Hi everyone! Welcome to our new EMQ’s interview with Houston, Texas based Hard Rock band, Down For Days. Huge thanks to drummer, Paul ‘Sandy’ Sanderfur, vocalist Jeff Alberti, and bassist Jordan Goldman for taking part.
What is your name, what do you play, and can you tell us a little bit about the history of the band?
Hey guys, my name is Paul ‘Sandy’ Sandefur and I am the Drummer for the rock band Down For Days. We’re based out of Houston, Texas and have been around since late 2015, early 2016. We are currently; Jeff Alberti – vocals, Dustin Newbold – guitars, Jordan Goldman – bass and myself on the drums.
How did you come up with your band name?
Down For Days is a bit of a word play that we see fit for several reasons. Our original lead singer battled bouts of depression and would literally be down/missing/unresponsive for days on end while he regrouped. We also like to think positive on occasion and correlate ‘Days’ with good, ‘Nights’ with darkness and to long for the good, well is a good thing. lol
What Country/Region are you from and what is the Metal/Rock scene like there?
We are based out of Houston Texas! We are blessed to be in such a large city because that offers you more venues, more opportunities, more people and more contacts to interact with. If you look hard enough, you can find whatever you are looking for. However, on the flip side, Houston is so large that there’s always something people can go do, so a rock concert may not be the bright shining moment that catches a new fan’s attention when they’re looking for entertainment. The talent here is phenomenal, and there are venues that cater to whatever type of music you like to listen to, so if people search for it, they will be able to find it.
What is your latest release? (Album, EP, Single, Video)
Our latest release was our second EP, “Lost In The Grey”, which we put out in 2019. It’s a very cool EP that we are proud of. We have our material on most of the common social media and digital distribution sites. https://music.apple.com/us/album/lost-in-the-grey-ep/1464218946
Who have been your greatest influences?
Man, I’m gonna have to get some input from the fellas on this one. I’d say for me personally my greatest influence was my Pops. He was a life-long musician who exposed me to the dig of music. The constant revolving door of musicians and band practices he had at our home while growing up seemed normal at the time, but it built that love of creation and individuality that is still with me to this day.
Jeff: Elvis, Guns-N-Roses, Metallica, Staind, Hank Williams Jr. Megadeth & Slayer!
Jordan: Rush, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles & Billy Joel
What first got you into music?
Me personally it was a combination of growing up and a musical environment at home AND discovering KISS as a kid. Was my first band that I gravitated to and fell in love with. But, who my age didn’t. lol
Jeff: Sitting in front of the stereo singing with my dad when I was a kid.
Jordan: As a child The Beatles and Billy Joel were playing constantly in my house. I always had music in my head and heart.
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?
That’s a tough one, so many people I could learn from. I have a lot of respect for Dave Grohl and would love to pick his brain. The dude is a master at making simplicity sound epic.
Jeff: 5 Finger Death Punch
Jordan: The Black Crowes
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
Well, playing a festival would mean the most to us if we were eventually festival headliner worthy! Just being there would be an honour, but if we’re dreaming big here then I’m wanting us as headliners! lol That being said, send us to Europe and lets headline the infamous Wacken Open Air Festival over in Germany.
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
Don’t get too many gifts from fans these days, they’re gonna have to up their game a bit. I remember in some prior bands we would get things being thrown up onstage while we played like a bag of weed, or some girls panties. Good times.
Jeff: compliments spit and screamed in my face by a really messed up fan. LOL
Jordan: was paid an extra $600 to play Red Barchetta!!!!
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
We are definitely not the type of band to preach or try to influence the way someone thinks. However, we do want to offer an escape from the everyday. That’s what is great about music. We try to write material that is moving, so that it takes you away from the daily grind even if for just a few minutes, and lets you enjoy your own little world for a bit. So, I guess our message would be to open yourself up to new things, new bands, new people and new ideas. Life is about living, and you can’t find something new if you’re too scared to open up. Hopefully, new people will enjoy our stuff, but we encourage people to test drive as many new bands as possible. The world is full of killer bands just waiting for people to find them.
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
Well, as a drummer my choice would be Neil Peart. The ultimate writer/drummer. So much we could learn from this man.
Jeff: Elvis, because he’s Elvis!
Jordan: Neil Peart for me as well. I’m heartbroken he’s gone, and I wish my young son, also a drummer, would have had the opportunity to meet Neil and jam.
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
We enjoy the camaraderie within this band as well as with other bands. When you’re playing something that you’ve written, and people are digging it, there’s really no better feeling. The gift of give and take between you and the crowd that you are delivering with your bandmates (which is like family) is second to none.
The hate . . . none. I dislike some things, but I don’t think I truly hate anything about music. Difficulties and setbacks are a part of what defines you and you learn how to overcome those obstacles. I think if I ever truly felt some hate within music, then it is probably time to hang it up. It would no longer be giving you the joy that music and all that comes with it is created to do.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
The business side of it. It is necessary to promote, work with venues, promoters etc but it becomes like a job and takes away from the actual reason you joined a band in the first place. The bad thing is, for us DIY bands, I don’t know of an answer on how the business side could become less chaotic. Open to all ideas! lol
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
Gonna include all my guys on this one. For me, Pink Floyd’s Dark Side Of The Moon.
Jeff: Guns N’ Roses “Appetite For Destruction”
Jordan: Rush “Moving Pictures”
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?
All are good, use what you like, and enjoy as much as possible.
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
All of them, some are better than others, but we simply love to play. It’s what keeps us motivated and improving.
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
I seem to break things around the house pretty easy. Maybe some sort of toy tester or demolition man?! lol
Jeff: Making movies
Jordan: Smashing windows! hehe
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
I’m going with a wish list here of all time so . . .
1. Neil Peart
2. John Paul Jones
3. Axl Rose
4. Jimmy Page
5. John Bonham
What’s next for the band?
We have recently added Jeff Alberti to our DFD family, and he’s got some great pipes! Going to take a few weeks to get our sound how we like it and then it’s back out playing shows, writing new material and eventually getting us back into the studio.
What Social Media/Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
We have all of the usual ones.
ReverbNation – www.reverbnaOon.com/downfordays
Facebook – www.facebook.com/DownForDays/
Instagram – www.instagram.com/downfordays/
Twitter – www.twitter.com/DownForDays_DFD
Jaffa Cakes! Are they a cake or a biscuit?
??? Have no idea??? But they sound delicious! hehe
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Thanks for the interview!
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