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Interviews archive - S
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Interview with:
Silver Dirt lead vocalist, Silver Steff (transcription of recorded interview)
Interviewer: Tawny Khat
Interview date: 12/17/2008
EP (Electric Pussycat): (After introductions) OK, we can go ahead and get started. OK, so Silver Dirt formed in 2004, correct?
SS (Silver Steff): Yeah.
EP: Um, who came up with the name and how did you come up with the name?
SS: I came up with the name, and I wanted two, uh, different words that describes the band, the style of the band, which means that, um, the "Silver" part for me was the glam part, so to speak, because we're not a glam band. But, uh, the melody part and the "Dirt" part were the more street or (grungier?) part, so it was a good mixing and it sounded good.
EP: OK, um, how would you describe your music to someone who has never heard it before?
SS: Um, in fact it depends. You can call it, uh, rock n' roll, you can call it hard rock, you can call it sleaze rock. It's a mixing between, I'm gonna give you the very known bands, so people will recognize it. So, to us it's a mixing between, uh, The Rolling Stones, AC/DC, and Led Zeppelin.
EP: OK
SS: With a little bit of Ramones sometimes.
EP: OK, yeah I hear that in it. (laugh)
SS: (laughing)
EP: I, uh, and, you know I have to tell you I absolutely....
SS: It's rock n' roll, old fashioned rock n' roll.
EP: Yeah, and I absolutely love your band.
SS: Thanks so much. It's good to hear that.
EP: One of the best ones I've heard out there. Um, so what is...this kind of gets back to, maybe, some of your influences....what is in your CD player right now? What are you listening to these days?
SS: Uh, now I'm listening to the new Tesla album.
EP: OK, great.
SS: It's a great, great album. I love this band. The singer. They're great musicians. But, they have a lot of feelings. Because, sometimes you have great musicians with a lot of technique and no feeling. And, uh, I saw them live this year in Switzerland and it was the first time I saw them and, uh, I just, I couldn't believe it, how good it was. That was a great, great concert.
EP: Yeah, they, they are...
Photo by: www.mcdphoto.ch Used with permission. Courtesy: Silver Dirt
SS: And uh, well, that's the album that I'm listening to right now. Otherwise, of course, the new AC/DC, you know. I did not to listen to the new Guns N' Roses still, but, uh, maybe I will. (laugh)
EP: (laugh) I haven't either, yet. Just a few, I've heard a few tracks.
SS: No, but, uh, I'm not very excited about it.
EP: No, I'm not either. (laughing)
SS: (laughing)
EP: I was kind of disappointed actually, from the few tracks I've heard anyway. Um, so if you were to name your number one most influential vocalist or musician, who would it be?
SS: Oh, um, vocalist. To name one is very difficult.
EP: Yeah, I know. (laugh)
SS: (laughing) But, um, to me, I would put Steven Tyler, because he's got the looks, he's got the voice, got the moves, he's got everything a singer should have. Then, uh, I would say singers like Paul Stanley, or John Corabi, or Jeff Keith influence me a lot. Even Sebastian Bach, back in the days. (laugh) But, uh, I like a little bit of a raspy voice.
EP: Uh-huh, OK.
SS: And, uh, also musicians, because I'm playing a little guitar. So, I like, uh, guitar players like Ace Frehley, guitarists like that. I'm not a soloist, I'm just a little rhythm guitar, but, uh, I love the sound. And, his sound.
EP: OK, um, who would be the ideal band for you to tour with?
SS: Oh, there'd be a lot. OK, I'm going to start with the ones we might never tour with, but we'd love to. Say, uh, Motley Crue, KISS, AC/DC, Rolling Stones. Um, nothing very original, but anyway, any bands. Any band that's in our style, and, uh, we're open to everything. But, those are the dream bands I'd like to tour with.
EP: OK. Um, and, well I know you guys are all busy and stuff, but, um, when you do have some time off, what is it that you like to do?
SS: Uh, I'm doing some sports, you know, to keep, uh, being fit. (laugh) So, I love to read. I read a lot. Um, spending time with my girlfriend, watching movies, going out, and, uh, making music. (laugh)
EP: Yeah. (laugh)
SS: Making music, playing.
EP: OK
SS: But, uh, yeah. But, reading is very important to me.
EP: Uh, I do a lot myself, too.
SS: Yeah, yeah.
EP: Um, now you just signed a record deal with Gofannon, is that how you say it?
SS: Yeah.
EP: Gofannon Records, and the new CD will be released in March or April, right?
SS: Yeah, that what's planned. There's no release date yet, precise release date, but that's what's planned. And, yeah we'll see. They seem very, um, motivated? Yes? Right?
EP: Uh-huh, OK, yes.
SS: They seem very motivated, and, uh, we had a big discussion with the boss, so everything's clear. They know what we want. We know what they can do. And, I think, we can do something. We're very, um, hopeful? Right?
EP: Yes, OK.
SS: Hopeful with the new album. So, uh...
EP: OK, great.
SS: Yeah.
EP: Um, do you already have a title for the new CD?
SS: Yeah, it's called "Never Give Up".
EP: OK Silver Steff
Photo by: www.mcdphoto.ch
SS: Which is our motto. Used with permission.
Courtesy: Silver Dirt
EP: That's a good one!
SS: "Never Give Up", yeah. Because, we've had some, let's say, troubled times, but they were not that bad. But, uh, it's always when you're looking for a record label, you're searching for a booking agency, and, uh, you get ignored or, you know, some people doesn't even answer you, so you keep coming back with emails, with phone calls, and, uh.... But, one day, you get a record deal, and, uh, now we're talking with some booking agencies, so....
EP: That's great.
SS: Everything's right.
EP: Yeah.
SS: But, you have to be very passionate, and you really have to have that fire in you.
EP: Yes.
SS: To go, um, to go further in this business, because it's very...it's more and more difficult.
EP: Yes. Absolutely.
SS: If you, uh, if you just stop fighting, then you better quit.
EP: Right.
SS: Otherwise, it doesn't....it's not worth it. (laugh)
EP: Yeah. (laugh) Um, do you know how many tracks with be on the new CD?
SS: Yeah. It will be ten tracks.
EP: OK.
SS: On the first album there was 15 tracks. And, it's always........our first album "Sonic Boom". And, uh, yeah, with the first album you try show off a bit, so people know what you can do. And, then you put a lot of songs, like everything you can do to kind of, ah, ah, business card of the band. So, the second album, it's um, we worked way more on the, um, um, composition....no it's not that.....on the songwriting. (laugh)
EP: OK. Yeah, composition.
SS: On the songwriting, and, the arrangement, the sound. Then there's less songs because, uh, we had more, but we felt that with those ten songs, the album was right.
EP: OK.
SS: Not too long, and every song's are way they should be, and that's, uh, we're happy with that.
Dirty Lyo Photo by: www.mcdphoto.ch
Used with permission. Courtesy: Silver Dirt
EP: OK. What can you tell me about the new songs?
SS: The new songs are an evolution of the first album, of course. It's been four years that we're together, and we have learned to work together, to compose, and, you try always to go a step up. And, um, yeah, there's more maturity in the songwriting. It's more....the sound is bigger. It's not as big as an Aerosmith album or something, but, uh, the (position?) is way better than the first album, and the songs are better, too. And, it's more melodies, less punk rock than the first one, and more hard rock, rock n' roll. That's the natural evolution, in fact.
EP: OK. Have you chosen a first single?
SS: Yeah, we have a song called, "Somebody Help Me".
EP: OK.
SS: And, we shot a video about three weeks ago. And, you can hear that song on the MySpace page of our label, Gofannon Records. Uh, it's not yet on our page. (laugh)
EP: OK.
SS: We're a little bit late here.
EP: OK.
SS: But, I think this song's got a great chorus, and that can, uh, please people, maybe. Yeah, I think....it's a kind of chorus you can sing to, so, it's always nice. We'll see. People will decide.
EP: I'll have to go by and listen to it, on MySpace? You said....where again?
SS: Yeah, on the record label on MySpace. Hey, yeah, then you can tell me what you think.
EP: OK. (laughing)
SS: (laughing)
EP: Um, and where will the album be released? I mean, will it be released worldwide, or..?
SS: Yeah, we signed a worldwide deal, but it means a lot and it means nothing. I explain.
EP: OK.
SS: The record label can release it wherever they want. So, normally they know what kind of, uh, what kind of a country, of style of music is suiting best. Of course, the U.S. So, the U.S. is very big, so I don't think they're going to release it in the whole U.S., in time. We, um, we know that in Europe it will be in four or five countries. Uh, gradually, but I believe until from March/April until September it will be released slowly in different countries. It will depend on if we sign concerts or not, because that's how the labels are working now. If you have shows in the country, they're more able to release the album. Because, nothing after two or three weeks of promo; if nothing happens, you know, people forget about you.
EP: Right.
SS: You have to have something going on. But, we'll start with the release in France and Switzerland. And, now we're working on concert dates in the U.K., in England, in the U.S., also. It will be a festival in Iowa in August, August 2009. But, I'm still waiting on confirmation because they want, uh, they want to do a little tour so we don't have to go there just for the festival. So, they're working on it now, which is very nice.
EP: OK.
SS: So, if we can get, I don't know, five, six, or seven gigs in the states will be fantastic. So, then the record label will be able to release the album at least in these states. But, I will know, I believe, around February, if it's working or not. Because, I need at least six months because of the.....uh, don't you say that in English also, visa?
EP: Right.
SS: Yeah, alright. It's very, very long to get a visa for the U.S., so... Then, uh, we started to work....now we're working with two different booking agencies that are organizi
ng concerts in Europe. So, um, but we just started to work with them, so it's going to take a few months until something happens. It's a brand new organization for us, to go, uh, to go from national to European, or maybe international. So, it's very exciting, but it's a lot of work.
EP: Yes, it is.
SS: Yeah, but that's what it takes, and I'm happy. I'm happy when the (? ?) of work.
EP: It sounds like a.....
SS: When somethings going on.
Silver Gregg
EP: Yeah, it sounds like a..... Photo by: www.mcdphoto.ch
Used with permission.
SS: I sleep later. (laughing) Courtesy: Silver Dirt
EP: (laughing) OK, well yeah, that kind of went into my next question that I was going to ask of you. Do you have any shows set up yet? Because on your web site it does say that you guys would be touring Europe and the U.S. next year, so...
SS: Yeah, because that's, uh, that's not really set up. That's in the cards. That's what we want and have to do if you want to sell records, and meet new people. And, that's why we started to work with those booking agencies. Because, there's not yet any dates on our web site, from other countries or in the U.S., because we want to wait, that we have those dates, and, then when sure we'll put them on. But, that's in the cards, and it will happen because we want it to happen. So, we're gonna do our best for it to happen.
EP: OK, um, and I remember, um, in an earlier email you said that you had already submitted your promo material to Rocklahoma, and then we talked about Rock Gone Wild, that's the one up in Iowa. And, you haven't heard back from either one, or...?
SS: No, no, it's too early. It's unlikely they have received it. (laughing)
EP: OK.
SS: Because, yeah, it takes a lot of time...
EP: Yeah.
SS: To travel.......the ocean. So, hopefully I will hear something, maybe, in January.
EP: OK.
SS: I don't know. But, that will be great, because they are big festivals. And, yeah that's perfect for (? ?).
EP: Yeah, they both are.
SS: Yeah, yeah, that's fantastic. Our webmaster is also the guy who does all our pictures. He does our CD covers. He's a.....I don't know how you say that in English.....graphist artist or something?
EP: A graphic artist?
SS: Graphic artist, yeah. He told me he went to the Rock Gone Wild web site, and told me, "Oh guys, you have to play there, because I want to go with you. I want to see all the bands! It's fantastic!" (laughing) You know.
EP: (laughing) Yeah, I'm planning on going.
SS: Yeah, for us Europeans it's always a big deal when you can play in the U.S., because most of the bands we've been influenced by are from the U.S. I don't know if it's the same for the U.S. bands when they come to Europe, but, uh....
EP: Oh, it's, yeah, it's always a really big deal for U.S. bands to get to go to Europe, so, yeah...
SS: We've played with some U.S. bands, like Gilby Clarke or Brides of Destruction. For them it should be strange, because I believe they play in big places, maybe, in the U.S., like two or three thousand people. I don't know.
EP: No, not really..... I'm actually going to see Gilby Clarke this Saturday night at a club here, and it's actually a pretty small club. So...
SS: Yeah?
EP: Yeah, yeah.
SS: Oh, and what do you mean by small?
EP: Ah, probably holds like, um, boy, um, how would I estimate. I, ooh......
SS: A hundred people, or more?
EP: Hmm, maybe, well, more that a hundred. But, not more that two or three hundred I would think.
SS: Alright.
EP: So, it's a pretty small club.
SS: When we played with him, it was very small. It was more a bar with a stage than a club, and there were like, uh, 50 people.
EP: Oh, really.
SS: I was a bit shocked, because, man, that guy played in stadiums with Guns N' Roses....
EP: Yeah.
SS: And, now he's playing... I got the chance to meet the guy and to see him, really, face to face, and there were not more people. It's very strange.
EP: Yeah, it is.
SS: Because, we were very happy. We spent all the evening with him. We talked with him. They were very nice. And, we said, yeah, it's great for us, because, like most people, we liked Guns N' Roses back then.
EP: Right.
SS: And, he's a very good guitar player, and, uh, he's a great man, too. Like that with Brides of Destruction with, um, um, oh....
EP: Tracii Guns.
SS: I got a blank... Yeah, Tracii Guns. (laughing)
EP: (laughing)
SS: Like that, too. Fifty people, same club.
EP: Wow!
SS: Yeah, but it was great. It was great. That's the cool thing, because if you met them back then, I believe you couldn't even talk to them.
EP: Oh, no.
SS: Fifteen years ago.
EP: Right.
SS: So
now...
EP: Yeah, it's kind of nice now, because you can actually talk to them, and not have huge crowds around, and... (laugh)
SS: So, you have to see a lot of concerts, I believe.
EP: Yeah.
SS: Where you are?
EP: Yeah. Oh, yeah, there's a lot here. And, I'm right near Phoenix, which is the fifth largest city in the United States, so all the concerts come through here.
Dirty Seb Photo by: www.mcdphoto.ch
Used with permission. Courtesy: Silver Dirt
SS: Oh, sure, sure. Alright.
EP: And, not too far from L.A., so.....
SS: Oh, right. How many hours from L.A.?
EP: Um, driving, depending how fast you drive, it can be between 6-8 hours. And, it's only an hour by air, so.....
SS: Oh, so you get some crazy weekends in Los Angeles.
EP: Not so much now and days, but back in the day, you know, in the late 80's, early 90's, yeah. I made a lot of trips over there. It was a lot of fun. (laughing)
SS: (laughing) I went there, we went there. Two times, 96' and 97'. In Hollywood, there was a convention, uh, Foundation Forum, something like that. A convention with record labels, with artists, uh...
EP: Was it the NAMM show, the National Association of Music Merchants?
SS: No, no, it wasn't that. It was something else. But, again it was great, because when I was 15 I was dreaming about Hollywood, you know, Motley Crue, everything. Then, I was riding there, in the car, and I put, in the CD player, I put, oh it was a cassette, it was not even a CD player. I put a Motley Crue tape, riding on Sunset, you know. That was cool, reminding me of how much I wanted to be there. (laughing) Twenty years later. (laughing)
EP: (laughing)
SS: OK, so, I don't know if you have a question, because you're calling and I don't want it to cost you...
EP: Oh, that's OK. Um, just one last one. If there's anything else you wanted to let the fans know...
SS: Well, um, check both our web sites, the official one at silverdirt.com or MySpace. And, what can I say. I'd like to say a big thank you for this interview, for giving me the chance to talk to you and, to reach a little more people, and uh, long life to you. Long live Electric Pussycat. (laughing)
EP: Thank you, thank you. (laughing) And, you're very welcome.
SS: It's good that you're doing that, because we need people like you. We need passionate people.
EP: Well, I am. I'm really fired up with this magazine. I'm hoping to just kind of get everybody going, because I want to bring back some good rock n' roll.
SS: Yeah, but it's strange. We need people, because, we need people like you, because we're passionate, and if you work with passionate people, it's great. I prefer a hundred times talking with people like you that really like rock n' roll, than some journalist that doesn't give a shit. He's paid for his job, if he interviewing me or a hip hop band or something. He doesn't care about it.
EP: Yeah. Right.
SS: When you talk with passionate people, it's always, to me, it's always more enjoyable. You have a real discussion, and....
EP: Yes.
SS: That's great. (laughing)
EP: (laughing) OK, I really thank you for your time and, um, I wish you luck with Rocklahoma and Rock Gone Wild. And, when the new CD comes out, I'll make sure to get a copy to review it, and maybe we can do another interview.
SS: Oh, with pleasure. And, all the best to you, too.
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Interview with:
Silver Dirt lead vocalist, Silver Steff (transcription of recorded interview)
Interviewer: Tawny Khat
Interview date: 12/17/2008
EP (Electric Pussycat): (After introductions) OK, we can go ahead and get started. OK, so Silver Dirt formed in 2004, correct?
SS (Silver Steff): Yeah.
EP: Um, who came up with the name and how did you come up with the name?
SS: I came up with the name, and I wanted two, uh, different words that describes the band, the style of the band, which means that, um, the "Silver" part for me was the glam part, so to speak, because we're not a glam band. But, uh, the melody part and the "Dirt" part were the more street or (grungier?) part, so it was a good mixing and it sounded good.
EP: OK, um, how would you describe your music to someone who has never heard it before?
SS: Um, in fact it depends. You can call it, uh, rock n' roll, you can call it hard rock, you can call it sleaze rock. It's a mixing between, I'm gonna give you the very known bands, so people will recognize it. So, to us it's a mixing between, uh, The Rolling Stones, AC/DC, and Led Zeppelin.
EP: OK
SS: With a little bit of Ramones sometimes.
EP: OK, yeah I hear that in it. (laugh)
SS: (laughing)
EP: I, uh, and, you know I have to tell you I absolutely....
SS: It's rock n' roll, old fashioned rock n' roll.
EP: Yeah, and I absolutely love your band.
SS: Thanks so much. It's good to hear that.
EP: One of the best ones I've heard out there. Um, so what is...this kind of gets back to, maybe, some of your influences....what is in your CD player right now? What are you listening to these days?
SS: Uh, now I'm listening to the new Tesla album.
EP: OK, great.
SS: It's a great, great album. I love this band. The singer. They're great musicians. But, they have a lot of feelings. Because, sometimes you have great musicians with a lot of technique and no feeling. And, uh, I saw them live this year in Switzerland and it was the first time I saw them and, uh, I just, I couldn't believe it, how good it was. That was a great, great concert.
EP: Yeah, they, they are...
Photo by: www.mcdphoto.ch Used with permission. Courtesy: Silver Dirt
SS: And uh, well, that's the album that I'm listening to right now. Otherwise, of course, the new AC/DC, you know. I did not to listen to the new Guns N' Roses still, but, uh, maybe I will. (laugh)
EP: (laugh) I haven't either, yet. Just a few, I've heard a few tracks.
SS: No, but, uh, I'm not very excited about it.
EP: No, I'm not either. (laughing)
SS: (laughing)
EP: I was kind of disappointed actually, from the few tracks I've heard anyway. Um, so if you were to name your number one most influential vocalist or musician, who would it be?
SS: Oh, um, vocalist. To name one is very difficult.
EP: Yeah, I know. (laugh)
SS: (laughing) But, um, to me, I would put Steven Tyler, because he's got the looks, he's got the voice, got the moves, he's got everything a singer should have. Then, uh, I would say singers like Paul Stanley, or John Corabi, or Jeff Keith influence me a lot. Even Sebastian Bach, back in the days. (laugh) But, uh, I like a little bit of a raspy voice.
EP: Uh-huh, OK.
SS: And, uh, also musicians, because I'm playing a little guitar. So, I like, uh, guitar players like Ace Frehley, guitarists like that. I'm not a soloist, I'm just a little rhythm guitar, but, uh, I love the sound. And, his sound.
EP: OK, um, who would be the ideal band for you to tour with?
SS: Oh, there'd be a lot. OK, I'm going to start with the ones we might never tour with, but we'd love to. Say, uh, Motley Crue, KISS, AC/DC, Rolling Stones. Um, nothing very original, but anyway, any bands. Any band that's in our style, and, uh, we're open to everything. But, those are the dream bands I'd like to tour with.
EP: OK. Um, and, well I know you guys are all busy and stuff, but, um, when you do have some time off, what is it that you like to do?
SS: Uh, I'm doing some sports, you know, to keep, uh, being fit. (laugh) So, I love to read. I read a lot. Um, spending time with my girlfriend, watching movies, going out, and, uh, making music. (laugh)
EP: Yeah. (laugh)
SS: Making music, playing.
EP: OK
SS: But, uh, yeah. But, reading is very important to me.
EP: Uh, I do a lot myself, too.
SS: Yeah, yeah.
EP: Um, now you just signed a record deal with Gofannon, is that how you say it?
SS: Yeah.
EP: Gofannon Records, and the new CD will be released in March or April, right?
SS: Yeah, that what's planned. There's no release date yet, precise release date, but that's what's planned. And, yeah we'll see. They seem very, um, motivated? Yes? Right?
EP: Uh-huh, OK, yes.
SS: They seem very motivated, and, uh, we had a big discussion with the boss, so everything's clear. They know what we want. We know what they can do. And, I think, we can do something. We're very, um, hopeful? Right?
EP: Yes, OK.
SS: Hopeful with the new album. So, uh...
EP: OK, great.
SS: Yeah.
EP: Um, do you already have a title for the new CD?
SS: Yeah, it's called "Never Give Up".
EP: OK Silver Steff
Photo by: www.mcdphoto.ch
SS: Which is our motto. Used with permission.
Courtesy: Silver Dirt
EP: That's a good one!
SS: "Never Give Up", yeah. Because, we've had some, let's say, troubled times, but they were not that bad. But, uh, it's always when you're looking for a record label, you're searching for a booking agency, and, uh, you get ignored or, you know, some people doesn't even answer you, so you keep coming back with emails, with phone calls, and, uh.... But, one day, you get a record deal, and, uh, now we're talking with some booking agencies, so....
EP: That's great.
SS: Everything's right.
EP: Yeah.
SS: But, you have to be very passionate, and you really have to have that fire in you.
EP: Yes.
SS: To go, um, to go further in this business, because it's very...it's more and more difficult.
EP: Yes. Absolutely.
SS: If you, uh, if you just stop fighting, then you better quit.
EP: Right.
SS: Otherwise, it doesn't....it's not worth it. (laugh)
EP: Yeah. (laugh) Um, do you know how many tracks with be on the new CD?
SS: Yeah. It will be ten tracks.
EP: OK.
SS: On the first album there was 15 tracks. And, it's always........our first album "Sonic Boom". And, uh, yeah, with the first album you try show off a bit, so people know what you can do. And, then you put a lot of songs, like everything you can do to kind of, ah, ah, business card of the band. So, the second album, it's um, we worked way more on the, um, um, composition....no it's not that.....on the songwriting. (laugh)
EP: OK. Yeah, composition.
SS: On the songwriting, and, the arrangement, the sound. Then there's less songs because, uh, we had more, but we felt that with those ten songs, the album was right.
EP: OK.
SS: Not too long, and every song's are way they should be, and that's, uh, we're happy with that.
Dirty Lyo Photo by: www.mcdphoto.ch
Used with permission. Courtesy: Silver Dirt
EP: OK. What can you tell me about the new songs?
SS: The new songs are an evolution of the first album, of course. It's been four years that we're together, and we have learned to work together, to compose, and, you try always to go a step up. And, um, yeah, there's more maturity in the songwriting. It's more....the sound is bigger. It's not as big as an Aerosmith album or something, but, uh, the (position?) is way better than the first album, and the songs are better, too. And, it's more melodies, less punk rock than the first one, and more hard rock, rock n' roll. That's the natural evolution, in fact.
EP: OK. Have you chosen a first single?
SS: Yeah, we have a song called, "Somebody Help Me".
EP: OK.
SS: And, we shot a video about three weeks ago. And, you can hear that song on the MySpace page of our label, Gofannon Records. Uh, it's not yet on our page. (laugh)
EP: OK.
SS: We're a little bit late here.
EP: OK.
SS: But, I think this song's got a great chorus, and that can, uh, please people, maybe. Yeah, I think....it's a kind of chorus you can sing to, so, it's always nice. We'll see. People will decide.
EP: I'll have to go by and listen to it, on MySpace? You said....where again?
SS: Yeah, on the record label on MySpace. Hey, yeah, then you can tell me what you think.
EP: OK. (laughing)
SS: (laughing)
EP: Um, and where will the album be released? I mean, will it be released worldwide, or..?
SS: Yeah, we signed a worldwide deal, but it means a lot and it means nothing. I explain.
EP: OK.
SS: The record label can release it wherever they want. So, normally they know what kind of, uh, what kind of a country, of style of music is suiting best. Of course, the U.S. So, the U.S. is very big, so I don't think they're going to release it in the whole U.S., in time. We, um, we know that in Europe it will be in four or five countries. Uh, gradually, but I believe until from March/April until September it will be released slowly in different countries. It will depend on if we sign concerts or not, because that's how the labels are working now. If you have shows in the country, they're more able to release the album. Because, nothing after two or three weeks of promo; if nothing happens, you know, people forget about you.
EP: Right.
SS: You have to have something going on. But, we'll start with the release in France and Switzerland. And, now we're working on concert dates in the U.K., in England, in the U.S., also. It will be a festival in Iowa in August, August 2009. But, I'm still waiting on confirmation because they want, uh, they want to do a little tour so we don't have to go there just for the festival. So, they're working on it now, which is very nice.
EP: OK.
SS: So, if we can get, I don't know, five, six, or seven gigs in the states will be fantastic. So, then the record label will be able to release the album at least in these states. But, I will know, I believe, around February, if it's working or not. Because, I need at least six months because of the.....uh, don't you say that in English also, visa?
