ISSUE 9
we found the hottest male alt model and snagged him
Hear all about the highly anticipated new album from The Bangkok Five
EXIT,CHICAGO SMOKING POPES LAST SECOND SIGNAL THE BOXER REBELLION HMAS VENDETTA CALL THE DOCTOR
In This Issue special features
on the cover Jonathon Hartigan
interview with Lissy Pages 6-7
The Boxer Rebellion Indie Music goes Mainstream Hollywood By Lissy MacMillan Page 5 Interview with HMAS Vendetta with Shaz Pages 10-12 Interview with Last
Second Signal Page 17
Spooky Chicago- Check
Smoking Popes
interview Pages 14-16
The Bangkok Five
interview Pages 32-37
Juliette Lewis
(Bitter Wigs and The Last Vegas) Pages 20-21 Photos from the show Page 22
out the area’s most haunted places Page 19 Spooky ScreeningThis season’s top movies to not watch alone Page 23 Interview with Gary O.Kane Pages 24-26 Emily’s Song- UK Based charity, Reunite gets a hand with raising some money with this moving story Pages 27-28 The Self-Employed Musician Page 29 Interview with Hawthorn Page 30-31 Concerts not to miss this halloween weekend page 31
INCLINATION™ AND GENERATION INCLINATION™ ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ©
regular columns Venue Review- Exit, Chicago Page 4 Cola’s whore-a-scope Page 9 Lissy’s Same Old Ten with Baz Francis of Magic Eight Ball Page 13 Quick Reviews Page 9 Nick Files: Call the Doctor and With love from humans Page 18 Generation INCLINATION recap page 28
Find us online
website: www. facebook: http radio: www.blo http://itunes.a Myspace: www Twitter: http:/ http:/ YouTube: http And on your sm
letter from the editor Hi everyone, Summer has ended and fall is upon us. That means visiting graveyards, watching horror movies under a blanket and lots of Halloween parties! This issue helps take care of all that. We have a new weekly feature on the website, called “Free Music Monday’s” it’s a way to help bands get their music heard and what music lover doesn’t like a free tune? Check out inclinationonline.com to find out more. The radio show is gaining more listners every week, we have guests drop by the studio and we’re also available on iTunes if you miss the live action. Some awesome shows coming up... check out our event calendar and also our news page where we post press releases on tours. You’ll see us at some of them. Well, I hope you enjoy this issue, we’ve taken our time, making sure it is choc full of quality content, and already we have work piling up for the next one. Don’t forget you can send us your comments on facebook or at yoursay@inclinationonline. com. Lissy
Contributors to this issue: Lissy MacMillan - editor in chief, graphics, articles and interviews Cola - creative director, photography, articles Shaz Millar - interviews Nick Giles- interviews and articles Kevin Branigan - articles. e: Also thank you to Adam McKinstry, .inclinationonline.com p://www.facebook.com/pages/Chicago-IL/INCLINATION/173128635781 Virgel and Brat Prince ogtalkradio.com/inclination for their help with apple.com/us/podcast/generation-inclinatioblogid385472522 w.myspace.com/inclinationwebzine Generation INCLINA//twitter.com/InclinationZine TION //twitter.com/GenINCLINATION
p://www.youtube.com/user/LissyMacMillan martphone by typing our web address into your browser.
this months venue
ONGOING EVENTS PUNK ROCK MONDAYS
DJ COLIN SPINS PUNK ROCK ALL NIGHT
TUESDAYS ATTACK
DJ CONOR PLAYING A MIX OF PUNK, HARDCORE AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN
NO REGRETS WEDNESDAYS
E R E ' S A W COLA
DJ'S BLAKE AND STAVROS ROCK! ON THE FIRST FLOOR. FLABBY HOFFMAN CALVACADE television variety show FIRST WEDNESDAYS ON THE SECOND FLOOR. LIVE METAL AND ROCK SHOWS SECOND WEDNESDAYS ON THE SECOND FLOOR.
THURSDAYS: BONDAGE A GO-GO, CHICAGO'S LONGEST RUNNING FETISH EVENT FEATURING MISS MAYA SINSTRESS AND MIKE SPATULA ON THE SECOND FLOOR DJ MICKEY MASSACRE SPINS THE SICKEST PSYCHOBILLY, ROCKABILLY, GARAGE, TRASH, AND PUNK ROCK ON THE FIRST FLOOR. SATURDAYS:
MusiC mayhem & mixers A Friday night in Chicago, the streets bustle with hipsters galore, the bar doors are open and the drinks are ready to be poured. What shall I do? Many of us ask ourselves this question as we hope to begin an evening of the much needed stress relief that our work week constantly creates in our lives. I for one have traveled the endless pubs and clubs in the windy city for over a decade and a half and there is one place that still wets my thirst for a couple drinks, some great music and a crowd of people who are all ready for a bit of the same. This place is “EXIT” Exit in Chicago has been a staple of the wilder side of the art community in Chicago since before I was old
DJ RODNEY SPINS YOUR FAVORITES ON THE FIRST FLOOR. DJ JEFF MOYER SPINS INDUSTRIAL ON THE SECOND FLOOR AND DANCE enough to plop my rosy red, Russian FLOOR OPEN. behind down onto a barstool. Keep VAUDEZILLA'S BROADZILLA ing up with the times and still serv- LAST FRIDAYS ON THE SECOND FLOOR. ing reasonably priced beverages, SUNDAYS: THE CHICAGO METAL Exit is a memorable way to spend FACTORY'S METAL SUNDAYS HOSTED BY your night off. Beyond the super RODNEY, EVERY SUNDAY ON THE FIRST decadent decor, packed with vintage FLOOR. posters, biker props, (including a cycle out on the floor) bricked walls, deep reds , dark blacks, and light- sweep you off to. The traing fit for a dungeon playground, dition of life in thee Exit boasts two stories of pure fast lane keeps pumping out of the rock and roll fury. (Thanks Brody) speakers as the drinks flow at this The staff is friendly and knows hallmark Punk Rock venue that is their way around the wild crowd just a hop, skip a and a jump outthat they draw. A night at Exit is side of lovely of Wicker Park. a sure l fire way to clear your head of any grime that has accumulated over the week, bringing one Cola gives Exit a big fat thumbs to that special place of bliss where up. Cheers to Exit, keep the wild only a cocktail, beer or a few shots alive in our city that is windy. of whatever floats your boat, can
INDIE MUSIC GOES MAINSTREAM HOLLYWOOD ARTICLE & IPHONE PICTURES BY LISSY MACMILLAN Not since “Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist” have we seen such a cool soundtrack on a Box Office hit, but this movie was about New York’s indie scene so it would be strange if Lady Gaga and U2 were on it. “Going the Distance” featuring Drew Barrymore, Justin Long, Christina Applegate and other recognizables is about a couple making long distance love work while on opposite sides of the country. Why am I so excited about this movie? Because The Boxer Rebellion, a band I interviewed and love happen to be in the movie playing a couple of their songs. One of my favorites “Spitting Fire” from their album “Union” and a song specially written for the movie called “If You Run”. I went and saw The Boxer Rebellion play at the Debonair Social club while they were doing a mini tour promoting the movie, and I asked them how it was that an unsigned band from London, England landed a gig on a Hollywood movie alongside Drew Barrymore. Todd Howe, their guitarist told me that they had been playing a show at The Troubadour in California when they were approached by someone from New Line who had been there watching. They were later on asked to not only write a song but to also be a part of the movie and play on camera, which after seeing them play was a very smart move on the Director’s part. Debonair is a rather intimate venue, and I love going to shows like that as it makes me feel like the band is playing to me, not a room full of people so I’m glad my first experience of seeing them live was in that atmosphere. Their sound is big but articulate, their virtuosity is compelling and I was mesmerized by their performance, I couldn’t believe they had played nine songs for us; time had flown by so quickly.
