showrecentpostswiththumbs({"version":"1.0","encoding":"UTF-8","feed":{"xmlns":"http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom","xmlns$openSearch":"http://a9.com/-/spec/opensearchrss/1.0/","xmlns$georss":"http://www.georss.org/georss","id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-674588145118141628"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-11-22T01:41:26.479-08:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Reality Check"},"subtitle":{"type":"html","$t":"The Interviews section..."},"link":[{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#feed","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/674588145118141628/posts/default?alt\u003djson-in-script\u0026orderby\u003dpublished"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/"},{"rel":"hub","href":"http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/"},{"rel":"next","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/674588145118141628/posts/default?alt\u003djson-in-script\u0026start-index\u003d26\u0026max-results\u003d25\u0026orderby\u003dpublished"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"CWG, Inc."},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/08167826987284190998"},"email":{"$t":"editor@cwgmagazine.com"}}],"generator":{"version":"7.00","uri":"http://www.blogger.com","$t":"Blogger"},"openSearch$totalResults":{"$t":"74"},"openSearch$startIndex":{"$t":"1"},"openSearch$itemsPerPage":{"$t":"25"},"entry":[{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-674588145118141628.post-8478616945529428727"},"published":{"$t":"2009-11-22T01:25:00.000-08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-11-22T01:41:26.496-08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"chicks with guns"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"reality check"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"panty raid"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"PANTyRAiD's Secret Confession"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/SwkGXLRKH7I/AAAAAAAAEbo/V8mK9uafPRc/s1600/pantypressphoto.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/SwkGXLRKH7I/AAAAAAAAEbo/V8mK9uafPRc/s400/pantypressphoto.jpg\" alt\u003d\"\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406859822866505650\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(102, 102, 102);\"\u003eInterview By: Quinn Allan\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAlready prominent figures in the West Coast dance scene, DJs MartyParty and Ooah joined forces in 2005 to unleash their unstoppable beats on the world. Together they form PANTyRAid, a powerful combo with a polished new sound. They’re out to prove there’s more to their electronic mayhem then your standard club track. We at CWG thought we’d find out just how they plan on doing that:\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eQuinn Allan: The list of genres and sub-genres concerning electronic music is nearly endless. Do you find it all hard to label your music, or do you forgo labels altogether?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePANTyRAiD:\u003c/span\u003e Impossible to label our music (smiles). Our music gets placed in the oddest categories on website stores sometimes! We like to describe it as hip hop bass music or e-hop.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eQA: Creating music, mostly through computers, must make the long distance collaborating much easier. How long does it take to complete a track when sending it back and forth?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePR:\u003c/span\u003e It varies - one us will start a project and then FTP it to the other, they make a part, FTP it back etc. If we sit together it takes a day to have a finished song. It’s very fast. The ideas and inspiration is endless in this production environment.  Even with a lot of back and forth it’s a matter of days for a track to become a finished song.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eQA: Although familiar with each other’s work, you first met at a festival in Costa Rica. How does the Costa Rican electronic/dance scene compare to here in the states?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePR: \u003c/span\u003eOur time in Costa was at the beach - however we spent time in the capital and the scene is very 4/4 cheezy house with a lot of electronic reggaeton thrown in.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eQA: Without a strong reliance on spoken word in your music, do you find yourselves at an advantage when spreading your music in countries where English is not the dominate language?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003e\u003cbr /\u003ePR:\u003c/span\u003e Our production of original songs is challenging as we don’t have voices. We need to speak with our instruments. It is difficult to capture a listener for 5 minutes without a lot of expression in the lead and we typically do this with a bass lead melody. It absolutely makes our sound more portable across markets and we want the music to be heard globally as everyone can interpret the emotion of the music without relying on the language or meaning.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eQA: In 2008 you guys made the move from Los Angeles to Brooklyn, NY. Most musicians see L.A. as a music Mecca, do you find that your music is more at home on the east coast?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePR:\u003c/span\u003e I, (MartyParty) live in Brooklyn still where I have my studio, Josh (Ooah) moved back to L.A. to work on the Glitch Mob album. The west coast is definitely more happening with bass oriented music. The east coast is slow to catch up and I spent most weekends flying to the west or midwest (HUGE FANS IN THE MIDWEST!)\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eQA: Sex plays a big part in the marketing of your music. That said, what are your personal feelings on using sex as a marketing tool?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePR:\u003c/span\u003e Bring it. We make sexy music because we are passionate emotional men (smiles), like booty shaking music. We wanted that to come through in the marketing, art and artistic direction of the whole brand. Our music is very much loved by the ladies and therefore we wanted to also make sure it was tastefully done and not trashy. It’s often hard to not cross that line.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eQA: As with any music scene, artists are always looking for that “new sound”. How easily do you find it to explore territories other artists haven’t?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePR:\u003c/span\u003e Electronic production means a lot of room for experimentation - merely open up a new synth and start tweaking with the oscillators and filters to find a new sound. Its one of our loves - sound design - and we try and use different drums, sounds and keys in all our songs - its one of the goals of the project. We are tired of hearing albums made with the same instruments, we love each song to have a totally new feeling through variations in all the instruments and constant dynamics in the mixdown.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eQA: It is usually beneficial for artists to be aware of other artist’s work. What albums are you guys listening to now?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePR:\u003c/span\u003e We tend to listen to tracks from our peer producers in the community - we are all close and share our works as we cook them so we are always in touch with the next sound before its released mostly. We also love a female voice, Fever Ray, Bat for Lashes, Lykke Li etc. are always on our minds. The latest underground hip hop and dubstep gets us turned on fast!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eQA: Becoming familiar with recording hardware and different kinds of software usually leads artists into other areas of music production, outside creating. Do you guys produce other artists?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003e\u003cbr /\u003ePR:\u003c/span\u003e We remix for a lot of well known artists and this is something we want to do more of - we can quickly take a tune and change its sound completely, and are master audio manipulators meaning we need only a small piece of audio to create a tapestry of parts. We hope PANTyRAiD becomes a major remixing force - its also a lot of fun and we get to work with our favorite artists. We are looking forward to producing the next hip hop with a good MC - thats our dream - bring it on!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eQA: With a label based in the U.K., festivals in Central America, and recognition on both coasts of the U.S., you guys get around a lot. What would you say your favorite place to play live has been so far?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003e\u003cbr /\u003ePR:\u003c/span\u003e Colorado and California are our best crowds, we have not toured Europe yet - 2010 is the plan.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003ePANTyRAiD’s debut album, \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003eThe Sauce\u003c/span\u003e, was released in September of this year, and has been making sweet electronic waves throughout the electronic/dance scene. You can hear their beats at \u003ca id\u003d\"aptureLink_5yxlwv7gGn\" href\u003d\"http://www.myspace.com/pantyraidmusic\"\u003ewww.myspace.com/pantyraidmusic\u003c/a\u003e.\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003e\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/674588145118141628-8478616945529428727?l\u003dcwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/feeds/8478616945529428727/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/2009/11/pantyraids-secret-confession.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/674588145118141628/posts/default/8478616945529428727"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/674588145118141628/posts/default/8478616945529428727"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/2009/11/pantyraids-secret-confession.html","title":"PANTyRAiD's Secret Confession"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"CWG, Inc."},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/08167826987284190998"},"email":{"$t":"editor@cwgmagazine.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"12156025679189771024"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/SwkGXLRKH7I/AAAAAAAAEbo/V8mK9uafPRc/s72-c/pantypressphoto.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-674588145118141628.post-6971189302316093555"},"published":{"$t":"2009-11-19T00:20:00.000-08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-11-19T00:31:24.083-08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"chicks with guns"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"midnight masses"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"reality check"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Midnight Masses - Autry Preaches To The Choir"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/SwUAJH99sbI/AAAAAAAAEXQ/uHEaKejxEbg/s1600/MM_pressphoto.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 264px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/SwUAJH99sbI/AAAAAAAAEXQ/uHEaKejxEbg/s400/MM_pressphoto.jpg\" alt\u003d\"\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405727084485915058\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(102, 102, 102);\"\u003eInterview By: Quinn Allan\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eUsing death as inspiration is nothing new in the music industry. Countless artists have written eulogy-like-ballads to friends, heroes, and family members alike. Still, it takes a delicate touch and a strong heart to write a song about death without coming off as somewhat cheesy or worse, bumming out your audience. Lucky for us, Brooklyn-based Midnight Masses front man, Autry Rene Fulbright has just the right touch. \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003eRapture Ready, I Gazed At The Body\u003c/span\u003e, the premiere EP from Midnight Masses, is a four song journey through the painful struggle of the loss of a loved one. The EP’s heart-felt lyrics are somber and genuine, while the arrangements are vast, even void-like, leaving room for hope.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eOne of Midnight Masses founding members is Jason Reece, who is no stranger to thematic albums. Reece is also one of the original members of the pioneering rock group ...And You Will Know us by the Trail of Dead.  Reece brought along some of his Trail of Dead mates to help out with this new musical endeavor, and we can’t help but notice as the list of noteworthy guest musicians and producers, that helped to make this exploration possible, starts to grow. Gerard Smith, from TV on the Radio, helped record the group and Jaleel Bunton, from the same band, even lends his voice on one of the tracks. It’s hard not to notice the potential other musicians clearly see in Midnight Masses.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAs personal and revealing as \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003eRapture Ready, I Gazed At The Body\u003c/span\u003e is, we here at CWG wanted an even more in-depth look at the story behind Midnight Masses and to find out just what they have in store for us.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eQuinn Allan: Your newly released EP, \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003eRapture Ready, I Gazed At The Body\u003c/span\u003e, opens with the haunting yet uplifting track \"Walk on Water.\" Lyrics like: “The damage is done, his time had come, there’s nothing wrong…” show a sense of maturity in the face of death. As the opening track in an EP clearly about loss, do you feel this song sets the stage for what’s to come? Or rather, marks the end of the grieving process and shows us, as an artist, what comes after? \u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eAutry Rene Fulbright:\u003c/span\u003e Both, actually. The lyrics \"the damage is done\" coupled with \"carry on\" convey a door closing and one opening. It's very sad but also uplifting and inspiring to move forward. The song was a gift to my mother who has since remarried. The fact that Jaleel (Bunton) sings the lead is kind of affirmation for me, like someone else encouraging me with my own words.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eQA: The creative decision to use female vocals on your song \"I was a Desperate Man,\" clearly written from a man’s prospective, seems to suggest that this journey through the suffering of loss is for everyone, that this could very well be the feelings of a man or woman. Was the decision to bring in a female singer an immediate one, or did this come about over the recording process?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eAutry:\u003c/span\u003e Like using Jaleel on \"Walk On Water,\" I think I was drawn to Katie Eastburn's specific vocal style while also wanting to hear those words sung from another perspective. A voice that had more of an emotional detachment from the subject and words, but could still convey the desired emotion. I feel that songs sung by other vocalist aside from me in such a personal project does kind of make it \"everyone's pain and struggle\" so to speak, but then it also makes it everyone's triumph.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eQA: With an abundance of established talent lending itself to this collaborative project, do you feel Midnight Masses will serve as a formidable touring force, or rather a safe haven for these artists to come and share experiences and feelings they may not get to express in their other creative projects? \u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eAutry: \u003c/span\u003eBoth. All of our songs constantly evolve and the version that makes it on the record - with or without guests - is just one variation.  On record we aim to create particular textures and moods, and when we perform live we often bring a different energy to the songs.  The songs grow and change organically and the arrangements are rarely played the same way twice. This keeps the live show fresh and exciting for us and our audience.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eQA: With the roster of collaborating artists in mind, this EP has the distinct fingerprints of the talented rock band, ...And You Will Know us by the Trail of Dead. I’m a Trail of Dead fan from way back, and am no stranger to their incredibly unique and evolving sound. Is this a sub-branch of that evolution, or do you feel this project stands on its own? \u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eAutry: \u003c/span\u003eIt's true that the recording of Midnight Masses was intertwined closely with the sessions of the \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e...Trail of Dead LP\u003c/span\u003e, but there's not much stylistic crossover. I am hugely influenced by Trail's sense of dynamic,texture and the lyrics of Conrad Keely,though. It's definitely not an extension or evolution of \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003eAYWKUBTTOD\u003c/span\u003e. I think from a production end Conrad goes between approaching the next batch of recordings with a Massive Attack feel, coupled with the very different technique of an old seventies psych band so for him and Jason it might be a personal evolution or even a de-evolution. Hopefully we'll find a common ground between everyone's ideas.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eQA: The praise \u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eRapture Ready, I Gazed At The Body\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003e has already received is remarkable, with comparisons to musicians like The Doors and Billie Holiday. While listening to the EP, I heard traces of bands like The Who and Procol Harum. Do you feel that these likenesses were intentional or stumbled upon? \u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eAutry: \u003c/span\u003eBeing ravenous collectors of music, be it vinyl or digital, the band has a wide point of reference when is comes to what inspires us. Any likeness to any bands is simply a natural extention of that. I really like The Doors and Billie Holiday, so if anything it's a huge compliment.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eQA: Your MySpace lists influences like Nick Cave and The Zombies. Cave is what some would call an acquired taste, not unlike Tom Waits, and The Zombies, unfortunately, were lost in the shadow of bigger British rock bands like The Beatles and The Stones. Do you feel this is the kind of underground, art house, notoriety you’re aiming for? \u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eAutry: \u003c/span\u003eOur influences are pretty broad- from bands like Beatles or Stones, to the ones on our list of influences to newer bands like Comets On Fire or Black Mountain or Battles and even Leonard Cohen or Antony And The Johnsons. It's not a conscious effort to be put in some musical caste - I'd say that the fact that we tour with bands like Trail Of Dead and Secret Machines and then we'll do a Thursday tour and then play with Art Brut is testament to the fact that we like all sorts of bands.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI don't want to quarantine us or anyone as far as our music is concerned. I think more people should listen to Nick Cave and The Zombies. Also, you never sound like your direct influences - Os Mutantes were trying to be exactly like the Beatles. Jason and I were thinking Midnight Masses was going to be a metal band, but we recorded our first song \"Deserter's Song\" and we were thinking it sounded kind of Nick Cave-y.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eQA: Like a tattoo or an ant frozen in amber, albums often serve as a physical embodiment of an artist’s feelings at the time. Is this album a tribute to the memory of one man’s life or a physical record of the feelings following the loss of a father? \u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eAutry: \u003c/span\u003eI'd definitely say the latter - this record came about in the wake of me reflecting on my father's passing and the life I had up until that. It's very cathartic/therapeutic to get all of these emotions out, although it can be difficult to confront repeatedly. Still, I find the end result very rewarding, especially when someone tells me how they can relate to the songs.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eQA: With a solid four song EP under your belt, the next logical step is a full length album. What can we expect from a Midnight Masses’ full length? Are there any surprises in store for us? \u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eAutry: \u003c/span\u003eWe have another EP we're recording now entitled \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003eWalking Wounded With The Dying Choir \u003c/span\u003ethat could see the light of day in a few months. We also have the LP that we've started sorting out, much of which will be recorded in a few weeks from now. There is an offshoot of Midnight Masses that will record during the winter - a heavier, louder band called Holy Land, Holy See which feature several members of Masses and marks the return of original MM drummer/current Here We Go Magic member Peter Hale. I have some pretty ambitious ideas for our live show as well- we're basically learning a brand new set so it's going to change how we perform. I think we're in for a few surprises ourselves...hopefully good ones.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eMidnight Masses will be playing at Brooklyn Bowl on November 13th in Brooklyn NY. You can download their EP \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003eRapture Ready, I Gazed At The Body\u003c/span\u003e starting December 8th and it will be available, on vinyl, in stores December 15th.\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003e\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/674588145118141628-6971189302316093555?l\u003dcwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/feeds/6971189302316093555/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/2009/11/midnight-masses-autry-preaches-to-choir.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/674588145118141628/posts/default/6971189302316093555"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/674588145118141628/posts/default/6971189302316093555"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/2009/11/midnight-masses-autry-preaches-to-choir.html","title":"Midnight Masses - Autry Preaches To The Choir"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"CWG, Inc."},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/08167826987284190998"},"email":{"$t":"editor@cwgmagazine.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"12156025679189771024"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/SwUAJH99sbI/AAAAAAAAEXQ/uHEaKejxEbg/s72-c/MM_pressphoto.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-674588145118141628.post-3941467435913691556"},"published":{"$t":"2009-11-18T02:05:00.000-08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-11-18T02:20:12.288-08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"chicks with guns"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"reality check"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"teenage bottlerocket"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Brandon Carlisle/Teenage Bottlerocket"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/SwPKE9ahfQI/AAAAAAAAETg/T8GexMQlB7o/s1600/Teenage_Bottlerocket_by_Dustin_Roe+31.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/SwPKE9ahfQI/AAAAAAAAETg/T8GexMQlB7o/s400/Teenage_Bottlerocket_by_Dustin_Roe+31.jpg\" alt\u003d\"\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405386164328824066\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(102, 102, 102);\"\u003eWritten By: Pablo Cortez\u003c/span\u003e \u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(102, 102, 102);\"\u003ePhotos By: Dustin Roe\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eView all of Dustin's Teenage Bottlerocket photos \u003ca id\u003d\"aptureLink_M0nWexBDK0\" href\u003d\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/chickswithgunsmagazine/sets/72157622703991539/\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ci\u003eNovember 7th Troubadour, Hollywood, CA\u003c/i\u003e - Drummer Brandon Carlisle was kind enough to spend a few minutes outside the Troubadour and answer some questions before their set.  The set, which kicked off with a little track titled “Skate of Die,” came with all out pop punk goodness. These kids owned the stage like they’ve been playing for twenty-plus years and literally stopped playing their instruments only once to get the wall-to-wall crowd moving.  Do yourself a punk favor and pick up their newly released, They Came from the Shadows.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePC: So how do you guys like Hollywood?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eBC:\u003c/span\u003e It’s awesome. We cruise down the street keeping our eyes peeled, scanning, looking for celebrities. At least a couple b-listers like 12 pack or Bonaducci, but nothing.  The Cobra Skulls said they ran into E from 'Entourage,' I was pretty envious.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePC: You just released a new album, \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003ca id\u003d\"aptureLink_vNg4ZFfZkH\" href\u003d\"http://cwgalbumreviews.blogspot.com/2009/09/teenage-bottlerocket-they-came-from.html\"\u003eThey Came From The Shadows\u003c/a\u003e \u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eBC: \u003c/span\u003eYeah, September 15th.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePC: Is it any different from your previous album? Anything change for you guys, sound-wise?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eBC: \u003c/span\u003eI don’t think so. We kept to the same philosophies.  We wrote songs the way we’ve always have.  I don’t think this record is a huge tangent from the previous stuff. It’s our favorite record and I know that everyone always says that the new record is their favorite but that’s the case in this situation as well.  We’re happy with it and it’s another Teenage Bottlerocket record.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003e\u003cbr /\u003ePC: Any favorite tracks?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eBC: \u003c/span\u003eI dig “Skate or Die.”  When he says, “Doing slappy’s at the Circle K,” I was tickled when I heard that. What kid wasn’t on a skateboard, in front of a convenience store goofing off in the parking lot when they were coming up.  So when I heard that I was like “Oh yeah, this is good stuff.”\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePC: Speaking of that, you guys all skate? \u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eBC: \u003c/span\u003eWell Ray and I do. Kody did a little bit growing up but didn’t stick with it as Ray and I did. We’ll cruise the park. We’re not ‘rad’ as it were, but we go for it.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003e\u003cbr /\u003ePC: Any cool spots you skate?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eBC: \u003c/span\u003eUsually around the streets by my house.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/SwPKMMxcuJI/AAAAAAAAETo/vzLBcgoje14/s1600/Teenage_Bottlerocket_by_Dustin_Roe+4.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/SwPKMMxcuJI/AAAAAAAAETo/vzLBcgoje14/s400/Teenage_Bottlerocket_by_Dustin_Roe+4.jpg\" alt\u003d\"\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405386288710596754\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePC: What difference do you see between your fans back home and out on the road?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eBC: \u003c/span\u003eWhen we’re on the road, there’s a lot more people who know the tunes. When we play back home, it’s a good crowd but they don’t necessarily own the record. They don’t really follow the band. We’re just a local band.  There are a few friends that know the tunes but as far as getting into the record, really getting into the band, no one back home is, I don’t think.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePC: How long is your tour? When are you wrapping it up?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eBC: \u003c/span\u003e6 weeks. I think we’re out for another 2 weeks.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePC: Any favorite venues or shows you’ve played?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eBC: \u003c/span\u003eSt. Louis was a killer show. It was funny because we played the day after Halloween which was a Sunday this year. We were making excuses for why the show was gonna suck before we even got there.  Me and my girlfriend grabbed something to eat at a restaurant next to the venue and got back five minutes before we were on and the place was packed, front to back it was crazy. Phoenix was also good. Orlando was killer, Chicago is always great. Toronto and Boston, those are the ones that stood out.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePC: Can you tell us about your previous band?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eBC: \u003c/span\u003eRay and I were in a band called Homeless Wonders. We were more or less a high school band doing the punk rock thing.  Booking our friends’ bands from out of town, scratching each other’s backs. Trying to do some networking and doing some small tours, playing small cities. We were on the suburban home label and they were just getting started too. That band broke up in 2000 and we got \u003ca id\u003d\"aptureLink_ISkwIy7ulU\" href\u003d\"http://cwgalbumreviews.blogspot.com/2009/09/teenage-bottlerocket-they-came-from.html\"\u003eTeenage Bottlerocket\u003c/a\u003e going in 2001.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePC: How did you guys hook up with Fat Wreck Chords?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eBC: \u003c/span\u003eMike was a fan of the Lillingtons which is Kody’s previous band. We got booked on a couple gigs with NOFX and he came and checked it out, he was digging it. He gave us a phone call a few weeks later and said he was interested. And it was all downhill from there.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePC: How do you like working with Fat Wreck Chords?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eBC: \u003c/span\u003eIt’s a dream come true, man.  Fat Wreck Chords has always been our favorite label and to be a part of it is a big honor for us. Those guys are right on with their opinions with the music just like we are. With their input, we can take it or leave It, but we were into it and it’s great to work with those guys.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePC: Anything you’d like to get out to the fans?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eBC: \u003c/span\u003eIf you get a chance, come check us out on the road.\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003e\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/674588145118141628-3941467435913691556?l\u003dcwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/feeds/3941467435913691556/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/2009/11/brandon-carlisleteenage-bottlerocket.