The Energy of X Factor 1 - Ohio's Metal Band

Summary

In this engaging conversation, Rasan interviews Markus Lachendro from X Factor 1, a band based in Columbus, Ohio. They discuss the band's recent shows, the energy of live performances, and Markus's journey of joining the band after overcoming a serious car accident. The conversation delves into Markus's musical influences, the dynamics within the band, and his aspirations for the future. Throughout the discussion, themes of resilience, passion for music, and the vibrant Ohio music scene are highlighted. In this conversation, Markus Lachendro shares his journey through the music scene, detailing his early experiences with band formation, the rise of First Degree Murder, and the challenges faced after losing their lead singer. He reflects on the impact of past opportunities, the importance of breaking stereotypes in rock and metal, and the growth of local music festivals. The discussion emphasizes the need to nurture the next generation of musicians and the role of parents in supporting their artistic pursuits.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to X Factor One and Recent Shows
10:00 The Journey of Joining X Factor One
19:56 Overcoming Adversity and Personal Growth
30:02 Musical Influences and Future Aspirations
32:49 The Early Days of Music and Band Formation
35:54 First Degree Murder: The Rise to Fame
40:57 Challenges and Setbacks in the Music Journey
44:37 Reflections on Past Opportunities and Current Mindset
49:41 Breaking Stereotypes in Rock and Metal
52:12 The Growth of Local Music Festivals
01:10:27 Nurturing the Next Generation of Musicians

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Transcript

0:02

Welcome back to Teach Reds with Rashan. Today's guest is Marcus Lehandro of X Factor One. He's in the scene, and we're digging into everything that band has been working on. There's plenty of metal conversations headed your way. So turn the volume off up. Let's get into it. This is Sheet Reds with Rassanne. Featuring Marcus LeHendro from X Factor One. What's up, Ohio? She dreads with Rassanne, and I am here with Marcus LeKendro. Did I pronounce your name correctly? Yeah, close enough. It's uh Lejendro. Lehendro, I'm sorry. Um, Mark Lehendro and he is with X Factor One. They are a band out of Columbus, Ohio, established in 2006. So we're gonna talk to them about where they've been, where they're going, some upcoming shows. And uh I just want to actually actually just uh tap into the energy that you seem to have also, Marcus. You seem like a very excitable guy that just loves life. So let's see if you can uh, you know, spread some of that while I'm talking with you today. So thanks for being on the show. Yeah, you're welcome. Thanks for having me. I'm glad that we were finally able to connect. I know we've been talking for a little bit back and forth, and you're only in like, you know, 50 different bands. So it was, you know, quite a few different um choices there uh before we finally nailed down for X Factor One. Mm-hmm. Oh yeah. So what all um do you guys have going on currently? I saw that you know you've been doing some recent shows recently, and um you had a really, really kick-ass crowd at the the last show that you guys had. Uh yeah, that was uh with the uh the X Faces, which is uh the original members of Mushroom Head. Okay, all right. That was uh yeah, that was fun. Yeah, that was a good time. Uh it was sold out all weekend. Uh the energy there was just amazing. Even on a Sunday, I mean, there was more people there on a Sunday than a Saturday, which blew my mind. Isn't that crazy? That's when you know it's gonna be a good show. If you know, when the crowd is they're ready, they're amp, they're ready to rock, and it's a Sunday. Nobody cares, you know, it doesn't matter what it's there for the amusement. And and I'll tell you what, I mean, people were definitely there for the music. And when we got up there, I mean, everybody that played that day, like um let's see, on Sunday was yesterday's hero, which my guys here, love these guys, um went up there and just I could feel it in the air. It was it was great. And when we got up on stage, I don't know what came over me, but yeah, I got a lot of videos from that show. I have to say, uh a lot of them, I was just like, I was like, whoa, that's me. First of all, I thought I sounded scary. And then I was like, and then I seen like all the people there, and I was like, oh shit, it's awesome. You know, I don't know. I I made a little video, I put it on like TikTok and Facebook and stuff. Like I literally like took the phone and like put it behind me, could have sworn somebody said, somebody said, There's Mark. I was like, oh and then of course you swore that I was like, I mean, that right there set the tone for the entire night. After we got up on stage, it was like I I felt it. Like I just, I mean, I've literally wanted to jump off the stage. I mean, that's how exciting it was. Like, I just wanted to get into the crowd and just get into it. Yeah, absolutely. I mean, I totally felt excited for you guys, especially when I saw that clip. I know exactly which one you're talking about. Um, that I mean, that is enough right there just to to know it's gonna be a good night and and to uh rock the set. I I mean, like I there's times like I think we did a show with uh Taproot, was it last uh October, and there was a clip that I had to where I like jumped up in the air and like landed with this beat. I don't even remember doing that. I have no clue. I mean, I wasn't drunk, I wasn't anything, but that it just felt at the moment that was the right thing to do, and I'm glad I'm glad I nailed it. Where was it that you played with Taproot? Uh that was down at the King of Clubs. Okay. Yeah. Down in Corinthians. And you have a show coming up pretty soon in June there, don't you? Uh yes, we do. Um, this one is uh with uh Van Halen, I believe. Like it's like one of the biggest Van Halen tribute bands in the world. Okay. Which is pretty good. Have you heard them play before? Are you familiar with um I mean I've heard of Van Halen. Uh I checked them out. Um I I was impressed. You know, I mean, they actually not as they look like them, but they sound just like them. I'm just like, wow. And the follow-up. Do they sound like David Lee Roth or Sammy? Uh they have two guys that's both. What? Yeah, yeah. Do they like alternate? I'm not familiar with with them. So I don't know. It's gonna be a surprise because I don't even know. I'm just gonna be there. Oh wow. Okay. And then there's there's all I mean, this it's crazy because I just joined X Factor last year in uh, let's say July. And I was told, you know, this is a gig, you know, if you like, you know, play music, we're gonna do like, you know, four or five. How how did Mr. Q put it? Uh low maintenance, high energy shows a year. Four to five. I was like, okay. Well, I think so far we've got like almost 11 this year. So I'm like, so what's changed? He's like, well, I mean, if we're gonna get the offers, we're not gonna turn them down. I said, bring them on. Let's go. Definitely. I I'm excited. There's a there's a really good one in July that everybody needs to know about. It's ran by the the man with this guy, okay? Pool party Palooza. It's called Pool Party Palooza. Oh, yeah, yeah. Pool Party Palooza. Okay. Yeah, yeah. Yes. That's gonna be a hell of a show. It's two nights. He was um actually one of my first guests, and he was talking about this. He was there, I think, last year, and uh he had a pretty funny story to tell. But um, yeah, that's when I was introduced to uh whole party Palooza. Yeah, it's in uh it's in Finley, Finley, Ohio. Okay, yeah, yeah. Um anybody wants to go on my pages or anything, I'll have so a lot of us actually have the link on our pages. There's a lot of bands. There's I don't know, at least at least 30. Almost. I mean, is it more than one day? Two days. It's two days. So a bunch of bands, music, the pool, obviously. Camping. Yeah, you can camp. Okay, so obviously there is going to be I'm already gonna put this out there. There's probably gonna be some stories after this one. I don't know. I can't I can't quite put my finger on