Set List: These Walls Are Thin Evacuate Semi Automatic We Have This Place Surrounded Step Out Of The Car! (new song) If You Run The Runner Forces Watermelon
They are coming back to the US for a full North American tour in a few weeks. Here are the dates: September 21: Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA September 22: The Middle East, Cambridge, MA September 23: The Bowery Ballroom, New York, NY September 24: Black Cat, Washington DC September 25: The Bell House, Brooklyn, NY September 27: Horseshoe Tavern, Toronto, ON September 28: iLounge @ Clutch Cargo’s, Pontiac, MI September 29: The Empty Bottle, Chicago, IL Sept 30: Annex, Madison, WI October 1: 7th Street Entry, Minneapolis, MN October 5: Berbati’s Pan, Portland, OR October 7- 10: Culture Collide Festival, Los Angeles, CA October 7: Popscene, San Francisco, CA
male alternative model jonathon hartigan
interview by Lissy MacMillan Lissy:
Did
you
always
want
to
be
a
model
growing
up?
I never thought about modeling until I was around 17 or 18. I have worked on shoots with the same photographer that did my initial shoot ever since. Lissy: Who’s your favorite photographer to work with and why? Her name is Alison Visona. I feel extremely comfortable with her. She just gets me. I believe that is due to the fact that we have worked together for so long. She feels the same about me as well. We both are able to explore freely our artist sides without any rules or boundaries. Lissy: There seem to be millions of female models, are there many male models, and how hard is it to get work? I guess it depends on what kind of work a male model is looking to do. I prefer to do rather “edgy” work, so I think it may be easier for me to find photographers that I can shoot with. Also, the subculture that I am in allows me to find work that I prefer. I do not know any male models personally. Lissy: If you were to direct a shoot, money’s no object, what would you do? Cyberpunk prison shoot. Super sexy female prison guards in latex. Very realistic looking weapons and hardware. I am going to try and do this anyways. On a limited to no budget. :) Lissy: Do you have a “day job”? If so, what is it? I do have a day job. I work as an inside salesman for an electrical distribution company. I make everyone at my job uneasy and I love it. Lissy: How many tattoos do you have? Have they been an asset to your modeling career or a hindrance? 9 right now. Very soon I will have my right arm half sleeve. I believe
Lissy: As a Chicagoan, if someone from out of town was to ask you where to go on the weekend for some good nightlife where would you suggest?
my photos. Nothing really crazy though. During a 1 week period I had 3 people come up to me and say I look like Christopher Walken, which I found rather amusing because I do not believe I look anything like him. “I gotta fever, Lissy: What kind of music are you in to? Neo if they wanted to cut a rug. Liars and the only prescription is more cowbell” Club if they wanted to get shit hamI am very much in to electronic music. In- mered and hear good, random music. Lissy: What was your favorite subdustrial, EBM, Synthpop, Electro. At a Cobra Lounge is another place I enjoy. ject in school, were you a good student? very young age I was introduced to Depeche Mode, Nitzer Ebb, New Order, etc. Lissy: What do you like to do in your free time? History and English were my favorite subjects. I find war history extremely fascinating. And I This kind of music heavily influenced who I am today. I would not have it any other way. In my free time I enjoy working out, writing, lis- enjoy reading and writing very much. Ha-ha. I tening to music, watching movies, and hanging was NOT a good student. I believe when you Lissy: Do you have a favorite Chi- out with my good friends. Music and friends are go to school, you should want to go on your own cago band, current or past? so vitally important to me. I do not know what time and money. I was not ready for school I would do without those 2 aspects of my life. when I was younger. Since, I have gone to school on loans and my own dime and excelled. Hmmm. Most of the bands I am in to are Lissy: Do you get a lot of crafrom Europe. Chicago used to be a hot bed for industrial music. Unfortunately, that is not zy fan mail, and what’s the funni- Lissy: What kind of movies do you like, and the case any longer. There are a lot of good est thing someone has said to you? what’s your favorite quote from a movie? noise bands in Chicago right now. Nude SunI love film. The horror genre being my farise comes to mind as one of my favorites. Ha-ha. I do receive pleasant comments on vorite since I was a lad. I also enjoy sci-fi, comedy, and drama. Favorite quote “I want more life, fucker”. This is from Blade Runner when Roy Batty meets his maker for the 1st time. Blade Runner is my favorite film. they are an asset for me. Again, I prefer to do “alt” modeling, so it works. If I wanted to do runway or high fashion then it would be a detriment for sure.