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/674588145118141628/posts/default/3941467435913691556"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/674588145118141628/posts/default/3941467435913691556"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/2009/11/brandon-carlisleteenage-bottlerocket.html","title":"Brandon Carlisle/Teenage Bottlerocket"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"CWG, Inc."},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/08167826987284190998"},"email":{"$t":"editor@cwgmagazine.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"12156025679189771024"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/SwPKE9ahfQI/AAAAAAAAETg/T8GexMQlB7o/s72-c/Teenage_Bottlerocket_by_Dustin_Roe+31.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-674588145118141628.post-2883739698556598415"},"published":{"$t":"2009-11-17T15:08:00.000-08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-11-17T15:14:44.792-08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"chicks with guns"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"reality check"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"hatcham social"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"The Hatcham Social Interview"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/SwMt8pUMqNI/AAAAAAAAERY/6rr6fZP7O1k/s1600/hatcham_img02_hires.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/SwMt8pUMqNI/AAAAAAAAERY/6rr6fZP7O1k/s400/hatcham_img02_hires.jpg\" alt\u003d\"\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405214497680697554\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(102, 102, 102);\"\u003eInterview By: Victoria Hill\u003c/span\u003e \u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(102, 102, 102);\"\u003e(Urban/Pop Editor)\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eVH: You toured with The Charlatans and Ipso Facto.  What was that experience like and what did you learn while being out on the road?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e That its more fun touring with people you like than on your own (or with people you find boring). That you need to make sure people do not speak too loud first thing in the morning when you just wake up in a room with everyone.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eVH: Toby said \"I am not against selling records, but I am against selling shit records.\"  I think that is a great philosophy.  What is your process to ensure that you are not making a shit record?  What is the recording process like?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e We either believe in it or not, or we change it or throw it away. We usually have a pretty clear idea by the recording part what is going on but its never finished until its done.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eVH: You have been influenced by 1980’s indie pop and post-punk (like The Pastels, Orange Juice and The Jesus \u0026amp; Mary Chain.)  What was it about them that influenced you?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e They wrote great great songs but felt exciting, we also got bored of everything being synths. Although we love synthpop bands somehow synths feel so retro. Whereas these bands just seem timeless. These bands are misfits, like ourselves and our audiences.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eVH: I heard that you were also influenced by Lewis Carroll’s poem “Jabberwocky.”  It is considered by many to be one of the greatest nonsense poems in the English language.  What is it about “Jabberwocky” that influences you?  \u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e Its just something we did. We like the poem. Its English nonsense. Like our lives. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eVH: You created a lot of buzz in the UK and now that buzz is spreading to the US.  How does it feel to be acknowledged in the US?  \u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e Obviously its good when anywhere acknowledges you and the US is somewhere we watch on TV and in the Cinema all our lives so its somewhere we think that people should hopefully understand us. We share so much.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eVH: In two years, you have released four limited edition independent singles, compiled two mini-album cassette, played over 200 gigs (including selling out the 100 Club in London and the Fleche D'or in Paris.)  That is a great accomplishment.  What keeps you focused as a band to keep moving forward?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e Thanks but we just do as much as we can, because its what we do. I cannot stand people being lazy.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eVH: What are you goals career-wise?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e We want three albums out in three years full of pop music for smarter people. To make something special. Then who cares.\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003e\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/674588145118141628-2883739698556598415?l\u003dcwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/feeds/2883739698556598415/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/2009/11/hatcham-social-interview.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/674588145118141628/posts/default/2883739698556598415"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/674588145118141628/posts/default/2883739698556598415"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/2009/11/hatcham-social-interview.html","title":"The Hatcham Social Interview"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"CWG, Inc."},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/08167826987284190998"},"email":{"$t":"editor@cwgmagazine.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"12156025679189771024"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/SwMt8pUMqNI/AAAAAAAAERY/6rr6fZP7O1k/s72-c/hatcham_img02_hires.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-674588145118141628.post-2867611325623587532"},"published":{"$t":"2009-11-10T16:32:00.000-08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-11-10T16:56:46.702-08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"chicks with guns"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"reality check"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"the antlers"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"The Antlers - Peter Silberman Interview"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/SvoHqpcxPyI/AAAAAAAAEIs/NY3VsjmN8JI/s1600-h/the-antlers1.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 273px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/SvoHqpcxPyI/AAAAAAAAEIs/NY3VsjmN8JI/s400/the-antlers1.jpg\" alt\u003d\"\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402639132246753058\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(102, 102, 102);\"\u003eInterview By: Jim Markunas\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(102, 102, 102);\"\u003e(Editor-In-Chief)\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI just recently got into The Antlers after my angriest staffer told me that he actually liked them (and he doesn't like much... not even me). I figured they had to be pretty good. I asked our friends @ Tell All Your Friends for a copy of \u003ca id\u003d\"aptureLink_EWJSWW0cOs\" href\u003d\"http://cwgalbumreviews.blogspot.com/2009/11/antlers-hospice.html\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eHospice\u003c/i\u003e\u003c/a\u003e and the rest was history.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe Antlers spent a few years making this album, a concept record about the birth and death of a relationship. Under normal circumstances, I (and the rest of my staff) would call that concept 'cliche,' but The Antlers not only tread new musical territory on \u003ci\u003eHospice\u003c/i\u003e, but the fact that they've morbidly compared a relationship to a place people go to die appeals to my dark sense of humor. Kudos, Antlers! Kudos!!! We caught up with Peter Silberman for a quick interview.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJim: First, I'm a big fan of your record “\u003c/span\u003e\u003ca id\u003d\"aptureLink_acNyZ4AzHM\" href\u003d\"http://cwgalbumreviews.blogspot.com/2009/11/antlers-hospice.html\"\u003eHospice\u003c/a\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003e.”   I like the sound you guys are going for.  For our readers who are unfamiliar with The Antlers, can you tells us a little about your band- the music you make and why they should buy it?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePeter:\u003c/span\u003e  The band was really focused on this record.  We made the record over the course of a few years and was it released a few months ago.  The album tells a story, basically detailing a relationship between two people.  It's atmospheric and narrative.  It’s post-rock and electronic.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJim: That makes sense.  I liked (I have a dark sense of humor), the fact the record is about a relationship and you called it “Hospice,” a place where you go to die.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePeter:\u003c/span\u003e Thanks.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJim: Can you tell us why this record took so long to come out?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePeter:\u003c/span\u003e  A lot of stuff with this record took a long time. The writing took a long time and went through a lot of editing, so that the story would make sense.  We wanted it to flow from start to finish.  You have to be careful that there are no plot holes.  Recording \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003eHospice\u003c/span\u003e involved a lot of parts on top of another.  We would take time away after recording a song to make sure we were happy with it and that the song worked with the others.  It can be frustrating.  It was either totally working or totally failing.  The lyrics had to make sense to make sure that the story work.  After recording, we were happy to have a break.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe finished the album in August/September 2008 and that was when we started touring.  We became a solid three piece.  We took the album to a couple of places and in the beginning of 2009, we just wanted to get the album out, so we self-released it in March.  It gained momentum.  We signed with French Kiss in May and they re-released in August.  So the album has been alive for about a year.  We are surprised it has lasted this long and we are touring and moving forward in a positive direction.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJim: We totally wanted to catch you live to see how the music translated, but we fell off the guest list.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePeter:\u003c/span\u003e Really?  When was that?\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJim: It was the last time you were in LA- about a week-and-a-half ago.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePeter:\u003c/span\u003e Oh, there was a fiasco, where we had a guest list, and we gave it to the promoter, and it never made it to the door. A lot people could not get in, and we didn't find out until after the show.  We're not pointing the finger at anyone.  Sorry about that and we will be back!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJim:  We definitely want to see you guys live the next time you're in town.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePeter:\u003c/span\u003e Sure, we will make sure you are on the list.  It was nothing personal.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJim: No problem, it happens in music! (laughs)\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePeter:\u003c/span\u003e It’s a cluster-fuck!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJim: That leads to my next question.  What’s it like working with Syd Butler and FrenchKiss Records?  What kind of experience has that been?\u003c/span\u003e \u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003e(No offense to Syd or FrenchKiss, this just happened to be my next question!!!)\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePeter:\u003c/span\u003e It's been really great!  They are great running a label.  It is a fair relationship and they're fair people.  We got really lucky with them.  I can’t think of a better relationship a band could have with a label.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJim:  That’s good.  You don’t often hear that from musicians.  It’s refreshing.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePeter:\u003c/span\u003e Yeah, it's been great, and I could have never expected to have this experience.  They are great people!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJim: What are some of your influences?  What is in your CD player now?  What has helped influence the sound of The Antlers?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePeter:\u003c/span\u003e Well, we were into indie rock while we were recording \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003eHospice\u003c/span\u003e and we were listening to Sigor Ros, and stuff like that, but now we're on a big electronic kick.  We're a little tired of indie rock.  We went into another direction.  We're in a van now and Mouse On Mars is on the stereo and they're good.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJim: Are there any bands you toured with that you like?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePeter:\u003c/span\u003e We got lucky and we are having a great time working with other bands.  They are a pleasure to watch. \u003ca id\u003d\"aptureLink_q23iFCjhNx\" href\u003d\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v\u003dELqfKqbxmh8\"\u003eHolly Miranda\u003c/a\u003e for example, is so talented and wonderful and her record is about to come out and it will be a big deal.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJim: Is Holly a label mate?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePeter:\u003c/span\u003e No, she's on XL.  Check her out.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJim: I have some silly questions that my writers wanted me to ask.  If you were to attend a baseball game and buy a hot dog, which condiment would you prefer- mustard or ketchup and why?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePeter:\u003c/span\u003e Definitely ketchup. I hate mustard!  I have always hated mustard.  It’s weird.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJim: In Chicago (where I’m from) you would never catch anyone putting ketchup on a hot dog. That's blasphemy!\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePeter:\u003c/span\u003e It’s a NY thing too.  My mom was always on me for having hot dogs with ketchup.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJim: What was the last good movie you guys have seen?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePeter:\u003c/span\u003e I just saw “Synecdoche, New York.”  I thought it was incredible.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJim: What was that movie about?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePeter:\u003c/span\u003e It has Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Catherine Keener.  It was directed by Charlie Kaufman.  It’s hard to describe, and I'm still trying to get my head around it.  Basically, Phillip is a play director and he constructs a world within a world. He discovers he has a rare medical condition and he starts to lose touch with reality.  As the movie progresses you can’t tell what's real and what's in his head.  It is amazing.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJim: Is it more or less confusing than a David Lynch film?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePeter:\u003c/span\u003e It makes more sense than a David Lynch film.  It's not as absurd.  When I used to watch \"Twin Peaks\" there would be random things that didn’t make sense.  I ask myself, “Why is that there? There's no reason for that.” Sometimes, David Lynch's films are weird for the sake of weird.  In \"Synecdoche,\" there's a reason why things are happening; you just have to figure it out.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJim: I'll have to check it out.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePeter:\u003c/span\u003e Yeah, check it out.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJim: There is anything you would like to say to our readers or your fans?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePeter:\u003c/span\u003e I can’t think of anything off the top of my head.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJim: Thank you for the interview.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePeter:\u003c/span\u003e I hope we can see you the next time we are in LA.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJim: Of course! Like I said, \"We're on a mission.\"\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePeter:\u003c/span\u003e Thank you and take care.\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003e\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/674588145118141628-2867611325623587532?l\u003dcwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/feeds/2867611325623587532/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/2009/11/antlers-peter-silberman-interview.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/674588145118141628/posts/default/2867611325623587532"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/674588145118141628/posts/default/2867611325623587532"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/2009/11/antlers-peter-silberman-interview.html","title":"The Antlers - Peter Silberman Interview"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"CWG, Inc."},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/08167826987284190998"},"email":{"$t":"editor@cwgmagazine.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"12156025679189771024"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/SvoHqpcxPyI/AAAAAAAAEIs/NY3VsjmN8JI/s72-c/the-antlers1.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-674588145118141628.post-8690666742598896625"},"published":{"$t":"2009-11-10T02:37:00.000-08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-11-10T11:04:04.794-08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"chicks with guns"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"david salidor"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"reality check"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"David Salidor Gives Us The Scoop"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/SvlGVh6OV1I/AAAAAAAAEIA/vs7_Qcznl-Y/s1600-h/COOL+SHOT%21.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/SvlGVh6OV1I/AAAAAAAAEIA/vs7_Qcznl-Y/s400/COOL+SHOT%21.jpg\" alt\u003d\"\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402426563701397330\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(102, 102, 102);\"\u003eInterview By: Victoria Hill\u003c/span\u003e \u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(102, 102, 102);\"\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e(Urban/Pop Editor)\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe fun that was had interviewing \u003ca id\u003d\"aptureLink_F6V6lNfwia\" href\u003d\"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/2009/11/eric-martin-interview.html\"\u003eEric Martin\u003c/a\u003e and \u003ca id\u003d\"aptureLink_TQLXDcusxE\" href\u003d\"http://cwgfeatures.blogspot.com/2009/11/my-conversation-with-mark-bego.html\"\u003eMark Bego\u003c/a\u003e was so immense, we couldn't resist hitting up their publicist for a quick profile! Veteran publicist David Salidor is the press man for the stars, and has handled highly successful publicity campaigns for some of the biggest celebrities in the world. His resumé boasts campaigns for Madonna, \u003ca id\u003d\"aptureLink_bCx8NmolSi\" href\u003d\"http://cwgfeatures.blogspot.com/2009/11/my-conversation-with-mark-bego.html\"\u003eMark Bego\u003c/a\u003e, Phil Collins, Peter Gabriel, Rod Stewart, Al Green, and ZZ Top, just to name a few. David’s company, \u003ca id\u003d\"aptureLink_iBHLk4oiCv\" href\u003d\"http://www.harrisonjordan.com/salidor/Home.html\"\u003edis Company\u003c/a\u003e, was and is right on the cusp of today's best pop music, and has been able to change with the times - Think \u003ca id\u003d\"aptureLink_acFgMV9mgk\" href\u003d\"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/2009/06/celebrity-publicist-susan-blond-tells.html\"\u003eSusan Blond\u003c/a\u003e with less outsourcing, and you’ve got David Salidor, a publicist with the charisma and business sense that New York is famous for. We caught up with David for a quick Q\u0026amp;A.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eVictoria Hill:      CWG has written about some of the artists you represent (Mark Bego and \u003c/span\u003e\u003ca id\u003d\"aptureLink_OCKBkaxVmm\" href\u003d\"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/2009/11/eric-martin-interview.html\"\u003eEric Martin\u003c/a\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003e).  How did you become a publicist?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eDavid Salidor:\u003c/span\u003e I grew up in a music business household. My father worked for the legendary Decca Records, running their PR department; my mother owned a record store. Decca in the 50’s was one of the biggest labels around. Being a typical kid, I didn’t want to learn any of it and resisted the best I could, but when push came to shove, I kind of knew that end of the business intimately. I started off by doing concert reviews for Billboard, then some local papers in Long Island, NY, where I grew up. At one, Good Times, Kurt Loder was my editor, and David Fricke, my assistant editor. I also worked at the local progressive radio station, WLIR, and at a club called My Father’s Place … which was the premiere spot on the East Coast. I think once I realized what I wanted to do, I went out full tilt.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eVH: You have worked with Madonna, Run-DMC, Phil Collins, Deborah Gibson, and,The Moody Blues.  What stories can you share about working with such diverse artists? \u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eDS:\u003c/span\u003e Each artist, each campaign was an amazing journey. The Moody Blues were always a favorite band, so to have my first job at their label, London Records was totally awesome. Truth be told, they couldn’t have been nicer, so my role was really continuing what they had already built up. Now that I think about it, I never, ever had an awkward moment with them. Total professionals. In fact, when I saw Justin Hayward years later, at Q104.3 of all places, he couldn't have been any nicer. Great group, great guys!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/SvlGcfM05HI/AAAAAAAAEII/6caExaiZF10/s1600-h/BEGO+PARTYN+PIC.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/SvlGcfM05HI/AAAAAAAAEII/6caExaiZF10/s400/BEGO+PARTYN+PIC.jpg\" alt\u003d\"\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402426683233199218\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eMadonna was quite an adventure as well. I was actually first working with her producer/bf at the time, \u003ca id\u003d\"aptureLink_gmkugMVZAC\" href\u003d\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John%20%22Jellybean%22%20Benitez\"\u003eJohn ‘Jellybean’ Benitez\u003c/a\u003e. She always listened … always! So, I knew she was really taking to heart all the madness around her. I knew she was destined for success … no question in my mind of her abilities and talent. She was truly original, from start to finish. I’ll tell you a funny story: she’s apparently moved back to New York full time … and, bought herself a new apartment to boot. The new apartment is directly across the street from where I used to live! Maybe that’s a sign?\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eRun DMC were out-and-out brilliant. A little rough around the edges, but they were clearly on the precipice of something so brand new. It was such a rich, rewarding time. I was proud to be on board. A lot of that credit, for their success has got to go to Cory Robbins at Profile Records, who signed them. Cory’s always been one of the best out there … and, still is. Phil Collins and Genesis were great …. one of my favorite bands at the time. It was right after Peter Gabriel left, so it was something of a re-birth of the band. Tremendous talent there.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eDebbie/Deborah Gibson was the one magical campaign for me I think. I was there right from the start … in fact, a good six months before the first single ever came out in 1986. And, let me tell you, the talent was there … from top to bottom. From the 12-track recording studio at the house in Long Island, to a vivacious personality. She’s a doll… we still consult her to this day. I saw her last month at Sardi’s in New York. Tremendous, singular talent. Definitely the real deal! We also work with \u003ca id\u003d\"aptureLink_BQmWthb5d5\" href\u003d\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micky%20Dolenz\"\u003eMicky Dolenz\u003c/a\u003e from The Monkees and what a delight! Such a professional and such a talent. He’s been recording a tribute album to Carole King, and I predict that will be a major release in 2010.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003ePlus, Micky has a tremendous sense of humor … which always helps!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/SvlGl1VXB3I/AAAAAAAAEIQ/ONY8uDJLuNQ/s1600-h/BegoSalidor_DS_030907.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/SvlGl1VXB3I/AAAAAAAAEIQ/ONY8uDJLuNQ/s400/BegoSalidor_DS_030907.jpg\" alt\u003d\"\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402426843793393522\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eVH: You used to freelance for Billboard, Penthouse and Rock \u0026amp; Soul, just to name a few.  How did you get involved in writing and is that something you want to continue?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eDS:\u003c/span\u003e I know for a fact that my background in writing, editing, and the like, has prepared me very well for being a publicist. I know what the writers want, what they don’t like and, how best to serve it up. I generally know what they’re looking for, and if I can deliver that, most likely it will get used. A good writer, doesn’t like his time wasted … but who does?  So, if I can produce for them what they need … they will run with it. In these times of papers going under and staffs getting slashed, it is incumbent on me to work as efficiently as possible. The fact that I’m still here 26 years later, is proof. A client and I may not agree, but I can promise that client that I will deliver the most efficient pitch possible.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eVH: You were the founding member of the New Music Seminar.  What is the New Music Seminar?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eDS:\u003c/span\u003e It’s interesting that you’re asking me what it was. Years back, it was the #1 music industry business function in the country. The CMJ event kind of mirrors what we started. Tom Silverman, Danny Heaps, Mark Josephson, Joel Webber, and I began it because at the time we had trouble getting into THE industry event of the time, conducted by Billboard Magazine. We couldn’t secure the proper accreditation that we felt we deserved … and, started the NMS. And, then we became the beast.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI stepped away after the first 4 or 5, and it continued to 1995. I found that as it/we grew … it was becoming harder and harder to be fully objective … which is why we started it in the first place. Silverman started it up again this year and I attended the NY-event. It was terrific to see it happen all over again, but this one was held at NYU in New York, where as we’d take over a major NY-hotel last time. The downtime really hurt, but, I’d be proud to be involved in it again. It really was started with the best of intentions and we really created a lot of good will the first time around. We held the first one at SIR Studios in NYC in June of 2008.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eVH: What's your advice for people wanting to get into the entertainment business?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eDS:\u003c/span\u003e The entertainment business is alive and well … and, continuing to evolve. My advice is to do everything you can … read, listen, attend shows, and meet as many people as possible. The more input you can give yourself; it’s only going to help.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eVH: You have done so much in your career, is there anything else you would like to do?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eDS:\u003c/span\u003e It’s funny, I really think the one thing I’d like to do again is find the right artist; the right band … and, make it happen for them … all over again! Do I still have the thirst, the desire, to do it one more time? I sure do! I continue to be amazed by the quality of artists and the music out there. I’m still seeing as many shows as possible and even some of the so-called legacy artists. I started in this because of the music, and, I remain because of the music.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eVH: Your company (dis Company) is about 25 years old, how did you start your own company?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eDS:\u003c/span\u003e I was actually between jobs, and figured if I was going to invest so much energy in this, I’d do it for myself. When you work for someone else …. When something great happens, they get the credit. If something bad happens, you get the blame. Its one of those live-by-the-sword; die-by-the-sword propositions. I want to control my own destiny. Some people can, some can’t. It’s the only way I can work.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eVH: You work with a lot of artists that span across all music genres.  What is your favorite music genre?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eDS:\u003c/span\u003e My tastes do go all over the board. I can put on Chick Corea in the morning and vintage Hall And Oates in the afternoon and Dave Mason at night. I like it all … always have.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eVH: There's an old saying that any press is good press.  Do you agree? \u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/SvlGw8qpIMI/AAAAAAAAEIY/GL1rCSEqBGQ/s1600-h/Salidor,Dolenz,RObandFurnaro.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/SvlGw8qpIMI/AAAAAAAAEIY/GL1rCSEqBGQ/s400/Salidor,Dolenz,RObandFurnaro.jpg\" alt\u003d\"\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402427034740269250\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eDS:\u003c/span\u003e I used to back that adage 100%, although withal the Internet options available like never before, I think ‘good’ press has got to be ‘good’ press.  My father used to say “as long as they spell your name right.” I still agree with that, but with all the crazy situations out there, I think you do have to keep an eye on it. I’m open to anything … but, anything positive and with a little class attached to it.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eVH: What's been the highlight of your career so far? \u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eDS:\u003c/span\u003e When a campaign works, that’s lovely. But, in all honesty, they’ve all been my favorites. One of the perks of having your own shop is that you pick and choose.