Chuck Shute Podcast

Derek Day & Franco Gravante (Classless Act)

November 14, 2022 Derek Day & Franco Gravante Season 4 Episode 295
Chuck Shute Podcast
Derek Day & Franco Gravante (Classless Act)
Show Notes Transcript

Derek Day & Franco Gravante are the singer and bass player of the hard rock band Classless Act. The band recently opened shows on the Stadium Tour alongside Motley Crue, Def Leppard, Poison and Joan Jett. They have an album out now titled “Welcome to the Show” and an acoustic EP coming out soon as well as a club tour. We discuss all this in the interview along with how the band formed, the advice they got from the stadium bands and more! 

00:00 - Intro
00:37 - Band Introductions & Instruments
01:20 - Next Tour & Stadium Tour
02:43 - Origin of Band & Chemistry
04:05 - New Album "Welcome to the Show"
04:45 - Band Early Days
06:40 - Up & Coming Bands & LA Scene
08:04 - Acoustic Album
09:26 - Writing Music
11:18 - "On My Phone" & Technology
12:35 - Negativity on Social Media
14:12 - Vince Neil, Tommy Lee & Bob Rock
16:03 - Advice From Stadium Tour Bands
18:20 - Taylor Hawkins Tribute Show
20:42 - DMC of Run DMC
21:09 - Big Stars, Kindness & Alice Cooper
22:55 - Upcoming Shows
24:28 - The Innocent Project
25:07 - Outro

Classless Act website:
https://classlessact.com/

The Innocent Project website:
https://innocenceproject.org/

Chuck Shute website:
http://chuckshute.com/

Support the Show.

Thanks for Listening & Shute for the Moon!

Chuck Shute:

Hey, coming up today we have Derrick and Franco the singer and bass player from the band classless act. And you may know the name as these guys opened the stadium tour with Motley Crue Def Leppard poison and Joan Jett. So we're going to talk about that, of course, and the advice that they got from those superstars, plus their new music. Derrick playing the Taylor Hawkins tribute show how the band formed and so much more. Stay right there. All right, well, this is exciting. So I'll let you guys introduce yourselves. For the people who can't see. Voices.

Derek Day:

Yeah, I'm Derek de. I'm the lead singer of classical sax.

Franco Gravante:

Frankly, I'm the Lead bass player from pesticide.

Chuck Shute:

Yeah. And so you guys also play all the instruments, right? It's what I heard every band member can do every instrument technically.

Franco Gravante:

Pretty much. Yeah. I mean, we definitely play more than one. Yeah,

Chuck Shute:

and you but have you ever done that on stage where you switch off for like a song or something?

Franco Gravante:

I'm pretty sure you're gonna see that the next tour? Oh, really? Yeah.

Chuck Shute:

Okay, is that you're already lined up?

Franco Gravante:

Yes. Yeah. Yeah. So we we played November 29. I think our first show in Texas. Yeah.

Chuck Shute:

And this is a club tour, who's on tour with you.

Franco Gravante:

So we have some headline shows. And we also have with with touring with Giovanni and Huygens okay. So this will be a smaller

Chuck Shute:

show than the stadium tour. Yes, yes. Yes. Yeah, cuz I missed you guys. I came to the stadium show I missed because of traffic and parking. We missed you and Joan Jett, which I was kind of pleased about, but you know, I'd rather see you guys in like a smaller environment anyways.

Franco Gravante:

It's not. I like it. I wouldn't say I like it more, but I definitely enjoy it a lot. Yeah. Yeah, it's a different experience. What's that? I don't like it less either. Let's make that clear. Yeah,

Chuck Shute:

no, no, I mean, for you guys. It's awesome. Like to be up there with a huge crowd. But like, as a fan, I want to be like really close to the band. And I was like, 30 rows back in the stadium, which I thought I was like, I paid more. I'm thinking 30 rows this but 30 rows in the stadium tours, like, really far away, actually.

Derek Day:

Yeah. Yeah.

Chuck Shute:

So explain to me the history of the band, though. Because I was confused. I was looking for interviews. And I think I saw one was slash his son originally the guitar player.

