WICKED approaches music with one foot in the past and the other firmly in the present. But before the Rochester-based band brought its melodic heavy rock and glam-rock swagger to stages across North America, rock and roll had already become a family affair.
Bassist Danny Martin and his brother, lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Chad Michael, helped build WICKED alongside guitarist Scotty V and drummer Gunnar Costo. Since then, the four have lived together for over a decade, a rarity that has shaped the band’s chemistry on and off stage.
Ahead of the band’s appearance at New York Glam Fest, NYS Music spoke with Martin about WICKED’s influences, live-show philosophy and latest album, Go Rebel.
Christine Saldana: What draws you to the glam-rock era?
Danny Martin: It has always been at the core of our musical influences and style. But we also grew up in the 2000s, so we were exposed to bands from that era too, especially through things like Warped Tour. So our sound is really a blend of classic hard rock and glam, but modernized through a lens that feels true to us.
CS: Did you always want to be a rock ’n’ roller?
DM: Not at all. I was a die-hard hockey player growing up, and my brother followed suit. There were countless hours traveling for games and practices, and hockey was really our main focus.
But music was always there in the background. I remember we’d play Mötley Crüe songs and “Enter Sandman” to pump us up before getting on the ice. Then, it kind of dawned on me one day: why not see what I could do with music?
My brother was an integral part of that journey, and we brought the same team spirit and discipline we learned through sports into the band.
CS: Has music made your bond with your brother stronger?
DM: Yeah, we’ve always had a close family but it definitely has. One of the staples of success to me is the fact that I get to spend every day with my brother and the guys in this band.
CS: What has it been like living under one roof as a band?
DM: We’ve lived together for almost a decade or more, like an old-school band. It may seem odd nowadays, but we find a way to live symbiotically, and motivate each other through life’s pursuits.
At the same time, we’re running this business and brand together. Of course, there are tough moments, but at the end of the day, we get to be there for and with each other. That’s a blessed thing.
CS: You guys should have a reality TV camera crew following you around the house.
DM: We’ve teased that idea a lot. We always have such a blast, and the people we surround ourselves with are so important to our life. We keep our circle relatively small, but we’ve got amazing people in it.
CS: What do live shows mean to the band?
DM: We consider our live shows to be the core of what the band does. We love being in the studio and all the production stuff, but it’s always been a focus of ours to produce live shows the same way we produce albums, without using too much technology. Maybe it’s the punk rock in us that wants to keep it raw.
CS: Tell me about Go Rebel.
DM: Go Rebel is a unique moment for us. It’s 13 songs with a great diversity of styles, and we really pushed the envelope of what we were doing.
We wanted to mix melodic heavy rock with some metal progression, but also keep that Cheap Trick influence in there. We have a single, “Sunflower,” coming out next, and it’s such an upbeat song that’s perfect for summer.
CS: Excited for New York Glam Fest on June 27?
DM: Honestly, it’s one of the highlights of our year. This festival really supports this niche scene we’re in, and it’s really growing. I love how the organizers put it all together.
CS: What has being in WICKED taught you about yourself?
DM: Because of my background in hockey, I’ve learned what it’s like to be on a team. It’s helped me gather a greater appreciation for what we’re doing here. The band isn’t a selfish pursuit but about building community. It’s been a humbling experience.
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