What are your names?
Dustin Buckley- Bass
Steve Dombroski- Lead Guitar
Randy Gray- Lead Vocals
William Pierce- Drums
What is your genre of music?
Hard/Alternative Rock
How did you come up with bands name?
Haha! It took us a solid two years while we were writing the album to come up with the band name. It was almost “Randy Gray and The Bombthreats” or “Billy Got a Haircut”, but we thought Visitor was A LOT better.
It comes from a song title from a previous band we were in. In that song, there was a lyric “There’s a part of me, that honestly, I don’t know where I belong” (credit Nick Weidner). That lyric really stuck with us and as we going through the name game, Steve had this vision of a being from somewhere else standing on a clifftop on their world, looking down at just utter chaos that ensued below them. In that moment, they made a decision to leave and find a new world…new signs of life…and somewhere they belonged. Thus the concept of the “Visitor”.
We all feel like visitors at some times in our life. Whether it’s social anxieties, starting at a new school, a new job, or in our own families and friend circles. The idea is to explore…discover new life, but don’t be afraid to feel and find the truth in those thoughts and feelings. These ideas are all over the music and artwork we’ll be releasing this year. Everyone has only seen a brief glimpse of what we have planned, and we’re pretty pumped for this idea of the “Visitor” to come into full view.
Give us a little bio about you and the band.
Visitor is an alt-rock band forged from Detroit’s bustling music scene. Founded in 2016 by long-time friends, Visitor creates hard rock songs that invite listeners to explore the unknown and have fun along the way.
Visitor combines rock, metal, grunge, and even a hint Motown to create their distinct sound. Drawing on years of experience performing in venues across the Motor City, Visitor is quickly earning a reputation for being an energetic and entertaining live show. Guitarist Steve Dombroski creates the energetic and memorable framework for each song, which drummer Billy Pierce grounds in supportive beats while Dustin Buckley layers on meticulous bass lines. By drawing on personal experiences and inspirations, Randy Gray’s melodic lyrics invite listeners to interpret and take away their own messages
Much like its lyrical themes of soul searching and finding one’s path, Visitor is breaking out with its debut album, “Origin Threshold.” Combined with original artwork by bassist Buckley, Visitor invites you to explore the world of music in a new light.
What made you go into music?
We each got into it for our own reasons, but collectively, it was our love of the band 311 that brought us together. We started out covering 311 songs together in high school and eventually, we started writing our own stuff.
There have been plenty of ups and downs through the process of playing music in a band, but what keeps us going is how much playing and writing music feels like “home”.
Are you a signed?
No
You released your new single ‘Overthinker, tell us more about the single.
It’s a song that actually almost didn’t happen. Steve wrote the original music, but struggled with writing a pre-chorus and chorus that was as impactful as the verse. However, Randy kept pushing to keep going because he really bonded with it. It was that pushing that kept the song alive. Randy eventually wrote some lyrics that meant a lot to him and a specific situation he was going through in his life at that time. Steve’s motivation became finishing the song for Randy. Eventually, everything fell right into place and it became the first single.
What is the meaning behind ‘Overthinker’.
What is an over thinker? The question itself is the answer. It’s the decision we bury ourselves in. We all will take those moments in life and have an argument with ourselves. Or maybe it’s being to caught up in a moment and not being able to make a decision. As humans become more self aware, it’s hard for us not to have the tendencies to put every moment under a microscope. It is a wonderful yet frustrating trait to own. And that is what this song is meant to capture. The people in life that have self doubt or have trouble pulling themselves out of a deep ocean of mind adventuring. The over thinker will prevail. Just do not stray from your path.
Describe the track in two words.
Stop Overthinking.
Who did you work with on the Single?
All of the songs on the upcoming album were written by the four of us collectively. We recorded the songs with Tom Rice at The Audio Café, and with Grammy Award winning Producer Chuck Alkazian at Pearl Sound Studios. Chuck also mixed and mastered the entire album.
Will we see an EP or Album this year?
Yep. A full album will eventually come out, but we’re not doing a typical full release. Our album release show on May 23rd at the Loving Touch in Ferndale, Mi will give everyone who attends the ability to buy a physical copy of the album. However, we’re going single by single right now. It’s a “single” business now, so it doesn’t make sense to put everything out at once. Putting singles out allows us to keep people guessing and excited. At least, that’s the plan! Lol.
Do you have any shows coming up?
Yep, the summer will see a whole bunch of shows. We’ve been laying low just so we could create the album. It’s go time now.
If so where will you be heading?
