Ryan ChartrandThere’s nothing like interviewing a band that’s using speakerphone. The members of Silent Treatment jump into each others’ thoughts with ease, overlapping yet each adding something of his own. That’s what happens when a band lives together, they said.
Silent Treatment is made up of D. Rosales, Juxta, Abel and Rico: four guys on a mission.
“We’re trying to save rock ‘n’ roll, one Jack Daniels at a time,” Rico joked.
While all the band members are in their mid-20s, their music doesn’t sound like that of their contemporaries. Their sound draws more from established rock bands.
They would collectively choose to play with Velvet Revolver, and major influences include Guns N’ Roses, Social Distortion and The Rolling Stones.
“There are no young bands that we’ve found that play our music. The only bands doing what we’re doing are . older. We will be leaders of that,” they said.
In the beginning, their sound was very eclectic.
“We were all pretty much starting out in our own rights, the sound was all over the place,” they said. After five years together, their sound is more focused and organic, D. Rosales said. While the first album was very experimental, their new limited edition EP, “LochNess Sessions,” is more focused.
“We should call it a limited budget EP,” they joked.
It has had a generally positive reaction and captures their live shows very well, they said. The singles “Steal the Sun” and “So Down” are among the most popular songs, and their radio play includes Cal Poly’s KCPR.
They live in a studio together in Torrance, Calif. and write their music collectively.
“Someone will come with an idea, and we’ll jam it out that day,” they said.
However, they see themselves mainly as a live band and are currently touring all over California. “The party aspect comes out in the live show,” D. Rosales said.
There are pictures on their MySpace page of a certain shirtless gig, which they claim was the result of poor ventilation. “When those lights are on you . you’d probably take your shirt off, too,” they said. “Plus, we’re so sexy.”
They love playing in San Luis Obispo, especially at the Frog & Peach Pub, which is one of their favorite venues. “It always feels like.a tight-knit kind of homey feel,” they said. Rico, the band’s drummer, graduated as an ag business major from Cal Poly a few years ago.
“San Luis Obispo is a really big thing for us because it’s a great town; it’s really treated us well,” they said.
Besides playing at Frog & Peach, they hit up Firestone Grill for tri-tip sandwiches and beer when they’re in town. They’re also good friends with some of the people at Boo Boo Records, where they sell their EP and shirts.
Of their touring, “it’s just been a journey,” they said. “Our livers are paying for it now.”
Silent Treatment will be performing at the Frog & Peach Pub today at 9 p.m.