9 LIVES Zine Vol. 2

9 LIVES

Featuring interviews with band A Sunday Fire and artist Fredric Lecut

Cover art by Annaleigh Nowell

A Surprise Interview with Kat Murray

By Bob Mcgough Kat, ever self-effacing, had no idea I was actually interviewing her. So here is what you get: What made you want to do 9 Lives?

I’ve been subscribed to contemporary art magazines like hi fructose since I was a teen. I always liked the idea of having a gallery at the touch of your fingertips. I know quite a few artists that would like to show their art to the world, but are too afraid of the criticism. I wanted to create a community here in the South where we could lean on each other and fellow artists and creators could work together to build each other up. I wanted local artists to have an approachable way to showcase their art. My perspective is strange, unususal, but delightful and I wanted to create something that tapped into all of those elements.

I have an appreciation for those who go out and do things. So many just sit in a tub of apathy, wondering why their life is boring.

Got neato arts, writings, or a band-type-thing? submit some stuff to us @ 9liveszine@gmail.com Don’t be lame go like us... https://www.facebook. com/9liveswiregrasszine/?ref=settings

Thanks. I’ve tried to do many different artistic ventures, and some have failed, but I have never let failure defeat me. I take it in like fertilizer and it helps me grow. I’ve never been one to settle in life. I have a lot of ambition. There is always a new dream to dream.

So what is your ambition? What do you want to be when you ‘grow up’ as they say?

I want to own my own contemporary art space that doubles as a music venue. I have always known that my career would be one that was “off the beaten path”.

Local bui

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Located @ 3104 Ross Clark Circle Dothan, Alabama

Located @ 3276 W Main St Dothan, Alabama We pride ourselves on the happiness and comfort of your pet while providing quality work. Tina and Jennifer look forward to meeting you and your furbabies!

Great people and excellent service! You can trust these gals with your furry family members.

They have everything you could ever want!

Snowballs, Snow cones, Shaved ice, Raspados, Ice, Chili Dogs, Hot Dogs, Boiled Peanut, Hot Peanuts, & Nachos A perfect place for a treat in this nasty Alabama heat!

“Homecoming” by Jeff Hill

This house is haunted, but now by ghosts. The yard out back is haunted too, by phantom hot dog roasts and campfire parties. The picnic table is gone but the grass is still missing where it sat, and the cigarette butts from all those nights of solving the world’s problems while drinking cheap wine still lay where they were thrown. Who could have known that our first home would be our last? That the swing set we put back here would only be piloted by the children of those who came after?

I’ve lived in a couple houses since, but not one of ‘em was a home. This one is the only one i felt alive inside of, and I can still smell the cinnamon rolls we made on Christmas and the popcorn we religiously burned. This house is so cold today, I want to set the whole damn thing on fire and drop it down so that maybe the ashes will feed the earth and give birth and form to the memories draped over every doorway. They stick to my face and get in my mouth, God damn this house! Now I’m crying and the tears are mixing with the dust and making mud in the bedroom where we once made love. And through the open closet door, through my watery eyes and foggy breath, I can still see the heart with all three of our names in it. You couldn’t sleep so we’d stayed up carving, reading ghost stories and drawing shapes on each other’s backs with our fingers. I could never guess them right. We stayed up that whole night and watched the sun come up sitting on our back steps. Me, smoking, rubbing your shoulders while you worried over traditional names.

This house was my home but now it’s just a giant headstone for the life that I lived, loved, and lost. I’m feeling it now, my lids are heavy but my heart is pumping like a Tech-9 dumping into enemies like they do over on MLK. But all those ideas are so far away. Slowing down. I’m spread eagle now on the hardwood, about where our bed once stood, and soon I m sleeping and it’s getting dark and damn. It feels so fucking good to be home.

Art by Raquel Wright

Photography by Grant Logan

the glancing blow.

by Bobby Lee a creature of night, a red eye flight. a fight with wrong for what ‘feels’ right a laugh at tears in disbelief i know. i care. i love. defeat. a weeping willow’s broken branch a call to arms. a battle stance. a float along a river bend i think. i listen. i make pretend. history. mystery. his story. her story. bone breaking. head splitting. heart breaking. score keeping. the music of life to the tempo of time the times of my life to the rhythm of rhymes I’ve loved and felt loved in the heat of the moment i hurt and i’ve healed through a weathered atonement the glancing blow. the arrow. the bow. the f hole. the cleft soul. the square peg. the dog bowl. a prayer to somebody. anybody. all bodies. lay with me. stay with me. lonely and made weary. sunsets and good mornings. thunderstorm warnings. inclement. consequent. reverent.

I never meant to…

Interview with Pink for President

by Bob Mcgough

Dallas (lead guitarist) and I started writing music together in our freshmen year of high school, which I’m just-now realizing was almost a DECADE ago! I can’t believe it’s been that long, especially since our current lineup has only existed for a little over two years.

