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TKrocks
Josh Steely was 10 when punk rock shook his world, drawing inspiration from bands like the Circle Jerks, Black Flag and Suicidal Tendencies.
“It was incredibly empowering to suddenly realize that I could play those same three or four chords and make up songs about what happened at school that day. In that instant, music was my obsession.”
Josh, who grew up as part of a musical family (his dad toured with superstars like Bob Seger and Jimmy Buffet), has been guitarist of the five-man band famously named after its founder Chris Daughtry. Daughtry, of course, earned his fame during season five of American Idol as the fourth place finisher – but the contestant many thought should have taken it all.
Daughtry will be in concert in Topeka at the Kansas Expocentre on Monday, October 19. TK publisher Kevin Doel spoke with Josh today by phone to learn more about him and the band.
How did you get connected to Daughtry?
I had my own band for years and years. After playing in clubs for 20 years or so, I was ready to try something new. A good friend who I grew up with invited me to audition for Daughtry and I thought it would be right up my alley. I drove up to the audition right after work and never went back to my old life. I had to call my boss and quit my job, and called my wife and I broke down in tears because I was going to have to go on tour and my wife was pregnant with our third child at the time.
How do you juggle being a good dad and husband with life on the road?
It’s very difficult at times in terms of how much we miss our families and knowing the little things we’re missing when our kids are growing. Those times are just gut-wrenching. Four out of the five band members are dads and husbands. Literally we define ourselves as husbands and daddies rather than rock stars.
We just try to keep in touch electronically as much as possible via email and Skype. We also don’t party out with groupies and don’t let people in our camp that are not part of the program.
What keeps you going?
Our mission is to get the music out to people and help people see that Daughtry is a group of guys that love our music and want to be a role model for the kids. We don’t to be another band that flames out, but want to be here for the long-term. We want to do this for a career.
I read that your original musical inspiration came from punk rock bands of the 80s. What inspired you about Chris Daughtry when you saw him on American Idol that made you think you wanted to join up with him?
I’ve always been fascinated by being able to use music to speak your mind and tell the stories of your heart. When I saw Chris he seemed so genuine. He made the songs he chose to perform on the show his own. You could tell he was his own man. I could relate to him because I could speak my own mind like that through my music and be my own man. When I watched American Idol, I wasn’t thinking ‘I’d like to be in a band with that guy.’ When I got that call from my friend to audition, I thought, ‘Gosh, I do remember that guy being so strong and single-minded with his career.’ I knew I could be a strong powerhouse team member with Chris.
Does being in a band branded around one individual cause any problems in the band?
Not really. Right from the get-go, he made it clear to us and to the world that he wanted to be in a band and not a dictator. In choosing the right members he was able to give away that authority. We’re able to write and play music together. We know we’re part of a team and not working for a boss. But in terms of visibility, Chris is clearly the celebrity. He’s a real cool guy.
How do you collaborate on songs for the albums and concerts?
Everyone in the band wrote for this new album. Determining which songs is simply the process of elimination. When we work on songs together, we put our egos aside and choose the best. We’re students of music so we know what will work best and we democratically let the cream rise to the top.
The same idea applies for concerts. We figure out what songs flow right together. We try to not have too many ballads or hard songs in a row. After you’ve been a musician for awhile, you get the feeling that music is about emotion and you want to take the audience on a nice journey throughout each concert.
Anything else you want to tell the people of Topeka about your concert?
We’re proud to be starting our tour in Topeka and we’re going to give them a show they’ll never forget.
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