Lissy: What has been your biggest achievement in your life so far? I do not base great achievements on money, jobs, or status. I will give you 2. Not marrying my ex-fiance who stunted my artistic growth. And traveling to Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands. The most amazing place on earth. Lissy: Where would you like to see yourself in five years from now? 5 years from now I would like to see myself as a stronger person emotionally and spiritually. Personal growth is vastly important to me. And it wouldn’t hurt if I owned my movie theater as well. :) Lissy: If someone wanted to contact you for business reasons, how can they get in touch with you? The best way to contact me is via email or Facebook. My email is thewerewolf7@yahoo.com and you can find me via Facebook by typing in my name. Thanks, Jonathon!
ROCKTOBER HORRORSCOPE by the evil queen cola
LIBRA Watch your back as you ride your bike through the city streets. The wind will carry you, but there is a chill of darkness swirling from within it, you shall reap what you have sewn. SCORPIO That crime you have committed hasn’t disappeared. Expect the victim to come for revenge. SAGITTARIUS The ghost of your old friend will visit you in a dream, head their advise. It may save your soul. CAPRICORN Don’t worry, your house isn’t haunted… it’s far to messy for a ghost to want to stick around. Clean! AQUARIUS There is unfinished business in the spiritual realm, and as All Hallow’s Eve approaches, the headless (doesn’t get head) whore’s man will come for you. PISCES You will be forced to confront your fears as your “good” buddies take you to a haunted house. It’s you own! ARIES The ghosts are more afraid of you. That haircut and ridiculous choice of wardrobe that is suited for a 20 something carnival worker will protect you from the spirits….even ghosts have standards.
TAURUS Stay away from fortune tellers, they’ll take your money and give your poor advice. GEMINI Make your famous pumpkin pie, but leave out the eggs this time…they’re not bloody or damned, just possibly diseased. CANCER Ghost don’t have any money to give you, so you generally don’t care. LEO You will have sex with a ghost. It will be the best orgasm you’ve ever had….that didn’t require AA batteries. VIRGO If the spirits of the unknown and curious realm want to be bored to death by your trite small talk and self absorbed bullshit, they’ll visit you… .I think you’re fairly safe. Maybe Billy Mayes will drop off some Oxy Clean for the shit stains on your face.
Q U I C K R E V I E W S
By Lissy MacMillan TAMARYN- LOVE FADE Tamaryn is a musician from San Francisco via New York, and this song comes from her debut album Waves that she collaborated on with Producer, Rex John Shelverton. Tamaryn’s vocals work with the music in a way to create an ethereal sound that’s both beautiful and haunting. I can find myself getting totally lost in this album if Love Fade is a good example of what to expect with the other eight tracks. Find out more about Tamaryn at http://www.myspace.com/imagesmusic And download this track for free at http://rcrdlbl.com/artists/Tamaryn/track/Love_Fade A MILLION YEARS- HOLY GHOST TOWN Holy Ghost Town is from the album “Mischief Maker” by the Brooklyn band, A Million Years. Holy Batman! This song picked me right up on this Monday morning, something even my coffee wasn’t managing to do. They reminded me a little of Rooney without the California precociousness. Shannon Ferguson (Longwave) produced this album that came out recently after releasing an EP last year. Their Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/amillionyearsmusic Download this track for free: http://rcrdlbl.com/artists/A_Million_Years/music THE LIKE- FAIR GAME This is one that I’ve just recently purchased. I heard Fair Game and instantly fell in love with their retro pop sound. Then came He’s Not A Boy and Release Me. The rest of the album didn’t disappoint me either, if you like that sixties throwback sound, The Like is for you. The Like are four ladies showing the world how it’s done and are currently touring the UK. Check them out http://www.myspace.com/thelike Download Fair Game for free: http://rcrdlbl.com/artists/The_Like/music TEAM GHOST- SIGNS AND WONDERS Team Ghost is the creation of M83’s Nicolas Fromageau based in Paris, France, and Signs and Wonders is from their new EP “Celebrate What You Can’t See” which is available on 10” vinyl and digital dl. The cover is very risqué, with a picture of a topless woman smoking a cigarette, hmmm how French… With beautiful instrumentation and soothing vocals, those clever peeps at NME came up with a brand new genre for Team Ghost, calling them “Cold-gaze” Have a gander at http://www.myspace.com/teamghostmusic Download the song http://rcrdlbl.com/artists/Team_Ghost/track/Signs__ Wonders THE BOXER REBELLION- EVACUATE I can’t say enough good things about this band, but I shall save all that for another article. Evacuate is from their album “Union” which is, in its entirety an audial pleasure and recorded and produced completely unsigned. Although this album has been out for a while and done extraordinarily well, expect to see a lot more of it and them as two tracks from Union are on Drew Barrymore’s new movie “Going The Distance” they even make an appearance as themselves performing. They’ll be heading to the US
for their first North American tour mid-September, I can’t wait to see them again! http://www.myspace.com/theboxerrebellion Download Evacuate for free- http://rcrdlbl. com/artists/The_Boxer_Rebellion/track/ Evacuate
Interview with H.M.A.S. VENDETTA By Shaz
Named after a ship in the scrap iron flotilla” that served in the Australian Navy in WWII, HMAS Vendetta is a Powermetal band that sings songs about Australian History. The early convicts, explorers, ANZACs and Aboriginal warriors have gone but their stories of triumph and tragedy will live on, as glorious and immortal as heavy metal itself. Vocalist and pianist William James Smith founded HMAS Vendetta after he returned from living in Britain in 2007. The inspiration for the band came when William saw Eurovision winners Lordi live in London on Halloween 2006. The support band was Turisas, a Finnish theatrical battle-metal band with violin and accordion in their line-up who sing about Viking victories. Feeling homesick William realized that he could adapt this hitherto European genre of music to tell the story of battles that Australians had fought and won. Within weeks he bought a ticket to Melbourne and headed home to carry out this mission. Over time HMAS Vendetta was joined by Zac Johnston the virtuoso of acoustic metal violin, Neale Graham on guitar, Rory “Convict” O’Donnell on drums and Austen “Ozz” Kosasih on bass. Together they play a
distinctly Australian style of Powermetal that is fast, furious and, above all else, fun. To date HMAS Vendetta has played the Hi-Fi Bar, The Tote, Dong Dong, Noise Bar, Barley Corn and DV8 in Melbourne, and the Barwon Club in Geelong. With crowd participation, costumes and comedy as part of the show, few bands create such a bond with their audience as HMAS Vendetta. Their patriotic rock anthems will stir the ANZAC spirit in even the wimpiest indie-rock ponce. Aussie! Aussie! Aussie! “HMAS Vendetta sounds like a cross between Cold Chisel, the Pogues and Helloween all drinking at your local pub. Enlist TODAY” - Tom “Tango” Valcanis on Facebook. Today I would like to take the Time to say Welcome To a Band from Australia... H.M.A.S.VENDETTA. Welcome on Behalf Of Inclination... Will: Thanks, Shaz. It’s a pleasure to be here. To all your metal readers, Hail! Shaz: Firstly could you please introduce your band and members? Will: G’Day Shaz. I’m William James Smith, vocalist and piano player for HMAS Vendetta. Zac: Hello! My name is Zac Johnston and I’m the fiddle player for the band. Rory: G’Day, Rory O’Donnell is my name and I play the drums, meaning I’m the Rear Admiral of HMAS Vendetta, as strange as that sounds... was that a bad choice of words?
