INTERVIEW: Cory McComas shares new single “Stand Up”

Newcomer Cory McComas is a rising name in the hard rock scene, hailing from Northeast Ohio with a musical journey that’s as unconventional as it is inspiring. Unlike many musicians who start playing as children, Cory picked up the guitar for the first time as an adult in September 2021, with no prior musical experience.

Driven by a long-held desire to learn the instrument and spurred into action by the challenges of the pandemic, Cory threw himself into the world of music. What started as a dream quickly became a reality, as he not only learned to play guitar but also began crafting his own original material, leading to the release of his debut single “Project X” earlier this year.

Influenced by iconic rock bands like Linkin Park, Breaking Benjamin, Chevelle and Three Days Grace, Cory has developed his own modern hard rock sound. His music shakes with the intensity that defines the genre, while also reflecting his personal journey of overcoming adversity.

Music for Cory is now more than just a pastime and has become a way of expressing the struggles and triumphs that have shaped his life. He hopes his story will inspire others to pick up an instrument and pursue their own musical passions, no matter where they are in life.

Following the success of his instrumental debut, Cory has wasted no time in releasing his sophomore single, “Stand Up,” this time revealing more of his songwriting flair by adding his own lyrics the track. This track builds on the sound offered by his first release via a hard-hitting anthem about confronting and overcoming the demons that haunt us all, whether they stem from relationship troubles, addiction or inner conflict.

From the dreamy intro that contrasts delicate airy instrumental tones with the lively energy of the drums, the track erupts into a storming burst of driving guitars and pounding drums. As his vocals enter, the theme of the song comes into sharp focus with his main leads representing him fighting his own demons, with the backing vocal work channeling those demons fighting back. Rising to an explosive chorus of anthemic vocal hooks and charging instrumentation, it’s an epic new hard rock track from a thrilling new artist with a compelling sonic vision.

We caught up with Cory McComas to find out more about his musical story so far, his new single “Stand Up” and what he’s got lined up for the future. Check out our interview with Cory McComas below.

Hey Cory, how’s things?

Things are great with the release of Stand Up finally being here! I’m grateful to be part of this interview and I’m really excited to see the reception of the new song!

What’s your earliest memory of making music?

I haven’t even been playing guitar for 3 years now and just started singing in 2024. So I just started writing/making my own music in November 2023 as a result. I’ve been listening to and have had a deep relationship with music since I was 6 years old though. I had a lot of trouble sleeping growing up and needed some white noise to help me fall asleep. So my mom left the radio on for me at night and I would always fall asleep to the local rock station where I discovered so many hard rock bands of the 90s.

Which artists do you draw most inspiration from?

Hands down Linkin Park is my biggest influence and inspiration for my music. Additionally Breaking Benjamin, Chevelle, From Ashes to New, and Fame on Fire are large inspirations from a whole band standpoint.

In terms of solo artists inspirations, Mike Shinoda, elijah, Zero 9:36, and Corey Taylor are vocal artists that are pushing me to get better now. Xander Raymond Charles is a friend and solo guitar artist based out of the U.S. that I draw a lot of inspiration from as well as Nita Strauss, the guitarist for Alice Cooper.

How else do you find inspiration for your music?

2024 has been a very difficult year for me and at times, for my loved ones as well. So my inspiration has definitely been my recent experiences or the things those closest to me are experiencing.

What’s been your highlight of the year so far?

I released my first ever song, Project X, in May 2024 and within only 2 months of release, I hit 5000 streams on Spotify alone as a brand new solo artist. It really told me that I was onto something because people worldwide are listening to my music. Project X was an instrumental too. So I thought if I took what I learned from creating Project X for a new song and also wrote lyrics, that the sky is the limit for my music. That new song idea became “Stand Up!”

What do you love about the Cleveland music scene?

