Managing a band can be hard work, you have to book shows, organize recording sessions, and keep the band in tact. It’s a crucial role to play in the formation of a successful band. This week’s campus celebrity, Chris Marshall, has big dreams of managing his own record label one day, and is sure off to a good start with his current job as the band manager of Thumbs Up Get Down. Chris has been managing this band since high school, and in the transition to college has remained an eminent part of their growth and success. Chris has watched the band evolve into what it is today, so I asked him some questions about his duties, the band, and future goals.
Q & A with Chris Marshall:
Why did you choose Suffolk?
From my first visit to Suffolk I knew it was the right school for me. I had been thinking a lot about where I wanted to end up and it finally hit me that every time I had been to Boston the main thought in my head was how badly I wanted to live there. Not only was this my chance to live here, but the school seemed pretty right as well.
What sparked your interest in the music industry?
Music has always been a very important thing in my life. I’m not too sure what made that so, but it just always has been. I started booking shows in the basement of the church where my step-dad was a pastor in North Guilford, Connecticut. When I saw how successful they were, and how much people kept bugging me to keep doing them after I stopped, I figured I might actually have something with this.
Are you involved in any music related groups at Suffolk? Taking any music classes? If so, what is your favorite?
I had a radio show my first three semesters here, with my roommate and bandmate, Dave Vitola, but this semester our schedules didn’t really work together, and neither of us really had the time to do it, unfortunately. I really want to take some music classes, but I haven’t really looked into them yet.
Who are your biggest musical inspirations?
My personal biggest musical inspiration is really any band that’s doing it for the right reasons. Obviously I have my favorite bands, which include bands like, The Story So Far, La Dispute, The Wonder Years, Title Fight, Defeater (to name a few). But when it comes to who I look up to, basically just anybody who is doing it for the right reasons and happens to make some people’s days while they’re at it.
As for the band, their biggest inspirations are bands like Enter Shikari and Four Year Strong.
How did Thumbs Up Get Down begin as a band?
Well they started off as a goofy high school band called, Dr. Rocktopus and the Nunks, and soon became a crowd favorite. They had horns and all that interesting stuff. When they realized that the three core members were all moving to Boston, minus the horn players, they saw a perfect opportunity to form a completely different band. They would have three of the same members, and play a new sound that they had grown into when they grew out of their old sound. Thus, Thumbs Up Get Down was born.
Tell us a little bit about the band (members, type of music, etc.)
The band made a small name for themselves as smashing genres of pop punk, post hardcore, and various electronics together. They released an EP, probably about a month ago, called Rat City, which you can pick for free download at www.thumbsupgetdown1.bandcamp.com. But by now they’ve grown out of the old sound and have decided to change a sound a bit, but I’m not sure if I’m allowed to get into that haha.
What exactly do you do as the manager of Thumbs Up Get Down?
As the manager, I help book shows mostly right now, but when they have an established sound, I will help promote them to various labels and booking agencies. With regard to shows, I find out all the necessary information, such as load in for the show and sound check times; all that important stuff really. When it comes time to play, I help them set stuff up and make sure people in the crowd don’t mess with their stuff, whether accidentally or on purpose. Other than that, if there are shirts, I sell them.
What are some of Thumbs Up Get Down’s biggest accomplishments? Places they’ve played?
Releasing the EP was probably the biggest accomplishment we’ve had as a band, thus far. We haven’t played too many big shows, but we have played at The Middle East in Cambridge where some big names have played.
Do you want to pursue a career in the music industry in the future?
I absolutely do. I want to start a record label, and farther down in the line, possibly open up a venue comparable to the Brighton Music Hall, or maybe the Paradise Rock Club.
What are some upcoming plans for Thumbs Up Get Down?
Well, as I’ve mentioned before the band is currently changing the sound, kind of drastically actually. Also, we are taking a show hiatus in order to write, and hopefully to put out a new record. We hope to continue playing shows, get signed to a label, and start touring very soon!