Getting to Know… The Almas | Interview 🎤

In the 337^th Q&A in our Getting to Know… series, we get the inside scoop from New Munster, Wisconsin hard rock band, The Almas.

“We bring our modern sound with an old school mentality,” 🎙 The Almas asserts, when asked what makes them distinct/unique as a band.  The New Munster, Wisconsin, hard rock band shares some philosophy in their response to our first burning question, “The truth is, if you want to listen to our music go ahead and stream it, but if you want to be inspired and entertained come to a show.” Like our many other Getting to Know Q&As, we get the inside scoop on the collective: their genesis, goals, musical influences, and of course, current, and future musical endeavors. So, without further ado, let’s jump right into 🎤 Getting to Know… The Almas: Interview No. 337!

For those who may not be familiar with The Almas, what would you say makes you distinct or unique? How do you rock the audience’s socks off?

I’d say the band is unique in our work ethic. We bring our modern sound with an old school mentality. We believe in hitting the road and hitting it hard. This year alone we will be on the road for 6-7 months. We believe that the truest way to touch people with our music is by being in front of them in the flesh. The truth is, if you want to listen to our music go ahead and stream it, but if you want to be inspired and entertained come to a show.

Okay, let’s explore some juicy backstories. How did The Almas form and what were some of the goals or visions you had early on?

🎙️ Frank Slifka is the guitarist and founding member of the band. The band was formed in 2016 when Frank left a previous project in hope to start a new sober life and band. The band has always carried the philosophy that whatever we do, we have to be true and honest to ourselves and the fans. The goal was to inspire people to be the best version of themselves through music. That meant we would have to be an example.

Let’s talk more about goals.  Have your goals or your perspectives changed since first starting out? What do your aspirations or goals look like now?

The band has always set small, obtainable goals. Example would be, let’s go on a small tour. Next, let’s tour for a month, etc. I think our goals have always been the same but just leveling up every time. We carry this same idea into our music. Let’s do an album DIY, then work with a producer with little production. Now we began writing only in the studio with full production. Eventually, I want to be the first band to play in space. The sky is not even the limit with this band.

Everybody is influenced by somebody else. Who would you consider some of your biggest musical influences and how are they influential?  

Each member has always brought a unique style and influence to our music. Some of the artists that have influenced us the most are AC/DC, Green Day, Taylor Swift, Blondie, Blink 182, Twenty One Pilots, and Buckcherry.  These are the roots of our influences, however we are constantly being musically changed by new bands and artists. I believe an artist becomes an inspiration because they can invoke a feeling and we try to recreate those feelings in our own music.

Ah, the fun stuff.  What’s your craziest tour story or the wackiest thing that’s happened during a performance?  Feel free to be creative.

Well, there are a few. One of the weirdest and most awkward things that happened to the band on stage was when a drunk venue owner stopped the band mid performance, took the mic from Crystal and asked us to write a punk song on the spot for him to sing. Needless to say, it was a very bad punk song, which I guess makes it very punk rock.

Up until this point in your career, what would you describe as your favorite song you’ve recorded or performed live? What makes that song special?

The whole band agrees that our newest unreleased song, 🎵 “Burnout”,  is our favorite to play live. It’s just a guitar ripping anthem. The main chorus line is, “I’d rather die than burnout,” which perfectly embodies the band’s hard work, no stop philosophy.

Is there anything else awesome, cool, or left of center the world should know about you? Secret talents or surprising tidbits?

We have become exceptionally good at making homemade meals in the microwave in the van. We also are complete nerds, so we spend any off days in comic book stores, game stores, etc. Finally, we also enjoy working out almost every day.

Closing out, what is The Almas currently working on, promoting that you can share with us or want us to know about? We love secrets, but there’s no pressure. 

We have so much in store for this year. We can assure you of consistent touring, single releases, and many new and exciting things! Some of the bigger events coming up (that we can mention now) are Monster Hall Music Festival on Friday, June 9th in Unity, WI with Flaw and Scotty Austin (formerly of Saving Abel), the freshly announced Rock Fest in Cadott, WI on Friday, July 14th where we will be performing along with some of our favorites like Slipknot, Falling In Reverse, Ice Nine Kills, and Asking Alexandria, to name a few. We will also be performing at the Sturgis Bike Rally this August 2nd and 6th with Scotty Austin (formerly of Saving Abel) in South Dakota! Finally make sure you check our newest single, 🎵 “Cage” on all streaming platforms! You will not be disappointed.

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Getting to Know… The Almas: Interview No. 337 [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; The Almas; Tumisu via Pixabay]