Get to the Chopper: Revving Up the Nerd Rock Revolution

If your playlist is in need of a fresh, fun, and authentically geeky song, look no further than Get to the Chopper. The Phoenix-based band specializes in "nerd rock," a genre that blends classic rock with the intensity of heavy metal and the energy of punk, weaving through the occasional funky bass line. Their anthems are multilayered tributes to pop culture, their songs often referencing their favorite movies and hobbies. It’s this passion that led to their Arnold Schwarzenegger group name, and in a recent interview, band members Eli Salazar and Lucas Sekel revealed even more magic behind their unique sound.

Once the group was finalized, members Salazar, Sekel, Scott Myers, and Cory Patterson quickly began to hone their craft: writing material, recording songs, and playing at local events, all the while prioritizing collaboration and keeping future growth in the foreground. Their distinctive sound often requires several revisions before a final product is reached. For example, a song could start with Salazar’s lyrics but be transformed later in the studio, or the band could create an entire track, but reformat it to fit their ideal vision, a process that works perfectly for the teamwork-focused group.

This meticulous process of taking a song from a spark of inspiration to a finished tribute is where the band finds its greatest reward. They easily inject movie or show quotes in between entire lyrics, crafting synopses and homages to their favorite films and show and always ensuring proper credit is given to original writers and creators. Along with cinematic references, the band also sprinkles in a bit of personal experience, giving their listeners a taste of how it was growing up as a "nerd" and navigating the world that comes with it.

As Get to the Chopper move forward on their musical journey, they continue to evolve and celebrate the adventures their passion has led them to. They are currently riding a wave of momentum after their second EP, Episode 2, dropped in early August, taking advantage of this energy to add finishing details to their next project. In addition to new music, the band is hoping to release merchandise by partnering with a local comic book artist, ensuring that the stories they tell are as visually fun as they are sonically powerful.