Getting to Know… Undefeated | Interview 🎤

For the 77^th interview on The Musical Hype, vocalist/guitarist Meredith Dunckel gives us the scoop on rising New York teen band, Undefeated.

“Our show includes ballads for those who like it from the heart; and some rockin’ tunes for you head-bangers. You’re not going to sit and listen to the same sound over and over.” The way Meredith Dunckel, lead vocalist and guitarist of Undefeated, the teen band from Lowville, New York tells it, her band keep things interesting. We, The Musical Hype, aka Brent Faulkner (founder and writer of nearly everything on The Musical Hype – mouthful), l-l-loves interesting! In addition to Meredith, Undefeated is comprised of her brother, Christian Dunckel (drums/percussion) and Ian Birk (bass guitar). So, without any further rambling, let’s jump right into Getting to Know… Undefeated: Interview #77.

Let’s get this started off right. For those who may not be familiar with you, what would you say makes Undefeated distinct or unique? How do you rock the audience’s socks off?

Undefeated: Our lead vocalist [Meredith] can flat out sing. Christian is a BEAST on the drums. The bassist adds smoooooth lines. Our show includes ballads for those who like it from the heart; and some rockin’ tunes for you head-bangers. You’re not going to sit and listen to the same sound over and over.

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

Meredith Dunckel: Believe it or not, the host of the Rock N Worship Festival in Dalton, MA, walked up to me (Meredith… the gal with green hair!) He was like “Hey! I want you to come sing!” He had seen me play electric guitar for my church’s youth band (needless to say, it was a less-than-stellar performance).  So, I went. I had just turned 14. There were all ages and genres at the Rock N Worship Fest; from metal to reggae to gospel. Something clicked. These people were like me! I asked my younger brother (a rockin’ drummer) on the 4-hour ride home to start a band, and he said yes! We met bassist Ian through mutual friends. (Truthfully, he literally fell -he says he jumped- out of a tree. But I guess there’s worse ways to meet people!). We played under the banner “Undefeated” for the first time August 5th, 2017 on the lawn of a bookstore.

Going back, when I was in 4rd grade, I’d received piano lessons for my birthday… but I refused to play in the recital (in my 10-year-old head, I had decided that if they made me, I was going to go up on the stage and sit there. Or perhaps, not even get out of my chair when they called my name. Thankfully, this didn’t happen). My teacher graciously offered that I could play something during a church service instead.

Right before playing, I asked my teacher, “Can I sing?” The teacher looked at my mom. My mom looked at my teacher. Once again, my teacher graciously responded, “I’ll put a microphone up there if you decide to.” She put a microphone up to the side of the piano. She actually turned it on. I played and sang “The Little Drummer Boy.” My mom recalls a hush falling over the room. Starting on that day there have been a steady of people, many of whom are strangers, that have spoken into my path. Strangers have walked up and told me of musical things they see in my future, many who have never seen me play. It’s not that I’m any more talented than many talented, wonderful musicians; it’s just a path I’m supposed to walk.

We have many stories, let me give you one more. Christian (drummer), was all in to being in a band, but he wasn’t inspired by the folksy, contemporary music we had grown up with. He often played Cajon, nearly falling off his perch from boredom. (Let me tell ya, he could make that thing rock). Anyway, he didn’t enjoy performing until two events occurred spearheaded by the same band. Seventh Day Slumber brought their metal/screamo tour to a town near us. Christian was inspired. It was like flipping a light switch. We headed full-bore into rock, the makings of the sound we have today. He is now a crowd-pleaser, often winding them up from behind his drum set. (Did you know he worked summer landscaping to pay for every piece of that set?)

Awesome stories! 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?

Meredith: Yes, read the last paragraph about Christian, lol. We continue to pursue a rock/metal/punk sound. We can’t imagine playing a contemporary concert at this point, although we still rock out the occasional ballad. We continue to work towards touring, our goals get more defined as they get closer. Who would have thought that after 2 years, we have 2 music videos out, and have 9 songs completed in the studio?

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

Meredith: Let me tell ya how we come together. Our drummer (Christian) is a die-hard djent/metal/screamo fan. Ian’s (bassist) heart was born and raised in classic rock. You know, The Beatles, Zeppelin, the whole thing. Then there’s me. I LOVE to sing. You can’t take a singer and stick her in one genre. The trick is melding these three sounds without losing what God gave each one. The whole is greater than the piece. Lacey Sturm is a favorite of mine. She is an incredible lyricist and has her own vocal sound. Christian is a big fan of Random Hero’s old stuff, and Demon Hunter. He really likes the feel of the drums, and how they drive they music.  (Example: By My Side by Demon Hunter). Ian admires The Beatles, for creating something that hadn’t been done before.

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.

Meredith: A quote from Christian: “I split my finger open and got blood everywhere. Which was really annoying.” On a lighter note, we got a little lax on an original that we knew very well. One of the three of us (I won’t say which one) didn’t end at the same time as the rest of us… and just didn’t end. It was a full 10 seconds before they realized that the song had ended and they were still playing! lol. They wrapped it up their own flair much to the crowd’s delight.

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?

Meredith: We’ve been working on a new song, “Land of the Dead.” We’ve performed it live twice. It has punk vocals rooted in metal drums. The sound of this song feels like home for all three of us!

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

Meredith: Other than working out, we are very different people. I do everything on the crafty side…oil paint, knit. Right now, I’m making synthetic dreadlocks (yes, dreadlocks. You might see them on me in the near future!). Christian juggles a full load of school, and sports. He’s fast as lightening, and a sought-after soccer and lacrosse player. Do you know he has mad yo-yo skills? He’s always down for a family game (and he’s quite lucky, I might add)! Ian loves to listen to music! He’s down to fish anytime, any season. Of the three of us, Ian is the dare devil.  Yep, the quiet bassist.

P.s. … I like to balance things on my head while walking upstairs (full size cakes, trays of cookies, books. Even my guitar has been known to be up there!).

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

Meredith: We recently released our ballad, “Where Are You”. “Shadows” out, and we have 3 more songs to be released by the end of this year to finish up our 5-song EP. Recording Land of the Dead was postponed due to COVID19. We’re also expanding our show circuit, and had shows booked around the northeast, including Maine, New Jersey, and other northeastern states. We’re looking forward for these shows to be rescheduled, picking up after the health crisis. Connect with us: Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Thank you so much for sharing taking the time to answer these questions, and best of luck moving forward. 

Photo Credits: Undefeated, Brent Faulkner, The Musical Hype