who or anything like that. I mean, but yeah, I could definitely feel it. It's gonna be a good time. Yeah, for real. As long as everybody stays safe and has a good time, that's what it's all about. And you know, support the music. Yeah, absolutely. And it's outside, I you know. I mean in the middle of Jordan. We have to celebrate as much as we can in the summer because we only have like what six weeks of summer, it seems like. Feels like, yeah, something like that. Time is typically um fall and then winter lasts for about six months. So yeah, six, seven months, yeah. Yeah, pretty much. Yeah. So I love it. With the name X Factor One, was are you aware of anything that went into behind coming up with the name for the band as X Factor One? And I do like how it's written out. You've got you know, capital X factor and then the the number one. Right. Well, it's also kind of makes it tough to put it online because when you put type in X Factor, it's like they put in the X Factor, like that show. It's so funny. Like people are like, I can't find your stuff, I just find Simon Cowell and all that. I'm like, uh, yeah. But um I'm I'm not really sure of the the pre the relevance of it, but I know that I believe the band that they changed their name. It used to be Super Freak. And then it was, and then I think a few members have changed, and now it became X Factor One, and it's been like that since 2006. And so it was X Factor One since 2006. Yes. Okay. Yeah. And uh Mr. Q, Mr. Ricky Wolf, uh the founder and lead vocalist, has really he's he's come a long way. The man has come a long way, and it shows that he still has it. I mean, it looked like he dropped like 25 years when he was on stage a few weeks ago. It was amazing. Oh, really? Okay, well ask him what what is he doing to to get that effect, and can he share? I'm sh absolutely, I'm sure he will. Um, because I like what he said before, we just had rehearsal on Sunday, and he said with the group that we have now, he's like, I just feel like it's really melding together. And I I couldn't agree with him more. Um, you know, Sean, we have Sean on lead guitar, great guy. Um very, very technical, knows his guitars, knows tech. Um, will comment and will congratulate you on a very rare occasion, but I'll you know, take it when you can. And uh we also have V, our new bassist. Uh that was a big thing with the uh Sunday show too. That guy's that guy's energy. I kind of felt the vibe from him. Like when he was right next to me, I'm like, man, this alright, okay. I was like, yeah, this guy's going hard too. Let's let's get it. So his his uh his attitude and everything just kind of added to it. And then of course we got you know Dave on sticks. Dave, what he's I call him LA Dave because he's from LA. And uh the man knows his drums, got a sweet set, and he's gonna start doing uh, I guess, backup vocals as well. So which is pretty cool. Um I don't know, just with this group of guys, it just feels like we get together, we I don't know, it it it feels like right. Like when we get together, we do like we only we rehearse like maybe once a month, you know? And it hit a show just like that, knock it out of the park. I mean how did you come to join the band? Okay. And how did you fit it in with the 50 other bands that you have been a part of? Well, right now, uh right now I'm really focused on X Factor One. Uh at one point, yes. I was in like I was in three different bands at once. And that was that was a lot to that was a lot to handle. Um so with that being said, I, you know, reluctantly had to step away from the two, letting one kind of do their thing right now and get some exposure, and the other one, they know who they are. We'll be talking soon. Um things have calmed down, so we will be we're we're in we're in touch right now, we're in talks. So that that one I'm really looking forward to. And I mean a hint is they're actually playing at the pool party Palooza too. Oh, okay. Yeah, oh yeah, so uh who knows what could happen. But um see last year, uh March, um, March 1st, I was in a really I was in a bad car accident. Uh I was driving mining my own business, going down 77, um, doing the speed limit and this car came out of nowhere and hit me from behind doing like about 90 miles an hour. And hit my hit my SUV, I flipped, I spun out, I was going southbound, and I ended up in the northbound guardrail. And I literally thought that that was it for me. I mean, i if anything, it it if it happened, I would have I would have been at peace with it because I was sober. I was, you know, I made amends with my dad, I made, you know, things were going well in my life. So when I seen this happen, I like looked out my side of like the window and I could literally touch the road like with my finger. Like it was there, and I'm just like and I just closed my eyes and I just took a deep breath and I just said, Okay. And I did that, and like five seconds later, I opened my eyes and I just seen like smoke and dust, and I'm like, I'm alive. Oh my gosh. And then my next thought was, Where am I? Am I in the middle of the freeway? Is there a truck coming? So like I kicked my door open and got out and some kid had seen it. And uh he was like, Holy shit, dude, are you okay? I was like, Yeah, I'm fine. I said, Where the is the dude that hit me? Where is he? I w I I gotta yeah, you know, he's like, dude, they're they're laying over there. And I look look down the other side of the freeway and there's a car like upside down smoking. I'm like, well, dude, we we gotta go see if they're okay. He's like, uh, I ain't going over there. I was like, all right, I I guess I'll I'll go check it out. So I ran over there, and before I got to the car, I'm like, oh, I hope that they're not dead. I really hope they're not dead. I'm not I mean, it's not like it wouldn't be the first time I've seen a dead body, but I don't want to. But I heard like, help me. I was like, okay. So I look in there and there's a girl in there. We ended up having to kick her window out, pull her out from her seatbelt, and pull her out of her car. And she had a good nasty gash from like the back of her neck, like down her arm. And uh she was shook up, but she was conscious as well, and pulled her out of there, and we all like kind of like hauled her up on the side of the road. None of us had our phones, so we had that kid call the police, and uh, she was taken to the hospital. She was, I guess, let go the next day. They asked me if I wanted an ambulance. I said, nah, no, I think I'm okay. But I believe that was the adrenaline that was going through my system after everything had just happened because the next day, even my DNA hurt. My DNA hurt so bad the next day. I'm like everything. I was like, oh. And that being said, I tried to go to work. That wasn't a good idea, and so they put me at short-term disability. And I started to feel like, wow, okay. I'm stuck doing nothing. I'm having to see, you know, doctors and go to physical therapy and all this, and like I feel like changed your perspective and matters. Like, I like at that time I couldn't feel like the left my left arm, my fingers, and everything. I lost feeling and all of this. I was scared that I was gonna have to have surgery. Um, I was uh just questioning what what was gonna happen next. And I reached out to somebody I haven't talked to in a long time, and we talked about a few things and he asked me, he's like, Are you still playing guitar? And I said, No. He said, Why? Why not? How come you haven't been playing? I was like, I've been busy. He's like, That's no excuse, man. Um, so I thought about that when he said that. He's like, Well, no, you need to pick that up again and start playing. I was like, uh, dude, my arm and stuff. He's like, make it work. And so I went to my physical therapist and yeah, oh yeah. Forget being mingled, you know. Come on. Yeah, I'll I'll mention his name in a minute, but yeah, uh, I went to my physical therapist the next day and I was like, hey, like I was like doing the finger exercises, and like I had my right hand like this, I could only go like like 70%. I'm like, is this gonna be it for the rest of my life? And the doc's like, well, no, it can get better if you