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THE CALL OUT:
Waiting For The Call To Be NJ's Next Big Time Crush

by Jim Testa

Jon Ferris - Vocals
Sean Marmora - Guitar
Dan Szpakowski - Bass
Anthony Manginelli - Guitar
Danny Wrensen - Drums

They've got a catchy pop sound with singalong melodies, a charismatic vocalist, and a pounding rhythm section, and they managed to catch our ear at the Warped Tour this year, performing on the JerseyShows.com stage. Perched in that precarious place somewhere between high school and the real world, The Call Out will be rocking out this summer winning over audiences and spreading the word that they're ready to break out into the big time.

Q: I read your bio and saw that you guys went to several different high schools. How did you all meet and how did the band start? Had any of youbeen in earlier bands?

Anthony: The Call Out started when I first met Dan Wrensen in my chemistry class. We were both Juniors at Middletown High School North at the time. I knew he played drums so I asked him to jam with some friends. Before we knew it things started to get serious as we searched high and low for a singer. We found Jon Ferris whom resides in Ocean Township, through his acoustic project. We quickly got to writing and practicing. Word spread that we were looking to do something big and that we were in need of dedicated and serious musicians. After several lineup changes, we were contacted by our lead guitarist, Sean Marmora. Sean lives in Ocean Township and currently still attends Ocean Township High School. After just one practice with Sean we knew he was the perfect fit and we would get along great. After jamming with a few bassists from the area, some close friends of ours suggested a graduate from Middletown High School South, Dan Szpakowski. After sitting in on a few practices he quickly showed just how valuable he was as a friend and band-mate and we knew he would be right at home in the TCO family. I could not be happier with the line-up we have now, this band has given me the chance to meet four unbelievable musicians and even better friends.

Q: Let's pretend that The Call Out has its own sitcom and each of you plays up to a certain stereotype. Who's the band flirt? Who's the most serious? Who gets the most girls asking for his autograph? Who's the most organized (and why?)

Sean: Together we pretty much are a sitcom. We have Anthony who is the biggest flirt in the band who is always surrounded by our fans Either Dan Wrensen or myself is probably the most serious when it comes to playing shows. Jon has probably signed the most autographs out of all of us and without Spiz's organization, we wouldn't be where we are today.

Q: Can you talk a little bit about how roles are defined within the band? How does the songwriting work? Does one or more members handle the business side of things like booking, band finances, etc. or do you all contribute?

Dan: We all have certain roles in TCO even though we are all still involved in the final decision making some of us are better then others at certain tasks. We typically do our song writing together, as a band because thats when we get best results. As far as business is concerned me and Anthony try to handle most of the business side of things because we enjoy it.

Q: You guys are at that awkward stage between high school and being 21. What's it been like juggling college, jobs, etc. and trying to keep the band moving forward? You just released your second CD and got to play Warped Tour... what are some of your goals now? What are you looking forward to and working toward?

Dan: It’s tough, with school, the band, and work; it really is hard to find time for anything else. Most of us are really lucky and we have jobs that are flexible with us and support our music. As far as some of our future goals, I would say that we are really looking forward to finish writing our new CD and cannot wait to go record new music. We are really looking forward to playing with Allstar Weekend at the end of August and right now most of our attention is going into preparing for that concert.

Q: What was the experience of playing the Warped Tour like? Did it live up to expectations? I imagine it had to be expensive to set up your own tent, would you recommend the experience to other bands in your situation?

Sean: Although we played a smaller stage at Warped Tour, it was by far the most fun show I have ever played. We had a pretty large crowd and playing outdoors is amazing. Warped Tour is what got me into the genre of music we play and having the opportunity to be both a fan and a musician at the show was unreal. Setting up the tent really was not bad financially at all. We borrowed Dan's Uncles tent and had a lot of help from our friends selling merch. We actually made a decent amount of money in T-shirt, poster, and CD sales.

Q: A lot of people don't like the pay-to-play system that's in effect at some Jersey clubs, where the bands have to sell tickets to get on bills. Looking at the shows you've played, it seems like you have been through this quite a bit. What is your take on working with promoters and pay to play? Is there a viable circuit of DIY shows, basements, etc. where underage bands can get the exposure they need?

