Feature / Interviews
The Spotlight Syndicate

Words: Zed • Posted pre-2010

As we enter the 21st century we become more and more like what our science fiction forefathers wrote us up to be. This is evident by attending underground rock shows and seeing young adults with haircuts similar to that of Spock from the futuristic television show Star Trek. The bands that they "shake their hips" to don keyboards with electrical noises similar to lasers and space ships.

 

The transportation to these events includes teleportation and time travel. It appears like a lot of rock 'n' roll bands of today don't get the idea of this future, but instead emulate what has already been done. This is where The Spotlight Syndicate comes in. They aren't any rock 'n' revival, they are the sequel. But in no way are they forgetting their roots, including influences from Gang Of Four to Moss Icon. And don't get me wrong, their influences aren't just based on the past, but include such present day music makers as Hint Hint and The Vogue.

Combining all of these elements and the want for dance, an original sound is created.Speaking of history, the members in The Spotlight Syndicate have their own. Nick (bassist/vocalist) and Jeff (drummer/sexmatician) used to be in This Computer Kills. TCK tragically broke up in 2002, but only 6 months later Nick and Jeff realized that the rock must be continued. Luckily for them, they knew a keyboardist by the name of Carolyn (keyboard/h0tz0rz) that was interested in the same thing. With their joined forces they created what is now known as The Spotlight Syndicate.

What it finally comes down to, past the good looks, is the sound itself. Jeff lays down a danceable beat that is simple and doesn't go off on show-off-tangents. He does what is intended, to keep the beat. Nick lays down what is commonly known as the "phat groovz", which are bouncy and go with the already dropped dancy beat. Caroyln keys her board creating a poppy sound that with the afforementioned instruments creates a musical orgy that makes your feet start a tapping and your hips start a bumping. In short, start warming up your calves now, because you are about to dance on the rock rainbow!

20 QUESTIONS WITH THE SPOTLIGHT SYNDICATE:

1. What is your name? Nick. Carolyn. Jeff.

2. What is your mission? Keep it real. Make kids dance and sing along. Quit our jobs. Live lives that will appear interesting on a VH1 Behind the Music special.

3. What is your instrument of choice? Guitar. But for some reason on the album all the guitar tracks were deleted. We suspect sabotage.

4. Will you take this beat and dance? Hell yes, brother.

5. Excited for Terminator 3? Is Edward Furlong in it? If not, fuck that movie. Who ever heard of a girlinator?

6. Do you wash your hands after peeing? No, but don't tell anyone.

7. Favorite sexual position? Eiffel Tower.

8. World War I or World War II? Whichever one had more casualties.

9. Who's the best cook in the band? The microwave.

10. Yay or nay? Hella *.

11. Favorite Gang Of Four song? Damaged Goods

12. Favorite shoes? Satin platform heels with leather straps.

13. Can you perform the robot? Meet us on the dance floor and you'll find out.

14. Is "scene" an adjective? No. It is a noun.

15. What kind of batteries do you take? The shiny ones.

16. Is Jeff really "El Sexican"? You bet your gringo ass.

17. How has Sesame Street effected your life? Is that one of those seedy neighborhoods in Oaktown?

18. Would you model naked for us? Will you get us signed to Dreamworks? If so, then yes. If no, then....okay.

19. What is this fascination with robots? Did you ever see that movie Robot Jox? That movie was crazy go nuts.

20. Which member is the gay one, assuming that it's not Carolyn or Nick? We've all at one point or another been in the Village People, so who's to say.

* Note: It is very "Reno" to say hella.


You can read further about The Spotlight Syndicate right here; thespotlightsyndicate.com

Related features

Cheap Fix

One Question Interviews • July 14, 2025

Cheap Fix SPB: What’s the most MacGyver-esque workaround you’ve made to connect different bits of equipment? Chad Nichols (guitar/vocals): You'd think with a name like Cheap Fix, we'd be all over this question. But I'm the least handy of the band members, so I've got next to nothing. All my … Read more

Mike Huguenor

One Question Interviews / What's That Noise? • July 8, 2025

Mike Huguenor Tell us about the primary guitars you used making Surfing the Web with the Alien? Read more

Scene Point Blank's Favorites: The Year So Far (July 2025)

Music • July 6, 2025

We're halfway through the year: when did that happen?! Luckily for you, SPB is on hand to share the music we've enjoyed most in 2025 thus far. Read on to hear about the records that have made our top list for this year as it stands, and also some bonus … Read more

Shane Herrell: A Tribute

Music • July 6, 2025

Shane Herrell: Rest In Power(pop) (1980-2025) The Rocker I try to live my life with as few regrets as possible. Sadly I never got the chance to hear my friend Shane Herrell karaoke Thin Lizzy’s "The Rocker." As a singing bass player we don’t have enough heroes. It might just … Read more

Unseemlier

One Question Interviews • June 27, 2025

Mike Assatly (Unseemlier - guitar/vocals) SPB: Do you have a preferred model of van for touring? Assatly: Chevy G-20 Gladiator! It was my first van, I got it from my uncle with 115,000 on it. He got rid of it for a new van because it was "old" and would … Read more

Related news

Terror (no pun intended...ok maybe a little bit)

Posted in Breaking News on March 5, 2004

Related reviews

The Spotlight Syndicate

Forget the Static Past
Substandard (2003)

So I get this girl up in my room and we start licking each other's tongues, and before you know it, our clothes start to come off. But then all of a sudden, bam! I realize I need to put on some good love making music, or I ain't gonna get no gerjiner tonight. I start flipping through possible albums … Read more

More from this section

Arms Aloft

Interviews • June 23, 2025

Remember Election Day 2024? Maybe you shouldn't. Maybe you've blocked it out. That's fair, but there was one pleasant surprise that day: a new EP from Wisconsin's Arms Aloft. It took a while to claw out of the darkness in November, then Year End 2024 coverage took over the Scene … Read more

Ilya Arbatman (Rotary Club)

Book store co-owner

Interviews / Don't Quit Your Day Job • May 13, 2025

There are a lot of misconceptions about the life of a musician. Most musicians have day jobs – and not just to pay the bills. Jobs provide new challenges, personal fulfillment and, yes, some rent or gas money. How an artist spends their time by day will influence the creative … Read more

Chuck Ragan

Fly fishing tour guide

Interviews / Don't Quit Your Day Job • April 14, 2025

How an artist spends their time by day will influence the creative process at night. In Don’t Quit Your Day Job, Scene Point Blank looks at how musicians split their time, and how their careers influence their music (or how their music provides escape). In this edition, we caught up … Read more