Artist Interview: Goalkeeper
Goalkeeper 2019. - Photo by Casey Allen Photography
The first time I met Goalkeeper, it was at a venue in Delaware County, PA named The Rusty Nail and we shot the breeze while shooting pool. Fast forward a couple months and they are all good buddies of mine who I can't speak highly enough about. Wholesome dudes with some great things to say - enjoy!
Artist: Goalkeeper
Members:
Ryan Beebe- Vocals/ Bass
Marc Juliano - Guitar
Cody Ritchie - Drums
Goalkeeper 2019. - Photo by Nic Beardsley
Interview with Goalkeeper by Nic Beardsley and feature writer Kelci Beardsley from Dear Untitled:
Dear Untitled: Goalkeeper as a band has been around since the summer of 2016 - How’d you guys find each other and how did the band come to be?
Cody Ritchie: We found each other through other bands we played with in the scene. Ryan’s band 'Another Day Wasted', was on the bill for the second show I ever played. He just wasn’t in the band yet. I met Marc through this like, “local band showcase” kinda deal. We met backstage and connected and never lost touch since then.
Marc Juliano: I organized pop punk shows in different venues in Philly. I met Cody from both of our old bands playing together and Cody introduced me to Ryan when I needed another band to fill out a show. We quickly became friends and one show I needed a band but couldn’t find one. Ryan and me decided it would be fun to do a cover act and asked Cody to join on drums. Show and set went great and we decided we had so much fun we should just be a band. Now we are here lol.
Dear Untitled: Who are your musical influences? How about local musical influences?
Cody:
Local Influences: Major League, Man Overboard, Grayscale .
Other Musical influences: The Wonder Years, Fireworks, Misser, Transit, The Dangerous Summer
Marc:
Locally - I’d say Midfield, Pointless, Gold Route, Calling All Captains, Eternal Boy, Keep Flying, Heavensake, and Moment to Capitalize.
My influences include blink-182, Four Year Strong, New Found Glory, Sum 41, The Ataris, Seaway, Like Pacific, and Fall Out Boy.
Dear Untitled: Off of your latest EP, ‘Bad Times Don’t Last’ What is your favorite track, or track to play?
Cody: My favorite track to play is, without a doubt, Left Lane. The song just straight up kicks from straight to finish. Love the build in the bridge, and I think it ends super strong
Marc: My favorite on record is “Chances” because there are so many intricacies (piano, female vocals, some unique guitar lines, etc) to the song that it was a lot of fun to record. To play live it’s always Left Lane because of the fast pace and bouncy vibe of the chorus. Great way to start a set for us.
Dear Untitled: What inspired you to put the super secret ending to ‘Nothing At All’ on the album?
Cody: Okay here’s the story. We were talking to our producer, Rick King, one night and said something like “Oh yeah, we’ll bring some local beer out to ya.” And Rick was all “Nah, don’t worry about it, the last band left me with too many beers.” Promptly after that, Ryan wrote a quick tune called “Too Many Beers”, inspired by Rick!
Marc: We showed the song to Rick and Kevin as a joke (original version was making fun of Rick) so we made some adjustments and quickly tracked it. Just one day in the studio we thought it would be a great idea to add it to the end of whichever song ended the EP which happened to be “Nothing at All”.
Dear Untitled: What’s your favorite thing about the Philadelphia area music scene?
Marc: The fact that it’s such a popular market. So many bands in so many different genres you almost always have mixed genre shows. Plus, being an A market we get the best tours which also allows for local bands to get some really cool opportunities. Finally, the scene is tough. You really have to be on your game to gain the respect of the scene which really pushes a band to be the best they can be.
Dear Untitled: What was it like performing on Radio 104.5 ‘s “Live at 5” segment, knowing that you would be on National Radio? ….and is Cody still stranded on I-76? Can we get him some water or a snack?
Cody: I'm no longer stuck on 76!
Marc: It was surreal. Like beyond surreal. It was something we set as a goal as a band early on and to have it be accomplished (and have the studio version of Sunshine be played as well) was incredible. But nah he sent out some carrier pigeons and the tow truck driver helped him haha. But after that he could use like too many beers 👀
Dear Untitled: Was this your first time performing live on the radio? Have you done any other large broadcast performances like this in the past?
Marc: It was our first time! We’ve had our recordings on the radio and podcasts but never got to perform. Lots of pressure and nerves especially since what had happened to Cody but Ryan and I powered through and had a blast.
Dear Untitled: What’s your favorite venue to play in the local area? Favorite show on the Road?
