Escape The Hive is a 70s-style hard rock band featuring Kings of Dust and one-time Jake E Lee vocalist Michael Thomas Beck.
XS ROCK: Tell me about the latest band news. Are any new projects coming out, live shows, or announcements?
Michael Thomas Beck: Well, we just recently released our first full single and full video for the track “Separate Lives”. The video can be found on YouTube. But the big news is our debut release “This Is Gonna Sting!” is out in stores on CD and digitally across all platforms through VanityMusicGroup /Sony Music!
XS ROCK: So how long has the band been together?
Michael Thomas Beck: About 2 years
XS ROCK: What was your main motivation for originally starting or being in a band?
Michael Thomas Beck: Been a music fan all my life. But wanting to play and write started as a teenager.
XS ROCK: What are your current music career goals?
Michael Thomas Beck: Really excited about this new record. So we are all anxious to see how far we can take it!
XS ROCK: Which do you prefer? Writing new songs and recording or playing for a live audience?
Michael Thomas Beck: Both have their merits. And I’m not sure I prefer one over the other. But after not being on tour for a while, it does feel really good to be back out there.
XS ROCK: What are your songs’ lyrics about? (What specific themes do they cover?)
Michael Thomas Beck: I wrote mostly from a positive standpoint. And topics range from how the internet turned out to not be what we thought it was going to be in “InBetween” to watching the ones you love grow older in front of you on “Watchin You Watchin Me” to how history has a way of repeating its self in “I’ve Seen The Future”.
XS ROCK: What is the single most important thing to you as a musician?
Michael Thomas Beck: I think every musician has the same goal. And that’s to get a point across. Whatever that might be.
XS ROCK: What’s the strangest request that you’ve ever received from one of your fans?
Michael Thomas Beck: I’ve been a musician for a long time. So it’s not as Xrated as it used to be. Lol.
XS ROCK: Are your friends and family supportive of your choice to play in a rock band?
Michael Thomas Beck: Absolutely. There are a lot of moving parts And this machine doesn’t run itself! It definitely takes help from those around you to make it happen.
XS ROCK: What advice do you have for new bands trying to get started?
Michael Thomas Beck: This is a business. Treat it as such if you want to want it as a career.
XS ROCK: What are your favorite tracks to play live?
Michael Thomas Beck: Anything off our new record. We worked really hard on it. And it’s great to see an audience reaction to that.
XS ROCK: Which band or artist inspired you to perform? Why?
Michael Thomas Beck: Probably Kiss being the first.
XS ROCK: If you could design a dream tour for your band, who would be on the bill?
Michael Thomas Beck: I don’t know that I have a “dream tour”. But it’s always more fun with people you enjoy being around. Fortunately, this band is all great people as well as great musicians. Trust me, that’s not always the case. Walking around on eggshells under a black cloud tends to make the best of things less enjoyable.
XS ROCK: What do you consider your greatest accomplishment so far?
Michael Thomas Beck: My children. That was a lot of work too. Haha
XS ROCK: If you weren’t performing in a band what kind of career do you think you would have?
Michael Thomas Beck: My day job is a producer and Recording engineer. So, something on the creative end of things.
XS ROCK: What do you think of the current music scene?
Michael Thomas Beck: It’s unfortunate the way streaming is set up and the way it pays artists. The money is there. It just isn’t making it to the people creating it.
XS ROCK: For anyone who doesn’t know you, what would they be surprised to know about you?
Michael Thomas Beck: Hmmmm…. Again, if you do this for a living, the appreciation of the art is much more rewarding than the perks that go with it.
XS ROCK: Is there anything that you’d like to promote or say to your fans out there?
Michael Thomas Beck: Our brand spanking new record “This Is Gonna Sting !” Escape The Hive is really proud of this record. And can’t wait to get it out there!
XS ROCK: Thanks again for taking the time to talk with us at XS ROCK!
Michael Thomas Beck: Absolutely my pleasure. Thanks for listening!
Escape The Hive is:
Michael Thomas Beck- Vocals
A.D Adams- Drums/Vocals
Conrad Varela- Guitar/Vocals
Mike Vars- Keyboards/Vocals
Paul Williams- Bass/Vocals
Visit The Escape The Hive Official Facebook Page
