INTERVIEW with APOLLO SUNSHINE by Shannon Brown & Meaghan Downes-Berry "We’re really the first people to say, ‘You gotta hear us,’ but even more than that, ‘You really gotta come see us live,' because we’re really proud of our album, but it's such a time capsule, and we’re such a work in progress,” said Sam Cohen, guitarist and vocalist for local band Apollo Sunshine. This confidence in their live performances, however, is not undeserved, for while their albums will leave you tapping your feet and singing along, their live shows serve up a huge portion of electrifying energy that will leave your ears ringing for hours and your head reeling for days. The band recently headlined at the Boston Hurricane Katrina Relief Concert on October 5th, and was kind enough to sit down with us after the show to answer a few questions. Apollo Sunshine began as a trio at The Berklee College of Music with drummer Jeremy Aaron Black, and vocalists, guitarists and bassists Sam Cohen and Jesse Gallagher. “I didn’t go to Berkelee, I had nothing to do with that,” said Sean Aylward, the newest and last member of the band. “Sean went to Emerson” said Jeremy. “I ended up moving in with Jesse and Sam and I was jamming with these guys, and occasionally we’d do weird stuff, but I was basically just like a big fan of Apollo Sunshine.” After college, Sean moved to Venice Beach, California and the band would stay with him while on tour. While they stayed at his apartment “everyone would write songs, and we’d just hang out.” Eventually, “I jumped on the band wagon, and I was like, 'let me in the fucking band!'" “Don’t put in any of those vulgar words!” said Sean’s dad, helping pack up the band’s equipment after the show. This display of parental support is not unusual for Apollo sunshine. “My parents have been very supportive of me and all of my friends, they have always been kind of like there for anyone who needs them.” This sense of family values has really rubbed off on the band members. They have all grown really close. How close? “I kissed Sam on the head,” said Jeremy. “When we tour sometimes we’ll just have one hotel room, so it’ll be two of us in one bed two of us in another bed. I had just been spending a lot of time with my girlfriend, and ya know, I think I was half asleep and like I just, I don’t know, I kissed him on the head and was like 'I love you' and then I was like, ‘Holy shit, Sam!’" Speaking of girlfriends, Jeremy is taken. “I am the only one, though,” he said. However, be prepared to get in line ladies, this band has a screaming fan base that stretches across the country. The fans were out in full force at the concert to benefit victims of Hurricane Katrina. “We got a lot of offers to (play at benefit concerts); this was the first one that seemed really like the person that was putting it on would take care of promotion and make it worthwhile. Ya know, it’s nice to do stuff like this once in a while, probably good for your Karma,” said Jeremy. These boys probably don’t have to worry about Karma because along with this recent benefit concert, they’ve done numerous shows in Jesse's and Sean’s hometown of Andover, Massachusetts to benefit the local youth organization. But the fans aren’t the only ones who appreciate the great music and live shows—Apollo Sunshine has also received much critical acclaim, including, most recently, a number three spot on Entertainment Weekly's Must List. Has the attention gone to their heads? “Yeah man, I can’t fit through most doorways, and the elevators keep shutting on my head. Its really fucked things up in my social life,” joked Sam. This same light-hearted attitude shows up in their music as well. One of the best examples of this is the song “Phoney Maroney” from their most recent and self-titled album. What is a Phoney Maroney? It’s a dance step. Said Jeremy, “It was kind of like a concept song, to write something and have a dance to it.” “It’s like the two sides of when you are down and depressed,” said Sam. “You’ve gotta do something to snap yourself out of it, and at first it feels really phoney, but then it could go either way. It could be like, ‘I gotta start dancing and pretend I’m feeling it,’ or once you start dancing and feeling it you get into what you're doing and get the blood flowing. So that’s the Phoney Maroney.” Not only can you hear “Phoney Maroney”, but you can experience Apollo Sunshine for yourself at www.ApolloSunshine.com. Once you hear their music, you’ll be dying to see them live, and believe us you will not regret it.