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI wouldn’t have chosen any of them if I didn’t serious believe we could hit a home run. I’m not in the business of failing, and can honestly say I’ve done my best job possible on each of them. You do what you think, what your experience tells you is the tried and tested way.\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003e\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/674588145118141628-8690666742598896625?l\u003dcwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/feeds/8690666742598896625/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/2009/11/david-salidor-gives-us-scoop.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/674588145118141628/posts/default/8690666742598896625"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/674588145118141628/posts/default/8690666742598896625"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/2009/11/david-salidor-gives-us-scoop.html","title":"David Salidor Gives Us The Scoop"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"CWG, Inc."},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/08167826987284190998"},"email":{"$t":"editor@cwgmagazine.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"12156025679189771024"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/SvlGVh6OV1I/AAAAAAAAEIA/vs7_Qcznl-Y/s72-c/COOL+SHOT%21.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-674588145118141628.post-7926544175186097703"},"published":{"$t":"2009-11-07T23:18:00.000-08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-11-07T23:53:29.930-08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"chicks with guns"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"reality check"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"eric martin"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"The Eric Martin Interview"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/SvZ4pwBYPRI/AAAAAAAAEDg/9FrGlQbi_Ms/s1600-h/Eric-Martin.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 269px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/SvZ4pwBYPRI/AAAAAAAAEDg/9FrGlQbi_Ms/s400/Eric-Martin.jpg\" alt\u003d\"\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401637461738142994\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(102, 102, 102);\"\u003eInterview By: Jim Markunas\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(102, 102, 102);\"\u003e(Editor-In-Chief)\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAmerica loves a good come-back. You may know Eric from his 80s metal band, Mr. Big; their hit song \"To Be With You\" is as standard in elevators as Nirvana's \"Smells Like Teen Spirit.\" But... Don't call Eric Martin a \"come-back kid!\" He's been pulling a Robbie Williams for the last decade, touring incessantly and becoming a huge sensation in the international market while flying under the radar in the U.S. Yes... Eric Martin may have only a handful of hits in the United States (it's been 10 years since Mr. Big or Eric have done a U.S. tour), but in Japan, Eric is a king among men. We caught up with Eric via phone to discuss his new album \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003eTimeless\u003c/span\u003e, a collection of cover-songs originally sung by female singers, now tastefully and unpretentiously performed by Eric and a band of famous Japanese studio musicians.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJim: You’re a male rocker doing an acoustic album of all female songs.  Tell us about that.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eEric:\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e The band I was in (Mr. Big) just reunited.  We did a tour in Japan, Europe, and South East Asia.  I got back to the US a week ago.  I was approached by the Japanese to do this project and in between touring, I recorded \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003eTimeless\u003c/span\u003e.  In Japan, I am known as Mr. Vocalist.  When Mr. Big broke up in 2002, I fell down the ladder, but I was on the ladder.  My career was more overseas, I was doing solo work and was touring.  I didn't do much in the US; I would play some solo shows and charity shows, but for the most part, I was kinda like an ex-patriot. My mom used to say, they only play that one song (\"To Be With You\"), but in England for example, I am played and written about all the time.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003eTimeless\u003c/span\u003e was a challenge, but I thought, \"I do different things- I am a crooner, a rocker.\"  That’s the way I roll.  My mom has passed, which bums me out, but she would have enjoyed it.  I'm still doing the Mr. Big thing, but right now, I'm in my crooner shoes.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSome of these songs, I grew up with, like “Superstar” by The Carpenters.  Karen Carpenter had a lot of soul, not sure about Richard though.  I had the album as a kid and really dug it.  “You Got A Friend” by Carol King, was another.  “No One” by Alicia Keys is also pretty catchy.  As a man, it’s cool to take on a female song and give it a 'man’s point of view.'  I'm not trying to take away from the original songs, just putting my own spin on them.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJim: It’s an original concept.  I was listening to the album with a girlfriend and she remarked how all the songs were done by females.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eEric:\u003c/span\u003e It is, but others have done similar concepts.  Rod Stewart and Michael Buble, for example, have done Motown, which I have thought about doing.  Luther Vandross did a cover of “Superstar” years ago, but I'm not comparing my version to his.  There's a shock value, where someone will stay, “Is that the same guy who sang metal? Now he's in an Armani suit?\" There's still some edge, and I'm digging it.  They're all good songs! I altered some of the arrangements so they would fit my style, but they still have the same spirit - just a different attitude.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJim: What I liked was the fact that the album was not over-produced unlike some the original songs. It had a more honest, stripped-down feel.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eEric:\u003c/span\u003e The band on the album was Japanese; they are all rockers, the same as me.  I didn’t want to copy anyone or do a 'Karaoke album.'  When \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003eTimeless\u003c/span\u003e first came to me, it did sound like Karaoke, so I changed the arrangements to sound more like me.  The album worked in Japan... America may be another story.  I'm taking my chances!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJim: Will there be a U.S. tour?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eEric:\u003c/span\u003e I don’t have any plans, but maybe there will be TV appearances and press.  I didn’t see myself doing this, but it’s good.  It’s interesting being a crooner.  My dad would listen to this kind of music.  My dad played drums in The Four Aces, with Doris Day and he had a great career.  He played with everybody and that’s what he did, and now I'm the one on tour.  I just got home after 5 months on the road and my kids give me the same look that I gave my Dad and it’s weird!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWhen Mr. Big broke up in 2002, and I would tour as a solo artist, I would play with bands in Europe who didn't speak English.  My wife and I had kids and I've been just going ever since.  I have been in Japan off and on for two years.  I would be doing 90 TV appearances a day!  That’s worse than touring.  It’s different.  On tour, you get to the venue, change clothes and hit the stage.  Now, I'm wearing suits, wearing makeup…it’s crazy.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJim: When you go to Japan and other countries, is it like a vacation?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eEric:\u003c/span\u003e Not really, it’s work.  I might get a day or two to do tourist things, but being on the road is work.  You see the cornfields of Kansas and Rome.  But... Doing the press and tour for \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003eTimeless\u003c/span\u003e is rewarding and a new chapter.  I'm 45-and-change (48 years old) and I'm having a great time.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJim: We like re-birth in America.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eEric:\u003c/span\u003e It sells.  I'm in a good period in my life.  Mr. Big is back together and I'm struggling, but I'm lucky… I've had big hits worldwide and they've stood the test of time.  I still hear “To Be With You” everywhere.  I love being where I'm at… there are no more monkeys on my back.  America loves retro and a comeback.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJim: Like Britney Spears, America loved watching her grow, fall apart and come back.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eEric:\u003c/span\u003e True.  I've noticed that in Japan, people don’t care about that.  I didn’t think I was making a comeback, but I guess I am. I was not aware of that.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJim: I guess I'm the first to tell you.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eEric:\u003c/span\u003e Thanks...\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJim: What else are you up to?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eEric:\u003c/span\u003e I'm leaving Sunday to go to Japan.  I just did a Christmas album.  Christmas in Japan, is different than in America.  There are Christmas trees and decorations, but the pomp and Jesus parts are taken out.  Christmas is more for lovers, not for families.  I sang four or five Japanese songs- ones for lovers.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJim: Christmas is more like Valentine’s Day in Japan?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eEric:\u003c/span\u003e Yes, but with a Christmas wreath!  Every place is different.  I also sang \"White Christmas\" for the album.  There are also about two Christmas songs on the \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003eTimeless\u003c/span\u003e album.  \"White Christmas\" is a classic.  I also did \"Happy Christmas (War Is Over)\" with Japanese artist \u003ca id\u003d\"aptureLink_NasFlKquVk\" href\u003d\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miho\"\u003eMiho\u003c/a\u003e.  She is considered like Christina Aguilera or Beyonce.  My kids, have had the chance to come to Japan to see Mr. Big play, but they fell asleep two songs in.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJim: How old are your kids?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eEric:\u003c/span\u003e The twins are five.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJim: They're still at the cute stage, but they'll be teenagers soon, and think their parents are lame!\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eEric:\u003c/span\u003e Yeah, people tell me that.  I was out with my kids, and I was holding their hands. They saw their friends and didn't want to be seen holding hands with their Dad.  I thought, \"This is odd, this should happen later in life!\"  My friend, Jack Blades from Night Ranger, would say that when his kids where teenagers they didn't want to listen to the songs or go up on stage.  “Do we have to listen to 'Sister Christian' again?”  Don’t get me wrong, they love their dad, but when you're a teenager, you're into different things.  My kids love music, they want to be in the business…one wants to sing and one wants to be a manager.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJim: How do you feel about the future of the music industry and that records aren't selling?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eEric:\u003c/span\u003e You care what I think?  I don’t know! Albums aren't selling, but I'm lucky that I'm touring, selling albums and I can pay the bills.  The industry has changed so many times.  We've gone from vinyl to CD’s to I don't know what.  Technology keeps moving forward.  You still can be paid in the music business…doing TV, movies, etc.  I go to record stores and there's so many bands, that all the albums are are on the floor and not on the shelves.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI can play clubs and arenas.  Can I still sell albums? I don't know. It’s frustrating, but I'm lucky to have what I have.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJim: Why did you go with a major label instead of going with an indie?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eEric:\u003c/span\u003e That was a fluke.  I haven't had a major label since Atlantic.  They (Sony) are offering me work.  Wouldn’t you?\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJim: Yes!\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eEric:\u003c/span\u003e I have worked with indie labels.  In the industry, people want another “To Be With You” and say that the new songs don’t sound like “Be With You,” but you can’t make every song sound like that.  Sony International brought me in on their domestic label, domestic being Japan. I'm their only American act, so it’s interesting.  I've done so much and it’s selling.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI was in rock magazines and now I'm in fashion magazines.  It is awesome, but it’s a transition.  I love being in the studio and being creative.  The grooming and window-dressing is odd, but I think I can wear my own clothes as a rocker, but as a crooner... it’s different.  I'm not used it, but I do love it.   Take a second listen to \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003eTimeless\u003c/span\u003e. I hope you'll still like it!\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003e\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/674588145118141628-7926544175186097703?l\u003dcwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/feeds/7926544175186097703/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/2009/11/eric-martin-interview.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/674588145118141628/posts/default/7926544175186097703"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/674588145118141628/posts/default/7926544175186097703"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/2009/11/eric-martin-interview.html","title":"The Eric Martin Interview"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"CWG, Inc."},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/08167826987284190998"},"email":{"$t":"editor@cwgmagazine.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"12156025679189771024"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/SvZ4pwBYPRI/AAAAAAAAEDg/9FrGlQbi_Ms/s72-c/Eric-Martin.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-674588145118141628.post-7051672420612130252"},"published":{"$t":"2009-11-04T01:12:00.001-08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-11-04T01:31:52.576-08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"chicks with guns"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"wayne wilkins"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"reality check"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"The Wayne Wilkins Interview"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ca style\u003d\"padding: 0px 6px; float: left;\" id\u003d\"aptureLink_N2ol07bRN3\" href\u003d\"http://apture.s3.amazonaws.com/00000124be840ddf48b4f311007f000000000001.Wayne3.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg title\u003d\"Wayne3\" src\u003d\"http://apture.s3.amazonaws.com/00000124be840ddf48b4f311007f000000000001.Wayne3.JPG\" style\u003d\"border: 0px none ;\" height\u003d\"266\" width\u003d\"400\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(102, 102, 102);\"\u003eWritten By: Darwin Green\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(102, 102, 102);\"\u003e(Senior Editor)\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(102, 102, 102);\"\u003ePhoto By: Tyler Clinton\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThough born and raised in England, the work of Wayne Wilkins hits close to home for the average American pop listener.  The songs he has co-written and produced have played millions of times on the radio, both here and abroad, and on personal stereos worldwide.  He is an international talent, and his producing credits include the likes of Beyonce, Natasha Bedingfield, and Kylie Minogue, just to name a few.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSomething like this might go to someone’s head very quickly, but talking with Wilkins, one hears a genuine, down-to-earth guy who likes to have a good conversation and tell stories, not the typical insulated fame-entrenched celebrity one typically imagines behind the success stories of multiple musical hits (for example, one hears of Phil Spector).  One gets the sensation by talking with him that he knows himself too well to become self-centered, and furthermore chooses to acknowledge the fact of his talent over any ego-gratifying pretense.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIn other words, he’s an easy guy to talk to, and has a lot to talk about.  His story demonstrates that a love for one’s passion provides the map for anyone looking to travel further along their dreams.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eDG: It says in your biography that you chose music over sports.  What was the appeal in music that made you decide?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eWW:\u003c/span\u003e \u003c/span\u003e I think what it was, when I was younger, is that I knew that I had a much more natural ability for music.  I knew I could work professionally in music.  Even if I loved sports I knew I wasn’t good enough to do that for my career.  I think in the end I knew I had a talent for doing songwriting and composing music, so…I think that was the deciding factor.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eDG: It seems that you have a talent for the piano.  If you hadn’t pursued a career in recording would you have gone on to pursue life as a concert pianist?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eWW:\u003c/span\u003e  I think I might have gone on to a career maybe playing as a pianist in a jazz band or playing in some kind of arrangement where I’m interacting with other members of a band, but I think as a classical pianist, I got to a level where I was really good at playing classical music but I was never going to be as good as others who had been in the Royal College of Music or trained formally from an early age.  I thought, \"I’m going to be 18 and there’s going to be a 12-year-old down the corridor playing Rachmaninov.\"\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI think I knew at that point that I wasn’t going to be at the level that other people were as a classical pianist, but at the same time I had a real talent for writing music.  I would sit down at the piano and just play, and just start coming up with stuff.  So at that point I knew I was going to go into a career in music producing and songwriting rather than just playing.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eDG: How has your involvement on both the production and performance side of music influenced the way you’ve handled artists in recording sessions?  Can you relate to them better than if you had only taught yourself producing?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eWW:\u003c/span\u003e  First of all, I’ll talk about my background.  My background in music was first and foremost classical, and I went on to learn jazz.  I think what happened as I got older and I started to listen more and more to what was on the radio, what happened is that I started incorporating a lot of that into what I was doing.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAnd I started working with lots of different people.  By the time I was in my early twenties I’d be working with more people who sang formally in a classical style and then I’d be working with people who had more pop and rock style.  To me, it was being in that environment where I could fuse all those different styles.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI find myself being able to relate to a lot of singers and a lot of different musicians because of having that experience and not just doing one thing.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe other thing that I was very lucky to do was to work in a studio called Olympic Studios in London, where I kind of started off my professional career learning about how instruments and strings and drums are recorded, so I was in an environment where I was learning a lot of different styles of music with lots of different types of instruments and singers and musicians and all that so I think I can relate to a lot of different musicians because of all that.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eDG: Let’s talk about pop stars.  Tell me about the first time being in front of a camera while producing, and why was there an appeal for you?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eWW:\u003c/span\u003e  I’ve got to be honest about this.  It’s a really daunting thing, because the most important thing on an artists’ time is trying to capture the most magical performance you can from them, and that’s hard to do in that situation because having cameras there intensifies everything.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIf you’re trying to get a vocal out of a singer, which we were at the time, you tend to find that the people singing when the cameras were on behaved in one way and acted a certain way.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSometimes it really helped, but then some of them were a little bit more worried about how they looked in front of a camera.   So what we had to do in that situation, obviously, the camera crew had a job to do and I had a job to do, is let them record what they needed footage-wise and I recorded as soon as the cameras were off.  We managed to find a compromise there.  That was my first experience with it, and it was actually quite fun.  But at the same point, everybody had their job to do, so we had to find the balance there.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eDG: Do you foresee any major changes occurring within the music industry as a whole, and how are you preparing for it now, stylistically, technologically, or otherwise?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eWW:\u003c/span\u003e   What I see mainly is how business is shaping music.  Obviously music stars are going to involve themselves in musical styles that are getting more popular.  For example, at one time pop music will be popular and then rock music will start taking over, especially in England where you have so many different styles going on.  The change is much more rapid there than over in America.  I think that’s always going to go on, irrespective of the business of music.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIn terms of the business of music now, obviously people are downloading a lot less albums and having singles, and becoming a producer of singles is becoming much more important.  It’s not necessarily the greatest thing because it becomes more about having a radio hit than developing an artist from the ground up.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eReading lots of magazines and reading about how people access music now, people and kids are downloading music for free.  Talking to a lot of kids, you get the impression that they feel they should be allowed to have a lot of music for free, and they love it; they just want to go on their computers and download it.  Part of the challenge of that will be how to monetize that and make use of the fact that they’re downloading it.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSometimes it’s not downloaded legally, but you can’t really pretend.  I don’t think you can hold that stuff back.  I think music is one of those things you’ve just got to let go free and people will have to be able to download it, but at the same point, it’s learning different strategies to make a business out of it.  For me, I’m just reading about what people are doing and what record companies are doing and models they’re actually using.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI’d like to be able to work with an artist, rather than have labels approach me for singles, in order for them to have a complete body of work.  Literally, you’ll have a complete album available for download and people will go on and just pick their favorites.  It’s a bit of a shame that albums don’t have the same treatment that they did back in the day.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eDG: Thank you for your time.  It was certainly an honor to speak with you.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eLinks to some of Wayne Wilkins’ songs:\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eNatasha Bedingfield – \u003ca id\u003d\"aptureLink_BB9Q9fEu0a\" href\u003d\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v\u003dQVl0Xs23Fto\"\u003eSingle\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eNatasha Bedingfield – \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v\u003dwsBYhM3ECAM\"\u003eThese Words\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eCheryl Cole – \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v\u003dXMiy_UsrPDs\"\u003eFight for This Love\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eBeyonce – \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v\u003dm5kAdRoVYAc\"\u003eSweet Dreams\u003c/a\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003e\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/674588145118141628-7051672420612130252?l\u003dcwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/feeds/7051672420612130252/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/2009/11/wayne-wilkins-interview.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/674588145118141628/posts/default/7051672420612130252"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/674588145118141628/posts/default/7051672420612130252"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/2009/11/wayne-wilkins-interview.html","title":"The Wayne Wilkins Interview"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"CWG, Inc."},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/08167826987284190998"},"email":{"$t":"editor@cwgmagazine.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"12156025679189771024"}}],"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-674588145118141628.post-8346929904078066271"},"published":{"$t":"2009-11-02T16:13:00.000-08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-11-02T16:21:21.405-08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"chicks with guns"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"reality check"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"hot chelle rae"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Hot Chelle Rae - Nash Gives Up The Goods"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/Su93arZvMwI/AAAAAAAAD8s/ZBnrlXG579A/s1600-h/hcr.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 252px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/Su93arZvMwI/AAAAAAAAD8s/ZBnrlXG579A/s400/hcr.jpg\" alt\u003d\"\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399665778451493634\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(102, 102, 102);\"\u003eInterview By: Pablo Cortez\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003e PC: Can you tell us a little bit about your experience recording your debut album, \"Lovesick Electric?\" What was it like? What did you learn? Was it as expected?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eNash:\u003c/span\u003e Well, we are very fortunate to have been able to work with what I would call our dream team of talent for this record.  Between Hollywood and Malibu, where we got to work with Eric Valentine and Butch Walker, to finishing the record with Matt Radosevich in Nashville...  It has turned out to be everything we wanted and more.  With Valentine we really had to step our game up as far as getting as close to perfect as possible.  Every moment had it's decided role, and it makes an incredible picture.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eBeing in the studio standing next to Butch Walker was kind of surreal to us, since watching and learning from him since R.K. and I started writing together.  He's a vocal arrangement genius, which hits home with us(we share a mutual obsession with Queen).  As a last minute surprise Mark Endert agreed to mix most of the album.  He's the only person we desired to work with, that hadn't been in the equation.  He brought this whole together.  All in all, \"Lovesick Electric\" is everything, and way more than we dreamed of.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePC: How did you settle on the album title, \"Lovesick Electric?\" What significance does it hold?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eNash: \u003c/span\u003eIt's a lyric in the bridge of \"I Like to Dance,\" but before that, we had written a song called \"Lovesick Electric.\"  It was a phrase we made up at random, and kind of gave our own meaning to.  To us, it defines being addicted to music, or being a slave to the groove.  I remember one day R.K. called me and said \"I know the title of our first album.\"  I knew it before he said it.  It's been one of the few unwavering decisions since it's inception.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePC: The track “I Like to Dance” has gotten some exposure on shows like \"So You Think You Can Dance\" \u0026amp; \"Dancing With The Stars.\" Are you guys fans of the shows? What is your reaction to hearing your song played on national primetime television?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eNash: \u003c/span\u003eThose are both very addicting shows!  No matter how many times we hear our music played during a TV show, it always makes us a bit giddy.  Especially if we don't know it's going to happen.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePC: How and why did you guys decide to sign with Jive Records? What has that relationship been like?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eNash: \u003c/span\u003eJive was really one of the only labels to get our goal/vision/dream.  Every other label we had gone to, indie or major, had been sort of clueless as to what they planned to do.  Not only with us, with the way that the industry is constantly changing.  Jive seemed to really have it together, from their track record, to their support for us. They're in this for more than a brief flash.  We plan on making the long haul.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePC: I know you’ve just started the ‘music business’ side of things but is there any advice you may have for current up and coming bands looking to get signed?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eNash: \u003c/span\u003eIt's all about material.  We've seen some of the best musicians be turned down because they don't have something \"special.\"  We've also seen people get signed who could barely play their instruments, all because of having great songs.  Write, write, write(and yes, get really good at your instrument).  If you have great songs, people will come to you.  After that's set in motion, you need a live show that makes people want more.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePC: What’s the best part about touring?