SIDV:
The first thing that I have to ask is the main question that is always asked to all bands. While growing with a musical future, which bands had given the most influence on each of you?
GV:
That's a tough question, I think there are too many bands and artists if we were to list all. Personally I grew up listening to Elvis when I was little, then EVERYTHING else, I went through a rap phase, r&b phase, jam band/funk phase, and now I pretty much listen to any good music I come across &but who cares I just play bass.
SIDV:
Next, how did you get your name?
GV:
We used to be called Large Marge, but we got to a point when we felt we had outgrown the name, both musically and as people. Danny suggested the name and it went into the figurative suggestion box we have in our heads... after a couple of weeks and the blessings from a chat with a buddy whose last name is valentine, we went for it.
SIDV:
On the road, do any of you ever have any problems or is everything just great?
GV:
Just fine and dandy, peachy, all the time…not really, we fight like there is no tomorrow…I have been kicked out of the band at least 10 times on tour, luckily always to find my way in, I tend to be a very demanding person on the road and if I don’t have all of my M&M’s sorted out by colors in the dressing room of whatever venue we play, I flip the fuck out.
SIDV:
Who gave you the most support? For example a counselor, a teacher, friend or parent.
GV:
Probably Garrett’s pet rats, RIP (I forget which one sorry Garrett).
SIDV:
What was your favorite song on you have written and why, if you have one?
GV:
I love playing Life in Fantasy, as a bassist it really allows me to touch on a lot of music that has influenced me, I get to slap, tap and play some walking basslines, it’s a really fun to play!
SIDV:
Were you guys good in high school? Were there any clubs or jobs you participated in school?
GV:
Danny and I only knew each other by name in High School. He came over to my house once to jam with my brother and that’s how we met but we weren’t really friends. A couple of times we’d see each other ditching class at the same time so we would ditch together and talk about how much trouble Danny had with some of his band mates at the time, somehow things are still the same haha.
SIDV:
Has anyone ever came up to you at a show or on the street and insult you?
GV:
ALL THE TIME, our fans love to hate us.
SIDV:
What was the weirdest thing you've ever seen or heard from the crowds at the shows?
SIDV:
How do you describe your music to people?
GV:
Beach Boys meets Metallica, or Foo Fighters and Jimmy Eat World-ish? It’s hard to say I usually just tell them to go listen and decide!
SIDV:
Who writes the songs, what are they about?
GV:
Danny writes the songs, I would ask his input but he is probably busy writing another one right now.
SIDV:
What's your opinion of George Bush?
GV:
Speaks funny, leads poorly.
SIDV:
Describe your shows, visual and musically?
GV:
Soft on the eyes and harsh on the ears, or the other way around... I don’t know basically we kick ass.
SIDV:
What advice would you give to fellow bands?
GV:
Don’t forget to have fun and really enjoy playing music and each other’s company, that’s what it is all about.
SIDV:
What are some of your pet peeves?
GV:
Booking a show and being told our set time is 9PM, and we end up playing at 11, oh and all of a sudden its 21+.
SIDV:
What image do you think your music conveys?
GV:
Anything and everything that is honest and real.
SIDV:
How did you first sell your CD's/Tapes?
GV:
Out of Dr. Dre’s trunk.
SIDV:
At what point in your life did you know you wanted to dedicate yourself to a band?
GV:
When you are on the stage, there is a feeling which is not relatable to any other feeling in the world, wanting to capture that moment and share it with the world is what personally drives me.
SIDV:
How did you all meet and what were your first impressions of your band mates?
GV:
I met Danny in high school and was pretty intimidated by him, he was a badass back then. When I met Joe I thought what a funny looking guy, I still do, and Garrett, I thought beer, beer, and I thought of tacos too, but I think I was just in the mood for Mexican food that day.
SIDV:
What was it like playing as your previous band "Large Marge", was it any different from you guys as Goodbye Valentine?
GV:
To me, Large Marge represents a different time in my life. Playing in LM was more for the fun of things. GV has more meaning behind it, as it should very well have just due to the fact of the history and stories that we have had over the last 8 years of playing music. Playing in Goodbye Valentine is more special in that sense, but I still love Large Marge and what we did back in our day.
SIDV:
Did you go to any kind of music schools?
GV:
Danny spent a summer at Interlockin (check spelling) in Michigan and he also went to MI in Hollywood for recording. Joe also went to MI but for percussion/drums/salsa making. Garrett and I don’t have formal school training but we rock, HARD!
SIDV:
What is "the gas face" and why is it called that?
GV:
The “Gas Face” is perhaps the funniest yet most disgusting face that I make; it is truly a sight to see. You have to pretend you just saw the worst thing in your life, oh and at the same time smelled something absolutely horrid, that’s the start of it, than your eyes have to open up and make sure the nostrils are flared, that’s a good starting point if you want to practice it at home, there is also a song I sand and recorded about it with Danny, we’ll throw it on a b-side someday.
SIDV:
Why do you call Gideon chlemideon?
GV:
Hahaha, they don’t really call me that, we make up names for all of our songs when we write them based on my name, its more of a tradition at this point….then after we play them for a while we decide on the actual title, through the years we’ve had names such as raggaedian, jazzideon, oddideon just to name a few, we’re open to suggestions!
SIDV:
Does everyone have an STD name?
GV:
Unfortunately not, if you have any recommendations we’re open to them.
SIDV:
What tattoo's or piercings to you all have?
GV:
Danny has got his eyebrow/lip pierced, I’ve got a single bass clef tattoo, I want to get more but I have no idea what to get yet... Joe is neither pierced nor tatted, and Garrett is our token bad boy member, the Backstreet Boys had Kevin, but we have Garrett! Tats everywhere and I believe lip pierced... oh and sometimes we think Joe has his anus pierced.
SIDV:
Lastly, whats your upcoming plans as far as touring and/or new albums?
GV:
Our new album is almost wrapped up, and it is AMAZING! We will be releasing it in the Spring, we plan to tour an s-load and play tons of shows, we want to see and meet everyone!
