Kill The Music: Unsigned Artist Spotlight

Unsigned Spotlight: Krantz

Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.

Jeffrey Danger-Guitar/vocals
Erik Theiling-Bass
Tee Tallent-Keys
Monica Lewellen-Percussion/vocals

For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to Krantz? How long has the band been around?

I (Jeffrey) started playing in punk rock bands back in my teen years. Was not my main love, but that’s what most of my friends were doing, and pop punk was huge at the time, so it worked out. After that, I played in a few bluesy riff rock bands. It was a blast, but still got kind of old after awhile. I formed Krantz after Beatles model. Just write catchy pop songs and play them in whatever style you feel fits.

What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?

It’s my last name. I made the first self titled album pretty much on my own, but didn’t want be known as a solo artist, so I figured just the name Krantz could mean anything. 

Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs and do you think these topics will change over time?

I do the majority of writing, but the others will throw in some ideas. The topics will for sure change. We like to write about anything from love, to a one night stand, to a story about someone, to my cat.

What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?

The Beatles will always be the number one inspiration, but I also love T Rex and the Rolling Stones. As far as current bands, I really dig 21 Pilots and the Shins.

Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?

The Beatles for sure! After watching the Beatles Anthology in November of 1995, I knew exactly what I wanted to do.

What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, etc …

Gotta do my vocal warm ups, which hopefully no-one will ever hear because they can sound downright painful. We always make sure we warm up with a couple shots and maybe something to smoke.

What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?

Probably the recording of this EP, The Pennock Tapes. It’s our first effort as a band, working on the songs all together and going in the studio to lay them down. Excited to see the response as we release the singles.

If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?

It’d be great to tour with U2 because then we’d be playing sold out arenas every night. I’d also love to tour with Cage the Elephant because I feel they’re fans would really dig us because we’re somewhat similar but very different as well. I also used to play with them in one of my old bands and we always had a blast. It’d also be great to tour with the Wildfeathers because I used to be in a band with Joel, their bass player and am good friends with those guys.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Just hope everyone checks out our new singles, “Run Away with Me” and “Until We Meet Again” and hit us up on social media! 

Jeffrey Krantz