Los Angeles-based, high-energy rock quartet Oh No Not Stereo have been pioneering LA’s independent ‘D.I.Y.’ music scene since 2003. Originally founded as a duo by Skyler Nielsen and Mykul Lee, the bands legacy continues to grow to this day, after 5 self-released albums, and over half a million miles of touring under their belt.
Download free ONNS music by visiting their landing page here.
Questions from 28North, to Skyler from ONNS-
What’s the meaning behind the band’s name?
I was in a serious ATV accident when I was 11, and lost the hearing out of my right ear. When we started the band as a duo, we chose the name based largely on my disability.. however, by performing as an “unconventional live-duo”, the name took on additional meaning as we noticed how many sound-guys were refusing to mic up more than one amp at our shows, because in their heads, if there is just one guitar player, we wouldn’t need more than one amp. So we tip our hats to those ponytail-having fucks that, in the end, only helped pack additional integrity and meaning into our band name.
Who are your top three fav bands from the 90’s?
Nirvana, Silverchair and Local H.
What’s the meaning behind the “All You” music video and how did you shoot it?
That video was our exercise in ‘rotoscoping’. We shot it in a dry lake bed, 50 miles outside of Palm Springs. We borrowed a super-nice RED camera from a friend, and rented a motor for the tripod. Every take, the camera would move in a circle at the same speed, and end up in the same place at the end of the song. (There were something like 4 revolutions in total..) We practiced a few times, and then started to realize where we needed to set the drums, and where we needed to quickly change wardrobe, etc. The shoot was a giant math problem, and a really great exercise in production flow. My ode to Stevie Wonder at the end is bound to get ripped on in the next season of Beavis & Butthead.. MTV licensed the video already!!
Where’s your fav place to shop for clothes?
I make my own clothes most of the time.. or my next favorite thing to do is collect band shirts from my friends, and help them represent :)
Questions from 28North, to Mykul Lee from ONNS-
What are your top three favorite venues/cities to play?
Shepherds Bush Empire in London, Mr Smalls in Pittsburgh, Triple Rock in Minneapolis.
What’s your favorite 90’s sitcom?
Perfect Strangers.
Who are your current top three fav drummers?
Levon Helm, Jim Keltner, Buddy Rich.
What’s your fav cereal?
Jeffrey Dahmer
Questions from 28North, to Jussi from ONNS-
Where are you from originally?
Saarijarvi, Finland!
What kind of guitars do you like to play?
I love playing ESP and Gibson guitars.
What’s your favorite place to eat in LA?
Favorite place to eat by far is Fogo de Chao! Can’t beat a Brazilian, all-you-can-eat BBQ!
What is the worst thing that has ever happened to you on stage at a show?
I think when we were in NYC playing and half of the show my amp was turning on and off for some reason. It was quite embarrassing, to say the least.
Well, you probably know who we are at this point, but here's a quick rundown:
28 NORTH is from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In my opinion, they sound like a really solid mix of 70’s and 90’s rock. Sonically imagine The Allman Brothers-meets-Kings of Leon.
28 North have currently re-located to Los Angeles, where they’re working on their new album with Grammy Award-winning Producer David Kershenbaum.
Questions from Skyler/ONNS, to Taylor/28North Guitarist-
Do you come from a family of musicians?
My great-grandmother used to play piano and accordion for me when I was really young, but no one in my family ever played music professionally. My younger brother began playing drums when I picked up guitar, and I think that’s one of the reasons we both excelled quickly. We always had a healthy kind of musical competition with each other.
Who first inspired you to shred?
I had always loved music growing up but never really had any interest in playing an instrument until I was 12 years old. We used to have this crappy old acoustic guitar in my house kind of just as a decoration. I remember my uncle coming over one day and picking it up and playing the riff to Slayer’s “South of Heaven” and I thought it was the coolest thing I had ever heard in my entire life! My mom bought me an electric guitar soon after and that completely consumed my life. When I was 15, I was lucky enough to start taking guitar lessons from guitar virtuoso Neil Zaza. That’s when I really started getting into guitarists and bands like Yngwie Malmsteen, Symphony X, Paul Gilbert, Van Halen, and Mattias IA Eklundh.
