What is the story of the band? Why did you decide to call it “Sixty-10”?
Sixty-10 is comprised of a bunch of good friends that I have been making music with since college. We’ve played in different bands separately and together through the years, but we found what works and we’re happy. When Chip produced the 1st album, we were having a brainstorming session on band names, and the basic conclusion was none of us could figure out what came after 69. We like to call that place Sixty-10. Is that too explicit?

Where does the cover pix come from?
One night I was slightly intoxicated (I won’t mention on what) and I had a vision…. Imagine that. I wanted to convey a world where the underdog always got the best of the bully. I relayed this idea to my longtime friend Adam DePaul and he got together with a graphic designer to make the vision reality. When it was time to create the art for the 2nd album, we wanted to stick with our theme, but make it grittier. Keeping in mind the album title, we knew that a bunch of white boys from South Florida had didn’t envision a Thug the way most would. We saw “Thugs” as the ecstasy-tripping ravers escaping clubs and passing out in alleyways after a hard night of clubbing. An easy target for our hero, Poindexter.

Your first album was released through Stoney Records and was produced by Chip Z’Nuff. How is it working with him?
You must mean how WAS it working with him. First off, I am a huge fan of the songs that Chip & Donnie have written over the years. I am also very proud of the songs that were chosen to appear on the 1st album. To be honest, I was disappointed in the way the album sales were handled, and I learned a valuable lesson…Those people that you see as your biggest influences should be left to just that. It would have been nice if Chip had spent some of the money I gave him to produce the album on hiring an actual producer.

Your sound really reminds me of Enuff Z’Nuff and Cheap Trick. How big an influence had Chip Z’Nuff on the final version of your stuff?
Well, if you’re trying to say that the first album sounds an awful lot like Enuff Z’Nuff, take into consideration the fact that Chip decided my songs would be great if he could play every instrument… and sing the backups too. I obviously didn’t let that happen. He obviously did his best to ignore my feelings on the subject. I’m tired of hearing that the songs from that album would have been great had they been produced differently. That’s the cold, hard truth. I still love Cheap Trick. They are probably my biggest influence, but right now I’m busy concentrating on Sixty-10.

Talking about Enuff Z’Nuff and Cheap Trick , which are their best albums in your opinion?
The best Z’Nuff album, in my opinion, is "Strength" because at a time when hair-metal was King, they came out with a release that changed my perception of music. Cheap Trick is harder to nail down, all of the albums are strong in parts and weak in others. There isn’t an album of theirs that I didn’t love elements of.

I’ve heard 3 of your new songs. Can you tell us something about them?
Miss You is pure pun. Sure, you can leave for an extended stay, but always remember that when the cat’s away, the mice will play. Except that my fellow mouse was Bunnie. And we had a lot of fun. Everything was written after a show we played halfway across the country, where I fell head over heels for the DJ from the local radio station. I actually wrote the song on her acoustic guitar while staying at her place about a month later. Ever Since is about playing a show and having a girl just hand you her phone number. Sure, you could just as easily throw it away, but where’s the fun in that? These 3 songs are a lot different than those you find on the first album. We retained our pop sensibility and knack for great hooks, while at the same time stretching ourselves to reach beyond the stigma of a cheesy pop band. Basically, it rocks. Harder.

Have you already got signed for your next release? What shall we expect from it?
We are being watched very closely by several major record labels. At this point, we just hope they maybe let us keep our producer. We just want to have the room to be able to be eclectic at times, without changing into a band that is not us.

How is the music scene in Florida? Any good band to recommend to the Slam? readers?
Ohh, touchy subject. Believe it or not, South Florida is not the place you want to be as an up and coming band. It kinda goes back to the theory behind the artwork on the new EP. People down here wouldn’t know a great rock band if they were run over by it’s bus. But they could probably name you every song off Nelly’s last album. I mean, I don’t have anything against Nelly, but you’re not going to find him in a local rock club. As far as the other bands are concerned, earplugs were a great invention. You should bring some if you plan on vacationing here anytime soon.

Watching the TV recently I’ve seen that the beaches of Florida have been invaded by sharks. Have you ever met one?
Only my girlfriend.