We’re looking forward to introducing you to SPDES Dorian Sharpless & Kel McDowell & Andy Eubanks. Check out our conversation below.
SPDES & Dorian, Kel & Andy, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A normal day consists of us getting up, going to school or work, and then getting home and working on music together. It’s been our routine for about a month, or so now since we decided to reform.
-Dorian
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello! We are SPDES, a rock band from San Diego, California consisting of Dorian Kane Sharpless (Frontman), Andy Eubanks (Drummer), and Kel McDowell (Bassist/Backing Vocals). We come from a music-rich background, and have been best friends for a long time; from performing together, skating around San Marcos, taking trips seattle, and going to school together since we were kids. We are currently working on our first debut album, Tonic. Its going to be written and recorded entirely by us, and we can’t wait to show ya’ll what we’ve been up to!
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
One time back in highschool, me Kel, and Dorian all went to see the Hella-Mega tour, featuring Green Day, Fall Out Boy, and Weezer together. This honestly probably put us where we are today, and really helped as us realize our vision for what eventually turned into SPDES; it kinda just clicked for us 3 at the same time and made our bond a lot stronger.
-Andy Eubanks
I agree with what Andy said, but also a moment that really shaped my view of the world was our first show at Solaris. It was seriously the biggest turnout we’ve had at a show, especially since we didn’t even know we were headlining. We also met some really cool people there, who are actually to this day some of my favorite people I’ve ever met.
-Dorian Sharpless
A moment that really changed things for me and how I see the world is our Whisky show. The green room was so professional, and the equipment we used was insane. Definitely changed my outlook on the future of our music.
-Kel McDowell
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Oh yeah totally. One time before our first guitarist resigned, we were all kinda just in a really weird funk and didn’t wanna do anything at all music related. It kinda felt like the band was over, even though we didn’t talk about it or anything. This lasted almost a year, until we kinda all agreed we just wanted to get our music out there, and that the ink wasn’t fully dry in our storybook; We ended up getting back together, and quite literally sat in the studio for 10 hours straight recording every song we had written at that point. It pretty much happened again recently because I had to move, but we decided to keep the project going, kinda like a situationship that keeps coming back.
-Dorian Kane Sharpless
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
I’d say Awsten Knight, he has really friendly personality, and shows a ton of empathy, both on and off stage. Super compassionate guy, and I’d honestly love to meet him some day and/or work with him, he’s a massive inspiration of mine.
-Andy
I’d personally say right now someone I admire a lot is Juha Kylmänen from the band Reflexion, and Ville Valo from the band HIM. They’re both super down to earth guys with a phenomenal voices
who can write some really good lyrics. Both of them definitely follow a pattern with their art, but there’s no reason to fix what isn’t broken. My style is also pretty heavily inspired.
-Dorian
A guy I really look up to is Audin Laading from the band Her’s. He was honestly just so kind and down to earth, and just so overall passionate with his bass role in the band. He inspires me a lot to incorporate more “complex” bass parts, almost mimicking lead in a way.
-Kel
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
We were born to do this baby. I speak for all of us here when I say music is with no exaggeration, our entire lives. I sing everywhere I go. It doesn’t matter if I’m working or working out, lyrics are being sang out loud. Regardless of where this road takes us – if anywhere at all – we’re doing what we love, and we know we’ve made a massive impact on at least a select few.
-Dorian
Contact Info:
- Website: https://SPDES.org
- Instagram: SPDESOfficial
- Youtube: https://Youtube.com/SPDEZ
- Other: https://Tiktok.com/SPDESBand
Image Credits
Kirsten Faucher
