Check out this really cool interview with Paul Hyde who is the man behind Small Step Records and drummer for the super duo – Grandpa Loves Rhinos. Everything you’ve wanted to know and some fun nostalgia driven question & answer dialogue. Check it out below! Follow Small Step Records here.
An Interview With Paul Hyde (Small Step Records & Grandpa Loves Rhinos)
If it hasn’t already been made clear let me be the first to say, I love Grandpa Loves Rhinos, I love Small Step Records, and I love anything Paul & Seth Hyde touch. So let’s get this interview started and get to the nitty gritty of both the label and the band that everyone can’t help but LOVE.
BrandonIVM:
Tell me a little bit about yourself. What band(s) you started out in, your favorite music choices and bands, your favorite spots in the US to live, and what you do for a living?
PaulSSR/GLR:
Let ME just say, that YOU are the man! I love Indie Vision Music and am so grateful for your passion for independent music and the encouragement you’ve given to me personally and to my band, and now to this label. Thanks for the opportunity for this interview.
Let’s see, I found an interest in music in 2000 and had my phases in alternative rock, nu metal, pop punk & ska, emo/screamo, and hardcore. I played drums in a pop punk band called Foreign DNA in high school, then a female fronted emo rock band called Blue Cadet and the Brave December in college, and then finally in Grandpa Loves Rhinos. Now that I’m in my 30’s I’ve been having so much enjoyment from listening to some independent artists that I’ve found through IVM. I also love to revisit my formative years in music, namely the pop punk & screamo scene of 2002-2008.
As far as my day job goes, I was an officer in the Air Force for 12 years but have recently transferred over to the United States Space Force. Essentially, we make sure our space assets (communication, GPS, missile warning satellites) are protected and continue to do their mission. I’ve moved around quite a bit with my wife and 3 kids and have lived in California, Florida, Colorado, and Idaho. My favorite place to live has been Colorado – between the concerts and family friendly attractions, there’s so much fun to be had!
BrandonIVM:
You recently started a new record label community by the name of “Small Step Records”. What was the inspiration for this move and what led you to work with the bands you currently have on the roster? Any new ones you’d like to share news of?
PaulSSR/GLR:
Well there was quite a bit of inspiration that came from the Indie Vision Music Label. After I heard that IVM had to take a step back from the music label side, I wondered if I could have success with a label. I had really appreciated all the work you did for all the IVM bands and I thought that it would be rewarding doing something similar for other bands….and keep it going in my own way. I had made friends with a lot of the bands associated with IVM in some way or another over that last 3 years so I decided to start with a simple group chat. So yeah, I rounded up a few of the members from many of the IVM I liked and built a little community to support each other. From there, we added other bands that were not associated with IVM but fit into the scene. Small Step kind of grew out of a need for a place for all of us to release our music. I’m learning a lot and have had some awesome contacts that have given me tips and help along the way. I think the Small Step Family will grow over the next few years!
BrandonIVM:
I notice that you have a “Faith Based” focus for the label and the bands you sign. What does that term mean to you and how do you feel you can most impact the world around you? Do you agree or disagree with the term, “Christian Punk Music” and if so, why?
PaulSSR/GLR:
To me, “faith-based” means that the artist, or even some members of the band, have some sort of faith, rooted in biblical Christianity. They write lyrics about whatever they feel compelled to sing about in their lives. This could be anything from struggles, doubts, challenges, issues, hopes, dreams, frustrations, observations, loves, etc….whatever it is, it’s coming from someone with a Christian worldview. Ultimately, it’s music that is uplifting, positive, and points to God’s love in some way or another, even if it’s not overtly Christian or worship music.
I use the term Christian Punk Music a lot, but understand it is just used as a marketing tool to say that the music has Christian lyrics or themes. I usually prescribe to the idea that music is music, art is art; the only thing that can be Christian are the people. I hope that Small Step Records can be THE place for anyone who is looking for “faith-based” Pop Punk (and all its cousins).
BrandonIVM:
What would you like to do differently with your label than what is already out there in the market place today? How do you feel your personal tastes and band choices can impact the scene at large?
