Missing Picket

June 8, 2007


Missing Picket returns with new lineup, attitude

MIKE NUNEZ
SHAKE, RATTLE & KNOW

After a long hiatus from the music scene, Missing Picket is back and scheduled to debut its new lineup Saturday at the Metro Entertainment Complex in West Melbourne.

Known for awe-inspiring acoustic shows at Captain Hiram's and full-force band shows across Central Florida, Missing Picket is building its reputation as one of the area's top performers.

The band is fronted by lead singer Robbie Carrico, who experienced Billboard chart-topping success with the early 2000s band Boyz N' Girlz United. Carrico took a leap of faith by ditching his pop status in search of a new beginning in rock 'n' roll with Missing Picket.

The band includes Carrico, lead vocals; Kevin Scott, lead guitar; Shawn Pocchiare, drums; and Alex "AP" Postlewait, bass. With a revamped lineup, a cutting-edge style and a sound outlook on music today, Missing Picket is a band on the rise.

I spoke with Carrico and Scott about their band changes, their label interest and their approach to songwriting. So let's Shake, Rattle & Know: Missing Picket.

SRK : Why do you think the band has experienced such a high turnover of members in recent years?

Carrico: I wonder that myself sometimes. I think it boils down to the fact that not a lot of people can handle the type of dedication it takes; whether that's because of jobs, family life, girlfriends or whatever. It's a real time commitment. A couple of times members left because it turned out they just weren't what we were looking for.

Scott: A lot of things have happened to cause turnover. I think pickiness has a lot to do with it. We are picky about who we bring in, and about the way we expect us to sound. We have a vision for our music, and sometimes people just don't share that vision or see things the same way Robbie and I do. It's also hard to get four very different personality types to click. I guess it is like building a corporation. You have to go through a lot of people until you build the right team.

SRK : How hard is it to keep the music true to form with such turnover?

Scott: Not too hard, really. The music's core hasn't changed, so even with change, we keep writing, picking and choosing songs and making sure the music is true to form. The changes slow us down a bit, but they certainly don't derail us. In some ways you feel sad when a member leaves, but on the other hand, when someone new steps in, it is a bit motivational as well.

SRK : Tell me how your current lineup differs from previous lineups in terms of musicianship and style?

Carrico: I really like the style of the new lineup. Even more so, I like the attitude of the current lineup. We seem to be more like-minded, and that's a very hard thing to find. We seem to work harder and are ready to get the show on the road. Overall, I just think the lineup is better than it's ever been.

Scott: The musicianship is better and more balanced. Our drummer is a very nonaggressive personality, which gels well with the other members, and his style is great. We will hold onto him forever. Our bass player is the best one yet, and he lends a certain creativeness we've been lacking.

SRK : After achieving success as a member of the pop band Boyz N' Girlz United, how hard was it to basically start from scratch?

Carrico: It's much harder to start over, especially because I wasn't getting a new start just within pop music, but in a whole new genre of music for me. I really had to step outside of the box and my comfort zone and try something new. I had a lot of help from the guys in the band, and through constant practice it's been coming together.

SRK: At that point it probably would have been easier to pursue a solo career in pop music, so why did you choose to try your hand at rock 'n' roll?

Carrico: Rock was always my first love, and it's what I had listened to for as long as I can remember. I didn't really know much about pop music either; it was just sort of something that happened to me. I never really intended to be a singer of any type, but once I hit the stage for the first time I knew it was what I wanted to do.

SRK: Last time we spoke there was some record label interest in the band, so where do you stand now with the labels?

Scott: The label interest we had prior to the band member changes is still there. I am not sure if it is a blessing or a mistake, but we said no to the previous offers we had. We knew we had inner turmoil, and we didn't want that to put a black mark on our reputation. The labels are looking forward to the fourth album, which we are recording now, and we'll see what happens from there.

SRK: Oftentimes, when a record label comes calling, it will only do so if certain conditions are met, such as changing the style, the look of the band or even keeping only the lead singer. If this happens, how receptive to change is the band?

Carrico: I think we would be receptive to change. It's a case of "How bad do you want it?" It would be a very big decision if it came down to having to change members of the band, but we will have to cross that bridge when we come to it. Input is one thing and that is to be expected; it's not everyday a label will give total control over to an artist, so we realize some changes would have to be made.

SRK: What is the biggest challenge you face as an unsigned artist?

Scott: It's a lot more work. Being unsigned means you have to do it all yourself, from the booking to the promotion, to the production of the CDs, to just about everything you do, you have to do it on your own.

Carrico: The financial aspect is the hardest thing. You just don't have the funds you need to do everything you need to do to excel in this business. You have to spend money to make money, but you have to have money to spend money. It's tough with no label support helping you on that side of things.

SRK: Who writes the majority of music and lyrics?

Carrico: Kevin writes the large majority of our stuff. I've written a few, too, but most of them start with Kevin and we build from there. With our new lineup, we hope to start writing more collectively.

SRK: What subjects do you use as inspiration for your lyrics?

Scott: It depends. A lot of times the songs are very personal for me. They range from issues I have dealt with in relationships or just subjects floating around in my head. It's hard to figure out what might pique my interest and become the basis for a song. Writing in general is just a whole weird thing that isn't always easy to describe.

Carrico: There is no usual formula. It just happens. Sometimes I have an idea that I think is great and when I try to write it into lyrics, it's just not happening. I can write about every day life or about something that may have happened 10 years ago. There doesn't seem to be any real method behind my writing.

SRK: What would you want someone unfamiliar with the band to know about Missing Picket?

Scott: We just want people to know who we are. Our music doesn't fall into just one category, so come check us out and see for yourself what we are all about.

Carrico: They should keep their eyes open for us, because we're going to start turning heads. If you don't know who we are yet, you should.

Contact Mike Nunez at fantasyforecaster2005@yahoo.com.
- Florida Today

Missing Picket’s Return Show
After a six month layoff that found vocalist Robbie
Carrico and lead guitarist Kevin Scott playing unplugged sets,
rock band Missing Picket back in full force. To prove it the
band is kicking off its official return to the electric concertstage
with a local show at 9pm on Saturday June 16.
The concert, which will take place at the Metro in West
Melbourne, will feature a two-hour performance by the band.
Cost is $5.
The band’s latest return is characteristic of Missing
Picket’s determination. Over the years, Missing Picket has
stayed strong despite major changes in its lineup, including
the replacement of its original drummer, rhythm guitarist and
bass player in 2004.
Five years after forming, the band still has its sights set
on success. To that end the group, comprised of AP (bass)
and Shawn Pocchiare (drums) as well as Carrico and Scott, is
working on its fourth album.
Over the years Missing Picket has done its hometown
well, opening for bands such as Shinedown, playing festivals
like the Florida Music Festival and SunFest, not to mention
playing venues like the Hard Rock Live in Orlando and the
Hard Rock Seminole Casino in Hollywood Florida. It reasons
we can expect similarly great things from this rejuvenated
band. - Brevard Live