In my biz, I work with tons of national touring acts, Grammy winning artists and multi-million album sellers and I just so happened to stumble across Surviving August while working with the band Train.
Not very many new bands grab my attention, let alone HOLD my attention… when I scout bands or research them for promotion, many fail my “20 second rule”… If the tune doesn’t impress, or “grab” me in that first 20 seconds, I move on to the next until I can find how marketable an album might be by the number of “Radio worthy” singles grab me.
After hearing a tease of their NY Roll single on their website, I acquired the debut album from the band… I listened to it, listened to it and listened some more and could not find one bad track on the entire album. I am a huge fan of track 1 “NY Roll”, but I especially expect to hear Track 2 “We Are The Same” and, my favorite, track 3 “The Other Side” in heavy rotation throughout many radio markets this year! I immediately contacted the band and wanted to lend Extreme Guitars’ Support. It is very hard to compare SA to any other band out today because they are as original as they come… very distinct vocals, multi power-drivin guitar riffs mixed with clean melodic guitar runs as well as smooth vocal harmonies… not to mention amazingly written tunes that incorporate several change-ups and left turns… not the typical trademark Rock-and-roll song writing mold… MUCH BETTER. I highly encourage you all to check these guys out on the website above, buy the CD, request these guys to your local radio station and spread the word. I Guarantee you will hear much more from these guys!
My name is: Patrick Clark.
Describe yourself in 5 words: Happy, impatient, content, calm, and busy.
My current job is: Member of Surviving August and then I make money by working at Starbucks.
My hometown: Norman, OK.
My current album or project is: Surviving August (self titled).
Former bands: Ember Days, North by South.
My guitar influences growing up were: Derek Webb, Bebo Norman and Tim Reynolds.
The guitars I use are: Fender Strats and Martin for acoustic.
The strings and tunings I use are: Boomers and Martins, standard tuning.
My current rig setup consists of: ’72 Vox AC-30, Fulldrive pedal and American Strat with double humbuckers.
The greatest invention for guitars is: The capo.
My favorite Surviving August song is: “Reach to me”.
My Career highlight thus far is: Playing with Switchfoot, and acting like a little girl when I met them. All I could say was “i love you guys”!!!!
My most embarrassing moment on stage: Singing a song about my wife and missing almost every note, it was rough!!!
Other than my guitar, the one piece of my gear that I cannot live without is: my Boss tuner.
The first song I ever mastered on guitar: “April Showers” by Caedmons Call.
My first guitar was: Simon and Patrick acoustic.
If I am only sure of one thing in life, It’s: I found my soul mate.
My Greatest fear is: Losing my wife.
The one ritual I always perform prior to going onstage is: Praying with the band.
Favorite quote: “it’s not just a hat rack”.
The exact moment I knew I would pursue a career in music was: My first guitar lesson 5 years ago.
The one thing most fans don’t know About me is: I played college basketball.
The best advice I could give beginning guitarists: I know your fingers hurt but PRACTICE.
The CD(s) I’m listening to right now: Switchfoot, Copeland, The Graham Colton Band, Delirious.
My 3 all-time favorite albums: Switchfoot “Beautiful letdown”, Matchbox Twenty “Someone like you” and DC Talk “Jesus Freak”, I know I know, nothing very interesting!
I’m a sucker for: Chick fil A.
Who was one of your favorite artists that you jammed with onstage? Still waiting for that moment
My best gig was: this past Friday night in Dallas.
If I could meet any ONE person living or Dead, he/she would: Jesus Christ.
My favorite junk food: Sour Cream and Onion Lays.
My biggest pet peeve: Having dry hands and watching people hold tissue, sounds weird but it freaks me out.
The word or catch phrase I say way too often is: UNREAL.
The hardest part of my job: Being patient with this weird business.
The first thing I do when I come home from touring is: what is touring?
I knew I hit the “big time”: Dave from Extreme Guitars told me that he wanted to work with us!
My Favorite Website is: Any band website, I am a little anal about checking up on everybody.
The worst job I ever had: Working on rent houses.
Right after this interview I’m going to: Take a nap .
I couldn’t imagine being on the road without: _my wife.
If I wasn’t doing the musician thing, I could really see myself working as: A&R for a major label.
My favorite movie ever: Rounders or Almost Famous, toss up.
My mission in life: Be able to support a family with music.
My greatest obsession: Songwriting.
My first band was: CrossSection.
My next major step is: Write with Rob Thomas.
The greatest contribution guitars have brought into my life is: a career.
The coolest toy I had growing up was: Nintendo, many wasted hours on that thing.
The one musician I would love to work with that I have not yet had the chance would be: Rob Thomas.
If I could have three wishes, they would be: I like John’s answer from “Five for Fighting”: three more wishes. three more wishes, and three more wishes.
When it’s all said and done, I want the world to remember me for: Making a difference in people’s lives.
Thanks so much Patrick for sharing and participating in Extreme Guitars and we also want all our readers AND listeners to make sure to check out Surviving August’s music at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/survivingaugust. Be sure to check back for the next installment of “AX Facts & Stats” coming real soon!
Extreme Guitars is the web home of articles and interviews written by Dave Roberts. All Dave Roberts interviews & articles are available for use or reprint ONLY by Permission. Permission can be obtained by contacting Dave. All materials are Copyright Dave Roberts and Oceanbreeze Ent. All Rights Reserved.