get up to like 85 or 90%. But you know, do you have anything at home that you could do to like, you know, work your like arm and your fingers? I say, Well, I used to play guitar. She's like, perfect, pick it up, start playing. I was like, dang, it's a second person in two days. Okay, it's a sign. I had like this old like uh single coil fender strat, you know, with this had a volume knob on it, and then I had like a little practice amp, and I grabbed the guitar and I just started playing some stuff, you know, that I knew, like some old Marilyn Manson and some like, you know, rage, stuff like that, footnot. And but I could only play for like a minute or two at a time. And first it was disheartening and a little frustrating. But as I gradually started playing more and more, I played for like two minutes and then three minutes and then five and ten. And it took about a month where I could actually like put a like a strap, like guitar strap on, and then actually sit there and play. So I texted said man, I said, Alright, man, I'm I'm playing it again. He's like, Well, send me something. I was like, Alright. So I had my daughter, she's like, uh, I said, here, record this, make this the best recording ever. Took like 16 times. But uh we got one at I just I said I don't know what I'm gonna play, I just freestyled something and I sent it to him, and I didn't hear anything for like oh my gosh, it must have been like three hours. And and he finally hit me back and he was like, There he is. He said, Send me more. And he said, if you keep doing this, I'm putting you in my guitar pool. I was like, really? So thank you, Jeffrey Nothing, for doing that for me. See, you're uh yeah, yeah, inspiration, sure. Inspiration, yeah, but uh, yeah, and so that happened, and then I don't know, I just started playing more, and I was like, all right, I'm getting the feeling of this, and then I had I had seen on uh online that X Factor was looking for a rhythm guitarist. I was like, I'm a rhythm guitarist, because I mean I think I could be. Alright, so I answered an email, you know, and Rick uh hit me up the next day, uh sent me his uh his number, texted a little bit, and then I talked to him on the phone, and he, you know, made a brass tag of what he was looking for, and I said, Yeah, I could do that. I got that. I got off the phone, I was like, Oh man, I don't know if I can do all that. So I I know a guy that used to be a drummer in his band, and so I called him. He's like, You got gear? I said, No. He's like, so okay, go get your gear. I said, I don't even know what to get. I haven't played in like 20 years. So he kind of gave me a gist of things. Really? Yeah. Okay. I I got some things, and he his Sean had sent me some click tracks, because uh in-ear monitors and like, you know, play the tracks. I'm like, Yeah, I've used those before. I said, I'm thinking to myself, I have never used those before. Uh-uh. No, but that being said, they sent me a five-star. Yeah, you still before, I just just that's it. I I now know that you know some artists they most bands of like loud shows, they have in your monitors so they can hear every like a metronome, so everybody can stay on beat, you know, which is very helpful. But back in the day we didn't use that. But anyways, he they sent me five songs. I was like, okay, he's like, you got a month, you can figure these out. They're pretty easy. I was like, okay. So I go to this rehearsal, I'm all amped up for this. I get down there, I show up, and I walk into the King of Clubs. I'm like, wow, this is awesome. This is where we rehearse. He's like, Yeah, we rehearse here, we do some shows here. I was like, Sweet. Wow. Thank you. You know, and I'm just he's like, So did you learn all five of them songs? I said, No. He said, No? I said, no, I learned seven of 'em. I said, I did some research, man, found a couple more. And uh that from there they I did that rehearsal, and the next day I got a uh call and said I was in. And it's just been uh a pretty cool ride since then, you know. That's real that's super awesome. Yeah, it's well you've definitely come overcome a lot just you know um physically, but I'm sure that you know mentally was um very hard also to go through. Yeah, because I t on top of that I lost my dad too, like that last June. Yeah, thanks. So it was just like the accident, then my dad, you know, and then that was in June, and then come July is when this happened, I was like, oh man, there may be a silver lining in all this, my year may not be, you know, for naught. And it's it's been uh like I said, a wild ride, but I mean I wouldn't change it for anything. Definitely. Yeah. So you mentioned that it had been almost twenty years since you played guitar. What got you into guitar initially? What attracted you to it? Well, okay, my first uh let's see, I I think it was a concert that I went to. Um I was asked by my buddy, um, he's like, hey, my mom's taking me to this concert. We're like eighth grade. I was like, a concert? He's like, yeah, I do like rock and roll and stuff. He's like, we should go. I was like, okay, cool. So plus I thought his mom was pretty cute. So we go to the show and it's Pantera, White Zombie, and Nine Inch Nails. Oh, sweet. Yeah, super cool, mom. Yeah, oh yeah, right. I was like, this was awesome. I and then that at that show I bought the uh further down the spiral CD or the downward spiral CD, the Nine Inch Nails one, and then I had Vulgar Display of Power, you know, and then the white zombie Astro Creek. And then after I saw that show, I started seeing it on TV and I started like listening to it on the radio. I'm like, oh, this is awesome. And then the biggest thing that really got me into doing this was I gotta thank Columbia House Records for their penny C D's back then. Oh my god, God bless Columbia House. We also own money. Love via house. Yeah, oh man, yeah, they'll never catch me. Anyways, the penny CD that I got from them was corn, their very first corn CD. Okay. That right there, when I heard that and I saw their videos, like how their style, what they played, you know, how they did everything like that. I was I was sold. I was like, I want to be like very different than what we had had heard, you know, especially um if you were into the 80s, the 80s hair metal, and then um even grunge. I mean, it kind of combined both. Yeah. Oh, definitely. When I heard that, I was just like, it definitely is crazy. I remember um I remember we would go to the Al Rosa all the time um with the band that would always play there, and uh, they were always jamming out to corn when you know we were doing the pre-show. I remember everybody thought it was so cool, and you know, just everybody wanted to, you know, get the dreads like head hat and yeah. Oh yeah. You know, wearing the the long dickies and all that stuff. So it's definitely ushered in a new, total new style for metal. I was wearing Adidas, I was wearing Adidas, I had my hair braided. Yeah, man. Yeah. I put duct tape on my guitar, you know, to keep it on there, you know. I mean, just just like them. I watched their video, like they made this video called Who Then Who Then Now Bitches. I watched it every day after school. I was like, man, I'll be like that when I grow up. Yeah. Yep. They came out of uh, let's see. Bakersfield, California. Right, Bakersfield. So again, for you know, for kids from Ohio, that seemed like a super, super cool destination. Anything outside of Ohio. Since then, like that's probably one of the things I've seen the most. Seemed like it had to be better. Yeah, right. Yeah, I know. I'm like, man, do I have to go to California to be a musician? No, hope not. It turns out you don't have to. It's Ohio's got a pretty good music following here, especially with metal, which is great. From Cleveland and Columbia. I am definitely very blessed to be able to meet cool musicians such as yourself and um all the ones that I've talked to so far and that I will be meeting with. It's um it's really awesome to to get to know what Ohio has and get the get the word out there because I feel like um that you know the the rock and metal scene is alive, um but I think it definitely deserves some more attention and recognition. Absolutely. For