Matthew Kerstein of Brighton, MA talks to Harmon Drive

“So you abandon your dreams
 for a city of screams and a necktie”

The lyric above hits me like a hammer. You may recognize it. It is an excerpt from the Brighton, MA song, “Bet You Never Thought.” This song, along with “A Good Kind of Crazy” are just a few of the songs that have helped land the Chicago based band the respect they more than deserve.

These guys have shared the stage with Spoon, The Arcade Fire, Old 97’s, Elvis Perkins and Mason Jennings to name a few. Brighton, MA will be throwing it down this Friday and Saturday night at Schuba’s for back to back shows, Matthew Kerstein, the lead singer recently took time to talk with me about these shows and the windy city. While you read, take a listen to Good Kind of Crazy, below by Brighton, MA. It is also available for a free download at the end of the interview.

Brighton, MA-Good Kind of Crazy

HD: Where do you guys practice and record in Chicago?
MK: Over on the West side at the Carol Street Studios in Humboldt Park.

HD: What was the first song you learned to play on guitar?
MK: Little Richard. Tutti Fruti.

HD: What was the first rock concert you ever attended?
MK: Smashing Pumpkins in Boston, I crowd surfed as a little kid!

HD: What is your favorite song to play live?
MK: Almost always the new songs, we love trying out the new ones.

HD: What is the best pizza in Chicago?
MK: Chicago’s over on Sheffield. Deep dish, you gotta go with the deep dish.

HD: What constitutes a good show for you?
MK: When the audience is engaged, I feel like we can cut loose and interact with each other on stage and hit a new level.

HD: What are you listening to these days when you are on the road in the van?
MK: Depends who is riding shotgun, I have been in to Townes Van Zandt lately, the other guys in the band are always listening to some obscure guitar stuff.

HD: When is the new album out?
MK: Hopefully spring, we are working on a spring tour right now gearing up for the release.

Download Good Kind of Crazy courtesy of Brighton, MA for free HERE.

Looking for a Brighton, MA fix before their new album comes out? Come on down to Schubas this weekend. Tix here.

Speaking of Brighton, MA tickets, I would like to announce the winner of the Harmon Drive/Brighton, MA ticket giveaway. Congratulations to Rob and Jamie Snell! See you at the show, my friends.