June 24 2022 – Very few things are as exciting as finding something new you love. Much like archaeologists that dig to find hidden treasures, we here at T-Mak World really enjoy trying to find new bands that we love. Once we find such bands, we approach our favorites to request interviews for our Emerging Artist Spotlight series where we have featured over 100 artists so far. Today we set our focus on a band from Los Angeles named Classless Act.
We first heard of Classless Act from Eddie Trunk on is Trunk Nation show on SiriusXM. The band is actually the fifth band on the bill for this summers Stadium Tour featuring Joan Jett, Poison, Motley Crue and Def Leppard. On the next day we got a press release sent our way promoting the bands new video which featured Vince Neil. You can check out the video of Classless Act featuring Vince Neil here.
The band formed in 2019 and although the five members met through social media they shared a strong love of good rock. Classless Act consists of:
Derek Day/vocals
Dane Pieper/guitar
Griffin Tucker/guitar
Franco Gravante/bass
Chuck McKissock/drums
While our exposure to this band is only their first four videos as they have just started their journey, the band states that “their music echoes the hallmarks of previous generations with anthemic rhythms, shreddy guitars, and soaring vocals-but punches its way into the future with clever arrangements, sharp musicianship, and proficient songwriting.”
We got the opportunity to catch up with singer Derek Day and below is what he had to say:
Derek thank you for taking the time to do this for us! We are always on the lookout for the most exciting upcoming rock bands and we heard you on Trunk Nation on SiriusXM. That same day we got a press release about Classelss Act’s new video and so I immediately requested for a chance to interview you. We are based in Toronto, Canada, so tell me have you played in Toronto (or Canada) before?
Answer: Thank YOU so much for having me !! Unfortunately, I have never performed or even had a chance to visit your amazing country . I tell you one thing; I am ecstatic to be performing with Classless twice in Toronto this year !!! AHHHGHGHHHH!!!!! Come by and say hi !
So you get to be on the bill for this summers huge Stadium Tour featuring (Def Leppard, Motley Crue, Poison and Joan Jett). Those four bands have 15 platinum records between them and your debut album is not even out yet. I personally love the idea of being exposed to some new live rock in such a massive setting. Are you guys ready for the biggest of the big stages? How do you even prepare for that?
Answer: We have no clue what to expect, but we are ridiculously excited. We figure the best approach is to treat each stage like the biggest playground with new jungle gyms and new, cool friends to make . We did rehearse quite a bit , but coming off a 40 show tour with Dorothy in May really whipped us into shape ~ we will always be grateful to her for giving us that chance .
We also noticed that while in Toronto you will be doing a headline show on August 9th at the Horseshoe Tavern (a legendary venue that’s been around for 75 years by the way). How will you approach that show differently than the 50,000 seater baseball stadium?
Answer: We will definitely play the Roger’s Centre on August 8 and of course the next day we hit the Horseshoe Tavern. Believe it or not, we’d have to work a little harder with more energy and focus. Not only would it be a shift in our current status quo but it would entail an added hour of music and performance. But again , the recipe thrives on FUN as the main ingredient.
Speaking of debut albums what can you tell us about making Welcome To The Show?
Answer: We have released 4 singles so far but you’ll find that the rest of the album takes a little bit of a departure into other ideas, sounds and structures. I think there may be something for everyone on this album.
What bands are you digging these days Derek?
Answer: As far as modern or semi-modern bands ~ I really dig groups like The Stepkids , FIDLAR and Knower …
By the way I heard that one of you guys is a big Rush fan – here are three suggestions if you guys have free time while in Toronto:
Get to Massey Hall – the site of the live recording of All The World’s A Stage and a historic concert venue Rush played many times
Reproduce the Moving Pictures album cover by visiting the location in which it was taken the Ontario Legislative Building at Queen’s Park
Chill out at Lee-Lifeson Park in the Willowdale area of Toronto where Alex and Geddy grew up
Answer: Oh my god , our drummer Chuck Mckissock will FLIP out … THANK U!!!
The video for “Classless Act” features Vince Neil of Motley Crue – do you think that really helped get major visibility on the band and the video itself?
Answer: Oh most definitely and that is why we are eternally grateful to Vince for doing this with us. But please know, we really felt that Vince would be the perfect voice for this feature ~ it’s our namesake song and it just felt like Vince -Freaking – Neil to us. It’s a dream to have him on it.
Derek I found it very interesting that on Eddie Trunk’s show you kept referring yourself as an entertainer instead of a “vocalist”. What do you consider the distinction between the two to be?
Answer: I think the difference between a vocalist and an entertainer is the ability to connect to your fellow human, animal, plant or self. To communicate some sort of energy or emotion to someone cannot and will not be boring.
What do you believe is the future of Rock? Are you guys ready to fight to make real music and bring riff infused bangers to the world? In other words if you were told to make your songs more “poppy” to be more commercial how would you react?
Answer: You may find it hard to believe but most of the band loves “pop” music . There’s something to it’s relevance that makes it so popular. Rest assured, the riffs will never stop, they’ll only get heavier and uglier (but maybe with something pretty on top).
Derek last question and this is just for fun, if you could get any rocker dead or alive to join you guys on stage at the small bar gig we talked about, who would you want and why?
Answer: Personally, I’d love to jam with Prince on stage. He would make that historical bar feel like a stadium with his presence, yet I get the feeling he would bring the best out of the classless boys and me. It would fun, real-time education and utterly spiritual.
Derek thanks for the time man! Classless Acts’ debut album (Welcome To The Show) is out now and you can catch them in Canada at the following dates, with our recommendation strongly on the Horseshoe gig (editors note: Def Leppard and Motley Crue are co-headliners – that is insane as Def Leppard > Motley Crue):
| CLASSLESS ACT |
| w/ Motley Crue, Def Leppard, Poison, Joan Jett |
| 07.28.22 @ Bronson Centre Ottawa, ON **Only Classless Act |
| 08.08.22 @ Rogers Centre Toronto, ON |
| 08.09.22 @ Horseshoe Tavern Toronto, ON **Only Classless Act |
| 09.02.22 @ BC Place Vancouver, BC |
| 09.04.22 @ Commonwealth Stadium Edmonton, AB |
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