PaulSSR/GLR:
I want to fill a need and build a community among the independent bands in this genre. Tooth and Nail used to be the go to label for this style of music but they have since evolved their musical taste. I hope Small Step Records can become the place for Christian pop punk, easycore, emo and ska. Our motto is, ‘doing it on your own, together’. It’s very DIY and the most important thing is building the community and fan bases. There is a niche audience looking for this genre and we aim to find them. My goal is to be able to grow my support so that the label can provide merch production, but eventually provide financial help to bands that may need help getting studio time, artwork, or other things.
BrandonIVM:
You’ve already offered some cool merch options for HOMEPLATE, will the same be true for Light The Way and Grandpa Loves Rhinos in the future? Will there ever be a VINYL option and/or Tape? The uniqueness of the baseball jersey and ¾ sleeve shirt were incredibly cool for HOMEPLATE.
PaulSSR/GLR:
Thanks; yeah we will have clothing options for every band we sign, and usually new designs will come with each release. On-demand vinyl could be an option in the future for full lengths. Unfortunately, I don’t have any appetite to do cassette tapes at this time.
BrandonIVM:
Light The Way are your more recent signing. Tell me a little bit of what inspired you to work with this great melodic-pop-punk band from Cali? What do you enjoy most about their music and what do you think about their lyrical direction?
PaulSSR/GLR:
Light the Way was a no-brainer. I have loved Light the Way since I first heard them through Indie Vision Music. They have a solid pop punk sound that has a nice blend of pop and skate punk that brings me back to the early 2000s. I also love the way they incorporate their faith into the lyrics. In most cases, if lyrics are too over-the-top Christian, then can come across as cheesy; and LTW can deliver some hard hitting lyrics that I can relate to, no cheese, just authentic, clever, and honest lyrics that inspire me to focus on God.
BrandonIVM:
Will there be a Light The Way pre-order for the album? When does said album release and what is the title? Will there be a music video to accompany a “single”. Will Light The Way get radio play again?
PaulSSR/GLR:
Yes, Long Story Short will release 1 April, no joke. Pre-Order are available now! Lyric Videos and/or music videos are a good possibility! Their single “Worrywart” has a lyric video out now. I am seeing a few radio stations picking up their single and trying to get even more.
BrandonIVM:
Beyond just Light The Way, what other bands would you love to work with? What bands are within reach?
PaulSSR/GLR:
If you look at our “Friends of Small Step” section on our webpage, you might find some other bands that may eventually find their way onto the official Small Step roster.
Off the top of my head, I would really love to work with At The Wayside, Kept On Hold, Last Chance Marie, & Must Build Jacuzzi. I think all of those bands are within the scope of Small Step. If I’m dreaming big, I’d like to work with Lights Go Down (Jason Dunn). I am also really excited to work with some other ‘up-and-coming bands’ that many people have not heard of yet. I think my label is postured perfectly to help them.
BrandonIVM:
Tell me a little bit about Grandpa Loves Rhinos. Why the name? What does the name and that project mean to you?
PaulSSR/GLR:
The name comes from a place of wanting to not take ourselves too seriously and have something that stood out. It comes from the fact that growing up, our grandpa just loved rhinos. He would collect rhino figurines and by the end of his life, had a room full of them. It was just his ‘thing’. The project is mainly the musical genius of my brother Seth and it’s the main way we stay connected since we live in different states due to our jobs in the military.
BrandonIVM:
What instruments do you play in Grandpa Loves Rhinos and what does Seth play? How does it feel to be in a band with your brother?
PaulSSR/GLR:
I play drums and Seth does vocals/guitar. He is the song writer, producer, & engineer as well. It’s fun for us and something that we can both fit into our busy lives when we feel like it. I end up doing a lot of waiting around since my part is so small! That’s why I gravitate more toward the marketing/promotion aspect of the band.
BrandonIVM:
I know you both are busy with jobs, family, and life but is there any chance of a Grandpa Loves Rhinos live show soon? Festival date(s)? USO Tour?
PaulSSR/GLR:
Sorry to let you down, but none on the horizon right now. Too much going on and we are stationed at different bases.
BrandonIVM:
Do you see any future releases by Grandpa Loves Rhinos in 2022? Full length or EP and what do you prefer? Any more merch?