sure. So that's what I'm here for. I mean, I envy you. You got a good job for sure. This this part, whatever you do, this part thing, this is awesome. This is yeah, so this is my side gig. I have a full-time job uh during the day. And um actually I'm I'm making a big, huge transition in my life as we speak, and and it's all good. I'm super excited. Um but the creative side uh of having this podcast has, you know, kind of opened the doors for me and and just led me into a different path that I I feel super blessed and um very excited to do. Hell yeah, that's awesome. Yeah. I like that. Attending more shows and and having some freedom in that in that lane. I do it all the time. Like I I can't wait. Like, okay, like this Thursday, Victims, like one of my favorite bands, Meredith, Johnny, and Mikey. Oh, yeah, these guys are great. Love these guys. They're playing down there at the Foundry Thursday with you know unsettled and a couple other bands. And what I and I met these guys. When is that? When is that show? This Thursday at the Foundry. This Thursday. Okay. Yeah, yeah. Yeah, I'd like to see some clips of that because um you mentioned that you know the dude from Unsettled who I'll be talking with next week. Alex and Dan and Trinit and Yeah, all those guys. Yeah, and they're you know, obviously they're out of Ohio here. Um found them checking out a show that's coming up here um in town. So I can't wait to get to talk to them too. Do you have any crazy stories that I can uh yeah, they stuck. Day what? They suck. I don't think I'm gonna tell them that. Oh no, don't worry about it. They already know. No, I'm telling you, like the stuff that they write on Facebook about each other, I I I can't, man. I mean, I even get involved in it too. Just the videos that the it's I lose it, man. It's hilarious. I was just talking to Alex on my way home from work today. And like I was telling him, like, you know, because they're gonna be playing that pre-party for Inc. the incarceration festival. And I was telling him, I was like, dude, I think I'm gonna meet bad omens. He's like, I would sacrifice Dan to watch just meet bad omens. I want to meet Noah that bad. I was like, okay, man, I'll see what I can do. It's like, oh, poor Dan. He's like, he's just a drummer, it's cool. Yeah, not a big deal, right? No, but it it's kind of cool. Like, I I like going to shows like up here, like in the Cleveland area, to like the Foundry or the Mercury Lounge, you know, wherever, and catch the bands, you know, that I I I like. I mean, whatever, you know, the underground scene is where it's at. And I I and I like I get to meet all of them, you know. I do my best to try and buy merch from like everybody and try to get to meet everybody, kind of catch like where they're from and like catch their their music and what inspires them to write what they do, because I'm always got I got stuff up here that I can't wait to to put out here for real. There's gonna be there's a lot of lot of uh lot of gears moving right now as far as X Factory, even us. We're we're actually gonna be working on new stuff soon as well. And well, seeing seeing how your energy has come through, you know, while we've been uh planning to get you on here, I totally believe you, 100%. Where do you get your energy from? Have you always been very energetic? Is this something that you know just came about um you know recently or um what is it? What gets you excited and pumped up? I'd have to say, I guess my life, I mean, everybody that knows me normally knows me because of my smile. Like I smile, like I kid around a lot, I joke a lot, and I I get it from my dad, you know. My dad smiled a lot too. And he was he was also, you know, he was known as a very happy person and very, you know, very knowledgeable, um, you know, serious way you needed to be, like myself, but you know, treat life as it is and treat it like you know, treat it like you're about to witness the best pass possible moment. And with music, it's always been a huge passion of mine. I always, from growing up being little, you know, listening to Billy Joel and John Denver and all that stuff, you know, because yeah, oh man, I'm going, I'm going way back, you know. CCR, one of my favorites. Oh yeah, CC's are CCR's cool. Yes, yes. And I don't know. I was well, I was gonna ask you too, like what are some of your musical influences? I mean, obviously it sounds like Pantera and Nine Inch Neils kind of got the ball rolling for you with that, but you know, another one before I got in, I was in a band that uh we actually got to open for Slayer in Lambague. Oh really? Yeah, they have a children of Botum, Nine Eyes Bleed, and Mastodon. It was up there at the that was at uh Tower City Amphitheater. Okay. Way back in like 2006. Yeah. Okay. June 6th, 2006. It seems like it should only be we should only be talking like maybe four or five years ago. Yeah, right. Uh, yeah, I know. I was uh I was just a 20 26-year-old something, just you know, let out into the world. And actually in that band, I was playing bass. And but I really yeah. I do anything else besides uh bass and guitar? Uh I'm working on piano. That'd be pretty cool. I got an EDK, like an electronic drum kit. Okay, I do I do my best to keep a beat, but I don't know. I just I've I've uh upped my gear a little bit to get like I got a seven string now, because I mean that's usually what every metal band is using now, sometimes eight. But you know, just getting different sounds and all that. But I don't know, I'd like to learn more on piano. I would like to learn I went took my daughter to the zoo and they were doing like music like lessons. They had a cello there, so I was like, They're like, What are you doing? I said, I'm playing music. But I mean, just to get different sounds and try to change it up. And it's it's something I've always wanted to do, to get my what I have up here out to the world, like my feelings, emotions, um, experiences, um, uh wishful, hopeful experiences, you know, something to put out there and have everybody else listen to. And it's coming from the heart, from the mind and the soul. So with X Factor One, um, what do you want to be able to contribute as you guys um, you know, uh gel together further, do more shows? Um, definitely. I mean, what I like about X Factor is they have their household name down, you know, Central Ohio. I mean, they've they've done a lot, they've done things I could only dream of doing. They played Rock on the Range a few times. They've played at the Whiskey of Go-Go. Yeah, they've they have done some huge shows. You know, and I always I always tell Rick, I'm like, man, I want to be like you when I grow up. You know, he's like, he's like, man, whatever. I was like, but but for for real, though, to get the opportunity to play with, you know, to perform with a guy such as Rick and the Sean's and Dave, it's a great experience. And I want to contribute whatever I can. And I was told once if I could pull my weight in this band, that I would be able to like, you know, offer some ideas at the table. And I I feel like I'm like that close. Just right there, you know. And and to to do it with these guys would be great. We we work so well together and we know what it, you know, what it takes to do things like this. So it's like I went from having like nothing, not even being involved in it, to being all the way in it, you know. Now, I wish I could take it back and do this 20 years ago when I was actually pushing to be, you know, to work and make this like a career, because back then, I mean, I was in four or five different bands before I was. Yeah, so what happened when uh, you know, because you said it would been like 20 years since you had picked up a guitar. I mean, what happened for you to uh put the guitar down for that one? Um well I uh our singer I was in uh yeah, life gets into way, but um I was in a band. It was actually from the Ashland Mansfield area. Um, who was it? We were called First Degree Murder. First degree murder? Yeah. Okay. I'm unfortunately I'm not familiar with that. Like what what time frame were are we talking about like 20 years ago? Yes, 2000, I'd say about 2004 to 2006. Um our lead singer was Don