Shaz: Could you tell me how you got your name and why? Will: We are named after a ship that first served in the Australian Navy in WWII. HMAS Vendetta was part of the scrap iron flotilla” which was a group of ships commissioned after WWI but because of the depression Australia had not updated them when WWII broke out in 1939. So these rust buckets, HMAS Vendetta, Vampire, Voyager and Waterhen (affectionately known as The Chook”) set off for the Mediterranean to support the British Navy, and later came back to support the Americans in the Pacific. Like Australia the scrap iron flotilla were the underdogs amongst the allies but they punched above their weight, doing their duty in daring runs under enemy fire and covering themselves in glory. We are proud to carry on their name. (**Sob sob**gets all choked up with pride**) Shaz: What are your musical backgrounds...(Who are you and your band members? Tell your story.) Will: I’ve been singing and writing songs in bands for a while now. I started in Perth and eventually headed to London to rock out. That was fun - being part of the rock scene that produced The Darkness - but while I was living in Britain I got homesick and decided to head home and start this band that deals with Aussie history. And I started playing piano again, which I had not taken seriously since high school. Best musical decision I ever made. Zac: I’ve been playing violin professionally for around 12 years. I’m classical trained but have been mucking around in the folk scene for a long time, doing heaps of festivals, sessions,
and just jamming on whatever anyone gives me. Apart from folk I also specialize in new classical music – that weird music that often sounds like cats dying. Will approached me mid 2009 and asked whether I would be keen to try my hand at metal using the violin. I’d never heard metal fiddle before so I took it as a challenge. I haven’t looked back since! If there’s one thing I love it’s shredding, and now I have a challenge to shred faster than ever before … Rory: I’d like to say that I am a classically trained drummer, well I have listened to some Yngwie Malmsteen and Europe does that count? I played guitar in some metal bands for many years and have only been playing drums in bands for about 4 years. I switched to drums to have some fun and I haven’t looked back. Shaz: Where have you performed? What are your favorite and least favorite venues? Do you have any upcoming shows? Will: We have played around Melbourne mostly: at the Hi-Fi bar, The Tote, Ding Dong, Noise Bar, DV8 etc. The funnest gig we’ve played to date was the Barwon club in Geelong, the industrial heartland to the west of Melbourne. They are trueblue Aussie bogans out there who love their rock. They went berko. Geelong, we salute you! Shaz: What genre of music do you consider your work to be and who are your major influences? Will: You could call us a Melodic Powermetal band, or we could be called an Operatic Rock band. Either way we are in the tradition of Iron Maiden and Queen, and more recent bands like DragonForce and Sonata Arctica. It’s all about melody! We draw in classical composers as well, like Tchaikovsky and Beethoven. Rory: I like a heap of 70s rock bands such as Thin Lizzy, Judas Priest, AC/DC, Buffalo, Black Sabbath to name
a few, and 80s proto-thrash bands like Anvil and Exciter up to modern extreme metal. Zac: Being from quite an eclectic musical background I’ve got so many people I draw from it’s not funny. The first time Will played me the rough demos I was hooked and immediately saw the technical prowess behind many of the riffs. I’d not really listened to much metal – Dream Theatre, Metallica and the odd Iron Maiden tune – but I’ve now listened to more, I can certainly reference Maiden and Sonata Arctica. Shaz: How has your music evolved since you first began playing music together? Will: Well since we’ve started playing I’ve got better at the powermetal style of vocals. And I learned the powermetal rule: higher = better. If a singing line is not jumping out of the mix, just raise the pitch, and go “Aaaaaahhhh” with some vibrato. Problem solved. Also there was a point were we decided to speed up the music so that we could compete with DragonForce and the other giants of Powermetal. Rory’s bitchin’ double-kick drums were a big help there. But I’d say the main change that has happened to us is the addition of Zac on Violin. It was always the plan to get violin from the very beginning, but only when we heard Zac’s virtuosity did we realize just how much the violin can do in a rock band from fast baroque-infused technical riffs, to mellow melodies to rough raspy rhythm playing. We are basically a violin backing-group now. Zac: Like any self-respecting violinist I know that I’m the most important part of the band… although I suppose it helps to have some drums. And a singer. And some keys. And a guitarist to work off. And a bass… er…If there’s one thing I love is fitting into
a harmony. It’s all very well to wail over the top, but to flesh out these epic harmonies whilst Will is singing over a driving rhythmic riff just makes the whole band take off. I still have no idea how Rory can double kick that fast. Shaz: What are your songs about? (What specific themes do they cover?) Will: Our songs are mostly about Australian History. We want to immortalize the stories of the great people that have gone before us and made Australia the great country it is today. History is not always pretty; there is tragedy as well as triumph, but that all makes for a good story. A lot of it is about military history. We sing about the ANZACs, we honor The Lighthorsemen, General Monash and Captain Reg Saunders, our most famous Aboriginal soldier. We are not always gun-ho though. We have a song called Tommy’s Last Waltz, sung from the female perspective, about the loss of loved ones in wartime. We also have songs about explorers, convicts, and bushrangers. Basically, if we don’t write about it, it ain’t Australian. Having said that our first single BOGANHEART is not historical. It tells the story of our struggle to rock in the face of the wimpiness of modern culture. Check it out on-line at myspace.com/hmasvendetta. Shaz: What has been your biggest challenge as a band? Will: The never-ending dripdrip-drip of people saying that rock/metal is finished. People have been saying that since it was invented. It’s lasted this long, rock ain’t goin’ nowhere. Rock/metal gives you a victorious and joyous feeling like winning a sporting match. You can’t get these feelings from any other form of music. Metal is IMMORTAL!! Zac: as a fiddle player in a guitarists world, my personal challenge is to not sound like a guitar! It’s too easy to rip
off some of those great guitar solos, but then you’ve just got a funny lookin’ guitar under your chin and playing it like Hendrix. I want violinistic solos that make guitarists scratch their heads in AWE. Shaz: Are you a member of any music organizations? Will: We are a part of Global Thunda Network. A volunteerrun internet radio organization that do amazing things for unsigned Aussie and Kiwi acts. We’d like to thank Donna and the other folks at GTN for bringing us much-needed exposure at home and overseas, and just for rocking out to Aussie music. Oi! Oi! Oi!