EP: Right.
SS: Yeah, alright. It's very, very long to get a visa for the U.S., so... Then, uh, we started to work....now we're working with two different booking agencies that are organizi
ng concerts in Europe. So, um, but we just started to work with them, so it's going to take a few months until something happens. It's a brand new organization for us, to go, uh, to go from national to European, or maybe international. So, it's very exciting, but it's a lot of work.EP: Yes, it is.
SS: Yeah, but that's what it takes, and I'm happy. I'm happy when the (? ?) of work.
EP: It sounds like a.....
SS: When somethings going on.
Silver Gregg
EP: Yeah, it sounds like a..... Photo by: www.mcdphoto.ch
Used with permission.
SS: I sleep later. (laughing) Courtesy: Silver Dirt
EP: (laughing) OK, well yeah, that kind of went into my next question that I was going to ask of you. Do you have any shows set up yet? Because on your web site it does say that you guys would be touring Europe and the U.S. next year, so...
SS: Yeah, because that's, uh, that's not really set up. That's in the cards. That's what we want and have to do if you want to sell records, and meet new people. And, that's why we started to work with those booking agencies. Because, there's not yet any dates on our web site, from other countries or in the U.S., because we want to wait, that we have those dates, and, then when sure we'll put them on. But, that's in the cards, and it will happen because we want it to happen. So, we're gonna do our best for it to happen.
EP: OK, um, and I remember, um, in an earlier email you said that you had already submitted your promo material to Rocklahoma, and then we talked about Rock Gone Wild, that's the one up in Iowa. And, you haven't heard back from either one, or...?
SS: No, no, it's too early. It's unlikely they have received it. (laughing)
EP: OK.
SS: Because, yeah, it takes a lot of time...
EP: Yeah.
SS: To travel.......the ocean. So, hopefully I will hear something, maybe, in January.
EP: OK.
SS: I don't know. But, that will be great, because they are big festivals. And, yeah that's perfect for (? ?).
EP: Yeah, they both are.
SS: Yeah, yeah, that's fantastic. Our webmaster is also the guy who does all our pictures. He does our CD covers. He's a.....I don't know how you say that in English.....graphist artist or something?
EP: A graphic artist?
SS: Graphic artist, yeah. He told me he went to the Rock Gone Wild web site, and told me, "Oh guys, you have to play there, because I want to go with you. I want to see all the bands! It's fantastic!" (laughing) You know.
EP: (laughing) Yeah, I'm planning on going.
SS: Yeah, for us Europeans it's always a big deal when you can play in the U.S., because most of the bands we've been influenced by are from the U.S. I don't know if it's the same for the U.S. bands when they come to Europe, but, uh....
EP: Oh, it's, yeah, it's always a really big deal for U.S. bands to get to go to Europe, so, yeah...
SS: We've played with some U.S. bands, like Gilby Clarke or Brides of Destruction. For them it should be strange, because I believe they play in big places, maybe, in the U.S., like two or three thousand people. I don't know.
EP: No, not really..... I'm actually going to see Gilby Clarke this Saturday night at a club here, and it's actually a pretty small club. So...
SS: Yeah?
EP: Yeah, yeah.
SS: Oh, and what do you mean by small?
EP: Ah, probably holds like, um, boy, um, how would I estimate. I, ooh......
SS: A hundred people, or more?
EP: Hmm, maybe, well, more that a hundred. But, not more that two or three hundred I would think.
SS: Alright.
EP: So, it's a pretty small club.
SS: When we played with him, it was very small. It was more a bar with a stage than a club, and there were like, uh, 50 people.
EP: Oh, really.
SS: I was a bit shocked, because, man, that guy played in stadiums with Guns N' Roses....
EP: Yeah.
SS: And, now he's playing... I got the chance to meet the guy and to see him, really, face to face, and there were not more people. It's very strange.
EP: Yeah, it is.
SS: Because, we were very happy. We spent all the evening with him. We talked with him. They were very nice. And, we said, yeah, it's great for us, because, like most people, we liked Guns N' Roses back then.
EP: Right.
SS: And, he's a very good guitar player, and, uh, he's a great man, too. Like that with Brides of Destruction with, um, um, oh....
EP: Tracii Guns.
SS: I got a blank... Yeah, Tracii Guns. (laughing)
EP: (laughing)
SS: Like that, too. Fifty people, same club.
EP: Wow!
SS: Yeah, but it was great. It was great. That's the cool thing, because if you met them back then, I believe you couldn't even talk to them.
EP: Oh, no.
SS: Fifteen years ago.
EP: Right.
SS: So
now...EP: Yeah, it's kind of nice now, because you can actually talk to them, and not have huge crowds around, and... (laugh)
SS: So, you have to see a lot of concerts, I believe.
EP: Yeah.
SS: Where you are?
EP: Yeah. Oh, yeah, there's a lot here. And, I'm right near Phoenix, which is the fifth largest city in the United States, so all the concerts come through here.
Dirty Seb Photo by: www.mcdphoto.ch
Used with permission. Courtesy: Silver Dirt
SS: Oh, sure, sure. Alright.
EP: And, not too far from L.A., so.....
SS: Oh, right. How many hours from L.A.?
EP: Um, driving, depending how fast you drive, it can be between 6-8 hours. And, it's only an hour by air, so.....
SS: Oh, so you get some crazy weekends in Los Angeles.
EP: Not so much now and days, but back in the day, you know, in the late 80's, early 90's, yeah. I made a lot of trips over there. It was a lot of fun. (laughing)
SS: (laughing) I went there, we went there. Two times, 96' and 97'. In Hollywood, there was a convention, uh, Foundation Forum, something like that. A convention with record labels, with artists, uh...
EP: Was it the NAMM show, the National Association of Music Merchants?
SS: No, no, it wasn't that. It was something else. But, again it was great, because when I was 15 I was dreaming about Hollywood, you know, Motley Crue, everything. Then, I was riding there, in the car, and I put, in the CD player, I put, oh it was a cassette, it was not even a CD player. I put a Motley Crue tape, riding on Sunset, you know. That was cool, reminding me of how much I wanted to be there. (laughing) Twenty years later. (laughing)
EP: (laughing)
SS: OK, so, I don't know if you have a question, because you're calling and I don't want it to cost you...
EP: Oh, that's OK. Um, just one last one. If there's anything else you wanted to let the fans know...
SS: Well, um, check both our web sites, the official one at silverdirt.com or MySpace. And, what can I say. I'd like to say a big thank you for this interview, for giving me the chance to talk to you and, to reach a little more people, and uh, long life to you. Long live Electric Pussycat. (laughing)
EP: Thank you, thank you. (laughing) And, you're very welcome.
SS: It's good that you're doing that, because we need people like you. We need passionate people.
EP: Well, I am. I'm really fired up with this magazine. I'm hoping to just kind of get everybody going, because I want to bring back some good rock n' roll.
SS: Yeah, but it's strange. We need people, because, we need people like you, because we're passionate, and if you work with passionate people, it's great. I prefer a hundred times talking with people like you that really like rock n' roll, than some journalist that doesn't give a shit. He's paid for his job, if he interviewing me or a hip hop band or something. He doesn't care about it.
EP: Yeah. Right.
SS: When you talk with passionate people, it's always, to me, it's always more enjoyable. You have a real discussion, and....
EP: Yes.
SS: That's great. (laughing)
EP: (laughing) OK, I really thank you for your time and, um, I wish you luck with Rocklahoma and Rock Gone Wild. And, when the new CD comes out, I'll make sure to get a copy to review it, and maybe we can do another interview.
SS: Oh, with pleasure. And, all the best to you, too.
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Interview with:
Sister Hyde vocalist, HYde
Interview by: Tawny Khat
Completed on March 28, 2009
All photos by my lovely new friend, Soma, with enhancements by Ann Marra.
Used with permission, courtesy of Sister Hyde.
We're very pleased to bring you an up-and-coming band out of Seattle, Sister Hyde. When I was introduced to this band on MySpace I became immediately intrigued. Then, when I received their self titled debut album to review, I became an enormous fan of the band (the CD hasn't left my ten disc CD changer, where I have all my favorites, ever since I got it). Because I go into more depth about Sister Hyde's music in my review of their CD, I won't say much more about it here. Suffice to say, HYde, the band's vocalist, lead guitarist and songwriter is a creative genius, and has put together a most unique and original album, one that you must give a listen to.
HYde, the driving force behind Sister Hyde, epitomizes what it means to be the frontman of a band. He is a consummate showman. There's an aura of mystery and sensuality about him that draws one like a magnet. He has the image and looks of a rockstar who would have been equally at home sipping absinthe with Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec at the Moulin Rouge. It's no wonder he's amassed an adoring female following. That's not to say that that Sister Hyde is devoid of male fans. Their music speaks for itself, therefore they have plenty of fans of both sexes. This is NOT a band with image and no substance. But, when you combine Sister Hyde's fantastic tunes with HYde's showmanship, the combination is combustible and explodes with a raw energy that is orgasmic in nature.
After becoming a fan of Sister Hyde, there was no doubt that we would have to feature them here. Of course, that meant I would also have to interview HYde to learn more about this awesome band and how they came to be. So, without further ado I give you that interview:
HYde: Hi Tawny Dolling. I'd like to thank YOU and ELECTRIC PUSSYCAT Magazine for this interview!!!
EP (Electric Pussycat): [You're very welcome, dear HYde!] First off, could you fill me in with a little info about each of the band members' backgrounds?
HYde: Well Tawny, you have caught Sister Hyde at a crossroads as I have just retained an entirely new lineup!!! My last one had some substance abuse/family priorities and geographic logistics that were holding HYde back from his true destiny! Recently, I happened to run into a bunch of trannies and cross-dressers who happen to love glam and play bass, guitar and drums, but were looking for a vocalist. We all met at R Place, a local Seattle gendre-bending watering hole. I don't know much about them yet! KARI OKI plays bass and I've never heard a more punky bassist which is what I look for on 4 strings. I like the bass to hit below the belt, in the groin, and she certainly does! OUCH! Kari grew up in Japan and came to Seattle fairly recently to live in a place that could endure her outrageous style! Next up is LEZ B PAUL! Lez plays guitar and is known for his cross-dressing on stage. He loves The Dolls and has glam/trash exuding from his skinny little pores! Originally from Chicago, Lez moved to Seattle to indulge his, ahh, hobby and of course his guitar playing! On drums we have BAM BAM. Bam Bam plays the skins like they are cannons. She seems a tad obsessed with them and is particularily brutal on the heads! With her long blond hair, Bam Bam came to the U.S. from Sweden and loves old Alice Cooper! Together they are the purrfect band for HYde!!!
EP: [That sounds fantastic! Makes this question a little moot, but that's OK.] Now, Sister Hyde formed in 2006. Could you tell me excactly how the band came together?
HYde: I met my original band at a New York Dolls concert and we got hammered together at The Dolls aftershow party back at their hotel where we decided to put together Sister Hyde!!!
EP: How do your favorite bands and musicians influence you and what is the philosophy of your band?
HYde: I wanted a name like Alice Cooper. I took his horror element/nastiness/theatrics and the trashy sound of his original line up (the Alice Cooper Band) and souped it up. I was also influenced by The Dolls, and Iggy and The Stooges. I wanted the outrageous image and energy of The Dolls and the toughness and "devil may care" attitude of Iggy. Ziggy Stardust and Alladin Sane periods of David Bowie interest me, as does T Rex and Marc Bolan. Again, the androgynous, otherworldly quality of these artists inspired me and the formula for that glam sound! Mott The Hoople and The Sweet, as well! They kinda brought the testosterone levels up in English Glam, and I love the cover of Desolation Boulevard and other songs! I can't forget The Pistols and the early punk sounds of British and New York punk. I wanted that edge mixed into the Sister H sound! Jimi is my main man for guitar as far as stretching the limits and showmanship, and I love the latent violence of Townsend. I play my axe like it's phallic or like it's an electric pussy!!! The Sister Hyde philosophy?...Waldo Emerson said it best..."To be yourself in a society that tries to turn you into someone else is the greatest acomplishment!!" Ya know...be original...Don't be fooled by the media! Don't care what anyone else thinks of ya, and do question authority. Embrace all that is you and become your own sex symbol! Make up yer own rules and never give up on yourself...most of us give up way too easily! Yes, Sister Hyde is all about transformation! David Bowie said it best..."I could be a wild mutation as a rock and roll star," and of course The Sister Hyde Motto~"HAVE A GOOD TIME ALL THE TIME!!!"
EP: I've seen a few descriptions of Sister Hyde's live performances. By all accounts your live show is wild. Can you give readers who've never seen you perform an example of what they'd see and hear when they attend one of your shows?
HYde: The strains of Beethoven's 5th die as Sister Hyde takes the stage in a mist of low rising fog and then the strobes hit!!! WOW! The crescendo for "Surfin on Napalm" builds and the show is under way. My energy ignites the crowd as I perform to the max drenched in feedback with my signature leather trench, top hat, racoon eyes and long black hair. The audience reacts and forms a crazy glam-punk mosh pit in front of the stage. The "Sisterhood" (the die-hard female Sister Hyde fans as they are affectionaly known) show their appreciation cavorting on and off stage (and backstage)! I am all about the audience and I love to interact with this crowd. It is finally the grand finale where I whip my guitar as it squeals in agony. I am, after all Tawny, the ultimate showman! I disappear from the stage as the band finishes the show without me. (It's the ol' James Brown star-time ending.) The smoke and strobes are blinding now! A sustained wail of approval comes up from the crowd who are in shock from what they've just witnessed and the inevitable shouts for "MORE!" are deafening!!! I am leaning against a wall sweating my ass off and panting in some filthy alley behind the club or in the loo, and when I hear this I know it's been another successful Sister Hyde show!!!
EP: [Wow! I don't smoke, but I feel like I need a cigarette after that description!] Along with many rave reviews, you've experienced some controversy and had run ins with some quite close-minded individuals. Would you please relate a few of these stories?
HYde: Last summer Sister Hyde played The Seattle Pride concert outside in a public park. It was boiling hot and the crowd was quite huge. I decided to invite the crowd on stage. I wanted a Gay Woodstock and I love the "theater of confusion" (as Jim Morrison used to call it). Everything was groovy and many people crammed the stage to celebrate, dancing with us and having an amazing time! Two men took their clothes off...all off...and became my gay go-go dancers, flanking me at center stage. As the show became more crazy, it started to look like the gates of hell were opening up (with a whole orgy being kinda simulated...like something from "Apocalypse Now") and stage managers freaked and demanded the dancers leave the stage. The incident and the nudity got us banned from the event! BUT, it got us a hell of a lot of publicity as the not so tolerant audience, (mostly dykes) complained! (The sight of those penises around made them mad uncomfortable)! We also played a high school here in town, and after the show the principal complained to the musician's union that my stage antics, which included simulating oral sex on my guitarist, was not suitable entertainment for the students. He was wrong; they loved it! Any publicity is good publicity right? There was the drunk Canuck indian who fired a shot glass at the stage narrowly missing my head because he thought that we thought we were rockstars! I told him, "We don't think we're rockstars...we KNOW we're Rockstars!!!" It seemed to anger him! There was the skinhead with the word, "Hate", painted in red on the back of his wife-beater t-shirt who threatened me and said that he didn't like the way "I was playin' with myself up there!" (after a show I did in complete drag). The sight of my legs in those ripped fishnets made him imagine something that never happened. I told him, "I don't have to play with myself, Mate. I've been around the world and I've slept with women other men can only dream of!" His homophobia turned to admiration and we ended up smoking a spliff together! I'd learned...you gotta make friends with yer enemies! There was the Seattle newspaper that black-listed us for writing a silly song about their music editor ("Jennifer Maerz's Best Friend", which is on the album)! I was told that I would never work in this town again! They were mistaken. I have been gigging consistently. Ahh, but we do love controversy. Even our fog machine, "Sparky", managed to get us in trouble when the entire fire department of Everett, WA came blazing to the rescue, sirens wailing, for a nonexistent fire when we played a club there and the smoke alarm was triggered! Seattle is a very conservative town deep down and if they don't think you are correct or conforming, they might not like you! It was good ol' David Lee Roth who once said, "Rock is a contact sport!!!" He was right!
EP: There is a 1971 British film entitled,"Dr Jekyll and Sister Hyde", a tongue-in-cheek and campy piece of film noir take on the classic Jekyll and Hyde story where the good doctor becomes a beautiful, sultry knife-wielding femme who murders hookers to obtain the needed bodily fluids for the transformation elixir. The late Ralph Bates was brilliant as Dr. Jekyll and Martine Beswick (who also was the Bond girl in "From Russia with Love") was delicious as the sensual and sadistic Sister Hyde. Have you seen this film and if so what did you think of it?
HYde: Damn Tawny! You've found me out! The flick did inspire the band's name and the whole idea of transformation...The idea that Dr Jekyll not only turns bad, but transforms into a powerful and beautiful woman was too good to pass up! I loved it. I also was inspired by "A Clockwork Orange" and "Privilege".
EP: I read somewhere that you obtain all of your musical equipment from pawn shops. Could you please tell me about your gear?
HYde: I have a 1974 Gibson SG that I recently acquired here at a Seattle pawn shop. It is a faded cherry mahogany finish with crescent moon mother of pearl inlays down the fretboard...a truly classic instrument and so HYde! In Vancouver, BC I found my Marshall 50 watt head, and in another, my four 12 Marshall cab. I also found two Ibanez guitars, which are the secret behind the cranky guitar sounds on the album, and I have an old 1977 Fender Strat. I am most connected to my 12 string Yamaha and will be doing an acoustic performance in April. Pawn shops are where it's at! Kari Oki plays a Gibson SG bass through an SVT amp, and Lez B Paul plays, of course, a Gibson Les Paul (a gold top). Bam Bam pounds away at a vintage set of Ludwigs with a 26 inch kick drum! Wham Bam Thank You Ma'am!
EP: Your self-titled debut album is fantastic. What is Sister Hyde's songwriting process and where do you find the inspiration for your songs, especially your lyrics?
HYde: Thanks very much, Tawny! Performer magazine from San Francisco wrote, "They are entertaining. Especially their lyrics!" I was glad to hear that. My songs are a chronological account of my life, or perhaps a character that I have encountered. For instance, on the new album there is a song about Britney Spears when she went mental earlier this year, but it ends up being about any celebrity. I try to hit "the universal jugular." I love The Beatles and the way everyone can relate to their songs. But, I write my tunes ultimately as a cathartic experience...a way to express myself and something I'm going through. Most times I start with the music...I write on guitar only and then add the lyrics. I refine and edit them, and then record a demo. Then, I will bring them in to a practice for the band to try. Next, we will flesh the song out live before finally recording it as part of an album. I have over 100 songs, and I think people will be surprised by the different types of songs I've written as they are not all rock. I am going to be starting up a new MySpace which will feature some of my other material.
EP: [That sounds great. I can't wait to hear your other material!] Are you currently working on a follow-up album?
HYde: I have all the songs written for the next Sister Hyde album and I am really excited! The album will be recorded soon and it is slightly more mature. Some of the themes are: fame and celebrity worship, substance abuse, pedophilia, animal consumption, sex (of course), Elvis, Jesus, the usual array of abusive characters, the American teenager, the dangers of our over-reliance on technology, incarceration and divine intervention and more sex! I've even got an anti-war song! But rest assured, Sister Hyde will not lose the raw rock sound that made this last album so great! This is going to be a rock and roll record and not some news broadcast bullshit. Topical yes, but like KISS said, "Keep It Simple Supid"!!!
EP: [I'm very excited about hearing the next album. Hopefully we'll all get to hear it soon!] I also can't wait to see Sister Hyde perform live, hopefully here in Phoenix (hint, hint). Will you be touring this year, and if so where will you be going?
HYde: Sister Hyde will be touring this year. There is a good chance that we will be going to Tokyo, Japan. We are working on a deal where we will be starting at a club called K's Dream in Tokyo, and then touring the country. They totally get the Glam thing over there and they love to mimic, dress up and take photos. They are constantly taking photos! We've toured the West Coast and if we do that again this summer, I will make sure we include Phoenix! (Can't wait to meet you!) Really want to get to Europe sometime! Sister Hyde will be focusing on what Elvis called "TCB" (takin' care of business). Management/label deals, licensing and radio play. We are going to become better known!!! Look out you Rock and Rollers!!!
EP: [I'm certain that once more and more people know about you, Sister Hyde will explode on the scene all around the world! I hope you will make it to Phoenix this summer. It would be wonderful to meet you (and hopefully Soma, as well). Just don't come at the same time as the Rock Gone Wild festival in August, because I'm going to the festival and I'd hate to miss you!] HYde, you are much more than a songwriter and musician. Would you please tell me about your writings, poetry, paintings, drawings and sculpture?
HYde: I come from a long line of art school rockers. Like Keith Richards once admitted, "Drawing naked women seemed like the easiest thing to take in school." There have been so many English musicians who have been former art school students. Pete Townsend, Brian Jones, John Lennon. You can see some of my nudes, sculptures, paintings and dog renderings at www.myspace.com/hydemania. The MySpace site was taken down five times and I kept resurrecting it until finally MySpace let me keep it up, after a bunch of deletions. It was considered too pornographic! I had pics of a dog faced angel with breasts, devil horns and a gigantic erection that they really didn't like! But, I always have drawn and painted. I lose myself in it and find it extremely cathartic as an escape from myself! If I had a mentor who locked me in a studio every day and said, "Create!", I wouldn't mind, and I can turn them out fast. It's like a fever. I do believe all creation comes from the sex-drive, so I must be extremely horny! Ha ha. I like to sculpt in clay and I use a knife...You have to rape the clay! In L.A. I won a scholarship; I created a city of clay sculptures. Some of my heads were quite dramatically large. I love the way they look wet and when they are fired! Love the 3 dimensionality of sculpture. I like to use acrylics, as well, Tawny. Like you must, I find them easy to work with (compared to oils), and they dry rapidly. I draw every week at 3 different life-drawing workshops around town. The most important thing in any art, I feel, is to hone your own style, that must be very identifiable. I have shown extensively in L.A., some in Seattle, and will definitely let you know if I ever show in Phoenix! I'd love to see your hemp paintings! But yeah, I dig the primitive feeling that comes from doing art.
EP: [If I hadn't let readers know before, you're originally from England, hence the references above to English musicians who are also artists. With regards to MySpace censoring your art, isn't it interesting that people still have problems confusing pornography and art? I do have to say, with regards to painting with acrylics, it's very challenging here in Arizona with it's dry climate. The paint dries super fast, and it's been a challenge learning to work so fast, since I originally started painting in oils and was used to taking my time. Oh, and to clear things up, when I speak of hemp art, I'm not talking about paintings, but hemp jewelry and other items, which you can see at Hippiepad.com. But, yes, I can completely relate with you about losing yourself in art. It is very therapeutic. I just wish I had more time to do it!] In addition to the writing and publishing of this webzine, I also am a painter (acrylics, as I mentioned) and a hemp artist. I find it very difficult to find time for everything I want to do. With the many forms of artistry you are involved in, how do you find time for it all?
HYde: Thank you for using that word, artistry, because that's what I have going on, more than some of my fellow "artists". Eventually, I want to incorporate my music and art. I've been paid to design sets when I had a job as a "Children's Theater" set designer and I want to design my own sets. I'd love to sign a deal where I could eventually gain artistic control over my videos like Marylin Manson enjoys. But, to answer your question, I don't ever wear a watch! It helps for having time. I am a bit of a butterfly Gemini, however, and flit from one thing to the next. So, if I am focusing on my music, I might stay up all night for a week working on a painting, as well. I also like to write on the bus...I find some of my best work comes out of this. Finding the time to put them online...I don't own a computer so I can have more time to create. I use public library computers for an hour and a half every day. But, I do want to publish a book of all my poetic meanderings ext. Eventually I'll get 'em all up on my HYde MySpace site.
EP: [I look forward to reading your poetry.] HYde, you are also involved in animal rescue. (Eight cats I've rescued own me - as you know, you don't own cats, they own you. The most recent rescue was a sweet cat that was left behind when his owner lost his home to foreclosure, something that is happening to animals far too often.) I love animals, so I admire what you're doing. Could you tell me about your work in animal rescue?
HYde: Congratulations to you Tawny for your rescues! HYde is part beast! I cum with FUR!!! Seriously though Tawny, I have rescued over 200 animals in 3 different North American cities. If I saw a stray today, I would check the dog or cat out and see what's going on. I started in L.A. where it is not uncommon to see dead dogs on your way to work in the morning that have been hit by cars. L.A.'s like Mexico, with freeways and the low income hispanic and black areas full of strays, abused and dead dogs. I had a Toyota Tercel with no air-conditioning, and I would stop every time I saw one and try to get it. It became super stressful as I faced eviction from my Mexican landlord if I'd bring a dog into my Hollywood apartment. I had to keep 'em in the car until I figured out what to do. Many were Pit Bulls and NO ONE wants one down there. So, it was extremely difficult to find homes for them, but ya know what, I have been blessed and managed to place every one of my rescues in loving homes or in no-kill adoption centers. I boarded them, payed for spaying/neutering and found people and help through networking. I am writing a book called "L.A. Tails" that will tell the stories! I walked dogs down there for a living and was nicknamed "The Pit Bull Man" for my affinity for the breed and my success in handling them by The L.A. Dog-Walkers Association! Dogs gravitate to me for some unknown reason. Same with cats. One day I even petnapped an abused dog and cat that had grown up together from a horrid old man who neglected and beat them. They had been abandoned there by an S&M queen who split town and left them with him; tol' him she was goin' to come back for 'em. The Pit Bull was bleeding and the Siamese cat was overrun with parasites. I knew the dog would be hit by a car or beaten to death if I didn't do something. I found them a beautiful home together on the beach where they still live together today!! There were even several sea birds with fish hooks in them that I was lucky enough to've rescued from the beach to a Wildlife Station. If people want to pick a dog up on the street that has no tags ext...be sure to put them into the SPCA or Animal Control/Humane Society on a "RESERVE" basis if you have to take them there. This guarantees you a phone call if they decide, for whatever reason, to put the animal down. Then you should get down there pronto if they do call. I brought a Chow that I picked up down there who'd been on the streets of Hollywood for 3 years! The SPCA (a supposed no-kill shelter) did a temperance test on him and deemed him unworthy to live and unadoptable. I got the call. They were going to kill him. I went down and found a woman who wanted him..Too many times I've heard tragic stories of someone meaning well by picking up a Rottweiler, for instance, and bringing it in only to find out that the dog was put down when they checked on it later. Don't buy at breeders. Save a life today at the pound. Tawny, did you know that Pit Bulls and Rottweilers in L.A. have a 6 hour window before they are put down, and most other dogs, including puppies, have only 3 days! The problem is grossly underestimated throughout the world! I have a couple of guest blogs on Ellen DeGeneres's pet food site,"Halo Pets", trying to inform, educate and initiate. There are no bad dogs...just bad owners!!!