What’s a venue you’ve always wanted to play?
It’s a no brainer… Madison Square Garden!! I wanna pack that place!!
Questions from Skyler/ONNS, to Tyler/28North Drummer-
How’d you get the nickname ‘Titanium’?
Well, first I need to explain that it’s actually a joint nickname shared by Taylor and myself. It consists of equal parts of our names (Ty=Ti and Tay=Ta in the nickname) with a touch of awesomeness. The name was initially conceived by Mike and his mom Jodi. One of them happened to ask, “Where’s Ty and Tay?” Immediately the connection was made and our nickname “Titanium” was born. Fortunately it’s a rather cool nickname and is fitting of our steely cool personas, haha. It’s become a commonly awkward point in conversation when Taylor and I introduce ourselves one after the other. People sometimes think we are fucking with them when they hear our names are Taylor and Tyler in rapid succession. So Titanium is very convenient for us.
Who do you consider three of the best drummers in the world?
That’s a very hard question, there are too many to name! But as far as living drummers today, I’d say my favorite all around drummer is Vinnie Colaiuta, he can literally play anything, and he does with so many different artists. Another current fav of mine is Keith Carlock who conjures fire with even a simple and basic pattern. He’s a more fusion-oriented cat and has a unique technical and ergonomic approach. Thirdly, I would have to say Glenn Kotche from one of my absolute favorite bands Wilco. Glenn’s orchestral and detailed approach to the drum kit is unparalleled in my opinion. He may be the most clever drummer to ever grace a stage and at the same time he grooves and drives a band as well as anybody.
What’s your favorite thing about being a drummer?
My favorite thing about being a drummer is just playing. I can’t think of any activity I love more than just sitting behind a drumkit and zoning out, letting my hands, fingers, and entire body succumb to the beauty of the drum set. I also enjoy drummer jokes, always funny….and true (tears).
Questions from Skyler/ONNS, to Michael L/28North Singer-
Who do you think is the greatest frontman of all time?
Thats such a tough question, there are so many. If I had to pick one, it would probably be Mick Jagger. Stock answer? Perhaps. But he’s been the man since he started. He is in the Rolling Fucking Stones. They are an anomaly of awesomeness. He can make anything interesting and make anyone have a good time. That is what being a front man is all about, keeping the focus of the audience by being larger than life and also connecting people even if they don’t necessarily want to connect. Making them forget their worries by shifting the focus on to YOU. Who does this better than Mick? Nobody.
What’s the coolest (and most inspiring) music video you’ve ever seen?
Without a doubt, Guns N’ Roses - November Rain. I was 15 when I saw this music video for the first time. I was a pony league baseball player searching for a purpose. Slash on the piano in the desert was all I needed to see to know that I wanted to play the electric guitar forever. I recently met Mike Clink, producer of Use Your Illusion and told him this story. If it wasn’t for November Rain, I wouldn’t play the electric guitar. Safe to say the video inspired me!
Hottest chick in the world is ____.
Right now, I would have to say Emmy Rossum from Showtime’s ‘Shameless’. I love that she is angelic and demonic in the most perfect of ways. And yes, I’m friends with her on Facebook.
Questions from Skyler/ONNS, to Jonathan/28North Bassist-
Who first inspired you to play bass?
It wasnt any particular bassist, but more the role of the bass in Hip Hop, My first musical love. The elementals of bass, drums, & conscious vox really spoke to me.
Three of your biggest bass-playing inspirations?
This is easy. Jaco Pasotrius, John Paul Jones, & Jesse Murphy (he played with John Scofield and Brazilian Girls). Three J’s? Yes please.
What are your thoughts on bass players who hold the bass like a shotgun?
Well, at the end of the set, to proverbially ‘spray’ the audience with rock energy, it is an acceptable gesture. However, spending the duration of your set with your instrument in the firing position is tawdry. There is a difference between music and musical theatre :)