Franco Gravante:

No, that's, that's all wrong. That's right. He used to be in the band for a short period of time. He was drummer. Oh, yeah. But like, five, six years. Yeah. So he

Chuck Shute:

was in the band, but he was the drummer.

Derek Day:

Yeah, yeah. We went through like many drummers, though, and many, like, you know, a couple of singers before me a couple of guitar players it all kind of a process of just getting the right people.

Chuck Shute:

Yeah, and you guys all mostly met through social media. You're all fans of each other's how originally started?

Derek Day:

Yeah, yeah, that's pretty much except for Chuck on drums. We went to see him at a show. But yeah, I mean, I don't know. They reached out to me through Facebook. And yeah, Franco came through Instagram and Griffin through Tik Tok. It's kind of like a weird.

Franco Gravante:

Yeah, it everything took his time. It's time though. You know, it took like, two or three years to get the right. lineup, you know? Yeah.

Chuck Shute:

Yeah. And you feel like the chemistry is there now.

Derek Day:

Oh, yeah. Yeah,

Chuck Shute:

because I'm loving this out. This is the first thing you guys have recorded. Right? Welcome to the show. Yeah, yeah. Are these have these songs been around for a while though? Or were they written pretty recent?

Franco Gravante:

We had like a whole album kinda like ready to go. And then COVID happen and we wrote it. Okay. New songs and because we were like, more used to each other after a while, you know, and I don't know it was that period of time when you know you also in call it you got to know yourself a little bit better. And you want to say some different things, you know, and he really helped us you know,

Chuck Shute:

yeah. So before you did this, put this album out. Obviously, you were a band you were together. Talk about those early days where you're just doing shows and you're grinding like before you get the stadium tour even before you get the tour with a door Aarthi enjoys wolf like what kinds of venues did you do like the Viper Room and things did you do short like little mini tours and things? Or what did you What were the days like then?

Franco Gravante:

Yeah, we play the waves going to my brother's Hollywood places. But we also play in like, backyards, you know? Yeah.

Derek Day:

Yeah, yeah. VFW gig and like, Yeah, I think even once maybe St. Rock that we do st. Right, like, somewhere out in the back. I don't know. Like, like little weird dingy clubs here and then

Franco Gravante:

within like a little little mini tour of like, seven eight dates, no sign and all that stuff. It was He was something

Chuck Shute:

are you doing like covers originals or mixer? That makes? Yeah. So is it?

Derek Day:

Sorry, go on. No, I just say mostly originals. But yeah, we'll throw some covers in there. Okay,

Chuck Shute:

is it now one of them? You had what?

Franco Gravante:

We only have one album, so we only have many songs? Yeah, sure.

Chuck Shute:

Sure. So when in those early days when you're playing the clubs and stuff, what are the audience's like is it a mix? Or is it a lot of older folks like me? Or? Or they're young kids coming to rock shows?

Franco Gravante:

They are young kids man. Thankfully, you know, cuz you know, the new generation you know, it's important for them to listen to rock. Oh, it's important for us that they listen.

Chuck Shute:

We because I want you guys to save rock for the future of you know the world like I mean we have you guys we have I love Joyce Wolf. I had Nick on the show. What other younger up and coming bands are good that you guys want to give a shout out to now.

Franco Gravante:

Well, I always love foxes. Just Sam. They've been around for a while but I always want to shout out to them because I love them. Yeah, well for starters, we recently discovered Thumper Soros Yes, well.

Derek Day:

I'm trying to like remember all the things but I don't know. I mean, was there some good ones? Joyce is awesome. So like, I didn't even know like for the Arby's

Franco Gravante:

is no ban. Yeah.

Chuck Shute:

Okay, so do you do do a lot of shows with these guys like like with Joyce Wolf, had you done shows before them before he got the tour with them and Dorothy?

Franco Gravante:

No, we made that we met them there actually. Oh, really?

Derek Day:

Oh, interest? Yeah. Okay. For a while, and for a minute, but only just through passing it? Yeah.

Chuck Shute:

Did you? Did you get introduced to was Dorothy's guitarist Sam BAM Colton. Was he on this tour? Because I love that guy. He's so nice.

Derek Day:

Family is great. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

Chuck Shute:

So there is definitely a scene in LA still with rock bands.