Funk. He was in Eight Hour Blink. Um, that was uh he was it was like an alternative band. And then there was Cory Bucci um and Donald Meadows and myself. And these guys, I went to school with them, they were a couple years older than me. Swear I think I think Corey and Donnie used to shove my head in the toilet and pick on me, you know, because I was in ninth grade and they were like seniors and stuff. And then you joined a band with them. Yeah, I I moved to I moved out there just for like a year or two because I was getting in like my my parents had divorced, and so I moved in with my mom, and she lived out in Bailey Lakes, and so I had to go to Crestview. And so I went to Crestview High School, and I just apparently made an impact in that one or two years, because then I went back to the Cloverleaf area because that's where I'm from, and I think it was like several years later, I ended up moving to Ashland, and I I ran into uh Kenny Gray, and uh they were playing at Olna Jane's down there. Yeah, down there. It was uh in Thrall of the Week, you know, that was the name of Kenny's band, and then First Degree Murder. I was like, who the hell is that? That I heard it was like Cory Bucci. I was like, oh, Cory's here, oh man. The guy used to like fuck with me, you know, and all that when I was a kid. But you know, I mean, so I watched him, I was like, yeah, okay, pretty heavy. I was like, cool. And Sean Kraft was their their bassist. And he said, Hey man, this is gonna be like my last show with him because I got hit in the head with a pool stick and I just ain't got no rhythm no more. I was like, what? Really? Was he serious? Yo, yeah, he was serious, and I felt bad, I mean, because he was a hell of a guitar player. I mean, watching him grow up, he was good. But he was playing bass with them. He's like, I just can't anymore. And he's like, You do you still play? And at the time, yeah, I did. I was just jamming in my room, you know, hanging out with friends and stuff, playing in the garage, playing like Lincoln Park or Tool or whatever. I was like, Yeah, I still play. And Corey came up to me, he's like, Hey, hey, I was like, what? He's like, You still playing? I said, Yeah, he's like, come on, let's go. And I was like, Where are we going? He's like, Your house. I was like, fuck, all right, so went down to my house and handed me a guitar. He's like, Come on, man, play something. So I started playing a little bit, and he's like, Alright, I need you to come out to Shiloh two weeks, and uh, you need to go into some of these songs. And so I practiced with them and they left me in the basement for like an hour. They forgot about me. They were sitting up there watching TV, and they did it on purpose, but Or if that that's what they say. Yeah, I don't we'll never know. We'll never know. We'll never know. But they said, Alright, man, learn these songs. You got two weeks, then we're playing at the Agora, and I was officially in first degree murder. And that band, it was amazing because none of us actually really played those instruments. Funk was our singer, was actually a guitarist. Booty is our guitarist, was actually a singer, Donnie is our drummer, actually played guitar, and I played bass, and I was actually a guitarist, but it all worked. And we started doing shows, you know, there in Mansfield, and all of a sudden we were getting invites into Cleveland, you know, and the show with Slayer that caught us off guard. Um, apparently we we had no idea, we just thought that hardcore marketing just got lucky, got their foot in the door, and got us on that tour. Apparently, we had an introduction to metal, like metal 501, not 101. Right. Well, here's the thing. We I guess we were entered in some contest and we beat out like 80 bands to get that slot. We had no clue. I didn't know. Uh this is back when uh stay with me now, MySpace was around. You know, remember that? Um, Tom. Yeah, Tom was everybody's friend, wasn't he? Yes. I remember when I joined MySpace, and all of a sudden, yeah, there's Tom. I'm like, who is this guy? I had him as my cover photo. But we had, I guess we had won some contests, beat out all these bands, and we're like, we go, we're like, okay, cool, we're playing with Slayer and stuff. They gave us each like four VIP passes and stuff. I'm like, this is real. You gotta pay like a hundred bucks to come see us. I'm like, this is insane. Um, so we get there that day and we're like, okay, cool. So who's the other opening acts? You know, that's gonna the locals opening with us. They're like, nobody. It's you guys. And then after us was uh Diony's bleed and then children of Botum and then Mastodon and then Lamb of God, then Slayer. I'm like, what? There's no other it's us? They're like, yeah. And one of these roadies that probably picked all the brown MMs out of the bag, you know, he's like came up to us. He's like, Oh, are you guys ready? We're like, what the yeah, I'm gonna, yeah, I'll be right back. And I swear, I were I went to talk to the Adler brothers and Lamb of God. I said, man, I don't know what I'm doing here. They're like, dude, just have a good time, man. Have a good time. So we proceeded to get on some swim bicycles, and before the amphitheater was open, we went we rode around, went to every beer stand and got a beer. I was like, by the time we were on, I was feeling it. I was feeling it. He was right. But man, I was still nervous as hell. There was like 5,000 people there. How could you not be? 26 years old, 5,000 people, and I'm just like, yeah. And then we get done with our set, they're like, they want you to play more. And Funk looks back behind us, he's like, from the top. So we just played our first song over again. I mean, nobody's gonna know, you know, but that was amazing. And from there, it was everything was like, we it was great. We were on our way to something. We got uh an invite from uh who is it, Century Media, which is like a branch of Warner Brothers Records. It's just stuff like that. I like doing stuff like that. But your your show of uh thousands of people. Yeah, that was great. We were on to something. This is at the Agora, right? No, it was at Tower City Amphitheater. Tower City, okay. Yeah, which is now like a portion of that was now Jacob's Pavilion. Yeah, because I mean that the amphitheater, I guess, was like the biggest venue in Cleveland, I think, besides the Wolstein Center or something like that. Yeah, I was like, wow. So um that happened. Century Media got contacted us, wanted us to put together, I guess, what they call a press kit. You know, so they wanted to see like, you know, footage from shows. They they uh they had somebody fly out from California to talk to us and interviewed us. They, you know, it was it was pretty cool. You know, we made a video and I still have the video. So old. But hey, shout out to my buddy Rob for making it. He was a bartender at L he was a bartender at Linders and I worked at Linders too in Ashland. And so yeah, we did a so we did our interview upstairs at the pry bar. Yeah. They shut it down for us for the night, and you know, we'd go there, we did our interview and all that. It was it was amazing. So we did that, everything was good. And then our singer's mom um passed away. Uh I believe self-inflicted. And that tore him up. And with that being said, it uh it he was done with music. He was done, he didn't want to do any of it anymore. And he was like Don was like our found like the backbone of first degree murder. Without him we weren't a band no more, and so we all kind of just said, Well, it was a nice run. So everybody else went off and did their own thing and uh I did that too. And I did I did the exact opposite of what I should have been doing. So instead of, you know, continuing with music and all that Yeah. Now I went out there and caught some felonies, you know, started doing like drugs and I was I think I was because I was pretty upset and depressed that I had my dream right here in my hands and I lost it. It just sifted through my fingers. And I I took it I took it the wrong way, I handled it wrong. And for many years uh that was my vice. And I would always think about what could have happened, or you know, if what if man, that