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eNash: \u003c/span\u003eWell, on this current Third Eye Blind tour, I have to say that everyone getting together for a bus party after a show is a pretty good way to end each night.  But NOTHING makes an impact on us like meeting and hanging out with new(and longtime) fans.  Anytime someone comes up to us and says we're their new favorite band, or that a song spoke to them, it makes our night.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePC: Any favorite gigs, venues that you’ve played?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eNash: \u003c/span\u003eThe \u003ca id\u003d\"aptureLink_OQeSPB0fVg\" href\u003d\"http://maps.google.com/maps?om\u003d0\u0026amp;iwloc\u003daddr\u0026amp;f\u003dq\u0026amp;ll\u003d43.0988889%2C-75.2361111\u0026amp;hl\u003den\u0026amp;z\u003d16\u0026amp;ie\u003dUTF8\"\u003eStanley Theatre\u003c/a\u003e was one of the most incredible buildings we've played.  The fans were great, and everything was painted with gold leaf trim.  Pretty cool to see.  Also, on the other end of the spectrum is the \u003ca id\u003d\"aptureLink_lakFof8IVi\" href\u003d\"http://www.houseofblues.com/venues/clubvenues/cleveland/\"\u003eHouse of Blues in Cleveland OH\u003c/a\u003e.  Rock and Roll to the max.  Dirty sweaty and loud, and we loved it.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePC: What's one style or piece of music you just hate? And I mean loath, like you want to see it banished from all formats and all airwaves?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eNash: \u003c/span\u003eThere may be a song or two by this artist that is acceptable.  Ugh, I HATE this question so much, but since you asked... Flo Rida.  Unless it's featuring T-Pain(one of our favorites) or someone great.... the radio is getting turned off.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePC: Can’t wait to see how you’re music video comes out, what was that like? I hear you shot at Crazy Gideon’s in Los Angeles, did you get to meet him?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eNash: \u003c/span\u003eWe did!  He even did a cameo in our video(a scene with Stephanie Pratt).  It was the coolest experience.  We arrived at 3pm, and left at 6am.  We were tired for a few days after, but it came out better than we imagined.  It's wild, and crazy, and fun, and a bit rebellious;).  Hope everyone gets to see it SOON.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePC: I know you’ve got a lot of touring coming up, what’s the game plan for you guys, post tour?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eNash: \u003c/span\u003eWe'll go home, relax, write more songs, and figure out where to play next.  Sadly I'm sure there will be a couple of overdue bills too... may have to ignore those. haha\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003e\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/674588145118141628-8346929904078066271?l\u003dcwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/feeds/8346929904078066271/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/2009/11/hot-chelle-rae-nash-gives-up-goods.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/674588145118141628/posts/default/8346929904078066271"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/674588145118141628/posts/default/8346929904078066271"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/2009/11/hot-chelle-rae-nash-gives-up-goods.html","title":"Hot Chelle Rae - Nash Gives Up The Goods"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"CWG, Inc."},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/08167826987284190998"},"email":{"$t":"editor@cwgmagazine.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"12156025679189771024"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/Su93arZvMwI/AAAAAAAAD8s/ZBnrlXG579A/s72-c/hcr.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-674588145118141628.post-611415499847218704"},"published":{"$t":"2009-10-29T16:04:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-10-29T16:14:58.361-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"chicks with guns"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"reality check"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"andrew hoover"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Andrew Hoover Tells All"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/SuogVvhOnsI/AAAAAAAAD50/VSOXRbD-_wA/s1600-h/AndrewHoovernew.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 265px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/SuogVvhOnsI/AAAAAAAAD50/VSOXRbD-_wA/s400/AndrewHoovernew.jpg\" alt\u003d\"\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398162661262139074\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(102, 102, 102);\"\u003eInterview By: Quinn Allan\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eQA: Before you were a musician you had a different career in mind, that of a\u003c/span\u003e \u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003echef. Did your dabbling in the culinary arts provide you with any unique \u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eexperiences that have come in handy in your life as a professional musician?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eAH:\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e There is a lot of hustle and bustle in the professional kitchen. You might have 5 saute pans on the range, a few pans finishing in the oven, the cabernet demi glace is warming on the side for the filet and more tickets are printing out--Mean while you're trying to plate table 8's Rosemary rack of lamb with it's fig chutney  and white bean- truffle puree.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThis scenario reminds me of the hustle and bustle on the road as well. Getting up early for an interview only to drive 7 hours to the next venue, winding in and out of traffic because you're cutting it close to doors opening at the venue, soundchecking, performing, packing up, sleeping and doing it all over again the next morning.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eQA: Your blog, featured at\u003c/span\u003e \u003ca id\u003d\"aptureLink_MUwAp915jp\" href\u003d\"http://www.andrewhoover.com/\"\u003ewww.andrewhoover.com\u003c/a\u003e\u003chttp: com\u003d\"\"\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003e, is ripe with your affections for a certain\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003efermented fruit. What sparked your interest in wine? Is it by mere coincidence that your choice of drink is equal in sophistication to the style of music you play?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eAH:\u003c/span\u003e My professional kitchen days allowed me to sample fine culinary dishes and at one point I remember being 14 years old chatting with the other chefs before service started and the restaurant's Sommelier gave me a sample of a $250 Barbolo as an educational experience to sophisticate and expand my palate. I love art and the art of wine is just another delicious dimension of the vast world of art.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eQA: When a young man tells his parents he¹s quitting college in search of music fame, the response is very rarely \"You have my blessings.\" You either have some pretty neat parents or your persuasive powers are uncanny! Was it really that easy?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eAH:\u003c/span\u003e At first they had a little difficulty swallowing the \"drop-out\" talk. They then allowed me to take one year off of school as a trial period to see the kind of progress I was making. It happened that in that one year off of school I was picked up by Rock Ridge Music and started recording \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/http:\u003e\u003ca id\u003d\"aptureLink_kejraByP5e\" href\u003d\"http://cwgalbumreviews.blogspot.com/2009/08/andrew-hoover-chences-stances-and.html\"\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003eChances, Stances \u0026amp; Romances\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003chttp: com\u003d\"\"\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e. It was this progress that opened their eyes that I might be able to make a living for myself with this job. Of course they would still like to see their son graduate from a university and that certainly is not a closed door.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eQA: You credit learning your technique from YouTube videos and concert DVDs, \u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ewere these your instructors or were you professionally trained as well?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eAH:\u003c/span\u003e Youtube videos, concert DVDs, as well as some of my very talented friends who have given me tips and advice along the way.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eQA: Making the transition from struggling artist to touring musician can \u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eyield some unexpected turns. Are you adjusting well to your new life, or is \u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eit a bumpy road?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eAH:\u003c/span\u003e I am very much a home body. I am a big family man so being away from home a lot can be tough. I have had days where a 10 hour drive turns into a 13-hour-drive due to traffic and I get to the venue 35 minutes before I have to hit stage. All the while I went to bed at 4 AM the night before and had to get up at 6:30 to make that trek. Somedays are bumpier than others, but I\u003cbr /\u003etake no prisoners.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eQA: All musicians have a MySpace, few expect it to directly lead them to the \u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003esuccess they crave. Were you surprised when you first found out you were \u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ebeing checked out by a label?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eAH:\u003c/span\u003e yes! I got in the habit of sending \"Friend requests\" to the myspace fans of my musical heroes. It just so happened that one of the fans I friend requested worked at a record label. It was completely unexpected and frankly very lucky.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eQA: Ray LaMontagne comes up a lot on your lists of heroes and influences. Do you think you'll open for him one day? Or will he be opening for you soon?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eAH:\u003c/span\u003e Ray LaMontagne is one of a kind. His live performances are so raw, so emotional, passionate and dynamic. It's incredible how he can go from a sultry whisper to filling the room with his gruff, seething, lion-like roar. I very much hope one day I can open for that man.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eQA: Now at the start of your career, what is the high mark you want to reach by the end of it?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eAH:\u003c/span\u003e I would love to be able to headline and fill up rooms like the Beacon Theatre (NYC), Amos Southend (Charlotte), Paradise Rock Club (Boston), tour in my own tour bus and have the opportunity to collaborate with some of my musical heroes.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eQA: Tell me about the album. How was recording in the studio? Did your songs evolve over the recording process?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eAH:\u003c/span\u003e I have never recorded or played with a band before. The songs I have written were written very much for just my guitar and my voice. With the help of my band mates Johnny Pisano (bass) and  Rich Smalley (drums) as well as my producer Jason Spiewak we were able to transform and formulate these acoustic tunes into a fun, full band, dance vibe CD.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eQA: Despite technology making it easier for listeners to absorb new music from home, artists seem to agree that touring is still the best way to connect with fans. How has hitting the road helped you connect with your audience?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eAH:\u003c/span\u003e There is an energy and passion in my live performance that simply cannot be captured on tape. It is a huge element to my music that needs to be absorbed in order to experience my music as a whole. Playing live allows the audience to see, feel, smell and taste this passion.\u003c/http:\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003e\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/674588145118141628-611415499847218704?l\u003dcwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/feeds/611415499847218704/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/2009/10/andrew-hoover-tells-all.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/674588145118141628/posts/default/611415499847218704"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/674588145118141628/posts/default/611415499847218704"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/2009/10/andrew-hoover-tells-all.html","title":"Andrew Hoover Tells All"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"CWG, Inc."},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/08167826987284190998"},"email":{"$t":"editor@cwgmagazine.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"12156025679189771024"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/SuogVvhOnsI/AAAAAAAAD50/VSOXRbD-_wA/s72-c/AndrewHoovernew.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-674588145118141628.post-4472500878232866701"},"published":{"$t":"2009-10-26T01:52:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-10-26T02:24:20.134-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"chicks with guns"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"reality check"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"cleopatra of the nile"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Cleopatra Of The Nile"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ca style\u003d\"padding: 0px 6px; float: left;\" id\u003d\"aptureLink_NDrkcKfODn\" href\u003d\"http://apture.s3.amazonaws.com/0000012490244d78b1cb9a73007f000000000001.AAA%20CLEO%202.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg title\u003d\"AAA CLEO 2\" src\u003d\"http://apture.s3.amazonaws.com/0000012490244d78b1cb9a73007f000000000001.AAA%20CLEO%202.jpg\" style\u003d\"border: 0px none ;\" height\u003d\"271\" width\u003d\"400\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(102, 102, 102);\"\u003eWritten By: Darwin Green\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(102, 102, 102);\"\u003e(Senior Editor)\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eCleopatra of the Nile is a smoky, brunette Egyptian woman who was raised in Australia and works as an actress, a host, a wrestler, and now a jeweler.  The pressure of achieving success in any one of those things would daunt even the hardest working Hollywood socialite, but this goddess from the outback takes it all in stride.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eHer main website, \u003ca id\u003d\"aptureLink_1zERm4uYTe\" href\u003d\"http://www.cleosoasis.com/\"\u003ewww.cleosoasis.com\u003c/a\u003e, features her exotic, bare-breasted body on the home page, and one finds that it’s no surprise to learn that she won “Miss Nude Black International 2004.”  But as one looks closer (and maybe more at the words) one discovers that her resume includes roles in major feature films, television spots, modeling awards in major magazines, and now her own string of businesses and websites.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eShe is a genius in self-marketing.  The title of one Youtube video linked from her website is “\u003ca id\u003d\"aptureLink_pFdNgDfo0w\" href\u003d\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v\u003dSmu4tfzZsVY\"\u003ePunk Marketing\u003c/a\u003e.”  The video has her sitting cross-legged on a wool rug in front of a fireplace in a shirt and tie, wearing glasses and reading a book.  She takes her glasses off and says, “It’s difficult to exaggerate how much has changed in terms of consumers’ relationships with brands in the last few years.”  She puts the book down, folds up her glasses, puts those down, and while continuing to talk about  “market shares,” starts taking off her tie and unbuttons her shirt.  By the time she’s talking about media that “interrupts rather than connects with consumers,” the shirt is completely off and she’s sitting in nothing but a two-piece bathing suit, and there’s still a minute left in the video.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSuch a sultry campaign as this only clarifies the brilliance that manifests itself in such a woman as Cleopatra.  She will use any of the tools that nature granted her.  But as this interview shows, she has other reasons to be thankful, and to capitalize on every opportunity given her.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eDG:  You are a model, an actress, a host, a wrestler…what else do you do?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eCleopatra:\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e  I think you covered all the bases.  I’m also a jeweler.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eDG:  How are you able to accomplish all these things in one lifetime?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eCleopatra:\u003c/span\u003e  I sometimes have five projects going on all at once.  I’m an overachiever.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eDG:  What motivates you?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eCleopatra:\u003c/span\u003e  That’s a great question, and one that is very personal to my life.  I do it all for charity.  Do you know what cystic fibrosis is?\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eDG:  Actually, my uncle died of cystic fibrosis when he was 16.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eCleopatra:\u003c/span\u003e  Well, it usually kills people at a young age like that.  I have cystic fibrosis and I’ve survived to 38.  Having it really pushed me to do as much as possible with my life because there’s no time to be wasted.  What motivates me is that I’m awake every day, and that makes me decide what I’m going to do with each day.  I choose to do much more than other people because I’m aware of the limited amount of time I might have at any moment, and I overachieve because I don’t want to lose any opportunities.  People might say that anyone could get hit with a bus at any moment, but the way it is for me I don’t want to waste any of it.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca style\u003d\"padding: 0px 6px; float: right;\" id\u003d\"aptureLink_i70G7Cwx2y\" href\u003d\"http://apture.s3.amazonaws.com/0000012490261c0339eba47d007f000000000001.AAA%20BELLYDANCE%203.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg title\u003d\"AAA BELLYDANCE 3\" src\u003d\"http://apture.s3.amazonaws.com/0000012490261c0339eba47d007f000000000001.AAA%20BELLYDANCE%203.jpg\" style\u003d\"border: 0px none ;\" height\u003d\"267\" width\u003d\"200\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eDG:  That’s pretty incredible.  Are there any people who have inspired you?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eCleopatra:\u003c/span\u003e  Well, nobody famous.  The people who have inspired me have all been everyday people.  There are two people who have inspired me the most.  My mother, first of all.  She is the most incredible businesswoman I’ve ever known.  She always tackles things that most people have problems doing.  She’ll find the hardest task she can find and the results always turn out better than the expectations.  If only I were half the woman…\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe second person, who will go unnamed, slipped on some grass and snapped his neck.    He can’t move below the second vertebra, and he has built a business and an empire without being able to move from the neck down.  He never complains about life and he has the most positive attitude of anyone I know.  When I’m around him, I can’t complain about anything because he’s so positive and he’s achieved so much that any of my problems seem small compared to his.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eDG:  Tell me more about your reality show.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eCleopatra:\u003c/span\u003e  The \u003ca id\u003d\"aptureLink_kfQG1q3P04\" href\u003d\"http://cwgshowdown.blogspot.com/2009/10/house-of-cleopatra-reality-show-launch.html\"\u003ereality show\u003c/a\u003e is basically me taking stars, and entertainers, and interesting people in life and I do what they do.  I experience them through my eyes, and in doing so they get to see what they experience through my eyes.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eDG: Is there anything that you would want to do that you haven’t done yet?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eCleopatra:\u003c/span\u003e  I’d like to take my jewelry international.  I make unique and interesting jewelry from beads and other things and handcraft them.  I’d like to expand my company and have it extend throughout the world.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca style\u003d\"padding: 0px 6px; float: right;\" id\u003d\"aptureLink_jYeaZxNGcy\" href\u003d\"http://maps.google.com/maps?om\u003d0\u0026amp;iwloc\u003daddr\u0026amp;f\u003dq\u0026amp;ll\u003d34.0968775%2C-118.3288146\u0026amp;hl\u003den\u0026amp;z\u003d16\u0026amp;ie\u003dUTF8\"\u003e\u003cimg title\u003d\"1439 Ivar Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028, USA\" src\u003d\"http://placeholder.apture.com/ph/360x280_GoogleMap/?lat\u003d34.0968775\u0026amp;lng\u003d-118.3288146\u0026amp;z\u003d16\u0026amp;type\u003dG_NORMAL_MAP\u0026amp;markers\u003d%5B%7B%22lat%22%3A34.0968775%2C%22lng%22%3A-118.3288146%2C%22title%22%3A%221439%20Ivar%20Ave%2C%20Los%20Angeles%2C%20CA%2090028%2C%20USA%22%7D%5D\" style\u003d\"border: 0px none ;\" height\u003d\"280\" width\u003d\"360\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003eDon't miss Cleopatra's \u003ca id\u003d\"aptureLink_g5gMI2YyWM\" href\u003d\"http://cwgshowdown.blogspot.com/2009/10/house-of-cleopatra-reality-show-launch.html\"\u003eWild Toga Party\u003c/a\u003e on November 6th!!!!!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eHere are some links for Cleopatra of the Nile:\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca id\u003d\"aptureLink_asr4jhLVwd\" href\u003d\"http://www.houseofcleopatra.net/\"\u003ewww.HouseofCleopatra.net\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca id\u003d\"aptureLink_BCBeooO26o\" href\u003d\"http://www.cleopatraofthenile.net/\"\u003ewww.Cleopatraofthenile.net\u003c/a\u003e (in 2010)\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca id\u003d\"aptureLink_2Pb5vqqRgl\" href\u003d\"http://www.cleopatrascollection.com/\"\u003ewww.Cleopatrascollection.com\u003c/a\u003e (in 2010)\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eLike Cleopatra? I know we do! (Ow-Ow!) For inquiries, you can contact her below:\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003ePhone: (818) 497 3709\u003cbr /\u003eE-mail: \u003ca href\u003d\"mailto:cleopatraentertainer@yahoo.com\"\u003ecleopatraentertainer@yahoo.com\u003c/a\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003e\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/674588145118141628-4472500878232866701?l\u003dcwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/feeds/4472500878232866701/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/2009/10/cleopatra-of-nile.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/674588145118141628/posts/default/4472500878232866701"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/674588145118141628/posts/default/4472500878232866701"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/2009/10/cleopatra-of-nile.html","title":"Cleopatra Of The Nile"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"CWG, Inc."},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/08167826987284190998"},"email":{"$t":"editor@cwgmagazine.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"12156025679189771024"}}],"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-674588145118141628.post-9174385337752545354"},"published":{"$t":"2009-10-16T01:20:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-10-16T01:38:51.774-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"chicks with guns"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"reality check"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"the fall of troy"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"The Fall of Troy Interview"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/StgwDmxtZtI/AAAAAAAADqk/_DpPg6a5DFI/s1600-h/_DMR4605.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/StgwDmxtZtI/AAAAAAAADqk/_DpPg6a5DFI/s400/_DMR4605.jpg\" alt\u003d\"\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393113392282953426\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(102, 102, 102);\"\u003eWritten By: Pablo Cortez\u003c/span\u003e \u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(102, 102, 102);\"\u003e\u003cbr /\u003ePhoto Credit: Dustin Roe\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSee all of Dustin's Dear Hunter/Fall of Troy photos \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/chickswithgunsmagazine/sets/72157622595886996/\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI had a chance to catch up with the guys from Fall of Troy at their October 15th show at the Knitting Factory.  The show itself was classic FoT; loud, fast and frenetic.  The crowd knew who they were there to see, and added to the energy of the place by singing along and moshing it up.   We managed to snag some time with the trio backstage pre-show for the following interview.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePC: How do you guys go about writing your music?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eAndrew:\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e  Lyrics are pretty strictly him (Thomas). He brings us the guitar outline and then we all hash it out.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eAndrew:\u003c/span\u003e We all make sure to say, “What’s the best thing that this could be?”\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePC: You’re all from up north right?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eThomas:\u003c/span\u003e Yes.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eFrank:\u003c/span\u003e I’m from San Diego (via San Jose).\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eThomas:\u003c/span\u003e  We’re from north of Seattle.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePC: What’s the scene difference from up there to down here (Los Angeles) as far as your fan base? Do you see a big difference?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eThomas:\u003c/span\u003e People treat us more like we are more…\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eAndrew:\u003c/span\u003e Cool.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eThomas:\u003c/span\u003e Yeah, people like celebrity down here more, so we kind of get treated that way a little bit more. It’s interesting, it’s weird to come here and have people recognize you, talk to you and want to hang out with you.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePC: You guys were kids when you started right? How old were you?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eThomas:\u003c/span\u003e  Me and Andrew were 17 and 16.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eAndrew:\u003c/span\u003e  I was 16. I had just gotten my license, and I got in that accident on the way to practice.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eThomas:\u003c/span\u003e Pretty much since I was 18. It’s been a progressive coming-together since then.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePC: Frank, how you get involved with the band, did you get a call?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eThomas:\u003c/span\u003e Yeah, he got a call!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eAndrew:\u003c/span\u003e Oh, he got a call! “Hey Frank, we’re having a really bad time. You want to play bass?”\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eThomas:\u003c/span\u003e Frank was like, “Well, I’m working at UPS, yeah I’ll play.”\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eFrank:\u003c/span\u003e  Loading trucks, dealing with dicks or play bass with these guys.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eThomas:\u003c/span\u003e You’re still loading trucks and dealing with dicks, but at least you get to play music now.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eFrank:\u003c/span\u003e  Minimal breaks, minimal money, minimal hours, minimal everything.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eAndrew:\u003c/span\u003e Basically, we saved his life. No, I’m just kidding. We gave you so much more stress.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eThomas:\u003c/span\u003e Frank, you always wanted to play music, be in a band.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eFrank:\u003c/span\u003e No, no. Stress... I can handle the stress. As long as I can get some girls, some gigs and a giggle.  \u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003ePC\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003e:\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003e (To Frank)Was it easy to get into playing with these guys?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eFrank:\u003c/span\u003e I was really familiar with their songs, so it was just like the act of covering notes and playing.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eAndrew:\u003c/span\u003e You’re a phenomenal player.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eThomas:\u003c/span\u003e I think more than anything it was him (Frank) going from being a guitar player to a really good bassist.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eFrank:\u003c/span\u003e It could have been me just playing with them, but you have to care about something, you got to  love what you’re doing.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePC: Do you guys have a favorite track on the new album?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eAndrew:\u003c/span\u003e I like them all, but the one that’s different for me is \"Nature vs Nurture.\"\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eFrank:\u003c/span\u003e \"The Classic Case of Transference.\"\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/StgwINaLG3I/AAAAAAAADqs/HMSlkwjF7_I/s1600-h/fall+of+troy+interview.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 178px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/StgwINaLG3I/AAAAAAAADqs/HMSlkwjF7_I/s400/fall+of+troy+interview.jpg\" alt\u003d\"\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393113471372696434\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eThomas:\u003c/span\u003e \"Battleship Graveyard\" is probably my favorite. \"Dirty Pillow Talk\" is pretty good too.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePC: Do you have a certain inspiration you guys look to?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eThomas:\u003c/span\u003e I think we all have different inspirations we look to.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eAndrew:\u003c/span\u003e First and foremost, what we want to listen to. We all have our personal influences per our instruments.