Listen Up! 6 Fun Questions with Mike Valente of Brick By Brick

We at RadioRadioX.com thought it would be fun to ask all of our 2023 Listen Up Awards nominees a few fun questions. Again we congratulate everyone of you and we look forward to seeing you all back at next year’s award ceremony. -The Listen Up Team

Today we ask Mike Valente of Brick By Brick 6 Fun Questions!

RRX: What’s more important, looking good or sounding good?

MV: Sounding good (we do occasionally rely on some brown liquid to help us look good)

RRX:  How would you describe your sound, your overall image and what you are representing with your music?

MV: Brick By Brick is a metal band with a hardcore attitude. We write primarily for ourselves and what we like. It’s all part of the vibe. Our image reflects blue collar, working class, everyday joe. We relate with REAL problems in the world.

RRX: Where was your first show? Tell us a bit about it. Where was your last show and how different is it now from when you started?

MV:  Well, BxB’s first show was in 2004 (way different lineup) and we opened for All That Remains and Motorgrater (before Ivan went to Five Finger Death Punch, back when he was drinking and fun). Over the years, BxB was dubbed “Troy core” because we were 75% Troy residents not transplants. BxB was rooted mainly locally with only a few out of town shows. We had a plan to hit the road, but the original members strayed from the plan and held the band back for over a decade. We had fun, but I wanted to tour and see the world. I slowly replaced everyone. I had to drop the “Troy Core” moniker out of respect, seeing that I am the only one from Troy now. Fast forward to present day……Our last show was with Bury Your Dead in Brooklyn and one thing that I have noticed is that this band has gained respect. Technically we have been around for 7 years now. With 4 international releases under our belt and many European tours and US tours as well. We go back to Europe in July of this year, then we keep it light for the summer with weekend warrior shows because we are writing for a new EP due out in 2024 to back our Australia/Japan tour in June. We may go back to the UK in the fall of this year. But as you can see, once I got rid of the boat anchors, we are sailing free. We are signed to a label that lets us do whatever we want with no bullshit. We don’t get ripped off. We have agents that protect us on the road both in the US and across the pond. We are older now and tour when we WANT to tour. So, I guess you can say we “made it”. No we aren’t millionaires or hugely famous, but when bands like Slayer, Testament, Hatebreed, Anthrax, Overkill among many others know who we are is enough for me. We have cultivated friendships and gained respect within the underground music community.

RRX: Which rockstar did you want to be as a kid?

MV: I idolized KISS at first, then it quickly got heavier as time went on. I never wanted to be any “one” rockstar. I just knew I loved music.

RRX: Who has the best wings in the Capital District? For non-meat eaters, who has the best broccoli?

MV: Best wings… I’d have to go with Ralph’s Tavern. Although the rest of the food has taken a step down.

RRX: UFOs, real or fake?

MV:  I really don’t know. I like to think real. If so, I think there would have been more contact or more solid evidence by now. I believe there was at one time, but maybe they saw what pieces of shit humanity is and said “fuck this” and steer clear…..I like the theory that maybe all religion is based on aliens…our gods may be them. I don’t know….. I don’t care all that much. All I know is that they ain’t paying my mortgage.