Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandon Weinert.
Hi Brandon, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
There are many places I could start with my story…. I could talk about how the first time I was drunk I was a toddler. I could start in high school where my band was one of the most well-known in the area. But, I will start during my addiction because that is where I’ve truly become who I am today. I’ve been an addict in recovery off and on since I was 18 whether knowingly, or unknowingly. I say unknowingly because I have recovered by just sheer willpower. That didn’t last long. My favorites were cocaine, and meth. But let’s not glorify that behavior. It’s a mental illness. It’s terrifying once you really reflect.
After a string of failed relationships, two ended engagements, and complete misery I finally decided to change my life, to get clean. After years of pleading from my mother, I finally decided it was time to go to rehab. Just before entering, I started to pickup the guitar again, and I entered rehab with a newfound sense of pride, love for myself and a guitar.
I had quit playing for many years due to personal reasons, and a decision to just focus on a life outside of music. There are many intricate and crucial parts of my life that I have left out because this is supposed to be a “brief” summary of my experience.
A few months after being in recovery I met my drummer Mark. Both relatively fresh in the program but we were drawn to each other. We shared a common interest in music and I asked if he would like to help me with a recording project. Solely acoustic and him not playing for almost two decades, but let me tell you. I don’t know that I’d want anyone else behind the kit for that project. It was rather shaky, but it was a damn good start to where we’re at now.
Our bassist Dan has recently came on and let me tell you, he’s something special. He’s toured with Gang Green. But he really can play. We’re very lucky to have found him.
Cry Baby Cry has been around for two and a half years at this point. We’ve played festivals, and shows with musicians like Geoff Tate from Queensrych. It’s only going to get bigger and better from here.
I love playing music for people, it’s what I’m meant to do. To what degree I am uncertain, but it’s the outlet to keep all people sane. It’s a way for us to let go of all of our feelings, all of our frustrations, all of our needs/wants. For me Up there on stage, it’s the only thing that matters, the music. For me music is my sanity, it allows me to take my insanity and form it into a perfect series of sounds and clicks. To share that insanity with anyone who’s willing to listen, it’s such a treasure.
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?
Playing with Cry Baby Cry has never been easy, but it has been very rewarding. We were searching for many years to find the right fit on bass, find shows, get our name out into the world and show people that we really have something to say, something to share. Marketing our brand isn’t easy either, we all have day jobs, and lives outside of music. So sometimes the marketing of ourselves tends to get neglected. Not to mention the attempt to find fans who really want to be engaged and come to shows. Most of our success has been just by word of mouth and not via social media etc. But then comes the footwork of telling people about the shows which again is extra time you don’t have to relax, write new songs, find new shows. The road I am on was ever meant to be an easy one, but as Steve Miller once said, “you’ve got to go through hell before you get to heaven.”
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I personally play guitar and sing, a lot of what I write about is just personal experiences, and I even have a song about myself which I called Entitled Child. Which is about myself through addiction. But if you listen with an open mind a lot of what is said can be used in everyday life.
The one thing I’m known for is my vocals, I hate speaking about myself in this manner, but I can really really sing. It’s one thing about myself I’m very proud of. I’ve always had it. My father and sister are both singers on a national level. It’s in my blood, even though singing isn’t supposed to be genetic, the love of singing is.
What sets me apart…. That’s tough for me to answer, but it has to be my competitiveness. I hate losing. Hate it, that’s why I never quit. That’s why Cry Baby Cry will be successful. I may lose 19 times, but that 20th time when I finally win makes all the other times disappear. And I think I bring that attitude and drive in all I do.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Don’t ever stop trying, in anything you do, don’t ever stop. Don’t quit your dreams, chase them. Success isn’t a written formula, and you most likely won’t succeed in the first nine times you do something. Keep going whatever the obstacles maybe they are nothing compared to what the rewards will be if you just keep pushing yourself.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @cry_baby_cry_music
- Facebook: @CBClives
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/
channel/UC2lDxK1xpBF27Uuoz5Ou_ wg - SoundCloud: https://
soundcloud.app.goo.gl/ n2LWBz2UCDrLSfPN7 - Spotify: https://open.spotify.
com/album/ 0Im5YuIdVdVDNXnnYJ15pC?si= L1YKUsXKREqVQZSF8I9NBg
Image Credits
Jen Taylor
Chad Dolan
