What do you consider to be the darkest piece of music you’ve ever heard?
Randy: The song “Runaway” by Kanye West really hits me in the feels every time. I have cried to this song drunk more than once.
Roberto: The darkest piece of music I’ve probably ever heard is Klaus Nomi’s “The Cold Song” or anything off of David Bowie’s Blackstar album: Blackstar, Lazarus. Collectively, I’ve never heard impending doom captured quite like those two artists. I initially thought “The Figurehead” by The Cure, but these hit me darker.
Kevin: Darkest music would be maybe from the Italian progressive rock band Goblin who scored many 70's Dario Argento films.
How would you characterize your own music?
Randy: It has elements of darkwave, post punk, emo, goth, hardcore and hip hop. I just like to have fun with music and don’t believe in boundaries too much, it’s supposed to be fun and I don’t want to be a cookie cutter band that sounds like everyone else. I try to be unapologetically myself.
Roberto: I consider our music to be a blend of post punk, synthwave and hardcore.
Kevin: I guess I would say our music is a fusion of classic 80's sounds and aesthetics with modern screamo or metal vocals.
What are your musical aspirations?
Randy: I’d like to travel the world and impact as many people as possible through relatability.
Roberto: My musical aspirations personally would be to sustain myself through music production, eventually should I stop performing at some point for whatever reasons. Touring and the live show routine gets more demanding over time, especially with age, so as people adapt, I see myself as more of a behind the scenes person still involved somehow.
Kevin: For me, I would love to just continue making music and playing shows in new cities and connecting with the audience and more listeners.
What are your main musical inspirations?
Randy: Kanye West is my favorite artist ever. Jim Morrison and The Doors are what got me into rock music as a kid. I got into the screamo and hardcore scene in high school so I love bands like Senses Fail, Underoath, The Devil Wears Prada, Emmure, The Acacia Strain. My friend Christoph Jesus from the band Crazy and the Brains is one of my main influences too as he is unapologetically himself and never gave up the dream of making music. He’s killing it now, I’ve been going to Crazy and the Brains shows since high school. I also love hip hop. Vincent the Owl and the Pissowl collective are a similar success story who inspires me completely and is a friend beyond music. Lil Peep is also a pretty big influence to me, the blend of emo, hip hop and punk is awesome. Shout out to Danny Diablo as well, he’s still killing it and traveling the world being an hardcore icon, he’s a true hustler. He is one of the few who has believed in me and gave me a chance to showcase my music.
Roberto: My musical inspirations range from The Misfits, Alkaline Trio, The Cure, AFI, among many others. I’m really drawn to bands that adapt and evolve as much as I am inspired by bands that did something inimitable and marked a niche that just stands the test of time.
What are your main goals in life?
Randy: I’d like to make a stable living off of music and to travel with my music for a living.
Roberto: My main goals in life are to help others while I’m around, as well as creating a better future for my loved ones.
Kevin: Goals in life is stay active musically and keep writing songs and enjoy the experiences that come from it.
What motivates you to create?
Randy: Sadness and heartbreak are pretty big motivators for me to be honest. Music is my escape and release to let out all of my emotions. that’s why my lyrixXx are pretty sad and I yell a lot.
Roberto: What motivates me to create is the need for some sort of message, some sort of substance whether it be musically or lyrically, to get out there. Sonically, the music paints a sort of picture that fuels a mood or a message. I’m excited at the thought of sharing what I consider another musical perspective to people, but it needs substance. Once that idea is ignited, the music flows.
Kevin: What motivates me is the response from people who hear and enjoy our music. The connection we make with those people who come to our shows and is something I love so much.
Are you more of an early bird or a night owl?
Randy: Definitely a night owl, I get most of my music done at night. I am an early bird too, I work a 9-5 to survive so I need balance in my life.
Roberto: Both (laughs). It’s like the Seinfeld “morning guy” versus “night guy’s” problems. Up early by default, but will stay up late to create.
Kevin: I'm definitely a night owl at heart but life's responsibilities keep me getting up at 6am haha.
Besides music, what other art forms would you like to explore?
Randy: Video production and video game streaming would be pretty cool to get into.
Roberto: I chose to venture into music as a preteen, and it was between music and visual art as far as choosing a magnet went during my school years, so definitely some sort of visual art, perhaps painting or sketching.
Kevin: I would love to explore film and acting as another art form I love and appreciate.
Which is the very first record that had a big impact on you?
Randy: “The Doors” by The Doors got me into rock music. I heard and it and I was like nah, this is awesome. I understood it and then started exploring more 60’s psychedelic rock as a kid. Other than that, “Illmatic” by Nas made me love hip hop music as well. Those two really resonated with me and inspired me to be the artist I am today.
Roberto: This is probably gonna sound random, but Pearl Jam’s “Ten” shook me up as a kid. I remember being like 5 years old thinking “what makes Jeremy so special?” and learned about the dark truth of that song shortly after, so that just blew my mind. Pearl Jam was also all over the radio at the time, so I had gotten very familiar with that album before listening to the cassette from start to finish a few years later.
Kevin: Some early biggest records that impacted me were either Nirvana's Nevermind or Blink 182's Dude Ranch.
What is the best decade for music?
Randy: I’d have to say the 60’s. Sex, drugs and rock and roll. The energy and freedom of expression was at its peak at that era, in my opinion.
Roberto: It’s a bit of a toss up for me as far as best decades go. Everyone’s gonna say 80’s for sure, but I want to say the 60’s really inspired my influences in some ways that still translate, so 60’s for me.
Kevin: Best decade I would say 80's.
What do your future plans include?
Randy: To release good music that people resonate with and to take Neon Funeral to the next level. I also would like to become a better music producer and an all around artist. One day at a time.
Roberto: My plans include continuing to level up in terms of my audio production quality and to continue making music for as long as I can.
Kevin: Future plans I would say is to continue making music and focusing on playing more shows in more cities and countries.
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Neon Funeral
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