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePC: Seems you guys bring a lot of different stuff together.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eThomas:\u003c/span\u003e That’s the point.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eAndrew:\u003c/span\u003e It’s the meshing of the parts, the sum is greater than the parts in this band.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eThomas:\u003c/span\u003e The whole is bigger than the piece.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eAndrew:\u003c/span\u003e That’s what I just said, exactly.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eThomas:\u003c/span\u003e But I said it in a different way.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eAndrew:\u003c/span\u003e Cheers to that!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePC: That’s pretty much all I have for you guys. Anything you’d like to add for the fans?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eThomas:\u003c/span\u003e Go check out the \u003ca href\u003d\"http://cwgalbumreviews.blogspot.com/2009/09/fall-of-troy-in-unlikely-event.html\"\u003enew record\u003c/a\u003e and come out to a show.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAndrew:\u003c/span\u003e Definitely.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eCheck out CWG's review of \"\u003ca href\u003d\"http://cwgalbumreviews.blogspot.com/2009/09/fall-of-troy-in-unlikely-event.html\"\u003eIn The Unlikely Event\u003c/a\u003e\"\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003e\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/674588145118141628-9174385337752545354?l\u003dcwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/feeds/9174385337752545354/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/2009/10/fall-of-troy-interview.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/674588145118141628/posts/default/9174385337752545354"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/674588145118141628/posts/default/9174385337752545354"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/2009/10/fall-of-troy-interview.html","title":"The Fall of Troy Interview"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"CWG, Inc."},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/08167826987284190998"},"email":{"$t":"editor@cwgmagazine.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"12156025679189771024"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/StgwDmxtZtI/AAAAAAAADqk/_DpPg6a5DFI/s72-c/_DMR4605.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-674588145118141628.post-967123777261008737"},"published":{"$t":"2009-10-16T01:07:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-10-16T01:20:10.054-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"chicks with guns"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"dear hunter"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"reality check"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"The Dear Hunter Interview"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/Stgq_J9sT3I/AAAAAAAADqQ/z6Zj86K8dNI/s1600-h/_DMR5328.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/Stgq_J9sT3I/AAAAAAAADqQ/z6Zj86K8dNI/s400/_DMR5328.jpg\" alt\u003d\"\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393107818270969714\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(102, 102, 102);\"\u003eWritten By: Pablo Cortez\u003c/span\u003e \u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(102, 102, 102);\"\u003ePhoto Credit: Dustin Roe\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSee all of Dustin's Dear Hunter/Fall of Troy photos \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/chickswithgunsmagazine/sets/72157622595886996/\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIt’s always great to get to see a new band you just discovered do a live show.  I started listening to the Dear Hunter a few days before this assignment and I’m glad I did.  This prog-rock band has a unique sound combining different styles of music  to create what would be right at home on stage in some otherworldly, dali-esque version of a speakeasy, complete with dancing flappers and free-flowing illegal hooch.  Although I was unable to make my way to this gin mill, because, well, it doesn’t exist, I did get to interview guitar player Eric Serna and bassist  Nate Patterson just outside the Knitting Factory after their October 15th show.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePC: Where does your sound come from? What are some of your influences?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eEric:\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e There are so many influences across the board. We all come from pretty varied but also really similar backgrounds in music. Nate and I have a super-blues background, like Hendrix, Zeppelin, classic stuff. Casey and Nick have a jazz-fusion background. Their dad brought them up playing that kind of stuff.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePC: You guys bring all that together?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eEric:\u003c/span\u003e Yeah, totally. It’s an amalgamation of all that stuff.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePC: Have you guys played Los Angeles before?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eEric:\u003c/span\u003e This is like our 5th or 6th time here. We like L.A. dude, it’s really cool, it’s rad.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePC: Are you guys all from the Boston area?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eEric:\u003c/span\u003e Actually, Nick and Casey are from L.A. Nate and I are from western Massachusetts and Andy is from Illinois, we’re kind of from all over the place man, but the band basically started in Boston.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePC: What’s the big difference from out there to here as far as fan reaction at live shows?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eNate:\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e There’s a similar enthusiasm.  L.A. has its own special scene that makes it more its own.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eEric:\u003c/span\u003e Here’s the thing, L.A. is a very tourist-specific spot. Depending on what kind of tour you're coming through on, the crowd can definitely vary. In Boston word gets around a lot quicker and you see the same people coming out to shows, where in L.A., you could do five or six shows and never see the same person twice.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePC: Do you have a favorite show you’ve played? Favorite venue?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eNate:\u003c/span\u003e The Glass House is always fun. That place is awesome.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eEric:\u003c/span\u003e For whatever reason, since day one, our first show there... Actually our first show there ended up having to be acoustic, because our van broke down in Arizona, so me and the drummer at the time had to stay behind while the rest of the band went ahead in the headlining band’s bus. Anyway, the show had to be acoustic. We got a call after the show and Casey was like “Dude, the crowd was really digging it, they were singing along.” It was our first time there so every time we go back there it’s super rad.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePC: What’s your favorite part about touring?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eEric:\u003c/span\u003e Just meeting people, dude. Traveling and seeing some cool shit. Our drummer Nick and Casey, our singer’s cousin just got this RV, and let us borrow it for this tour. We’ve been staying at camp grounds and RV parks across the country. It’s been ridiculous.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eNate:\u003c/span\u003e A little bit cold when we sleep, but that thing has heat and everything on it.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eEric:\u003c/span\u003e It’s been great because we actually get to spend some time in the wilderness, which isn’t really to often when you’re on tour.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePC: Where are you off to from here? What’s your schedule looking like?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eEric:\u003c/span\u003e We have the day off tomorrow, and then we’re off to San Fran, and then back to Pomona on Monday.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePC: Anything  you’d like to get out to your fans?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eEric:\u003c/span\u003e Just listen with an open mind. That’s the main thing.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eNate:\u003c/span\u003e We got a big tour coming up starting November 15th with Thrice.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eEric:\u003c/span\u003e Ya, we come out here to the Avalon and two shows in Anaheim at the House of Blues. That tour should be fun, so if you want to come out for that, please do.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/StgsYxNN7yI/AAAAAAAADqY/702oZ7YdD6E/s1600-h/_DMR4946.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 580px; height: 181px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/StgsYxNN7yI/AAAAAAAADqY/702oZ7YdD6E/s400/_DMR4946.jpg\" alt\u003d\"\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393109357813428002\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003e\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/674588145118141628-967123777261008737?l\u003dcwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/feeds/967123777261008737/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/2009/10/dear-hunter-interview.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/674588145118141628/posts/default/967123777261008737"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/674588145118141628/posts/default/967123777261008737"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/2009/10/dear-hunter-interview.html","title":"The Dear Hunter Interview"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"CWG, Inc."},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/08167826987284190998"},"email":{"$t":"editor@cwgmagazine.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"12156025679189771024"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/Stgq_J9sT3I/AAAAAAAADqQ/z6Zj86K8dNI/s72-c/_DMR5328.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-674588145118141628.post-6999430724762174251"},"published":{"$t":"2009-10-15T01:03:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-10-15T01:15:32.421-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"chicks with guns"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"reality check"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"blues traveler"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Interview With Brendan Hill – Blues Traveler"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/StbYKwdAqCI/AAAAAAAADlo/OUc-QRl5T0E/s1600-h/blues_traveler_website_image75.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/StbYKwdAqCI/AAAAAAAADlo/OUc-QRl5T0E/s400/blues_traveler_website_image75.jpg\" alt\u003d\"\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392735283139618850\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(102, 102, 102);\"\u003eInterview By: Victor Alfieri\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWhen most people think of the band Blues Traveler, the songs “Run-Around” \u0026amp; “Hook” are probably what come to mind. The band, John Popper (vocals, harmonica), Chan Kinchla (guitar), Tad Kinchla (bass), Ben Wilson (keyboard) \u0026amp; Brendan Hill (drums, percussion), has been making music for 20 years, and the album Four was their biggest commercial accomplishment.\u003cbr /\u003eFor many, that is where the story ends. One album later, the band had to deal with the tragic death of their close friend and band mate, Bobby Sheehan. For the remaining members of the band (Popper, Chan Kinchla \u0026amp; Hill), this was more than just losing a bass player. These four grew up together, went to school together and started what would become Blues Traveler in high school long before any of us had a clue of what they would become. They didn’t just lose a friend, they all lost a brother.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThis past August marked the 10-year anniversary of Sheehan’s passing. You will see in the interview that follows, this isn’t a story of one band, but two: the band that Bobby Sheehan helped create, and the band that was created after he passed away.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eVA: This band has been around for a long time, but it went through some pretty tough times. This past August marked the 10-year anniversary of Bobby’s death. Was there a point back then where you weren’t sure that Blues Traveler would continue?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eHill:\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e I’m sure when it first happened, we all felt that way to some degree. Bobby died on August 20, 1999, and it took us all some time. We all had to see if it was possible to keep this thing going. We all had to do some soul-searching. It would have been OK for us to stop then, because I think we accomplished everything we needed to accomplish. But we still loved playing music together and we still had this bond, so we thought about it and decided to hold some auditions. Then when Tad joined the band, it was kind of like having a similar feel to a high school friend because he was Chan’s brother.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe decided to add Ben as a keyboard player because we didn’t want to re-create what the old Blues Traveler was. We wanted to start off with a new element. I think it really gave us a lift because it made us different enough so that we could write new music and it gave us a kind of second awakening.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eVA: Did the fact that you all knew Tad make his joining the band easier or were there any problems with the transition?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eHill:\u003c/span\u003e It took a while for us to gel. Tad’s a different style bass player than Bob was. It took a while for me as a drummer. The bass and drums have to lock together. It took a little while for us to learn each other’s styles. I think I adapted more to his style and I think it made some of the songs change for the better. We had been playing “But Anyway” for 10 years and for us now to have this funkier kind of syncopated bass going on below it, it brought a new take to all of the old “standards.”\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThere were some growing pains. We had to re-learn a bunch of songs and we made a coupe of arrangement changes. Having the keyboards come in was actually freeing to Chan \u0026amp; John because they are now able to play rhythms and cords behind. Usually, back in the day, when John was soloing, Chan would have to pull it down and vice versa. So when Ben came into the group, it gave them both some freedom to develop a different path. I think it was liberating. It gave us a different approach to writing music because we now had the keyboards to create melodies. I think as a band, we grew a lot in those first four months when we first came together in 2000. Our writing approach was similar to the old Blues Traveler, but it foreshadowed things to come.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eVA: When you did bring in Ben and were re-working the old songs, did you have any “ah ha” moments where you said, “We should have had this the whole time?”\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eHill:\u003c/span\u003e Yeah, we always talked about adding a keyboard player, especially with a lot of songs on the albums where we brought in Chuck Leavell, and all kinds of great keyboard players to guest on records. Now we have a keyboard player in the band so he can re-create all of those moments. It was great. We were like, “We should have done this 10 years ago.” But I think making the band sound different from the original band also gave us an opportunity to start up fresh and made touring and everything new and exciting.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe new guys had a lot of energy and brought a new dynamic. We had to go back and learn a lot of songs over again, and after 10-15 years of doing the same thing, you get a little jaded. Having this kind of re-birth mid-career was exciting for us.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eVA: Absolutely, you guys truly sound like two different bands. If you pulled out \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003eTravelers \u0026amp; Thieves\u003c/span\u003e and compared it to the more recent stuff, it is so different.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eHill:\u003c/span\u003e Yeah, I know. Even between our first record and our fourth record as a group, you can see the evolution of the group. I think we just kept pushing ourselves to get better and keep growing. We want to take on any challenge that people give us. On compilation records we’ve worked on, we were always, “Give us the hardest song you’ve got and let us try and work it.” That’s our motto, let’s work on stuff and just go through the paces.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eVA: There was a lot of talk with the most recent album, \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003eNorth Hollywood Shootout\u003c/span\u003e, about how you wanted to “catch lightning in a bottle” with the writing process and put it all together in the studio instead of coming in with some pre-conceived ideas. How do you feel about that now and do you think you will use this style again in the future?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eHill:\u003c/span\u003e I think as a band, going into the studio is a real thrill for us. It’s where you get to really work on your playing and you bring in a producer as another member of the band to bounce ideas off of. We’ve done a lot of studio albums where you do a month of writing and then two weeks of pre-production, and when you get to the studio, you pretty much know exactly what you’re going to do.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe had done that over the last eight or nine records. I think the objective of this record was to see if we can go in there with a fresh approach and utilize the producer as we go. As far as whether it was the best process ever, I think it’s hard to say. Sometimes you come up with a song idea and you really want to bring it to the band.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eVA: You guys have been road warriors for close to 20 years now. You must do 100 shows a year. What are the plans now? Are you going to take a break? Any plans to go into the studio?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/StbZ_1u6lkI/AAAAAAAADl0/h2YOzqYM4o4/s1600-h/BluesTraveler.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/StbZ_1u6lkI/AAAAAAAADl0/h2YOzqYM4o4/s400/BluesTraveler.jpg\" alt\u003d\"\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392737294601590338\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eHill:\u003c/span\u003e We started this tour in May and will go through November 20th. Between that and a few dates in Australia earlier this year, it will be right around 100. We’ll take the holidays off and probably get back together in late February or March and see what we come up with. Whenever we are apart for more than a couple of months, everybody comes back with a bunch of ideas. That’s another exciting part of this. When you tour for six months and then take a break, it’s like having separate lives. So when you can bring a couple ideas after a break, those are usually the strong ones, the most developed ones.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe haven’t talked about recording, but we’ll probably get together in March and talk about writing and then get into the studio. We’ve had the new album out for a year, and it’s fun to play new songs. I think we all love that feeling of having new material and being able to try it out in front of crowds.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eBlues Traveler is currently touring with dates going through November. For more information, go to \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.bluestraveler.com/\"\u003ewww.bluestraveler.com\u003c/a\u003e. This band has always put on an amazing live show with great energy. They have made a specific point to keep ticket prices low. If you have a chance, definitely go out and see them.\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003e\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/674588145118141628-6999430724762174251?l\u003dcwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/feeds/6999430724762174251/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/2009/10/interview-with-brendan-hill-blues.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/674588145118141628/posts/default/6999430724762174251"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/674588145118141628/posts/default/6999430724762174251"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/2009/10/interview-with-brendan-hill-blues.html","title":"Interview With Brendan Hill – Blues Traveler"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"CWG, Inc."},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/08167826987284190998"},"email":{"$t":"editor@cwgmagazine.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"12156025679189771024"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/StbYKwdAqCI/AAAAAAAADlo/OUc-QRl5T0E/s72-c/blues_traveler_website_image75.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-674588145118141628.post-1168461285489120155"},"published":{"$t":"2009-10-13T14:48:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-10-13T15:00:37.465-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"chicks with guns"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"visa"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"reality check"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Visa Brings The “Cultural” Noise"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/StT4dRt08zI/AAAAAAAADiA/bc6ndF-ltYc/s1600-h/visa.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/StT4dRt08zI/AAAAAAAADiA/bc6ndF-ltYc/s400/visa.jpg\" alt\u003d\"\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392207835724837682\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(102, 102, 102);\"\u003eWritten By: David Carr\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIf you are looking for a band that takes rock music and combines a serious cultural sound with a political message then look no further than the band Visa.  Visa has their roots in both New York and L.A., but they boast a cultural sound rooted in the Armenian/Greek culture.  I had the chance to chat with Visa frontman K’noup about the origin of his band and what the future holds for this unique ensemble.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eDavid Carr: When did Visa form?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eK’noup:\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e I formed Visa in the summer of 2000 in New York City with former co-founder and member Johnny Nice.  It was meant to be strictly a side project of mine due to the fact that I was in another band, Neurobox.   In 2004 upon moving to Los Angeles and with Johnny Nice’s departure from the group, I made a band out of the project with the members of Neurobox with the intention of exploring a more international sound.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eDC:  How did you all get together and how long have you been together?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eK’noup:\u003c/span\u003e In 2004 the members of Neurobox (that included me, Hiram, Suguru and Alex) came to play with Shant Bismejian, Orbel Babayan, Jivan Gasparyan Jr., Chris Daniel and Andrew Kzirian through the large community of musicians that inhabit the city of Los Angeles.  The band has been playing local shows now for 5 years.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eDC: Your sound seems to be a mix of heavy rock and traditional Armenian music.  How did you all agree to create such a mix?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eK’noup:\u003c/span\u003e The music itself represents a natural progression.  I created Visa with the intention of exploring different musical cultures of sound whether it is Greek, Armenian, Russian or such.  There has never been a contract to adhere to a specific style or origin; everything is all about our ability to create together naturally.  Some people think we’re just as Greek as Armenian as Arabic and so on.  It makes no difference to me as long as they feel the music in a positive spin and feel our energy.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eDC: Why is it important for you and the band to celebrate your culture in your music?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eK’noup:\u003c/span\u003e It’s important simply because it shows no disguise; we all come from strong distinct cultures from around the world.  These homegrown characteristics are necessary in our music to not dissuade the audience in our music and because of that I think we connect with so many people.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eDC: You have made it a point to play shows that commemorate the Armenian Genocide.  Why is remembering this tragic event in world history so important to the band?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eK’noup:\u003c/span\u003e As people alone, we feel that we should stand up for what is right.  This was a tragic occurrence that should never be allowed to happen again and we take part in events to expand the public’s knowledge of this atrocity that to this day is ignored.  It’s the youth of today that will keep our future safer, so if these events open their eyes then why not take part and make the world a better place.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eDC:  Should art and politics mix?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eK’noup:\u003c/span\u003e That all depends on the artist. Politicians certainly don’t like the idea of “their” people being influenced by some artsy fartsy guy who has something to say to change the world.  And for the most part the artist wins because he has the medium that can influence millions faster than some boxed up collegiate scholar or politico.  In my opinion music is the most powerful form of expression, I always said if a politician wanted to come across stronger then write it in a song!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eDC: Have you done many shows within the heart of the Armenian community in Los Angeles?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eK’noup:\u003c/span\u003e We have done quite a number of shows in the Armenian community as a large portion of our fan-base is Armenian based.   From Glendale to Little Armenia in Hollywood we have been part of many social gatherings that have promoted the culture and lifestyle of Armenia.  These shows complement our standard LA performances and provide another outlet for Visa to reach its fans.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eDC:  Who are some of your musical influences?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eK’noup:\u003c/span\u003e I think our distinct sound is directly due to our diverse influences.  We as a unit are all over the place in terms of influences from international artists like Notis Sfakianakis and Despina Vandi to more mainstream artists such as Mr. Bungle, Metallica and Queen.  Regardless, we all come into one room and create a new canvass on which to work artistically.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eDC:  You have a new disc coming out soon.  What can fans expect on the up coming disc?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eK’noup:\u003c/span\u003e We have a new record in the works called “Made in Chernobyl” in which we venture into a new aggressive sound.  It also has a more Eastern European flavor than our previous efforts and I think it will take many by surprise but that’s the whole point of Visa, to delve into other worlds and cultures without second guessing ourselves.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eDC: Will you be touring for this new disc?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eK’noup:\u003c/span\u003e We are going to Canada in the middle of October with more dates to follow elsewhere around the world.  It will be very exciting to say the least!!\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003e\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/674588145118141628-1168461285489120155?l\u003dcwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/feeds/1168461285489120155/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/2009/10/visa-brings-cultural-noise.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/674588145118141628/posts/default/1168461285489120155"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/674588145118141628/posts/default/1168461285489120155"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/2009/10/visa-brings-cultural-noise.html","title":"Visa Brings The “Cultural” Noise"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"CWG, Inc."},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/08167826987284190998"},"email":{"$t":"editor@cwgmagazine.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"12156025679189771024"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/StT4dRt08zI/AAAAAAAADiA/bc6ndF-ltYc/s72-c/visa.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-674588145118141628.post-1126193047574518395"},"published":{"$t":"2009-10-09T14:37:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-10-09T15:03:09.534-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"chicks with guns"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"mae"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"reality check"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Mae - Zach Gehring On Saving The World"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/Ss-yf8z4mQI/AAAAAAAADec/XKsCegrKRTU/s1600-h/mae1.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/Ss-yf8z4mQI/AAAAAAAADec/XKsCegrKRTU/s400/mae1.jpg\" alt\u003d\"\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390723540955207938\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(102, 102, 102);\"\u003eInterview By: Jim Markunas\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(102, 102, 102);\"\u003e(Editor-In-Chief)\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003ePhotos Taken From Mae's \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/maeband/\"\u003eFlickr Page\u003c/a\u003e.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eMae has always been one of those bands that's a little bit 'left-of-mainstream,' and we love them for it. They emerged when the balls began to fall off of music back in the early '00s (yes... the 'emo' era) as an alternative to the pop punk of Fallout Boy or the screamo awfulness that dominated rock radio. The first time I heard \"Summertime\" and \"Last Call,\" which the band had offered for free on the internet, I was in love. They were emo-leaning without being whiny, and they understood that loud guitars are a band's best friend. Light in just the right places with the moog stylings of Motion City Soundtrack, Mae invented a genre all their own.