(solving) THE MYSTERY TRAMPS
Out of a Lynnfield basement and onto the local rock stage comes a spunky four-piece power pop band called The Mystery Tramps. Adam Amoroso and Eric Grava write the songs, sing and play lead and rhythm guitar respectively. Andrew Leader on bass and Martin DiLiegro on drums comprise the rhythm section. Though it’s only been a year and a half, these guys are already making their way toward their collective dream, to be a full-time band. They’re earning their road stripes with last summer’s mini-east coast tour (seven shows in ten days!), and in April they advanced to the final round in the WBCN/Berklee Battle of the High School Bands. In May they played the Music for Middlesex IV benefit concert for MHSA, during which the legendary James Montgomery invited Adam to the stage to play his killer blues. The crowd went berserk for the young guitarist, and the band calls the experience “unforgettable.”
This summer the Tramps, as they’re affectionately known, are playing a ton of shows to support their five-track debut, Nowhere’s End, produced by Greg Hawkes (The Cars). “He’s one of the greatest, nicest, coolest guys I’ve ever known or worked with,” says Adam. “A really great guy,” says Eric, “just took our ideas in the studio for real, rather than just treating us like kids.” The full length is due out this fall. “It’s coming out real nice,” says Andrew.
Kids, meet the Mystery Tramps.
Noise: Tell me about the most fun thing I'll find to do in Lynnfield.
Andrew: If there's good weather and you've got no plans, you'll end up at the Center. The Center is just a small strip mall, next to the Lynnfield Common. It's where all the youths hang out. Constantly in the police logs, you'll see, "Youths causing disturbance at Center stores, were dispersed."
Noise: When did you first learn your instruments?
Martin: May of 2004.
Adam: I first learned to play guitar when I was 9 years old, and I’ve been playing for about 5 years.
Martin: He's really a blues guitarist. He's incredible.
Adam: As far as singing goes, I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember. When I was in pre-school, I was out in my backyard singing on my swing-set, I don’t know why I chose the swing set.
Eric: I’ve been singing ever since my parents told me it annoyed them.
Andrew: I got my bass when I turned thirteen. Although I didn't play it seriously at first, I picked it up pretty soon.
Noise: What other instruments do you play?
Martin: Andrew can play almost every instrument I know of.
Andrew: I took lessons on trumpet, drums, and piano, and taught myself guitar. I mess around on any instruments I can get my hands on, but bass is my best instrument.
Adam: I’ve taught myself to play a little piano, ukulele, mandolin, and drums. Nothing I take too seriously, I just do it if I need a break from guitar for a few minutes.
Eric: I just got a synthesizer and I’ve been teaching myself some of that.
Andrew: Eric is in love with his synth. We are not a synth band.
Noise: Do you want to be full-time rock stars?
Martin: I only dream about it every day.
Eric: Of course, touring and playing out across America is my dream, as corny as that sounds its very true.
Adam: Let’s just say I want to be a full time musician.
Andrew: It sounds fun, but one, I'd need a backup plan, and two, I know it'd be hard. I've heard from other musicians, about the terrors of relentless travel and gigging. Especially if I'd ever want to have a family. I'd hate to be 40-something and still have to travel and play my ass off every night. Most of the people I know on the scene have a day job, which seems like a pretty good gig, probably the way I'm going to play it. I just hope I can arrange my schedule so that I'll still be able to have a band.
Noise: Have you thought about college? Are you interested in going to a music school such as Berklee?
Martin: If I have the privilege, I’d love to.
Adam: I’ve thought a lot about college actually for someone in 8th grade. I feel like if I start considering my options now I’ll have a good idea of where I want to go by the time I reach the end of high school. At the BCN/Berklee battle of the high school bands I received a scholarship to the Berklee summer program for guitar players, so I’m very excited about that, and getting a glimpse of what Berklee is all about.
Andrew: Last weekend, I did the Basslines summer program at Berklee. I enjoyed being with so many other bass players, comparing styles, etc. I learned a fair amount, but most of the learning, I feel, can take place now that I've taken the program, and know what I need to be learning. Overall, the program wasn't bad, but I'm seeing myself less and less spending four years there, especially with the $35,000 per year cost.
Noise: When did you first know that your band is good, do you remember the moment when it clicked?
Martin: Our band's good? Thanks. Hah.
Eric: When we played at the Boston street café for the first time ever as a band on December 7th. After that show I realized that we actually might be able to make something of this band.
Andrew: I thought it was pretty cool when we got about 150 people out to our EP release party a year ago. I think that night we sold over $1000 in merch. We still haven't broken even yet.
