20 Questions is a Q&A interview series with musicians, authors, and everyone in between, celebrating experiences both shared and individual in the messy game of being human.
In a time and space where rock music is settling for a more subtle and cerebral future, The Joeys are reminding lifelong listeners about its rich heritage, creating a full throttle live rock & roll throwback sound with a modern flare that few young bands are able to achieve. Originating from Phoenix, Arizona, the group displays a mastery of both traditional and modern rock styles with their shape-shifting sonic framework, alternating from punk rock to roots, rockabilly, and blues. Comprised of Dean Cheney (guitar/vocals), Luci Cormany (bass/vocals) and Hayden Lamm (drums), their sound is enmeshed in a world of variety, their strength lies in their diverse production styles, and with each release there exists an aura of innovativeness.
Since bursting onto the scene in 2019 with the gripping “Phantom Bride of 13 Curves,” The Joeys have been able to demonstrate their deep appreciation and understanding of rock history with each release by lacing cinematic storytelling with a thrilling blend of bold studio captured live energy. They released their debut EP Punks From Outer Space in 2020, showcasing growth in terms of their storytelling and production styles. There’s a lot of frenzy and ecstasy sprinkled all over the EP with even more live energy prowess and more urgent songwriting; Dean Cheney’s vocals draw the listener in from the start of each track with the band pushing their chemistry to new heights and solidifying the group’s trademark sound.
I got to know The Joeys for the latest edition of 20 Questions, hearing all about their songwriting style, how they define neo-rockabilly music, their new single “Bad Intentions,” and more.
Did you guys grow up in musical households?
Other than our parents being in small bands when they were younger, not really.
How did The Joeys first come to be?
Dean started the band in the spring of 2018, and Hayden and Luci joined not long after that.
What would you say is the general theme of your music?
I’d say our music at this stage represents youthful, energetic fun.
What’s your favorite type of song to write?
We love writing fast, energetic songs that tend to have strange stories about ghosts, aliens, or something weird like that.
As a group, who are you most inspired by?
We all have a variety of different tastes in music to the point where it’s surprising that we even work as a cohesive band.
How would you characterize your latest single “Bad Intentions”?
It’s one of our oldest songs, as we’ve been playing it since we started. I think the whole idea behind the song was to display our affinity for really old school music and be able to modernize it in a variety of ways.
The last series you binge-watched?
Luci has probably binged The Office around 37 times, Hayden recently watched all of American Horror Story, and Dean is currently in the middle of a binge of Modern Family.
Favorite thing to do on a rainy day?
It rarely rains in Arizona, so when it does, we all like to go outside and enjoy the rare occurrence.
The last book you finished?
In all honesty, I don’t think any of us are avid readers.
You characterize yourselves as a “neo-rockabilly” group. How would you define that subgenre?
The genre of rockabilly often gets put into a box, so the genre of neo-rockabilly is basically anything that has the early rock n’ roll blueprint but has elements of the styles like punk, new wave, or ska.
Who are your style icons and why?
Dean models his style after a lot of those early rock n’ roller’s like Elvis. Luci’s style is modeled after the color black, and no offense to Hayden, but he has absolutely no style to speak of.
Best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
We are often told to always make the most out of every opportunity and make the most of every show we play.
One movie that will always make you cry?
For some reason, the Toy Story movies are just endless tear jerkers.
You’re stuck on a long flight. Which world-famous musician would you want sitting next to you and why?
It would have to be Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak, AKA Silk Sonic. They would be pure entertainment to be in the presence of.
Spotify or Apple Music?
No hate to Apple Music listeners, but from a listener’s perspective, Spotify is far superior.
The best song you’ve heard in the last year?
“Oh Savannah” by Tom McGuire & The Brassholes has been out for less than four months, and it is already one of the greatest songs of all-time.
Favorite song to get your blood moving?
“Ace of Aces” by the Fearless Flyers never fails at getting us up and moving around. The groove is just too good.
One thing that’s been keeping you sane throughout the COVID-19 pandemic?
Being able to keep rehearsing during COVID was something that kept some sort of normalcy to our lives.
One artist you would like to collaborate with one day?
Being able to collaborate with someone like Brian Setzer would be the highest honor.
In a perfect world, where would you like to see yourselves five years from now?
By then, hopefully we will be going on tours of our own and consistently releasing new music.
Follow The Joeys on Twitter and Instagram, and stream their latest single “Bad Intentions” wherever you listen to music.
Jeffrey Reads 