As Skate Mobb's first featured local skate-band, HeadFirst combines an old school feel with a fresh approach. After much deliberation, HeadFirst decided that they have been together for about 6 months. They play genres ranging from punk to reggae and do them all well. As of now, they have 7 original songs and one MisFits cover. Red Mobb (aka Evan) says that, "Every jam we've ever jammed has turned into a song", and if you listen to their tracks you can hear a complex mix of parts that show off each instrument and personality as if they were just rockin' out. Spencer, who Daniel coined as the 'band slut' for his band experience, plays the guitar, Red Mobb gets it done 'slappin' da bass', Daniel sings lead vocals & shreds on guitar, and Tyler's the one bangin' it out on the drums.
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HERE to get an earful of HeadFirst & find out more in our exclusive Mobberview below.
Q: Who's the best skater in HeadFirst?A: SPENCER: Best skater in the band? Not really sure, but I'm pretty sure I skate the most. I've never seen Tyler skate but I know he surfs a lot so he might rip, but in overall amount of time spent on a skateboard, that would probably be me.
RED MOBB: Spence is best. The rest of us are all tied for last place.
DANIEL: I am by far the worst. I'm guessing Spencer is the best.
TYLER: Spence is the best, Dan the worst.
Q: What skate do you have?A: SPENCER: I ride a (I don't really know how to classify them, I always consider them the standard these days) street style board, street as in tricks, street tricks. Right now, I've got a One Way shop deck (7.75) with Indy's and Spitfire street burners (53mm).
RED MOBB: 30 year anniversary SantaCruz old school deck with big gummy rubbers.
DANIEL: I'm so bad I dont even know what type of skate I have.
TYLER: Old school Black Label.
Q: How does your skate fit your personality?A: SPENCER: I guess my board fits my personality because it's adaptable. I've always ridden pretty much the same set up, more or less, since I was a kid. I can use it to go to a park or a spot, to play skate with my friends, or just to cruise around and get from place to place. I like to have freedom.
RED MOBB: I suppose I've just always been drawn to classic, steez, and OG shit.
DANIEL: It fits my personality in ways that are too deep to discuss.
TYLER: No comment.
Q: What bands/artists influence your music?A: SPENCER: In terms of influences, I know we all sort of draw from different aspects. I'm personally influenced by older stuff like Jimi Hendrix, Zep, Sly Stone, Toots and the Maytals, Peter Tosh, The Misfits, MC5, The Meters...And newer stuff like The Rx Bandits, Dr. Dog, Radio Head.
RED MOBB: Rancind first and foremost, because Brett Reid is a savage on the bass. Victor Wooten too as far as bass playing goes. I know its standard as f***, but my biggest influence would have to be Sublime, just because before that I was 12 yrs. old and into strictly punk. Sublime opened my mind to reggae sounds like Peter Tosh and Toots, Steel Pulse, UB40, and others. Of course, Dan's brother's band (the Expendibles) is a big influence of mine as well. His bro wails on the bass.
DANIEL: Toots and the Maytals, Sublime, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Marley...so many artists influence me its hard to name them all.
TYLER: Way too many to name, everything from Toots & the Maytals to Alice in Chains.
Q: What instrument do you play in the band & for how long? Play any other instruments?A: SPENCER: I play guitar, I used to play bass, and I can pretend to play drums. I started playing guitar about five years ago, but didn't really start practicing a lot until last year, and now I need to start practicing again.
RED MOBB: I started playing bass in 5th grade. My friends were starting a band and they needed a bass player, and basically just told me I was playing bass and so I picked it up. Random.
DANIEL: I play guitar and sing. I can play very simple drums and play bass like a four string guitar. I started playing guitar in 7th grade and I never really attempted to sing until freshman year of college. My vocals can always improve.
TYLER: I play drums. Started playing when I was about 15.
Q: What other bands have you been in?A: SPENCER: Blame Huvane (6th grade), The Timebombs (8th grade), Ghost Cock (Cover Band), Combibo Abdera Canicula (Fake Band), Pig Lava (Cover Band).
RED MOBB: I was in various bands from 5th grade through high school. Little punk bands mainly. Copper Head, Sick Minded, Good for Nothing.
DANIEL: I've been in one other band in high school called Top Heavy.
TYLER: Top Heavy was the band I was in during high school.
Q: How'd you guys choose the name HeadFirst? How does it represent the band?A: SPENCER: To be honest, Evan texted me "Head First"? And I said OK!. I guess you could say we dive into our music writing Head First, and just play until we have a song. Or that when we eat shit on our boards, we land head first. Or that we didn't have a band name and Evan came up with a cool one.
RED MOBB: Chose to leave it up to your imagination...
DANIEL: I presented Head First to Red Rob after I read it in a business book I was reading for school. The phrase stuck out. It reps the band because the general consensus is going in head first is core.
TYLER: No comment.
Stay tuned to the Mobb for info. on HeadFirst's upcoming gigs.