Franco Gravante:

Yeah, definitely. Always hush Yeah. Yeah.

Chuck Shute:

That's cool. So let's talk about now you guys have I guess the new album Welcome to the show that I love but there's also an acoustic version. Is it just that one song or is their whole full like EP coming out with acoustic stuff?

Franco Gravante:

It's a five song EP coming out. I think we're releasing that song like last week. And all the songs are going to be released by December 16 If I'm not wrong Yeah, it's just a small EP five songs of acoustics. It's been pretty fun because you know, like, we want to show this other side of us besides you know, playing loud rock guitar and stuff like that we want to show you know that we are more versatile than that. And now we will do everything kind of in one take not there's no processing or anything. It's like you know, telling a different version of the same story in a way which is nice. I mix it so I have all the tracks you know, the rough tracks and everything. So I can I might show them on Instagram one day. Okay,

Chuck Shute:

that's really cool. Yeah, I noticed because there's a song on the Welcome to the show circles, which already has kind of an acoustic kind of like Zeplin ish feel to it. I love that song. So it's gonna be more is going to be that one gonna be on there or is that already kind of

Derek Day:

that's the irony of classes.

Franco Gravante:

We take the most rock and roll songs and we just made it something else which was also the video I think Yeah.

Chuck Shute:

Yeah. So I love this album is the Welcome to the show stuff is so great because it's just easy, classic. Like for me, it's like easy to listen to like I don't have to think too much. I'm like, Okay, this is just like good driving clean your house like rock out singalong music.

Derek Day:

Yeah, cool. I like that.

Chuck Shute:

Yeah. Yeah, I mean, is that kind of the the idea behind it's not like you're not trying to reinvent the wheel. You're just trying to make good rock.

Franco Gravante:

Which is why I write whatever we like to write pretty much we don't really put that much thought on it honestly, like, oh, we should Write something like that. There's this style, which is right. And that's my whole I was like, it's rock driven. But there's a bunch of small cliche like, inner styles. Yeah. Inside the rock thing, you know?

Chuck Shute:

Okay, like example, like, What do you mean? Well,

Franco Gravante:

we have Give it to me. And then you have thoughts from alignment. And those two are like rock driven, but the contrast between them is huge.

Derek Day:

Yeah, even all that we are as a little bit alternative, it's maybe a little bit more modern. Whereas Give it to me. Maybe a little throwback kind of thing. Same circles, throwback,

Franco Gravante:

they have meaning hella hunting love those kind of go together in a way. You know? It's more like, Ron Paul Cleanaway. Yeah.

Chuck Shute:

Yeah. Well, that's what I You said all that we are. I think that that's the one that's in my head right now. Like, it's funny. I'll listen to this. I'll be like, one will be in my head. And then I'm like, that's the best song and then then I start to like, one of the other ones. And that's how you know it's a good album is when you start to, you know, fight over your favorites. I think you guys feel the same way.

Derek Day:

Yeah, well, our favorites change a lot. Food for like haunting Monday, and then I'm in the mood for like, even this is for you. And the other day, I'm like, This is my jam, and she's can't really pick on. Yeah,

Chuck Shute:

what is the song? On my phone? The lyric about seeing pictures on my phone? What is that about? Sounds like there's gotta be a story behind that one.

Derek Day:

Yeah, I mean, I, I'm basically really exhausted from what we the world we live in now. I mean, it's right. Even right now. We're on our phone. And, but no, but it's just, you know, like, I want to one of the main lyrics that could maybe some the song up is like, I haven't seen you in so long, spending the last year with you with with each other. So it's like, you know, I can be right next to you, but I'm just doing this. So just that connection has been lost through connectivity. So that kind of idea. But

Chuck Shute:

I feel like that's mostly you guys are so young. That's kind of gotta be a majority of your life has been where people I mean, I remember times when nobody had a cell phone, like definitely, or they didn't have ones that did all the, you know, the apps and stuff. It was just like texting or calling.

