Somewhere along the border of Missouri resides a band called Eagle Scout in a town called Greenville, IL. From their side of the dividing line they bring the “Illinoise” with their post/pop-punk Indie Rock vibe, smart lyrics, and tight sound. This time last week their exhilarating sophomore release, New Hands was released through Cavity Records, as a follow up to their 2008 EP Pandamonium!. Recorded at Glow in the Dark Studios with producer Matt Goldman (Underoath, The Chariot, Cartel) New Hands is now available in a digi-pack format through their label, via Absolutepunk, as well as offered as a live stream in its entirety via myspace or purevolume, if you haven’t heard New Hands yet, you’re running out of excuses for having not caught on to this infectiously good album.
Don’t Believe us? Seriously, Take Our Word For it.
Read Our Review of New Hands Here
Eagle Scout Online:
Cavity Records Digital Sampler
Myspace
Purevolume
Youtube
BigCartel
Facebook
These high energy musicians were in high spirits as synth-man Jeremiah Clark and drummer Kyle Collman answered a few questions for Telegram Sam about the new music, their influences, some of their local favorites, and much more.
T.S: Can you give us a quick recap of what the band has been up to as of late?
Kyle: As for the band, we just released our very first full-length album entitled “New Hands” on Cavity Records. We have been working hard on promoting the album and booking tours for the spring and summer.
Jeremiah: Individually, we are doing homework.
T.S: How did you each get your start in music?
Kyle: I took piano lessons in third grade, but I was blowing on the trumpet in kindergarten.
Jeremiah: I also took piano lessons, but in fifth grade. I then quit piano to learn the trumpet in junior high band.
T.S: What’s the back-story on how the band came to be what it is today?
Kyle: We met as freshman in college. The rest is pretty much history.
T.S: If you could book a tour with any 3 bands, past or present, who would they be and why?
Kyle: Latterman, Dr. Manhattan, and the Get-Up Kids
Jeremiah: Arcade Fire, Maps and Atlases, and International Superheroes of Hardcore.
T.S: What are your top three musical influences?
Jeremiah: The Temptations, Vince Guaraldi, and The Police
Kyle: CCR, Buddy Rich, and the Oskaloosa High School Marching Indians
T.S: Is there any instrument you don’t play, but wish you did?
Jeremiah: Well, even though I play keyboards, I wish I could play the piano. In particular, jazz piano.
Kyle: I wish I could play the blues guitar…or the harpsichord.
T.S: What are the last three albums or bands you listened to?
Kyle: Weatherbox, Balance and Composure, and Say Anything.
Jeremiah: Veckatimest –Grizzly Bear, The Faithful Anchor – Unwed Sailor, and Curse Your Branches – David Bazan
T.S: If you could work with one person in the music industry (musician, label, producer etc), who would it be and why?
Kyle: Donald Passman, author of All You Need to Know About the Music Business, because he knows all you need to know about the music business.
Jeremiah: I would have to say Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys. He just seems like a really cool and down to earth guy, plus I love his music.
T.S: Who was the first band/musician you saw live?
Kyle: OC Supertones.
Jeremiah: Umm…I’m sure the first bands I saw were all local bands in junior high and high school. But for some reason, I feel like my first ACTUAL show was Fall Out Boy freshman year of high school.
T.S: Who are three of your favorite local bands?
Jeremiah: I have so many, but if I had to narrow it down, I would have to say Dr. Manhattan, Rodeo Ruby Love, and Nate Henricks.
Kyle: My choices are Renae, Ravenhill, and Wind and Sail.
T.S: Tell us about what this release means to you. How would you compare yourself as musicians now as opposed to at your first release?
Kyle: It shows both our musical and intellectual maturation. It does captures how our lives have changed since the last release. Musically, it has shown that we have grown up, but there is still room for us to mature.
T.S: What goes into your writing process?
Jeremiah: It just kind of happens. Sometimes it only takes a chord, and then it all falls into place. But most of the time, one of us has an idea or a riff or something, and then we just kind of go from there.
T.S: What are some of your favorite cities to play?
Kyle: Champaign, Illinois was really sweet.
Jeremiah: Peoria, Illinois is always a party.
T.S: What are the best and worst band moments so far in your career?
Kyle: The best was searching for the very first Wal-Mart in Bentonville, Arkansas.
Jeremiah: Worst was getting Charlotte (the van) stuck in the mud pit of death twenty feet from the venue.
