Get In Control

North Country based pop-punk band Hello Control makes their way up from the underground.

Story by Freddy Sanchez
Photos courtesy of Hello Control

Take four members from three of Plattsburgh’s local heavy rock band. Now add some elements of pop-punk, a touch of New Found Glory, and a pinch of Simple Plan. What do you have? Hello Control.

The pop-rock quartet known as Hello Control consists of Mikey Lemieux,27,
on drums, Garry McShane,18, on bass and Milo Marnes,19, and Ryan Hayden,24, who both sing and play guitar. The four band mates have been collectively known as Hello Control since 2007.

Before forming Hello Control, Lemieux, Marnes, Hayden, and McShane were each members of different bands that dominated the heavy-rock music scene of the North Country. “I used to play drums in a band called Resontor. We were a 3 piece instrumental dance rock band. Plus I was also in a pop punk band called Perfect Salesman,” Lemieux recalls. Hayden was a member of Monday Mourning, while McShane played drums for a band called United Mess of which Marnes was the lead singer. “Hello Control compared to my older band with Milo, is much more 'grown up' if that makes any sense.” McShane says “We take everything we do way more seriously and not only do we look more professional, I like to think we sound it as well,” he says.
           

After testing the waters with other bands, fate brought the four members together. “Bands in Plattsburgh were doing a lot of heavy rock. We were tired of the same sound,” says Marnes. In search of a new direction, one that would stray away from the norm and rival the heavy-rock scene prevalent in the North Country, Hello Control was born.

"It's always hard to be in a band and keep everyone happy. In a way it's like having 4 girlfriends"

Playing six degrees of separation between band members is a cinch.  The effortless forming of Hello Control proves that coming together was inevitable for them and more or less destiny. “Ryan and I have known each other for a really long time.We've always played in different local bands around Plattsburgh. It was something that just never seemed to work out though,” says Lemieux.

While working at a guitar center Hayden and Lemieux would spend hours talking about forming the perfect band. “We ended up finding out about another band that had a young new singer and he was awesome.” Lemieux says in referring to Milo. After trying out a few bass players the band turned to Garry McShane. “Milo's friend Garry was playing bass in there band, United Mess. We tried out a different bass player to start but when he didn't cut it, the best solution was to ask Garry. Garry just fit right in and it was awesome.”

“There was one show where I just drank way too early and way too much. By the end of the night I had fallen asleep to wake up puking on the guy in front of me. It was nuts.”

Two years later, Hello Control is turning heads with there new self-titled debut album, available for free courtesy of “D-Tox” on the bands official Myspace page. “We've been giving away our EP as a free download” says Lemieux “within a year we've had just about 14,000 downloads. We decided to make our music for free to do a few things. First, we realize that people just don't really buy music anymore and we just wanted to reach more people. So because of that it really helped get more peoples attention and to have them feel like they should give us a chance because they can get it for free.”  Hello Control has also been featured on AMP Magazine’s new compilation CD “21 Young Gun Salute (Bands Expected to Blow Up in 2009).”

“The bands doing pretty well” says Marnes. “We play gigs every Friday and Saturday” he says, “We’re everywhere from Saratoga to Burlington and we even have dates in Montreal.”  As most bands will agree, crazy things can happen when on tour or doing shows. Just ask Mikey “There was one show where I just drank way too early and way too much. By the end of the night I had fallen asleep to wake up puking on the guy in front of me. It was nuts.” Lemieux says. Mcshane remembers that story all too welll, as it was “the best road story.” he says. “Mikeys drunkin' ride back home that ended up with him throwing up all over Andrew is by far one of the funniest moment.”

Although each member brings a unique talent that would render the group helpless if absent; much of their success is due largely in part to Lemieux, who also moonlights as the bands manager and booking agent. “Being the manager and being in the band can get really crazy and hectic. It's always hard to be in a band and keep everyone happy. In a way it's like having 4 girlfriends, except instead of girls they are dudes,” Lemieux says. Despite the chaos that comes with being the band's manager Lemieux wouldn’t trade it for the world. “I really have a passion for both aspects of being in a band, the business end and the music end,” he says .  

Hayden is seen as the vision and ear of the group. “He really knows what our songs should sound like. Plus he's the guy who makes sure we play everything perfect and that we sound perfect.” Lemieux says. Then there’s Milo whose captivating voice makes it obvious why he’s the lead singer. “He’s just great with people and really wins peoples hearts. He's the heart throb.” says Lemieux. Last but not least, there’s Garry, the Mr. Fix-It/MacGyver of the group. “He can figure out whatever we need to work out. On and off stage.”

Despite the variety of perks that come along with being in a band--free clothes, traveling, and groupies just to name a few--the appreciation from fans ranks high on the list of benefits for Hello Control. “We have played places very far away from our hometown and to see even one person singing along, someone who actually went to this out of town show for us is really cool.” Hayden says. “Joys are plentiful,” he says, adding, “whether it's laughing with each other as you drive to your next gig, or working hard at practice finally nailing a new tune, or playing a sold-out club opening for a big band.”

Since coming together and selling over 14,000 copies of their debut album without the help of any major or independent labels, Hello Control has been on a hectic promotional blitz tour performing with bands they admire such as All Time Low. While spreading their unique and infectious sound they have built a loyal fan base, adding to their local following.

Have you ever seen Hello Control live?