Cody: Creep Records hands down! On the road, I’m always excited for a show at Mr. Roboto’s out in Pittsburgh!
Marc: My favorite to play was the Foundry at the Fillmore. Super professional staff, state of the art gear, etc. We also love Voltage Lounge and Creep Records! Nationally, my favorite venue is a tie between Amityville Music Hall in Long Island, NY and The Smiling Moose in Pittsburgh!
Dear Untitled: Do you prefer larger venues or smaller venues?
Marc: That’s a hard question. I think I like the larger venues because it usually means we are playing a larger show to more people which is always exciting and an opportunity to showcase our music to more people. However, there is something to a small venue with everyone going nuts 2 inches in front of you haha.
Dear Untitled: Any details/plans for future music in the works that you can share with us?
Cody: If I say anything, Marc would kill me so, no.
Marc: We are planning on really sitting down to write around September and October I think. We are always writing and coming up with ideas but nothing really solidified as of yet. Because touring is such a big part of being a band we are focusing on that right now since the EP is only a few months old.
Dear Untitled: Any upcoming tours / endorsements / merch / music / side projects which we can help get the word out on for you?
Cody: We’re doing a few dates with Eternal Boy in May! What’s so special about it, is that its our first time going out to Ohio! We’re hitting Cincinnati, and Dayton, Ohio. We’re ending things in Morgantown, WV. So I’m super excited to get out there.
Marc: We have two we should we announcing soon with some really cool bands and others in the works. That’s actually our main goal. Getting to new areas and solidifying ourselves in different cities. With each tour we will have some cool merch we are definitely excited about! As far as side projects, make sure you check out Ryan and Cody’s project I’m managing called “Complex Organisms”! Haha.
Dear Untitled: I know you're never opposed to a good time, so let's step into some more fun and unique personal questions we love to ask if that's ok?
What is your Favorite type of pizza?
Cody: White Pizza, hands down. Don’t @ me
Marc: If I’m going fancy it’s a white pizza with chicken and bacon. But don’t get me wrong, I fuck heavily with straight up plain.
Dear Untitled: What’s the deal with Marc’s mystical Belly Button?
Cody: What’s so mystical about it? He doesn’t have one.
Marc: It doesn’t exist haha! Looks like a peace symbol ☮️ 👈🏻. I actually had an infection and small hernia that needed to get fixed. All good now and can rip shows and go wild!
Dear Untitled: Who would win in a fight: A Polar Bear or a Gorilla?
Cody: I really would love for the Polar Bear to win, but I feel like the Gorilla would have a better advantage in almost any environment.
Marc: Gorilla because it’s like the hulk. Has fingers and thumbs to grab, quick, strong, and sharp/ strong teeth. Plus they can climb shit and power bomb its opponents.
Dear Untitled: What’s your favorite animal?
Cody: My favorite animal would probably be my cat Bobo. He’s the sickest animal I’ve ever met.
Marc: Probably and Okapi or meerkat. Okapi looks dope as fuck and super smart and meerkats are just badass.
Dear Untitled: What’s your favorite craft beer? (We know Marc’s is a PBR tallboy - we got that already LOL)
Cody: Bruh, I’ll keep it real. My beer of choice is Busch Lite. Let the judgment commence.
Marc: Haha nice. Legit craft beer though would be Yards Pale Ale!
Dear Untitled: What is your favorite place to get a real Philly Cheesesteak?
Cody: NAMS
Marc: Not the city. I know, sacreligious. But Cocco’s, Femys and Secane Deli in Delco!
Dear Untitled: This is your moment as a band to shine on the blog - is there ANYTHING else you want us or the readers to know about you guys? Personal side projects, hobbies? Anything?
Cody: Tip your bartender!
Marc: Oh man I don’t really think so? Some of my favorite hobbies include playing lacrosse, frisbee, spending time with my wife and dogs. Longwood Gardens is super fun. Oh and I love history and ghost tours of different cities. Especially Philly!
Dear Untitled: Well thank you guys for taking the time to chat and answer these questions for us and the readers - we really look forward to the future for you guys and the exciting tours coming up, but in the meantime we will keep rocking out to 'Bad Times Don't Last'! - Nic B
FFO: Blink 182, AJR, Midfield, Saver (NJ)
Goalkeeper 2019. - Photo by Casey Allen Photography
Previous Coverage:
Live Session Article: Want to see Goalkeeper Live in action? Check out our take on a Radio 104.5 Philly Live @ 5 session now!