The Stolen

Getting New at Growing Old - The Stolen - MTV

Driven pop-rock melodies and catchy choruses are what make The Stolen’s sound effortlessly easy to get lost in. These New Jersey locals have built up their fan base across the country, played the Camden date of Warped 2013, and had their latest EP produced by none other than Jesse Cannon. You can stream “Adults” below and catch The Stolen on the road in 2014.

For Fans Of: Mayday Parade, Anarbor, The Audition
Social Sites: Website, Facebook, Twitter, Bandcamp



Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.
Dom Cuce – Vocals
Rob Chiarappa – Guitar/Vocals
Mikey McDonald – Guitar
Kevin Smart – Bass
Mike Chiarappa - Drums

What’s your hometown (or what are your hometowns)?
Old Bridge, NJ

How did the band come together? How long has it been?
This question is always a long one for us. Dom, Rob, and Mike started as a cover band back in 2005 when they were ages 8-11. Rob and Mike are brothers and Dom was their next-door neighbor. The band started writing original material and started “for real” in 2010 when the band moved away from the local carnivals and block parties and on to writing original songs and playing in venues.

How have you grown since you started?
We’ve definitely seen mile markers in our growth as a band and as people. Since the band’s first EP in 2011 moving towards the latest release of “Adults”, the musicianship and creative content has absolutely grown. Not being 15 year old kids anymore, we’ve had a taste of what the real world has to offer and has definitely impacted our writing on this new EP. From a following standpoint, it’s amazing that a minute touring band like us has developed this super devout following. We would have never thought two years ago that their would be kids singing back to our songs at shows, or better yet, having kids tattoo our lyrics on their bodies. It’s really a beyond heartwarming and rewarding feeling.

What sets you apart from other bands?
One thing we’ve noticed over the years of us as a band is we want to give kids at shows a night to remember. We work our hardest at making the show lively in a non-cliché gimicky way. As far as our music goes, we were never ones to really worry about being the next cool trendy band. We don’t want to be that band that sounded like A Day to Remember three years ago and now sound like The Wonder Years. We don’t try to ride off of others success but rather work hard at making the best genuine music we can.

What’s the best part about being in your band?
The best part about being in a band is the privilege of being able to perform music live for audiences; the feeling of performing. Whether the show has 2 kids and the sound guy or a sold out show, being able to perform music outside of our homes is a true gift that every band should be grateful for.

More times than not, influences tend to bleed through. What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?
Our influences are really all across the board. Our EP “Adults” was really inspired by the 2007 pop rock sound made famous by bands like All Time Low and Mayday Parade. However, we had some crossover with rock and roll, especially in bridges of songs. During the writing process we were listening to a lot of The Maine’s “Forever Halloween” and Transit’s “Listen and Forgive”.

What would you say the band has already accomplished and what do you have your eyes set on next?
The band has been lucky enough to build a small market around the country touring and is looking at big plans for the next few months. This new EP is something we’re very proud of and are planning to really give a good run on it. 2013 was a great year for us being able to perform on the Vans Warped Tour (Camden date), four independently booked tours, and watching ourselves start to build small fan bases in other states/regions.

Thus far, what’s a favorite memory or something quirky that’s taken place with the band (in-studio, onstage, or elsewhere)?
Of the many hysterical things that have happened to our band, one story we love telling is how Mikey accidentally drank Mike’s urine on tour (gross right?) So the band was driving up from a show down in Virginia on a six hour car ride, and when you are a band like us who is always behind schedule, there are no times for stops. Mike used a water bottle to go to the bathroom. When we arrived to the venue we all checked in and forgot to throw out Mike’s urine filled water bottle. Mike was dumb enough to leave it in a cup holder. It was VERY hot outside. Mikey went out to the van to start loading in. Mikey was thirsty so he went to grab a drink of what he thought was water. Mikey was wearing sunglasses so the tint of the water bottle wasn’t recognizable. Mikey took a GIANT gulp. You know how the rest goes….

Is there anything in particular that you’d like people to take away from listening to your music?
Our music was written about things we have been through personally. It’s definitely something we’ve put our heart and sole into. It can go anywhere from a darker emo jam to an upbeat hooky pop rock song.

If you could change something about the music industry, what would it be?
So many bands complain about the music industry and love to point fingers. THIS is the problem with the music industry. There is no reason for bands to talk about how bad their local promoter is or how someone didn’t do a good job at helping them. Promoters don’t have to take you in. Those sound guys don’t have to mix your band. Bands don’t realize how often others take risks and bend over backwards for bands that aren’t beneficial to them. If you want to make change in the music industry, stop complaining and be thankful for those who do the little things to help you. That awkward kid who interviewed you on his college’s radio could be the next big show host. That local sound guy with one microphone at that little dive in your town could be the next stage manager at the 2000 cap room down the road. Always be thankful.

How did your band’s name come about?
We were so young when this band name came about. It came about when were still doing covers. Our old bassist was checking Myspace to see if band name ideas were taken and he was like “every band name on here is stolen” and he called us up with the band name idea and it kind of stuck.

What’s the biggest mistake someone’s made while playing?
We were playing a show in York, PA and not realizing his amp was on standby, Rob was supposed to start off the FIRST song with his guitar and ONLY guitar and vocals. After Mike counted off on drums, there was just an awkward silence haha.

Any pre-performance rituals?
We have a few VERY weird ones. We’ll usually go on a walk and do really goofy vocal warmups. If anyone heard us, they would definitely feel highly uncomfortable. We also usually huddle in around the drum set before we start our set and yell an inside joke and let’s be honest here, nobody likes to hear inside jokes.

Is there anything else you would like to add?
Our EP “Adults” just released on December 10th which can be picked up on iTunes, Amazon, Bandcamp, Spotify, Rdio, - PropertyOfZack

http://redbullsoundstage.com/fan/22/ - SPIN Magazine/Red Bull Soundstage : Lindsey Kling

The Stolen has aired for the entire month of August on Fuse TV's Fuse on Deman - Fuse TV

ARTIST OF THE WEEK

Located on homepage of website
Received airplay - Maria Mar