ports our troops 100%. The men and women of the armed forces put their arses on the line for all our sakes and they deserve our gratitude. We try to back them up by telling the stories of the ANZACs through rock music, so that people will better appreciate the sacrifices the soldiers made to give us the freedoms we have today. What I’d really love to do is play for the troops in Afghanistan, even if it means extreme physical danger to myself and my other band members. Did I mention that before guys? Guys?
Shaz: Who handles your daily business activities? (Bookings, promotions etc.) Will: Rory and myself mainly, but we are now getting some help now from Canadian promotional powerhouse Willy Forrest aka The Beast. Hail to Canada! Your country is almost as awesome as ours. Shaz: What are your long-term career goals? Will: Jeepers. I find it’s better to only plan for the next half-hour or so. But, if you twist my arm, I would like to set HMAS up as a permanent part of the Australian cultural landscape, and then mentor other musicians and artists who are not ashamed to love their country. Shaz: Do you have any major tour plans? Will: I am working on setting up a gig for the troops. We want to play the base; I think it’s near Wagga. Zac: Playing on ta itself would
the Vendetbe awesome.
Will: Totally. At this point I should say HMAS Vendetta sup-
Shaz: Do you have any endorsements? If so, what companies? Will: We would welcome an endorsement from CUB and/or KFC. Shaz: If you could play music in front of a large audience where would that be? Will: Bugger Wembly Stadium, I wanna play THE MCG!! Shaz: What type of media exposure has the band received? Will: It’s been mostly interviews up to now. Actually, it’s only been this interview ;) That’s not quite true. We get radio play on PBS FM Melbourne and of course GTN. Shaz: with would
If you could another band that be and
tour who why?
Will: I’d en. Dead. Zac:
What
say Iron MaidSet. Legends. he
said.
Rory: A reformed Van Halen with David Lee Roth on Vocals, and we get the same rider as they do! Snowflake’s chance in Hell! Shaz: How Big a part has the internet played in promoting you as a band and getting your music out there? Will: Apart from word-of-mouth it’s been the only way. Our myspace page (myspace.com/hmasvendetta) is the main way for the industry and the fans to hear our stuff and see what we are up to. The web has changed the music biz for good. It looked at first like independent artists would do well because anyone could put their music out there. But then of course everyone put their music out there. So how the heck is the consumer supposed to find our band amongst all the others? I think now that the internet has been in full swing for over 10 years new models for promoting bands are coming through. Global Thunda Network foremost among them. They pool talent and bridge the gap between the artists and the listeners. Shaz: Is there anything you would like to add, Guys for your fans? Will: I’d just like to say that if you want to be a fan of HMAS Vendetta you must first renounce any prior admiration for John Butler and his terrible trio. Stinking hippies! Shaz: Thank you so much guys for this chance to get to know you all and for taking the time out to do this with us... Will: You’re most welcome. Shaz. It’s been a pleasure talking rock with your good self. We wish you success in all you do and hope to see you on tour soon...
Lissys Same Old Ten with... Baz Francis of Magic eight ball 1. What was the last concert you went to? Apart from my own, Guns N’ Roses at Reading Festival last Friday. He may have been late, he may have been booed, he may have a bunch of session musicians in the band now...but boy has Axle still got it. 2. Who would you most like to record a song with? Brian May. Hands down with not a doubt in my mind. 3. What are you reading right now?
4. If you had one day left to live, what would you do? Kiss a few people and punch a few people. 5. Who would you say is the most underrated musician in the History of Rock N’ Roll? Donnie Vie of Enuff Z’Nuff; one of my favourite singers in the world, but also one of the finest songwriters with a great feel for the guitar. Most rock fans only know him for the band’s early glam hits, but Chip and Donnie have provided the world with more classics than almost anyone else in Rock N’ Roll. The world is just taking its sweet time finding that out though.
E-mails and between the lines. 6. What’s your favorite meal? Beans on toast with Marmite and cheese that someone else has made for me. Something with vanilla in it for afters and a nice cuppa tea to follow. Bliss. 7. Where in the world would you most like to visit? I’m dying to go back to Los Angeles (West Hollywood in particular) and New York, but I’ve never been to Argentina, Uruguay, Slovenia, Japan or Iceland and I’d like to go
there someday. Just last week I was offered potential gigs in Iceland though so that would be useful in striking one of those countries from my list! 8. What was the last song you listened to? ‘Repeat’ by Manic Street Preachers from a really old live bootleg my friend just sent me in the post.
9. If you could be someone else for 24 hours, who would it be and why? Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, so that every time I open my mouth I would be impossibly attractive to anyone with a pulse and a good taste in music. 10. What has been your biggest fashion faux pas? 1981 to present. INCLINATION™ Copyright ©2010
Green Day and their management. Inclination: Who has been your favorite band that you’ve opened for? Would that be Green Day?
