Say the words “prog rock” and several bands automatically come to mind–classic rock giants like Yes, Emerson, Lake and Palmer, and Rush, to more modern rock acts like Dream Theater or King’s X.
Stride is a band based in suburban Houston that takes its music very seriously. All of the band members are excellent and well-trained musicians and it shows in their songs. Stride recently released their full-length CD, Music Machine, and frequently plays shows around the Houston area.
The band’s next gig is this Saturday, 8.23.03, at the Forgetta-Bout-It club, which is located at the corner of Jones Road and Grant Road in Northwest Houston (same as the Del Pueblo restaurant). See a map here.
In early September, the band will perform at this year’s Prog Power festival in Atlanta. More information on the festival can be found at www.progpower.com.
Matt Kanzler, Stride’s drummer, recently answered a few questions for Houston Calling.
10 Questions for Stride
HC: How did Stride get together?
Stride was initially started in 1986 in Hollywood, California. Joel Gregoire and myself started jamming together at music school (Musicians Institute) and have been playing together ever since. Band members have changed over the years, but that was early on. Marcus Johnson (bass) and Rick Flores (keys) have been in Stride over 7 years!
HC: What are your primary musical influences?
Everyone in the band has a wide range of influences but I would say the ones that are common to us are: Rush, Dream Theater, Dixie Dregs, Symphony X, as far as progressive and a wide range of rock and metal as well…that’s where the harder edge comes from.
HC: What do you think of the Houston music scene?
The Houston music scene is a disappointment at least as far as prog, metal and rock are concerned. The fourth largest city in the country ought to have a lot more venues and opportunities to perform as well as having more representatives from the recording industry.
HC: What do you hate to hear about your band?
That it is just “brain” music or complicated music. We play some intricate arrangements but I like to think it is always played with heart and emotion.
HC: How did you guys get the Prog Power gig?
I went to Prog Power last year and made some contacts, but mainly our friend Shane Dubose from here in Houston got us in. He is running the pre-show party this year.
HC: If you could have any band cover one of your songs, what song would it be and what band?
Wow, that is a tough one. I can’t speak for the entire band but I would love to hear the Dixie Dregs cover “Lab 7.”
HC: What’s your take on the state of the music industry right now?
The music industry is still strong, I think, but is going through some of the most difficult changes it has ever encountered–file sharing, etc.
HC: Are you for or against the MP3 “revolution”? How are you guys using the internet as a tool to market Stride?
I am not against the file sharing completely but I think it should be regulated, people should pay a fee. No artist should go without compensation for their work.
The internet has been a wonderful tool for us. We have gained several distributors, gotten reviews from all over the world and sold our CD in about 10 different countries–all thanks to the internet.
HC: What’s next for Stride?
Another full length CD (with vocals), playing in some of these other countries that have shown interest in our music, and hopefully some real label interest.
HC: What’s in your CD player right now?
In my CD player in my truck I have Fishbone, Rush, AC/DC, Life and Times (local band), Dave Brubeck Quartet, and Audioslave.
You can visit Stride’s website at www.strideonline.com. Be sure to watch the live drum solo!
Now Playing in My iPOD: Duvall — Standing At the Door
