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6 Degrees Entertainment

Socratic Socratic

'Once Upon A Time ...!'

Socratic is five guys (Duane Okun – Guitar/Vocals; Kevin Bryan - Guitar/Vocals; Vinny D'Amico Piano/Vocals; Adam Swider – Bass; Tom Stratton – Drums) from the Garden State who realized the foul wind blown by shouting the loudest might sail them to shores where robot radio-execs might be inclined to include them in the simple plan to keep the clones coming, but it would never sit well in their souls.

Listen to what they say on 'Alexandria As Our Lens': “Hey all you screamo. What’s the deal when any talent that you lack is covered up by the fact that you can scream out really loud? Say things that were said before. Every lyric that you sing it sounds the same. I stay honest just enough to hate.”

And the song doesn’t sound like frothing, stupid, three-chord hate, because Socratic’s music always weaves and wanders past the expected.

There’s more than a feeling in the songs, there’s a story. 'Alexandria As Our Lens,' more than just rails against stagnant screamers; listen: “Alexandria drives a school bus as she stares back at empty seats it reminds her she will never have kids. She adopted a sickness when she was young and neglected her health so long she will never drive children of her own.”

Or take this signpost from the song 'B to E': “Let’s take a walk down back to that playground where we were just girls and boys, sand and toys, nothing ruined our days besides the rain. As we get older it rains more often. We become toys waiting for someone to pick us out of the sand. To hold our hearts and help us understand.”

Tom and Kevin started the group nearly ten years ago, and each member has come aboard quite organically adding a new element to the unique Socratic sound. They were, they admit, stuck aping their contemporaries back in the day, but they’ve grown, their fingers longing to do new and interesting things, and each new addition has helped them veer toward a road less traveled.

Produced by John Goodmanson (Hot Hot Heat) at Longview Farms Studio, Socratic’s Drive Thru debut 'Lunch For The Sky' was recorded while the band enjoyed acres of pastoral beauty. They had serenity to assist their art, peace to compliment their passion, and a proper setting to finish their examination.

Chatting recently with Duane Okun (Guitar/Vocals), I first wondered where their distinctive name had originated? "We got our name from Tom's sis a long time ago. It has nothing to do with anything. It's just a name. There's no weird reason why it is our name."

What else could it so easily have been? "It has always been that. But maybe shoestring? Haha ... naa!"

And, while we're on the subject, why Lunch For The Sky as your debut album title? "We all felt that the name and the song itself stood for what the album kinda says. It's somewhat of a unifying phrase. Say's we are all relevant."

Being an independent artist always has its risks, so what has been the biggest risk that you as a band have undertaken thus far? "Leaving school. Even though it was a risk all of us knew that the right thing to do was go through with the band."

This new album is really rather good, but what is going to keep you - given the amount of releases per week, per month - from falling between the music industry cracks? "We might already be in the cracks, haha. We are just going to keep writing songs we like to hear and play. Hopefully others will like what we are doing. We are just some kid's writing how we feel. I would always like to keep it to that."

What cheesy '80s song would you love to cover if asked ... and why?! "Not sure, but I would love to do a Smiths song. Maybe 'Panic'."

If there were just 3 words that described Socratic, what would they be? "Down to earth."

If you were asked to record a single for charity, and had to choose 3 other KNOWN musicians to aid you in the project (but no one from your own band!), who would they be, what instruments would they play, and what would the name of the NEW song be?! "Fiona Apple. Paul McCartney. Conor Oberst. We would just play whatever we want!!! Haha ... I'm gonna have to talk about the name with the rest of them!"

Finally, I like Penguins, ... do you? "Yes, they have a lot harder life then I do :)"

Interviewed by Russell A. Trunk

www.SocraticMusic.com

If you would like to win an AUTOGRAPHED copy of Socratic's brand new CD, just answer this easy question: Just where exactly are the abovementioned Longview Farms Studio's located?!

Send me your answers and if you're correct you'll be in the running to win one of these great new AUTOGRAPHED CDs! Just send us an e:mail here before October 31st with your answer and the subject title 'SOCRATIC SIGNED CDs' to: exclusivemagazine@flash.net

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