New band with a familiar face on PEV for these 48 hours; The Resistance is fresh to our pages – a DC/NOVA-based band that’s impressing more and more folks around the beltway with their take on indie rock. However, we’ve spoken with lead guitarist Gene Sim before. In fact, Gene was once part of the inaugural PensEyeView.com band – our first feature, Black Box Warning. Today, we welcome his band mates Mark Crosnicker, Chris Goodin and Dave Horton, as well as their latest EP, a collection titled “These Old Ghosts”.
XXQs: The Resistance
PensEyeView.com (PEV): How would you describe your sound and what do you feel makes you stand out over the others in your genre?
We're a straight-forward Rock band with an honest message. Our song writing and chemistry as a band stands out. We have a broad range of influences which makes for a unique blend in our music.
PEV: Calling DC and Northern, Virginia home, what kind of music where the members of the band into growing up? Do you remember your first concert?
Our Dave and myself grew up jamming Rage Against the Machine songs and listening to Tool and Incubus. Over the years I became a big fan of Death Cab for Cutie, Army of me and A Perfect Circle. Dave is heavily influenced by Radiohead and Jeff Buckley. Gene grew up on SRV, U2 and the grunge era. My first concert was Rage Against The Machine at the 2000 HFestival at Fed-ex Field. The Stone Temple Pilots also played. Gene: Mine was Metallica at the old Spectrum in Philly… the stage was in the shape of a guitar… it was insane!
PEV: Tell us your take on the music scene is like in your hometown and what was it like trying to break into it?
The D.C./Northern VA can be a tough place to break into. D.C. is a completely different scene from Northern Virginia. There's a handful of good venues for original bands to play in NOVA, but it can be tough to break past the point of inviting friends to shows and making REAL FANS of your music. D.C. is a whole different animal. It's takes a lot to get noticed in this scene.
PEV: With that, what can fans expect from a live The Resistance show?
A Rock and Roll show from Beginning to end. We're a loud rock band that will hopefully leave you with a song stuck in your head and a CD in your hand.
PEV: What is the first thing that comes to mind when you step on stage?
"This is where I want to be."
PEV: Having all been in other bands before how is playing with The Resistance different then those other works?
This is my first band that I've fronted. I've always been a bass player so The Resistance has been a much different experience for me. I started this band because I wanted to write the music that I wanted to write. I didn't want to have to cater to other people’s egos or try to write something just to make someone else happy. Everyone in The Resistance contributes to the song writing process, but normally I come in with an idea for a song and we write it. I've been in other bands that worked very well where we would write songs on the spot and jam as band to write. I've been in other bands that have done that and the results have not been that great. In my opinion, the most important thing is that there's a vision for the band and that everyone’s on the same page… and we have that.
PEV: What was the underlining inspiration for your music? Where do get your best ideas for songs?
Life… a lot of times these songs come out of my own experiences and struggles with life. Most of the time these songs are my journal or a picture of the times in my life. I get inspiration from other songs, experiences with friends. I'm trying to write about more things outside of my own experience. I tried to find inspiration whereever I can.
PEV: Thinking back to when you first started out do you ever look back at your career and think about your earlier days and how you’ve arrived where you are today?
I try to look forward to the future, but I do look at the past. Even though the commercial success has yet to arrive there are some musical projects I've been very proud of and look back fondly on. No matter if we sell 5 records or 5 million, I just want to make music I'm proud of and I like. This can sometimes be harder than it seems. The bands that weren't that good or didn't have "It" were probably more important in my development as a musician than the ones where it came easily. If I wasn't so artistically frustrated by the band prior to The Resistance I would have probably never started singing and writing my own tunes.
PEV: What’s one thing we’d be surprised to hear about the members of The Resistance?
We actually get along? This band has been one of the most drama-free bands I have ever been a part of.
PEV: Was there a certain point in your life when you knew that music was going to be a goal for you?
Once I picked my first bass, I knew I had to be in a band.
PEV: Tell us about your latest release. What can fans expect from this?
A well-rounded group of Rock songs. Dark, angry, pop, love… a mix of everything. I think this CD really shows the growth of The Resistance and the transition from a solo project to a band. With the exception of the track "Burn" everyone wrote their own parts and contributed to the sound of this CD. The First EP was a 
collection of songs that had two different drummers and songs that were mostly written with Dave (The Drummer) and I demoing them in my basement. These Old Ghosts is the first EP that is truly a group effort.
PEV: How is life on the road for you in the music world? Best and worst parts?
Loading gear is the worst part. Playing music in front people who like your is the best.
PEV: Is there one area you wish you could travel around and play that you have not yet?
Austin, Texas would be great.
PEV: How have all your friends and family reacted to your career? What’s it like when you get to play at your hometown?
It's not really a career yet, but everyone has been very supportive
PEV: What can we find each of you doing in your spare time, aside from playing/writing music?
Mark Crosnicker (bass) Running marathons, triathlons and worshipping VA Tech sports. Gene Sim (Lead Guitar), Golfing, cooking and hanging with friends. You might find Dave Horton (Drummer) hanging with kids and family. You might find all of us a golf course during the summer. You might find me on a basketball court shooting hoops or at my home studio working with whichever band that will let me produce them.
PEV: Name one present and past artist or group that would be your dream collaboration? Why?
Ben Gibbard present. Johnny Cash Past.
PEV: Is there an up and coming band or artist you think we should all be looking out for now?
The Lonely Forrest, They're on Chris Walla's record label, the lead guitarist from Death Cab For Cutie and They rock!! I love their album "Arrows". They're becoming a big influence of mine.
PEV: If you weren’t playing music now what do you think each of you would be your career?
Mark would be an Architect, Gene would own his own restaurant somewhere. Dave would be making websites and Apps and I would be recording bands or working on property for family.
PEV: So, what is next for The Resistance?
Play as many shows as possible and continue writing our third CD.