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThey eventually signed with Tooth \u0026amp; Nail Records, which led to a short-lived deal with Capitol in 2006/2007. After walking out of their record contract (very cool!) they've been on a one-band journey to save the world. We caught up with guitarist Zach Gehring via e-mail.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJM: Leading with the tough question... What happened with Capitol Records? Why the split?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eZG:\u003c/span\u003e The day we finished our record, Virgin and Capitol Records (both of the EMI family) merged, and shortly after that, EMI was bought out by an equity firm in the UK. At that point, most of the staff at Capitol were let go, leaving us with a staff who knew nothing about the band or our goals. We thought it through a little bit, we did not want to be too reactionary, but at the same time we knew that things could go downhill very fast. Luckily, the nature of our contract allowed us to opt out of our contract and come away better for it.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJM: You guys are a three-piece now. Tell us a little bit about that. Is it easier or harder to pull stuff off live? Can we still expect synth/moog/piano in your music?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/Ss-ymHV7N2I/AAAAAAAADek/-5sdebXv6Xw/s1600-h/maezach1.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/Ss-ymHV7N2I/AAAAAAAADek/-5sdebXv6Xw/s400/maezach1.jpg\" alt\u003d\"\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390723646861555554\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eZG: \u003c/span\u003eThe loss of two members definitely affected our creative process, but I don't think it's too drastic of a change. We still perform as a 5 piece. When the 3 of us sit down to write, it is a more focused expression. That can either be a good thing or a bad thing depending on how it is approached, but we haven't had too hard of a time adjusting. There will always be a piano/synth element to our music.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJM: Tell us about your new mission. You're donating money to charity through selling songs, and you're involved in various humanitarian projects. Give us the scoop.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eZG: \u003c/span\u003eWith the new freedom we had after we left Capitol, we wanted to seize the opportunity to do what we wanted to do with our music. Music has been such a powerful tool in our lives and we know how influential it can be, so we wanted to do our best to make a change with our music in a real way. We wanted to truly get involved with our fans and with our community, we wanted to do more than just raise money, we wanted to be directly involved in the process.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe campaign that was started in January is called \"12 months, 12 songs, 1 goal, make a difference,\" and it will last through the end of the year. Every month we are releasing one song and all of the profits are devoted to various organizations. The songs are available for download for a donation of at least $1. We will be working with 3 organizations over the year and will be releasing 3 \"mini-albums\" that will include music that is not released on line and is exclusive to the release.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJM: How much have you guys raised for charity so far?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eZG: \u003c/span\u003eWe have raised $55, 595.81 so far.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJM: I heard a rumor about a \"scratch-and-sniff\" CD. What's the deal with that?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eZG: \u003c/span\u003eThe name MAE stands for multi-sensory aesthetic experience. We wanted to include another sense with these releases. So in addition to the sonic element, there is also a scent to go along with it.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJM: How hard is it to build a house? What all goes into the process?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eZG: \u003c/span\u003eHabitat for Humanity (the organization we worked with) took care of most of the logistics, but we were lucky enough to be involved with the actual construction, hammering nails, painting walls, etc. It worked out well for us because the timing of our goals matched up with the building of a new house in Newport News, VA. We did our best to raise money for the building of the house and Habitat took care of everything else.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJM: Tell us about the trilogy idea with \"(m)orning,\" \"(a)fternoon,\" and \"(e)vening.\" Why a trilogy (besides the obvious acronym)? What can we expect from these three records?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/Ss-yzGIWPbI/AAAAAAAADes/sGgTOBWF8ZQ/s1600-h/maezach2.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/Ss-yzGIWPbI/AAAAAAAADes/sGgTOBWF8ZQ/s400/maezach2.jpg\" alt\u003d\"\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390723869874470322\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eZG: \u003c/span\u003eThe trilogy focuses on cycles. morning afternoon evening, birth life and death, spring summer and winter. We also were interested in the parts that make up a whole. The individual existence that ultimately affects the whole. One person doing one thing might not do much of anything, but 5 people doing one thing, 20 people, 1000, etc....that can start to make a difference. We wanted to express that.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe records themselves will have additional music and songs that are not able to be heard from just downloading the songs month to month.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJM: Charity-wise, what can we expect from the (a)fternoon chapter?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eZG: \u003c/span\u003eWe are working with an organization called \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.donorschoose.org/\"\u003eDonorschoose.org\u003c/a\u003e. It focuses on education and the needs that teachers have in the classroom. Budget cutbacks are a big problem, and the website allows teachers to request specific needs that people can choose to donate to. For the tour we are on, we are also taking part in community projects in each city we play.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe projects are set up by MAE fans on our fan community at \u003ca href\u003d\"http://whatismae.com/mateeam\"\u003ewhatismae.com/mateeam\u003c/a\u003e. The theme of the (a)fternoon tour is \"touch\"...touching the community and also the sense of touch which we involve in our show for this tour.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJM: Anything you want to add?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eZG: \u003c/span\u003ePlease check out our website at \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.whatismae.com/\"\u003ewww.whatismae.com\u003c/a\u003e and come out to a show! Our dates are posted on the site.\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003e\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/674588145118141628-1126193047574518395?l\u003dcwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/feeds/1126193047574518395/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/2009/10/mae-zach-gehring-on-saving-world.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/674588145118141628/posts/default/1126193047574518395"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/674588145118141628/posts/default/1126193047574518395"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/2009/10/mae-zach-gehring-on-saving-world.html","title":"Mae - Zach Gehring On Saving The World"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"CWG, Inc."},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/08167826987284190998"},"email":{"$t":"editor@cwgmagazine.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"12156025679189771024"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/Ss-yf8z4mQI/AAAAAAAADec/XKsCegrKRTU/s72-c/mae1.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-674588145118141628.post-1288326964557481814"},"published":{"$t":"2009-10-05T16:11:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-10-05T16:18:50.777-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"chicks with guns"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"living colour"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"reality check"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Living Colour's Corey Glover On Life Behind the Sun"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/Ssp-t_c2GJI/AAAAAAAADX0/o5DxOfpM2go/s1600-h/corey2.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/Ssp-t_c2GJI/AAAAAAAADX0/o5DxOfpM2go/s400/corey2.jpg\" alt\u003d\"\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389259232693852306\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003ci\u003eLiving Colour's Frontman Talks About the Re-introduction of the Band\u003c/i\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(102, 102, 102);\"\u003eWritten By: David Carr\u003cbr /\u003ePhotos By: Hali McGrath\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eNew York based rockers Living Colour are back with a vengeance. They have a new disc out (The Chair In The Doorway) on a new label (Megaforce) and they are in the middle of their first US tour in nearly six years. The band is fronted by the dynamic vocalist Corey Glover. Glover not only sings but he is an accomplished actor and recently stared in the musical/touring production of \"Jesus Christ Superstar.\" I had the opportunity to chat with Corey Glover before he and his bandmates put on a jaw dropping live show in Hollywood CA. Corey gave his insights on the band, their new disc, fatherhood and on how he deals with \"the chair in the doorway\" and life\" behind the sun.\"\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eDavid Carr: Corey how's the tour been so far? What has it been like to reintroduce the band to the music public?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eCorey Glover: \u003c/span\u003eThe tour is going really well. We knew we had to start over again, but the shows have been good. The people who are coming out to the shows are the die hards. These are the folks who have been with us from day one. Those folks are the ones who are actually bringing the new fans who have never seen or heard us. The old school fans are bringing the new ones along.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eDC: I know that a lot went into recording this latest disc. How has the new material translated in a live setting? Did you always keep that thought in the back of your mind, the fact that you wanted these tunes to be able to connect live?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eCG:\u003c/span\u003e \u003c/span\u003e The new songs have worked really well on stage! We absolutely thought about how these songs would work live. We based a lot of what we did in the studio around the idea of playing these songs live and really connecting with the audience.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eDC: The single off the new disc is \"Behind the Sun\". The song itself is about the tragedy that was, Hurricane Katrina and the government's slow/botched response. How did the tragedy affect you?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eCG:\u003c/span\u003e  The whole thing was just sad...the fact is people, human beings and history has been eradicated by what some have called a \"near miss\"...near miss?!!? That was not a near miss! For me it really hit hard because New Orleans is the birthplace for the music I do, it's the place that created the music I do in order to have a livelihood and now it looks like a third world country!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eDC: You and your wife have been very active in the rebuilding of New Orleans. Tell me a little about what you are doing?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eCG:\u003c/span\u003e  The New York to New Orleans Coalition - NY2NO was founded and is led by NYC high school students. They're a consensus-based organization working to create a network of young people who are interested in organizing and mobilizing across NYC. NY2NO works in solidarity with those most affected by the social, racial, and economic inequalities in both New York and New Orleans.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe Primary goals are organizing trips of NYC high school students to New Orleans, bottom-up organizing NOLA residents, rebuilding, clearing lots, and setting up sustainable gardens to help provide healthy food to folks in the Lower Ninth Ward. NY2NO was also involved with the inception of Our School at Blair Grocery, a freedom school and the only high school in the Lower Ninth. Another goal is keeping the NYC high school students involved after they come back home with organization efforts in NYC.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eDC: Sounds like you are doing a lot to help with all of the issues still affecting the Lower Ninth Ward.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eCG:\u003c/span\u003e  We want to rebuild, we want people to come back home...we just want folks to understand that things are still not back to normal in New Orleans.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eDC: During the last few recording sessions of your latest disc your mother passed away. I am very sorry for your loss. I believe your father had passed away years ago, during the early years of the band. Were your parents supportive of what you were doing?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eCG:\u003c/span\u003e  Yeah, they really were supportive. I mean, like any other set of parents they were a bit surprised but me doing this wasn't a shock to them. I have been singing since I was six years old! They just wanted to make sure I would be able to make a living at this. They were supportive and when things started to work out for the band...they were proud.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eDC: You are now married with children. How has fatherhood been for you?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eCG:\u003c/span\u003e  Well, I do miss my family and my kids have started school so I can't take them on tour with me. They have come to gigs before and my oldest has told me that he likes Living Colour, HA!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eDC: Corey you are one of the few vocalists from your era that still has a very strong voice! You have not slowed down at all when it comes to your vocal ability. What's your secret?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eCG:\u003c/span\u003e  SLEEP! HA! I sleep a lot. My throat is a muscle. It has to rest so it can get strong and rebuild itself after it gets used. I try to get as much sleep as I possibly can.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/Ssp-fnVY7mI/AAAAAAAADXs/a8AA8HkKmUg/s1600-h/Corey+by+Hali+McGrath.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/Ssp-fnVY7mI/AAAAAAAADXs/a8AA8HkKmUg/s400/Corey+by+Hali+McGrath.jpg\" alt\u003d\"\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389258985701961314\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eDC: In getting to know Living Colour over the years is it safe to say that when you all are on the same page it's sort of an \"us against the world\" attitude but when there is disagreement it can get pretty ugly? Is that the dynamic of the band?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eCG:\u003c/span\u003e  Well when families have real knock down, drag out fights are they really fighting about the issue at hand or is there something else that the person needs to deal with? Is there something else going on that the person is not dealing with? That's what we have been through and that's what the title of the disc is all about.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eYou can walk around the \"chair\". You can walk around the issues but in the end you have to confront them head on or you won't get anywhere, you won't grow. That's what this band has had to do in order to create this music and record this disc.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eDC: I saw your performance on the Jimmy Fallon show. There is no doubt you all are playing with a renewed sense of purpose and passion. What's next after this US tour?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eCG:\u003c/span\u003e  We go to Europe and then South America. After that we are ready to tour with anyone here in the states!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eLiving Colour North American 2009 Tour Dates (remainder)\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSept 30 - Fine Line Music Cafe - Minneapolis, MN - Ticketmaster\u003cbr /\u003eOct 2 - The Magic Bag - Detroit, MI - Ticketmaster\u003cbr /\u003eOct 3 - Lee's Palace - Toronto, ONT - Ticketmaster\u003cbr /\u003eOct 4 - Double Door - Chicago, IL - Ticketmaster\u003cbr /\u003eOct 5 - The Grog Shop - Cleveland, OH - Ticketmaster\u003cbr /\u003eOct 30 - Highline Ballroom - New York, NY - TicketWeb\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003e\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/674588145118141628-1288326964557481814?l\u003dcwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/feeds/1288326964557481814/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/2009/10/living-colours-corey-glover-on-life.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/674588145118141628/posts/default/1288326964557481814"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/674588145118141628/posts/default/1288326964557481814"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/2009/10/living-colours-corey-glover-on-life.html","title":"Living Colour's Corey Glover On Life Behind the Sun"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"CWG, Inc."},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/08167826987284190998"},"email":{"$t":"editor@cwgmagazine.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"12156025679189771024"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/Ssp-t_c2GJI/AAAAAAAADX0/o5DxOfpM2go/s72-c/corey2.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-674588145118141628.post-1742337058065364611"},"published":{"$t":"2009-10-01T12:40:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-10-01T12:48:35.142-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"chicks with guns"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"matt lowell"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"reality check"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Matt Lowell On Making It Big"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/SsUHg3U6cWI/AAAAAAAADUg/3U8dan0LZvg/s1600-h/matt_lowell_photo.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/SsUHg3U6cWI/AAAAAAAADUg/3U8dan0LZvg/s400/matt_lowell_photo.jpg\" alt\u003d\"\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387720790407541090\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(102, 102, 102);\"\u003eInterview By: Jack Walker\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJW: When did you first start playing guitar and writing songs?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eMatt:\u003c/span\u003e Well, I picked up the guitar a little while after 9/11/01. I was in CT at my boarding school and being away from my home of NY really hit me. Immediately after that I picked up the guitar and wrote my first tune. It was a tune called “A City Cries It’s Tears.” I played it in front of my entire school just a few weeks later and the response blew me away. That’s when I decided I loved this job and seeing the reaction of people, when you deliver a song that hits home. I haven’t stopped since.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJW: What do you use as your inspiration when you write a song?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eMatt:\u003c/span\u003e The inspiration for my songs comes from all of my real life experiences. I tend to write a lot about break-ups or love and just situations in my life that hit me in a certain way. Inspiration is all around me, I just have to open up and let it in. Everything can be inspiring and I’m learning that more and more everyday. Life is truly amazing and the twists and turns continue to inspire tunes.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJW: You attended Berklee College of Music. Tell us a little about that. Why did you choose Berklee as opposed to other colleges?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eMatt:\u003c/span\u003e Berklee was a great experience. You are completely surrounded by other musicians 24/7 and that’s what inspires you to play music. Berklee has an amazing reputation and when I decided music would be my career I knew I really needed to open up and learn much more about my craft. Berklee gave me a ton of tools that I will turn to for the rest of my career.  Music is a language and I thought it was very important for me to learn this language and Berklee was the best place to do that.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJW: How did you hook-up with MTV and 'Real World Brooklyn?'\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eMatt:\u003c/span\u003e This opportunity came pretty naturally. I have a friend who knows a music placement supervisor at MTV and they liked my tracks. I was lucky enough to have them placed on a few MTV shows.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJW: What did you gain by collaborating with the group ByChance?  What way did the collaboration inspire you and your music?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eMatt:\u003c/span\u003e ByChance was not a collaboration, but actually my high school band. Those guys were my great friends in high school, and I put a band together of guys who loved music.  Shortly after I picked up the guitar, I decided I wanted to have a band, and we had the great support of my entire school. We even gigged most of our breaks in NYC and had an absolute blast. I love being a part of a band and I think music is all about collaborating and finding a way to make music with other musicians, that’s really what it is all about.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJW: I saw that you recorded your album “Dixieland” in Nashville?  What was it like to record in Nashville?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eMatt:\u003c/span\u003e The recording process in Nashville was great! It was the same studio that T-Bone Burnett produced some great records, and he happens to be a hero of mine. It was my first experience in a real studio and the studio musicians were unbelievable. I also gained my endorsement from Taylor Guitars through that session and really learned a ton from the pros at a young age.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJW: I’ve read a few reviews where they compared your style of music to Dave Mathews.  In your own words contrast your style to Dave Mathews and give me something that distinguishes you from him.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eMatt: \u003c/span\u003eDave Matthews was really the reason I wanted to pick up the guitar. I had seen a ton of shows and I really loved his style. I think him growing up in South Africa really gives him a musical edge and such a unique style. I grabbed all I could from him and started to morph it into my own. My style right now is way less 'jammy' and a little more 'rootsy.' Dave will always be an inspiration and an influence to me.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJW: You recently gave away 30 tickets to your show at the Fillmore @ Irving Plaza. Tell us about that.  How did the show turn out?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eMatt:\u003c/span\u003e This was a great show, I always wanted to play Irving Plaza. I love giving tickets away to my shows. I just want people to get to see live music, and I know that’s where I really shine. Music is meant to be played live, and anytime I have the opportunity to give away tickets to fans who really want to come to the show, I will. I will do this for the rest of my career.\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003e\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/674588145118141628-1742337058065364611?l\u003dcwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/feeds/1742337058065364611/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/2009/10/matt-lowell-on-making-it-big.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/674588145118141628/posts/default/1742337058065364611"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/674588145118141628/posts/default/1742337058065364611"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/2009/10/matt-lowell-on-making-it-big.html","title":"Matt Lowell On Making It Big"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"CWG, Inc."},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/08167826987284190998"},"email":{"$t":"editor@cwgmagazine.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"12156025679189771024"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/SsUHg3U6cWI/AAAAAAAADUg/3U8dan0LZvg/s72-c/matt_lowell_photo.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-674588145118141628.post-1549682680793668054"},"published":{"$t":"2009-09-29T17:24:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-10-27T21:04:37.534-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"chicks with guns"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"reality check"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"vertical horizon"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Vertical Horizon - Interview With Matt Scannell"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/SsKmsSo9R5I/AAAAAAAADRw/i_yFfHicLuQ/s1600-h/VHCreditM+Salvaterracopy_0_btd_10.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 250px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/SsKmsSo9R5I/AAAAAAAADRw/i_yFfHicLuQ/s400/VHCreditM+Salvaterracopy_0_btd_10.jpg\" alt\u003d\"vertical horizon\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387051384136615826\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(102, 102, 102);\"\u003eInterview By: Victor Alfieri\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(102, 102, 102);\"\u003ePhoto By: Marjorie Salvaterra\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eVertical Horizon is back after a six year break with \u003ci\u003eBurning the Days\u003c/i\u003e (you can see the review of this album here). I had a chance to talk to Matt Scannell, lead singer and guitarist of the band that started at Georgetown in 1992.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eVA: There’s a lot of change that has gone on over the course of the years for this band, from the sound, to the structure and dynamic of the band. The story about the record company is pretty well documented. How much of the change of the sound of Vertical Horizon was influenced by the record company?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eScannell:\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e I think that was a much smaller component to the changes we went through musically and stylistically than people would believe. I remember specifically sitting down with the record company and them saying, “What type of band do you want to be? What type of album do you want to make? Either way, I’m fine with it.” I don’t think there was any pressure in the early days to sound like anybody or be more “timely.”\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIt was more the fact that I had started off and always played music in bands. I had played electric guitar in bands. And when Keith and I started, it was far more of a change for me to do what we had done on \u003ci\u003eThere and Back Again\u003c/i\u003e, and to a lesser extent, \u003ci\u003eRunning on Ice\u003c/i\u003e. It’s almost like, when you think of it, \u003ci\u003eRunning on Ice\u003c/i\u003e makes more sense, \u003ci\u003eLive Stages\u003c/i\u003e makes more sense. And then \u003ci\u003eEverything You Want\u003c/i\u003e its like finally I’m back to the rock band that I always wanted to be in.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI think in fairness to Keith, he was far more of a folk guy. If he was left in isolation and making music, it would be far more acoustic-based. My music would be more rock-based. So we were trying to meet in the middle somewhere, but when you add a drum kit, it sounds a lot further away from acoustic and a lot closer to rock music.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI feel like there was a lot less involvement from the record company early on. I feel like when we were making \u003ci\u003eGo\u003c/i\u003e, that was a dark time when Clive Davis took over the label, and we were really not flavor of the month for him. So I felt them kind of tinkering with a lot more then during the making of that record. That record still stands up for me and I’m still proud of it.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWhen we were making \u003ci\u003eEverything You Want,\u003c/i\u003e RCA was like Camelot. It was the Promised Land. It was probably the best label to be on at the time, and they did a stunningly great job with us. Conversely, I think RCA, after Clive took over, became a much, much darker place. The spirit of the company changed incredibly. Something like 80% of the people that worked there when we were first signed, were fired. It was just a completely different culture. It’s not meant to be a slam of Clive Davis. He just wasn’t a fan of us and we weren’t a fan of the way he treated us.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eVA: With the stylistic differences between you and Keith, have there ever been or are there issues now? It’s pretty obvious that, while you started as a duo, you are now the front man of this band.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eScannell:\u003c/span\u003e I think that when we first started this band, with \u003ci\u003eThere and Back Again\u003c/i\u003e, the album was purposefully half Keith's songs and half my songs. And what really started happening, quickly as we started progressing as a band, is that my output of songs just started greatly increasing.   Keith’s input started slowing down, and I think that is evident with \u003ci\u003eRunning on Ice\u003c/i\u003e.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI think that when you’re a songwriter and you just start voraciously pumping out songs, you know 50, 60, 70 songs, there’s just a lot of material to choose from. And that’s what happened with \u003ci\u003eEverything You Want\u003c/i\u003e.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIt’s a balancing act, you know, Keith is like a brother to me, and brothers have good days and difficult days. There’s nobody on this planet, I think that has a kinder soul than Keith Kane. He is one of the best people I’ve met in my life. I love him and I’m glad to work with him as much as I can.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThat being said, I’m a pretty driven songwriter. I have a pretty strong vision of what music means to me and what kind of music I want to be making. I spend a lot of time doing it. I just think that, naturally over the years, I have just assumed the leader of this band just because it felt a little more natural for me to do so. Keith and I spoke about this fairly recently that it was a position that he was a little less comfortable assuming. So it probably made sense for me to become the figurehead of the band.