Adam: Well, I first knew when I was told I was getting a two-page story in The Noise.
Noise: Actually, you’ll know for sure when you lose the Rumble. So who is the big Bob Dylan fan that named the band?
Andrew: That would be Adam.
Adam: I think he’s one of the greatest songwriters of all time, and I love his music. I remember listening to Like a Rolling Stone and hearing the phrase Mystery Tramp and thinking about what a cool term that was.
Andrew: At first I had my doubts, but I have to say, the name kind of felt good to hear. It was way better than some of his other suggestions.
Noise: Name your favorite current local band.
Martin: Mile 21.
Andrew: Real tough question. I'd probably have to say The Sterns. Say When is right up there too. Can't leave out Mile 21, good buddies of ours. Also, although I don't know them personally, I like Aberdeen City and The Dresden Dolls, but who doesn't.
Noise: Oh, you’d be surprised.
Eric: Say When because of their rocking live shows, and they’re just great guys
Adam: I’d have to say is The Sterns, they’re a great kind of Brit-pop sounding mod rock band from around the Allston area, make sure you check them out.
Noise: The Allston area, hm? I’ll have to check that out. Name your favorite current national band.
Martin: The Mighty Mighty Bosstones
Adam: Jacks Mannequin. It’s actually more of a solo act, with a back up band.
Eric: The Get Up Kids because of the originality of their music and the indie emo sound that they have created. Very good lyrics and catchy as hell.
Andrew: The Aquabats and The Phenomenauts are the only two bands that when they come, I make a huge effort to see. I saw the 'Bats last Friday, and it was awesome. I got to go backstage after the show, and Crash taught me how to play "Fashion Zombies" on bass. It was sick.
Noise: Would you call yourself a music geek?
Andrew: Before, when I met someone, the first thing I'd always talk about was music. It's a great conversation starter. It's gotten to the point, however, that sometimes I just wanna talk about other stuff instead.
Adam: I’m a total music geek. Everything I do relates to music, playing music, listening to music, having songs stuck in my head 24/7, you name it.
Eric: Define geek? If that’s asking if I love music then yes, very, very much. What musician would you like to hang out with for a day? Fat Mike, or Dickey Barrett
Noise: What musician would you like to hang out with for a day?
Martin: Fat Mike, or Dickey Barrett.
Adam: It would probably be one of my favorite guitar players, like Les Paul, Brian May, or Wes Montgomery.
Eric: James Dewees, the keyboard player for The Get Up Kids.
Andrew: Ringo Starr. He seems like a great guy. Although I admire the material of other people much more, Ringo seems like a really nice guy.
Noise: What's in your CD player right now, or what’s the last song you listened to?
Andrew: “Fidelity” by Regina Spektor.
Adam: ***In the Mood for Ska*** by the Skatalites. I’m a huge fan of ska music, and The Skatalites, are in my opinion the best ska band that there has been.
Eric: ***Guilt Show*** by The Get Up Kids.
Martin: “Surfin' in Tofino” by The Planet Smashers.
Noise: Very wide range! What makes a GREAT rock song?
Adam: There are two elements of writing a good song. Having good ideas, then making them sound cool.
Martin: My favorites are breakdowns, especially ska and reggae ones.
Eric: Catchiness and memorable rhythms that constantly run through your head for hours on end.
Andrew: I need groove. That’s the MOST important part. Not necessarily like reggae or jam type stuff, just a real good rhythm arrangement. Dynamics, hooks, and good guitar parts are what turn the OK songs into good songs. When all that's there, good lyrics are what turn the good songs into GREAT songs.
Noise: Do you ever get sick of being in a band, or is it just fun, fun, fun all the time?
Martin: Never get sick of it. But it is really hard work.
Adam: I wouldn’t say its fun all the time, there is a lot of work involved with recording and practicing, but in the long run, the band is the most fun thing I do in my life.
Noise: What’s next for The Mystery Tramps? And where do you see yourself in five years?
Eric: Hopefully touring the country with these guys, that’s what I really truly want to do with my life.
Andrew: College. Hopefully I'll still get to play as much as I am now if not more.
Adam: I don’t know what exactly, but it’ll be musical.
Martin: Either college or on the Road with my best pals, The Mystery Tramps.
(From The Noise, Issue 263, July 2006)
www.themysterytramps.com
Uploaded to Youtube by evasadumbkid
on Jan 14, 2008
One Mug Shy with The Mystery Tramps! Boston St Cafe, Dec 27, 2007
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