Derek Day:

Yeah, no, it's a huge part of our life. And we, we kind of need it to it's kind of part of our job to use it personally. But then, you know, the, the downsides cannot be underestimated. I think it's really kind of desensitizing everything and like making us all like, kind of lose our minds. I've been noticing lately, like, people are becoming a little bit more violent. And I can describe why but I feel like the terminology is kind of easier to

Franco Gravante:

tell hate when you just can't do this. And that's it. Yeah, that's true. Yeah. People are

Derek Day:

real tough on the on the internet. Yeah.

Chuck Shute:

That's true. Yeah. People the keyboard warriors, they call it Yeah. Where they just talk all the shit behind their phones of how do you guys deal with that? You must have some trolls. That trolled you for opening the stadium tour and stuff. There must have been all sorts of negative comments.

Derek Day:

We don't read them. Actually. We just learned not to. I mean, there have been a few but we just kind of, and I laugh at it too. I think it's funny because I know there's it's not real. It's not a real thing.

Chuck Shute:

Yeah, like I had you guys know the band plush. Yeah, yeah. I have Maria Maria for mica on my show. And she was telling us how they called the band her band chicle back and she thought it was funny. Sometimes you gotta laugh at these trolls. Sometimes they're actually kind of funny.

Derek Day:

That is, but yeah, no, totally. I think and if Yeah, if they're clever enough. They deserve. I read one. They were like

Franco Gravante:

ACDC from wish. Okay, yeah, that's pretty funny. Yeah, fine. Wish you know, it's like a shitty app that since you order stuff online, but they saw shooting.

Chuck Shute:

That's kind of a compliment, though. I think I mean it to be even in the same reference in the same sentence as AC DC as a compliment. Yeah, well, you guys have. You guys have two pretty big names on this album. Vince Neil and Justin Hawkins from the darkness. How did you get those people? I would think that would be tough. Especially Vince. He doesn't do a lot of guest spots. Is it? Was it hard to reach out to his people and stuff?

Franco Gravante:

Oh, that's because we did that. Let Tommy Lee's house you know, he has a studio. So with the album there. So that was like the first connection we Motley and then we will add it to the tour. So you know, Maurice will just reach out and ask and see what happens, you know, and he was kind enough to say yes, and we will think he did a great job actually.

Chuck Shute:

Wow, that's really cool. So you actually recorded some of this at Tommy Lee's house.

Franco Gravante:

The first half of the album we recorded because he has a studio that you know he books for bands as record So we did a,

Chuck Shute:

and that was before you were added to the tour.

Franco Gravante:

Yes, yeah.

Chuck Shute:

How did you get hooked up with Tommy then?

Franco Gravante:

Well, we were working with a producer. And he suggested to go there actually,

Derek Day:

yeah. Bob Rock, Bob Ross. Dr. Feelgood? Yeah like a couple of you know, Bon Jovi? Singles and stuff like that.

Chuck Shute:

Yeah. Oh, I know, Bob Rock Metallica like, yeah, because I didn't know he was. So he he produced some of this stuff.

Franco Gravante:

Yeah, a few songs here. Because, you know, when you're doing an album, you just like, say, Who will be the bright future produces, you know, and then you just go over a few names. And, you know, just pick one. He was agreed he agreed to do it, because he liked it. So, you know, he

Derek Day:

was done the whole thing. But then COVID happened. We had to go back to his house. He lives not and so, like, he kind of leave, right? He's in Canada, right? He's in Canada and Hawaii and back and forth.

Chuck Shute:

Okay, that's, that's super cool. So when you guys get on the tour, then you didn't realize it because a lot of bands will say like, Oh, we didn't even talk to the headliners. Whatever. But I heard you guys say that they you did have interactions with some of the bands and they gave you some advice. What advice did they give you?

Franco Gravante:

Kids just keep doing it, man. Yeah, they liked or song. Some of them. They were like most of them actually saw a show lie. They were like sigh stage, even though it was fucking early. Yeah. And they liked the show. They like the songs, everything. You know, at that time when we were playing, you know, the city was not passed, obviously. But, you know, for us to not get disappointed in that way because we weren't but they were like, We love your songs, man. Keep doing it. Keep working hard. You know, that's that was for most of them. That's pretty much

Derek Day:

the gist of it. I remember like Phil Collen from Def Leppard was like, you know, just keep working because as soon as they finished the tour, they flew to Dallas and did some more shows. And he's like, you just gotta keep being present and keep working at it. And

Franco Gravante:

voicing has so much shows in between the stadium tour. Yeah.