Smoking Popes is one of our favorite bands from Chicago so we were very excited when they agreed to meet with us for a chat before they played at Penny Road Pub this summer. They’ll be playing at this year’s Riot Fest, so make sure you go and see them. Inclination: So, we have to know…where did you come up with the band name, we’ve read a few different things and wanted to hear it straight from you two. Matt: I believe it was Josh’s idea, The Pope of Greenwich Village. Josh: It was? Yeah, I guess it was. Inclination: We’d read a bunch of stuff on Wikipedia that seemed interesting, like a reference to the John Lennon song, “The Pope Smoke Dope”, any connection there? Matt: Yeah, they also have us listed as touring with the band “ELO”, which would be awesome if we opened up for “ELO”, somebody put on there that we opened for them, they never toured when we were touring…so yeah…no… none of that is true. I think we need to get in there and change a few things.
Inclination: Electric Light Orchestra? Haha. Whoa! Josh: In an alternate universe, we use John Lennon’s songs, and open for Electric Light Orchestra…that’s a great concept for a movie, where everything that is written about you on Wikipedia comes true. (Laughter)
Matt: Well, they’re great, but a lot of who we love to open for a lot of people in America have probably never heard of. We recently opened for someone cool, right? (Look at Josh) Josh: We usually don’t open for bands anymore. We opened for Cheap Trick like three times, and that was a lot of fun. They’re really cool guys, which is nice to have around when playing out. Morrissey, those were great shows.
Inclination: You could do a mockumentary on it, based on The Smoking Popes of Wikipedia. Matt:
Yeah,
funny.
Inclination: Anyone can write anything on that site and that’s the problem with it, you can’t believe any of the stuff you read on it. Inclination: So, when and how did you guys get discovered? Josh: We were discovered really by Green Day, back in late 94/95. I remember that right before they got really big they requested that we open for their Chicago show. So we met them and after that their manager was trying to start a record label or something, so they called us and after that a bunch of labels started calling us and we got settled in with Capitol, so basically that’s what got us started was
interview w photos
Inclination: Going back to Morrissey, he said about “Destination Failure”, that, “It’s extraordinary, the most lovable thing I’ve heard in years.” How did that make you feel, having him say that about your album?
Josh: Yeah, it was let’s see what happens, let’s test out the waters, and the water was pretty nice.
Josh: Well I actually didn’t believe that, when I had heard that he had said that. It was months after tha, when I had accepted the truth of that statement. So…utter disbelief.
Josh: We’re likening to Elvis’s touring policy, which is MADE IN AMERICA, but we have made it over to Hawaii and the UK. This time around we’re going to adhere even more strictly to Elvis’s regiment.
Inclination: When you guys came back from hiatus, you not only sold out the Metro in Chicago, but the tickets also
Inclination: Aside from the US, where else have you toured? Where else do you like to go?
people don’t do the drive from Chicago to out here. I remember drinking at this place a few years ago; anyways it was obviously very different. Matt: You were talking about the reunion show (Metro), it seemed to go by really quick, the whole thing seemed so surreal because we hadn’t expected to get back together. Josh: We just sort of did it, so it seemed weird to us that we were making music again. So, before we knew it, we had just played 23 songs in front of people and then it was over.
with lissy by cola sold in 36 minutes! What was that show like, and what’s it like to know that you’re so loved by your fans? Josh: Well, it’s very affirming, it’s a lot different than this show’s gonna be tonight...When we play Clearwater, we usually do a few hundred people over there, but I guess that some
Inclination: Did you guys know for certain that you were going to get back together after that show, or was that just kind of a reunion show and let’s see what happens?
Inclination: you guys Matt:
Where
play
Where in the
you’d
that and the Birmingham…you
expect,
did UK? this
other….Wales…. know..
Josh: We played in Manchester also. Matt: yeah…played in London, I never remember any of the clubs. Inclination: Do you do all your recordings here in Chicago? Josh: We’re recording right now with Matt Elison, so yes. Inclination: Are you working on material for another album then? Josh: Yes. Inclination: Well, we know that you guys have to get ready to gear up and rock, so two quick questions about Riot Fest, Are you guys excited about it, and do you know which venue you’ll be playing at?
Josh: Yes, we’re thrilled. We’re playing Metro and I think it’s gonna be us opening for Captain Jazz, which is cool, because that’s a bill that we did in the 90’s for sure, us and Captain Jazz, probably around 1994 I would say. We’re looking forward to Riot Fest, it should be fun.
creative freedom in the world! We’ve been working on our new album for Asian Man, and he hasn’t asked us any questions about any of the songs or come to the studio…he just said, “Send it to us when you’re done.” Now that is creative freedom.
Inclination: In your opinion, is Chicago a leading city for American punk bands?
Inclination: That’s good, that’s the way a label should be. You guys are the artists and artists need their freedom to grow and to thrive. So personally, for your own enjoyment which kind of punk do you enjoy, the classics, hardcore, new stuff?
Josh: I would say that Chicago is one of the best music towns in general. I think that the Chicago Punk Sound is unique and distinct and the best. It’s better than the coasts. Inclination: So how did it feel going from Capitol to Victory?
Inclination: Well, where did you feel like you had more creative freedom? Josh: Capitol. Inclination: REALLY?
Matt: Pretty good.
Josh: I don’t know, I just say that because it’s the answer nobody expects to hear.
Inclination: So do you prefer the indie labels to the big giants?
Inclination: can we
Josh: Well, the ants are where the
Josh: www.asianmanrecords.com. We’ve been releasing a lot of our catalogue on Asian Man. Tell you the truth, that’s where you get the most
big gimoney is.
buy
So, your
where music?
Josh & Matt: The classics, The Ramones, The Clash…. all that good stuff….The Undertones, Black Flag….Stooges…. Stooges, huge, they’re coming and we’ll be there to see them. (August 29th) Josh: It will be the 6th time that I’ve seen Iggy pop in concert. Inclination: Awesome, so thank you guys so much, it’s been great fun! Josh & Matt: Thank you ladiesstairs.
