Will Tenney
We recently did an interview with Will Tenney from the band White Rose. We were only able to do a written interview, seeing as how Will is in London, but we plan on doing a video interview when they’re back home! White Rose consists of Will Tenney (vocals/guitar), Ben Stein (guitar/vocals), Brandyn Dougan (drums) and TJ Piccirillo (bass/vocals). They are extremely funny, nice, and talented. And despite what Will may say, they always sound amazing live and put on a great show! So check out their myspace, and be sure to check out a show next time they’re in your town! http://www.myspace.com/thewhiteroseband
Q:What made you decide you wanted to be in a band?
A: Well ever since I was a wee tot I’ve wanted to play music and do the whole bang thing. I don’t really remember not wanting to play music, so there wasn’t really a point where I was like , BAM, I wanna be in a band. It was just kind of an always and forever type thing, ya’ know girrrlllll?
Q: Who is your biggest inspiration(s)?
A: This is a super tough question. I really like all music and anything that has to do with music, so it’s hard to name just one artist that inspires me most. If I had to name a few I’d say Andrew McMahon (Something Corporate, Jack’s Mannequin), Kenny Vasoli (The Starting Line, Person L), and Jesse Lacey (Brand New) all had a big impact on me. Those are all punk/alternative guys but I honestly like everything. If you’re playing it, I want to hear it. Whether it’s Mozart or Ke$ha, I’m down for the count. (*Note* Blink-182 = favorite band ever and sex on my ear drums)
Q: What do you hope to accomplish by 25?
A: Hmmmm, well I started playing shows in the scene when I was 15 years old, and started touring when I was 17. By 25 it’d be nice to be a signed artist, and making enough money to make ends meet. But to tell you the truth, just playing and performing music constantly is enough for me. If i’m still touring at 25 and waking up in a new state each morning, then that would be enough. Hopefully I’ll be able to say my music has had an impact on someone (still working on that, hang tight people).
Oh yea, it’d be nice to have pretty girl that thinks I’m alright at 25….and a pig named Gregory too, please.
Q: Who is the dirtiest/grossest member of the band on or off tour?
A: Oh boy. Ok, here we go. It pains me to say, that I may be the grossest member of WR on tour. I don’t know why it is exactly, but I’m just comfortable with too many things haha. I hold the record for most pee bottles and longest finger nails. BUT Teej definitely holds the record for going the longest without changing clothes/showering. Ben/Brandyn are weird, they have some soap/hair product for everything. Brandyn’s that guy that when it’s his turn to drive, and it’s 2 in the morning, he stops at a gas station and brushes his teeth. Ew, right?
Q: What band would you absolutely love to tour with?
A: Ok, if we could tour with ANY band, it would be rad to do a stint with Saves The Day or Blink-182. I just feel like we would all get along really well. Our personalities match. But more realistically, it would be awesome to do a tour with a band from New Jersey called Man Overboard. They’re songs/lyrics are amazing. Oh yea, or MIRANDA COSGROVE! “Kissin U” is my jam, don’t ask me why, just let me have my moment. I’m a huge sucker for pop music, in case you couldn’t tell.
Q: If you could be any artist/band member, who would you be?
A: Travis Barker because he has the swag of a god. Connor Oberst because the man’s a genius, or Kenny Vasoli, because if you play “The Best of Me” at the right time, I may very well start crying.
Q: Do you have any guilty pleasures?
A: Will’s Guilty Pleasures: Simple Plan, long talks about life, Ke$ha, and Icarly.
Q: What’s the most embarrassing thing that’s happened to you, or any of the band members on or off stage?
A: Well, I’m pretty embarrassed every time we play because I think we’re horrible. But off stage, the most embarrassing thing that’s ever happened to me? Not sure. I’m sure there is something really funny, but I can’t think of it. One time freshman year I was skateboarding by some seniors and fell straight on my face. Bad news bears.
Q: How did you all meet?
A: It was really crazy. See, Ben and I owned this exercise facility in Portchester called “Work Out with your Pork Out,” and one day Teej and Brandyn walked in. They told us that they really respected us for being so bronzed and cut. We told them that one day, with a little hard work, they could be as physically appealing as us. We trained them vigorously, and one day they told us that they were musicians. Ben and I, shocked that people so weak could actually have attractive traits, asked if they wanted to start a band with us. Ben and I then swore off working out, and that’s sort of how it happened.
More or less, yea, that’s how it went I think.
Q: What was the first concert you ever attended?
A: The first concert I ever attended was a Train show. It was at the House of Blues in Chicago in 1999! My mom has an amazing ear for scoping bands on the rise, so we went to go see them. It was rad, they only had one record out and I knew all the words. I was 7! My mom thinks this band called White Rose is the next big thing.
