Philly Rockers, Grayscale, are building momentum and ascending to new heights with their passion and dedication to create music from the heart. The Fearless Records family members are heading out on tour overseas for the first time with As It Is and are ecstatic about the journey ahead. I caught up with Guitarist, Dallas Molster, to discuss the success of their debut album, ‘Adornment’, choosing to never hold back from expressing your true self, his tattoos dedicated to his bandmates and more.
Congrats on the success of your debut album, ‘Adornment’. Tell us about the creative and recording process and the lessons that you learned throughout.
Thank you! Recording this record was great. It was the first time that we were given the opportunity to write with other people outside of the band. Having a third party opinion creates a really interesting dynamic of how the song is written; it breaks the normal routine of how we would write a song. I learned a lot from those people. I really feel that I grew as a songwriter through this process, learning and absorbing all the information I could.
You guys killed it on your cover of “Love Yourself” by Justin Bieber. What led you toward wanting to create your own version of the track?
That was really fun. We kicked around a few different ideas but I personally felt that since Justin Bieber’s version of the song was so bare bones with just a guitar and a couple vocal tracks, it really left for a lot of room to interpret the song in our own way. We sped up the original version up quite a bit from the start and started adding some drum ideas. And from there, I think we ended up demoing the whole thing out in just a day or two. I really enjoyed working on that!
Any upcoming tour or festival appearance plans that you can fill us in about?!
We are actually about to head overseas for the first time as a band next month! We are supporting the As It Is on their ‘OkayEU’ and ‘OkayUK’ tours. For a lot of us, this is the first time we’ve even left the country with the exception of Canada. I’ve personally only been to Ireland, but I’ve always wanted to go the Europe! Therefore, now that music is allowing me to do so, I couldn’t be more excited.
What are some tour necessities that you always bring on the road?!
Eye-mask, earplugs, and headphones! I’m a really light sleeper, so obviously trying to sleep through the night on an overnight drive isn’t ideal for myself or Collin. Collin actually has a separate suitcase we call his “Accoutrements”. It’s a small suitcase specifically for his fan and noise machine!
Let’s talk tattoos. Tell us about some of your favorite personal pieces and the tattoos artists that you worked with to bring them to life.
So, I have a number of meaningless tattoos like a mustache on my finger that I got in a basement when I was like 16! However, I do have two tattoos for Collin and Nick. I have a bear with it’s mouth open on my left knee cap for Collin. We’re a big nickname band and one of the first nicknames I gave Collin was “Collbear” back when we were like 14, therefore, naturally I got a bear with his initials tattooed on me. I got that one done by a gentleman named Ryan at Xtreme Ink in West Chester, PA.
When we were recording our first record for Anchor 84 Records, I came to the realization that Nick looked like Beaker from the muppets. At that point, I told him when the time comes I would get a tattoo of Beaker. So I put that on my left leg as well! My left leg is now known as the “best friend’s leg” so that’s where everyone else’s tattoos will go as well. The Beaker tattoo was brought to life by my good friend Troy at Philadelphia Eddie’s in Chinatown.
If you could get any tattoo, budget free, by any tattoo artist in the world, what would you get tattooed and which tattoo artist would you choose?
Man that’s a tough one! I’ve had so much going on between the touring and still maintaining a full time job that I haven’t really thought about specific tattoo ideas. I’ve always been a fan of Neo-Traditional tattoos. I do know I’d like to do a portion of my body in that styling. As far as a specific artist goes, I’m really not sure.
If any of our readers have never visited Philly, what are some of your favorite restaurants that you recommend checking out?
My number one is a place called North Third. The wings are fantastic and the drinks are very moderately priced. If you’re looking for sandwich spots, either John’s Roast Pork or Jimmy G’s for an awesome cheese steak.
If you could exist as a video character for a day and adventure through one city, which character and what city would you choose?
I’m not a big video game guy but I did go on a serious GTA V kick a while back! And with that being said I would definitely spend a day as a Trevor. Dude is an absolute psychopath. Who wouldn’t want to just steal helicopters and parachute into an army base to try and steal a jet?
Have your parents ever checked out your live shows? If so, what was their reaction?
They have both been to shows a handful of times. They’re both very supportive of what I do!
Photo Credit: Emily Dubin
Last but certainly not least, any closing messages for your fans?!
Given that this is an interview with Tattoo.com, I’d like to say, don’t be afraid of what people think of you. If you want to bleach your hair and have three piercings in your nose because you like it, do it. I’ve been there, I’m still there. There’s nothing wrong with expressing yourself with tattoos, piercings, hair dye, etc. If it makes you feel good, do it. Be your best version of yourself and express yourself in any way that makes you happy.
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