Exclusive Interview with BARGAIN BIN HEROES

Bargain Bin Heroes, a ska-punk band from Southwest Florida, have released a new EP titled Waiting For So Long. They signed with Havoc Underground for this release, and they want to tour Florida and the South East in support of it. Check out the EP and the exclusive interview with Bargain Bin Heroes below:

1. Can you tell us a bit about where you come from and how it all got started?

BARGAIN BIN HEROES: The original lineup formed in the Summer of 2014. Eric is the only original member from that time, at the end of 2015/early 2016, Aaron, Rob and Jimmy James joined. The lineup was solidified in 2017 when Amanda joined and we have been going strong ever since.

2. Did you have any formal training or are you self-taught?

BARGAIN BIN HEROES: We are all life long musicians, all of us picked up instruments at a young age and have been playing ever since.

3. Who were your first and strongest musical influences and why the name ‘BARGAIN BIN HEROES’?

BARGAIN BIN HEROES: We take a lot of inspiration from the 90’s punk scene. Our band gets described as Green Day or blink-182 with horns very much in the vain of Less Than Jake.

The name ‘Bargain Bin Heroes’ came about from the idea of finding our CD in the clearance section store, the “Bargain Bin”, and being the diamond in the rough. Also, it was the only name that was available the has a good ring to it, all the other good band names have been taken!

4. What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?

BARGAIN BIN HEROES: Relatable, hitting close to the heart lyrics with music behind it that makes you want to get up and dance and jump along with it. We are always having a blast at our shows and we connect with the audience with our high energy.

5. For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and music maker, and the transition towards your own style, which is known as ROCK?

BARGAIN BIN HEROES: The best way to learn is too play the songs from your favorite artists, so you sit down and see what they did and take that inspiration to write your own songs.

6. Creative work in a studio or home environment, or interaction with a live audience? Which of these two options excites you most, and why?

BARGAIN BIN HEROES: This one is tricky! Both are exciting for different reasons. We go all out for our live shows, we throw out beach balls, pop confetti poppers (sorry to all the venue owners) and we play like there is no tomorrow so those are always exciting. When we get the time to go into the studio and record, you don’t always get to do that, once every couple of years if you are lucky so those are always something to look forward to hear your songs recorded and sounding the best you can make it never gets old.

7. Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfillment as the amount of work you are putting into it or are you expecting something more, or different in the future?

BARGAIN BIN HEROES: Absolutely! We are a true working class band, we work all week supporting our families and we are lucky enough to be able to get away on the weekends and play the music we love to play. We couldn’t ask for anything more!

8. Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song? Do you usually start with a tune, a beat, or a narrative in your head? And do you collaborate with others in this process?

BARGAIN BIN HEROES: Eric writes all the songs on an acoustic guitar. Gets the song structure and lyrics down. He then brings it to the band and then we start banging out the drum part. Once the rhythm gets solidified then we layer in the horns and before you know it, our next hit song is done!

9. What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?

BARGAIN BIN HEROES: We most recently were all affected by Hurricane Ian, either dealing with home repairs, instrument repairs/replacements or in some cases both! Some of us are still dealing with that aftermath and it’s been a challenge but we were able to pick up the pieces like the rest of Lee County and we are continuing on.

10. On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?

BARGAIN BIN HEROES: Anytime we are able to play with our heroes! We have played with many bands that we have admired like Mustard Plug, The Toasters, The Pietasters, Whole Wheat Bread, Afro Man, Green Jelly, The Supervillians, Eastern Standard Time, Mephiskapheles, The Independents, and Chris DeMakes from Less Than Jake.