EP: [That is so admirable. If everyone would involve themselves in a good cause, the world would be such a better place.] Could you tell readers something about yourself that most people don't know?
HYde: That I like it with the lights on! Why do it in the dark? There is so much to see n'est pas?...I wanted to be a porn star when I was a boy HYde. A porn star or an astronaut, and so I became a rockstar...incorporating both... flying high and a lot of sex! People used to frown on being a musician, now with "American IdULL", mothers are bringing their squeaky clean daughters and sons by the hand to try to get them in. Times have changed and not always for the better. Chrissie Hynde once said, "If Jimi Hendrix had lived, I guarantee you that he wouldn't be doing Pepsi commercials!" My great, great, great aunt was Lady Bathory (the famed and quite beastly English aristocrat who thought that the blood of her virginal hand-maidens kept her young)! I have been an art teacher, a garbage-man, a set designer, a pooper scooper (yes, there is such a job...picking up pet waste), a scenic painter for an Opera Company and a dishwasher. I've been on the dole (welfare) and partied with Mick Jagger and David Bowie. I've lived in 10 different cities all over the world and walked out of my smoking car unharmed in L.A. after I was hit by some jerk trying to run a red! These are some things that people probably don't know about me. But, I am a chameleon, and there's so much more that must be left as a mystery.
EP: [Very interesting!! I've done many interesting things in my life, as well. But, this isn't about me. By the way, I like it by candlelight!] Do you have any parting words for our readers?
HYde: I just want to thank your readers if they managed to read this far. I do hope I haven't been too much of a dreadful bore. One thing my grandfather told me once that I've lived my life by..Have a good time while you are trying to make it because then even if you don't, at least you will have had a good time! Thanks to you, Tawny Khat, for the opportunity, and we will see you soon in Phoenix! Cheers! HYde from Sister Hyde... ELECTRIC PUSSYCAT ROCKS!!! -----------------
Very sage advice, indeed, from your grandfather, HYde! I thank you, as well, for taking time to complete this interview. I am sure readers will find it informative and enjoyable to read. I know this has been one of the best interviews I've had the pleasure of conducting!
Again, I want to urge everyone to check out Sister Hyde's music. You can get their CD at CD Baby, and it's also available on itunes, and MP3.com/LastFM.com. For more information, please visit Sister Hyde's MySpace page.
Also, be sure to read my review of Sister Hyde's album.
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Interview with:
Sister Hyde vocalist, HYde
Interview by: Tawny Khat
Completed on March 28, 2009
All photos by my lovely new friend, Soma, with enhancements by Ann Marra.
Used with permission, courtesy of Sister Hyde.
We're very pleased to bring you an up-and-coming band out of Seattle, Sister Hyde. When I was introduced to this band on MySpace I became immediately intrigued. Then, when I received their self titled debut album to review, I became an enormous fan of the band (the CD hasn't left my ten disc CD changer, where I have all my favorites, ever since I got it). Because I go into more depth about Sister Hyde's music in my review of their CD, I won't say much more about it here. Suffice to say, HYde, the band's vocalist, lead guitarist and songwriter is a creative genius, and has put together a most unique and original album, one that you must give a listen to.
HYde, the driving force behind Sister Hyde, epitomizes what it means to be the frontman of a band. He is a consummate showman. There's an aura of mystery and sensuality about him that draws one like a magnet. He has the image and looks of a rockstar who would have been equally at home sipping absinthe with Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec at the Moulin Rouge. It's no wonder he's amassed an adoring female following. That's not to say that that Sister Hyde is devoid of male fans. Their music speaks for itself, therefore they have plenty of fans of both sexes. This is NOT a band with image and no substance. But, when you combine Sister Hyde's fantastic tunes with HYde's showmanship, the combination is combustible and explodes with a raw energy that is orgasmic in nature.
After becoming a fan of Sister Hyde, there was no doubt that we would have to feature them here. Of course, that meant I would also have to interview HYde to learn more about this awesome band and how they came to be. So, without further ado I give you that interview:
HYde: Hi Tawny Dolling. I'd like to thank YOU and ELECTRIC PUSSYCAT Magazine for this interview!!!
EP (Electric Pussycat): [You're very welcome, dear HYde!] First off, could you fill me in with a little info about each of the band members' backgrounds?
HYde: Well Tawny, you have caught Sister Hyde at a crossroads as I have just retained an entirely new lineup!!! My last one had some substance abuse/family priorities and geographic logistics that were holding HYde back from his true destiny! Recently, I happened to run into a bunch of trannies and cross-dressers who happen to love glam and play bass, guitar and drums, but were looking for a vocalist. We all met at R Place, a local Seattle gendre-bending watering hole. I don't know much about them yet! KARI OKI plays bass and I've never heard a more punky bassist which is what I look for on 4 strings. I like the bass to hit below the belt, in the groin, and she certainly does! OUCH! Kari grew up in Japan and came to Seattle fairly recently to live in a place that could endure her outrageous style! Next up is LEZ B PAUL! Lez plays guitar and is known for his cross-dressing on stage. He loves The Dolls and has glam/trash exuding from his skinny little pores! Originally from Chicago, Lez moved to Seattle to indulge his, ahh, hobby and of course his guitar playing! On drums we have BAM BAM. Bam Bam plays the skins like they are cannons. She seems a tad obsessed with them and is particularily brutal on the heads! With her long blond hair, Bam Bam came to the U.S. from Sweden and loves old Alice Cooper! Together they are the purrfect band for HYde!!!
EP: [That sounds fantastic! Makes this question a little moot, but that's OK.] Now, Sister Hyde formed in 2006. Could you tell me excactly how the band came together?
HYde: I met my original band at a New York Dolls concert and we got hammered together at The Dolls aftershow party back at their hotel where we decided to put together Sister Hyde!!!
EP: How do your favorite bands and musicians influence you and what is the philosophy of your band?
HYde: I wanted a name like Alice Cooper. I took his horror element/nastiness/theatrics and the trashy sound of his original line up (the Alice Cooper Band) and souped it up. I was also influenced by The Dolls, and Iggy and The Stooges. I wanted the outrageous image and energy of The Dolls and the toughness and "devil may care" attitude of Iggy. Ziggy Stardust and Alladin Sane periods of David Bowie interest me, as does T Rex and Marc Bolan. Again, the androgynous, otherworldly quality of these artists inspired me and the formula for that glam sound! Mott The Hoople and The Sweet, as well! They kinda brought the testosterone levels up in English Glam, and I love the cover of Desolation Boulevard and other songs! I can't forget The Pistols and the early punk sounds of British and New York punk. I wanted that edge mixed into the Sister H sound! Jimi is my main man for guitar as far as stretching the limits and showmanship, and I love the latent violence of Townsend. I play my axe like it's phallic or like it's an electric pussy!!! The Sister Hyde philosophy?...Waldo Emerson said it best..."To be yourself in a society that tries to turn you into someone else is the greatest acomplishment!!" Ya know...be original...Don't be fooled by the media! Don't care what anyone else thinks of ya, and do question authority. Embrace all that is you and become your own sex symbol! Make up yer own rules and never give up on yourself...most of us give up way too easily! Yes, Sister Hyde is all about transformation! David Bowie said it best..."I could be a wild mutation as a rock and roll star," and of course The Sister Hyde Motto~"HAVE A GOOD TIME ALL THE TIME!!!"
EP: I've seen a few descriptions of Sister Hyde's live performances. By all accounts your live show is wild. Can you give readers who've never seen you perform an example of what they'd see and hear when they attend one of your shows?
HYde: The strains of Beethoven's 5th die as Sister Hyde takes the stage in a mist of low rising fog and then the strobes hit!!! WOW! The crescendo for "Surfin on Napalm" builds and the show is under way. My energy ignites the crowd as I perform to the max drenched in feedback with my signature leather trench, top hat, racoon eyes and long black hair. The audience reacts and forms a crazy glam-punk mosh pit in front of the stage. The "Sisterhood" (the die-hard female Sister Hyde fans as they are affectionaly known) show their appreciation cavorting on and off stage (and backstage)! I am all about the audience and I love to interact with this crowd. It is finally the grand finale where I whip my guitar as it squeals in agony. I am, after all Tawny, the ultimate showman! I disappear from the stage as the band finishes the show without me. (It's the ol' James Brown star-time ending.) The smoke and strobes are blinding now! A sustained wail of approval comes up from the crowd who are in shock from what they've just witnessed and the inevitable shouts for "MORE!" are deafening!!! I am leaning against a wall sweating my ass off and panting in some filthy alley behind the club or in the loo, and when I hear this I know it's been another successful Sister Hyde show!!!
EP: [Wow! I don't smoke, but I feel like I need a cigarette after that description!] Along with many rave reviews, you've experienced some controversy and had run ins with some quite close-minded individuals. Would you please relate a few of these stories? HYde: Last summer Sister Hyde played The Seattle Pride concert outside in a public park. It was boiling hot and the crowd was quite huge. I decided to invite the crowd on stage. I wanted a Gay Woodstock and I love the "theater of confusion" (as Jim Morrison used to call it). Everything was groovy and many people crammed the stage to celebrate, dancing with us and having an amazing time! Two men took their clothes off...all off...and became my gay go-go dancers, flanking me at center stage. As the show became more crazy, it started to look like the gates of hell were opening up (with a whole orgy being kinda simulated...like something from "Apocalypse Now") and stage managers freaked and demanded the dancers leave the stage. The incident and the nudity got us banned from the event! BUT, it got us a hell of a lot of publicity as the not so tolerant audience, (mostly dykes) complained! (The sight of those penises around made them mad uncomfortable)! We also played a high school here in town, and after the show the principal complained to the musician's union that my stage antics, which included simulating oral sex on my guitarist, was not suitable entertainment for the students. He was wrong; they loved it! Any publicity is good publicity right? There was the drunk Canuck indian who fired a shot glass at the stage narrowly missing my head because he thought that we thought we were rockstars! I told him, "We don't think we're rockstars...we KNOW we're Rockstars!!!" It seemed to anger him! There was the skinhead with the word, "Hate", painted in red on the back of his wife-beater t-shirt who threatened me and said that he didn't like the way "I was playin' with myself up there!" (after a show I did in complete drag). The sight of my legs in those ripped fishnets made him imagine something that never happened. I told him, "I don't have to play with myself, Mate. I've been around the world and I've slept with women other men can only dream of!" His homophobia turned to admiration and we ended up smoking a spliff together! I'd learned...you gotta make friends with yer enemies! There was the Seattle newspaper that black-listed us for writing a silly song about their music editor ("Jennifer Maerz's Best Friend", which is on the album)! I was told that I would never work in this town again! They were mistaken. I have been gigging consistently. Ahh, but we do love controversy. Even our fog machine, "Sparky", managed to get us in trouble when the entire fire department of Everett, WA came blazing to the rescue, sirens wailing, for a nonexistent fire when we played a club there and the smoke alarm was triggered! Seattle is a very conservative town deep down and if they don't think you are correct or conforming, they might not like you! It was good ol' David Lee Roth who once said, "Rock is a contact sport!!!" He was right!
EP: There is a 1971 British film entitled,"Dr Jekyll and Sister Hyde", a tongue-in-cheek and campy piece of film noir take on the classic Jekyll and Hyde story where the good doctor becomes a beautiful, sultry knife-wielding femme who murders hookers to obtain the needed bodily fluids for the transformation elixir. The late Ralph Bates was brilliant as Dr. Jekyll and Martine Beswick (who also was the Bond girl in "From Russia with Love") was delicious as the sensual and sadistic Sister Hyde. Have you seen this film and if so what did you think of it?
HYde: Damn Tawny! You've found me out! The flick did inspire the band's name and the whole idea of transformation...The idea that Dr Jekyll not only turns bad, but transforms into a powerful and beautiful woman was too good to pass up! I loved it. I also was inspired by "A Clockwork Orange" and "Privilege".
EP: I read somewhere that you obtain all of your musical equipment from pawn shops. Could you please tell me about your gear?
HYde: I have a 1974 Gibson SG that I recently acquired here at a Seattle pawn shop. It is a faded cherry mahogany finish with crescent moon mother of pearl inlays down the fretboard...a truly classic instrument and so HYde! In Vancouver, BC I found my Marshall 50 watt head, and in another, my four 12 Marshall cab. I also found two Ibanez guitars, which are the secret behind the cranky guitar sounds on the album, and I have an old 1977 Fender Strat. I am most connected to my 12 string Yamaha and will be doing an acoustic performance in April. Pawn shops are where it's at! Kari Oki plays a Gibson SG bass through an SVT amp, and Lez B Paul plays, of course, a Gibson Les Paul (a gold top). Bam Bam pounds away at a vintage set of Ludwigs with a 26 inch kick drum! Wham Bam Thank You Ma'am!
EP: Your self-titled debut album is fantastic. What is Sister Hyde's songwriting process and where do you find the inspiration for your songs, especially your lyrics?
HYde: Thanks very much, Tawny! Performer magazine from San Francisco wrote, "They are entertaining. Especially their lyrics!" I was glad to hear that. My songs are a chronological account of my life, or perhaps a character that I have encountered. For instance, on the new album there is a song about Britney Spears when she went mental earlier this year, but it ends up being about any celebrity. I try to hit "the universal jugular." I love The Beatles and the way everyone can relate to their songs. But, I write my tunes ultimately as a cathartic experience...a way to express myself and something I'm going through. Most times I start with the music...I write on guitar only and then add the lyrics. I refine and edit them, and then record a demo. Then, I will bring them in to a practice for the band to try. Next, we will flesh the song out live before finally recording it as part of an album. I have over 100 songs, and I think people will be surprised by the different types of songs I've written as they are not all rock. I am going to be starting up a new MySpace which will feature some of my other material.
EP: [That sounds great. I can't wait to hear your other material!] Are you currently working on a follow-up album?
HYde: I have all the songs written for the next Sister Hyde album and I am really excited! The album will be recorded soon and it is slightly more mature. Some of the themes are: fame and celebrity worship, substance abuse, pedophilia, animal consumption, sex (of course), Elvis, Jesus, the usual array of abusive characters, the American teenager, the dangers of our over-reliance on technology, incarceration and divine intervention and more sex! I've even got an anti-war song! But rest assured, Sister Hyde will not lose the raw rock sound that made this last album so great! This is going to be a rock and roll record and not some news broadcast bullshit. Topical yes, but like KISS said, "Keep It Simple Supid"!!!
EP: [I'm very excited about hearing the next album. Hopefully we'll all get to hear it soon!] I also can't wait to see Sister Hyde perform live, hopefully here in Phoenix (hint, hint). Will you be touring this year, and if so where will you be going?
HYde: Sister Hyde will be touring this year. There is a good chance that we will be going to Tokyo, Japan. We are working on a deal where we will be starting at a club called K's Dream in Tokyo, and then touring the country. They totally get the Glam thing over there and they love to mimic, dress up and take photos. They are constantly taking photos! We've toured the West Coast and if we do that again this summer, I will make sure we include Phoenix! (Can't wait to meet you!) Really want to get to Europe sometime! Sister Hyde will be focusing on what Elvis called "TCB" (takin' care of business). Management/label deals, licensing and radio play. We are going to become better known!!! Look out you Rock and Rollers!!!
EP: [I'm certain that once more and more people know about you, Sister Hyde will explode on the scene all around the world! I hope you will make it to Phoenix this summer. It would be wonderful to meet you (and hopefully Soma, as well). Just don't come at the same time as the Rock Gone Wild festival in August, because I'm going to the festival and I'd hate to miss you!] HYde, you are much more than a songwriter and musician. Would you please tell me about your writings, poetry, paintings, drawings and sculpture?
HYde: I come from a long line of art school rockers. Like Keith Richards once admitted, "Drawing naked women seemed like the easiest thing to take in school." There have been so many English musicians who have been former art school students. Pete Townsend, Brian Jones, John Lennon. You can see some of my nudes, sculptures, paintings and dog renderings at www.myspace.com/hydemania. The MySpace site was taken down five times and I kept resurrecting it until finally MySpace let me keep it up, after a bunch of deletions. It was considered too pornographic! I had pics of a dog faced angel with breasts, devil horns and a gigantic erection that they really didn't like! But, I always have drawn and painted. I lose myself in it and find it extremely cathartic as an escape from myself! If I had a mentor who locked me in a studio every day and said, "Create!", I wouldn't mind, and I can turn them out fast. It's like a fever. I do believe all creation comes from the sex-drive, so I must be extremely horny! Ha ha. I like to sculpt in clay and I use a knife...You have to rape the clay! In L.A. I won a scholarship; I created a city of clay sculptures. Some of my heads were quite dramatically large. I love the way they look wet and when they are fired! Love the 3 dimensionality of sculpture. I like to use acrylics, as well, Tawny. Like you must, I find them easy to work with (compared to oils), and they dry rapidly. I draw every week at 3 different life-drawing workshops around town. The most important thing in any art, I feel, is to hone your own style, that must be very identifiable. I have shown extensively in L.A., some in Seattle, and will definitely let you know if I ever show in Phoenix! I'd love to see your hemp paintings! But yeah, I dig the primitive feeling that comes from doing art.
EP: [If I hadn't let readers know before, you're originally from England, hence the references above to English musicians who are also artists. With regards to MySpace censoring your art, isn't it interesting that people still have problems confusing pornography and art? I do have to say, with regards to painting with acrylics, it's very challenging here in Arizona with it's dry climate. The paint dries super fast, and it's been a challenge learning to work so fast, since I originally started painting in oils and was used to taking my time. Oh, and to clear things up, when I speak of hemp art, I'm not talking about paintings, but hemp jewelry and other items, which you can see at Hippiepad.com. But, yes, I can completely relate with you about losing yourself in art. It is very therapeutic. I just wish I had more time to do it!] In addition to the writing and publishing of this webzine, I also am a painter (acrylics, as I mentioned) and a hemp artist. I find it very difficult to find time for everything I want to do. With the many forms of artistry you are involved in, how do you find time for it all?
HYde: Thank you for using that word, artistry, because that's what I have going on, more than some of my fellow "artists". Eventually, I want to incorporate my music and art. I've been paid to design sets when I had a job as a "Children's Theater" set designer and I want to design my own sets. I'd love to sign a deal where I could eventually gain artistic control over my videos like Marylin Manson enjoys. But, to answer your question, I don't ever wear a watch! It helps for having time. I am a bit of a butterfly Gemini, however, and flit from one thing to the next. So, if I am focusing on my music, I might stay up all night for a week working on a painting, as well. I also like to write on the bus...I find some of my best work comes out of this. Finding the time to put them online...I don't own a computer so I can have more time to create. I use public library computers for an hour and a half every day. But, I do want to publish a book of all my poetic meanderings ext. Eventually I'll get 'em all up on my HYde MySpace site. EP: [I look forward to reading your poetry.] HYde, you are also involved in animal rescue. (Eight cats I've rescued own me - as you know, you don't own cats, they own you. The most recent rescue was a sweet cat that was left behind when his owner lost his home to foreclosure, something that is happening to animals far too often.) I love animals, so I admire what you're doing. Could you tell me about your work in animal rescue?
HYde: Congratulations to you Tawny for your rescues! HYde is part beast! I cum with FUR!!! Seriously though Tawny, I have rescued over 200 animals in 3 different North American cities. If I saw a stray today, I would check the dog or cat out and see what's going on. I started in L.A. where it is not uncommon to see dead dogs on your way to work in the morning that have been hit by cars. L.A.'s like Mexico, with freeways and the low income hispanic and black areas full of strays, abused and dead dogs. I had a Toyota Tercel with no air-conditioning, and I would stop every time I saw one and try to get it. It became super stressful as I faced eviction from my Mexican landlord if I'd bring a dog into my Hollywood apartment. I had to keep 'em in the car until I figured out what to do. Many were Pit Bulls and NO ONE wants one down there. So, it was extremely difficult to find homes for them, but ya know what, I have been blessed and managed to place every one of my rescues in loving homes or in no-kill adoption centers. I boarded them, payed for spaying/neutering and found people and help through networking. I am writing a book called "L.A. Tails" that will tell the stories! I walked dogs down there for a living and was nicknamed "The Pit Bull Man" for my affinity for the breed and my success in handling them by The L.A. Dog-Walkers Association! Dogs gravitate to me for some unknown reason. Same with cats. One day I even petnapped an abused dog and cat that had grown up together from a horrid old man who neglected and beat them. They had been abandoned there by an S&M queen who split town and left them with him; tol' him she was goin' to come back for 'em. The Pit Bull was bleeding and the Siamese cat was overrun with parasites. I knew the dog would be hit by a car or beaten to death if I didn't do something. I found them a beautiful home together on the beach where they still live together today!! There were even several sea birds with fish hooks in them that I was lucky enough to've rescued from the beach to a Wildlife Station. If people want to pick a dog up on the street that has no tags ext...be sure to put them into the SPCA or Animal Control/Humane Society on a "RESERVE" basis if you have to take them there. This guarantees you a phone call if they decide, for whatever reason, to put the animal down. Then you should get down there pronto if they do call. I brought a Chow that I picked up down there who'd been on the streets of Hollywood for 3 years! The SPCA (a supposed no-kill shelter) did a temperance test on him and deemed him unworthy to live and unadoptable. I got the call. They were going to kill him. I went down and found a woman who wanted him..Too many times I've heard tragic stories of someone meaning well by picking up a Rottweiler, for instance, and bringing it in only to find out that the dog was put down when they checked on it later. Don't buy at breeders. Save a life today at the pound. Tawny, did you know that Pit Bulls and Rottweilers in L.A. have a 6 hour window before they are put down, and most other dogs, including puppies, have only 3 days! The problem is grossly underestimated throughout the world! I have a couple of guest blogs on Ellen DeGeneres's pet food site,"Halo Pets", trying to inform, educate and initiate. There are no bad dogs...just bad owners!!!
EP: [That is so admirable. If everyone would involve themselves in a good cause, the world would be such a better place.] Could you tell readers something about yourself that most people don't know?
HYde: That I like it with the lights on! Why do it in the dark? There is so much to see n'est pas?...I wanted to be a porn star when I was a boy HYde. A porn star or an astronaut, and so I became a rockstar...incorporating both... flying high and a lot of sex! People used to frown on being a musician, now with "American IdULL", mothers are bringing their squeaky clean daughters and sons by the hand to try to get them in. Times have changed and not always for the better. Chrissie Hynde once said, "If Jimi Hendrix had lived, I guarantee you that he wouldn't be doing Pepsi commercials!" My great, great, great aunt was Lady Bathory (the famed and quite beastly English aristocrat who thought that the blood of her virginal hand-maidens kept her young)! I have been an art teacher, a garbage-man, a set designer, a pooper scooper (yes, there is such a job...picking up pet waste), a scenic painter for an Opera Company and a dishwasher. I've been on the dole (welfare) and partied with Mick Jagger and David Bowie. I've lived in 10 different cities all over the world and walked out of my smoking car unharmed in L.A. after I was hit by some jerk trying to run a red! These are some things that people probably don't know about me. But, I am a chameleon, and there's so much more that must be left as a mystery.
EP: [Very interesting!! I've done many interesting things in my life, as well. But, this isn't about me. By the way, I like it by candlelight!] Do you have any parting words for our readers? HYde: I just want to thank your readers if they managed to read this far. I do hope I haven't been too much of a dreadful bore. One thing my grandfather told me once that I've lived my life by..Have a good time while you are trying to make it because then even if you don't, at least you will have had a good time! Thanks to you, Tawny Khat, for the opportunity, and we will see you soon in Phoenix! Cheers! HYde from Sister Hyde... ELECTRIC PUSSYCAT ROCKS!!! -----------------
Very sage advice, indeed, from your grandfather, HYde! I thank you, as well, for taking time to complete this interview. I am sure readers will find it informative and enjoyable to read. I know this has been one of the best interviews I've had the pleasure of conducting!
Again, I want to urge everyone to check out Sister Hyde's music. You can get their CD at CD Baby, and it's also available on itunes, and MP3.com/LastFM.com. For more information, please visit Sister Hyde's MySpace page.
Also, be sure to read my review of Sister Hyde's album.
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Interview with:
The members of Snew
Interviewer: Tawny Khat
Interview date: January 25, 2009
All photos used with permission.
Courtesy of: Snew
I conducted these interviews with Snew's members individually, so you get three full interviews for the price of one, so to speak. The only member I didn't get to interview is Andy Lux, because he was out of town. These interviews were conducted by telephone and I want to thank the members of Snew for taking time out to speak with me. Snew You, guys!!
First up is vocalist, Curtis Don Vito.
EP (Electric Pussycat): OK Curtis, first of all, who came up with the name "Snew" and what does it mean?
CDV (Curtis Don Vito): Snew was just one of those, um, gifts from the gods. (ha ha) It just sort of happened through a series of strange a bizarre incidents. It just sort of, like, landed on our desk, and it was just like, "This is the name of our band." (laugh) I can't even tell you how it happened. It was just like a fluke.