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eYou know a lot of long time fans of the band think there is some sort of plot to oust Keith or something. Dynamics change, people change and develop and grow in different ways over time. Because we did There and Back Again in one way, doesn’t mean that we were tied to that.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eVA: With the new album, you have come full circle. You started off independent and released a few albums on your own. Then you signed with the large label and are now back in the driver seat, doing it all yourself again. How does it feel?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eScannell:\u003c/span\u003e It’s wonderful. I think it’s absolutely where we should be. I also think that creating a record label and then making sure all of the little things get done can be a completely different job description than being an artist that’s signed to a label where things just get done. At this point I am pretty OK with it, but I am strongly trying to keep the balance a healthy one. Over the past few years, I spoke to a lot of record labels to get a feel for what they would do with a band in our position. This definitely feels right to me and I get the feeling that, from our fans, that they are incredibly supportive of this decision.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThat’s not to say we won’t work with a major label again. With the network they have and the ability to distribute internationally, in a best-case scenario, it can be a wonderful thing. In seeing the best case, and also living through what I would consider a worst case scenario, it would have to be a very compelling situation to bring us back to that dynamic.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eVA: With the new album, you had the chance to work with town big names, but specifically a rock legend in Neil Peart. How did that happen?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eScannell:\u003c/span\u003e It was a strange set of events. My girlfriend’s best friend on the planet owns a car dealership in L.A. where Neil was buying a new car and trading one in. Her friend asked us to go over and take some pictures of the car to get it moving. On our way over there, I had to formulate my words. Rush was absolutely my biggest musical influence growing up. I’m standing there trying to come up with something that doesn’t sound completely over-the-top. He opens the gate sticks out his hand and says, “I’m a huge fan of your work.” I was speechless, completely taken aback.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eYou have to understand, as a kid growing up in Worcester, MA, listening to \"Power Windows,\" and obsessing over every lyrical shift, every clever metaphor, you know, not to mention the incredible musicality of the record, I was driven and inspired and encouraged without them have any inkling or idea of who I was. In many ways, I was encouraged to music by their music, by their records. So it was just the most incredible experience.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eOver time, we stayed in touch and have many similar interests. We started hanging out socially. One night over his house for dinner (at this point, Scannell goes on to talk about how Peart is an amazing cook and is working on something for his website, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.neilpeart.net/\"\u003ewww.neilpeart.net\u003c/a\u003e, suggesting we couldn’t go wrong if we liked good barbecue.), Neill showed me a book he was working on that opened with a poem. He asked me what I thought of it, and there was this one line that I just wasn’t sure of.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI’m sitting there debating what I should say. Should I be a fan and say, “Oh yeah, it’s great,” or should I be a friend and be honest? I really wanted to be his friend, so I told him I thought he could “beat” that line. That’s a specific line that I use when working with somebody. It’s not that the original work is bad. It’s just that I think you could do better. He looked at the line and said, “I think you’re right.”\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eLater, as we were hanging out, he said that we should write a song together. I don’t know if it was a life changing moment because I was honest with him earlier, but there it was. He called me not long after to tell me about an idea he was playing with for a song called “Even Now.” I remember thinking, this is great. I started thinking about some lyrical ideas and we set up a time to meet the next week. We met and Neill laid down a finished lyric, a full lyric. It occurred to me, “of course. This is how he brings music to the Rush guys. His job is to write the lyrics of the songs.”  So I sat down with a guitar, and within 15-20 minutes, it was all done. It was one of those incredible moments, and I remember him saying to me, “is this something that you had?”  It wasn’t. This is what I got from his lyrics.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSo I sheepishly had to ask him to play on this song and his response was “nobody else CAN play drums on this song.” When in the studio, we hammered out this song in about forty minutes, but I had the studio all day. So I asked him to work on a few more songs. So he played on “Save Me From Myself” \u0026amp; “Welcome to the Bottom” and just hit the ball out of the park.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eVA: I saw on Twitter the other day that you are going on the road. Where are you going to be heading?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eScannell:\u003c/span\u003e There are going to be a lot of dates added. We are estimating 30-40 dates through the end of this year. It’s going to start in the northeast and head west. We’ll go back out after Christmas and I hope to get up to Canada and also around the world. This next year is going to involve a heck of a lot travelling.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eVA: You guys have been around a long time. Now that you have come back from the hiatus, is this a one album thing? Where will VH be in five years?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eScannell:\u003c/span\u003e I don’t know that I’m worried about where we’ll be in five years. People are too concerned about “what ifs.” What if people stop buying records? What if they don’t come out to hear music anymore? I’m more concerned about “what is.” And I know what is with my band is that we are absolutely true to ourselves.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe write honest music that comes from a sincere place. We want people to come to our shows and feel uplifted, and we also want them to feel whatever it is that they want to feel, because we want everybody in that moment, in that audience to have a true experience. If we’re true to ourselves, than it doesn’t matter “what if” in five years. All that matters is “what is.” And that’s today, right now, it’s the next show we play. It’s the next note I sing. It’s the next guitar solo that comes off my fretboard and that’s all that really matters. Hopefully everybody else can enjoy the moment.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSee Victor's Review of \u003ci\u003eBurning The Days\u003c/i\u003e \u003ca href\u003d\"http://cwgalbumreviews.blogspot.com/2009/09/vertical-horizon-burning-days.html\"\u003eHere\u003c/a\u003e.\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003e\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/674588145118141628-1549682680793668054?l\u003dcwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/feeds/1549682680793668054/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/2009/09/vertical-horizon-interview-with-matt.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/674588145118141628/posts/default/1549682680793668054"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/674588145118141628/posts/default/1549682680793668054"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/2009/09/vertical-horizon-interview-with-matt.html","title":"Vertical Horizon - Interview With Matt Scannell"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"CWG, Inc."},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/08167826987284190998"},"email":{"$t":"editor@cwgmagazine.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"12156025679189771024"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/SsKmsSo9R5I/AAAAAAAADRw/i_yFfHicLuQ/s72-c/VHCreditM+Salvaterracopy_0_btd_10.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-674588145118141628.post-2488599270755453651"},"published":{"$t":"2009-09-21T04:17:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-09-21T04:17:00.319-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"chicks with guns"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"gallows"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"reality check"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Gallows - The Warped Tour Interview"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/SrFzOmPrHPI/AAAAAAAAC_0/TBq3jXFy58U/s1600-h/Gallows_071018014620931_wideweb__300x375.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 375px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/SrFzOmPrHPI/AAAAAAAAC_0/TBq3jXFy58U/s400/Gallows_071018014620931_wideweb__300x375.jpg\" alt\u003d\"\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382209724306103538\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(102, 102, 102);\"\u003eStory and Photos By: Chris Martinez\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(102, 102, 102);\"\u003e(Sacramento Live Performance Columnist)\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eGallows recently released their second album, \"Grey Britain,\" on Warner Bros. after switching from Epitaph Records earlier this year. They were confirmed to co-headline the 2009 Vans Warped Tour. I got the chance to sit down with Laurent Barnard, the guitar player and back up vocalist of the band, a little after their set at their stop in Sacramento for the Vans Warped Tour.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eCM: You guys just played your set, right? How was that?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eLaurent Barnard:\u003c/span\u003e Yeah, that’s right. We played at 3:15PM. It was one of the hottest shows of the tour, actually. We’re from England, so we struggle with heat. We’re used to the nice cold weather.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eEven when we play shows, they’re usually air-conditioned venues. It’s hard work, small show with many people, but still fun.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eCM: What’s the major difference in touring in the UK and touring here in the US?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eLaurent Barnard:\u003c/span\u003e The major difference is the size and space, like we’ve never toured in anything bigger than a van and like right now we’re touring in a bus. We’re going to do a tour with AFI, and we’re going to be in a van for that, so. We’re going to be touring the East Coast, maybe West Coast, and Canada with Flogging Molly.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe drives out here are absolutely insane, like back home we tour the UK, and the longest drive will be like two to three hours, and some of the shows here take two days driving.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eCM: How do you guys pick your set list before the show?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eLaurent Barnard:\u003c/span\u003e Dude, we never have a set list, really. We just go on stage, start and we go from there.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eCM: You guys just released \"Grey Britain,\" so tell me about how the recording went.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eLaurent Barnard:\u003c/span\u003e It was good, man. Like, we recorded it in London with Garth Richardson, he did the first Rage Against The Machine record, so he knows his stuff.  It was a good time and without using a cliché, it was really intense. We got to live in London, Weinberg, a really rich area for like two months. It was awesome. It was really fun.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eCM: You guys still play songs from \"Orchestra of Wolves,\" right?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eLaurent Barnard:\u003c/span\u003e Yeah, we do. We try to play the new stuff, to try and get the kids into the new stuff. But yeah, we still play “In the Belly of a Shark”\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eCM: Do the kids actually sing along in the crowd and get into the music?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eLaurent Barnard:\u003c/span\u003e Its weird, like Warped Tour has been like a Jonas Brothers concert. Not really the kind of audience we’re used to. A few hardcore kids come out to the show, but a lot of them are here for bands they remember like A Day To Remember. Most of the hardcore kids stay home and don’t want to spend $40 to come out.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eCM: What’s your favorite song to play live?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eLaurent Barnard:\u003c/span\u003e My favorite song to play live is, “In the Belly of a Shark” simply because the crowd definitely goes nuts for it. That helps me get into the set and rock out and stuff.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eCM: Before releasing \"Grey Britain,\" you guys rereleased \"Orchestra of Wolves,\" why?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eLaurent Barnard:\u003c/span\u003e Yeah, like we re-released it here and there between record labels.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eCM: You guys added on some songs to the re-release right?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eLaurent Barnard:\u003c/span\u003e When we released it in the states, it came out in the UK first, and then on Epitaph in America and we added a few songs at the end, a few b-sides.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/SrF1dj21uqI/AAAAAAAAC_8/9U743vbJnTo/s1600-h/gallows_390450a.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 238px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/SrF1dj21uqI/AAAAAAAAC_8/9U743vbJnTo/s400/gallows_390450a.jpg\" alt\u003d\"\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382212180386364066\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eCM: Have you stage-dived into the crowd?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eLaurent Barnard:\u003c/span\u003e Out here, the barrier is quite far away from the stage, but back in the UK there’s a bunch of videos of us, the whole band like jumping off stage.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eCM: Have you hurt yourself before by diving off into the crowd?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eLaurent Barnard:\u003c/span\u003e I broke my rib cage once with my guitar. I remember once, I played a show back home and I dived in, but no one caught me and the guitar hit my ribs. Quite painful.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eCM: You guys are pretty hardcore when on stage, right? You really get into it.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eLaurent Barnard:\u003c/span\u003e Yeah, definitely, man. I mean, if you believe in the music then you’re going to put that into your show.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eCM: How do you feel about all the other bands on Warped Tour using Auto-Tune and back tracks?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eLaurent Barnard:\u003c/span\u003e Yeah, its like the band just use backing tracks and I mean its not like a real live show.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eCM: And you guys play everything live, right?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eLaurent Barnard:\u003c/span\u003e Yeah, everything is live. Otherwise it’s just like watching a band do Karaoke show.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eCM: Alright, thank you for your time. Great show today.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eLaurent Barnard:\u003c/span\u003e Thanks, man.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/chickswithgunsmagazine/sets/72157622335876656/\"\u003eClick here\u003c/a\u003e to see all of Chris' Warped Tour photos.\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003e\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/674588145118141628-2488599270755453651?l\u003dcwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/feeds/2488599270755453651/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/2009/09/gallows-warped-tour-interview.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/674588145118141628/posts/default/2488599270755453651"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/674588145118141628/posts/default/2488599270755453651"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/2009/09/gallows-warped-tour-interview.html","title":"Gallows - The Warped Tour Interview"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"CWG, Inc."},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/08167826987284190998"},"email":{"$t":"editor@cwgmagazine.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"12156025679189771024"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/SrFzOmPrHPI/AAAAAAAAC_0/TBq3jXFy58U/s72-c/Gallows_071018014620931_wideweb__300x375.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-674588145118141628.post-2680340315986893742"},"published":{"$t":"2009-09-20T00:10:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-09-20T00:10:00.272-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"chicks with guns"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"reality check"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"chelsea girls"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"The Chelsea Girls Just Wanna Rock - And Have Fun!"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/SrGrFglak2I/AAAAAAAADAk/LdYcgAyuB-E/s1600-h/ChelseaGirls470_737703.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/SrGrFglak2I/AAAAAAAADAk/LdYcgAyuB-E/s400/ChelseaGirls470_737703.jpg\" alt\u003d\"\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382271140819014498\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(102, 102, 102);\"\u003eWritten By: David Carr\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(102, 102, 102);\"\u003ePhoto Credit: Genie Sanchez\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIf you are a music fan in Hollywood, you have undoubtedly heard of Camp Freddy, the cover band made up of ex-members of The Cult, Guns and Roses and so on. Well, coming on the scene like a hard rock freight train are The Chelsea Girls. The Chelsea Girls, are an all-female supergroup who offer up some serious covers of a lot of classic hard rock and heavy metal.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe band features lead vocalist Tuesdae, guitarist Allison Robertson (The Donnas), bassist Corey Parks (Nashville Pussy) and drummer Samantha Maloney (Motley Crue, Hole, Peaches, Crystal Method). Their set includes songs by Guns and Roses, Judas Priest and AC/DC. The last band makes sense considering the group's motto is, \"for those about to rock, we will seduce you!\" The Chelsea Girls are equal parts musicianship, attitude and alluring appeal. They not only have a few residencies in Hollywood and San Diego but they have also secured a couple of dates opening for Motorhead! I had the pleasure of chatting with drummer Samantha Maloney to get her take on how the \"Girls\" came together and where they are headed.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eDavid Carr: Samantha, tell me how the group got together and why?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eSamantha Maloney:\u003c/span\u003e I actually thought about doing this a couple years ago, but I was just really busy with other projects, things -- you know life happens! I got a message from Corey Parks. She said that she had an idea of starting a cover band like Camp Freddy -- she wanted to do an all female version. I told her that I was down to do it but only if we could get Allison Robertson of the Donnas to do it.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eDC: What was the hardest part with regards to putting the band together?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eSM:\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e The toughest part was finding the right singer. We really wanted to get someone who would take this seriously and who could really sing! I mean we knew we were going to be doing some classics so we wanted someone who would do right by the songs. Allison had a friend named Tuesdae. She actually had DJ'd her birthday party two years earlier. We went and saw her live and we were floored! She was super cool, easy on the eyes and she had this amazing four octave voice!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eDC: So is the goal of The Chelsea Girls to play songs you like and have fun?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eSM:\u003c/span\u003e The goal is to be the best cover band in the world! We pick songs that we like and they are songs we can play and pull off live. Playing the songs is fun. There is a whole new generation of kids getting into this music thanks to Guitar Hero and Rock Band.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eDC: Have you seen the age break down with regards to younger kids and folks who grew up with this music both coming to your shows?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eSM:\u003c/span\u003e Oh yeah I have seen it! We had one guy who is forty-five years old come to one of the shows with his son. He wants us to play his son's Bar Mitzvah!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eDC: HA! That's gonna be one heck of a Bar Mitzvah! So would you say that the notion of female artists not being able to rock has hard as their male counter parts is a thing of the past or do you still run into that perception?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eSM:\u003c/span\u003e You know I never really think about the issue until I am asked about it. I mean the last time I had to confront it was when I was in hardcore band in the 90's. I was the only girl in the band and I guess my band members heard these guys saying that we could not be that hardcore because I was a female -- I mean we started this band for two reasons.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe wanted to show girls that they CAN do this and we wanted to show guys that yes, girls CAN do this. I mean we all love rock and roll but you rarely see women playing rock and roll on TV. We want to show girls that this can be your reality. You can learn an instrument, play it, join a band, and write your own songs, the whole deal. And as for the guys, we are stopping the whole, \"I play really well for a girl.\" No, it's I play really well!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eDC: You mentioned Guitar Hero and Rock Band. Both games seem to be exposing a new generation to some great music but do you ever think to yourself when you see someone playing these games, \"man why don't you get a real guitar or drum set?\"\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eSM:\u003c/span\u003e Well I think both games are really getting more kids into the idea of playing a musical instrument. I mean, I think there are kids that never thought about playing an instrument who are now playing these games and are buying real instruments and starting to take lessons -- the games are getting kids to want to do it for real and that's good.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eDC: How did you get started playing drums?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eSM:\u003c/span\u003e When I was twelve years old I discovered Headbanger's Ball on MTV and I was hooked! The more my dad hated it, the more I loved it. I was really interested in the physicality of playing drums. I finally got a drum set, a private instructor and then I auditioned for, and got into, FAME high school in New York.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eDC: What else do you have going on?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eSM:\u003c/span\u003e Well, I'm in a band called The Ingeneues. We are a cross between Massive Attack, Lady Tron and Depeche Mode. I am an actress and I was on the show \"Californication\" last season. I am in a new movie coming out called \"Adventures in Power.\" It's a movie about air drumming! I also DJ with Tuesdae.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eDC: Wow sounds like you are one busy woman! You remind me of some of my relatives who are West Indian. They are always bragging about how they have fifteen jobs!\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eSM:\u003c/span\u003e HA! Yeah it's a lot but for now the priority is The Chelsea Girls. We have residencies coming up in Hollywood, San Diego and Las Vegas.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eDC: I believe you will also be opening up for Motorhead correct?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eSM:\u003c/span\u003e Yeah! We will be opening the Southern California Motorhead shows. Lemmy has jumped on stage with us before. He loves us and we dig him!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eDC: Samantha thanks for chatting with me and good luck with your up coming shows.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eSM:\u003c/span\u003e Thank you for taking time out to talk to me!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eThe CHELSEA GIRLS' fall shows are:\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e9/18 Brick By Brick San Diego, CA\u003cbr /\u003e9/19 The Roxy Los Angeles, CA\u003cbr /\u003e10/7 House of Blues Anaheim, CA w/ Motorhead\u003cbr /\u003e10/9 Club NOKIA Los Angeles, CA w/ Motorhead\u003cbr /\u003e10/10 House of Blues Las Vegas, NV w/ Motorhead\u003cbr /\u003e10/31 Brick By Brick San Diego, CA\u003cbr /\u003e11/20 Brick By Brick San Diego, CA\u003cbr /\u003e11/21 The Roxy Los Angeles, CA\u003cbr /\u003e12/18 Brick By Brick San Diego, CA\u003cbr /\u003e12/19 The Roxy Los Angeles, CA\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.myspace.com/chelseagirlsrock\"\u003ewww.myspace.com/chelseagirlsrock\u003c/a\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003e\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/674588145118141628-2680340315986893742?l\u003dcwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/feeds/2680340315986893742/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/2009/09/chelsea-girls-just-wanna-rock-and-have.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/674588145118141628/posts/default/2680340315986893742"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/674588145118141628/posts/default/2680340315986893742"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/2009/09/chelsea-girls-just-wanna-rock-and-have.html","title":"The Chelsea Girls Just Wanna Rock - And Have Fun!"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"CWG, Inc."},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/08167826987284190998"},"email":{"$t":"editor@cwgmagazine.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"12156025679189771024"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/SrGrFglak2I/AAAAAAAADAk/LdYcgAyuB-E/s72-c/ChelseaGirls470_737703.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-674588145118141628.post-8989746159617828055"},"published":{"$t":"2009-09-16T19:48:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-09-16T19:55:21.288-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"the color morale"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"chicks with guns"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"reality check"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"The Color Morale Garret Rapp Testifies"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/SrGlBGMgL_I/AAAAAAAADAU/RQgKszTm3wQ/s1600-h/The%2BColor%2BMorale%2Bl_9e7adf39a8b54f339cef214013e8.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/SrGlBGMgL_I/AAAAAAAADAU/RQgKszTm3wQ/s400/The%2BColor%2BMorale%2Bl_9e7adf39a8b54f339cef214013e8.jpg\" alt\u003d\"\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382264467945959410\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(102, 102, 102);\"\u003eInterview By: Pablo Cortez\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePC: What’s up guys, so what is the hardcore scene like in Rockford, Illinois?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eGarret:\u003c/span\u003e Rockford has been kind of stagnant and non-existent for a while when it comes to music.  Lately, there seems to be a few bands really starting to try again and that's awesome.  Kids need productive positive outlets.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePC: You have a pretty solid fan base, what has fan reaction been to the new album (\"We All Have Demons\")? Fan reaction at your life shows?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eGarret: \u003c/span\u003eThe reaction to the album so far has been pretty surreal. We did a Hot Topic in-store release on our release date and almost 400 people showed up, that following Saturday we played a local CD release show with our friends Gwen Stacy, and over 550 kids came. The thing that really brings me the most rewarding feeling is that kids aren't coming to our shows since we got signed just because it's \"cool\" or because it's something big and new for Rockford or the Midwest.  Kids are coming because they hear something honest in our music, and they're connecting to it.  There is nothing that makes me happier than knowing that kids are coming to our shows for the right reasons.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePC: What’s your favorite venue that you’ve played so far?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eGarret: \u003c/span\u003eMan that's a tough question.  In 5 years we've played quite a few awesome venues and established a lot of great relationships.  I would say our all-time favorite venue we've played is Chubby Rain House of Tunes in Poplar Grove, Illinois.  They are like family to us there and the sound and atmosphere is great.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePC: How did you guys hook up with Rise Records? What has that relationship been like?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eGarret: \u003c/span\u003eWe had a chance to meet Matthew at Rise after posting a couple demo tracks on Myspace.  Our manager had been discussing a few label options, and in the end, Rise was the best fit for us.  We are very pleased with that decision and very excited for the future in the Rise family.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePC: What are some influential bands/singers for the Color Morale?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eGarret: \u003c/span\u003eCollectively, we are heavily influenced by bands such as Life in your way, Beloved, Poison the Well, Misery Signals, and countless others.  Personally one of my biggest vocal influences is Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat World.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePC: How do you distinguish your sound from all those post-hardcore/metalcore bands out there? How would you describe your music to a first time listener?