Exclusive Interview with 'Nights Like Thieves'

Nights Like Thieves is a melodic, emo, punk, rock, alternative band that started in 2016. Based out of Southern California featuring four musicians with a longstanding history in the punk/rock scenes in both Southern California and New Mexico. Their sound varies from an upbeat, intricate, and melodic vibe to a slower, more rhythmic, and emotionally charged pace. The lyrical content is a prevalent factor in what defines the Nights Like Thieves catalog. Through the combined years of experience of all band members, they function like a well-oiled machine on stage and know how to bring an impressive and engaging live performance. Check out the exclusive interview below:

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

Nights Like Thieves:

Steve: I’m originally from Illinois but spent most of my life growing up in San Diego, more specifically the East County. I’ve been playing “professionally” in San Diego for 27 years.

Mario: I moved to San Diego, California from Albuquerque, New Mexico in 2015. I didn’t really know anyone in San Diego, so I wrote and recorded some songs in my studio apartment and posted them on Craigslist in the musicians column to meet musicians to start a band. Steve saw my post and reached out to me. We wrote a song together that same night through email sending files back and forth. We later met in person and played the song we wrote together with two of his friends. That was the start of the band in 2016.

Matt: I’m originally from the Hi-Desert and Coachella Valley, Ca. I moved to San Diego in 2016 and quickly became friends with all of the guys in the local scene. I was asked to join the band in March of 2021.

Keoki: I’m originally from the big island of Hawaii and I started playing drums in high school at 14 years old. I’ve been playing in bands in San Diego since 2002 at 17 years old. I heard about Nights Like Thieves a few years back when another band I was in played a show with them, and I really enjoyed their music and stage presence. In 2019 my friend Scott was playing guitar in the band and told me they needed a drummer. I was between bands so I tried out and I’ve been with them ever since.

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

Nights Like Thieves:

Mario: I tried to take lessons at a very young age when I started playing guitar, but I ended up quitting and just teaching myself. I also self-taught myself drums, bass and piano, but I’m still learning how to sing, haha!

Matt: I am self-taught

Keoki: Self-taught. I took a marching band class my senior year of high school, but no serious lessons.

Steve: I’m self-taught. Originally a drummer but started playing guitar shortly after.

3. Who were your first and strongest musical influences and why the name ‘Nights Like Thieves’?

Nights Like Thieves:

Mario: I grew up listening to metal and classic rock bands, then got heavily into punk rock from watching skate/surf videos which led me into hardocre, emo, etc…. I’m also into Hip Hop, especially watching Rap Battles! I honestly love and appreciate all styles of music. I can find a song I like in all genres. Why the band name Nights Like thieves? Well, I had written down about 40 band name ideas that I thought sounded cool and that’s the one that stood out most for all of us. When I came up with that name, I was thinking of when you go to see a show and there’s that one certain band that sticks out from the rest, so called “steals” the show, and that’s the type of band I’d like for us to be. Now, are we that band? That’s a hard call since music is so subjective, but maybe in some eyes we are and that’s awesome!

Matt: Punk Rock. Next Question.

Keoki: My first influence was definitely Metallica with their drummer Lars and his huge drum kit. Then I got into skate punk/pop punk like Nofx, No Use For A Name, Strung Out, Blink-182 etc. and that music had a huge influence on me as a drummer and as a musician. Metallica gave me a love for heavy music and would definitely influence my love of hardcore and metalcore later in life but skate/pop punk gave me a love for melodic, energetic music with fast tempos. It gave me an ear for recognizing and writing hooks and it didn’t require such a big drum kit haha. As for our band name, I’m not sure who came up with it or why but I think it’s pretty clever.

Steve: My first influence for drums was Tre Cool of Green Day. The first guitarist that influenced me was Angus Young of AC/DC. I’m old.

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?

Nights Like Thieves:

Mario: The key elements in our music that resonate with listeners, I would say is the relatable lyrical content and the melodic melodies. Our sound is always evolving and we’re not trying to stay in one lane or genre with our music. You can definitely hear our influences in punk, rock, metal & emo though.