In March of 2013, we released Revenge of the Byclops, and a year later, Chris (bassist) and Alex (drummer) joined the band. Now, we’re finishing our second album and planning many more sequels and creative projects for the future!

How would you describe your sound? Who would you list as influences?

We build our music on a foundation of pop punk and 90s alternative rock, but we keep our songwriting flexible; we aim for catchy melodies and punchy rhythms, then we throw everything else up in the air and see where it lands.

Photo creds: Paige Buchanan So I understand your lives as simple musicians have been disrupted by a number of supernatural creatures, such as The Byclops. Has that made the recording process more difficult?

Definitely... Our two-eyed enemy puts maximum effort into making our lives a living hell.

Would you care to talk a bit more in depth about this titanic struggle?

It all started with our debut album, Revenge of the Byclops. It marks the beginning of our ongoing storyline and the birthplace of many of our trademark characters, including The Byclops, his pervy sidekick, Commander Quick, and the eco-friendly spawn of Satan, Grass Man. Our upcoming album, Faith in Fiction, continues the story of those characters and adds dozens more. Basically, it’s like The Avengers on Ice...on CD...on Drugs.

Could you fill us in on more of the conventional history of the band?

Our musical influences range from pop punk bands such as New Found Glory, Blink-182, and Green Day to comedy acts like Tenacious D, Bo Burnham, and The Lonely Island, with countless other artists in between.

So where does PFP go from here? What upcoming plans are you guys making?

After the release of Faith in Fiction, we plan on touring with the new songs and writing our spin-off E.P., Revenge of the Cyclops, over the summer. We have several new projects planned for this year and the next, but we’ll keep those a secret for now...mainly because we’re horrible at deadlines.

Where can folks get your music?

All of our music is available on Bandcamp (pinkforpresident.bandcamp.com) and our official website (www.pinkforpresident.com).

Anything else to add?

I want to thank you and the rest of 9 Lives for having me, and I want to thank all of our fans for helping us fight the good fight against The Byclops! That guy totally sucks, and PFP sucks a little less with you all on our side!

“And So, Too, Do I Go” by Hayden Church The surface and tension broke, Ripples aqueous, heavy-soaked; Out, bastard thoughts inside emptied A frightful phrase, that scorn-guised brave, Which left the brain and to the hand, save For circumstance, pompous and grave.

Waves uncouthly and malice-breadth Rushed the shores; white-foamed ocean’s breath Laps the sand and covers my feet.

Patience left forth, pulled from its sheath.

For as he, it cowers and thieves, Toils-a-way to make irous me.

Sadly, but perhaps not, I, One who wants waves but not strife, Feel it leave as when it came.

Wrote in blonde-sand is his name, The writ of the ocean reef, Bastard Nature’s note to me.

Photography by Will Singleton

Soon, I see violent orange slide low, And a bastard’s words written so, Upon an Earth-Sun’s leaving glow, Sting, taut-string, from a lover’s bow.

And soon I see no wave I know, And with this, so, too, do I go.

Art by Heather Sessions

Featured Artist: Fredic Lecut

A few details about this Yezidi Project : The Yezidi are a peaceful non Muslim group originally from Syria and Iraq.

Since August 2014 ISIS has executed by the thousands their men and boys and abducted their women and girls into sexual slavery.

In 2015, I asked myself how I could use my mosaics to help them. I wanted to help broadcast a message to the world about their suffering and help financially. My work would have to capture their souls, the depth of their sufferings and resilience. I came up with an exclusive and revolutionary new technique : “Opus Pixellatum”. To my knowledge, nobody else builds mosaics this way, and the result is stunningly beautiful. I have built 8 mosaics which capture the souls of 6 Yezidi people. They are of five children and of a young female soldier.

50 % of the profit of their sales will be donated to the Free Yezidi Foundation founded by Pari Ibrahim, a remarkable young Yezidi woman, to help the Yezidi people.

Frederic Lecut was born in Abbeville on the Northern coast of France in 1957.

Already very young he was interested in Archaeology and enjoyed visiting Prehistoric and Roman sites, some of them decorated by wonderful mosaics.

He studied Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering and pursued an international career from 1980 to 2000.

He moved to Alabama in 1992.

In 2000, Frederic abandoned the corporate world to dedicate himself to Martial Arts and Manual Creation. In 2003 he met in Provence a remarkable Mosaic Artist. He was hooked and decided to try himself at this media. Back in the US, he went to work.

In the past years, Frederic’s has created, among other pieces, a number of huge portraits of people’s eye and several colorful Trees of life. In the fall of 2015, moved by the distress of Middle Eastern Refugees people, he started working on a collection of eyes of children.

Frederic is also involved in several community projects teaching people mosaic to show them how they can create art together.