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eGarret: \u003c/span\u003eWe try to touch on all of our personal genre preferences while at the same time not compromising originality or integrity in our music.  I think we all personally wanted a CD that was dynamic and really pressed on being experimental while at the same time not being genre confused or trying too hard.  We wanted to sound like \"us.\"\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePC: Are there any bands out there that you guys are particular fans of? What sort of tracks are playing while you make your way to a show? \u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eGarret: \u003c/span\u003eI know lately on the way to shows I've been woken up in the back seat of the van by the following: Periphery, Life in your way, Poison the Well, As Cities Burn, and Gwen Stacy, to name a few.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePC: Congratulations on your new album, “We All Have Demons”. What does your tour schedule look like and what city/cities are you most excited to play for?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eGarret: \u003c/span\u003eWe're going on for about two months with our friends in Miss May I, and we'll be on an Attack Attack! headlining tour with them as well.  We're STOKED to go out with Attack and start learning life on the good ol' open highway.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThanks so much for the interview guys!\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003e\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/674588145118141628-8989746159617828055?l\u003dcwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/feeds/8989746159617828055/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/2009/09/color-morale-garret-rapp-testifies.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/674588145118141628/posts/default/8989746159617828055"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/674588145118141628/posts/default/8989746159617828055"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/2009/09/color-morale-garret-rapp-testifies.html","title":"The Color Morale Garret Rapp Testifies"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"CWG, Inc."},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/08167826987284190998"},"email":{"$t":"editor@cwgmagazine.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"12156025679189771024"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/SrGlBGMgL_I/AAAAAAAADAU/RQgKszTm3wQ/s72-c/The%2BColor%2BMorale%2Bl_9e7adf39a8b54f339cef214013e8.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-674588145118141628.post-2554729737202163977"},"published":{"$t":"2009-09-16T14:37:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-09-16T16:15:08.869-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"chicks with guns"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"sing it loud"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"reality check"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Sing It Loud - Warped Tour Interview"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/SrFvr-6T6eI/AAAAAAAAC_s/T1AOFu20kYU/s1600-h/SingItLoud1.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/SrFvr-6T6eI/AAAAAAAAC_s/T1AOFu20kYU/s400/SingItLoud1.jpg\" alt\u003d\"\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382205831097084386\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(102, 102, 102);\"\u003eStory and Photos By: Chris Martinez\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(102, 102, 102);\"\u003e(Sacramento Live Performance Columnist)\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSing It Loud released their debut LP  \"Come Around\" last year on Epitaph Records. They were signed to Epitaph after only a few shows together. Sing It Loud are on the light side of pop-punk which makes it interesting to be signed to Epitaph.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\"Come Around,\" hit #44 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart and they toured the entire Warped Tour. Their lead singer and guitarist, Pat Brown, sat down and spared a few moments to talk to us about their future tours, music plans and the excitement of Warped Tour.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eCM: So how long have you guys been on this year’s Warped Tour?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePat:\u003c/span\u003e We’ve been on the entire tour on the Hurley stage.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eCM: Is this your first time on Warped Tour or have you guys done it before?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cdiv style\u003d\"float:right;padding:3px 0px 5px 8px;\"\u003e\u003cobject type\u003d\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" data\u003d\"http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf\" id\u003d\"lalaAlbumEmbed\" width\u003d\"220\" height\u003d\"254\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"movie\" value\u003d\"http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf\"/\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"wmode\" value\u003d\"transparent\"/\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"allowNetworking\" value\u003d\"all\"/\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"allowScriptAccess\" value\u003d\"always\"/\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"flashvars\" value\u003d\"albumId\u003d360569445168254900\u0026host\u003dwww.lala.com\u0026partnerId\u003dmemberalbum\"/\u003e\u003cembed id\u003d\"lalaAlbumEmbed\" name\u003d\"lalaAlbumEmbed\" src\u003d\"http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf\" width\u003d\"220\" height\u003d\"254\" type\u003d\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" pluginspage\u003d\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" wmode\u003d\"transparent\" allowNetworking\u003d\"all\" allowScriptAccess\u003d\"always\" flashvars\u003d\"albumId\u003d360569445168254900\u0026host\u003dwww.lala.com\u0026partnerId\u003dmemberalbum\"\u003e\u003c/embed\u003e\u003c/object\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePat:\u003c/span\u003e This is our first time playing it, but I’ve been coming to it for like 5 years, so it’s been a huge part of my life for sure. It’s like a dream come true. So many bands I look up to, and like a lot of bands that we’ve toured, with like Hit The Lights, The Maine, and All Time Low.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eCM: Are there any upcoming tours you guys have planned?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePat:\u003c/span\u003e We’re actually going home after Warped Tour and going to record our second record. Then right after that, we’re going out October 27th with The Rocket Summer and Forever The Sickest Kids.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eCM: Is the tour going to be all over the nation or just East Coast or West Coast?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePat:\u003c/span\u003e It is, it’s going to be all over. It’s full US.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eCM: What’s your favorite state to play?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePat:\u003c/span\u003e My favorite state to play is Ohio. It’s a really fun state to play. So is Pennsylvania. I also like playing Boston, Massachusetts as well.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eCM: What was one of your favorite tours to play?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePat:\u003c/span\u003e Last fall with Cobra Starship, Forever The Sickest Kids, and Hit The Lights. We had to ride a little elevator to get to the stage. One of my favorite tours we’ve been on.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eCM: Do you write all the lyrics or is it a band collaboration?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePat:\u003c/span\u003e Yeah, Kieren [Smith – Guitar and vocals] and I write the majority of the songs but the whole band definitely puts in their two cents in. We all write the songs together, its not just one person.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eCM: Do you guys do some handshake or sing a song before you guys go on stage?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePat:\u003c/span\u003e Yeah, we actually sing \"The Mighty Ducks.\" We do, “Quack, quack, quack, quack, quack. Go Ducks!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eCM: So what was your first show like, as a band?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePat:\u003c/span\u003e It was a local show and there was a lot of people. We thought we were okay and it was our first show ever. It was July 14th of 2007.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eCM: Alright, thanks for the quick interview!\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003ePat:\u003c/span\u003e Yeah, no problem. Later.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/chickswithgunsmagazine/sets/72157622335876656/\"\u003eClick here\u003c/a\u003e to see all of Chris' Warped Tour photos.\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003e\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/674588145118141628-2554729737202163977?l\u003dcwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/feeds/2554729737202163977/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/2009/09/sing-it-loud-warped-tour-interview.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/674588145118141628/posts/default/2554729737202163977"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/674588145118141628/posts/default/2554729737202163977"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/2009/09/sing-it-loud-warped-tour-interview.html","title":"Sing It Loud - Warped Tour Interview"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"CWG, Inc."},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/08167826987284190998"},"email":{"$t":"editor@cwgmagazine.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"12156025679189771024"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/SrFvr-6T6eI/AAAAAAAAC_s/T1AOFu20kYU/s72-c/SingItLoud1.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-674588145118141628.post-1136667062476131515"},"published":{"$t":"2009-09-16T00:41:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-09-16T00:41:00.352-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"chicks with guns"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"reality check"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"morning fuzz"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Morning Fuzz Spreads the Word and Shoots for Modern Rock Success"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/SqoAWBHCKzI/AAAAAAAAC4E/GcYUnVsHrVk/s1600-h/MorningFuzz.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 352px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/SqoAWBHCKzI/AAAAAAAAC4E/GcYUnVsHrVk/s400/MorningFuzz.jpg\" alt\u003d\"\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380113083102538546\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(102, 102, 102);\"\u003eWritten By: David Carr\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eUpstart Modern Rock Band Releases Debut EP - One of the newest bands to enter the world of modern rock is New York's own Morning Fuzz. The band has released their debut disc, a five song EP that in some ways may remind you of early 90's modern rock. The band tempers an indie rock feel with bursts of energy, tough sounding melodies and colorful, introspective lyrics. Frontman, Frank Fussa (I dare you to say that three times fast) brought me up to speed recently on his new band and how they hope they can spread the \"fuzz\".\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eDavid Carr: Frank, how long has Morning Fuzz been together?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eFrank Fussa:\u003c/span\u003e We have been together for a little over a year now, since last spring.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eDC: Talk to me about the recording of your EP. What was that like?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eFF:\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e The recording took about 5-6 months because of our work schedules. We would be back and forth recording a few hour sessions at a time because we were working on basically no budget. We recorded it with our friend Jason Marcus, who has worked with my old band Ultra High Frequency. Then we sent it out to Seattle to get mixed by Barrett Jones (best known for his work with Foo Fighters, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Fall of Troy) who also worked with my old band on our last recording.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eDC: What would you say are your main influences as a songwriter?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eFF:\u003c/span\u003e I'd say my biggest influences are the bands I loved growing up, mostly in the 90's alternative period of music. Every time I hear music from that time, it brings back these really good vibes that do not exist anymore in the current music that is out. Now you really have to dig through all the garbage that is coming out for any kind of inspiration!!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eDC: Your band is based in Brooklyn correct? If so, tell me about the vibrant music scene there and how Morning Fuzz has become a part to of it.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eFF:\u003c/span\u003e Chris (the bass player) and I are living in Brooklyn, but I'd say we are more based in Long Island. That's where our rehearsal space is and that's where we grew up. There are so many bands in Brooklyn and Manhattan and they are part of the Electronic scene, so it's hard for us to fit in around here.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIt's hard to get attention as a 3-piece rock band, ya know? It will be our turn to play at a show and people will see that we aren't dressed up in a glorified Halloween costume and that we don't have a computer on stage and they will all bounce out of the club quickly!! HA!!!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eDC: You seem to paint many interesting pictures with your lyrics. What inspires you lyrically?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eFF:\u003c/span\u003e Hmm -- Whatever I'm feeling at the time when I pick up my guitar, basically inspires me to write. Just every day things like my surroundings, people, going to different places and seeing certain things, etc. I like going to the beach when there is no one there, even in the winter when it's all gray out -- the sounds of the ocean -- that can inspire me a lot.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eDC: What's the plan now that the disc is out? Are you looking to jump on an indie label?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eFF:\u003c/span\u003e Now that the EP is finally done and going to be released on iTunes, our goal is to keep working on our home fan Base in NY. We will also tour as much as we can and branch out as much as possible and keep going back so the vibe keeps growing in all the areas. Hopefully, we will branch out of the US also and just spread the Fuzz hard around the world.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI have a bunch of songs written, and we have been working on them, so we can hopefully record again soon and put out another record by next year. Ya gotta keep 'em coming! As far as labels and music industry goes, It looks really bleek. We have been doing all of the work ourselves, busting our asses to fund everything, booking shows and tours, mailing out cds to reviewers and radio stations, etc...If a label reaches out and wants to help us in a good way, then we will totally consider it.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIf you are on the east coast, check out Morning Fuzz and be prepared to take a closer look at what the \"fuzz\" is all about.\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003e\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/674588145118141628-1136667062476131515?l\u003dcwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/feeds/1136667062476131515/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/2009/09/morning-fuzz-spreads-word-and-shoots.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/674588145118141628/posts/default/1136667062476131515"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/674588145118141628/posts/default/1136667062476131515"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/2009/09/morning-fuzz-spreads-word-and-shoots.html","title":"Morning Fuzz Spreads the Word and Shoots for Modern Rock Success"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"CWG, Inc."},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/08167826987284190998"},"email":{"$t":"editor@cwgmagazine.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"12156025679189771024"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/SqoAWBHCKzI/AAAAAAAAC4E/GcYUnVsHrVk/s72-c/MorningFuzz.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-674588145118141628.post-2415230111283448863"},"published":{"$t":"2009-09-15T00:48:00.001-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-09-15T01:08:51.446-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"chicks with guns"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"darkest hour"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"reality check"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Darkest Hour Tells All"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/Sq9J2kMwEkI/AAAAAAAAC70/vHL4dakoErA/s1600-h/DarkestHour3484_photo.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 265px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/Sq9J2kMwEkI/AAAAAAAAC70/vHL4dakoErA/s400/DarkestHour3484_photo.jpg\" alt\u003d\"\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381601281509954114\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(102, 102, 102);\"\u003eInterview By: Jack Walker\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIn the beginning, it almost seemed like a terrible mistake, but it was destiny that heavy metal and punk would eventually crossover. In the early 90s, heavy metal was bloated and uninspired while punk rock was becoming more and more pretentious and disgruntled. Aggressive music needed a rebirth; moreover the two styles needed a renaissance. It was this marriage of thrash/speed metal's power and the savagery of hardcore punk that would ultimately spawn a new age in heavy music.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eBands like Venom, Exodus, Discharge, Cro-Mags and Integrity took that initial spark of the crossover ethos and reinvigorated the sound each and every time, thus continuing the legacy and inspiring countless followers.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eFast-forward to 1995 in Washington DC where (what many would consider the home of modern hardcore music) another chapter of both hardcore/punk and metal history would be written. Classically unassuming and, in many ways, keeping in true punk spirit, DC gave birth to the band that would bring both genre’s even closer.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThat band is DARKEST HOUR.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eA bastard child born of the mid 90s punk/metal/hardcore movement, DARKEST HOUR combines the passion, energy, and soul of punk/hardcore with the style, speed, vengeance and fury of melodic speed/thrash/death metal.\u003ctable style\u003d\"padding: 3px 2px 5px 8px; float: right;\"\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003cobject type\u003d\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" data\u003d\"http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf\" id\u003d\"lalaAlbumEmbed\" height\u003d\"254\" width\u003d\"220\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"movie\" value\u003d\"http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"wmode\" value\u003d\"transparent\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"allowNetworking\" value\u003d\"all\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"allowScriptAccess\" value\u003d\"always\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"flashvars\" value\u003d\"albumId\u003d360569445182083928\u0026amp;host\u003dwww.lala.com\u0026amp;partnerId\u003dmemberalbum\"\u003e\u003cembed id\u003d\"lalaAlbumEmbed\" name\u003d\"lalaAlbumEmbed\" src\u003d\"http://www.lala.com/external/flash/PlaylistWidget.swf\" type\u003d\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" pluginspage\u003d\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" wmode\u003d\"transparent\" allownetworking\u003d\"all\" allowscriptaccess\u003d\"always\" flashvars\u003d\"albumId\u003d360569445182083928\u0026amp;host\u003dwww.lala.com\u0026amp;partnerId\u003dmemberalbum\" height\u003d\"254\" width\u003d\"220\"\u003e\u003c/embed\u003e\u003c/object\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003cdiv style\u003d\"padding: 3px 0px;\"\u003e \u003cimg src\u003d\"http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg220/chickswithgunsmag/smicons/BuyOn.png\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id\u003dQB3FFWKj8JU\u0026amp;offerid\u003d146261\u0026amp;type\u003d3\u0026amp;subid\u003d0\u0026amp;tmpid\u003d1826\u0026amp;RD_PARM1\u003dhttp%253A%252F%252Fitunes.apple.com%252FWebObjects%252FMZStore.woa%252Fwa%252FviewArtist%253Fid%253D15366902%2526uo%253D6%2526partnerId%253D30\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cimg src\u003d\"http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg220/chickswithgunsmag/smicons/BuyOniTunes-1.png\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0028ERBZ8?tag\u003dchiwitgunmag-20\u0026amp;camp\u003d0\u0026amp;creative\u003d0\u0026amp;linkCode\u003das1\u0026amp;creativeASIN\u003dB0028ERBZ8\u0026amp;adid\u003d1Y29MHV8GYVA46Y2K774\u0026amp;\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cimg src\u003d\"http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg220/chickswithgunsmag/smicons/BuyOnAmazon1.png\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.lala.com/artist/Darkest_Hour\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cimg src\u003d\"http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg220/chickswithgunsmag/smicons/BuyOnlala1.png\" alt\u003d\"Photobucket\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/table\u003eIn this decade-without-a-name, DARKEST HOUR defined the entire New Wave Of American Metal sound and gave the metal and hardcore/punk world a revitalization it surely needed. This new style blended the raw, hardcore punk of the 80s with the Scandinavian death metal of the 90s and forged a sound that would later become the template for modern metal.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eTheir first recordings, The Misanthrope and The Prophecy Fulfilled, although bitter and raw with the sound of a young band searching to find its own identity, planted the initial seeds in the late 1990s for what was about to become legendary. DARKEST HOUR would eventually cross paths with producer Brian McTernan who then recorded their first full length, The Mark of the Judas. It was one of the most talked about debut albums of the period; an absolute monster of a thrash record. Plagued by label problems, The Mark of the Judas, although not widely promoted caught the attention of Chicago, IL based VICTORY RECORDS and in 2001 they joined theVICTORY RECORDS family. Later that year, DARKEST HOUR recorded and released their second full length, So Sedated So Secure.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe caught up with Darkest Hour guitarist, Mike Schleibaum via e-mail.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJW: What's Darkest Hour's inner darkest secret?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJH:\u003c/span\u003e Really, it’s to do what you want when you want. We’ve toured for almost 14 years and have seen, well, more then a few unspeakable things. But the one thing we have learned is that, as an artist, you must first please yourself in order to create something that has a chance of pleasing others. Oh, and it has to both fun AND hard or you're just not trying!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJW: What artist would make your dream matchup, that is, which artist/group in another genre would the band like to perform with? Record with? both?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJH: \u003c/span\u003eHmm, we have been lucky enough to play with some of Metal's greats (Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Slayer, At the Gate) and we would love to perform with some of the others: Megadeth, Metallica, Anthrax, Opeth, In Flames. Also, I love NIN, and shit, I wouldn’t mind even rocking a show or two with Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, or even the man himself, Snoop!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJW: Why did you add a second guitarist to your group prior to your first LP release, \"The Mark of the Judas?”\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJH: \u003c/span\u003eI was writing all the guitars at that point, and although I would write parts that sounded great on the record, playing live without another guitarist, things just didn’t seem full. It was impossible to make the twin guitar harmonies stand out and sound good when just one dude was playing them.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eDefinitely, adding a second guitarist rounded out the sound of the band and made it a much better experience live. There are many things I like better about being the only guitarist in a band, but none of those reasons outweigh the fact that live, nothing sounds better then two sick ass guitars harmonizing!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJW: Your group bounced around from a couple of independent labels from, including the defunct M.I.A. label, eventually securing a deal with Victory Records.  Did the changes in labels distract the group from making music? Are you enjoying your new home at Victory?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJH: \u003c/span\u003eLabel changes and record distribution problems always interfere with creativity. And, yes I would say that all the different things this band has been through definitely are distractions. I mean it’s hard to create a record when you’re worried about how you’re going to keep the lights and heat on. At the same time we’ve survived, and you know what they say, what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJW: Why did the band form?  Did you guys have an objective?  And when did the group know that it made the transformation from garage band to pro recording artists?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJH: \u003c/span\u003eWe started the band in high school for only one reason, to rock hard! Our sole mission was to do one thing, play a show! Once we met that goal, we just kept rolling. Soon our goal was to tour, travel the world, and next thing you know, 14 years later, we’re touring musicians! Who knew! I know we never did! The trick in the music biz is that you have to always adjust your goals. Right now, I think our goal is to put out bad-ass tunes, rock killer metal shows, and hang hard!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJW: Brian McTernan's work as producer in 2000 was a pivotal point in the group’s success.  What did Brian bring to your follow-up collaboration “The Eternal Return?\"\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJH: \u003c/span\u003eBrian brought a lot of things to the table as a producer, but the one thing that was undeniable was his perspective. Brian understands where the band has come from but also had a good sense of where it should head.  He made sure to help keep us on the right path, and for that we will be forever grateful!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJW: What advice would you give to future start-up groups as to how to develop staying power that is needed to be successful in the music business?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJH: \u003c/span\u003eMan, I always say this, keep your eyes on the real goals of musical life. If money, fame, and fast times are all you crave, I fear you will end up empty and probably making bad music. You have to stay focused and understand that the ONLY thing that is timeless, the only thing that matters is music. Everything else is just smoke and mirrors.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJW: How stoked was the group to have their song \"Demon(s)\" as part of the Guitar Hero video game?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/Sq9LKi9irnI/AAAAAAAAC78/VHIRVyn2_Ds/s1600-h/Darkest%2BHour.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 278px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/Sq9LKi9irnI/AAAAAAAAC78/VHIRVyn2_Ds/s400/Darkest%2BHour.jpg\" alt\u003d\"\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381602724286738034\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJH: \u003c/span\u003eOh very stoked! We love the game and play it all the time. Although we would much rather encourage kids to rock a real guitar and jam with their friends, I have to admit that shit is fun. So take a break from rocking every once and while and check it out. Guitar Hero is fun; it’s just not a replacement for real guitar and really making music. – Oh but I fucking love the Weezer song on GH5! So awesome!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJW: The group has been together since 1995 and has seen a lot and experienced a lot both on and off the road. How will the group prepare for their upcoming tour with Trivium?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJH: \u003c/span\u003eThe same way we always do; a long band practice or two and an even longer party!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJW: How do you guys define the Genre \"melodic death?\" and how does the group drive that genre?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 102, 0);\"\u003eJH:\u003c/span\u003e To me, it's obvious, the “melodic” refers to the guitars (ala. In Flames, Dismember, Dark Tranquility, The Haunted, Arch Enemy, Dimension Zero etc.) and sometimes the vocals. The “death,” this is derived more from the speed and fury of the band. It's like this: melodic crushing guitars, thundering bass, powerful driving drums, and pissed as fuck dark ass vocals! – That’s a recipe for some killer ass Melodic Death!\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003e\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/674588145118141628-2415230111283448863?l\u003dcwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/feeds/2415230111283448863/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/2009/09/darkest-hour-tells-all.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/674588145118141628/posts/default/2415230111283448863"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/674588145118141628/posts/default/2415230111283448863"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://cwgrealitycheck.blogspot.com/2009/09/darkest-hour-tells-all.html","title":"Darkest Hour Tells All"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"CWG, Inc."},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/08167826987284190998"},"email":{"$t":"editor@cwgmagazine.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"12156025679189771024"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8G41dtS7j8Y/Sq9J2kMwEkI/AAAAAAAAC70/vHL4dakoErA/s72-c/DarkestHour3484_photo.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"0"}}]}});