Matt: I like when music gives me goosebumps. I want to put the listener in a time-and-place bubble so that they can always remember that moment and where they were in their life. Our sound can resonate like that with people I hope.

Keoki: The sound of the band has definitely changed since its inception. It’s got heavier elements now but the choruses are still catchy and antiemetic. I like to create a mood with my drums, especially live, using dynamics that I hope listeners are able to feel. Lyrically, I hope everyone listening can find something they can relate to that helps them get through any problems they may be having.

Steve: I think that’s up to the listener. What I like most is the complexity of the music and the ambiguity of the lyrics that allow the listener to interject themselves into the song.

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?

Nights Like Thieves:

Mario: Being in bands since the age of 11 years old and learning multiple instruments, I went through many different phases of learning and emulating favorite bands and artists to create my “own style and sound.” Even to this day, I’m still learning, influenced by others, and enjoy experimenting with different ideas to create what sounds good to me. As for the band, I feel we have a distinctive yet relatable sound, but we are always growing and we continue to develop what makes Nights Like Thieves stand out as its own.

Matt: I realized early that I was never going to be “the best” guitarist and that my strong suit as a songwriter was more fulfilling to me than being that guy who can shred scales with the guitar behind his head.

Keoki: I was influenced by a number of drummers over the years and not only emulated their playing styles but also their drum set ups. Listening and learning songs by all my influences helped me write the kinds of drum parts that best fit the songs I’ve helped write. Taking different aspects of all these drummers and putting them together has, at least in my opinion, given me a sound that’s now unique to my drumming. Also, copying the set ups and gear of my favorite drummers has taught me what gear I like and don’t like to use and what set ups work for me and the sound I’m trying to create. All in all my influences definitely played a huge role in the drummer I am today.

Steve: I think writing came fairly naturally to us. Mario and I are both songwriters in our own regards. We each have a diverse group of influences that we amalgamate into our own sound.

6. What’s your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles – and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative and entertainment?

**Nights Like Thieves**:

**Keoki:** I definitely see the importance of music being a vehicle for political, cultural and spiritual views. Some of the best songs written have had these themes behind them. It helps the listener connect with the song on a deeper level and gives them an anthem for whatever it is they believe or stand for. As a drummer, I don’t have that kind of impact on the songs, but I’m definitely for playing songs with those themes if I believe in them myself. I’m also for songs written solely for artistic expression of technical artistry, because if you can convey a feeling or mood with just your instrument, I think that’s as powerful as your lyrical content. Also, sometimes it’s nice for us musicians to shine just as bright as the lead singer, Haha!

**Mario:** I totally agree with Keoki, but I have to say that drummers can write songs and lyrics as well, look at Phil Collins!

**Matt:** I personally try to refrain from letting outside influences into my creative space. I want to go into my home studio with a blank slate, and let the music be my compass to tell me how to feel at that moment. If I’m angry, the chords will speak for me.

**Steve:** Music is just music. I don’t feel comfortable labeling myself an artist, influencer or activist of any sort. What I get out of it is a sense of accomplishment once a song comes together.

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

Nights Like Thieves:

Matt: Loving something or someone should never expect anything in return. Hard work and love are synonymous. The future lies with the decisions you make in the present, so you have to love it and work for it.

Mario: I think for anyone who works really hard at something that they truly love would appreciate being rewarded with some kind of recognition. Especially if you’re the one putting it out there to the world. I just hope to do this until the day I die, I’ll spill my heart for you, for you…, I know some of you will get that.

Keoki: I feel fulfilled with where I’m at and the music I’m creating today. It’s definitely a lot of work, but once you’re on stage, or hearing a song you were a part of writing, it makes it all worth it. In the future, all I can ask for is to share our music with more people, and to play for bigger crowds.

Steve: The only expectation I have from being in a band creating music is that it is fun and never gets stale. I don’t care for money or popularity.

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?

Nights Like Thieves:

Matt: I usually start with a riff idea on the guitar. Try and figure out if it’s a verse or chorus and go from there. If I don’t have any riff ideas then I start with a basic drum beat and noodle until something sticks.