EP: (laugh) OK
CDV: It just happened. It was just like, um, some mystical force tapping our shoulders saying, "Uh, this is the name of your band." "Oh, OK." (laugh) I swear to you, none of us came up with it.
EP: Oh, that's weird!
CDV: Nobody suggested it to us, we didn't come across it anywhere. It just sort of.....it happened in a strange way that it'd just take too long, it'd be too hard to comprehend. (laughing)
EP: (laugh) OK. Well, I wanted to say congratulations to you for "Snew You" being named one of the top ten albums of 2008 by Sleaze Roxx. How did that feel for you guys?
CDV: That was awesome. It was, uh, just a complete validation of everything that we had felt, you know, because, um, we set out to make music that we liked listening to. And, when other people get on board and they like it, too, it's just a complete and utter, uh, exciting thing for us, because now we get to share it with everybody. Somebody says it's one of the best, it's like, oh my God! It couldn't be more exciting.
EP: Yeah, that's a real feather in your caps. (laugh)
CDV: Yeah, 'cause those guys over there really know what they're talking about. It's a pretty popular web site; a good place to find new bands.
EP: Yeah, um, now you guys have only been together since the end of 2005, right?
CDV: Yeah, it was November of 2005 when Andy and I met, and uh, we started writing some songs just to see how, you know, we could work together and it came together just sooo perfectly. I mean, it was such an incredible match. We both wanted to do the same thing, and it worked so well. And, Andy knew Cat. He gave Cat a call and, uh, Cat was into it. And, I knew Mark, and uh, which I had lost touch with him, but he called me just out of the blue and I said, "Dude, you're gonna be our new drummer." (laughing) He said, "OK." And, we were all just on the same page and we all just said, yeah this is our band. So, it was....by the spring of '06 when we really started kickin' into high gear and gettin' out and, you know, starting to perform and that sort of thing.
EP: OK, uh, I mean it's amazing that for such a short time that you've been together you've done so much, you know. You have an awesome web site, and already have an album out, and all of that kind of thing. Who has all the great business sense in the band, as far as all the promotion type of stuff and the web site and all that kind of thing?
CDV: Yeah, it's pretty much a combined effort, you know, uh, 'cause we all love searching the internet, and we find all these different places, and, you know, we sign up on all these different web sites that allow bands to put up their music. And then, you know, we start contacting internet magazines, and radio stations and everything else, and we just sort of learn by doing, you know. The whole business end pretty much just came as a matter of course, just by being out there on the internet and meeting people. Plus, our producer, Bobby Owsinski, he brought a lot to the table, 'cause he's been in the industry forever. He's actually a pretty well respected guy within the industry, you know. He may not have the superstar name, like a Rick Rubin or somebody, but within the industry he's a pretty well known guy. He's actually written several books on sound engineering and that sort of thing, and so, he brings a lot of insight into the band and, uh, gives us lots of great ideas.
EP: Cool. OK, um, we touched on your web site, which is awesome. Who takes care of all that for you?
CDV: (laughing) Well, I, uh, I've got a lot of experience with doing stuff like that, and graphics and all that. It's kind of a hobby of mine, so, I kind of take the reins on a lot of that stuff, but, I by no means want to claim all the credit. So, it's, uh, a lot of the stuff is a combined effort, but I probably have the most time to dedicate to internet stuff, so I tend to do a little bit more of it. So, however you want to interpret that.
EP: It's nice that you don't have to hire somebody on the outside to help you with that.
CDV: Yeah, (laughing) it helps. It helps when you don't have to hire anybody.
EP: Right. I know with doing mine, it's like ugh, it's a lot of work, buy I'm glad I can do it myself, although mine's not as fancy as yours. (laugh)
CDV: Yeah, yeah. Plus, who's gonna have more passion for this than one of the guys in the band.
EP: Exactly! Um, I was noticing there's a lot of media links on your web site, like alternative places for people to hear your music, web-based radio stations. Since the corporate rock stations just continue to play all this nu-metal ss..stuff...
CDV: I know.
EP: Do you think these alternative media outlets are the wave of the future for people that like just plain ol' straight forward rock 'n' roll?
CDV: I think it's the wave of right now. Um, people are sort of fed up with the whole corporate, you know, takeover of America, and we've seen the results of all that.
EP: Yeah!
CDV: So, people are already, sort of, turning against the establishment, and for going out on their own to try and find what it is that they're looking for. And, uh, there's so many places to visit on the internet, so many places, you know....uh, you're a perfect example
of that. You know, somebody who's just got a passion for it, you know, they're not doing it for a paycheck. They're doing it for all the right reasons. And, the rest of us are all thinking along the same lines, and so we're finding "Electric Pussycat", and we're finding, you know..... I mean, MySpace is sort of the big 300 pound gorilla in the room, so everybody sort of starts there and then branches out. We find links to all these other places and we find out things we never knew existed, and it's sort of an adventure in music....and everything else. You know, whatever you're looking for you can find it just by sitting down at your computer for a little while. You'll follow links and find things. And, uh, wave of the future, no, it's already happening.
EP: Yeah, oh it is. It's great. Um, I was reading your influences and they're awesome. You have great influences. I love those bands, too. Uh, are there any new bands that you like, that are up and coming bands?
CDV: Um, I mean, there are tons of bands out there. It's kind of hard to draw up a list for you, because I'm afraid of leaving anybody out. (laugh) We keep finding things all the time. Um, I don't know, I mean, of course, our long time influences, things that we grew up listening to, are definitely the things that we listen to most. Um, and that's reflected in the kind of music that we play, because basically we just want to create music that we love to listen to, and it's all of that great stuff, you know. And, for sure we're getting more and more bands who are going back to their roots, because it was the greatest music ever made. I mean, when it comes to rock 'n' roll you really can't reinvent the wheel. It's just, uh, it is what it is. You know, I mean you go back to the early days of rock, in the 50s and the 60s and the 70s, lots of experimentation, because it was still a new form of music. But, at this point, 2009, rock 'n' roll is what it is, and people are finally coming around to saying, "You know what, that's the music I love, that's what I want more of," and so we're not getting as much of these crossover styles, you know, rap-rock and.....you know what I mean? All of these different influences sort of jumbled together. Now people stick to what works, and it's really exciting.
EP: It is, it is. I'm just thrilled about it, because I've been, like, in limbo since grunge came along, you know, like.....there were some bands along the way, you know, in recent years that I've liked, but for the most part I've been just kind of lost, you know, because you turn on the radio and there's just nothing good, and......
CDV: Oh, the radio is a joke. Internet radio is where it's happening. The corporate radio stations are just lost in that, uh, you know, bureaucratic haze of doing what the accountants tell them what to do, and toeing the corporate line, which doesn't really help anybody. We don't want to listen to it, so radio stations are closing down, they're switching to other styles of music, and trying to find ways to continue to make a buck the way they always did, but got news for them...(ha ha) The way they've been doing business does not work.
EP: They haven't figured it out. Yeah. Um, it's been a few years since I've been out to L.A. Do you see a resurgence out there of like, you know, 70s and 80s type of rock, like what's going on in Europe and Scandinavia? It's just blowing up over there. Is that happening in L.A., too?
CDV: Hmm...I wish I could say the answer was yes, but....
EP: See, it's the same in Phoenix, too. I just.....ugh....
CDV: Yeah, it's...you know it seems to all be happening further east and on through into Europe. You know, the western half of this country is, I don't know, sort of stuck I think.
EP: Yeah, it hasn't caught up yet.
CDV: Yeah....which sucks for us, you know. We live here in the former music capital of the world, but it's not anymore. Um, I think it's....there's an undercurrent that's happening right now. It hasn't quite caught on fire yet.
EP: It's just right on the edge.
CDV: Yeah, I think so, you know. I don't know how long it's gonna take, but it'll eventually come back. You know, when we do our shows there are people that show up who just love what we're doing, and even thank us for doing it, because they can't seem to find it anywhere. So, I know the audience is there. It's just on a business level nobody's figured out either that it exists and they can capitalize on it, or that they're just too stuck in the old ways of doing things that they don't know what to do next. But, rock 'n' roll has always been a revolutionary music form, so as soon as people start raising their voices it'll happen.
EP: Yep, I think so, too. And, that's part of why I'm doing what I'm doing.
CDV: Yeah! And, that's what it takes. And, that's why we do what we do, and why we say, no labels, no way. You know, we're not signed. We've had offers, we've turned them down. We want to do it ourselves, because we don't like the business as usual, that whole corporate mentality. It just, uh, goes against our grain. So....I mean, it would be nice to have a million bucks in our pocket. (laugh) But, it's like you said, you don't do this for money, neither do we.
EP: Right. Um, who would you say is you favorite vocalist of all time, if you had to pick one?
CDV: If I had to pick one....
EP: I know that's hard. (laugh)
CDV: It's too hard. I can't pick just one.
EP: OK, you can give me a couple.
CDV: (laugh) Well, my biggest influences, the ones who really taught me to sing the way I do, would be, um, number one would probably be James Brown. And, um, Ian Gillen from Deep Purple, Steve Marriott from Humble Pie, Paul Stanley from KISS. Yeah. Then there would be Bon Scott, Robert Plant, and.....there's a whole bunch. I could sit here and talk about this all day. (laughing)
EP: (laugh) Um, are there any current vocalists that you like?
CDV: Currently......I hate to say it but I can't think of any. As far as, like, wow, that guy really knows what he's doing. You know, as far as the very current crop, I mean, I've heard some guys who, you know, they're OK, they're good, but I haven't been blown away yet.
EP: OK, now, I know you've been working on getting a tour going, and, um, so how's that progressing? I think you said summer?
CDV: Yeah, we're, um, trying to do it in the summer, you know, when it's nice and warm all across the country. Right now it's a little bit too cold in some spots. So, uh, yeah, we're working on doing some stuff this summer, and, uh, we're already working with some people out in, like, Wisconsin, and Indiana, and Ohio, and on through, you know, the eastern states.
EP: I can hook you up here in Phoenix. (laughing)
CDV: Yeah! Well, if you, uh, if you know anybody whose name and number you could send my way, or an email address. (laugh) I'm not too familiar with the current club scene out there.
EP: OK, I can send you something, so, yeah....
CDV: OK, yeah, 'cause that's right on the way, so we'd love to make a stop in Phoenix.
EP: Sure. Um, now have you guys started working on your next album yet?
CDV: Yeah, we're currently, uh.....well, we're still in the writing phase. We've got almost....almost all the songs we need. We're gonna write a handful more, just so we've got a nice selection to pick from and decide, OK these songs belong on the album. So, we're almost there, and then we'll go into the studio after that.
EP: Cool, so do you think you'll have that out before the summer tour?
CDV: Well, that's what we want to have happen, but, you know, you never know. (laugh) That's what we're hoping for.
EP: Great. OK, is there anything else you want to let fans know before we go on to.....whoever I talk to next? (laugh)
CDV: Uh....anything I want to let the fans know..... Well, we want to send out a big Snew You to everybody! And, uh, please join the Snew World Order, because this is the place for all of us to have a voice, not, you know, not just about Snew. I mean, about everything that you and I are talking about. We set up www.snewworldorder.com, and we sort of want that to be....sort of a hub for all of us independently minded rock 'n' rollers to sort of come together and just be able to say whatever you want, do whatever you want, and know that we're all together and on the same page.
EP: Yeah, that's awesome.
CDV: Yeah, I think the key to all of this is our unity.
EP: Yeah. Yeah, it is, and that's what I've been.......I've been trying to create that as well, and trying to make it a community where everybody's involved, from bands to fans to, you know, independent labels, whatever, promoters, stuff like that, that all have the same mindset, you know.
CDV: Hmmm...yeah. Oh, yeah, 'cause that's where this is all heading. We're all realizing that there's no competition, there's no listening to, you know, big brother anymore. It's all about us and what, you know, we feel in our hearts and our minds, and, uh, just a love of all the things we have in common. That's where it's all going, and I love it.
EP: Yeah, I do, too. It's great.
CDV: You know, there's gonna be some growing pains along the way, you know, stumbling and, like, some disappointments about, "Oh, we gotta let that go now?" Well, if that's all part of it, but where we're heading is just exciting territory.
EP: Yeah, it is. I'm glad to be part of it. Glad you guys are part of it!
CDV: Yeah, well I really appreciate, you know, hearing from you and anybody out there who's doing the types of things that you're doing, which is the same types of things we're doing. We all need to be friends.
EP: Definitely, definitely. I do a lot of networking trying to find people with the same goals and the same mindset, and it's great. I'm meeting a lot of cool people.
CDV: Yeah, yeah, so are we. Uh, anything in the future we can do for you, Tawny, you've got it. Ask, and we're there for ya.
EP: Great! Well, I'm here for you guys, too.
CDV: OK.
EP: So, who will I be talking with next?
CDV: Um, I'm gonna get Cat on the phone for you.
EP: OK, great. Thanks!
CDV: OK, I enjoyed talking to ya!
EP: You, too. Thanks!
Next, I spoke with Snew's bass player, Cat Tate.
EP (Electric Pussycat): Hi Cat, we can go ahead and get started so I don't keep you too long.
CT (Cat Tate): Hi Tawny, no worries.
EP: OK, I was asking Curtis, um, about, you know, the summer shows you guys are gonna be doing and stuff, um, but I did want to also ask, would you be playing at any of the big summer festivals, like Rocklahoma or Rock Gone Wild, or any of those kind of things?
CT: Well, currently, uh, we are looking into that right now, and hopefully we'll be getting into those shows
EP: OK, cool.
CT: Uh, Rocklahoma and the other show, what was it, the other one you mentioned?
EP: Rock Gone Wild in Iowa.
CT: In Iowa? Yeah, the Iowa one, uh, we are definitely looking forward to doing.
EP: Cool! That's the one I plan to go to. (laughing) I could see you guys, then. Um, I had talked to another band that was hoping to play that, and they said that Rock Gone Wild wanted them to pay to play, so I was kind of going, wow, no wonder they don't have a lot of bands booked yet. So, I don't know about that.
CT: Well, if it's a pay to play, uh, gig, we are definitely not going to support any, uh, thing like that. Our whole focus behind us being independent is not having to go that route, pay to play. I know here, uh, in Hollywood there are clubs that do that, but, you know, it really kind of defeats the whole, uh, purpose for a band to pay to play.
EP: Exactly.
CT: I mean, I think it's cheating the public. I think it's cheating, uh, all the fans, and it's not doing anything for the bands, or the clubs as you can probably well guess. Out here, those clubs, they don't really last, because they're just, you know, pulling in guys who are paying their light bill instead of getting the real music that people want to hear. And, it really does nothing for the music scene. It just kind of kills it. You know, this has been going on for a lot of years right now, and uh.....
EP: Oh, at least since the 80s, I remember when I was out there.
CT: Yeah, yeah. It's been going on, uh, the 80s, the..... There are some clubs that, uh, don't do that and they're still flourishing, but, uh, a lot of the ones that, you know, have to rely on that pay to play thing, they're dying, and they're taking whatever scene that was, uh, away from people that really want to hear good rock. You know, it's really sad, but it's, um, you know, it's something that's been around too long and needs to really go away.
EP: Yeah, I agree. (ha ha)
CT: I think once the, you know, club owners start realizing, "Hey, you know, I can fill my clubs with the bands that are popular on MySpace, and the other internet sites," maybe they'll figure it out that, "Oh, hey, you know what, I don't need to charge these poor bands, uh, $500.00 or $1000.00 for the privilege of playing, you know, on my stage." And, it really, it just, it kind of sickens me to think that the industry's gone this way, but, you know, it's gonna change.
EP: Yeah, well, it's going to have to.
CT: Yeah, I mean, with more bands doing things independently and just saying, "Hey, you know, we're not gonna put up with this," they're going to have to change.
EP: I know, um, ever since grunge came along, I haven't been able to understand what's going on with the major record labels. They've pretty much, um, virtually ignored anything that's just, you know, straight up rock 'n' roll. Um, what's your opinion about that?
CT: Well, it's to their loss if you take a good hard look at the, uh, record companies now. They're all dying, because, uh, that's because they're not paying attention, really, to what people want in the industry. I mean, the fans don't want to hear this crap that they're putting out, and therefore, they're dying. A lot of the major acts now are following suit with the indy, you know, the independent move, and they're flourishing and the record companies are dying, so it just goes to show you, this whole mindset of the last 20 years is not working. And, the record companies are the ones, you know, paying the price for it right now.
EP: Right, I agree. Yep. Um, getting into bass playing, if you had to just name one, who would be your favorite bass player of all time?
CT: Wow, that one is a really tough, tough question. I don't think I could name just one because I've got really, so many different influences in my playing.
EP: OK, you can give me more than one.
CT: Um, you know, I listen to a lot of different styles of music. I'm classically trained, and I've got a degree in, uh, composition, and I studied jazz in college. I mean, I listen to the horn players, but as far as rock, geez, there's so many great bass players. I mean, Gene Simmons is great, uh, John Entwistle, John Paul Jones, um, you know, Chris Squire, Geddy Lee, all those, the old school guys. Um, you know, I like a lot of the jazz stuff like Jocko, I like Charlie Mingus, Charlie Haden, uh..... It's really tough to nail down one single bass player. I mean, you know, as far as a rock bass player, Gene Simmons would probably be one of my favorites. I really, I can't name one, there's just.....
EP: (laugh) Yeah, I know. I know it's a hard one.
CT: I just.... If you looked at my record collection, I've got a bunch of vintage records. I've got two stacks, no actually more. I've got about three stacks, seven feet tall.
EP: Wow!
CT: And, so, I mean, I like just so many different bass players, but I don't just listen to bass players. I listen to horn players, I listen to keyboard players, uh, guitar players. I mean, there's.... I like all types of music. I'm not just, I'm not very linear when it comes to music, I'm more global. I like everything from, like, Merle Haggard to Slayer.
EP: Wow, OK. Are there any bassists from newer bands that you like?
CT: Wow, ummm.... There's quite a few. I mean, one of my favorite bassists, and he's actually a good friend of mine, is Twiggy (Ramirez) from Marilyn Manson. He's probably one of my favorite bass players, although he's a multi-talented person and, you know, doesn't just play bass. He plays several different instruments, as well.
EP: Yeah, cool. OK, um, with this kind of resurgence of just, you know, straight-forward rock, and 80s style and all that kind of stuff, have you heard any new and up-and-coming bands from the U.S. or abroad that you particularly like?
CT: Um, geez, there's uh, there's quite a few bands that I like. Um, you know, newer band.....Well, actually they've been around quite a while; Rhino Bucket's pretty cool. Um, who else do I like.... I don't know, you got me on this. I like so much different stuff, it's hard to pick out, you know, anybody in particular. Um, you know, I like a lot of different stuff, and I listen to a lot of different stuff. It just depends on the mood that I'm in, you know. One day I'll be listening to Bach. The next day I'll be listening to, you know, like, Marilyn Manson or, uh, McCoy Tyner, or a lot of different stuff. You know, I like a lot of the goth stuff. I like Trance. I like some of the house music and stuff, some hip hop. It just depends on what it is. I'm not really, um, I'm not really against any kind of music as long as it's good music.
EP: OK, um, I know you have quite a number of bass guitars. Can you tell me a little bit about your collection, like do you have any that are really special to you, and what do you usually use for recording purposes and live shows?
CT: Ah, well I think I'm up to about 54. Um, I just bought another one yesterday. (laughing)
EP: (laughing) Oh, really?
CT: I'm like really, really bad. I've got the disease really bad. We call it G.A.S.; it's called Gear Acquire Syndrome. (laugh) And, yeah, uh I've gotten quite a few Fenders from Fender for free (say that one really fast 10 times, kiddies!). They kick me down, which is really cool. I got a... I bought one, actually, yesterday, I bought a Fender J bass. But, mostly, with Snew, I play...I got a 1978 Rickenbacker 4001, and I have a 1975 Rickenbacker 4001. And, then I've got, uh, I think I'm up to six or seven jazz basses. I've got four or five Fender P basses. I've got a Ken Smith 6 string. I've got ten 5 string basses. I have two upright basses. I've got Spectors, Schecters, Ibanez, uh, I've got quite a few vintage guitars, too. I've got an old Gibson, uh, EB-3 from 1969 (or he may have said AB-3, sorry, Cat, if I made a mistake, it was hard to make out on the recording, email me if I need to correct it, thx). Umm, I'm a gearhead.
EP: Wow, cool collection!
CT: I'm just like a crazy gearhead. I've got....if I see something, I gotta have it, and then I'm kind of amp crazy. I'm up to about 18 amplifiers right now. Uh, nine of them are, you know, like, full stacks. I played through Ampeg for years, and now I'm running through Marshall. When I got together with Snew, I wanted to have something that was really new, and something that nobody else had tried, so..... I mean, I've got, I don't know if I should mention the names, but I've got Ampeg, Gallien Krueger, Acoustic, Fender, um, Aguilar, and Crate, and Peavey, and just all kinds, Randall. I've got all these different amps. And, so, kind of on a leap of faith, I was in London touring the Marshall factory and I saw them building a chassis for a bass amp, and I didn't know at the time, so I said, "Wow, what is that?" and they said a bass head (or maybe he said amp, sorry again, hard to hear the difference on the recording). So, when I got back to the U.S., I had them build me one, and I had to wait eight months for it, and it was love at first sight, and I won't use anything else now. So, I'm running right through a 400 Watt all tube Marshall, and I use....
EP: All tube?
CT: Pardon me?
EP: You said all tube?
CT: Yeah, I like tube amps.
EP: Yeah! That's cool!
CT: Especially with the bass. I don't really care for solid state, although I've got solid state amps. I don't use them for Snew, because it's just not the Snew sound. And, I use the Rickenbacker for live and for studio, although on a couple of songs on the album, is was for....what was it.....it was "Head Trauma", I used a vintage jazz bass with flatwound strings, 'cause I wanted it to be thumpy and kind of old school sounding. But, um, usually in the studio I've got two Rickenbacker's that I use, one of them that I use live, and then I've also got a, um, a couple of vintage jazz basses that I use, just to get, like, more of a vintage vibe.
EP: Yeah, that's very cool. Um, now, are you guys all from the L.A. area, or are you guys transplants, or...?
CT: Uh, Andy, the guitarist, is from Luxemburg. I'm a native Californian. Um, Curtis, I believe, is a native Californian, and I thing Mark, the drummer, is a native Californian.
EP: Cool, so you guys have been around the scene there for a while then.
CT: Yeah, we've all been in the scene for quite a while. Um, and I've played with a lot of people, and I've toured, and paid my dues. And, ran into Andy at work and him and I just clicked right away. And, then, um, lo and behold we emerged as Snew. All four of us just clicked together.
EP: That's great. Um, what other bands have you been in, uh, in the past?
CT: I've played with, um, geez, I toured with The Reverend Bud Green. I did a tour with Ice T and Body Count on the "Cop Killer" tour. I was with The Reverend Bud Green. I've played with the Sex Devils.....a lot of bands.
EP: Cool. Um, what kinds of different styles have you played in the past, as far as, uh, in different groups and stuff?
CT: I've done all kinds of calls. Um, I've done session work for, you know, like, hip hop and I've played, uh, blues. I've played fusion and jazz, and I've done classical gigs. And, a lot of rock gigs, metal gigs. I've been a session player for...since the 90s. Basically, anything that gets me a paycheck.
EP: Sure, understandable. (laugh)
CT: (laugh) Anything that puts food on the table, I'll do it, if it's music.
EP: OK, is there anything else you want to say to the fans?
CT: Um, well, keep on rockin' and Snew You!
EP: OK, cool! And, who will I be talking with next?
CT: Um, you'll be talking to Mark, the drummer for Snew.
EP: OK, thank you so much for your time. I really appreciate it.
CT: OK, great. Well, it was great talking to ya, Tawny.
EP: You, too!
Last but not least, I spoke with Snew's drummer, Mark Ohrenberger.
EP (Electric Pussycat): OK, Mark, I've heard that you're quite opinionated.
MO (Mark Ohrenberger): Yeah!! Yeah, I sure am! (laughing)
EP: So, tell me....I heard this on another interview you did, and Curtis advise
d the girl doing the interview to ask you this and she didn't, so I'm going to.
MO: OK!
EP: Tell me your philosophy on life.
MO: Uh, OK, philosophy on life. Um, I think one of the most important things is, uh, being honest and straightforward. I think it's so important. I think today, you know what, um, you know, music is music and all, but when it comes down to it, I think what it boils down to, what people really respond to, and this goes in life in general, is, um, the honesty that you put in you music, you know, how much do you love your music, how much you are willing to.....you know, are you willing to fight for your music, basically, you know. And, um, the issue of honesty, it shows in the bands that truly have it, and I think that's a great philosophy in life. You know, it cuts out a lot of the what I call"namby pamby" stuff, you know. And, it's, uh, you get out there, you just be straight-forward with people. I think that in the long run, you know, people might shy away from it at first, you know. But, I kind of look at it this way, you know, I'd rather know that I, uh, have my character as a person and the things I went through in my life, you know, and, um, if they can realize that, they'll go, "Wow, this guy's being honest and also I appreciate him not beating around the bush, so to speak." (laughing)
EP: (laugh) That's great! That is a great philosophy. I like that, I like that.
MO: You know, it's so simple, and people, like, always put on these masks, and they're doing these deceptive things. And, you know what, their lives would be so much easier, and so much less complicated if they were just straight-forward and open. I mean, it's good if you, you know, if you have some tact, which is so important, 'cause I had to work on that over the years. I was kind of brutal at times. As for kids growing up, it's gonna really be a breath of fresh air, because people nowadays, you know, they're so used to all the politicians and these people not telling them the truth. You know, they say one thing and do another, and I really think it boils down to your ethics, um, your standards as a person, and, um, your character. It's really...that's what it boils down to, so I'd say honesty would be the best way to do it, you know. (laugh)
EP: Yep. I totally agree. I love that! OK, now we can go ahead and get down to kind of more mundane stuff I guess; instead of being philosophical. Um, who would you say, if you just had to name one, is you favorite drummer of all time?
