We had the good fortune of connecting with The Innocent Bystanders’ guitar player Steve Semeraro and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Steve, what do you think makes you most happy? Why?
The Innocent Bystanders love to play music as part of a group. The camaraderie, the humor, and the joy that comes from creating a sound together is difficult to communicate to someone who doesn’t do it. Think about the joy you feel when you hear a song that you really love. Then, imagine watching the artist perform that song with a group of friends who share your joy. Multiply that by 10 and you would come close to the feeling of playing music with others. When it’s right — it makes you happy like nothing else.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
The core of the Innocent Bystanders consists of Steve Berenson, Ben Nieberg, and Steve Semeraro. They were all connected to music going back to their youths. But they ended up going to law school and pursuing legal careers.

It took their connecting through a cover band originally intended to play exclusively law school events for the magic to happen. Through the group, they connected with other talented musicians — including Debbie Darroch, Jessica LaFave, Eric Lane, Kath Rogers, Donny Samporna, Chris Saunders, Jeff Slattery, and Kaimi Wenger.

When a friend introduced them to Ben Moore, an extraordinary recording engineer working out of a virtually invisible studio in the Kensington section of San Diego, the pieces all fell together. In 2017, they released a 4-song EP entitled Attractive Nuisance featuring four songs written many years before. The next year, they released a cover of “Valerie” that has been streamed on Spotify more than 60,000 times. In 2021, the band released its first full-length album — recently released on vinyl — containing 10 new original songs, which have been streamed on Spotify over 150,000 times.

The Innocent Bystanders’ sound includes full arrangements layered with acoustic and electric 6 and 12 string guitars, saxophone, organ, piano, fiddle and more. Influences include Stax, Motown, the Band, Early E-Street Band, and The Waterboys.

The band is currently planning to begin recording a new album while regularly performing at clubs, parties, and events throughout San Diego County.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would start with Torrey Pines. The paths to the beach and the sand stone cliffs overlooking the beach. While there, we’d visit the golf course, one of the most beautiful. Then, for a different beach experience, we’d visit Coronado. We’d check out the Hotel Del and walk the beach all the way down to the dog beach bordering the Marine Base.

For dinner, we go to Ciccia Osteria, a jewel of Italian Cuisine in, of all places, Barrio Logan. Afterward, we’d check out a play at one of the fabulous small theater companies and the museums and grounds of Balboa Park.

The next day, we’d swing out to Ramona to visit the Italian Winery Principe di Tricase to hear live music, sample rare Italian varietals and Italian food delicacies. Later, we’d tour the Wild Animal Park, followed by dinner at the Mexico City style El Agave restaurant.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Ben Moore, sound engineer, producer, and general maestro, records music out of Singing Serpent Studio in Kensington, San Diego. Ben took on The Innocent Bystanders when we had no idea how to make a record. With his guidance, our songs have now been streamed over a hundred of thousand of times.

Website: https://theinnocentbystanders.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_innocent_bystanders/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TIB_Band

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/innocentbystandersband/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3EdVxHKahn7ZozrKgXUUZw

Other: Bandcamp: https://innocentbystandersband.bandcamp.com/music HearNow: https://theinnocentbystanders.hearnow.com/book-of-life

Image Credits
Rebecca Politzer

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