I recently got a chance to catch up with Scott McConnell, lead singer and guitarist for Ohio’s latest and greatest sensation, Last Stone Cast while he and the band were working on their next cd. In between rehearsals and track rewinds Scott and I talked about his work as a singer, songwriter and guitarist.
All Access magazine (Kim Thore) So let’s start with a bit of a history lesson and tell our readers how you found yourself in the spotlight as a singer?
SM: Well, it’s funny- my first gig was when I was 16 or 17- it was my first band and we were playing an outdoor party—the singer got grounded and I was forced to take over the microphone, 25 years later and I’m still doing it! But I consider myself to be a guitar player first and foremost. Before every show I still get nervous but I’ve learned to channel that energy and I’ve learned how to be a singer and how to be a front man.
AAM: Thos are two very different things.
SM: Yes they are. Over the years I watched the masters, David Bowie, Ted Nugent, David Lee Roth to name a few and watched how they entertained.
AAM: You’re in a band that plays only original music-Last Stone Cast- tell us about how tough that can be in today’s environment.
SM: Well, I always wanted to do something original, and I have played in cover bands- and I wanted to play guitar -when Jon (Jon Epstein, founding member) approached me, he asked me to be the singer (well actually he coaxed me and it took him awhile to convince me) but since we're a three piece, I get to play guitar as well ---- and we all made the decision that we were going to be an original rock band from the start--which is never easy but we wouldn't have it any other way.
AAM: Your voice is often compared to the likes of Paul Stanley and Chris Cornell—how do you feel about that?
SM: I am definitely honored and flattered-because if that’s the case I am in GREAT company! And at the end of the day I’d rather be compared to someone’s talents than their looks.
AAM: So how does Last Stone Cast construct their songs especially since you are the main lyricist?
SM: We look for melodies first, find it on the guitar and then find melodies for the vocals, sometimes it will be a catch phrase that starts it all…you just never know.
AAM: Tell our readers about your songwriting - in general what are the major themes of songs from last Stone Cast?
SM Well, I am definitely an observer of people- and some of the subject matter is about crap, but it’s the same crap we all go through. Each song will have a different meaning to whomever is listening to it. For example, “To Myself” is about having to tell a family member that they have lost someone, but I think almost all of her songs have a sub context of hope, and I like to leave things up for interpretation.
AAM: What do you consider your best song, or which song means the most to you?
SM: I happen to like “Cutting”. Unfortunately I have witnessed people punishing themselves that way and I try to get the message out that there is a better way. That’s why I announce it at shows - letting people know what it’s about but also letting them know to ask for help is ok.
AAM: How is the market treating Last Stone Cast now?
SM: We are entertainment and so with the economy that can be one of the first disposable things when people are fighting tough times and we’re dealing with that dynamic. Locally, I think we have a great following even though it’s always a hard sell for original music no matter where you are. Club owners are often wanting a proven product vs. something new and original and I can understand that. The cool thing is that I’ve noticed that at our shows more and more people are singing along to our songs. Right now, my goal is to “recruit” at least one LSC fan at each show.
AAM: Who has influenced you as a singer?
SM: Billy Joel definitely but I have listened to all kinds of music and as a guitarist my biggest influence has been Eddie Van Halen, Eddie Van Halen, Eddie Van Halen! He made the creepiest, coolest noises from his guitar to ever come out... and his style was destructive like no one else.
AAM: So what bands are influencing you right now?
SM: Papa Roach, My Chemical Romance, Ultrabridge, Breaking Benjamin and of course Last Stone Cast!
AAM: The music business is tough so if you had to give advice to someone coming up through the ranks now what would you tell them?
SM: You know, my biggest tip would be to learn to listen to your voice through a speaker… you'll hear a different tonality and it’s not the music in your head. As a20front man, don't hide in the dressing room- get to know people's names, and remember their names because at the end of the day, "it's everybody's party".
AAM: Where is Last Stone Cast in its growth process now?
SM: Well, we are still evolving, we're not copying ourselves yet- we're experimenting with different styles and so to that end we're not pigeon holed.
AAM: We touched on this earlier but at a LSC show you won't hear a bunch of covers and most original bands these days depend on a certain amount to be in their set list... why is it different for LSC?
SM: As far as covers go, we will do one or two for shits and giggles… and to be honest if you play someone else's music where is the appreciation for your own? I want the appreciation to be for what we write and compose not what we copy. Now, having said that (laughs) we do play Purple Rain and the reason is it goes over well everywhere and catches people off guard.
AAM: So what is yours and the band's mantra?
SM: First and foremost if it becomes too much like work, it’s not worth doing and we as a band are a drama free zone. Another difference and something you don't find in a lot of rock bands which personally bothers me, is we all made the commitment when20we formed LSC that family always came first. It blows my mind how rare that is! Fathers that don't know their kids! The cool thing is the three of us all share the same values, how we were raised and as corny as it may sound, we consider ourselves to be family.
AAM: Finally, you guys just put out Life Construed to rave reviews and are already at work on your next cd… what is your recording approach?
SM: Our approach is to take it back to music made by humans- we don't want our music to be too sterile or too precise so we don't use computers, etc We want our sound to have that raunchy three-piece live feel. We record the way bands in the 70's used to. All the rhythm tracks are recorded as a three piece live, and most of the tracks on Life Construed were live takes. Once that is done, Jon takes us back in to the studio and we record the vocals and lead tracks...so basically our songs are recorded live with greasy guitar riffs and you can’t get that any other way.
AAM: Any last words for our readers?
SM: First off thank you to AAM magazine for this opportunity, and thank you to our family and fans for supporting us. We booking for the summer so please check us out on myspace: and I hope to see you at the next show! myspace.com/laststonecastlsc, cdbaby.com/laststonecast2