MO: Ohh boy, um, OK, favorite drummer of all time...I know you want me to name one....
EP: But, nobody can ever just name one. (laugh)
MO: Well, you know, I mean, between the two, I mean....whew...oh, boy. Well, you know, I'll give you, let me give you three, but I'll give you my.....I mean, John Bonham would definitely be pretty much THE ultimate rock drummer, um, as far as, you know, what he did as a person and with the drums. It was phenomenal! Another person, who I actually personally got to meet, which was a real highlight in my life, is I got to meet Buddy Rich.
EP: Wow!
MO: He was a jazz drummer. You know, he passed away, but just, you know, it's phenomenal to see, um, the different styles and everything in music. And, um, I'd say another favorite person of mine definitely is Stewart Copeland. He played in The Police, you know, and he was just one of those kind of guys where, um, his innovation is still copied today, even like the drummer from Sevendust, for instance. You know, they're more of a heavier band that we are, but, like, if you listen to his first couple of albums, and he talks about that. He's all, "Yeah, I'm a rock drummer, but Stewart Copeland really influenced me a lot." And, um, I think what's really cool about artists in general is, you know, it doesn't matter if it's Buddy Rich, John Bonham, uh, Stewert Copeland, Terry Bozzio, who's another phenomenal player, um, and there's a lot of other rock players out there I could mention, too. Um, but it's...you can pick little things, you know, from their artistry, and somehow you absorb it into your own thing and you make it your own. So, I really have to say it's not just one drummer. I would think it would be all the people who I aspire to be as talented as, you know, I wish, you know what I mean? (laughing) And, um, you know, it's.....those people inspire me, so I would say, you know, that all the artists that I mentioned are definitely just, um, awesome players and artists in their own right.
EP: Right. OK, are there any newer drummers that you specifically like?
MO: Uh, yeah, I definitely, uh, think there's a few great players out there. Uh, and give me a second, OK I gotta think about names here right now. Uhh...OK, newer guys that are out now....uh, I'm thinkin'. Oh, OK, one of them would be Jason Bittner from Shadows Fall. He's a Tama endorsee, and I love Tama drums by the way; we'll get to that in a minute, but as far as some other artists, um.....I'm trying to think of..... Let's see, um, oh, there's a band called All That Remains, if I'm correct. Now, I don't know the drummers name. Um, I was checking them out on Sirius radio and they have a song called "Two Weeks", and this guy, I don't know who he is, and I'm gonna have to go onto MySpace. I'm not great at computers, but I'm gonna try. And, this guy is amazing....he does amazing double bass drum foot work. It's just completely out there. It's cool to, like, go, "Oh man, I wish I had fast feet like this guy has, you know." Um, other artists....you know, I'm kind of drawing a blank. I know that there's a couple more, um.....anybody. Give me some hints. Maybe you can click my memory back into place here on some of this.
EP: Ohh.....I would have no idea. Um, I'm bad with names, too. (laughing)
MO: OK, well, you know, a lot of this, no really, to be honest, I may not be able to name complete names, but I can tell you that there's a lot of guys out there right now..... Oh, I know of one, it would be the drummer for Slipknot. Is that guy Joey Jordison?
EP: Yeah.
MO: He's got some real fast feet. Um, there's, uh, oh god, who are some of the other drummers out there. Well, obviously, you know, people like Phil Rudd, you know, from AC/DC. He's a pretty much straight-up, meat and potatos player, which is great. And, it doesn't have to be about how many notes you play. It's how you play those notes, you know. And, uh, that's one thing I really have gotten into myself lately is, when I'm listening back to our rehearsals and stuff, and doing this, it's like, you know, OK, you know I could play that cymbal crash a little bit louder or a little bit softer, or that snare note, you know, and it's kind of like in that artistry you really learn that it's not just about how many notes you play, it's about how they're played.
EP: Right, right. That's cool. Now, uh, the internet has really opened up a whole new world and a way to reach out to and meet people all over the world, which is really helpful for bands, those of whom the corporate music industry ignores. There are, you know, web-based radio stations, and MySpace, webzines like mine, and on and on. Tell me what you think about these alternative means of reaching potential new fans, versus corporate media.
MO: Well, I'm gonna look at it this way. I gotta say, I think the one great thing is, is really I think there's a.........I guess I could say a, um, a joining together or a bonding of like, you could say it's like a tribal method almost, of people who are just basically tired of hearing the same 40 son
gs on the radio every three hours, you know. Um, and I think it's not only that, it's the issue of, I think in general, that the people and the musicians got so frustrated with all the corporates and what they're doing, I mean, you know Clear Channel and all these other things. I think they're really gonna take back music, and they're gonna bring it back to when music was really music, and it wasn't all about, "Look at this flashy video." You know, it was like, it was kind of like eating Chinese food, you know, and it fills you up at the moment, but then two hours later you're hungry again. You know what I mean?
EP: Yeah.
MO: So, it's kind of like, uh, I look at it that way, that I think that as far as the do-it-yourself, being self-sufficient, you know, which is sooo important. That's another thing I wanted to touch on, too. Um, and showing that you don't need a big corporate conglomerate to do things for you. You know what, get out there and do it for yourself. And, you gotta do it especially for the fans. I can't emphasize that enough. Because, you know what, it's people, Tawny, like you. It's all these other people that are out there, and it's just popping up all over the place. And, I know I'm getting kind of off track here.....
EP: That's OK!
MO: with all the corporation stuff. Run that question by me again so I can, kind of, uh, elaborate more. (laugh)
EP: Oh, that's OK. (laugh) I had just asked for your opinion of the alternative means of reaching people, like the web-based radio stations, MySpace, and things like that, versus, you know, like, corporate media.
MO: Yeah, you know what, I think in the long run, and this goes back to kind of like my own original work ethic. Um, I have an impeccable work ethic, and I think the most important thing is, is if you do things yourself, when you see the results and you see how people react, and you get that, um, great warm vibe from people that says, "Hey, you know what, we're with you 110 %, and we love what you're doing," and when we reciprocate that, it just mushrooms into something that's just, um, even better. People can.....as I said, it goes back to being honest....and people can tell if it's not or it is, you know. I think it's actually better, because in the long run you're getting people to say, "Hey, you know, have you heard about this band?" and they're telling their friends. Well, they come and check it out on your webzine or they come out and they check it out on MySpace, or whatever part of the internet, or iPod, or whatever that they're doing. And, I think it's a great way of like, "Wow, I've just discovered this band! Nobody knows about it except me." And, in time, obviously, it grows, but it's that exciting feeling where the public isn't being spoon-fed this stuff by these corporations with ulterior motives.
EP: Exactly.
MO: Boy, I hit the nail right on the head. (laugh)
EP: (laugh) Yeah, you did. And, um, it's cool that you guys all are on the same page and have the same philosophy. So, it sounds like you guys have really good chemistry within Snew. You guys get along pretty well?
MO: Yes, yes! Um, you know, it's funny, I'm kind of like the old school guy. I was raised the old-fashioned way. Plus, you know, um, for me, uh, I had two sets of parents. So, I had one that was kind of like, you know, real strict, and the other one that was kind of like, well go on out there and do what you need to do. Um, the rest of the band members, um, everyone's got their own personality, obviously, you know. Um, being in a band, you know, there's basically, not only is it a commitment to each other, but there's also compromises. And, I think it's great, because as a band you want to have that passion, that drive, and, you know, that feeling of like, "OK, you know, we're gonna accomplish this," and, you know what, we might have to pull some hair and some teeth along the way, but we all have that common goal. And, what it boils down to is that we're all committed to making, at the end of the day, we're all committed to making the best music that we possibly can for the fans. That's what it boils down to.
EP: Cool. You kind of touched on this a little earlier, Tama drums. So, tell me about your drum kit.
MO: Ohh...OK. Here's the scoop. I love drums, and I love cymbals. And, just recently I hooked up, um, and I got a custom, it's a Tama Bubinga kit, which is the, uh, Starclassic series. It's their top of the line kit. And, uh, I play a lot bigger drums than a lot of the guys do out there. Um, I've got a 24" bass drum. I've got a 12" and 13" toms, but they're deep. They're like 11" and 12" deep. They're like the old school rock toms. Plus, I've got a 16" and 18" floor toms, which the 18" floor tom is just gigundo, the sound just rumbles out of this thing. And, I gotta say, for my snare drum, and I've waited for this snare drum now for a lot of years. I finally got the Tama Praetorian Warlord snare drum. And, what that is, is it's a three millimeter bell brass snare drum, with, when you go to the web site you can see this up close, inlaid with Swarovski crystals from Europe on the lugs. This is creme de la creme. It'll cut through any Marshall half stack. It's just an amazing drum, and it weighs 30 pounds. Yeah, but if you go to www.tama.com, and I, of course, urge all the people out there that are reading your webzine, you know I've played Tama for many, many years. They're one of the greatest drum companies. They've always been innovative on their products, plus their quality and their high standards are just absolutely amazing. But, when you go and you check it out, go under the Praetorian Warlord and you'll see it there, and they just really create some beautiful drums. And, by the way, just to let you know what color my new kit is, I've got the, um, Marigold Sparkle is the name of it. And, it almost looks red, but it's kind of just real interesting colors, so you'll see it if you go there to www.tama.com. I'm giving them a plug tonight, aren't I? (laugh)
EP: Yeah! (laugh) What do you guys typically do in your spare time, if you have any?
MO: Oh, yeah, yeah! Oh, but one more thing, too, before I forget, 'cause I gotta promote a couple more items that I totally am into. Um, when I got the new kit, one thing I got is the, uh, they're by a company called Trick, and they have what's called their Big Foot V Pedals, and, uh, I'm actually sponsored by Danmar, which is a percussion company, and they do beaters, and they do plastic kick pads for bass drums, and they have stick holders and things like that, and Vee (not sure if I heard that name right, sorry) from Danmar, which is the guy who sponsored me, he turned me on to that bass drum pedal from Trick, it's the Big Foot V. It's an amazing pedal, and for all you guys that are into speed metal drumming, or love double bass drum, it's one of the smoothest pedals around. And, as a side note and the last note on the drum part is I've been playing Paiste for a lot of years and, um, I absolutely love their Reflector Series, which I played for years, and now I'm actually playing the Alpha Series, which is a little bit cheaper cymbal, but it's real thick and durable, and it just sounds awesome.
EP: OK, great. Cool.
MO: I had to get all that in there, 'cause I love all those brands and stuff, so..... (laugh)
EP: Oh, it's great. That's awesome! OK, so back to the question, uh, what do you guys do in your spare time?
MO: Ah, OK, spare time, well, as you were saying, I don't know if I have much of that. (laughing) I generally, for me, you know what, I, uh, you know, the guys, they got their own things going. For me personally, um, if I have time I try to go in and wet my line, I try to go fishing when I can. Um, I love, uh, fresh water fishing and ocean fishing. Um, let's see, what else...... Um, I love to go to the desert and ride motorcycles when I can. Uh, you know, go out with some of the, uh, like my cousins and stuff, and their nephews. You know, those kids are pretty crazy on their bikes. I can't do that kind of stuff anymore, but I'll go for the trail rides and stuff, so it's pretty awesome.
EP: Cool!
MO: Yeah! You know, stuff like that. It's pretty basic. I love the outdoors. Anything that has to do with outdoors, I'm all over it.
EP: Camping and stuff like that.
MO: Oh, I love it, yeah. I come to Phoenix and, you know, we'll go set up and go rockhounding, you know. I did that as a kid, too. You know, parents would take me out. We'd go out and we'd dig for agates and crystals and petrified wood, and all that kind of stuff. Yeah, anything outdoors. I'll even bathe in a cow trough if I have to. (laughing)
EP: (laughing) That's hilarious! Oh, man.....um, I know with a....one of the reasons I started this magazine was just all these up and coming bands that are just doing, you know, old school rock and stuff like from the 80s, and glam and sleaze, and all that. Are there any up and coming bands that you like?
MO: Hmmm....OK, well, um, I listen to, like, the Sirius radio stuff and as far as up and coming bands, ummm.......... Boy, that's gonna be a tough one right now. I'm trying to think. Oh geez, now this has got to be completely in the 80s style or what might be on the radio today?
EP: Well, you know, just kind of old school rock 'n' roll. Just straight-forward rock 'n' roll. Not kind of the nu-metal stuff that's on today.
MO: Right...oh shoot.....Boy you're stumping me on this one. I know that there's a couple of bands that I definitely have liked that I've heard. Umm...Ah, I wish you could pick my brain on this. Maybe throwing some names my way might rattle my brain. Umm...
EP: Hmmm...That would be hard, because I don't really know what your tastes are.
MO: Oh, you know, I pretty much listen to everything. As far as rock is concerned, um, I'm just trying to think of some of the bands today. Umm..... Darn, um, you know what, I'll have to pass on that one. I know there are some great bands out there, but right now I'm drawing a blank.
EP: I hate when I do that! (laughing)
MO: Yeah, I know, 'cause I want to answer this question, because I've heard some good bands on the radio, and I'm trying to think of who the heck.... And, I know what will happen, too. I'll get off the phone tonight, and like ten minutes later I'll go, "Oh, I should have told her this, you know."
EP: (laughing) Well, you can always call me back if you think of it later. That's no problem.
MO: Yeah, yeah! You know, if you don't mind, when I come up with it, I definitely.... I know there's some bands out there that I've definitely been diggin', I just can't think of who the heck it is right now.
EP: OK, no problem. Um, what do you make of the Hollywood music scene today?
MO: Hmm.... Well, my honest opinion on that....Things are a little slow over there. Um, you know, back in the 80s I can remember that you couldn't even walk up and down the Strip on the sidewalk, you had to walk like, you know, down in that gutter area. It used to be so packed up there that, literally, you couldn't walk anywhere.
EP: Yeah, I was out there in the late 80s several times, and it was just so cool!
MO: Yeah! Yeah, and it was packed. I mean, the cars, you know, there was just complete gridlock on Sunset Blvd., and not only that, but all the clubs back then were jumpin'. And, nowadays, a lot of it has to do with more of the, you know, there's a lot of pay to play and things like that, which is not our thing. We don't do that, you know. We believe in going out there and working for our money and doing what we gotta do, you know. But, I gotta say, a lot of great bands came out of that era, and even in the L.A. scene. We had bands like, obviously, Gun N' Roses, LA Guns, um Little Caesar was a great band, but they didn't get their just desserts, but they were a real cool band. They're more like straight-up rock with maybe a little bit of R&B or something. Um, Love/Hate, another great rock band from L.A., um, Jane's Addiction would be another one, as well. You know, you got Rhino Bucket, um, Salty Dog was another band that was signed to Geffen and they were pretty cool. Um, you know, it was a great scene back in the day.
EP: Yeah, it was. I had some very fun adventures in Hollywood back then. (laughing)
MO: I'm hoping there will be a resurgence of rock more towards the west coast, you know. I know that, for us, we're having great success in Europe and also back east. Everybody, it's just really coming out great, you know.
EP: Oh, in Europe it's getting huge. Especially Scandinavia, I mean, Sweden now is like Hollywood was in the 80s, you know.
MO: Yeah! I bet ya it is, you know, and it's just amazing, um, that the scene, these people, are re... there's like a rebirth of real honest-to-goodness, just straight-up rock 'n' roll music. It's great to be able to see that, uh, that kind of enthusiasm, and that real passion for it.
EP: Yeah, that's what inspired me to start this magazine, so it's, yeah, it's awesome. Um, do you have any last words for fans?
MO: You know what, I would say to all the fans out there, not just for Snew, but for rock music in general. Keep it alive! That's really the best thing I can say. It really is about you guys, you know, you guys make and break the bands. You guys are the ones that really help make the scene. And, I just urge everyone, you know, to dive in feet first and let's make rock music what it should be, which should be number one on the charts, and everybody should have a copy of whatever favorite rock CD it is in their car. And, that says a lot, especially for the die hard fans that are out there. It really doesn't matter about the age of the fans either, because there's so many people out there. Um, I bumped into somebody the other day, and she was like this really young chick, and she's like, "Oh yeah, I really like these bands," and I was kind of perplexed, because, you know, I was like shocked, because I thought most people were into urban, or rap, or hip hop, or whatever it was, but she was, like, into the old school rock music, and I think that's really great when you start seeing that in younger kids, as well as the middle age and older generation.
EP: Yeah it is. It's very cool.
MO: Yeah! I'm sorry I talked you ear off tonight, Tawny, but I love doing this stuff. I think it's so great!
EP: Yeah! Oh, no problem. Thank you so much for taking the time to talk with me.
Be sure you also read my review of Snew's debut CD, "Snew You". Then check out their web site, www.snewyou.com, where you can get the CD for yourself !
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Interview with:
The members of Snew
Interviewer: Tawny Khat
Interview date: January 25, 2009
All photos used with permission.
Courtesy of: Snew
I conducted these interviews with Snew's members individually, so you get three full interviews for the price of one, so to speak. The only member I didn't get to interview is Andy Lux, because he was out of town. These interviews were conducted by telephone and I want to thank the members of Snew for taking time out to speak with me. Snew You, guys!!
First up is vocalist, Curtis Don Vito.
EP (Electric Pussycat): OK Curtis, first of all, who came up with the name "Snew" and what does it mean?
CDV (Curtis Don Vito): Snew was just one of those, um, gifts from the gods. (ha ha) It just sort of happened through a series of strange a bizarre incidents. It just sort of, like, landed on our desk, and it was just like, "This is the name of our band." (laugh) I can't even tell you how it happened. It was just like a fluke.
EP: (laugh) OK
CDV: It just happened. It was just like, um, some mystical force tapping our shoulders saying, "Uh, this is the name of your band." "Oh, OK." (laugh) I swear to you, none of us came up with it.
EP: Oh, that's weird!
CDV: Nobody suggested it to us, we didn't come across it anywhere. It just sort of.....it happened in a strange way that it'd just take too long, it'd be too hard to comprehend. (laughing)
EP: (laugh) OK. Well, I wanted to say congratulations to you for "Snew You" being named one of the top ten albums of 2008 by Sleaze Roxx. How did that feel for you guys?
CDV: That was awesome. It was, uh, just a complete validation of everything that we had felt, you know, because, um, we set out to make music that we liked listening to. And, when other people get on board and they like it, too, it's just a complete and utter, uh, exciting thing for us, because now we get to share it with everybody. Somebody says it's one of the best, it's like, oh my God! It couldn't be more exciting.
EP: Yeah, that's a real feather in your caps. (laugh)
CDV: Yeah, 'cause those guys over there really know what they're talking about. It's a pretty popular web site; a good place to find new bands.
EP: Yeah, um, now you guys have only been together since the end of 2005, right?
CDV: Yeah, it was November of 2005 when Andy and I met, and uh, we started writing some songs just to see how, you know, we could work together and it came together just sooo perfectly. I mean, it was such an incredible match. We both wanted to do the same thing, and it worked so well. And, Andy knew Cat. He gave Cat a call and, uh, Cat was into it. And, I knew Mark, and uh, which I had lost touch with him, but he called me just out of the blue and I said, "Dude, you're gonna be our new drummer." (laughing) He said, "OK." And, we were all just on the same page and we all just said, yeah this is our band. So, it was....by the spring of '06 when we really started kickin' into high gear and gettin' out and, you know, starting to perform and that sort of thing.
EP: OK, uh, I mean it's amazing that for such a short time that you've been together you've done so much, you know. You have an awesome web site, and already have an album out, and all of that kind of thing. Who has all the great business sense in the band, as far as all the promotion type of stuff and the web site and all that kind of thing?
CDV: Yeah, it's pretty much a combined effort, you know, uh, 'cause we all love searching the internet, and we find all these different places, and, you know, we sign up on all these different web sites that allow bands to put up their music. And then, you know, we start contacting internet magazines, and radio stations and everything else, and we just sort of learn by doing, you know. The whole business end pretty much just came as a matter of course, just by being out there on the internet and meeting people. Plus, our producer, Bobby Owsinski, he brought a lot to the table, 'cause he's been in the industry forever. He's actually a pretty well respected guy within the industry, you know. He may not have the superstar name, like a Rick Rubin or somebody, but within the industry he's a pretty well known guy. He's actually written several books on sound engineering and that sort of thing, and so, he brings a lot of insight into the band and, uh, gives us lots of great ideas.
EP: Cool. OK, um, we touched on your web site, which is awesome. Who takes care of all that for you?
CDV: (laughing) Well, I, uh, I've got a lot of experience with doing stuff like that, and graphics and all that. It's kind of a hobby of mine, so, I kind of take the reins on a lot of that stuff, but, I by no means want to claim all the credit. So, it's, uh, a lot of the stuff is a combined effort, but I probably have the most time to dedicate to internet stuff, so I tend to do a little bit more of it. So, however you want to interpret that.
EP: It's nice that you don't have to hire somebody on the outside to help you with that.
CDV: Yeah, (laughing) it helps. It helps when you don't have to hire anybody.
EP: Right. I know with doing mine, it's like ugh, it's a lot of work, buy I'm glad I can do it myself, although mine's not as fancy as yours. (laugh)
CDV: Yeah, yeah. Plus, who's gonna have more passion for this than one of the guys in the band.
EP: Exactly! Um, I was noticing there's a lot of media links on your web site, like alternative places for people to hear your music, web-based radio stations. Since the corporate rock stations just continue to play all this nu-metal ss..stuff...
CDV: I know.
EP: Do you think these alternative media outlets are the wave of the future for people that like just plain ol' straight forward rock 'n' roll?
CDV: I think it's the wave of right now. Um, people are sort of fed up with the whole corporate, you know, takeover of America, and we've seen the results of all that.
EP: Yeah!
CDV: So, people are already, sort of, turning against the establishment, and for going out on their own to try and find what it is that they're looking for. And, uh, there's so many places to visit on the internet, so many places, you know....uh, you're a perfect example
of that. You know, somebody who's just got a passion for it, you know, they're not doing it for a paycheck. They're doing it for all the right reasons. And, the rest of us are all thinking along the same lines, and so we're finding "Electric Pussycat", and we're finding, you know..... I mean, MySpace is sort of the big 300 pound gorilla in the room, so everybody sort of starts there and then branches out. We find links to all these other places and we find out things we never knew existed, and it's sort of an adventure in music....and everything else. You know, whatever you're looking for you can find it just by sitting down at your computer for a little while. You'll follow links and find things. And, uh, wave of the future, no, it's already happening.EP: Yeah, oh it is. It's great. Um, I was reading your influences and they're awesome. You have great influences. I love those bands, too. Uh, are there any new bands that you like, that are up and coming bands?
CDV: Um, I mean, there are tons of bands out there. It's kind of hard to draw up a list for you, because I'm afraid of leaving anybody out. (laugh) We keep finding things all the time. Um, I don't know, I mean, of course, our long time influences, things that we grew up listening to, are definitely the things that we listen to most. Um, and that's reflected in the kind of music that we play, because basically we just want to create music that we love to listen to, and it's all of that great stuff, you know. And, for sure we're getting more and more bands who are going back to their roots, because it was the greatest music ever made. I mean, when it comes to rock 'n' roll you really can't reinvent the wheel. It's just, uh, it is what it is. You know, I mean you go back to the early days of rock, in the 50s and the 60s and the 70s, lots of experimentation, because it was still a new form of music. But, at this point, 2009, rock 'n' roll is what it is, and people are finally coming around to saying, "You know what, that's the music I love, that's what I want more of," and so we're not getting as much of these crossover styles, you know, rap-rock and.....you know what I mean? All of these different influences sort of jumbled together. Now people stick to what works, and it's really exciting.
EP: It is, it is. I'm just thrilled about it, because I've been, like, in limbo since grunge came along, you know, like.....there were some bands along the way, you know, in recent years that I've liked, but for the most part I've been just kind of lost, you know, because you turn on the radio and there's just nothing good, and......
CDV: Oh, the radio is a joke. Internet radio is where it's happening. The corporate radio stations are just lost in that, uh, you know, bureaucratic haze of doing what the accountants tell them what to do, and toeing the corporate line, which doesn't really help anybody. We don't want to listen to it, so radio stations are closing down, they're switching to other styles of music, and trying to find ways to continue to make a buck the way they always did, but got news for them...(ha ha) The way they've been doing business does not work.
EP: They haven't figured it out. Yeah. Um, it's been a few years since I've been out to L.A. Do you see a resurgence out there of like, you know, 70s and 80s type of rock, like what's going on in Europe and Scandinavia? It's just blowing up over there. Is that happening in L.A., too?
CDV: Hmm...I wish I could say the answer was yes, but....
EP: See, it's the same in Phoenix, too. I just.....ugh....
CDV: Yeah, it's...you know it seems to all be happening further east and on through into Europe. You know, the western half of this country is, I don't know, sort of stuck I think.
EP: Yeah, it hasn't caught up yet.
CDV: Yeah....which sucks for us, you know. We live here in the former music capital of the world, but it's not anymore. Um, I think it's....there's an undercurrent that's happening right now. It hasn't quite caught on fire yet.
EP: It's just right on the edge.
CDV: Yeah, I think so, you know. I don't know how long it's gonna take, but it'll eventually come back. You know, when we do our shows there are people that show up who just love what we're doing, and even thank us for doing it, because they can't seem to find it anywhere. So, I know the audience is there. It's just on a business level nobody's figured out either that it exists and they can capitalize on it, or that they're just too stuck in the old ways of doing things that they don't know what to do next. But, rock 'n' roll has always been a revolutionary music form, so as soon as people start raising their voices it'll happen.
EP: Yep, I think so, too. And, that's part of why I'm doing what I'm doing.
CDV: Yeah! And, that's what it takes. And, that's why we do what we do, and why we say, no labels, no way. You know, we're not signed. We've had offers, we've turned them down. We want to do it ourselves, because we don't like the business as usual, that whole corporate mentality. It just, uh, goes against our grain. So....I mean, it would be nice to have a million bucks in our pocket. (laugh) But, it's like you said, you don't do this for money, neither do we.
