Get Over It. A Candid Interview with Nick and Peter from Over It.
By: Joanne Vitale

In a world of bands where truth gets bogged down in the mire of genres, trends and politics, Over it would have stayed afloat. Out of Orange County, California, by way of Alexandria, Virginia, they have taken in the road and a host of adventures, discovering the things they value most. For this band, what matters is the sincerity of every last one of their performances, a personal connection with their fans, and the quest for the inspiring song. Over it lives for furious sounds and a hopeful future.

Smash Magazine: Could you give us some background on Over it?

Peter: We've been playing for over six years now as a band. We are from Alexandria, Virginia hometown of Dave Grohl. We moved out to California about two years ago. And we have been living there ever since.

Nick: We are East coast kids and came out to the West coast to try and push the band. We're having fun doing it!

SM: Did you guys end up liking the West Coast more?

Nick: The West Coast has a very strong music scene so it's good for the band to be out here. Musically I like it more, but there are a lot of things that I like about the east coast too.

Peter: It's kind of a trick question. The West Coast has cut out our work for us and helped us move forward. But the more we move forward, the more we find the whole nation becoming our neighborhood. Every place starts to feel like home after awhile. It's pretty amazing!

SM: How would you describe your band to someone that has never heard of you guys?

Nick: We're a rock band. We grew up on punk music but we are into everything. So we try to bring in all of our influences on our music. We have a wide range of musical influences.

Peter: We like to say we make serious sound for a hopeful future.

SM: You mentioned that you have a wide range of influences. What are some of them?

Peter: Acceptance, they are currently in our stereo. I've always been a big Green Day fan, and HIM from Finland. Everything on Fat Wreck-chords, Epitaph all that stuff.

SM: How did you guys come up with the name Over It?

Nick: Over It was a very popular saying when we were growing up for kind of getting past a situation. The name was actually brought up by a good friend of ours who was in the band when we first started jamming together. He actually passed away, so we kept the name to honor his memory.

Peter: We kept it for Joe, because he's the kind of guy that set his own friends, rocked out to his own beat, it's kind of an expression to what we feel is the most important in life. Which is being yourself.

SM: If anything, what do you hope your fans get our of Silverstrand – your new CD?

Nick: I would like to think that they can listen to our music and be happy because we really like to write songs that feel good about themselves and songs that have a positive vibe for music. We don't want kids getting depressed or anything. We want to be uplifting. If you are having a bad day you can listen to our songs and feel better about things. I know that’s why I like music.

Peter: Everyone has got their doubts and insecurities, but the fact is that the world is full of good stuff and life is too short to not enjoy it.

SM: What else do you guys have in store for the rest of the year?

Peter & Nick: Touring!

SM: Do you guys have any tours set up?

Nick: We are doing a full US tour with Rufio in April/May. We are playing the Bamboozle in New Jersey in May.

Peter: We are crossing our fingers for an appearance on the Warped Tour for the West coast!

Nick: We really want to stay on the road all year. We just want to get the record to as many people as possible. We are being a lot more active with this record. We are doing more in stores, and appearances.

Peter: And then write another record

Nick: We have song ideas ready. We like to pop them out!

SM: What have you been listening to in the van?

Nick: Acceptance, Samiam, HIM, Unwritten Law, Don't look Down

SM: What advice would you give to kids that are just starting a band?

Peter: Don't give up!

Nick: Keep playing shows, don't give up, keep writing music and don't let the bullshit get to your head.

Peter: Give yourself to the world! It loves you!

SM: What do you think has been the most rewarding about being in a band?

Nick: All the friends we have made in other bands and on the road. Also just being able to travel. We have been to some amazing places. Going to Japan and Hawaii has been a dream of mine since I was a little kid. Going there and experiencing it makes me look at my life and put it into perspective.

Peter: Defiantly reaching out and touching our fans with our music. I have had friends call me and tell me that our music has helped carry them down the isle at their wedding. Basically just meeting other people that have the same passion as we do.

SM: Final thoughts or comments:

Nick: I really want to talk about what is on my mind today. Silverstrand, the name of our record, is actually a beach in California right by where we moved to. On our message board, there are a group of local surfers that are pissed that we are from the East coast and we named our album after their beach. And we are not allowed to do that because it is their beach and no one else's. I think it’s really funny.

Peter: We just wanted to pay a tribute to them and our new home.

Nick: It's such a beautiful place and it reminded us of our home. It has helped us write music and thought it was really cool to name it after somewhere so great. And here they are trying to put us down for that and that it is their home and no one else's.

Peter: When we finished recording we kind of looked back and it was the story of the last two years. And thought it would be appropriate to name it after our brand new beautiful home in California. So, sorry boys, we love your ocean and you are going to have to share it!

Nick: They think we don't surf there. It's funny because I surf there like every day.

Peter: As for me, I don't surf, but I love the beach!

Nick: Also, I just want to take a minute and thank our publicist, Mike Cubillos for doing so much for us!