Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with the First Rock Band on Mars’ James DiNanno

When James DiNanno became a father, his entire world changed in an instant. His son became the inspiration behind creating the First Rock Band on Mars; an out-of-this-world endeavor that features a children’s book and EP. The mission behind the project was to encourage all of us to think bigger and dream bigger. Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to speak with James about the First Rock Band on Mars.

PC: How did you discover your passion for the arts?
James: I don’t think there was ever a single a-ha breakthrough moment. This was something that was always there and the passion grew over time—I think it’s still growing. Though sometimes I do hit points where I need to recharge now.

When I was one, I would point at the record player making an “mmm” sound (baby talk for music) until one of my parents put on Van Morrison. Growing up, my best friend’s older brother gave me two Glassjaw albums. Around that time, I also discovered Fall Out Boy’s Take This to Your Grave. Those albums guided a lot of my decisions and made me certain that I needed to start a band.

I was also really into film and writing. My high school TV teacher got me into the Coen Brothers, David Lynch, and film noir. I think that always shows up in splashes of anything I create.

And in a strange full-circle moment, I just spent a week making a record with Daryl Palumbo of Glassjaw, and the TV teacher I referenced made the animated music video for the “First Rock Star on Mars” single.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
James: My dad. He’s always been able to encourage me, while conveying the discomfort of reality at the same time. I think that dichotomy has shaped me a lot as a human and as an artist.

PC: You’re a member of the First Rock Band on Mars. How did this come to fruition?
James: It feels like happenstance in some ways. When COVID hit, I decided to use my spare time to create a children’s book, The First Rock Star on Mars, inspired by my newborn son. When it was finished, I thought, “Wouldn’t it be great if a rock star did the audiobook narration?” I reached out to Kellin [Quinn], not expecting a response, and—fortunately—he was into it.

Once that was done, I thought, “Wouldn’t it be cool if the audiobook ended with a song?” Luckily, Kellin was also on board for this. I teamed up with my friend Howi Spangler, and then we ended up getting connected with Ryan [Key] very last minute for the single. We were so stoked about the track that we decided to make an album of “parent pop-punk” to accompany the book.

PC: You recently released your first children’s book. Tell us about the inspiration behind The First Rock Star on Mars.
James: My son, Caden. My entire world changed in a single second when he was born. It’s cliché to say, but very true.

I loved Shel Silverstein growing up. I was in the shower one morning and just started thinking, “What would Shel Silverstein write today?” I came up with the rhymes in five minutes and that is the book.

The world is changing at such a rapid pace, and sometimes the systems we have in place and the interactions between teachers and children discourage any big or unique thinking. “Stay inside the lines.” That’s poison. It is absolutely possible for a kid that reads this book to team up with Elon Musk and perform on Mars one day. Or maybe they have a different grandiose dream. I want to encourage big thinking.

PC: Did anything surprise you about the process of putting together your first book? What was the biggest takeaway for you as a writer?
James: I was surprised at how familiar this new process felt. It was similar to songwriting or script writing in a lot of ways.

PC: You’re also getting ready to drop the project’s self-titled debut album. What can listeners expect from the release?
James: I grew up during the “golden era” of pop punk: Green Day, blink-182, Yellowcard, FOB… I think sonically, this feels like one of those high-energy albums, circa late ’90s to early ’00s. Parents are going to really enjoy the nostalgia of that. Lyrically, it’s kid-friendly, but not so elementary that it gets in the way of teens or adults enjoying it. We are trying to make an album that has a universal reach and creates bonding experiences.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
James: It’s less a single artist and more the fact that the playlist likely goes from DaBaby to Tame Impala to Squeeze.

PC: First album you bought?
James: Green Day, Dookie.

PC: An album that changed your life and why?
James: Glassjaw’s Worship and Tribute. Daryl has this way of burying these candy pop hooks with dissonant guitars and weirdness. That album really made me feel like I could be part of a band.

PC: A venue on your bucket list to perform at?
James: Red Rocks. Our bandmate Howi just got to do a solo performance there last week, which is pretty rad.

PC: A must-have on the road?
James: A good Jerky Boys playlist. I’m dating myself, but nothing is funnier.