can definitely tear a person apart, just just constantly, you know, reliving and and thinking about the what ifs and yeah not it's not always the easiest to turn off as people would think. No, especially when people run into you and they remember like your band and they remember, well, you know, well what happened and like it it just opens up that window. Yeah, relive that. Uh-huh. And do you think like, you know, looking back now and in in retrospect, um, do you feel like do you still feel like that was your time and you missed that moment? Or do you would you say that it wasn't the right time? Honestly, I I don't I how I portray it now is I I think if it was if that was the time, I wouldn't have handled it the way I should have. I think right now, like right at this moment is where I needed to be with this. Yeah, I mean, I don't care. Like I'm I think about it this way. I'm f I'll be 45 in September. And I look at, you know, I go to incarceration every year, you know. I go to the like the watch the National Acts, you know, and like Slipknot and like even like Shine Down, Five Finger, all of them. Were you there last year? Yes. Yeah. Uh do you remember seeing me? Yes, I do remember seeing you. Yeah. I'm totally kidding. No, you weren't there? Yeah, I was there. No, I've I've seen your pictures from I saw your pictures. You probably saw my pictures, but that was I I was completely joking. In the sea of thousands of people. No, I ran into people I couldn't believe I've seen. I've seen a guy I haven't seen in 20 years there. And I seen seen Mikey from Piper Within. And I seen Oh yeah, I saw I met the Ho Jose Man uh. Oh, Jose Mengan. Yeah, Jose Mengan. I told him too. It was so weird because I was like, this was before I even joined X Factor. I was like, Hey, I'm starting to play guitar again. I think I'm gonna be up here one day. He's like, Yeah? I said, Yeah. He said, All right. I said, I'll talk to you. Let's see. I said, I said, let's see, I'll talk to you again next year and see, I'll let you know what my progress is. And I got a picture with him. He's like, I'd like to hear. Oh, he's gonna hear. So I can't wait to again this year. Like, Jose, I'm looking for you, bud. Okay, so if you're viewing this on video, you are going to notice that there's a little bit of a difference here, um, pretty much because we had to do a reboot. So after our first recording lost a track somewhere between Mansfield and the Audio Underworld, um, Marcus agreed to come back and step back into where we left off. So just know the riffs are still real, the stories are real, the technology might be on probation. But, anyways, let's get back into it with G-shreds. All right. But yeah, so um the concert photos that I did see from where you guys were um at your last show, um, those were taken by Rob Strohl, who's pretty cool. He does kick-ass photos. Um does. Did have you met him or seen him before, seen any of his work? Um, actually, he was at my very first show with X Factor One. Um we did a show with the Saints of Crew. It was like a Motley Crue tribute band, which was pretty cool. And he was there and I met him and I found out that. Oh, yeah, he was Saints of Crew, yeah. That's with Tim. Yeah. Okay. I found out I found out Rob what got us talking was is that he's from Mansfield, right? Yeah. Yeah. And I was like, hey man, I used to live there too. You know, so we got to talking. And I then I found out he's a photographer, and I was like, oh, okay, cool. And I gotta say, like the last show we did with the X-Faces, he took some pretty good, he took some really good photos. Oh, I know, they're kick-ass. I already told him, well, no, I didn't tell him in this one. Um, there was a recent one I asked him. I was like, you know, is it okay if I use some of the pics that you you took as long as I give you credit? He's like, Yeah, sure, go ahead. He's a pretty cool guy. So yeah, for sure. He is. And like the one he got, uh like I don't know what he uses to edit his pictures, but like the way my guitar looked and how the lights looked and everything, it was awesome. Almost like it wasn't real. I was like, wow. Right, I know. The cool thing is is that it's it's not AI, you know, so it's a real person. He was there, he was he's there enjoying the show and and taking the picture. So it's um yeah, definitely human generated, not AI. He catches me with all my funny faces. It's great. Like the first one he did, I was like That means he's good at his job. He is he's very good at his job, for sure. Yeah, I believe. Well, you've got an upcoming show um at The King of Clubs coming up. That's on, is it Friday, June 9th or the 19th? I believe it's the 19th. Okay. All right, and who are you gonna be playing with there? I believe this one is with um audio side and a couple other bands. Uh I think this is one's more or less like a uh it's like a reintroduction into the summer, like to get things going. Um we also I think it's with truck stop. Have you ever heard of these guys? No. Tell me about them. I'm not familiar with them. So so I believe that they are from uh Q's native town of Cambridge, Ohio. And so and so what's going on is uh we're playing with them at the King of Clubs on the 19th, and then we're actually turning around and going down to where they're at in Parkersburg, West Virginia, and playing on the 20th. And this is gonna be a lot of fun. I caught them, they're on a lot of all the streaming platforms. I caught them on there, I was like, man, yeah, these guys definitely sound like they need a jam with us. And Rick said they're a good time, they're a good group of guys, so I'm looking forward to meeting them and sharing the stage with them. All right, cool. Especially my guys on the audio side, too. I love those guys. Then you got Rockfest coming up. Yes. And that's Saturday, June 25th. Yes. And it looks like the admission to that is free. Yes, it is a free show. And doing that, and you know what? Doing a free show, it's like you don't really hear that very often. And it's it's not very often we get to do things like that, but you know, it's it's more than just making money to us, you know. I mean, for every musician kind of feels the same. I mean, there is, you know, there is overhead and bills you have to pay, but you know, every once in a while, kick us back one, you know. It's it's what America's all about. Yeah, definitely. Not everybody, you know, is able to start at the top. So exactly. And I'll still put in the same amount of energy as if I was, you know, if it was like someone paying for a ticket. It's just I don't know. I just like the I enjoy the But I think it was pretty cool, you know. Um, even around here, you know, admission and in Columbus, you know, the most you pay uh for hearing um local bands is like ten, fifteen dollars. And um, you know, I I know that for the most the most part, it's not like um you know the musicians are trying to make a whole lot of money, but at least it's something, you know, to just show some appreciation. Right. And it definitely and like and especially like with touring bands, I mean, there's there's expenses, you know. There's gotta be, you know, food, lodging, gas. I mean, especially with gas now. Can you imagine what gas is right now with you know, guys that are on a a touring van or a bus? Yeah, I mean, and did you see some of those see some of those uh stories like my guy's exit wounds and like a couple other bands, they're like stuff broke down. And so like, you know, they're like stuck and like it's like you know, you gotta make some type of money to in order to, you know, k keep going. And doing doing tours, doing shows, I mean, you gotta do a lot to make something, you know. And I guess I I guess what like what we do, just uh the smaller things, I guess, you know, it it is nice to get back and not have to worry as much about that. Although I would love to go on tour. I really would. What would that look like for you? How do you think that would change things for you if um X Factor went on tour? Well, I mean, I would do my best to try and gain some more fans, uh honestly, and I think a little bit more exposure would be great. And I gotta say, Rob did say he he's noticed like since he's