When did you form as a band?
The band formed in 2011 when singer-songwriters John Young and Steve Morrison revived their longtime collaboration and recruited bassist Rick Gercak and drummer Dave Klug. Morrison’s and Klug’s previous group, The Aviation Blondes, had recently disbanded, as had Young’s and Gercak’s prior band, Paperback. In the spring of 2017 the band welcomed new drummer extraordinaire Tyler Kweder (Anti-Flag, White Wives, American Armada). 

 

Where all have you performed?
We’ve played at venues such as Club Café, The Pittsburgh Winery, Hard Rock Café, Howler’s and the Bloomfield Bridge Tavern. We’ve also played at Rocky’s Route 8, Cefalo’s, and less traditional spaces such as St. Rosalia Academy in Greenfield and Panza Gallery in Millvale.

 

What musicians do you draw your inspiration from?
A representative sample of artists who have inspired us might include The Replacements, Bruce Springsteen, Buddy Holly, and Hüsker Dü. 

 

Describe your sound?
The Optimists play “roots pop,” which means rock songs played with loud guitars and a hook. Other people might say “power pop,” a term we don’t love but it might describe us at times. Old-school verse/chorus songwriters who play tight and clean with a lot of vocal harmony. 

 

What is your most memorable performance experience?
We’ve been lucky enough to share the stage with some of our musical idols, including Tommy Keene (“Places that Are Gone”) and Jimmy Podrasky of the Rave-Ups (“Positively Lost Me”). We’re looking forward to playing Summer Fridays at the Frick this August 25 (http://www.thefrickpittsburgh.org/events/summer-fridays-at-the-frick-theoptimists/). 

 

Where can your fans check out your music and merchandise?
Bandcamp https://theoptimists1.bandcamp.com/ 
CD Baby https://store.cdbaby.com/artist/TheOptimists1 
iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/team-doubtful/id1157946792 
Amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LXO2Y4B/ref=dm_ws_sp_ps_dp 
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/theoptimistspittsburgh/ 

Physical copies of our new CD, Team Doubful, are available on CD Baby, at our shows and direct from band members anytime.

 

What is your website? 
https://theoptimists1.bandcamp.com/