Like Minded Criminals
Written by: Cait Elizabeth - January 2019
Edited by: Travis Ryan
INTRODUCTIONS:
Looking for powerful rock music that makes you want to dance and sing along? Like Minded Criminals is for you. Kevin Preller (guitar/vocals), Eric Ponto (bass/vocals), and Anthony Quartararo (drums) are the guys responsible for the dynamic, high-energy tunes, as they have been in various projects together in years past. Eric and Kevin went to high school together, and Eric and Anthony both played in LI- based InCircles. So jamming together came naturally. When Kevin’s former band ColorBlind needed to round out a new lineup, Eric and Anthony were on board. It was decided they should change the name and rebrand, and so Like Minded Criminals was born. They started touring with their first album “Drowning in Bed”, and they’ve been tearing shit up ever since!
When asked what song meant the most to him, Kevin was torn. His response in the past was “Grace Under Pressure”, which was written about the loss of an important father figure in his life. It touched on realizing your own morality and reflecting on mistakes. He is currently favoring “When You start to Drink…”, though. “Things in my life have always been crazy. I’m kind of at that point in my life where I need to decide to settle down, take care of things, not live in my car and maybe buy a house” Kevin explains.
My personal favorite of the songs on “Drowning in Bed” is “20,000 Leagues Below the Sea”. Its melodic guitar and somber lyrics pull you in. It captures the feeling of just trying to tread water and keep your head above the surface when depression wants nothing but to take you down. While it begins softer and slower, it still comes with the Like Minded Criminal’s signature kick.
TOURS & SHOWS
The Criminals have toured up and down the east coast a few times, and they’re planning on touring more in 2019. Kevin is notorious in the band for sleeping through just about everything. While touring they are often camped out in the van in empty parking lots, waking here and there to turn on the heat for awhile. Sometimes Eric and Anthony are forced to fight their way to sleep through blaring car alarms, while Kevin’s snoring weaves its way into the symphony.
INSPIRATION & INFLUENCES
Like Minded Criminals is a high-energy hard rock inspired by bands like Queens of the Stone Age, Soundgarden, Royal Blood, and Black Sabbath.
“Our boys in Crash The Calm and Table Talk have both put out some really fucking amazing pieces of work this year and you would be a doing yourself a disservice to not check them out. Also ya know don’t fuck up haha.”