Mario: I will write songs starting with a guitar riff, a vocal pattern, a lyric idea, a drum beat, freestyling ideas, etc… There’s so many different ways to go about it and there’s not really a set structure for me. As for collaborating with others, I used to write 95% of our songs in this band, but now having Matt with us, another writer, it’s been amazing and we work very well together in collaborating our ideas. I’ve been really loving all our new stuff and it’s only getting better! We seriously have 30 full song ideas as of today and have been releasing a new song and music video every 2 months.

Keoki: Mario and Matt do the bulk of the writing. They usually come to Steve and I with nearly complete songs or song ideas they’ve recorded and we give them our input. I like to give them input on drum parts, song arrangements or vocal parts I hear in my head after hearing their song idea. I think Matt and Mario are great songwriters and they write well with each other so the bulk of my input is on my drum parts.

Steve: Usually Mario and/or Matt comes up with some ideas and puts them down. They’ll send me and Keoki what they have and we’ll throw in our ideas and/or parts. Fairly streamlined.

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

Nights Like Thieves:

Mario: The most difficult thing to endure in life is losing a loved one. The most difficult thing that I personally had to endure in my music career? Well, I never had a full time career in music where it was paying my bills, but I’m totally down for one! Honestly, I think the most difficult thing to endure being in a band is when everyone isn’t on the same page or having the same goals for your music. That’s when you either leave the band, or kick that member out to find someone else. That’s never fun for anyone on either side.

Keoki: The most difficult thing I’ve had to endure in my life? Probably moving to San Diego with a couple friends at 17 years old from Hawaii having never been on my own before. It was definitely a cultural shock, but it was worth it getting to experience everything I have with music this far. Most difficult difficult thing in my music career? Nothing too major. I’d have to say going on my first tour. It was a month long and self booked. A ton of the shows fell through, so there was a lot of paying out of pocket for gas. Other than that, having bands you put so much time and effort into then ends in breaking up, but that’s about it, nothing too difficult.

Matt: In life, definitely losing friends and family to tragic circumstances. In music, probably being stuck with the merch from former bands that are defunct. Money I will never get back.

Steve: The most difficult thing has always been loss. Whether a bandmate or a friend.

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

Nights Like Thieves:

Mario: I am very grateful for all the experiences and opportunities that have come with playing music. Not only that, it has built strong friendships and a family. In my previous bands, I’ve had the opportunity and privilege to play in front of thousands of people, selling out our own headlining shows, touring the country, touring the Warped Tour, and sharing the same stage with bands such as Deftones, The Offspring, Bad Religion, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Strung Out, The Ataris, Finch, Sparta and many more bands I grew up listening to and that I looked up to as well. I’ve also had my music on a national Ford commercial, shows on MTV and ESPN.

Some highlights and proud moments we have had in Nights Like Thieves was working with Sonny Sandoval of P.O.D., Scott Sellers of Rufio, Jared Woosley of Fivespeed, Nathan Leone of Madina Lake, and Kody Templeman of Teenage Bottle Rocket/The Lillingtons, Angel Flores of Painting Promises featuring guest vocals on our songs. Another proud moment was when we covered Finch’s “What It Is to Burn” with Nate Barcalow singing with us. Finch is one of my favorite bands and having Nate himself sing his song with us was truly amazing!

Steve: I’m most proud of our persistence. There have been many hurdles in the form of line-up changes and then the pandemic, but Mario and I have endured and with this current line-up have made a lot of progress. This is, by far, the best line-up we’ve had. Super grateful for these guys and the progress we’ve made.

Keoki: I’ve had so many proud moments in my music career so far, from playing shows with some of my favorite bands to recording albums that I’m super proud of. I’ve had a great ride so far and I wouldn’t change a thing. One awesome moment was playing my first show with Nights Like Thieves and it was with The Ataris. I grew up listening to them, so I was super stoked to play and their drummer used my kit. During an interlude in one of their songs their singer, Kris Roe, started playing on my floor tom. He hit so hard that he put a couple dents in the tom head, but that’s ok because I got to fanboy about that later, haha!

Matt: Definitely playing the Ernie Ball stage at the last Warped Tour ever in San Diego in 2018. It has been a dream come true since I was a kid.