Snapcat Bandits

This is coming up fast!

.......and now, it's once again time for "5 Questions........quick!" with guitarist/vocalist Mike Krupinski:

1. Your new single 'Beautiful Star" released on Friday. Is this a change in direction for the band?

Mike: "A little bit, in terms of exploring new guitar tunings and subject matter. I wouldn't go as far as us deviating from our sound, though. This song helps expand our palette of colors, texture, and expression. I think the song took some people by surprise. It's heavy in subject and guitars. The guitar tuning is open-C, and I picked that up from listening to Soundgarden's "Down on the Upside" a couple years back. I tuned one of my guitars to open-C and within minutes I started writing the riffs which would become "Beautiful Star."

2. What has been inspiring you musically lately?

Mike: "I recently re-discovered The Replacements, an 80s band from Minneapolis that could be considered one of the first true alternative rock bands aside from maybe R.E.M. I really dig the album "Tim" from 1985 and the feel and sound of the songs on that record. I also found their legendary Saturday Night Live performance from 1986 which got them banned from the program!! (laughs) The lead singer/guitarist Paul Westerberg shouted an expletive just off-mic before the solo in their first song on SNL, and the censors missed it. That band had SO much vibe and attitude, I think that's why I dig 'em as much as I do."

3. What are you listening to now from the underground/indie scene?

Mike: "I REALLY like the Detroit band Mind Riot!! They're a powerhouse trio, they're young, hungry, and ambitious! They write great originals and their covers are scorchingly hot!! The lead singer/bassist Aubrie is a powerhouse on vocals, Jack on drums really hits those skins as hard as anyone I've seen or heard in a long time, and Aidan the guitar player is a technical whiz and his vocabulary up and down the fretboard is really impressive!

4. So you've seen Mind Riot before then, eh? (interviewer laughs)

Mike: "YES!!! Twice now, and they are a band you MUST see live! Cool thing is, once our run of shows is done in the summer, we'll have a couple announcements for gigs with them and our good friends Slumlord Radio from Grand Rapids!

5. Speaking of gigs, your next one is coming up fast.

Mike: "Yeah, it's JC's Kick Ass Rock Show LIVE, the 2026 edition on Thursday, July 2 at the Token Lounge. We'll be jamming with Tribe989, City Limits Band, and our good friends The Kings of Strings! It'll be our 2nd time playing The Token Lounge, and we can't wait!"

Link to new single “Beautiful Star” https://fans.snapcatbandits.com/latest-release-links?source=link-in-bio