Derek Day:

Yeah, make? Yeah, insane.

Chuck Shute:

Yeah, well, those fans know about not giving up. Obviously, they went through the heyday in the 80s. And the 90s were like so cold to them. But then they came back. And now they're like, as big as ever. It's pretty crazy. Did you are you fans of Motley Crue like and what do you what do you think about like, their antics? Like, did you see the dirt and stuff like that? Like, are you offended by any of that? Because like, I know, a lot of the younger generation is not so appreciative of some of the antics of some of the older people.

Franco Gravante:

Let you either know, show them it happens. And you know, like, it's, it was different time and, you know, rock'n'roll is a way of living, I think, in a way. Yeah. And that might mutate during time. So that was what they were doing back then.

Derek Day:

But I think we could mean Franco especially could relate to that movie a little bit. So you know, yeah.

Chuck Shute:

Oh, yeah. That's what I would think I mean, that there's got to be some of that stuff that still goes on a little bit. Maybe there's maybe it's not as crazy and maybe that's a good thing. You know, we don't want to we don't want to think it'd be too crazy, but I don't think anybody can be as crazy Motley Crue anyways, yeah, totally. No, yeah. So Derrick, you did the tell me about the Taylor Hawkins tribute concert? That's pretty cool that you got to do that. Was that? Were you originally supposed to do it? And then you filled in for Luke spiller? Or were you not even supposed to do it at all, and then filled it in for him?

Derek Day:

I was not supposed to do at all like, I Yeah, Luke just couldn't make it. And so I think Tommy remembered that I like, oh, yeah, like this guy. He went on tour with us. And I'm sure he might know lyrics. And so it was really last minute. And they were asking everybody, like, they were asking some of the artists, they're already like, Can you do it? Can you do it? And they're like, I don't know if I can pull it off. So it was it was just an honor. It was insane. And it's cool to meet all like every single one of your heroes. This thing and it kind of it kind of messes you up and away in a good way. And in a weird way. And the like you kind of look through through a different lens. Now. What do you mean? I can't really

Franco Gravante:

Killian talk to us for a whole week. Yeah.

Derek Day:

No, no, he's getting no, man. I don't know what it is. It's like, I felt like a shift or something after that. And I felt like you know, maybe a, well, I just appreciated the professionalism I saw there and the hard work everyone and like the awesomeness the epicness they all had, so I think I just took that in very much. And really wanted to strive for that. So I feel like I'm working toward that more and yeah, I'm just so like, and it's weird. Like, like, Everyone is so nice. And I've heard stories about Stewart Copeland but he was really nice. Like, you know, he's because he's a tough dude. He like he will like kick people. Pass and stuff. So anyway. But no, no, it's just weird. Like, it was just cool to meet people. They're all cool.

Chuck Shute:

Well, not only because, you know, I've met a lot of, of my heroes to do in the show, but it's different. Just I'm meeting them and I'm doing an interview on Zoom, but you're actually creating when you're playing music with them. That's gotta be totally different than just shaking their hand.

Derek Day:

Yeah, my gosh, oh, man, like, just getting a hug from day. There's like, weird and it's just like, I you know, I think I was just I can't believe I got to share stage with them. But and at the end of the day, it's just all about showing up and pulling through I think.

Chuck Shute:

Yeah, no, absolutely. That's really cool. Was that was that when you did the show with DMC or was that something different?

Derek Day:

That was different. We played at SoFi stadium, one of the last shows of the stadium tour. And DMC just like liked our music, and he just wanted to like, make me you know, make something happen with us. So yeah,

Chuck Shute:

he's a cool guy. I had him on the show. He's so nice. Like, it's like you said earlier, like, you meet all these people and you hear things but like, everyone's most of the people are super nice.

Derek Day:

Yeah, totally. Absolutely. It's weird. The more professional the nicer the the Kinder their hearts are.

Chuck Shute:

Yeah, like the bigger star they are. It's like, there's less. It's almost less ego and more kindness.