He presently lives and creates his mosaics in Headland, Alabama with his dogs, cats and a bunch of Chickens.

Why mosaics ?

Frederic has always been fascinated by ancient art and architecture.

Wondering why and how did our ancestors build the Pyramids, Stonehenge, the Pont du Gard, the Cathedrals. Not only are these structures still standing after millennia, they also are beautiful, and we can’t but feel awe at their sight.

Today in Alabama when Frederic uses his martelina – a half moon shaped hammer – ancient mosaicists were using 2000 years ago he feels in communion with them when they were creating pieces which still to this day feels him with admiration.

Now why are these structures still standing after all these years ? They were made out of Stones, Glasses or Ceramics! Earth and Fire ! Stone, ceramic and glass last. Everything else decays fast : wood rots or burns, adobe and terra cotta break and crumble, paint fades, iron rusts, bronze oxydizes... Mosaics Last !

Hopefully, Frederic’s work will outlast him and be enjoyed by people for a very long time...

Art by Susan B Boyles

Check out her website! www.susanbboyles.com She also does really neat fundraiser painting parties you really wouldn’t want to miss!

“I’ve been creating and teaching Art classes for over 25 years to young and old, and it has always been my belief that everyone can create given the right Art medium. I’ll walk you through the creative process and give you tips and tricks to be successful! I design my Classes and Events so you can finish a project by the end of every class and learn how to use different methods and art mediums while having fun! What’s the best thing....NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY! You have no excuse- start creating and have fun!” (334) 400-5483 email- susanbboyles@gmail.com

Poems by Asheley Garza patio

my dog lies on the concrete patio pink belly up the fresh alabama sun cooking the air draped solid over us like a wet blanket.

he is not part of my reality he cares not for tardiness or three-day-leg-stubble or cleaning the lint trap.

i ache to be a part of his pink belly up only stirring to watch the children play across the street.

“Nina Simone” by Lyndsey Claire Long

my heart is in your locker

swimming more like flailing floating idly sometimes drowning drag me down down down down davy, drag me down

“Contemplation or Worry?”

by Janin Wise

“Doom Spirit” A portrait of Bobby Liebling

by Lyndsey Claire Long

Interview with A Sunday Fire

by David Waller

Will: The writing process usually starts with a main riff. We form the song based off said riff and everybody writes parts that fit. Most of the songs on Mobtown Punk just kinda fell together. But we had to pick the best five out of our 30 song repertoire.

Sam: The writing is usually a 2 part process. Joey,Will,and I usually make a basic rundown of the instruments and then Ruiz comes in and helps smooth things out and throw in vocals and such. It’s hard to believe we have 30 songs. Jeeeezzz This is one for all of you, what’s your favorite song off Mobtown Will: Silhouettes by far. It’s the most metalcore sounding one in my opinion.

Sam: I gotta say Coast to Coast. It’s my favorite to play and it seems to be a fan favorite.

Joey: It’s a toss up for me so either silhouettes or summers over I have to agree on coast to coast Sam. It’s my favorite Christopher: Coast to Coast.

Okay, to start things off. A brief history of the band from someone. How did you meet, how did you get started Sam: Joey and I met through his cousin, whom I went to school with. After that we formed the band and found Will, culling our other guitarist in the process. Then we spent a solid 6 or 7 months searching for a lead singer Christopher: I told Sam the new A Day to Remember album was garbage (Common Courtesy). I was promptly invited to try out.

Sam: Which started off as me and Chris getting into an argument via Facebook on Wether or not ‘Common Courtesy’ was a good album. After that things fell into place.

So tell me a little bit about your writing and recording process with Mobtown Punk

What are the next big plans? Is there a full length in the pipes?

Will: Touring mainly. But I believe ruiz can tell you a bit more about who we may or may not be recording a full length with.

Christopher: We currently have a few options that we are weighing for the full length. All i can tell you is that whoever we go with is going to make you say, “Holy shit.”

And the obvious question the entire world wants to know, how good of a kisser is Admiral Blues?

Christopher: I’m still craving Bojangles and crazy exes.

Will: Joey was born again in PBR that night Joey: It was an amazing experience Christopher: After last tour I think all of us are one giant can of PBR. Sam: Pbr for life

VENUES TO CHECK OUT!

The Dothan Plughouse Wend your way down a series of small back roads and leave Dothan (but only just). Ease through the gate where someone in a vest checks your ID and hands you a wrist band. Veer left and park.

You are at the Plughouse of Dothan, one of the homes of the Plug Uglies Wrecking Crew.

The Sanctuary Set back in the Cottage Hill district of Montgomery, practically looking over downtown, sits the Sanctuary. From the outside you would easily think it was a church, which once it was. Stepping inside won’t change that initial impression either, as stately windows look down into the chapel proper.

But this is no church, at least not in the conventional sense.

