Check out the interview and hear what Mike of Cheap Date had say!

SMMO: What's the name of your band, who are the members, and what do they play?

Cheap Date: Cheap Date – The Hottest & Coolest Cover Band in Town!
Mike Moroney – Bass Player / Vocals
Jim Schonitzer – Guitar
Pete Walters – Drums / Vocals
Jim Shields – Lead Vocals

SMMO: Describe your music to someone who has never heard your music before.

Cheap Date: We play rock covers everyone knows and loves spanning every decade to today.

SMMO: What's better, stage or studio?

Cheap Date: Stage

SMMO: How often, and how long does your band rehearse?

Cheap Date: Once a week (usually)

SMMO: When the band is at rehearsal, describe the atmosphere.

Cheap Date: It’s a pretty loose but cooperative atmosphere. We always seem to accomplish most of what we set out to do by the end of the night.

SMMO: Do you promote more on the internet, or by "word-of-mouth"?

Cheap Date: We do both but word of mouth tends to prevail more so than the net.

SMMO: Are Southern Maryland venues supportive of local bands?

Cheap Date: From what I can see, yes, but we’ve only played a few places.

SMMO: Do local venues support live bands more or less with DJ's or KJ's?

Cheap Date: Mostly bands but there are A LOT of DJ’s/KJ’s around.

SMMO: What's the biggest downfall of local bands in the Southern Maryland area?

Cheap Date: Not enough GOOD bands that play music people want to hear or people know.

SMMO: What can your band offer the Southern Maryland audiences that other bands don't?

Cheap Date: We put on a SHOW from start to finish and play music that people know and love, whether it’s classic stuff or current radio rock. We are road-tested musicians that play aswell as we perform.

SMMO: What styles or genre's most influence your music?

Cheap Date: Rush, Yes, Led Zep, 80’s Big-hair Metal Bands, Anything Elvis.

SMMO: How can audiences find out more about you, do you have a website?

Cheap Date: Our website (www.cheapdate.tv) or come to a show.

SMMO: How did the band get its name and how long has the group been around?

Cheap Date: We came up with it throwing out ideas at practice one day. It was between Cheap Date and The Munchkin Punchers. We’ve been around for about 2½ years.

SMMO: Describe your band in one sentence.

Cheap Date: The Hottest & Coolest Cover Band in Town!

SMMO: Most encouraging moment as a band, most discouraging moment.

Cheap Date: Most Encouraging Moment: Every time we play in front of new faces. Most Discouraging Moment: Every time we play in front of NO ONE!

SMMO: Do you perform original songs or cover songs, or both?

Cheap Date: Strictly rock covers.

SMMO: What is your secret method of providing the best show possible for the audience?

Cheap Date: If I told you, it would be a secret! Hint: I summon HIS spirit.

SMMO: What's the bands favorite venue to perform at in Southern Maryland, why?

Cheap Date: So far, Memories in Waldorf and Harbor Sounds in Solomon's Island.

SMMO: What is the biggest problem with the Southern Maryland music scene?

Cheap Date: From what I see, it’s the amount of places to play. Also, attempting to find who the contact is for booking at a place. Many bars/restaurants blow you off on the phone.We use an agent and book gigs ourselves - it seems like some places want to use the same bands over and over and not give a new a band a chance.

SMMO: Why is Southern Maryland a good regional area to perform live music?

Cheap Date: There’s a ton of people in the area that would rather stay around and go see live bands nearby rather than go down town to D.C. or VA.

SMMO: Does the band have a CD available, how can we get a copy?

Cheap Date: Yes, a demo of sorts. It’s a work on progress right now but available.We also have just created a DVD, which will be available from our website.

SMMO: What goals has the band set for its future?

Cheap Date: To play better gigs, better places, in front of LOTS of people for more money.

SMMO: Has the band received radio or television airplay, tell us about that.

Cheap Date: We’ve done some television on Cable Channel 10 in Fairfax. It was for a show called "Backstage Pass" and it’s aired three separate times locally. No radio play since we only do covers.

SMMO: What was the strangest thing that happened at one of your shows?

Cheap Date: Not too many “strange” things have happened but we’ve had a lot of cool things happen. Like girls showing their “assets” and people slow dancing to the weirdest songs. Nothing to write home about but fun none the less.

SMMO: Would you ever consider not playing music?

Cheap Date: HELL, NO!

SMMO: What does your talent mean to you?

Cheap Date: I don’t know if I have all that much “talent”, but, whatever I do have is a gift from God and I don’t want to waste it or take it for granted. It can be taken from me in the blink of an eye.

SMMO: Do the members of the band write original material as a collective unit?

Cheap Date: Not really. We’re starting to but haven’t come up with anything solid yet.

SMMO: Is there a lead song writer who comes forth with the majority of original material?

Cheap Date: No

SMMO: Is there anything you would like to add that we have not thought of?

Cheap Date: The Cheap Date will ROCK THE HOUSE of ANY So. Maryland venue around and keep’em coming back for more! The CD train is coming so get on board or get out of town!