LNTRNS
1. Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions! To start us off, would you please introduce yourself and what you do in the band?
Ricco (vocals), Randy (guitar), Colby (guitar), DJ (drums).
2. When, where, and how did the band form?
2021/2022 Randy and Colby started writing riffs in Wells, ME and then Ricco and Andrew joined. Randy, Ricco, and Andrew were in Where They Hide together prior to LNTRNS (originally known as Lanterns Last Light). LLL originally started as melodic metalcore, however we eventually moved towards a heavier sound.
3. How would you describe the band’s sound to someone who hasn’t heard you yet? What are the primary influences you’re pulling from as a unit?
We’ve always had difficulty labeling ourselves any specific genre. We want to make people move, have interesting riffs and song structure, and incorporate a wide range of influences. Our original primary influences were Boundaries, Counterparts, and Spite.
4. What about other musical and artistical influences that are especially important to you/are embedded in your artistic DNA?
Not following a traditional song structure and always pushing the envelope.
5. Tell us a bit about your entry into heavy music—how did you discover it, what were your gateway bands, and what did the journey “down the iceberg” look like?
Randy - Slipknot, Mudvayne, Korn
Ricco - Korn, Slipknot, Limp Bizkit
Colby - Linkin Park, A Day to Remember, Converge
DJ - Slipknot, System of a Down, Glassjaw
6. Every touring band I’ve seen come through here in the past few years has mentioned how special and vibrant a scene we have here in Maine and the “honorary Maine extension” parts of New Hampshire. Local participants know it and can feel it, but I’m curious to get your thoughts on why you think our scene is so special and who some of the driving forces behind it are.
Our first shows were in the Manchester/Litchfield area and would not have been possible without Rob from Cytokine and everyone from the 5/9. There are numerous NH/ME bands that have supported us and encouraged us. Fast forward to today, specifically the Maine scene would not be what it is right now without Saco Valley United and the people behind [Ed. note: you can read my interview with Ethan of SVU here].
7. What’s in a name: how did you settle on the band name and what’s the meaning behind it?
Randy came up with Lanterns Last Light and then we rebranded to LNTRNS cause we don't fuck with vowels.
8. What have been some of the major highlights of the band’s existence so far?
Headlining our first show at Angel City Music Hall. The first time we drove over three hours for a show. Shows we've played where the crowd knows the words. Selling our first shirt online to someone we didn't know. Getting to play shows with national acts.
9. What is coming up on the horizon that we should be keeping an eye out for?
Three new songs being mixed and mastered by Dan from Liquid Studios set to release before the end of 2026. We feel like these songs embody our full writing potential and abilities and are some of our best material to date.
10. To close us out here, I’d like to get your personal picks on a couple of favorites; favorite: a) song to play live; b) song, period; c) release so far this year; d) show or festival you’ve attended; e) band or artist; and f) mosh move.
a. Song to play live: Ricco - “Swing Low.” Randy and Colby - “Ran Over and Backed Up.” DJ - “Swing Low” and “Stomped.”
b. Song period - “Swing Low” and “Ran Over and Backed Up.”
c. Release so far this year - “HOS.”
d. Show or festival you've attended - Slopfest 2023 in Litchfield, NH. Herd Flock this year in Richmond, ME. We all attended The Ghost Inside, The Acacia Strain, Every Time I Die, and Great American Ghost outside at the Palladium as a band.
e. DJ - Kaonashi. Ricco - New Found Glory. Randy - Killing of a Sacred Deer. Colby - Boundaries.
f. Ricco - Crowd killing.
DJ - Two step, cartwheel, dog pile the row.
Randy - When Andrew stole Eric’s mom’s birthday balloons and moshed with them at the Brick House swinging and deflating them. So much so, that Eric got off stage mid-set yanked them from Andrew’s hand and returned them to his mother half-deflated. Whatever mosh move that was.
Colby - Two step.