EP: Right. Um, who would you say is you favorite vocalist of all time, if you had to pick one?
CDV: If I had to pick one....
EP: I know that's hard. (laugh)
CDV: It's too hard. I can't pick just one.
EP: OK, you can give me a couple.
CDV: (laugh) Well, my biggest influences, the ones who really taught me to sing the way I do, would be, um, number one would probably be James Brown. And, um, Ian Gillen from Deep Purple, Steve Marriott from Humble Pie, Paul Stanley from KISS. Yeah. Then there would be Bon Scott, Robert Plant, and.....there's a whole bunch. I could sit here and talk about this all day. (laughing)
EP: (laugh) Um, are there any current vocalists that you like?
CDV: Currently......I hate to say it but I can't think of any. As far as, like, wow, that guy really knows what he's doing. You know, as far as the very current crop, I mean, I've heard some guys who, you know, they're OK, they're good, but I haven't been blown away yet.
EP: OK, now, I know you've been working on getting a tour going, and, um, so how's that progressing? I think you said summer?
CDV: Yeah, we're, um, trying to do it in the summer, you know, when it's nice and warm all across the country. Right now it's a little bit too cold in some spots. So, uh, yeah, we're working on doing some stuff this summer, and, uh, we're already working with some people out in, like, Wisconsin, and Indiana, and Ohio, and on through, you know, the eastern states.
EP: I can hook you up here in Phoenix. (laughing)
CDV: Yeah! Well, if you, uh, if you know anybody whose name and number you could send my way, or an email address. (laugh) I'm not too familiar with the current club scene out there.
EP: OK, I can send you something, so, yeah....
CDV: OK, yeah, 'cause that's right on the way, so we'd love to make a stop in Phoenix.
EP: Sure. Um, now have you guys started working on your next album yet?
CDV: Yeah, we're currently, uh.....well, we're still in the writing phase. We've got almost....almost all the songs we need. We're gonna write a handful more, just so we've got a nice selection to pick from and decide, OK these songs belong on the album. So, we're almost there, and then we'll go into the studio after that.
EP: Cool, so do you think you'll have that out before the summer tour?
CDV: Well, that's what we want to have happen, but, you know, you never know. (laugh) That's what we're hoping for.
EP: Great. OK, is there anything else you want to let fans know before we go on to.....whoever I talk to next? (laugh)
CDV: Uh....anything I want to let the fans know..... Well, we want to send out a big Snew You to everybody! And, uh, please join the Snew World Order, because this is the place for all of us to have a voice, not, you know, not just about Snew. I mean, about everything that you and I are talking about. We set up www.snewworldorder.com, and we sort of want that to be....sort of a hub for all of us independently minded rock 'n' rollers to sort of come together and just be able to say whatever you want, do whatever you want, and know that we're all together and on the same page.
EP: Yeah, that's awesome.
CDV: Yeah, I think the key to all of this is our unity.
EP: Yeah. Yeah, it is, and that's what I've been.......I've been trying to create that as well, and trying to make it a community where everybody's involved, from bands to fans to, you know, independent labels, whatever, promoters, stuff like that, that all have the same mindset, you know.
CDV: Hmmm...yeah. Oh, yeah, 'cause that's where this is all heading. We're all realizing that there's no competition, there's no listening to, you know, big brother anymore. It's all about us and what, you know, we feel in our hearts and our minds, and, uh, just a love of all the things we have in common. That's where it's all going, and I love it.
EP: Yeah, I do, too. It's great.
CDV: You know, there's gonna be some growing pains along the way, you know, stumbling and, like, some disappointments about, "Oh, we gotta let that go now?" Well, if that's all part of it, but where we're heading is just exciting territory.
EP: Yeah, it is. I'm glad to be part of it. Glad you guys are part of it!
CDV: Yeah, well I really appreciate, you know, hearing from you and anybody out there who's doing the types of things that you're doing, which is the same types of things we're doing. We all need to be friends.
EP: Definitely, definitely. I do a lot of networking trying to find people with the same goals and the same mindset, and it's great. I'm meeting a lot of cool people.
CDV: Yeah, yeah, so are we. Uh, anything in the future we can do for you, Tawny, you've got it. Ask, and we're there for ya.
EP: Great! Well, I'm here for you guys, too.
CDV: OK.
EP: So, who will I be talking with next?
CDV: Um, I'm gonna get Cat on the phone for you.
EP: OK, great. Thanks!
CDV: OK, I enjoyed talking to ya!
EP: You, too. Thanks!
Next, I spoke with Snew's bass player, Cat Tate.
EP (Electric Pussycat): Hi Cat, we can go ahead and get started so I don't keep you too long.
CT (Cat Tate): Hi Tawny, no worries.
EP: OK, I was asking Curtis, um, about, you know, the summer shows you guys are gonna be doing and stuff, um, but I did want to also ask, would you be playing at any of the big summer festivals, like Rocklahoma or Rock Gone Wild, or any of those kind of things?
CT: Well, currently, uh, we are looking into that right now, and hopefully we'll be getting into those shows
EP: OK, cool.
CT: Uh, Rocklahoma and the other show, what was it, the other one you mentioned?
EP: Rock Gone Wild in Iowa.
CT: In Iowa? Yeah, the Iowa one, uh, we are definitely looking forward to doing.
EP: Cool! That's the one I plan to go to. (laughing) I could see you guys, then. Um, I had talked to another band that was hoping to play that, and they said that Rock Gone Wild wanted them to pay to play, so I was kind of going, wow, no wonder they don't have a lot of bands booked yet. So, I don't know about that.
CT: Well, if it's a pay to play, uh, gig, we are definitely not going to support any, uh, thing like that. Our whole focus behind us being independent is not having to go that route, pay to play. I know here, uh, in Hollywood there are clubs that do that, but, you know, it really kind of defeats the whole, uh, purpose for a band to pay to play.
EP: Exactly.
CT: I mean, I think it's cheating the public. I think it's cheating, uh, all the fans, and it's not doing anything for the bands, or the clubs as you can probably well guess. Out here, those clubs, they don't really last, because they're just, you know, pulling in guys who are paying their light bill instead of getting the real music that people want to hear. And, it really does nothing for the music scene. It just kind of kills it. You know, this has been going on for a lot of years right now, and uh.....
EP: Oh, at least since the 80s, I remember when I was out there.
CT: Yeah, yeah. It's been going on, uh, the 80s, the..... There are some clubs that, uh, don't do that and they're still flourishing, but, uh, a lot of the ones that, you know, have to rely on that pay to play thing, they're dying, and they're taking whatever scene that was, uh, away from people that really want to hear good rock. You know, it's really sad, but it's, um, you know, it's something that's been around too long and needs to really go away.
EP: Yeah, I agree. (ha ha)
CT: I think once the, you know, club owners start realizing, "Hey, you know, I can fill my clubs with the bands that are popular on MySpace, and the other internet sites," maybe they'll figure it out that, "Oh, hey, you know what, I don't need to charge these poor bands, uh, $500.00 or $1000.00 for the privilege of playing, you know, on my stage." And, it really, it just, it kind of sickens me to think that the industry's gone this way, but, you know, it's gonna change.
EP: Yeah, well, it's going to have to.
CT: Yeah, I mean, with more bands doing things independently and just saying, "Hey, you know, we're not gonna put up with this," they're going to have to change.
EP: I know, um, ever since grunge came along, I haven't been able to understand what's going on with the major record labels. They've pretty much, um, virtually ignored anything that's just, you know, straight up rock 'n' roll. Um, what's your opinion about that?
CT: Well, it's to their loss if you take a good hard look at the, uh, record companies now. They're all dying, because, uh, that's because they're not paying attention, really, to what people want in the industry. I mean, the fans don't want to hear this crap that they're putting out, and therefore, they're dying. A lot of the major acts now are following suit with the indy, you know, the independent move, and they're flourishing and the record companies are dying, so it just goes to show you, this whole mindset of the last 20 years is not working. And, the record companies are the ones, you know, paying the price for it right now.
EP: Right, I agree. Yep. Um, getting into bass playing, if you had to just name one, who would be your favorite bass player of all time?
CT: Wow, that one is a really tough, tough question. I don't think I could name just one because I've got really, so many different influences in my playing.
EP: OK, you can give me more than one.
CT: Um, you know, I listen to a lot of different styles of music. I'm classically trained, and I've got a degree in, uh, composition, and I studied jazz in college. I mean, I listen to the horn players, but as far as rock, geez, there's so many great bass players. I mean, Gene Simmons is great, uh, John Entwistle, John Paul Jones, um, you know, Chris Squire, Geddy Lee, all those, the old school guys. Um, you know, I like a lot of the jazz stuff like Jocko, I like Charlie Mingus, Charlie Haden, uh..... It's really tough to nail down one single bass player. I mean, you know, as far as a rock bass player, Gene Simmons would probably be one of my favorites. I really, I can't name one, there's just.....
EP: (laugh) Yeah, I know. I know it's a hard one.
CT: I just.... If you looked at my record collection, I've got a bunch of vintage records. I've got two stacks, no actually more. I've got about three stacks, seven feet tall.
EP: Wow!
CT: And, so, I mean, I like just so many different bass players, but I don't just listen to bass players. I listen to horn players, I listen to keyboard players, uh, guitar players. I mean, there's.... I like all types of music. I'm not just, I'm not very linear when it comes to music, I'm more global. I like everything from, like, Merle Haggard to Slayer.
EP: Wow, OK. Are there any bassists from newer bands that you like?
CT: Wow, ummm.... There's quite a few. I mean, one of my favorite bassists, and he's actually a good friend of mine, is Twiggy (Ramirez) from Marilyn Manson. He's probably one of my favorite bass players, although he's a multi-talented person and, you know, doesn't just play bass. He plays several different instruments, as well.
EP: Yeah, cool. OK, um, with this kind of resurgence of just, you know, straight-forward rock, and 80s style and all that kind of stuff, have you heard any new and up-and-coming bands from the U.S. or abroad that you particularly like?
CT: Um, geez, there's uh, there's quite a few bands that I like. Um, you know, newer band.....Well, actually they've been around quite a while; Rhino Bucket's pretty cool. Um, who else do I like.... I don't know, you got me on this. I like so much different stuff, it's hard to pick out, you know, anybody in particular. Um, you know, I like a lot of different stuff, and I listen to a lot of different stuff. It just depends on the mood that I'm in, you know. One day I'll be listening to Bach. The next day I'll be listening to, you know, like, Marilyn Manson or, uh, McCoy Tyner, or a lot of different stuff. You know, I like a lot of the goth stuff. I like Trance. I like some of the house music and stuff, some hip hop. It just depends on what it is. I'm not really, um, I'm not really against any kind of music as long as it's good music.
EP: OK, um, I know you have quite a number of bass guitars. Can you tell me a little bit about your collection, like do you have any that are really special to you, and what do you usually use for recording purposes and live shows?
CT: Ah, well I think I'm up to about 54. Um, I just bought another one yesterday. (laughing)
EP: (laughing) Oh, really?
CT: I'm like really, really bad. I've got the disease really bad. We call it G.A.S.; it's called Gear Acquire Syndrome. (laugh) And, yeah, uh I've gotten quite a few Fenders from Fender for free (say that one really fast 10 times, kiddies!). They kick me down, which is really cool. I got a... I bought one, actually, yesterday, I bought a Fender J bass. But, mostly, with Snew, I play...I got a 1978 Rickenbacker 4001, and I have a 1975 Rickenbacker 4001. And, then I've got, uh, I think I'm up to six or seven jazz basses. I've got four or five Fender P basses. I've got a Ken Smith 6 string. I've got ten 5 string basses. I have two upright basses. I've got Spectors, Schecters, Ibanez, uh, I've got quite a few vintage guitars, too. I've got an old Gibson, uh, EB-3 from 1969 (or he may have said AB-3, sorry, Cat, if I made a mistake, it was hard to make out on the recording, email me if I need to correct it, thx). Umm, I'm a gearhead.
EP: Wow, cool collection!
CT: I'm just like a crazy gearhead. I've got....if I see something, I gotta have it, and then I'm kind of amp crazy. I'm up to about 18 amplifiers right now. Uh, nine of them are, you know, like, full stacks. I played through Ampeg for years, and now I'm running through Marshall. When I got together with Snew, I wanted to have something that was really new, and something that nobody else had tried, so..... I mean, I've got, I don't know if I should mention the names, but I've got Ampeg, Gallien Krueger, Acoustic, Fender, um, Aguilar, and Crate, and Peavey, and just all kinds, Randall. I've got all these different amps. And, so, kind of on a leap of faith, I was in London touring the Marshall factory and I saw them building a chassis for a bass amp, and I didn't know at the time, so I said, "Wow, what is that?" and they said a bass head (or maybe he said amp, sorry again, hard to hear the difference on the recording). So, when I got back to the U.S., I had them build me one, and I had to wait eight months for it, and it was love at first sight, and I won't use anything else now. So, I'm running right through a 400 Watt all tube Marshall, and I use....
EP: All tube?
CT: Pardon me?
EP: You said all tube?
CT: Yeah, I like tube amps.
EP: Yeah! That's cool!
CT: Especially with the bass. I don't really care for solid state, although I've got solid state amps. I don't use them for Snew, because it's just not the Snew sound. And, I use the Rickenbacker for live and for studio, although on a couple of songs on the album, is was for....what was it.....it was "Head Trauma", I used a vintage jazz bass with flatwound strings, 'cause I wanted it to be thumpy and kind of old school sounding. But, um, usually in the studio I've got two Rickenbacker's that I use, one of them that I use live, and then I've also got a, um, a couple of vintage jazz basses that I use, just to get, like, more of a vintage vibe.
EP: Yeah, that's very cool. Um, now, are you guys all from the L.A. area, or are you guys transplants, or...?CT: Uh, Andy, the guitarist, is from Luxemburg. I'm a native Californian. Um, Curtis, I believe, is a native Californian, and I thing Mark, the drummer, is a native Californian.
EP: Cool, so you guys have been around the scene there for a while then.
CT: Yeah, we've all been in the scene for quite a while. Um, and I've played with a lot of people, and I've toured, and paid my dues. And, ran into Andy at work and him and I just clicked right away. And, then, um, lo and behold we emerged as Snew. All four of us just clicked together.
EP: That's great. Um, what other bands have you been in, uh, in the past?
CT: I've played with, um, geez, I toured with The Reverend Bud Green. I did a tour with Ice T and Body Count on the "Cop Killer" tour. I was with The Reverend Bud Green. I've played with the Sex Devils.....a lot of bands.
EP: Cool. Um, what kinds of different styles have you played in the past, as far as, uh, in different groups and stuff?
CT: I've done all kinds of calls. Um, I've done session work for, you know, like, hip hop and I've played, uh, blues. I've played fusion and jazz, and I've done classical gigs. And, a lot of rock gigs, metal gigs. I've been a session player for...since the 90s. Basically, anything that gets me a paycheck.
EP: Sure, understandable. (laugh)
CT: (laugh) Anything that puts food on the table, I'll do it, if it's music.
EP: OK, is there anything else you want to say to the fans?
CT: Um, well, keep on rockin' and Snew You!
EP: OK, cool! And, who will I be talking with next?
CT: Um, you'll be talking to Mark, the drummer for Snew.
EP: OK, thank you so much for your time. I really appreciate it.
CT: OK, great. Well, it was great talking to ya, Tawny.
EP: You, too!
Last but not least, I spoke with Snew's drummer, Mark Ohrenberger.
EP (Electric Pussycat): OK, Mark, I've heard that you're quite opinionated.
MO (Mark Ohrenberger): Yeah!! Yeah, I sure am! (laughing)
EP: So, tell me....I heard this on another interview you did, and Curtis advise
d the girl doing the interview to ask you this and she didn't, so I'm going to.MO: OK!
EP: Tell me your philosophy on life.
MO: Uh, OK, philosophy on life. Um, I think one of the most important things is, uh, being honest and straightforward. I think it's so important. I think today, you know what, um, you know, music is music and all, but when it comes down to it, I think what it boils down to, what people really respond to, and this goes in life in general, is, um, the honesty that you put in you music, you know, how much do you love your music, how much you are willing to.....you know, are you willing to fight for your music, basically, you know. And, um, the issue of honesty, it shows in the bands that truly have it, and I think that's a great philosophy in life. You know, it cuts out a lot of the what I call"namby pamby" stuff, you know. And, it's, uh, you get out there, you just be straight-forward with people. I think that in the long run, you know, people might shy away from it at first, you know. But, I kind of look at it this way, you know, I'd rather know that I, uh, have my character as a person and the things I went through in my life, you know, and, um, if they can realize that, they'll go, "Wow, this guy's being honest and also I appreciate him not beating around the bush, so to speak." (laughing)
EP: (laugh) That's great! That is a great philosophy. I like that, I like that.
MO: You know, it's so simple, and people, like, always put on these masks, and they're doing these deceptive things. And, you know what, their lives would be so much easier, and so much less complicated if they were just straight-forward and open. I mean, it's good if you, you know, if you have some tact, which is so important, 'cause I had to work on that over the years. I was kind of brutal at times. As for kids growing up, it's gonna really be a breath of fresh air, because people nowadays, you know, they're so used to all the politicians and these people not telling them the truth. You know, they say one thing and do another, and I really think it boils down to your ethics, um, your standards as a person, and, um, your character. It's really...that's what it boils down to, so I'd say honesty would be the best way to do it, you know. (laugh)
EP: Yep. I totally agree. I love that! OK, now we can go ahead and get down to kind of more mundane stuff I guess; instead of being philosophical. Um, who would you say, if you just had to name one, is you favorite drummer of all time?
MO: Ohh boy, um, OK, favorite drummer of all time...I know you want me to name one....
EP: But, nobody can ever just name one. (laugh)
MO: Well, you know, I mean, between the two, I mean....whew...oh, boy. Well, you know, I'll give you, let me give you three, but I'll give you my.....I mean, John Bonham would definitely be pretty much THE ultimate rock drummer, um, as far as, you know, what he did as a person and with the drums. It was phenomenal! Another person, who I actually personally got to meet, which was a real highlight in my life, is I got to meet Buddy Rich.
EP: Wow!
MO: He was a jazz drummer. You know, he passed away, but just, you know, it's phenomenal to see, um, the different styles and everything in music. And, um, I'd say another favorite person of mine definitely is Stewart Copeland. He played in The Police, you know, and he was just one of those kind of guys where, um, his innovation is still copied today, even like the drummer from Sevendust, for instance. You know, they're more of a heavier band that we are, but, like, if you listen to his first couple of albums, and he talks about that. He's all, "Yeah, I'm a rock drummer, but Stewart Copeland really influenced me a lot." And, um, I think what's really cool about artists in general is, you know, it doesn't matter if it's Buddy Rich, John Bonham, uh, Stewert Copeland, Terry Bozzio, who's another phenomenal player, um, and there's a lot of other rock players out there I could mention, too. Um, but it's...you can pick little things, you know, from their artistry, and somehow you absorb it into your own thing and you make it your own. So, I really have to say it's not just one drummer. I would think it would be all the people who I aspire to be as talented as, you know, I wish, you know what I mean? (laughing) And, um, you know, it's.....those people inspire me, so I would say, you know, that all the artists that I mentioned are definitely just, um, awesome players and artists in their own right.
EP: Right. OK, are there any newer drummers that you specifically like?
MO: Uh, yeah, I definitely, uh, think there's a few great players out there. Uh, and give me a second, OK I gotta think about names here right now. Uhh...OK, newer guys that are out now....uh, I'm thinkin'. Oh, OK, one of them would be Jason Bittner from Shadows Fall. He's a Tama endorsee, and I love Tama drums by the way; we'll get to that in a minute, but as far as some other artists, um.....I'm trying to think of..... Let's see, um, oh, there's a band called All That Remains, if I'm correct. Now, I don't know the drummers name. Um, I was checking them out on Sirius radio and they have a song called "Two Weeks", and this guy, I don't know who he is, and I'm gonna have to go onto MySpace. I'm not great at computers, but I'm gonna try. And, this guy is amazing....he does amazing double bass drum foot work. It's just completely out there. It's cool to, like, go, "Oh man, I wish I had fast feet like this guy has, you know." Um, other artists....you know, I'm kind of drawing a blank. I know that there's a couple more, um.....anybody. Give me some hints. Maybe you can click my memory back into place here on some of this.
EP: Ohh.....I would have no idea. Um, I'm bad with names, too. (laughing)
MO: OK, well, you know, a lot of this, no really, to be honest, I may not be able to name complete names, but I can tell you that there's a lot of guys out there right now..... Oh, I know of one, it would be the drummer for Slipknot. Is that guy Joey Jordison?
EP: Yeah.
MO: He's got some real fast feet. Um, there's, uh, oh god, who are some of the other drummers out there. Well, obviously, you know, people like Phil Rudd, you know, from AC/DC. He's a pretty much straight-up, meat and potatos player, which is great. And, it doesn't have to be about how many notes you play. It's how you play those notes, you know. And, uh, that's one thing I really have gotten into myself lately is, when I'm listening back to our rehearsals and stuff, and doing this, it's like, you know, OK, you know I could play that cymbal crash a little bit louder or a little bit softer, or that snare note, you know, and it's kind of like in that artistry you really learn that it's not just about how many notes you play, it's about how they're played.
EP: Right, right. That's cool. Now, uh, the internet has really opened up a whole new world and a way to reach out to and meet people all over the world, which is really helpful for bands, those of whom the corporate music industry ignores. There are, you know, web-based radio stations, and MySpace, webzines like mine, and on and on. Tell me what you think about these alternative means of reaching potential new fans, versus corporate media.
MO: Well, I'm gonna look at it this way. I gotta say, I think the one great thing is, is really I think there's a.........I guess I could say a, um, a joining together or a bonding of like, you could say it's like a tribal method almost, of people who are just basically tired of hearing the same 40 son
gs on the radio every three hours, you know. Um, and I think it's not only that, it's the issue of, I think in general, that the people and the musicians got so frustrated with all the corporates and what they're doing, I mean, you know Clear Channel and all these other things. I think they're really gonna take back music, and they're gonna bring it back to when music was really music, and it wasn't all about, "Look at this flashy video." You know, it was like, it was kind of like eating Chinese food, you know, and it fills you up at the moment, but then two hours later you're hungry again. You know what I mean?EP: Yeah.
MO: So, it's kind of like, uh, I look at it that way, that I think that as far as the do-it-yourself, being self-sufficient, you know, which is sooo important. That's another thing I wanted to touch on, too. Um, and showing that you don't need a big corporate conglomerate to do things for you. You know what, get out there and do it for yourself. And, you gotta do it especially for the fans. I can't emphasize that enough. Because, you know what, it's people, Tawny, like you. It's all these other people that are out there, and it's just popping up all over the place. And, I know I'm getting kind of off track here.....
EP: That's OK!
MO: with all the corporation stuff. Run that question by me again so I can, kind of, uh, elaborate more. (laugh)
EP: Oh, that's OK. (laugh) I had just asked for your opinion of the alternative means of reaching people, like the web-based radio stations, MySpace, and things like that, versus, you know, like, corporate media.
MO: Yeah, you know what, I think in the long run, and this goes back to kind of like my own original work ethic. Um, I have an impeccable work ethic, and I think the most important thing is, is if you do things yourself, when you see the results and you see how people react, and you get that, um, great warm vibe from people that says, "Hey, you know what, we're with you 110 %, and we love what you're doing," and when we reciprocate that, it just mushrooms into something that's just, um, even better. People can.....as I said, it goes back to being honest....and people can tell if it's not or it is, you know. I think it's actually better, because in the long run you're getting people to say, "Hey, you know, have you heard about this band?" and they're telling their friends. Well, they come and check it out on your webzine or they come out and they check it out on MySpace, or whatever part of the internet, or iPod, or whatever that they're doing. And, I think it's a great way of like, "Wow, I've just discovered this band! Nobody knows about it except me." And, in time, obviously, it grows, but it's that exciting feeling where the public isn't being spoon-fed this stuff by these corporations with ulterior motives.
EP: Exactly.
MO: Boy, I hit the nail right on the head. (laugh)
EP: (laugh) Yeah, you did. And, um, it's cool that you guys all are on the same page and have the same philosophy. So, it sounds like you guys have really good chemistry within Snew. You guys get along pretty well?
MO: Yes, yes! Um, you know, it's funny, I'm kind of like the old school guy. I was raised the old-fashioned way. Plus, you know, um, for me, uh, I had two sets of parents. So, I had one that was kind of like, you know, real strict, and the other one that was kind of like, well go on out there and do what you need to do. Um, the rest of the band members, um, everyone's got their own personality, obviously, you know. Um, being in a band, you know, there's basically, not only is it a commitment to each other, but there's also compromises. And, I think it's great, because as a band you want to have that passion, that drive, and, you know, that feeling of like, "OK, you know, we're gonna accomplish this," and, you know what, we might have to pull some hair and some teeth along the way, but we all have that common goal. And, what it boils down to is that we're all committed to making, at the end of the day, we're all committed to making the best music that we possibly can for the fans. That's what it boils down to.
EP: Cool. You kind of touched on this a little earlier, Tama drums. So, tell me about your drum kit.
