about touring?
Being able to do what we love.
What is XO Stereo currently working, what can fans expect in the future?
Our EP is done and we are going through the process of labels, distro, etc. Trying to find the perfect fit for this band and do things the right way. Unfortunately that takes a little longer than just blindly signing anything and everything that comes our way (if that makes sense).
I know people have been waiting for our release (and trust us) we’ve been dying to release it.
Soon. Soon.