come to all of our shows, like since I've joined, I've seen him on almost all of my shows, the King of Clubs. He said, every time I go, there's more and more people showing up. And I said, that's that's awesome. That's it's a good feeling. And I noticed it too. I'm like, Wow, there's less spaces out there, you know, and people are having a good time. I mean, it's I couldn't ask for anything better. So and the closest thing I can get to like touring now is festivals and summer's getting ramped up, and there's a huge festival. Yes, and there is a huge festival coming up in July that I can't wait to play. Yeah. Who knows? Whatever. It's gonna be a great time. And camping, I mean it's like all of us getting together, doing what we love, you know, for a weekend and just like kind of kicking back and relaxing and having fun at the same time and working, multitasking, but enjoying it. Yeah. Well, and it you know, that's if it feels like a job to you. I guess no, I think rehearsals and practices are like, a lot of practice goes into it, so it's not like it's just show up and everything works out. Yeah, yeah, because I mean you never know what's gonna happen because it's live. It's you know, you can't predict the future. All you can do is practice like as much as you can in order to keep it the way you want it to go. But that never happens either. There's always gonna be, you know, sound problems or like, you know, equipment problems or you know, unruly fans or something like that. I mean, something's always gonna happen, but you know what? That's what makes it memorable. Whether it's a good memory or a bad memory, it's you're gonna remember it. Uh just yeah, it just made me think back to some stories I've already heard. So yeah. We'll see. I guess I'll just have to hear from you because I won't be able to make it to that festival, but um hear from you and a few other guys what goes down at uh pool party Palooza for 2026. Yeah, I mean I want to hear, yeah, the the nitty-gritty shit that happens. Oh, there's oh oh I already know there's gonna be some shit. I already know. Yeah, they're already making t-shirts for this thing. I was like, man, really, they're expecting like a thousand plus people. So wow. Yeah, and they started this. They said several years ago it was like a couple hundred, and it's gotten getting some traction, which is awesome. Kind of catching on. Yeah, yeah, Eek better watch out. Yeah. What do you love to have for um the rest of 2026? Um, let me see. I I think I know that we have something going on, I believe in August, but I know October, I think it's the 10th. I think we were playing with uh Texas Hippie Coalition. That's gonna be that'll be an interesting show. And then we have a Halloween show that I'm not allowed to say anything about yet, but we're playing. Oh. Uh yeah. Okay. I mean not even a hint. Mmm. Well, I guess uh I've told a couple people and they're like, no way, really? I'm like, oh yeah. It's gonna be a good Halloween show. It's gonna be a banger? A banger. Yeah, I guess that's what the kids would call it. It would be bussing. Definitely bussing. Yeah. All right. And then I think there's another one. Uh I think I as far as I know, I think we're also doing one in December for uh Toys for Todd. We're doing like a tour drive. All right. The thing is, we it's so crazy. Like uh shows pop up. He's just like, guys, guys interested in doing this. Um I never say no. Nah. Now worth it. I always say yes. I'm like, yeah, schedule's clear, let's do this. You know? Some we can, some we can't, but it's always an opportunity. Another opportunity to get on stage is what I'm looking for. Each one has its own opportunity and you never know what will develop from that. Yeah. I mean, on top of all that, going to shows as well. I mean, I I live up in Northeast Ohio, so like I I go to Cleveland a lot. I work up here and I I like going to the Mercury Lounge, I like going to the foundry, and I like I like seeing bands, you know, I'm making new friends and it's fun. And you know, the more we get to hang out with each other, get to know each other, like, you know, we should like we should do some work on the family. Yeah. Yeah, like I I got some plans to work with uh a guy in uh well he's based out of Florida, plays in a Chicago band, and we're gonna work together. It's amazing what technology can do nowadays. So like I showed you those videos, that's just how I do things. I I just if I hear a beat, I try and put something to it and then kind of build off of that. And what I'm looking for is uh a human that can do those beats. But that's I think if I like Marcus, how how often do you find yourself actually um putting together new music? It it comes in waves. I mean it's like one week I could I could work on it three, four days, a couple hours at a time, sometimes maybe three hours at a time. Then there's another week when work's busy or life's busy and like I can't really do as much as I want. Um, so what I do is I try to try to prioritize the time for it because I remember what it took for me to get where I am today, and it was dedication to practice every day. Even if it's just for five minutes just with one song, do it. Yeah you you have to keep the dedication, you have to keep the consistency, because if not, you're gonna fall off and it's it's never good when you do that. Um so with playing an X Factor, I I run through those because you know nobody's perfect. You can't mess up, you know, and you can you can, you know, you play live shows. You gotta play it like, you know, you know, the back of your hand, which I'm getting there. But as far as like new stuff, that's why I record it, because who knows when I'll be able to get back to it. But I do have a couple that I really would like to get out there, like a complete song. So I think it'll be happening soon. I don't know when, but I think it'll be soon. Is there um anybody in particular that you're looking forward to seeing live? Oh, well, I'm looking forward to going to Inc. this year. Um I love going to Inc. It's like my fifth year, I think. Um I'm gonna go VIP all three days, got to. I do it for the bathrooms. Straight up. That's what everybody tells me. They're like, man, it's awesome for the bathrooms. Yes. So I guess that if you're drinking a lot or if you're just, you know, you have to go. Yeah, yeah, not real reason. But I mean the thing is, I mean, that's literally all I really get it for because other than that, down in the pit. Because I love being up close, getting right up front. And my daughter comes with me every year. And so we we go up there, we get drinks and stuff, we use the restroom, and then we're down in that pit. Like last year for Slipknot, we were in it when it was pouring rain, and we were right up front. It was it was amazing. She got some good pictures and videos, I did too, and it was something we'll never forget. And I've tried to do the same thing this year. This year I'm hoping to get maybe a little bit more access, you know. Maybe meet some more, you know, being a good one. Well, you met Jose last year, didn't you? Yes, I did. I mean, I wrote him, I said, I'll see you again this year. And he said, Awesome. He wrote it took him like a month to write back. I'll take awesome. I'll take anything. He could have said hi, and now we've been like, Yeah. Thank you so much for the email. I'll be sure to reach out in 12 to 12 to 24 hours. Right. Get a candy. Exactly. Right. So uh that and I'm I'm looking forward to meeting the guys in uh Vicar Blood. Uh Dan. Oh yeah, yeah. Dan's awesome. Have you have you seen them play up there at Mercury Lounge? No, I I had something else going on that night and I wanted to go, but I I wasn't able to make it. But I looked at it. I haven't seen them play live yet either, but I will at Inc. And there's they got that time release, so they're super excited. I'm looking forward to it. And it's funny because I I know a guy I I usually jam with up in Canton, and Dan's like, that's where I'm from. I was like, oh no way. So yeah, small world. Yeah. So maybe, yeah, I'll have to put out like uh uh a text message, a group text message or something, so I can meet everybody at Inc. You know, we like have a