My first concert was in sixth grade when I saw “American Idol Live: Season 4.” It was a really fun experience, but the real fun started when I was a freshman in high school. I went to see a band from my hometown, who at the time was called Ryan Started the Fire, at a local bar (yes, I went to my first bar freshman year). I got to meet them and spend time with them after the show, which was what sparked my interest and love for music. My love snowballed from there, and I grew to meet and essentially become a groupie for multiple bands. Whenever they come to my area, you’ll be sure to find me there!

So what is it like to be the friend of the band? Amazing. I have gotten to know so many people from all over the country, watch how their music has progressed, and experience some very unforgettable memories at their shows. Because of my growing love for the music scene, I was able to reach out to the band members I have met and ask them for their participation in this article. Here are the people you will get to know:

Evan Villarreal is one of the original members of Ryan Started the Fire (now named Silver Age) as the vocalist and guitar/bass player over the years. I went to my first RSTF show when I was about 14 years old. I am so proud of all that Evan has accomplished with his bands as time has gone on. On another note, I get to celebrate my 21^st birthday at a Silver Age show this summer!

Jacob Hayes is also one of the original band members of Ryan Started the Fire as the drummer. He is no longer with the band now, but I have loved getting to know him and hang out with him while I got the chance!

Michael Johnson, whom I have known for about six years, has been someone I can always count on. He is featured in my article “Internet Friends Are Real Friends: A Letter To Mine.” He has always treated me with the upmost kindness and, although we haven’t met yet, I consider him to be one of my closest friends. No matter how long it has been since we last talked, we pick right up where we left off!

Kevin Fletcher is an amazing vocalist. I have never heard of anyone else who sounds quite like he does. I have gotten to know Kevin over the past four years or so, and I am so grateful I had the chance to meet him and get to know his other bandmates in "Uh Huh Baby Yeah".

Sean Smith was the drummer of "Uh Huh Baby Yeah" until November of 2016 when the band went their separate ways. One thing I have learned for sure is that he loves Michael Jackson, which you will see in one of his answers. I am fortunate enough to call him my bestie, and he will always have a special place in my heart.

Seth Decker: I met Seth through Twitter. He had told me how much he admired how I loved the smaller bands. Well, I still do! Every band I meet, no matter how small, I treasure for life. Through my time getting to know Sethy (as I call him), I have learned that he has sight and sound synesthesia. That basically means when he hears music, he can see colors, which is pretty incredible, if I do say so myself.

Here’s the moment you have all been waiting for, the interviews!

Give me a brief description of who you are and what band (or bands) you are (or were) involved with.

Evan Villarreal:

I'm Evan Villarreal, a multi-instrumentalist from Toledo, Ohio. I've been involved in the Toledo Scene and playing in bands in general for about seven years now at 19 years old. I currently play in five bands, the main one being my own band, "Silver Age", where I play guitar and sing. I also play drums in a band called "Tranquility", guitar in "The Flats", Guitar/Synth in "Equipment", and guitar in "Tugboat".

Jacob Hayes:

My name is Jacob Hayes. I’ve been playing music for as long as I can remember. I started in a band called "Ryan Started the Fire" when I was about 14, and played until I was about 18. I now produce my own hip hop beats and play in a hard rock band called "Tugboat".

Michael Johnson:

My name is Mic, I am 21 and a pop artist located in Boston, Massachusetts. They call me the secret love child of Prince and Lady Gaga, which is interesting. I play the keytar, stand on tables, take my clothes off, and put on a real rock show.

Kevin Fletcher:

My name is Kevin Fletcher, and I’m a vocalist. I currently sing in a band called "Summer Youth". I’ve played music most of my life -– most recently singing with a band called "Uh Huh Baby Yeah" that split back in November.

Sean Smith:

Hello, I'm Sean, aka Sean Thriller Smith, best known for playing drums in "Uh-Huh Baby Yeah!" and host of the "Sean Vs Wild" podcast!

Seth Decker:

I'm Seth Decker and I'm the singer/songwriter in "Young Poet", a pop punk/alt rock band from Pasadena, Maryland. I've also been a longtime fill in musician for a load of other acts.

Do you remember giving your first autograph?

Evan Villarreal:

I remember giving my first autograph to my grandma actually when I was 13 years old, because my friends and I's band was featured in our local newspaper, so I signed the copy my grandma had.

Jacob Hayes:

The first autograph I ever gave was when I was about 15, and Samantha Guth asked me for the signature.

Michael Johnson:

Yes! I was at Disney World when I was 13 and would tell my friends, “Come up to me and pretend I’m famous. Ask for an autograph so people think I’m from Disney Channel.”

Kevin Fletcher:

I do. I did it for my mom back when I was a kid.

Sean Smith:

If you don't count me showing off my often-practiced signature in many a yearbooks in my high school years, I would believe my first autograph was signed when my very first band played some sort of local fair/festival. The town was called Deputy, IN. I haven't been back since, nor do I even remember how to get there. We had a crowd of three high school aged kids. I signed one of their arms and one of their t-shirts. And then we got a check for $50 dollars. Not bad for a day's work.

Seth Decker:

I don't recall ever giving an autograph actually. If I had, I doubt it would be worth anything. I think the signing loot aspect comes with like middle tier levels of success.

Do you think of how your music will affect people as you write it or do you write more of what you feel?