We went to Penny Road Pub to interview Smoking Popes and Bob Cozza from JBC asked us to interview this band called Last Second Signal as well. He spoke very highly of them and told us they are going to go very far. Well, I trust Bob’s judgment and we were happy to have a chat with these lads. When we saw them play later on, I saw what Bob meant, Last Second Signal are born to be on the stage performing music, their shows are high energy and the crowd loved them! They had a solid following there that night, as it was obvious everyone in the place knew who they were and their songs. Yes, this band deserves to make it. If you’re not familiar with them, check them out at: Myspace.com/lastsecondsignal You can also find them on Facebook, twitter and youtube. Go to http://www. purevolume.com/LastSecondSignal26716 to check out and download their demo.
Lissy: So did you take little trips out there or do it in one shot? LSS: Yeah we took little trips. About three or four times Lissy: Where else have you played shows? LSS: We’ve played at The Rave in Milwaukee, Elbo room in Chicago, Mad Maggies and Penny Road pub, here.
By Lissy macmillan done
any
studio
recordings?
Lissy:
Are
you
local
LSS: ten
Yeah we live minutes from
to
here? about here.
LSS: Yes, actually we have a CD coming out Lissy: Who would you say is the bignext month called “Love Like Violence” gest band you’ve played with so far? it’s eleven tracks, should be out soon… LSS: The Academy is. Cute is What We Lissy: Who am I sit- Lissy: Cool, did you bring Aim For and We’re the Kings, we had ting down with here today? any demos with you? some fun at those shows, good times. Kevin, I play drums. Chris, I sing and play guitar. My names Hiro and I play guitar and sing and Curt who’s not here is out bassist. Lissy: How long have you guys been together? LSS: Three and a half years Lissy: How would you describe your music?
LSS: Yes and we got on the warped tour compilation disc and we brought a bunch of that stuff with us too. When are you gonna be at Warped tour? We’ll be playing on the 29th.
Lissy: If you anybody, who
could play would it
with be?
LSS: Blink 182 Absolutely
Cola: Do you know AM Taxi? Lissy: Then where? What venue? LSS: No but we’ve trying to book a LSS: Congress, Congress would be show with them, we love AM Taxi. nice and anywhere in California.
Lissy: How did you get on the Warped Tour? Lissy: California in February when everyone else here is freezing their asses off ? LSS: Like genre-wise? LSS: Actually it was a magazine that we just sort of found and we started talk- LSS: Exactly! Lissy: Well you don’t ing to someone from the magazine, have to define by genre… they work real closely with warped tour Lissy: Do you have any proand they try and help out local bands fessionally made videos? LSS: High energy shows, pop punk and stuff by passing on demos to get music, very melodic like Blink 182 their music heard. Got hooked up. LSS: We are about to have one made, a music video. Lissy: Do you write your Lissy: Who did your recording for you? own original material? Lissy: Thank you very much, LSS: We’re on the fidelity entertainment it was great meeting you guys. LSS: Yes we do, everything we play is group; they handle all of our recordings original. and stuff so we just use their studio. In a LSS: Thank you. little town in Ohio, Plain City little town in Lissy: That’s cool, have you Ohio, Plain City.
s e l i f k c i n e h t call the doctor Call The Doctor are a highly energetic female fronted four piece band working hard around their home town of Bristol UK while also playing many gigs in London. The love of quirkily raunchy and upbeat, driven guitar music insipired the bands formation back in the summer of 2008. Call The Doctor write and play together creating such a slick, creatively unmistakeable and punchy form of popular rock music that short, snappy and catchy songs just flow from them. The band consists of vocalist Patti Aberhart from New Zealand who also adds little guitar work. Her band are Robert Hallworth on guitar, Chris Davis on bass and John Raftery on drums. The bands dismay at the current music scene helped to inspire the creativity and raucous live shows in a very successful effort to make gigs fun again. Call The Doctor released a self titled album back in May this year on Glasstone Records and is widely available through Amazon, HMV and Play. com, a free download of their song ‘For Your Leisure’ is available through http://www.myspace.com/ctdoctor Their sound has been likened to a cross between Patti Smith and Elastica and this is a perfect description. I saw Call The Doctor play at the same music festival where I also saw With Love From Humans. Even though John Raftery was not able to be with them for the day and a friend stood in to beat those skins a perfect set was performed, if the band had not informed us in the crowd of this change we probably would not have noticed. Call The Doctor play a slickly driven tight and punchy set. I recommend them highly and advise all to check them out.
With Love From Humans With Love From Humans is a young band from Bath, UK. Their style is an uplifting indie/pop sound. Their tracks “Bottle it Up” and “16” have been played on BBC Radio 6 and “16” was featured on the station’s “Tracks of 2009”. They were also played in the BBC’s Fresh on the Net festival on the 22nd November of the same year and have been spreading their love through many gigs this summer. I have seen this band live a couple of times this year and their sound and musical ethos works so well. The first time that I saw them was at Moles Club in Bath, UK. At this gig their guitarist was unable to join them so to fill the void a friend was on stage with a tambourine, later to be accompanied by audience members. The feel-good party atmosphere which this created was just so much fun. I did get to see them play at a local music festival with a full line up and this was a fantastic set, within minutes the whole marquee was either dancing in full swing or just gently jigging along to the music as they stood watching whilst holding their drinks. With Love From Humans have got a sound, which is so unique to them. I am not alone in my opinion here, Tom Robinson of BBC 6 Music described them as “Unmistakable, Joyous and Uplifting” (30.11.09) They’ve had the pleasure of supporting Laura Marling, Kill It Kid, Kid British and played with the Mystery Jets and Friendly Fires.Their second EP has just been completed at Miloco Studios with James Barr, who has also worked with Kelly Rowland and Yann Tiersen, and mastered by Jon Astley who has also worked with The Who, KT Tunstall and the Stereophonics. This new EP is an amazingly upbeat and scintillating offering. It is full of funky sweetly driven rhythms harmonies and choruses that entice you into the mood of the music. This great young band has created a sound full of summer magic that will keep you going all year around. Check them out at http://www.myspace.com/withlovefromhumans
SPOOKY CHICAGO, WHERE TO FEEL A FRIGHT Archer Woods Cemetery
- The gates of this cemetery don’t ever seem to be locked, so explore away! As you walk in, if you were to follow a circular path, when you leave, rumor has it that ghostly beings hover around the trees right by the cemetery gates. Legend of a sobbing woman’s wails can be heard…The bizarre thing is that you are only able to see this female ghost when you leave, but not when you stroll through the entrance. A circle of horror if you ask me….