MO: Ohh...OK. Here's the scoop. I love drums, and I love cymbals. And, just recently I hooked up, um, and I got a custom, it's a Tama Bubinga kit, which is the, uh, Starclassic series. It's their top of the line kit. And, uh, I play a lot bigger drums than a lot of the guys do out there. Um, I've got a 24" bass drum. I've got a 12" and 13" toms, but they're deep. They're like 11" and 12" deep. They're like the old school rock toms. Plus, I've got a 16" and 18" floor toms, which the 18" floor tom is just gigundo, the sound just rumbles out of this thing. And, I gotta say, for my snare drum, and I've waited for this snare drum now for a lot of years. I finally got the Tama Praetorian Warlord snare drum. And, what that is, is it's a three millimeter bell brass snare drum, with, when you go to the web site you can see this up close, inlaid with Swarovski crystals from Europe on the lugs. This is creme de la creme. It'll cut through any Marshall half stack. It's just an amazing drum, and it weighs 30 pounds. Yeah, but if you go to www.tama.com, and I, of course, urge all the people out there that are reading your webzine, you know I've played Tama for many, many years. They're one of the greatest drum companies. They've always been innovative on their products, plus their quality and their high standards are just absolutely amazing. But, when you go and you check it out, go under the Praetorian Warlord and you'll see it there, and they just really create some beautiful drums. And, by the way, just to let you know what color my new kit is, I've got the, um, Marigold Sparkle is the name of it. And, it almost looks red, but it's kind of just real interesting colors, so you'll see it if you go there to www.tama.com. I'm giving them a plug tonight, aren't I? (laugh)
EP: Yeah! (laugh) What do you guys typically do in your spare time, if you have any?
MO: Oh, yeah, yeah! Oh, but one more thing, too, before I forget, 'cause I gotta promote a couple more items that I totally am into. Um, when I got the new kit, one thing I got is the, uh, they're by a company called Trick, and they have what's called their Big Foot V Pedals, and, uh, I'm actually sponsored by Danmar, which is a percussion company, and they do beaters, and they do plastic kick pads for bass drums, and they have stick holders and things like that, and Vee (not sure if I heard that name right, sorry) from Danmar, which is the guy who sponsored me, he turned me on to that bass drum pedal from Trick, it's the Big Foot V. It's an amazing pedal, and for all you guys that are into speed metal drumming, or love double bass drum, it's one of the smoothest pedals around. And, as a side note and the last note on the drum part is I've been playing Paiste for a lot of years and, um, I absolutely love their Reflector Series, which I played for years, and now I'm actually playing the Alpha Series, which is a little bit cheaper cymbal, but it's real thick and durable, and it just sounds awesome.
EP: OK, great. Cool.
MO: I had to get all that in there, 'cause I love all those brands and stuff, so..... (laugh)
EP: Oh, it's great. That's awesome! OK, so back to the question, uh, what do you guys do in your spare time?
MO: Ah, OK, spare time, well, as you were saying, I don't know if I have much of that. (laughing) I generally, for me, you know what, I, uh, you know, the guys, they got their own things going. For me personally, um, if I have time I try to go in and wet my line, I try to go fishing when I can. Um, I love, uh, fresh water fishing and ocean fishing. Um, let's see, what else...... Um, I love to go to the desert and ride motorcycles when I can. Uh, you know, go out with some of the, uh, like my cousins and stuff, and their nephews. You know, those kids are pretty crazy on their bikes. I can't do that kind of stuff anymore, but I'll go for the trail rides and stuff, so it's pretty awesome.
EP: Cool!
MO: Yeah! You know, stuff like that. It's pretty basic. I love the outdoors. Anything that has to do with outdoors, I'm all over it.
EP: Camping and stuff like that.
MO: Oh, I love it, yeah. I come to Phoenix and, you know, we'll go set up and go rockhounding, you know. I did that as a kid, too. You know, parents would take me out. We'd go out and we'd dig for agates and crystals and petrified wood, and all that kind of stuff. Yeah, anything outdoors. I'll even bathe in a cow trough if I have to. (laughing)
EP: (laughing) That's hilarious! Oh, man.....um, I know with a....one of the reasons I started this magazine was just all these up and coming bands that are just doing, you know, old school rock and stuff like from the 80s, and glam and sleaze, and all that. Are there any up and coming bands that you like?
MO: Hmmm....OK, well, um, I listen to, like, the Sirius radio stuff and as far as up and coming bands, ummm.......... Boy, that's gonna be a tough one right now. I'm trying to think. Oh geez, now this has got to be completely in the 80s style or what might be on the radio today?
EP: Well, you know, just kind of old school rock 'n' roll. Just straight-forward rock 'n' roll. Not kind of the nu-metal stuff that's on today.
MO: Right...oh shoot.....Boy you're stumping me on this one. I know that there's a couple of bands that I definitely have liked that I've heard. Umm...Ah, I wish you could pick my brain on this. Maybe throwing some names my way might rattle my brain. Umm...
EP: Hmmm...That would be hard, because I don't really know what your tastes are.
MO: Oh, you know, I pretty much listen to everything. As far as rock is concerned, um, I'm just trying to think of some of the bands today. Umm..... Darn, um, you know what, I'll have to pass on that one. I know there are some great bands out there, but right now I'm drawing a blank.
EP: I hate when I do that! (laughing)
MO: Yeah, I know, 'cause I want to answer this question, because I've heard some good bands on the radio, and I'm trying to think of who the heck.... And, I know what will happen, too. I'll get off the phone tonight, and like ten minutes later I'll go, "Oh, I should have told her this, you know."
EP: (laughing) Well, you can always call me back if you think of it later. That's no problem.
MO: Yeah, yeah! You know, if you don't mind, when I come up with it, I definitely.... I know there's some bands out there that I've definitely been diggin', I just can't think of who the heck it is right now.
EP: OK, no problem. Um, what do you make of the Hollywood music scene today?
MO: Hmm.... Well, my honest opinion on that....Things are a little slow over there. Um, you know, back in the 80s I can remember that you couldn't even walk up and down the Strip on the sidewalk, you had to walk like, you know, down in that gutter area. It used to be so packed up there that, literally, you couldn't walk anywhere.
EP: Yeah, I was out there in the late 80s several times, and it was just so cool!
MO: Yeah! Yeah, and it was packed. I mean, the cars, you know, there was just complete gridlock on Sunset Blvd., and not only that, but all the clubs back then were jumpin'. And, nowadays, a lot of it has to do with more of the, you know, there's a lot of pay to play and things like that, which is not our thing. We don't do that, you know. We believe in going out there and working for our money and doing what we gotta do, you know. But, I gotta say, a lot of great bands came out of that era, and even in the L.A. scene. We had bands like, obviously, Gun N' Roses, LA Guns, um Little Caesar was a great band, but they didn't get their just desserts, but they were a real cool band. They're more like straight-up rock with maybe a little bit of R&B or something. Um, Love/Hate, another great rock band from L.A., um, Jane's Addiction would be another one, as well. You know, you got Rhino Bucket, um, Salty Dog was another band that was signed to Geffen and they were pretty cool. Um, you know, it was a great scene back in the day.
EP: Yeah, it was. I had some very fun adventures in Hollywood back then. (laughing)
MO: I'm hoping there will be a resurgence of rock more towards the west coast, you know. I know that, for us, we're having great success in Europe and also back east. Everybody, it's just really coming out great, you know.
EP: Oh, in Europe it's getting huge. Especially Scandinavia, I mean, Sweden now is like Hollywood was in the 80s, you know.
MO: Yeah! I bet ya it is, you know, and it's just amazing, um, that the scene, these people, are re... there's like a rebirth of real honest-to-goodness, just straight-up rock 'n' roll music. It's great to be able to see that, uh, that kind of enthusiasm, and that real passion for it.
EP: Yeah, that's what inspired me to start this magazine, so it's, yeah, it's awesome. Um, do you have any last words for fans?
MO: You know what, I would say to all the fans out there, not just for Snew, but for rock music in general. Keep it alive! That's really the best thing I can say. It really is about you guys, you know, you guys make and break the bands. You guys are the ones that really help make the scene. And, I just urge everyone, you know, to dive in feet first and let's make rock music what it should be, which should be number one on the charts, and everybody should have a copy of whatever favorite rock CD it is in their car. And, that says a lot, especially for the die hard fans that are out there. It really doesn't matter about the age of the fans either, because there's so many people out there. Um, I bumped into somebody the other day, and she was like this really young chick, and she's like, "Oh yeah, I really like these bands," and I was kind of perplexed, because, you know, I was like shocked, because I thought most people were into urban, or rap, or hip hop, or whatever it was, but she was, like, into the old school rock music, and I think that's really great when you start seeing that in younger kids, as well as the middle age and older generation.
EP: Yeah it is. It's very cool.
MO: Yeah! I'm sorry I talked you ear off tonight, Tawny, but I love doing this stuff. I think it's so great!
EP: Yeah! Oh, no problem. Thank you so much for taking the time to talk with me.
Be sure you also read my review of Snew's debut CD, "Snew You". Then check out their web site, www.snewyou.com, where you can get the CD for yourself !
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Interview with:
Souls Of We members, George Lynch & London LeGrand
Interviewed by Tawny Khat
Interview date: May 29, 2009
Transcript of live interview
My assistant, Anita, and I attended the first show for Souls of We at Club Red in Tempe, Arizona on a hot Friday night, May 29th, 2009. As I had only heard the tracks they have posted on their MySpace page, I was looking forward to hearing more.
Souls of We includes, of course, George Lynch, London LeGrand on vocals, Johny Chow on bass and Yael on drums. Their album, "Let The Truth Be Known", was released about one year ago. However, for this live show Yael couldn't make it and was replaced on drums by Jordon Mancino. Also, a second guitarist was added, Jim Wigle, who had just come off the road with Stephen Pearcy.
I'm sure all of you know George Lynch from his days with Dokken and from his solo project, Lynch Mob. Vocalist London LeGrand may also be familiar to most of you. He was in Brides of Destruction with Nikki Sixx and Tracii Guns. In addition to his work with Souls of We, he also has another project called Rockstars on Mars. George is also currently finishing up a new Lynch Mob album, which we briefly discuss in my interview with he and London.
Souls of We is a departure for George Lynch from his previous work, so I wasn't quite sure what to expect from this show. As I worked my way to the front of the stage to take photos, the band blew onto the stage with their instrumental. George, as always, was fantastic, starting off the night playing "Mom", his skull and bones guitar. But, I was also impressed with the other members of the band. He has certainly surrounded himself with a lot of talent.
As they began their second tune, London took the stage in dramatic fashion. Wearing a black top hat and a black leather floor length kilt/skirt he sauntered up to his microphone, which was decorated with a pitchfork and a cow's skull. Despite some technical difficulties, he sounded great.
Now, if you go see Souls of We don't expect to hear any Dokken or Lynch Mob tunes. Those songs wouldn't fit in with the Souls of We style. As I said, this is a completely different kind of project for the members of the band. It's actually difficult to place the music of Souls of We into any specific genre. There are elements of classic rock and modern rock all blended together. At one point I thought they sounded like a cross between The Doors and Alice in Chains. All I know is, however you choose to classify it, this band rocks! Not to mention, it's always a pleasure to see George Lynch play his guitar. He is amazing!!
Initially Souls of We had only planned to do one show, then it was expanded to three shows. Now, I'm told, there will be other shows scheduled for the southwestern U.S., so keep an eye out for them and if they come to your area do yourself a favor and go see this band. The next show they have coming up is at The Knitting Factory in Hollywood on June 14th.
After their show was over I had a bit of a wait to talk to George while he was busy elsewhere, so I had some time to sit and chat with London LeGrand. He's a pretty quiet guy, but he does have a lot to say. I started off by asking him about his Rockstars on Mars project. He said they hope to get it going soon, but that some of the members have some problems right now that they need to work through. We then got on the subject of the resurgence of glam and sleaze bands, especially in Scandinavia. He said he loves the music that is coming out of that area. He feels that rock music has been lacking in the past 15 years or so, and what's it's been lacking is that rebellious attitude that made rock music so great from the 50s through the 80s and early 90s, that "fuck you!" attitude. I completely agree with him. We talked about how "political correctness" is part of the problem. People are afraid to say anything anymore. He mentioned how media is brainwashing people so they
no longer think for themselves, particularly this generation of young people. It's this "brainwashing" he feels is the reason this generation is less rebellious and doesn't question authority the way his or my generation did. But, we both feel that the rebelliousness seems to be returning, especially where the new glam and sleaze bands are concerned, so all hope is not lost! I very much enjoyed my conversation with London, because we have very similar views regarding rock 'n roll. Thanks London!
As we were winding up our chat, George returned. So, on with my interview with George and London.
EP (Electric Pussycat): First of all, I want to ask you about the band's name. What is Souls of We all about?
GL (George Lynch): Well, Souls of We is the collective we. It's not just the band, it's the audience, the music appreciator. The lines have been blurred between the creators and the appreciators of the music that we create. The music doesn't come from us. It's...you know....the source and the end product are all kind of the same. So, it's circular, just like everything in life. So, we don't differentiate ourselves from other participants, the listeners, the buyers, the music appreciators, the people who come out to the shows, the people who inspire us to do what we do. We're just the conduit, just part of the process.
EP: And, as I understand, this was kind of a long process, the songwriting and everything. It wasn't just that you put a band together and did it. This was something that went on for a few years.
LL (London LeGrand): Yeah, five years.
GL: Yeah, it took a while. We were friends before that. We actually started with the first project called Micro-Dot.
LL: Yes, it was.
GL: And, Micro-Dot evolved into a band called Band of Flakes, which you stepped on that for a second, too. (motioning towards London) And then, you went to Brides of Destruction, experienced that for two years, came back, and in that whole time period I'd been still building this music, and he came in in the 11th hour and put it all together.
LL: See how rebellious he is. It's awesome. Band of Flakes, you know what I mean. Most people wouldn't even, like, associate with somebody that wasn't...hell no! He's just awesome! He's the epitome of rock 'n roll. He's not like, "Don't do this, don't do that," he's like......I don' know, a......
GL: Renaissance man!
LL: Yeah! A true rebel.
EP: (laugh)
GL: Here, you get a cigarette for that. For being so nice.
LL: Thank you, mate! And, what dude would give his singer a cigarette! Well, a lot, but still....
GL: Yeah, I wasn't doing you a favor was I?
(laughing)
LL: I think it's awesome though, you know.
GL: I got a razorblade milkshake for you next.
LL: Ha!
EP: So, you only have two more shows scheduled?
GL: No, we got shows in August, as well.
EP: Oh, you do?
GL: And, the video coming up here this month, in a couple weeks.
EP: And, the video is Skeleton Key?
GL: Skeleton Key, yeah. Very gothic, very dark, very atmospheric.
EP: Out in the desert?
GL: Well, we had a desert one which was very involved and very expensive, so we had to let that go for now. So, we had to do a different storyboard. It's much simpler, more concise, but it's cool.
EP: Will Souls of We be putting together more albums:
GL: Absolutely. That's the point of what we're doing right now. We're doing the grass roots kind of thing. I mean, to me this band is like the band you have when you're a kid. We're not kids anymore, but we still yearn for that, at least I do. You know, playing with a band of brothers, your friends. You have a few hardships, you struggle, you do some shitty shows, you do some great shows, you build a following, you create a buzz. Fuck the rest of the world. You just concentrate on what you do and people finally latch onto it, and in time you've created something beautiful out of nothing. You don't concentrate on the people that aren't into it, you concentrate on the people that support you, you know what I mean, and can relate to you.
EP: Cool! So, where are the shows in August going to be taking place?
GL: Basically the southwest region of the United States.
EP: Okay, so no plans to head across country, or overseas.
GL: Not right now.
EP: I know you're also working on a new Lynch Mob album, too.
GL: Yeah, that's just about in the can. That'll come out in August, as well.
EP: Another thing I wanted to ask about was that you guys were a four piece group when you did the album, and you've had some personnel changes. You've added a guitar player, and.....
GL: Yeah, well, Yael the drummer couldn't make this leg of the tour, so we got Jordon (Mancino) from As I Lay Dying. Johny Chow's in the band from Cavalera Conspiracy and Fireball Ministry. And, we added Jimmy Wigle, an old friend from many, many years back. He was in Ratt for a while, and Bang Tango, a great guitar player, and he replaces a mean tire.
EP: (laugh)
(The band had a flat tire on the way out to Phoenix from L.A., hence the reference to Jimmy changing a mean tire.)
GL: That's a pre-requisite for being in the band, being mechanically inclined. We need one mechanically inclined person in the band at all times.
EP: (laugh) You guys had a rough time getting out here.
GL: Ah, it was all fun. It's all good.
EP: (motioning towards London's kilt/skirt) I've been meaning to ask you about this.
LL: Anything that pushes the boundaries. Anything that irritates.
EP: Where did you get this?
GL: Anything that makes people leave the show.
EP: (laugh)
LL: What the fuck! I got this a long, long time ago. Hey, people didn't like Prince when he opened up for the Rolling Stones. Who's laughing now?
EP: Yep. So, you said you're writing new material for another album, how many....
GL: Oh, we're always writing. There's lots of stuff going on. Yeah, you know, I'm really looking forward to doing another record with the band and I, mainly because we can really do a record as a band versus me doing it on my own for five years and hodgepodging it together.
EP: So, everybody participates in the songwriting process?
GL: Yeah, like a real band, get in the room for a month and write a bunch of songs and create a sound and go, okay that's it, and capture that moment in time.
EP: Who writes most of the lyrics?
GL: (pointing at London)
EP: I kind of figured he did.
GL: I write those notey things and he writes those other things that he yells.
LL: (starts singing Barry Manilow's "I Write The Songs")
EP: (laughing)
GL: And, that's it. He wears funny hats and dresses and I go out and get naked, and it's fun. It's chemistry.
EP: (laughing) That's great.
LL: He fuels the fire. You know, you put the headphones on, you listen to the music, and it sounds angry, so it channels stuff you need to get off your chest. And, I believe that's what rock 'n roll is.
EP: I was reading about how you said you guys have a really good chemistry, I believe you said "soul mates".
GL: Yeah, that was probably a bad choice of words. It should have been more like bedfellows, that would have been better, more accurate.
LL: Ha ha.
EP: (laugh)
GL: No, um. Yeah, it's an interesting mix. I'm more practical, and London's kind of out there.
EP: A dreamer.
LL: A space child.
GL: Yeah, yeah. It's like Donnie and Marie, you know, one's a little bit country, one's a little bit rock 'n' roll.
EP: The differences compliment each other.
GL: It's an interesting mix, which is cool. But, not musically. Musically we're kind of aligned. Well, not even aligned. It's more like I come from a completely different place and London takes my music where, a singer that people would normally imagine me playing with, would never expect and it creates this kind of unique thing that nobody else does, really. It is unique, and I think that's the hardest thing. Because, it's one thing to have a good band, and, "Sure they're a good band, but they sound a little like this band, or that band," and we don't. We just sound like...you can't put your finger on it.
EP: No, you can't. You can't put it in any genre, it's just different.
GL: And, those are happy accidents you gotta hold onto when they happen.
EP: Okay, well I really enjoyed the show, and I wish you all the best.
GL: Thank you so much.
LL: Thank you.
EP: I look forward to hearing more, and I look forward to the new Lynch Mob album, too.
GL: I really appreciate that. "Smoke and Mirrors", comes out in August.
EP: All right. Thank you both!
I want to once again thank George and London for sticking around to do this interveiw with me. They're great guys, and their chemistry in the studio and onstage is clear. For more about Souls of We visit the band's MySpace page or website. Make sure you also request them on your local radio station.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. First, I'd like to congratulate you on Spit Like This's well received performance at Hard Rock Hell, and being chosen by fans as the 7th best band out of the 47 bands that performed! You're in good company on that top 10 list. That's quite impressive. That was the second year in a row that you performed at Hard Rock Hell. What was the experience like this year? It was an amazing experience. Last year, we were the only unsigned band on a main stage, this year we were the only band invited back to play! I’m not sure what it is about us and Hard Rock Hell, but it is a match made in heaven. I guess it’s because we know how to have a good time! What was great was, this year, we were a signed band. In a way, there is more pressure now we are signed as people expect a bit more. However, we obviously delivered! Every band that was above us in the survey was a band that played in Arena 1 (we were in Arena 2), they are all “named” bands and they all had good time slots (we were on at Noon on Saturday). I have no doubt that, if we had played Arena 1 at, say, 8pm on the Saturday night, we would have comfortably have been in the Top 3. Not wanting to gloat but we are a seriously good live band! Sales are going REALLY well – much better than anyone (apart from us) expected. The crazy thing is that, to this point, the sales that have been made have been done with, quite literally, zero marketing budget or professional PR. The sales have gone to our existing fan base and word-of-mouth. We have sold out on all 3 of the major online retailers in the UK (Play.com, Amazon.co.uk, HMV.com) and sales were so strong in-store that HMV rolled us out across 150 stores nationwide after the first week. Bear in mind that we came out during the Xmas market (when most in-store space is taken up with Xmas CD’s), what we have achieved is nothing short of a miracle. Only a major label act could have expected to do what we did. We are rightly proud! Ha! You mention Hellfire but we aren’t actually doing that show any more. Too long and complex to go in to. We DO have a lot of big plans for 2009 though, alas, most of them are plans that we cannot talk about just now either because they need to be 100% confirmed or we are waiting for more info. What is certain though is that our album will be released in different territories and we will be performing outside the UK to support it. Watch this space! The song will be “Sex, Drugs & Heavy Metal”, the first track off the CD. Although not necessarily the most commercial tune, it does have an amazing chorus and it’s kind of our call-to-arms. We chose Johnny due to his B-movie credentials. As with everything we do, we want to be different, want to stand out and want to be SLT. He is the director I would be if I could direct! I don’t want to give too much away about the video but it will be one that you want to watch over and over again… Photo used with permission. Courtesy of SPiT LiKE THiS There is just one goal we have with our stage show: To Entertain. It’s not rocket science, it’s rock n’ roll! For me, grunge and everything it stood for was wrong for music and what followed was dour. Who wants to go and see a bunch of guys staring at their shoes for 90 minutes? Not me, that’s for sure and, with bands like Motley Crue and Kiss doing killer box office, not many others, either. If Kurt hadn’t blown his brains out, Nirvana today would be where Motley Crue were 10 years ago, ie, ridiculed. Music is cyclical and what people are craving right now are bands that can perform and make them forget about their worries – that is where SLT come in. Desperation! We had literally been given notice on our accomodation through non-payment of rent, had sold virtually everything we possessed and needed to do something. By chance, we saw people selling used underwear on eBay and thought that we could do that – so we did! We used the money to set up our old label, fund our first SLT EP and start smellyourmum.com (our T-shirt company) – it is the latter that has funded us ever since. I hate hate HATE bands that rely on their parents or whinge their way through life. Get off your fucking arses and DIY. It’s the only true way to do it, anything else is a cheat. I’m sorry to hear about your Ex. Ideas for the t-shirt slogans come from necessity. I might have a bad day and a slogan comes from it. Some dickhead might give me a hard time over the way I look and a slogan comes from it. I might be angry, happy, sad, beligerent – anything! Inspiration for creativity comes from anything and everything we encounter. I must admit though, it is nice to earn money out of empowering others with our merch. We voice the way others feel, which is why the tees are so popular. People also love the fact they are buying from someone just like them and are supporting a worthy cause – a cool rock n’ roll band! Without a shadow of doubt, The Misfits. They have never been a band I knew much about or, if I’m honest, cared much about. We thought they were going to be yet another band full of ego but we were wrong. 100% wrong. We have played with named bands MUCH smaller than them who all had egos way out of proportion with their success. Jerry Only came over, introduced himself to us, thanked us for playing then proceeded to give Vikki some strings and show her a quick way to string her bass and break the strings in. We hung out with him right until it was time for us to hit the stage. What a nice guy. I’ve been unlucky enough to play with several bands that I used to idolise and, virtually without exception, they all proved to be dickheads. Never meet your idols, kids! If you have a myspace, add our own at www.myspace.com/spitlikethisuniverse - more important than that though, get on over to our main www at www.spitlikethis.com and read everything you can. You will soon discover that SLT is more than a band, it is a way of life, a state of mind. The obvious next step is to buy our album – available in most places online. You should also check out our merch site at www.smellyourmum.com - loads of very cool stuff for rockers! Lastly, just tell everyone you can about us. Everyone. Photo used with permission. Courtesy of SPiT LiKE THiS Yes, but it falls under the category of stuff we cannot talk about! There is a major band from the 80’s and 90’s that we will be touring the UK with. We are also talking to several agents in various countries about us playing overseas. It’s exciting stuff, but frustrating that we cannot talk about it just yet.
Interview with:
Lord ZION of
SPiT LiKE THiS
Interviewer: Tawny Khat
Interview date: January 2, 2009
If you haven't heard SPiT LiKE THiS before, you gotta have a listen. This band is influenced by such theatre and bands as The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Rob Zombie, Alice Cooper, T-Rex, The Cramps, Quentin Tarantino, Motley Crue, and even burlesque. They describe themselved as glam punk rock, but I'd also add sleazy goth, with a lot of sexiness thrown in. They may cite the above as influences, but that doesn't mean they sound like any of them. The band has its own unique and distinctive style. They are a breath of fresh air and their growing fan base agrees. So, enjoy this interview with their lead vocalist, ZION, and go by their MySpace page or web site and grab some of their music!
Photo used with permission. Courtesy of SPiT LiKE THiS.
2. I'd also like to congratulate you on the band's signing. How are sales of the new cd, "We Won't Hurt You (But We Won't Go Away)", going?
Photo used with permission. Courtesy of SPiT LiKE THiS
3. You've got a lot of big plans for 2009. It looks to be a great year for Spit Like This. In February you are scheduled to perform at the Hellfire Festival. Can you tell me more about that?
4. The award winning Johnny Crash will be shooting a video for the band in January. Which song will be featured in the video and can you give us a sneak peek, so to say, of what the video will be like?
5. Unfortunately, I haven't had the pleasure of seeing Spit Like This live yet. But, from what I've read about your live shows and the videos I've seen, you have quite a theatrical show. For those who haven't seen your show, can you tell us about your stage performance and what you are most trying to convey to the audience?
6. Early on, when the band needed money, you began selling Vikki's used panties on eBay. How did this idea come about?
Photo used with permission. Courtesy of SPiT LiKE THiS
7. You guys sell some very cool merchandise. The t-shirts are awesome. My ex, and father of my daughter, used Mike Hunt as his stage name while singing for local band, the Anger Trade. So, your shirt saying "Mike Hunt is a pussy" would've made an excellent gift for him. Unfortunately, he passed away this summer from an accidental overdose of Vicodin and alcohol. But, I digress. Where do the ideas for the shirts, and other merchandise, come from?
