Range Dive contributor Austin M. sat down with brand new Raleigh-based band Camp Fun who have recently released a single.
Camp Fun are:
Nick – Guitar/vocals
Brian – Bass
Pat – Drums
What made you want to pursue music?
I was infatuated with music for as long as I can remember. When I was little kid I used to sit and make up songs on this piano we had at my grandmas house and it kinda went from there. As I got older I started listening to metal and then punk records and that’s when it really took form.
How long have you been writing/creating music?
Def been putting melody to chords sense I was probably 4-5 years old. I wrote my first full record around 16 I think and I’m 37 now so too damn long! Hah
How long have you been a band/how long have you known each other?
CAMP FUN is a brand new project. However Brian our bassist and I have known each other for over 15 years going back to San Jose CA were we first met and both played in various bands. Pat, our drummer and I met this year playing together in a mutual friend of ours project called “Teens in Trouble” which we both are still a part of.
Where did the name Camp Fun originate from?
So band names are notoriously hard to figure out, at least for me. I had kicked around a ton of names and most of them were already taken. One day I saw a picture of Debbie Harry from the 70s and she was wearing a shirt that said “Camp Funtime.” I liked it a lot because our music is a bit dark and I felt the name was a good juxtaposition. After running it by Pat he suggested shortening it to CAMP FUN and I thought that was even better.
Who are your major musical influences?
To many to list honestly. I listen to a lot of different stuff. I grew up on all the 70s-90s punk rock records we all know but I also listen to a good deal of old country, metal, and even like soul and r&b records. I think all three of us are pretty eclectic.
How has the local scene in Raleigh influenced you guys?
I know for me it’s just been awesome to start to be part of it and a member of it. I’m fairly new to Raleigh having moved out here with my wife a few years ago. The scene here is really open and welcoming and also contains some insanely talented bands so I’m just excited to be a part of that.
Who works on your guys’ promotional artwork?
That would be a combo of myself (Nick) and our main man and musical consigliere Dave McHank. He is a phenomenal graphic artist and came up with the idea for and designed the Boy Scout patch that is now our main graphic. I feel like the visual art for a band can be as impactful of an expression as the music so we like to create stuff that I think kinda feels the way we want people to feel us.
Besides music what do you guys do for a living?
I am in construction, Brian is a facility manager and Pat works both for the city as well is a bad ass farmer!
Have you guys started to play local shows? If so, how have those gone?
We have not! We’re so new in that regard and are currently focusing on writing and perfecting our science. I feel like when we know the live sound is where we want it to be we will start getting out to the people.
What are your short- and long-term goals as a band?
Short term is def just to get a set of music together as an intial offering for people. We have already had great response to the first single “Iron & Steel” so just tying to get more out and keep people psyched! Long term we are working on some different exciting release options and will hopefully have more info out on that soon!