We have a great music scene in Cleveland. After all, we do have the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame here! What I love about Cleveland’s music scene is we have all types of unique music venues. All from huge and mega venues like Blossom Music Center all the way down to underground venues like Grog Shop. My favorite being Jacob’s Pavilion which sits on the Cuyahoga River and is beautiful in the summer!

What would you say is the perfect setting for listeners to enjoy your sound?

I would definitely say the gym is a perfect place to listen to the music I put out because my music would cater towards the hard rock and metal community if you want to put it in a box. In my opinion, there is nothing better than a great hard rock or metal track at the gym to get you going to your next goal!

How has your own style and sound evolved since you started out?

I definitely have a more established process for creating my music having 3 original songs out now. You learn what works and what doesn’t over time. I’m very confident to be able to take an idea from a riff to a full song much more than I did 10 months ago. Having a better process on my end is going to result in a better listening experience for everyone. It’s been an amazing journey so far!

Who would be your dream artist to collaborate with?

Definitely Linkin Park or Mike Shinoda on one of his solo projects. Those guys just mean so much to me!!

How did you find making your new single “Stand Up”?

For the guitar parts/tones, Stand Up is definitely inspired by “The Red” from Chevelle. I was learning how to play “The Red” and just started messing around with some of my own riffs in that tuning. Then I came up with the opening riff you hear in Stand Up. Once I knew I was onto something, I just backed into the music theory and the key of the song to write the rest of the guitar parts. Everything just built off of that from there!

What message did you want to get across with this release?

Stand Up is a song about standing up to your negative thoughts (I call them “demons” in the song and are represented by the backup vocals in the song). I really feel like I was able to visually express this in the music video. I’ve seen people recently struggle with addiction, relationships with loved ones, finances because of high cost of everything, being laid off of work, having major surgery and just trying to get back to regular health and bullying to name a few. It’s very easy for us to go to a negative place when experiencing the hardships in our lives. Your demons will try everything to beat you down and I’m sick of that shit happening to good people! I purposely have the last word in the song representing that I/we can overcome our demons with some fight, you just have to keep going!!

What artist have you been listening to most recently?

A few that I have going nonstop are From Ashes to New, elijah, Fame on Fire and Set It Off. Really any artist that is played a lot on Sirius XM Octane (CH 37) now!

What’s the main thing you want people to get out of listening to your music?

I really want my music to be a contributing factor to help someone in their day. Whether it’s an escape because you are drawn in by the vocals, guitar riffs or drum fills. Or it could be you are listening to push through on workout. I hope my music is just a brighter spot in your day for any reason.

What’s been your favourite live performance so far?

This year I got to perform at a venue locally called “The Winchester.” Other than just having awesome sound on stage and getting great photos from the show, it’s a venue that Nita Strauss herself played at years earlier. So it was insane to realise that I’ve played on the exact same stage that someone I aspire to be like and is that famous has played at!

Who would be 3 artists to headline your dream festival? And where would it be?

Linkin Park, Disturbed and Foo Fighters would be a pretty sweet festival group of headliners! It would be at Inkcarceration festival in Mansfield, OH. Inkcarceration festival is the same place where parts of the Shawshank Redemption were shot and one of my favourite festivals to go to!

Do you have any advice for a new artist wanting to follow your footsteps?

The biggest thing is just to start and put yourself out there. Go for it! There is nobody on this planet that thinks like you do, so you bring a unique perspective for your music already. The other thing is be a huge fan of your own stuff. I’ve listened to Stand Up probably 500 times at this point and still absolutely love it. I start going nuts when that bridge rhythm guitar kicks in for my own song 😃

Finally, what do you have lined up for the rest of 2024?

I have at least one more new release coming for 2024! I’m about 70% finished with it now. This track will feature my vocal progress as well as my guitar playing with both rhythm and lead parts! Let’s just say it will be something many will be familiar with 😃 Hoping to have that out by November 2024, so be sure to follow me on socials for updates!

Listen to Stand Up below