Recently, I had the distinct pleasure of listening to a new band called from Bowling Green, Plastic Friends who played for our Noontime Concert Series. Their music clearly fit into the alt-rock genre but has a stylish and sophisticated quality that allowed it to fit into any musical environment.  Due to playing inside the café, only three members of the band Will Perkins, Matt Long and Justin Mutter (bassist Phillip Rynerson was absent) played an acoustic set for the lunch-time crowd. Although they often play local spots like Tidball’s there may actually be some folks who have not heard of ‘Plastic Friends’ so, I thought I would chat with Will, Justin and Matt.

Can you tell us a bit about your personal and musical histories?

Justin: Matt and I actually went to high school together and played a couple of gigs together back then. Fast forward to ten years later, and I get a call from Matt asking if I want to be in a band. I had also played drums in a project that our bass player Phil was in. When we got together earlier this year for a first practice with me as drummer, everything just clicked.

Will: “Plastic Friends began as a project with Phillip, Matt and Myself (Will) who met through other projects, but we didn’t become complete until we added Justin on drums in February 2011. We had a back catalogue of songs, but most of the songs we play out now have been written since Justin’s arrival.”

 How did you choose the name ‘Plastic Friends?’ 

Matt: “Well in the movie “Almost Famous,” Kate Hudson’s character explains that whenever she is feeling down, she goes to a record store and visits all of her friends (listening to her friends on vinyl). We grew up listening to plastic cassette tapes, so they could be considered our Plastic Friends. The name also has a few other connotations: Action figures to kids as well as ‘fake’ friends.”

Who influenced you as musicians?  Anybody local?

Justin: My influences are all over the place. Dave Matthews Band, Led Zeppelin, the Who, and then just years of listening to rock, pop, jazz, and bluegrass.

Will:  “Plastic Friends is mainly influenced by the 90’s and all of the bands that have played Tidballs in the past 5 years. Cage the Elephant, Morning Teleportation and Sleeper Agent (original and current lineup) to name a few. Honestly, we’d be lying if we didn’t say that any music we have listened to, good or bad, has influenced us in some way.”  

What sorts of gigs have you been doing lately?

Justin: Mostly shows at Tidball’s and other local music spots. There seems to be a bigger crowd each night.

Matt:  “We’ve been doing a bunch of everything, ranging from open mics, benefits, radio, campus, and Tidballs (a great venue for live original music).We’re currently booking more gigs out of town and are trying to play for anyone who will listen.”

How do you define your sound?

Justin: It’s a high-energy rock with melodies. I think we have some of that nineties’ grunge mixed in – must be from growing up then.

Matt: “I’d say we’re a fusion of rock and grunge with some overtones of punk. The melodies and lyrics are mostly indie, but they also cross into rock and pop. Our sets are upbeat, and we try to exert all of our energy whether we are playing for 30 minutes or two hours, for two or two hundred people”  

Do you write your own music? If so, where to you get the ideas for your songs?

Justin: Will, our lead singer, writes the songs. He definitely has an ear for melody. Then we all add our own parts and they always blend really well from the beginning.

Matt: “Here’s the Plastic Friends Songwriting Process. Will will play chords and sing a melody to the rest of the band. They’ll work out their own parts. The band will play the completed song at a gig a couple of days later. They go back and revise the song and play it differently at the next gig. Repeat as necessary.”

In a stroke of incredible good fortune, Plastic Friend has an excellent photographer as a member of the band.  Justin, where do you want to go with your art?

Justin: Thanks. Right now I work as a freelance photographer, and it keeps me pretty busy. Ultimately I want to shoot fashion, portraits, and editorials for magazines.

Where do you want go with your music?

Matt: “All the way!”

Are you planning for a CD?

Will: “We plan on recording our 13-song debut LP ‘At Least Have Hope’ very soon!”

Thanks so much for playing at Java City guys!  Come back anytime!

About the author: Jack Montgomery is a librarian, author and Professor at Western Kentucky University where he handles bookings for musical acts in University Libraries, Java City coffeehouse. Jack has also been a professional musician since 1969 and performs with a celtic quartet called Watersprite. Visit him at MySpace/shadowdancerjack or on Facebook.