Just Semi Precious, but all vicious

‘ ‘ ‘ Justin Tranter is not just a rock star ‘mdash; he makes rock stars. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ … ‘ ‘ ‘ Justin Tranter is not just a rock star ‘mdash; he makes rock stars. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ Frontman for Semi Precious Weapons, Tranter was also a former ‘rock star’ coach on MTV’s ‘Made,’ a TV show about turning insecure teens into experts of a chosen skill. Tranter’s musical background and outgoing personality made him the perfect rock ‘n’ roll mentor for a girl hoping to become a bass guitar player. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ Add on the fact that Tranter and his fellow members of Semi Precious Weapons, bassist Cole Whittle, drummer Dan Crean and guitarist Stevy Pyne, graduated from Boston’s Berklee College of Music, and you have the perfect resume to rock. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ In a phone interview with The Pitt News, Tranter said that the band has been together for about two and a half years ‘mdash; and they joined with a common goal to take over New York City’s music scene. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘We were super bored with all the music [in NYC], we thought people would be crazy and bands would be fantastic, but all the bands took themselves too seriously,’ said Tranter. ‘We just said, ‘f*** it,’ and started a band.’ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ Since SPW’s vocalist commonly wears platform shoes and skin grabbing pants, and the rest of the band follows suit with outrageous clothing, it is not hard to understand how the band has brought some color to New York City’s black-and-white music scene. According to Tranter, the band uses its glamorous style and theatrical live shows to create a fun atmosphere for the audience. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘We’ve just been embracing the party factor, and we know that we’re really good musicians so we don’t feel like we have to prove anything anymore,’ said Tranter. ‘Let’s just play for people to have fun. When other bands try and prove how intelligent they are, we make sure people can dance through the whole set … and hopefully get laid.’ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ SPW doesn’t want people to file it into a particular genre based on its looks, though. Tranter’s glittery eye make-up and slicked blonde hair are certainly Bowie-esque, and the band members’ dress code could match that of a more electronic or techno band. But its music coincides with neither of those stereotypes.’ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘Rock and roll ‘mdash; it’s just straight up rock and roll,’ said Tranter without consideration. ‘Everyone wants a specific category, so we say garage glam or street glam, but it’s a little tougher and sweatier than that.’ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ SPW references classic rock bands like AC/DC, Led Zeppelin and Aerosmith to be major influences in its sound, but Tranter also calls on female rap artists, like Lil’ Kim and Trina for inspiration. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘They were so cocky ‘mdash; they said whatever they wanted and got away with it,’ he said. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ Although SPW appears to have an ego the size of New York City, the members deal with the humble lifestyle that most musicians face. In an attempt to overcome these financial setbacks, SPW puts out a merchandise line that includes clothing and accessories, which are wearable whether a person supports the band or not.’ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ Tranter also makes money with his jewelry line, ‘Fetty’ (F***ing Pretty), which is sold through big names like Barney’s and Urban Outfitters. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ Using alternative sources like these, SPW tries to keep itself afloat in a tough music industry. It’s going to need all the support it can get for the big plans Tranter has in mind. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ In addition to touring in promotion for its latest album, We Love You, Tranter hopes to get SPW on even bigger tours in the future and maybe get a TV show about him and his band. These may seem like high hopes, but Tranter’s not worried. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘World domination is our plan for the future.’