8. You've performed with a lot of great bands. Which ones were your favorites to perform with?
9. What is the best way for fans to get involved in supporting Spit Like This?
10. Are you planning any kind of extensive tours for 2009?
11. Any idea when we might see you in the U.S.?
We are quite close to securing a licensing deal for our album in the USA. We have a couple of offers in so just deciding what to do. The next step would be to come over and play. Ideally though, we’d like a buddy band in the States to play with – someone decent though! I’m pretty certain we’ll be doing something significant on your shores in 2009.
12. Do you have any parting words for your fans, or soon to be fans?
For more info, check out these web sites:
http://spitlikethis.com/ >> OFFiCiAL WEBSiTE
http://myspace.com/spitlikethisuniverse >> ADD US NOW!
http://smellyourmum.com/ >> Where Only The Baddest Boyz & Ghoulz Cum 2 Shop!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Interview with:
Suite 88
Mike Gunns - vocals
Kolton Lee - guitar
Jesse Clutch - drums
Vick Bourne - bass
Interviewed by Tawny Khat
Interview completed: July 8, 2009
This is a great interview. The members of Suite 88 are cool guys and I thank them for taking the time to do this interview. Enjoy!
EP (Electric Pussycat): Let's start with the basics. When and how did Suite 88 form?
MG (Mike Gunns): For Jesse and I, Suite 88 has been our dream band since we first started playing music together when we were thirteen. We never felt like we had the right guys, so we made a record as a duo called Clutch N Gunns in 2005, and had been looking for the right pieces for our ideal band ever since. When I discovered Kolton Lee in 2007, I knew I'd finally found the right guy.
JC (Jesse Clutch): Mike and I had always had this vision of forming a kickass rock n' roll band that (in my opinion) hasn't been seen since Guns N' Roses. We just needed to find more guys like us who were on the same page--that was really the hardest part, because it seemed like every guy we met wanted to play a million miles an hour with no feel in their playing or just straight-up death metal with terrible vocals. Once Mike found Kolton Lee, we both knew from the first time we played with him he was "the guy."
KL (Kolton Lee): Well, for me this whole journey started about two years back when I attended an audio engineering conference in Tucson, Arizona. I was staying in a room all alone and didn't really know anyone there--then, I ran into a guy from the school I was going to at the time and started hanging around with him. We later met all the people that he was staying with back at his room, and from across the room I spotted a guitar and instantly went to pick it up. It was kind of a safety blanket for me so I didn't have to talk to anyone. Then, in walked Mr. Mike Gunns who picked up the other guitar and started jamming with me. At first I felt a little bit of animosity--
MG: Well yeah, at first I didn't like him 'cause the kid was showing me up on my own guitar. (laughter)
KL: But, after the second Stevie Ray Vaughan song he seemed to warm up and there was an instant musical connection. The rest is history.
JC: But, we've had trouble with bass players since the band was formed. I was once told, "You shake a tree and a million bass players will fall out!" Ha! That was the worst thing anyone could have told me--it was a curse! Suite 88's first record had Mike Gunns on bass because we couldn't find anybody who wanted to play our kind of music, and we've just had tons of guys come and go, but we knew none of them were the right fit. When we were introduced to Vick he was a guitar player, but liked most of the same stuff we do, so we showed him the songs. A few days later I called him and he was so excited I thought he was going to jump through the fucking phone!
VB (Vick Bourne): I was blown away! When I saw the video for "Ten Shots, Ten Minutes" I was hooked. Jesse reminded me so much of Tommy Lee I just kept playing the song over and over and over. I really wanted to join and when Jesse called a few days later I was frickin' excited.
JC: So, the next day he came over and was great at guitar and seemed to get along with us, too, but we eventually told him that we didn't need a guitarist right then and asked if he'd be willing to play bass. That was pretty much it; not to mention that he's also better than any of the "real" bass players we've ever had. (laughter)
EP: So many people in your age group (early 20s) are either into hip-hop or nu-metal, emo, screamo, grindcore, etc. How is it that you guys came to be influenced by such classic rockers as Guns N' Roses, Motley Crue, AC/DC, Aerosmith, Van Halen, etc.?
KL: Well, for me it all started with my dad. All of my musical taste comes from him. See, growing up I was a huge country fan because that's all my parents listened to, and I still am a fan (to some extent). But, it wasn't until he played me Van Halen 1 that my heart stopped. The first time I heard "Eruption" I was completely floored. I couldn't believe that it was only one guy, and as stupid as it sounds, it was right there in the back seat of my dad's truck that I realized what I wanted to do--play guitar. And, once you start down the road on great music like that, there is no looking back.
MG: It started with my dad for me, too. I grew up listening to my old man's records: Eric Clapton, The Beatles, Elvis, Pink Floyd, etc. In junior high is when I really started finding heavier bands like AC/DC, Def Leppard and GN'R. Now I've really developed a much broader taste in music--from Classical to Jazz to Country to Hip-Hop to Metal. I still can't get past a certain barrier of heaviness, though. I love Metallica because James always SANG. I just can't get into metal with screaming and growling and all that. It's not musical to me.
JC: On the day I was born, the first song I ever heard was "Rocky Mountain Way" (Triumph's version). My parents were rockers--especially my dad. He would listen to music all the time. Stuff like AC/DC, Tesla, Triumph, Skid Row. I would be two years old just rockin' to all that stuff. I remember in elementary school everyone listening to the Spice Girls and crap like that while I would go home at lunch and throw in my George Thorogood album! My dad would make me mix tapes full of kick ass rock 'n roll, so it's just always been a part of my life.
VB: Parents for me, too.
EP: Who does the songwriting in the band?
MG: We certainly all contribute in shaping our songs, but it's different for different songs. Sometimes one of us will come in with a song almost entirely written and then the rest of us will just tweak it here and there, and sometimes a song will develop out of a jam during rehearsal.
VB: We all give it uniqueness just by how we play, since we have really diverse tastes in music.
KL: Yeah, we all share a bit of the responsibilities. Usually I bring in just a lot of parts and riffs that have potential but no direction, and Mike and I will run through what's good and what's not. However, the majority of the productive responsibilities fall on Mike. Usually, Mike will come in with ideas and melodies, or lyrics, and the two of us will sit down with acoustic guitars and make sense of it all.
MG: I probably have the most influence in the songwriting--primarily melodically and lyrically, but it's definitely a collective effort. I'm very lucky to have Kolt to work with because of his knowledge of music theory, so it's great being able to run things by him when I'm working on new material. And, I've been writing with Jesse since we were thirteen, so there's obviously chemistry there.
JC: Mike does most of the lyric writing, but it's alway different. Sometimes we just sit in a garage and jam ideas (for example, that's how "Soul Rider" came about), or sometimes Kolt comes to the table with a sweet riff; it all depends. We're not the kind of band that goes, "Okay, this is how we write songs," because ther isn't just one way.
KL: One idea that may have started out someone's baby usually ends up being bastardized by everyone in the end.
EP: You guys currently have an album out. When was it released?
MG: It was released in the fall--October or November [2008], I want to say. It's the first Suite 88 album and it's actually going to be released online on iTunes and Amazon and all that by the end of the month, I'm told. You can also buy autographed copies of the CD off our MySpace page.
EP: Tell me about your music and what makes Suite 88 stand out from the crowd.
KL: What makes us stand out from the crowd of shit that fills the Phoenix music scene is that we are just good old fashioned rock n' roll. There are no frills or fluff--it's just good music. We have a singer who can actually sing and a drummer who doesn't pummel your balls off with nothing but blast beats. We stand out because we are different than all the bands that are trying so hard to be different that they all end up sounding the same, which to me sometimes sounds like the cookie monster trying to fuck a drum set. (laughter)
MG: I think that as musicians, we are mature past our age. What I mean is that a lot of young bands try to play faster, harder, heavier, louder than anybody else, and it often ends up just being a clusterfuck. A lot of... probably most rock bands these days lack dynamics and texture in their songwriting and song structure. You have to understand that what makes something heavier is not always playing it faster or tuning it down lower or adding more distortion. It's gotta be tasteful and even in heavy metal, it's gotta have melody.
JC: Yeah, we are all good musicians, but we don't have to play double bass beats the whole song or have sweeping guitar solos on every solo... you get where I'm going with this. We just want to make rock 'n roll that really grooves and can be enjoyed by all kinds of people--not just metal heads or whatever.
EP: You guys are definitely a bright spot in the Phoenix music scene, as far as original bands go. What do you make of the Phoenix rock scene and do you see it changing?
MG: What Phoenix rock scene? (laughter) Thanks for the compliment, though.
KL: I think that the scene out here is ripe for the taking, and we plan on taking it, period.
MG: I don't know that we've been involved in it long enough to really notice it changing, but I hope we help make it a little more interesting.
JC: What Kolton said.
EP: This question is for Mike. Who are your biggest vocalist influences?
MG: Hmm... I steal ideas from all kinds of singers of all genres. From Country to old Soul and Blues to even Pop music, great singing is great singing. As far as my favorite, Steven Tyler would have to be number one, but I mean I can't really replicate much of what he does because I just don't have that range. My voice has been compared to Jeff Keith's [Tesla], but I really don't try to sound like anybody in particular. As I've matured a bit as a singer and gotten more comfortable singing, I feel like--I hope I'm moving more and more toward my own distinct style.
EP: And, for Kolton, who are your biggest guitar god influences?
KL: Well, for me it's all of the greats: Eddie Van Halen, Jimi Hendrix, Kirk Hammett, James Hetfield, Mark Tremonti, and I'm not ashamed to say it: John Mayer. Say what you will about his music, but the guy can play the shit out of the guitar. But, my biggest influence has to be Stevie Ray Vaughan. I love everything that he's done.
EP: For Vick, who are your biggest bass player influences?
VB: John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin), Geddy Lee (Rush), Geezer Butler (Black Sabbath), Les Claypool (Primus), Flea (R.H.C.P.), Doug Pinnick (King's X) and Jeff Pilson (Dokken).
EP: And, for Jesse, who are your biggest drummer influences?
JC: Well, number one is Tommy Lee. He has such good rhythm and groove on the drums, he never over-does a song and his drum solos aren't just banging the drums; he's the most creative drummer in my opinion. I also really like Lars Ulrich's playing on the "Black" album; it's very tasteful and so well-written. And, Tommy Aldridge, as well--that guy is a monster!
EP: If you could choose any band to tour with, who would it be?
KL: I think that touring with Buckcherry would be pretty awesome, I feel like their fan base would accept us pretty openly.
MG: Yeah, I'm with Kolt on this one. We've even talked about it a few times before as a band, and Buckcherry always gets brought up first. I think they would be best for us to tour with because they're real rock 'n roll, but still have a young audience that we could connect with.
VB: I'm feeling a little spicy with this one. I'm gonna have to say Motley Crue and/or Buckcherry. Kolton and Mike pretty much summed up the reasons why.
JC: Buckcherry would be awesome! I agree with Kolt and Mike. The Crue would be kickass, too!
EP: Rate each of the following bands on a scale of 1-10 (1 being the worst and 10 being the best), and make any comments you'd like to about each one:
a) Buckcherry
b) Faster Pussycat
c) RATT
d) L.A. Guns
e) Vains Of Jenna
f) Poison
g) Whitesnake
h) The Last Vegas
JC: Buckcherry - 8, Faster Pussycat - 6, RATT - 7, L.A. Guns - 6, Vains Of Jenna - 7, Poison - 7, Whitesnake - 8, The Last Vegas - 5
KL: Buckcherry - 9, Faster Pussycat - 4.5, RATT - 8, L.A. Guns - 5, Vains Of Jenna - 8 (and on their way up, too), Poison - 3 ("Rock of Love" bus, need I say more?), Whitesnake - 8, The Last Vegas - Who???
MG: Buckcherry - 9, Faster Pussycat - 4, RATT - 7, L.A. Guns - 5, Vains Of Jenna - 7, Poison - 6, Whitesnake - 7, The Last Vegas - not sure yet
VB: Buckcherry - 7, Faster Pussycat - 6, RATT - 9, L.A. Guns - 6, Vains Of Jenna - 12, Poison - 2.5, Whitesnake - 7, The Last Vegas - 7
EP: What are Suite 88's plans for the future?
MG: Well, obviously we all just wanna be big rock stars and live in hilltop houses driving fifteen cars... (laughter) But seriously, I think that in the near future we need to get on the road and tour our asses off; play to as many audiences as possible and win 'em over.
KL: To take over the world and change the current state of homogenized bullshit music that's plastered all over the radio. Also, it's a personal goal of mine to see that the Jonas Brothers are crushed.
VB: World tours, world tours, see the Jonas Wimps be crushed... Oh, oh and world tours.
JC: Well DUH, we wanna be rock stars! But, as of now we want to top our last album, and you know, keep moving forward and I feel like we're doing that. More shows, more fans, bigger venues!
EP: Is there anything else you'd like to add, spicy stories, spilled secrets, etc.?
JC: I'm from Canada!
KL: No comment. (laughter)
VB: Are there enough pages in the magazine for those?
MG: Well, the band name comes from the fact that we're all born in 1988!
Oh, the stories I could tell about what I was doing back in 1988! (laughing) I want to thank Suite 88's members once again for this interview. We here at Electric Pussycat magazine are behind these guys 100% and wish them all the best.
If you haven't done so already, make sure you read my review of Suite 88's debut album, and my review of their recent show with Vains Of Jenna. To check out their music go to their MySpace page, where you can also buy a copy of their CD.
Interview with:
Suite 88
Mike Gunns - vocals
Kolton Lee - guitar
Jesse Clutch - drums
Vick Bourne - bass
Interviewed by Tawny Khat
Interview completed: July 8, 2009
This is a great interview. The members of Suite 88 are cool guys and I thank them for taking the time to do this interview. Enjoy!
EP (Electric Pussycat): Let's start with the basics. When and how did Suite 88 form?
MG (Mike Gunns): For Jesse and I, Suite 88 has been our dream band since we first started playing music together when we were thirteen. We never felt like we had the right guys, so we made a record as a duo called Clutch N Gunns in 2005, and had been looking for the right pieces for our ideal band ever since. When I discovered Kolton Lee in 2007, I knew I'd finally found the right guy.JC (Jesse Clutch): Mike and I had always had this vision of forming a kickass rock n' roll band that (in my opinion) hasn't been seen since Guns N' Roses. We just needed to find more guys like us who were on the same page--that was really the hardest part, because it seemed like every guy we met wanted to play a million miles an hour with no feel in their playing or just straight-up death metal with terrible vocals. Once Mike found Kolton Lee, we both knew from the first time we played with him he was "the guy."
KL (Kolton Lee): Well, for me this whole journey started about two years back when I attended an audio engineering conference in Tucson, Arizona. I was staying in a room all alone and didn't really know anyone there--then, I ran into a guy from the school I was going to at the time and started hanging around with him. We later met all the people that he was staying with back at his room, and from across the room I spotted a guitar and instantly went to pick it up. It was kind of a safety blanket for me so I didn't have to talk to anyone. Then, in walked Mr. Mike Gunns who picked up the other guitar and started jamming with me. At first I felt a little bit of animosity--
MG: Well yeah, at first I didn't like him 'cause the kid was showing me up on my own guitar. (laughter)
KL: But, after the second Stevie Ray Vaughan song he seemed to warm up and there was an instant musical connection. The rest is history.
JC: But, we've had trouble with bass players since the band was formed. I was once told, "You shake a tree and a million bass players will fall out!" Ha! That was the worst thing anyone could have told me--it was a curse! Suite 88's first record had Mike Gunns on bass because we couldn't find anybody who wanted to play our kind of music, and we've just had tons of guys come and go, but we knew none of them were the right fit. When we were introduced to Vick he was a guitar player, but liked most of the same stuff we do, so we showed him the songs. A few days later I called him and he was so excited I thought he was going to jump through the fucking phone!
VB (Vick Bourne): I was blown away! When I saw the video for "Ten Shots, Ten Minutes" I was hooked. Jesse reminded me so much of Tommy Lee I just kept playing the song over and over and over. I really wanted to join and when Jesse called a few days later I was frickin' excited.
JC: So, the next day he came over and was great at guitar and seemed to get along with us, too, but we eventually told him that we didn't need a guitarist right then and asked if he'd be willing to play bass. That was pretty much it; not to mention that he's also better than any of the "real" bass players we've ever had. (laughter)
EP: So many people in your age group (early 20s) are either into hip-hop or nu-metal, emo, screamo, grindcore, etc. How is it that you guys came to be influenced by such classic rockers as Guns N' Roses, Motley Crue, AC/DC, Aerosmith, Van Halen, etc.?
KL: Well, for me it all started with my dad. All of my musical taste comes from him. See, growing up I was a huge country fan because that's all my parents listened to, and I still am a fan (to some extent). But, it wasn't until he played me Van Halen 1 that my heart stopped. The first time I heard "Eruption" I was completely floored. I couldn't believe that it was only one guy, and as stupid as it sounds, it was right there in the back seat of my dad's truck that I realized what I wanted to do--play guitar. And, once you start down the road on great music like that, there is no looking back.
MG: It started with my dad for me, too. I grew up listening to my old man's records: Eric Clapton, The Beatles, Elvis, Pink Floyd, etc. In junior high is when I really started finding heavier bands like AC/DC, Def Leppard and GN'R. Now I've really developed a much broader taste in music--from Classical to Jazz to Country to Hip-Hop to Metal. I still can't get past a certain barrier of heaviness, though. I love Metallica because James always SANG. I just can't get into metal with screaming and growling and all that. It's not musical to me.
JC: On the day I was born, the first song I ever heard was "Rocky Mountain Way" (Triumph's version). My parents were rockers--especially my dad. He would listen to music all the time. Stuff like AC/DC, Tesla, Triumph, Skid Row. I would be two years old just rockin' to all that stuff. I remember in elementary school everyone listening to the Spice Girls and crap like that while I would go home at lunch and throw in my George Thorogood album! My dad would make me mix tapes full of kick ass rock 'n roll, so it's just always been a part of my life.
VB: Parents for me, too.
EP: Who does the songwriting in the band?
MG: We certainly all contribute in shaping our songs, but it's different for different songs. Sometimes one of us will come in with a song almost entirely written and then the rest of us will just tweak it here and there, and sometimes a song will develop out of a jam during rehearsal.VB: We all give it uniqueness just by how we play, since we have really diverse tastes in music.
KL: Yeah, we all share a bit of the responsibilities. Usually I bring in just a lot of parts and riffs that have potential but no direction, and Mike and I will run through what's good and what's not. However, the majority of the productive responsibilities fall on Mike. Usually, Mike will come in with ideas and melodies, or lyrics, and the two of us will sit down with acoustic guitars and make sense of it all.
MG: I probably have the most influence in the songwriting--primarily melodically and lyrically, but it's definitely a collective effort. I'm very lucky to have Kolt to work with because of his knowledge of music theory, so it's great being able to run things by him when I'm working on new material. And, I've been writing with Jesse since we were thirteen, so there's obviously chemistry there.
JC: Mike does most of the lyric writing, but it's alway different. Sometimes we just sit in a garage and jam ideas (for example, that's how "Soul Rider" came about), or sometimes Kolt comes to the table with a sweet riff; it all depends. We're not the kind of band that goes, "Okay, this is how we write songs," because ther isn't just one way.
KL: One idea that may have started out someone's baby usually ends up being bastardized by everyone in the end.
EP: You guys currently have an album out. When was it released?
MG: It was released in the fall--October or November [2008], I want to say. It's the first Suite 88 album and it's actually going to be released online on iTunes and Amazon and all that by the end of the month, I'm told. You can also buy autographed copies of the CD off our MySpace page.
EP: Tell me about your music and what makes Suite 88 stand out from the crowd.
KL: What makes us stand out from the crowd of shit that fills the Phoenix music scene is that we are just good old fashioned rock n' roll. There are no frills or fluff--it's just good music. We have a singer who can actually sing and a drummer who doesn't pummel your balls off with nothing but blast beats. We stand out because we are different than all the bands that are trying so hard to be different that they all end up sounding the same, which to me sometimes sounds like the cookie monster trying to fuck a drum set. (laughter)MG: I think that as musicians, we are mature past our age. What I mean is that a lot of young bands try to play faster, harder, heavier, louder than anybody else, and it often ends up just being a clusterfuck. A lot of... probably most rock bands these days lack dynamics and texture in their songwriting and song structure. You have to understand that what makes something heavier is not always playing it faster or tuning it down lower or adding more distortion. It's gotta be tasteful and even in heavy metal, it's gotta have melody.
JC: Yeah, we are all good musicians, but we don't have to play double bass beats the whole song or have sweeping guitar solos on every solo... you get where I'm going with this. We just want to make rock 'n roll that really grooves and can be enjoyed by all kinds of people--not just metal heads or whatever.
EP: You guys are definitely a bright spot in the Phoenix music scene, as far as original bands go. What do you make of the Phoenix rock scene and do you see it changing?
MG: What Phoenix rock scene? (laughter) Thanks for the compliment, though.
KL: I think that the scene out here is ripe for the taking, and we plan on taking it, period.
MG: I don't know that we've been involved in it long enough to really notice it changing, but I hope we help make it a little more interesting.
JC: What Kolton said.
EP: This question is for Mike. Who are your biggest vocalist influences?
MG: Hmm... I steal ideas from all kinds of singers of all genres. From Country to old Soul and Blues to even Pop music, great singing is great singing. As far as my favorite, Steven Tyler would have to be number one, but I mean I can't really replicate much of what he does because I just don't have that range. My voice has been compared to Jeff Keith's [Tesla], but I really don't try to sound like anybody in particular. As I've matured a bit as a singer and gotten more comfortable singing, I feel like--I hope I'm moving more and more toward my own distinct style.
EP: And, for Kolton, who are your biggest guitar god influences?
KL: Well, for me it's all of the greats: Eddie Van Halen, Jimi Hendrix, Kirk Hammett, James Hetfield, Mark Tremonti, and I'm not ashamed to say it: John Mayer. Say what you will about his music, but the guy can play the shit out of the guitar. But, my biggest influence has to be Stevie Ray Vaughan. I love everything that he's done.
EP: For Vick, who are your biggest bass player influences?
VB: John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin), Geddy Lee (Rush), Geezer Butler (Black Sabbath), Les Claypool (Primus), Flea (R.H.C.P.), Doug Pinnick (King's X) and Jeff Pilson (Dokken).EP: And, for Jesse, who are your biggest drummer influences?
JC: Well, number one is Tommy Lee. He has such good rhythm and groove on the drums, he never over-does a song and his drum solos aren't just banging the drums; he's the most creative drummer in my opinion. I also really like Lars Ulrich's playing on the "Black" album; it's very tasteful and so well-written. And, Tommy Aldridge, as well--that guy is a monster!
EP: If you could choose any band to tour with, who would it be?
KL: I think that touring with Buckcherry would be pretty awesome, I feel like their fan base would accept us pretty openly.
MG: Yeah, I'm with Kolt on this one. We've even talked about it a few times before as a band, and Buckcherry always gets brought up first. I think they would be best for us to tour with because they're real rock 'n roll, but still have a young audience that we could connect with.
VB: I'm feeling a little spicy with this one. I'm gonna have to say Motley Crue and/or Buckcherry. Kolton and Mike pretty much summed up the reasons why.
JC: Buckcherry would be awesome! I agree with Kolt and Mike. The Crue would be kickass, too!
EP: Rate each of the following bands on a scale of 1-10 (1 being the worst and 10 being the best), and make any comments you'd like to about each one:
a) Buckcherry
b) Faster Pussycat
c) RATT
d) L.A. Guns
e) Vains Of Jenna
f) Poison
g) Whitesnake
h) The Last Vegas
JC: Buckcherry - 8, Faster Pussycat - 6, RATT - 7, L.A. Guns - 6, Vains Of Jenna - 7, Poison - 7, Whitesnake - 8, The Last Vegas - 5
KL: Buckcherry - 9, Faster Pussycat - 4.5, RATT - 8, L.A. Guns - 5, Vains Of Jenna - 8 (and on their way up, too), Poison - 3 ("Rock of Love" bus, need I say more?), Whitesnake - 8, The Last Vegas - Who???
MG: Buckcherry - 9, Faster Pussycat - 4, RATT - 7, L.A. Guns - 5, Vains Of Jenna - 7, Poison - 6, Whitesnake - 7, The Last Vegas - not sure yet
VB: Buckcherry - 7, Faster Pussycat - 6, RATT - 9, L.A. Guns - 6, Vains Of Jenna - 12, Poison - 2.5, Whitesnake - 7, The Last Vegas - 7
EP: What are Suite 88's plans for the future?
MG: Well, obviously we all just wanna be big rock stars and live in hilltop houses driving fifteen cars... (laughter) But seriously, I think that in the near future we need to get on the road and tour our asses off; play to as many audiences as possible and win 'em over.KL: To take over the world and change the current state of homogenized bullshit music that's plastered all over the radio. Also, it's a personal goal of mine to see that the Jonas Brothers are crushed.
VB: World tours, world tours, see the Jonas Wimps be crushed... Oh, oh and world tours.
JC: Well DUH, we wanna be rock stars! But, as of now we want to top our last album, and you know, keep moving forward and I feel like we're doing that. More shows, more fans, bigger venues!
EP: Is there anything else you'd like to add, spicy stories, spilled secrets, etc.?
JC: I'm from Canada!
KL: No comment. (laughter)
VB: Are there enough pages in the magazine for those?
MG: Well, the band name comes from the fact that we're all born in 1988!
Oh, the stories I could tell about what I was doing back in 1988! (laughing) I want to thank Suite 88's members once again for this interview. We here at Electric Pussycat magazine are behind these guys 100% and wish them all the best.
If you haven't done so already, make sure you read my review of Suite 88's debut album, and my review of their recent show with Vains Of Jenna. To check out their music go to their MySpace page, where you can also buy a copy of their CD.
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