Danny W: Throughout the time we have been a band we have played many shows where the promoter wants us to sell tickets. I don’t think that selling tickets is a huge deal. Most of the shows that have you sell tickets are for bigger venues and with bigger headliners. I think that those are the shows that a band is most likely to get recognized at. As far as DIY show are concerned I think they are a great way to get the people in the that area to hear your music. DIY shows are great for your local fan base but I think that the shows at bigger venues with national touring acts is a better way to get your name out there to a wider audience, in that case I think selling tickets to be a a big bill is worth it.

Q: How did the band wind up appearing on MTV's Silent Library? And what was the most disgusting thing any of you had to do on the show? Would you do something like that again?

Danny W: We actually received an email from MTV asking if we would like to audition. After going to the city for auditions they really liked us and asked us to be on the actually show. I would have to say the most disgusting thing that any of us had to do on the show was eat an ice cream cone filled with mayonnaise. If we had the chance to be on silent library again I would definitely say yes because the pain we had to endure was well worth the reward.

Q: I was a little dubious when you guys started doing Michelle Branch's "Everywhere." It just didn't seem like a song that a bunch of dudes should be doing. But I have to commend you on totally pulling it off. What are some other covers you've done, and how do you approach picking a cover song to learn?

Jonni: Michelle Branch is really the only cover we've been playing, but we are working on covering a Ke$ha song (Your Love Is My Drug). We pick covers that would be a ton of fun to play and add energy to our set.

Q: I saw in one of your online profiles that you consider All Time Low one of the bands you'd like to emulate. I admire their success and even like a few of their songs, but I wonder about their methods. If I said that this interview will appear in a major rock magazine but you all had to do a photo shoot in your underwear, would you do it? Are their lines you don't cross when you are promoting your band, or is anything legal fair game?

Jonni: Fame is materialistic, and I hold my pride higher than that. There are always lines that shouldn't be crossed but it all comes down to the fact that we make music, and music is an art. If you lose site of the art then you're not doing what you love. Although I'd take a picture in my underwear any day, not just for a major rock magazine, I don't think we would sell ourselves for fame. We're all just people living for dreams and hopes that we have, and whether or not we achieve those we still do what we love, and that's enough for me.

Q: One of the things that most impressed me was Jon's singing. I was wondering if he's received any training or sang in school plays? A lot of bands in New Jersey tend to be very pitchy - there's this emo thing where the singer goes flat on purpose that drives me crazy. Call Out to me seems like much more of a traditional pop rock band. Does Jon have any role models or singers that he admires and based his style on?

Jonni: I received vocal training from someone local, she went to Julliard and taught me a classical singing style. I actually learned how to sing from a book called Vaccai, an italian opera book. I've looked up to singers but I've never based my style off them because I was born with the voice I have, and every person’s voice differs in a ton of ways. So I really just base my style off the voice I have and try to achieve a better understanding of it so I can enhance my voice.

Q: You're opening for Allstar Weekend at Starland Ballroom soon, which is obviously great exposure. But does it feel a little weird opening for a band that has videos on the Disney Channel and Nickelodeon? Would you approach that show (in terms of set list, what you wear, preparation) any different from any other show?

Anthony: We were ecstatic to be asked to play with Allstar Weekend at Starland. That is probably our favorite hometown venue. In preparation for this show we will get a few days of practice, possibly order some new merchandise and make sure all the equipment is show ready. Although the demographic for this show might be a little younger then we are used to, it will not effect our performance. We will be sure to put on the best show we possibly can and keep the audience singing along. As far as what we will be wearing we generally like to keep it simple with black and white. Our set list will consist of songs from both EP's, "Take This to Heart," and "Keep This Quiet." We also threw in a few covers that we think the audience will love.

Catch the Call Out at the 2nd Annual Rock To Prevent Benefit Concert on Wednesday, August 11th at Pier Village in Long Branch, and then on Sunday, August 29 opening for All Star Weekend at Starland Ballroom in Sayreville.

For more info, visit www.myspace.com/thecalloutnj

Watch The Call Out's video for "Hook, Line & Sink Her"