Make music for the sake of music. You will find that message a lot on the pages of IndieBandGuru. When we come across a band that feels the same way we like to learn more and get into their minds. Our recent find One Ping Only, is a garage rock band that lives by this ethos. Hailing from the suburbs of Chicago, the foursome is as raw and real as it gets. Enjoy our chat with them to see what makes them tick.
First off, where did the name One Ping Only come from?
We have one goal: to be heard. And we were looking for something different, memorable, and which gave meaning to the idea of “being heard.” Occasionally, people will know the movie reference (The Hunt for Red October) which is great, but for us, it means that a single “sound” can communicate a massive idea. Plus, we dug the Latin translation, Unus Sonus Tantum, which we use on our shield.
How would you describe the band’s sound?
We once heard it said, “never define your own sound, let the audience define it.” We laughed. I mean, who are you kidding? We are a garage rock band. Our sound is raw and filled with angst. The four of us all bring our different little pieces to this sound. There are definitely blues and pop-punk influences. You will also hear the occasional 70’s psychedelic sound. But since it was the mission and not the similarity in musical tastes that brought us together, we find a way to meld it into something that is uniquely our own.
Which bands have had the biggest influence on One Ping Only?
The White Stripes, and all incarnations of Mr. Jack White. David Byrne and the Talking Heads. Dan Auerbach. Dave Grohl because he genuinely looks like he loves what he does. Zappa. The Beatles. The Beach Boys. This list can go on and on. But as time ticks by, we believe the biggest influence on OPO is ourselves. We seem to be leaving more and more at the rehearsal door and developing into something that is uniquely us.
What do you hope for listeners to get out of your music?
We just want to connect with people. We hope that our message gets through to your cranium’s receptors and an idea forms. Whether it is a song about longing for love, enjoying deep romantic love, or ridiculing love, we hope somebody just says, “Yeah. I have been there.” We will slip into the political and the comical in our songwriting hoping we make you think or laugh. Ultimately, we want people to feel something . . . anything. We write about situations and feelings we have had, and we will lay odds that you have had those same thoughts or feelings at some point.
As musicians with other life responsibilities, what is the best part for you of being in One Ping Only?
OPO provides us an avenue to be creative. We do believe in the “Everyman is an artist Movement,” and this is our way of being part of that idea. Of course, we have the comradery of being part of something bigger than each of us as individuals, and it allows us to blow off some steam from time to time. We have developed into great friends bound by a single mission. But more than anything it is the opportunity to be creative in an otherwise gray-scaled world.
What advice would you have for other bands rocking out in their garage?
Don’t be afraid to leave the garage. Don’t be afraid to take your ideas and sounds and publish them for all the world to hear. This is an amazing time. A time when you can push your sound so much farther than at any previous time in musical history. Take that idea, carry it to the top of a tree, and scream it for all the world to hear! That, and stop with the covers. Covers are great for learning your instrument, but trust us, it is way more satisfying hearing applause for your song than a song the audience has heard 50,000 times before by an artist who does it better than you.
What is on the horizon for One Ping Only?
We are working hard on the mission: Be Heard! With the release of our first EP, In Deep Space, we are getting some airplay, and some nice opportunities are opening. We have shows coming up in Chicago and Milwaukee. But we were going through the catalogue recently and have 45 songs written, but only 5 recorded which can be heard on all digital platforms. So, our first LP will be the next big thing for OPO. And we can already tell you the title: Purveyors of Dive Bar Rock.
Find out more on the band’s WEBSITE