Derek Day:

Yeah, I don't. You would think not. That's so great. Yeah,

Chuck Shute:

I always thought too. I thought these rock stars were all like egotistical assholes. And I haven't really encountered hardly any of that. And like the biggest names like Alice Cooper's has one of the best reputations of anybody. Everyone always swears how nice that guy is. And he's huge. He's huge star.

Derek Day:

Yeah, to this day. I mean, especially not when Halloween pass he had he sold out shows and big shows. So yeah, he's, he's killing it and his productions insane. Actually, he's helped a couple of my friends. I never met him, but like, just helped out some friends out in Arizona. He's a really kind guy.

Chuck Shute:

Oh, which friend like, Are there bands out here? I'm in Arizona myself. So that's what makes me wonder.

Derek Day:

Oh, yeah. No. Like, just to name drop. She's an incredible artist. Taylor Saxon got to work with him. Yeah, yeah. And like in that group, there's like a bunch of musicians out there that he was just like, Oh, if you want to work at this show, I'm playing like, we want to go into you want a job? Here's a job or whatever, or you want to open up open up. And like, he would just do that out of nowhere. It's really weird. That's

Chuck Shute:

super cool. Yeah, I'm not familiar with Taylor sacks. And I'll have to google that one.

Derek Day:

Yeah, she's up and coming and her music is incredible. And she's in Arizona. She just moved to LA Corsa Yeah, that's the always

Chuck Shute:

leave they always already go to LA or Nashville or somewhere else.

Derek Day:

Or New York Yeah.

Chuck Shute:

Yeah. Cool as well. So you guys have some shows lined up the acoustic EP is coming out Welcome to the shows available now. Anything else to promote?

Franco Gravante:

Oh, just going to classes sog.com And check the tour dates we might go to a city near you on this trip. You know?

Chuck Shute:

Yeah, I don't I didn't see Arizona on the list yet but hopefully do but you know our

Derek Day:

choice and I'm sorry, I know. But yeah, I mean if people watching this can check the dates because it would make classlist Act would click in your mind. I think if you see us live I think it'll make more sense.

Chuck Shute:

Really? Yeah, cuz I'm loving the album. I'm I really I wish I would have seen you guys at the stadium tour. But I'd rather see the first time being a club anyway. So I'm excited to see I might have to take a drive to Vegas or LA or somewhere

Derek Day:

yeah, yeah. We come we come out to Arizona. We we can to we like to venture out probably next year. Yeah,

Chuck Shute:

yeah. Bring your bring Joyce Wolf. I love them and bring a couple other bands. I would love to do like a package show. I love that stuff.

Franco Gravante:

Yeah, this all out by the way. It's there's some things we're playing the whole album. Cover extra songs. And we doing some weird stuff. Yeah, experimental

Chuck Shute:

covers you said? Yeah, yeah. Secrets are you can you tell us what covers?

Franco Gravante:

Do we know them? Which one is gonna be good? So I've changed them. We're changing them

Derek Day:

up right now. Yeah, we'll let you know as soon as we find out.

Chuck Shute:

Okay, very cool. I can't wait guys and then I always end each episode. I like to promote a charity is there is there one that's near and dear to your heart or,

Derek Day:

um, I like the the Innocence Project quite a bit because it really helps. You know, like, justice for inmates and stuff. There's a couple of other ones escaping my head like, but I don't know whatever. homelessness or whatever. Yeah,

Chuck Shute:

I'll put the Innocence Project. I've heard of that one before. I'll put that website on the show notes along with your website. And people could should definitely go check it out. out and see alive. Yeah, great. Okay, awesome, guys, thanks so much. I'll let you get going. Thanks. All right. Bye bye. My thanks again to Derek and Franco from classes act, check out the new album. That's really good. I really enjoyed and I think I'm going to try to catch them on tour I suggest to do the same. Check their website or follow them on social media to keep up. And while you're on social media, please give the show a follow if you haven't already. Your likes comments and shares helped me and the guests out immensely. So thank you for your support. And please keep doing that. Also, make sure you subscribe to the show so that you're the first to know of upcoming episodes. I've got some great stuff planned coming up and you won't want to miss it. So thank you again for listening. Have a great rest of your day and shoot for the moon.