What the Sanctuary is, is a safe place for art. It’s their motto, and their path, something they have stuck to from day one.

Within its walls you can find all manner of projects in the works.

It hosts yoga classes and still life drawing lessons. Frequently they throw shows, bringing in bands from all over. They are the home of the Foomatic Makerspace.

In short, they are a little bit of everything. They have hosted all manner of events, from the now yearly showing of the Rocky Horror Picture Show, to holiday pop-up shops for local craftsmen and artists. Folks have been married there, and businesses started. It is arguably the cultural center of the downtown area, daring to take risks that no other area venue will.

So take a trip up the hill sometime. You’ll be glad you did.

If it’s a show night music will be blaring from within, with strains of rock and metal, punk and folk, all swirling together into a symphony of sound. Bands from all over come to play here, from across the southeast, the nation, even from foreign countries.

A rich variety of different styles of bands, as well as welcoming countless local solo acts. It brings a little bit of everything to the table, dribs and drabs that total up to a sonic feast.

As venues go, it’s perhaps not ideal. But that, in a strange way, is its appeal. Nothing about it is perfect.

If it’s cold out, there may be a fire roaring off to the side, if someone found a pallet to burn. In the summer, folks instead just stew in the miserable heat.

The music is passionate and real, not overly manufactured radio rock. Sometimes the speakers blow, or a cord breaks. The folks who go, none of them are Jesus returned, each carries with them their flaws.

In short, it is a whole that is greater than its parts.

For dozens of Dothan locals, it is their home away from home. It is practically the only place you can go to hear original music in the area.

It is the heartbeat of a slowly revitalized Dothan music scene. So come out, support local music, and feel it pulse around you.

Kat’s “Edgy” Art Show The Plughouse presents its first ever Edgy Art Show, brought to you by Kat Murray! Bringing together artists who create outside the boundaries of what is “proper,” join us as we come together in celebration of anti-censorship.

See the art that was too “Scary” for other venues here in the Wiregrass!

Enjoy live performances! Buy great works!

Supporting your local scene is more than music, so come out and embrace another aspect of what our region has to offer.

When? June 11th @ 5pm Where? The Plughouse 478 Sunrise dr. Dothan, Al Cover fee? $7 BYOB

F E A T U R E D

J E R I M I A H

A R T I S T

D A V I S

Bullfrog is one of our favorite local plug uglies and one of the best promoters around. You can find him in the plughouse if theres a show, Sideshow tattoo shop stabbing people with needles or wandering the highways looking for roadkill. His art is strange, unusual , but very refreshing. His creative tendicies allows him to make some pretty out-of this-world pieces from recycled and found objects.

Interview with D avid Waller AKA Adm iral Blues or Supere levators or something?

How would you describe your sound?

I would describe my sound as a train derailment being studio recorded slightly too loud. So complete chaos with a little bit of recording errors. I’m a loud, very organic one-man-blues-band. If basic bass drum and crash beats and loud slide guitar is your thing, I’m your dog.

What are some of your favorite venues to play?

I think my favorite venue has to The Plug House. If you can’t get down with getting baptized in a storage room by a one-man-band in red pants, then you aren’t down with me Tell me about Devil blues and the Superelevators.

The Superelevators is a two piece heavy blues band from Dothan and Troy, Alabama. It’s my new main focus and it features myself on guitar, harmonica and vocals. The band usually features Alex “Thor” Tjoland on drums and occasionally Jacob Long fills in (both are incredible musicians) We tiptoe the edge of scuzz and horror with songs about one-night-stands and literally being the devil but we always stay finely in the footsteps of our predecessors when it comes to keeping blues our primary basis. We have some very punk songs, Next Ex Boyfriend or Bored comes to mind.

We even have a really avant-garde noise song called Possum Kicking dedicated to our friend Snoog Lacky

How did you get into playing music? What were some of your early influences?

I got started invariably in the pursuit of getting laid and being the center of attention. I started trying to be a Jack White copycat and then I started getting heavily into R.L. burnside and Howlin’ Wolf. Major early blues artists and then I found more punk and heavy blues bands like The Soledad Brothers, Sleep, Jon Spencer’s Blues Explosion and The Pack A.D. How have those influences changed over time?

Nowadays I’m heavy into the dead weather and a lot of pop-punk emo stuff which is blending some of my new stuff into a weird whiney heavy blues that’s super interesting. I recreationally cry to modern baseball and FIDLAR all the time.

Our new record devilblues is free until June, on admiralblues.bandcamp. com and will hopefully soon be on major carriers. We’ve sent it out to a record label for demoing as well If you could be a super hero what would your name be and what powers would you have?

If I could have any superpower I’d trade it to be able to sing a little better.

Links to his music and such: admiralblues.bandcamp.com https://youtu.be/k1d7LYMts0w https://youtu.be/gKJu8zZCrJc