Today we’d like to introduce you to Tristan Masi.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
After befriending Bam Margera in 2019 (before Bam’s mental health decline), I (Tristan Masi, aka Purplestickey) became inspired to follow my dreams after being shown how Bam just basically pursued any idea he came up with he felt worthwhile. In 2020 I went to work writing and recording my 4-track rap EP. As soon as I finished the EP the pandemic hit March 13, 2020, the day I filmed my first music video, “Not The One”. The pandemic ruined everything, and no one cared about my music. 2021 came, and I decided to try multiple genres like punk & metal. I recruited Chuck Treece (1984 Thrasher Magazine, Bad Brains, etc.) and Rake Yohn (MTV’s JACKASS, Viva La Bam, CKY) to help me make a punk/metal fusion ep. We met for four hours one recording session a month for four months completing the EP by June 2021 like magic. The rest of 2021 I & Rake Yohn promoted and made two music videos for the songs Rock & No Good Just Bad. February 21, 2022, was our first show in Baltimore MD at the Ottobar and we just barely survived due to our drummer and guitarist quitting 5 days before the show. I didn’t give up and found replacement musicians for the show, and we just kept our heads above water. April 2022, our good friend from Toledo, Ohio, Joseph Hymore hooked us up with a weekend recording session with Jess Margera and his engineer team at Castle Bam in West Chester, Pa. We recorded five new songs as a band, and I also recorded 5 new rap songs with Local Toledo, Ohio rapper SIXXDIGIT. So, I personally have two different genre albums dropping in early 2023, thanks to all the above-mentioned. May 21st our band played Philadelphia for the first time! We rocked it! One week later, our second drummer quit due to how fast the band was moving. Thankfully I’m multitalented when it comes to vocals and kept performing with all Purplestickey rap while I had no band to perform with. July 16th, Rake Yohn joined me and Sixxdigit at the Ottowa Tavern in Toledo, Ohio to headline a punk show with a rap set. We killed it! All I can say is follow your dreams and never let anything seem impossible. As of now my rap music that no one cared about is getting more notoriety if not more than my punk and metal band. We have at least one show a month for the rest of the year scheduled including the Zombie Pub Crawl in Toledo Ohio October 2022. We’re finishing recording our new album in October as well. 2023 PURPLESTICKEY will have 1 hour long set times, a new album released, and multiple new music videos to reach the masses!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Collaboration with celebrities was actually smooth. I get along with most people, so making new friends to make music with was easy. The struggles we’re keeping appeal to the public, Rake getting acquainted with the spotlight again and making sure people understand Rake is the face of PURPLESTICKEY and I am the voice and all-around sound. It comes with the territory, and I enjoy the challenge.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Music, music, and more music! Other than music, I guess I’m known as the guy who got Rake Yohn back in the spotlight as well as the guy who got the original CKY crew to start communicating again… even if it was over drama.
We’d love to hear about what you think about risk-taking.
I took a major risk stepping out of my comfort zone and voicing my feelings through my music. Not only that, but choosing a genre that you feel fits your emotions and if anyone will respect you at all for trying to just be you and express yourself. I have zero regrets and have learned being uncomfortable while shooting for a goal only proves you’re willing to sacrifice comfort for dedication and passion to pursue the life you know you’re meant for.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/purplestickey/
- Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCjyTvTj7ZXLvqde9gm86Nig
- SoundCloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/R2m2S2C7JSX5bnKf7
Image Credits
Charlie Peacher
Dave Ludwig