You can see us at our first show on May 23rd at The Loving Touch in Ferndale, Mi.
What else can we expect in Early 2020?
Singles, Music Videos, Lyric Videos, shows…we’re going to be blowing these songs up. The next one that will come out is a song near and dear to my heart (Steve). It’s called Apollo Chaos and it was written after a good friend lost her daughter unexpectedly in an ATV accident. The first time we played the song live to test it to an audience, my friend showed up and I didn’t know she was going to be there. That was an emotional moment, but we couldn’t think of a more perfect way to launch that song.
Do you have any collaborations coming up with any up coming artists?
Not leaving out the possibility, but 2020 will be about us doing our thing and building the fan base. We are starting from a point where no one really knows who we are…but they will!
Would you be up for collaborations if other musicians wanted one with you? and who would they have to contact?
Oh of course! They would visit our website (www.visitorband.com) and message us directly.
Do you play any instruments?
Of course! We all play our own instruments.
Who are your influences?
– Current acts we like-, Periphery, Animals as Leaders, Deftones, Karnivool, Coheed and Cambria, Alice in Chains, Nonpoint, Nothing More, 311, Incubus, Five Finger Death Punch, Trivium, Tool, A Perfect Circle, System of Down, Polyphia, Mudvayne, Soften the Glare, Paramore, Badflower, Alexisonfire, Lizzo.
– Favorite all time bands- Sponge, System of a Down, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Jimi Hendrix, AC/DC, Korn, Rush, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Alien Ant Farm, The Apex Theory, 10 Years, Mars Volta, Bob Marley, Gorillaz, Hoobastank, Linkin Park, Nine Inch Nails, Our Lady Peace, Rage Against the Machine, AudioSlave, Soundgarden, Stone Temple Pilots, Temple of the Dog, Pearl Jam, Prince, Muse, Queen, Queens of the Stoneage, Foo Fighters, The Beatles, The Police, Dave Matthews Band, The Jackson 5, Buddy Guy, DevilDriver, Motown acts, 80s pop, and 90s alternative, Chvches, City and Colour, Adele
How do you get inspiration to write songs?
Inspiration can come from everywhere. We pull a lot of inspiration through our own lives and experiences. The tough part is digging deep and diving into the true emotions and feelings behind those experiences and then not being afraid to show that to the world. Some of the best songs ever written came from some “ugly” and terrifying emotions.
Where do you see yourself now in 5 Years?
On our own headlining tour playing in front of sold out venues.
When you’re not doing music, what do you do?
Hanging out with our lovely wives and girlfriends (Dustin/Brenna, Randy/Tabbatha, Steve/Katie, William/Fran). Exercising, video games, tending to carnivorous plants…watching football.
What was the song you listened to most that influenced you to go more in to the music scene?
Lol, probably all of us would answer every 311 song ever made. That band inspired us to get together to play music, but it did a lot for our town of Harper Woods. It’s a small town, so when we were growing up and everyone listened to them, it led to a large family that could bond over one band. Even today, when we go to a 311 concert, it’s like a family reunion. Oh, and Purple Rain.
What’s the best advice you have ever been given?
Trust the process…trust the order of operations.
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians not about the industry and just as an artist?
If you want to be an artist, it’s going to be very effing hard. There will be lots of great ups, but some really hard downs. Those downs will create fear and push you to give up. They’ll tell you that you can have a better life, make more money, have an easier go if you took the safety net. And if you have a backup plan that’s your safety net, it becomes pretty easy to give up. But, if you really want to do anything great in life (not just be an artist), there will come a moment where you have to “burn your boats” and go all in. There can not be a back-up choice.
What quote or saying do you always stick by?
“Trust the process.”
Where in your hometown is a must go to visit?
We’re from the Detroit area, so we’ll probably just say…go to Detroit. A lot of people are afraid of Detroit, but there’s so much to do and take in. Great beer, great food, great people. Come hang in Detroit.
Your coming off tour;
1/ Where do you go first? Probably a celebratory drink at Firehouse Pub in St. Clair Shores…and then home…sleep in our own bed.
2/ Who do you see first? The ladies…Brenna, Tabbatha, Katie, and Fran. And then our animals.
3/What do you eat first? Whiskey and Beer
When you are at a gig, what are 5 things you cannot forget?
1) Rock poses
2) A finely pressed suit for William
3) Steve’s guitar pedals
4) Stretch and Limber up
5) Celebratory Whiskey
Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you?
Instagram
Twitter
Facebook
Spotify
Youtube