Evan Villarreal:

When writing, I definitely don't consider how the music will affect people at all. I just try to write an idea or a feeling that I have, whether it be something I've actually experienced or just a story or thought that I want to write about. Don't get me wrong, I love when people connect with the songs, but that's not what I'm aiming for other than just saying what I want to say.

Jacob Hayes:

I often ask myself, “How do I feel?” after releasing my music to the public. I feel like as long as they feel some type of way when listening to what I put out, that’s all that matters.

Michael Johnson:

Both. When I’m creating, I see things in pictures and movies so I’m thinking about everything-- visuals, how other people will feel, and what they can take away from the message.

Kevin Fletcher:

A combination of both. I always write what I feel -– and very rarely think of how others will respond -– because I write for myself. It’s a release. There have been occasions where I’ve written songs for or about certain people though. I always wonder how they feel about that.

Sean Smith:

At the end of the day, you have to make yourself happy with the work you're putting out, channel your energy and feelings into that work, and send it out into the universe. If it's honest work, people will be affected by it when they hear it. They will be able to relate to it. That's the secret.

Seth Decker:

I do. It's actually something I think about often. With the socio-political climate we find ourselves in, my one little act of solidarity is to write songs a-gendered. My lyrics are all inclusive, mostly "you and I" settings instead of "him/her" etc. Also, when we cover songs originally written by women I don't change the pronouns of the song; I guess I just don't see the need. I really want my music to reach anyone and not just specifically angsty "Warped Tour" boys.

What is the most unique gift you have ever received from a fan?

Jacob Hayes:

The most memorable gift I’ve ever received from a fan was a “Napoleon Dynamite” talking pen. I don’t know who gave it to me, but thank you.

Michael Johnson:

Art for sure. One of my fans drew a portrait of me and I was blown away. It was so realistic.

Kevin Fletcher:

I’ve gotten some pretty cool stuff. Shirts, pictures –- I cherish them all. I’ve never really gotten anything OUT THERE, though. My son gave me his autograph once, though. He says he’s my biggest fan.

Sean Smith:

I have received a lot of handmade artwork, which has been awesome. Someone literally spends hours out of their day to like, draw your portrait, or make paintings or signs with your face or your band's logo on it. That's always the best.

Seth Decker:

I actually have it hanging on my desk at work; a workmate brought one of his daughters to see us play in Pennsylvania, and mid-set, we had a malfunction so I entertained the crowd with a story I made up on the spot. She loved it so much she drew a picture of it with a note. I love it.

What’s the craziest memory you have had with a fan/fans?

Michael Johnson:

Being stuck in one of my stage outfits while I was doing a costume change. Two fans literally came to my rescue and it was hilarious.

Kevin Fletcher:

This one time I played drunken wiffle ball in a Walmart parking lot in California at like 4 a.m. with some bands from the tour we were on and a bunch of fans. That was pretty crazy. The cops didn’t like it so much.

Sean Smith:

I don't really think of fans as fans, but more just my friends. I have had a lot of great times with my friends, a lot of times over a lot of beverages. The times are always crazy, and the memories are always hazy.

Seth Decker:

Oh man, there's so many. We try not to call people fans because we see them as being just as integral to the band as any member. We try to make as many friends as we can at shows to share memories with real people and not just faces in a room. I remember one time we played in a small venue in PA but the crowd was just electric, I didn't want the night to end so afterward we all went to Sheetz and just hung out. One of the kids chugged an entire bottle of ketchup for $5.

What makes you passionate about making music?

Evan Villarreal:

What makes me passionate about music is the connection and emotion it’s capable of making others feel. For example, I’ve heard songs, melodies, and lyrics by my favorite bands that have impacted and influenced me, and I feel that if I’m able to accurately capture an idea or a piece of my creative mind or soul or whatever that is, that it’s possible for someone else, outside of myself, to connect and feel that music in their own way too.

Jacob Hayes:

The thing that makes me passionate the most is my love for the music. I just want people to always have good vibes when listening.

Michael Johnson:

What got me started was my love for entertaining, but now I’m most passionate about the power music has to HEAL and make people feel a certain way. I’m passionate about using my gift to heal wounds in any way that I can. I also just want to bring back what pop music is lacking these days.

Kevin Fletcher:

It’s in my blood. I can hear/feel music all around me -– day in and day out. It’s a part of me, and I’ve learned to incorporate it in everyday life. You can’t help but feel passionate about something like that.

Sean Smith:

Music is my escape. Music is my outlet. Music got me all over the country. I get to see and do things and hang out with people I could only have wished for when I was young. Music is there for me when the times are good, and it's there when the times are at their absolute worst. I owe everything I have ever achieved to playing music. It is my first love. To quote the immortal Michael Jackson, "There have been others, but never two lovers like music, music and me."

Seth Decker:

It's a two-part thing for me. There's a new kind of emotion you unlock when you write music and finally play it perfectly as a band for the first time. I'm a big fan of dynamic songs with stops and drops and breakdowns, and the first time you nail those parts it's like time stops for a second. I'll chase that feeling forever I think. The other part is definitely sharing that feeling with other people. I wouldn't write if I didn't have friends to write to, and I wouldn't play if I didn't have anyone to play for. It's a shared experience for me and the work only pays off when I can get a group of my friends into a tiny bar to listen to the music I've made with my best band mates. People make me passionate.

If you can walk away from this article with anything, walk away with the idea that no matter what, you can live out your wildest dreams. Just never lose that passion for what you love to do!

*Some quotes have been edited for clarity.