meetup spot or something like that. Yeah, that would be cool. Because there's quite a few of people I've had on my show that um are planning to go to Inc. Oh yeah, and I'm gonna, I guess, attempt to go to the pre-party Thursday. Oh, okay. Yeah. Yeah, yeah. Because my friends Alex and Shrat and all them and unsettled, I believe they're playing there. Yeah, you turn me on to Unsettled, and uh that's who I just talked to those guys last week. Yeah, yeah. Oh my gosh, they're they are crazy. I'm like, what do you want your fans to walk away with when they dude? I lose it, man. I don't know if these guys whip on each other. Oh my gosh. I want them just to to know that we suck. Yes. They make the shittiest music out there. I hate it to them. That we have shitty music, and Alex said he wants people to throw things at them, even beer bottles or whatever. I said, Well, what are you gonna do with it? I'm gonna take it home and like have mementos. He goes, No, I'm gonna eat it. Yeah, yeah. Oh my god. Yeah, so yeah, I'm definitely gonna uh I'll I do plan to go to that too, so I can meet them in person and uh give them some shit for being a shitty band. Yes, and then uh my guys, uh victims, they're playing Thursday night too. Um very dumb. I reached out to yeah, a few of the bands that are coming there. So unsettled is the one that I was able to get on the show. Awesome. Yeah, I I talked to those guys on a regular, especially Alex, and I I don't know. I run it, I try to get as many shows as I can, and when they're playing, I I've been to like three of their shows, I've only seen them play once. I didn't even get to see Alex play because he called off and said he was sick or something. Yeah. Yeah, I I think he I think he mentioned that too. Yeah, and I was there. I got there. Yeah, I got there on time. I showed up early. I I talked to everybody. I was like, this is what Fat Alex doesn't want to show. This is great. All right. Yeah. Oh goodness. But I gotta they're gonna do karaoke Thursday night, I guess. So karaoke. Really? Yeah, metal karaoke. Yeah, I think we'll get that show. Oh, sweet. Okay. I've always um I was just telling my girlfriend the other night that I would love to have um a spot for metal karaoke. Yeah. So we would I guess this might be like a test run. Right, see what happens. The warehouse is going to definitely turn it on. Sweet. Okay. Well, it should be a good crowd, and uh, they have like the the street uh blocked off and all that because it's probably gonna be a uh a pretty big crowd. Everybody's gonna be psyched, you know, the night before ink. Oh yeah. I was telling them, I said, guys, just be prepared. I said, being at the pre-party is just like being an ink man. Just yeah. You already know. Well, I didn't go to the pre-party last year. It was the first year they had it down at the warehouse. I know that they have one um usually at the campsite at the campground. Um but last year was the first year they did it at warehouse, so this time around, it's probably gonna be even bigger. I'm sure. Oh, yeah. It seems to be getting bigger every year. Yeah. And I actually know a band that's playing the campground one too. Um Accused the Villain. Accused a villain? Accused the villain. Accused the villain. Okay. Yeah, I like that. And I believe they're like based out of Medina. Um, I had the opportunity to sit down and talk to those guys because I was considering joining their band. I don't know. Like I said, this was uh several months ago. I was like, well, I I would have loved to, but man, this three's enough at the time. So but I wish nothing but the best for them guys. They're pretty good. They've got they got a solid thing going on. So all right, so they're based out of Medina? I believe so, yeah. Okay. I'll have to check them out. Yeah. Yeah, I'll have to check them out. And then uh we were talking about um don't tell me the name of the band. Hold on. I won't. It was um Oh my god, it was healthcare related is what jogged my memory. Um clinical trial. Clinical trial? Yeah, I gotta check them out too. Yes. And I don't know. I guess if you I would if I were you, I would look at every band playing at Pool Party Palooza and check all those bands out. And there's like twenty of them. And every single one of them I've got a lot of bands. I don't know if I could get through all of them, but I I can definitely take a look. Airmission. That's a good one. Okay. I've heard of them before. Those guys are awesome. Yes. Okay. Yeah, I had the opportunity to jam with those guys too. So I don't know, we'll see what happens. All right. I love that. Okay, so out of all these bands that we're talking about, who would you nominate that I reach out to next for a podcast episode? For a podcast episode? Hmm. Man, this is a good one because there's quite a few. Uh I like victims would be a good one. And have you haul have you talked to Unhealthy While Unhinged? No. But I know um he was in the video and the song with Unsettled. Yes, Brandon. Yes. Yeah. Uh-huh. Um he's uh he's the bassist in that band and he's uh I think that's who subbed in when Alex was sick and couldn't uh do the show that they had. Uh yes, it was their singer from them, yes. Okay. It was their singer. Oh not the bass. Yeah, it wasn't no, it wasn't Brandon. Yeah, I Brandon's he's a tough guy to catch. I did see him at the afterlife nightclub though, when uh the buddy and the bear were there. Yes. Hey, and divide the fall. Divide the fall. Yes, yeah. I was uh I got to catch them last weekend and they were pretty good, honestly, to tell you the truth. All right. Yeah, so cool. Thanks for the recommendation. I'm always uh searching for new bands to to get on that um are new to me and that just need uh to have some uh recognition and give a voice to. Um I t it's like a superpower I got, I think. I uh I'll listen to a band or whatever, and I'll think like, wow, these guys are pretty good. And before I know it, they're playing at Ink or they're like starting to like blow up. It's crazy. Like last year I called like half the bands that were gonna be there. I'm like, my daughter's like, Dad, how did you know? I said, I don't know. I don't know. But I mean this year, I like the underground stuff. I'm always looking forward to it. So I'm looking forward to 156 silence, that's for sure. Um those guys, amazing. And Fox Lake, holy crap. It's like hate breed on steroids. Oh, really? That's uh seriously hate breeds uh coming back out. Yes, they are with uh that's pretty yeah, that's pretty cool. Man, it's been a long time since those guys have been heard. They're doing a show with my friends, uh convalescence. Oh really? Yes. And uh Guilt Trip. Guilt Trip's another one that's gonna be in Inc. this year that I'm looking forward to seeing. Okay. Well, I do have uh a lot of catching up to do because um I mean, there's always so many bands, and you know, like you said, a lot of the underground, and that's what I'm here for. But for me, it's a learning experience along the way too. So same, same. I learned, I'm learning every day too. Yeah. Yep. All right, Marcus. Well, before we go, is there anything else that you want to plug for X Factor One? Come to our shows or go to the King of Clubs, you're gonna love it down there. Music's on on all platforms, all on all streets. All the platforms, yes, all the platforms, and I believe we have a video coming out soon from uh just just something put together from the uh last few shows that we've done. Oh nice Dylan. Okay, yeah, all right. So you'll have some some footage and put it to a video for what song do you know yet? I believe it's parasite. Oh, okay. Yeah. All right, yeah, yeah. All right. Well, Ohio, you heard it first from Marcus Lehandro. I said your name right this time around. You got it. And uh he's gonna be playing with his band X Factor One. They're gonna be at the King of Clubs come June 9th, and also coming up on when is it, June 20th at the Rockfest. And later this summer at the Pool Party Palooza. So you have to check these guys out. They're on all stream streaming platforms. Well, thank you again for coming back and finishing this part up where some of the track went missing. All right. Well, Ohio, until then, keep it loud.