By: Jen Thuy-Tien
Contributing music writer
The Supervillains, a local reggae ska band, will be playing in the Orlando Calling Festival on Sunday, Nov.13 at 7:30 pm. Click here to read a previous post about Orlando Calling. The Supervillains comprises of drummer and vocalist Dominic “Dom” Maresco, guitarist and vocalist Scott “Skart” Suldo, bassist Daniel “Dan” Grundorf and keyboardist and guitarist Tom “T-Rex”. The playful band is currently on The Fall Out Tour with indie hip-hop artist D.P.
What are the band’s musical influences?
Reggae, ska, punk rawk, hip-hop and rock. So lots!
What inspires you to make music?
The hunger man, the hunger. The kind you get when you haven't eaten in a day or two because you didn't make music and play shows!
How did you guys prepare for the Fall Out Tour?
Buying warm clothes. We live in Florida. Tank tops and NY aren't synonymous. We're also lifting weights and using a lot of performance enhancing drugs (if you know what I mean).
What are your favorite songs to perform?
My favorite would have to be our cover of Billy Joel's "Movin' Out". It’s my mom's favorite too and you know what they say, if mama ain't happy....
What do you like the most and least about touring?
The most? Leaving home. The most? Coming home. It's all fun and games until you realize you have to use someone else's toilet for a month or two. For real, though? This country is beautiful. I love to see the different areas of the country in such a quick amount of time. The worst is missing your people at home. One of these days we'll bus em all around with us (see 311) haha.
What are the band's favorite venues to perform at in Orlando?
Hands down, favorite would have to be The Social. They have been the greatest to us over the years, not to mention the best sounding. Nothing says "Home town Supervillains show" Like a social gig. Others would include The House of Blues Orlando and Firestone Live. We hope to play the Beacham Theater soon.
What is the band’s view on the local music scene in Orlando and Florida?
The scene in Orlando is starting to creep back up. There are some really exciting things happening at Tanquery's Downtown. Go there on a week night (Wednesdays are nuts) and just listen to some of these guys. A ton of great musicians jamming in a basement. We don't spend much time at home though really so I can't really say too much. Florida is amazing to us. We'd never be able to live without the residents of this state and for that we are forever grateful.
Are you guys friends with other local bands?
We try to be friends with them all. We've been in this city so long it's hard not to bump into people you know, I love to go to my friends' shows and heckle. I don't know why, some might think I'm being a dick but its all love!!!
What have been your biggest challenges as a band?
The same as any band and business. Reinventing yourself constantly to keep things moving. We've been a band for a long time and I like to think we do a pretty good job of doing so.
Your fans know a lot about you guys so what are some things that people may not know that you’re willing to share?
You sneaky devils always try and pry some silly out of one of us and embarrass ourselves. Thankfully I've found a way to thwart your attempts by making fun of someone else in the band. Our keyboard player has a tattoo of Speedy Gonzales on his back. It's huge and embarrassing, also our guitar player has one inverted nipple and one not.
Would you like to say anything to your fans, particularly Orlando fans?
Love you guys. Thanks for all the support through the years. Come find me and lets have an obp and a jager.
Anything else you would like to mention?
We have some exciting new recordings coming out soon! Check in often!! EAST COAST TOUR Son!