PaulSSR/GLR:
Music is being created, so future release, yes…but it’s hard to say if it’ll be this year. Seth and his wife have a baby on the way and we’ll be creative when the time allows. I prefer EPs; they are more digestible for a listener and at our low rate of music making, a full length would take forever. We have some merch designs lined up and I am really excited to launch them once we have the music done for our next release.
BrandonIVM:
What are some of you most favorite non-Small Step artists out there in the world right now playing music? What are some of you favorite current albums/eps?
PaulSSR/GLR:
I honestly listen to a lot of the “friends of small step” bands. I’m excited about some new Nate Parrish, Names Without Numbers, Brave Days, Empty Atlas. I definitely revisit the older stuff from my formative years, but let’s see, some of the most recent albums that I have enjoyed are:
Idle Threat “Blurred Visions”. They are doing some great stuff and my favorite band on Tooth & Nail right now.
The Ghost Inside, Self-Titled” is an awesome, in-your-face, album that gets me fired up.
New Found Glory, “Forever and Ever x Infinity”, the GOAT in Pop Punk in my opinion.
BrandonIVM:
What artists inspired you to make music and get into the music scene at large? What are some of your favorite “classic” albums of the past? Do you have any favorite band merch that you treasure?
PaulSSR/GLR:
My musical journey starting in the late 90’s…Smash Mouth (radio Pop Rock) => Limp Bizkit (nu Metal) => Blink 182/NFG (Pop Punk) => Relient K (Christian PoP Punk) => Five Iron Frenzy (Christian Ska) => Fall Out Boy/The Used (emo) => Underoath (Christian Screamo).
Here’s the current list of who I consider at the top of my all-time list. Most inspirational and favorite albums:
Pop Punk – New Found Glory (Self-Titled), Yellowcard (Ocean Avenue), Relient K (All), The Wedding (Polarity),
Ska – Five Iron Frenzy (All), Less Than Jake (Anthem), O.C. Supertones (Loud & Clear), Suicide Machines (A Match & Some Gasoline), Rx Bandits (Progress)
Emo – Terminal (How the Lonely Keep), Copeland (Beneath Medicine Tree), The Used (Self Titled)
Alternative – Third Eye Blind (Blue), Pax 217 (Two Seventeen)
Screamo/Post Hardcore/Hardcore – Underoath (They’re Only Chasing Safety), Chasing Victory (I Call This Abandoment), Emery (The Question), The Ghost Inside (Get What You Give)
I still wear a 20 year old Relient K ‘HomeStar Runner Logo’ T-Shirt that I got in 2001 on the ‘See Spot Rock tour’ with O.C Supertones, Pillar, and Sanctus Real. It’s good as the day I bought it.
BrandonIVM:
Favorite food choices? Go!
PaulSSR/GLR:
Pepperoni and Pineapple pizza. Frosted Mini Wheats cereal. Maple Bar donuts. Five Guys burgers. Anything home-cooked by my wife.
BrandonIVM:
Favorite recent movies you’ve watched?
PaulSSR/GLR:
Not any that I would deem “favorite” but some that stick out in my memory are Free Guy, Don’t Look Up, & Red Notice…I also have to throw in Encanto.
BrandonIVM:
Okay, we are approaching the end here of this interview. I have a few last questions in regards to Nostalgia. I know you and Grandpa Loves Rhinos love to make references to old toys and movies, what are your favorite classic toys? 80’s or 90’s? What are some of you favorite old films and movies that inspired your music directions? If you could reference any movie, toy, comic, or pop culture moment, what would that be and why?
PaulSSR/GLR:
Nostalgia is the greatest feeling! Born in the 80’s, raised in the 90’s. I still have all my star wars, ninja turtles, and G.I. Joe action figures. My kids play with them on occasion. My favorite movie that inspired me musically is “That Thing You Do” with Tom Hanks, Liv Tyler, and Steve Zahn. It’s so funny and the excitement of a band making good music that everyone liked was so exhilarating. My go-to references would be to my favorite movies, Princess Bride, That Thing You Do, & Star Wars. Star Wars is the 2nd greatest story ever told.
BrandonIVM:
Thanks again for taking the time out of your busy schedule to do this interview with me. As always, I appreciate your words and the music you help create with your brother Seth. Tell Seth Hi and we as music fans love the band! May God bless and continue leading you on this journey. Peace out!
PaulSSR/GLR:
Thanks for having me!