Garet Durson Mental Hospital
- Flashing lights, people screaching , and a white robe wearing woman whom roams the stairways seemingly running away from something in the stairways.
The Givins Castle
- Chicago’s Southside neighborhood of Beverlyis home to a castle where an Irish man named Givins had built it for his wife when she over in Ireland, awaiting her voyage to the new world. She died on the
Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery - Over the years people
claim to have spotted glowing lights, phantom cars, and many, many ghosts. “The Ghost Research Society had seen a young woman dressed in old-fashioned clothes and perched on a tombstone on August 10,1991. But even though she seemed to be almost transparent, a camera caught her image pretty clearly. If she was a ghost that picture will prove that ghost are real to people don’t believe in them.” - work cited -The Ghost Research Society of Chicago
Biograph
Theater
- Gunslinger / Bank Robber and Chicago legend, John Dillinger’s ghostly spirit is said to have been spotted many times in the alley behind the building where he was shot down.
The Dome Room
- A nightclub that is UBER haunted. It was built in the 20’s, so who knows who and why spirits are haunting anout. Before it was a ballroom, it was a warehouse, but there seems to be no known history of this mysterious warehouse…. perhaps a place where mobsters such as infamous Al Capone took their foes to meet their untimely demises?
true story is that Harpo is haunted by the victim of the Eastland Ship Disaster of 1915 on the Chicago River. Harpo Studio was used at the time as an Armory and was also a temporary morgue for 830 dead people. Oprah talks freely of the ghost in the building and shows no fear of them.
Monks Castle - It was said to be a religious order that if one were to trespass on the land, they’d have been chased off. One story tells of children sneaking around in the late hours of the evening (around 1983 - 1985), they had claimed that they witnessed something in the woods, a creature with glowing red eyes. It is rumored that one of the girls sat down by the street light, where allegedly a monk snatched her. She was never heard from again. Red Lion Pub - Across the
street from the also haunted Biograph Theater, if you talk to some of the patrons about the noises, footsteps and voices that they’ve heard there on a regular basis, it’s spooky.
ship bringing her to the castle that love made. Her ghost is said to reside there now and at times is caught skipping on the hill over by the castle’s entranceway.
Harpo Inc. - Haunted by victims of
the Great Chicago Fire. It is now Oprah Winfrey’s Harpo Inc. main studios. People refuse to stay in the building after dark because of the ghosts. February 2005 - Harpo is haunted by victims of the Eastland ship wreck disaster. It was the armory at the time and was used as the Morgue. It was not around in 1871, in fact, it would have been in part of the city that not developed yet.February 2005 update/Correction: The
The Congress Hotel Cold spots galore within the old hotel. Televisions and lights switiching on and off without reason during the night hours. Plenty of spooky and “haunted” occurrences reported, as well as doors opening and shutting without help from guests. Bad “vibes”, general feelings of death walking about certain old hallways of this historic hotel in Chicago.
By Cola
I’ll tell you exactly why you should make a point of going out to see Juliette Lewis perform her musical magic. As Lissy and I had to jump through hoops to get our press access to her show at Reggie’s in Chicago, we were made fully aware of just how popular and high profile, Juliette Lewis had become in the world of music. Reggie’s and Vito over at MP Shows were so kind as to allow us press and photo access to a show that blew both of our minds. The handpicked openers for Miss
Juliette and The Licks, were oh so talented and did the Chicago music scene justice. Notably, Bitter Wigs and Last Vegas, two bands that fired up the grill for an evening of white-hot entertainment. We were never close to bored while we sat up in the VIP lounge awaiting Juliette’s grand entrance on the stage. Juliette, blue haired and pigeon feather boa-ed up, in her fitted black bell bottoms and halter to match, looked like a comic book heroine as she began her set seated at the drum kit, rocking out the beats and showing us all that she is far more than a typical “Hollywood Musician”. She is truly talented in every aspect of her performance. After
against the stage, Nikon in hand, fighting to have to lean back to get my shots. It was a wild night when Miss Juliette got her groove on. Juliette is a huge fan of roller derby, and gave plenty of shout outs to our lovely and tough ladies of the Chicago flat track roller derby: The Windy City Rollers. They all adore her and came out to show their support. The room was filled with derby gals, Chicago punks of all ages, indie rockers, metal enthusiasts, blues fans and Lissy and I, the only legitimate press present! Needless to say we got the scoop and the best photos. Before Juliette and The Licks went
WHEREFORE ART her drum solo, she and “The Licks” began their takeover of the adorned Reggie’s stage. If I had to compare Juliette’s vocal styling to that of any other prominent female songstress, I would have to go with the late but always great Janis Joplin. Though her blues rock feel shined through in her attack, she also throws in a few punk rock screams here and there, reminding us of exactly how diverse she and her singing ability truly are.Juliette trounced about the stage like a wild animal, leaning into the crowd with microphone in hand, encouraging her crazed fans to join in on the fun. Continually having conversation with all of us, she aroused the folks at Reggie’s Rock Room to the point of me becoming practically
crushed
BY COLA A PHOTOS
on stage, I was lucky enough to share a few cigarettes and some guitar nerd conversation with the lovely Shirley To, bassist for Juliette and The Licks, as well as noted model and actress. She was super sweet, intelligent, charismatic and talked to me about her love for her basses, which she endearingly referred to as “her babies”. Ever since Shirley had a negative experience with an airline, she has been forced to gig/travel with her less expensive equipment, but this fact had absolutely zero effect on her ability to rock the stage hard. Her technique and style of playing along with massive skill held up the rhythm section of The Licks, driving intricate bass lines that grooved along to the talents of the guitarists and rock solid drummer. Juliette is lucky to have such great musicians be the driving force behind her melodic vocals, which complete the package. The music was tremendously moving, the performances were eye catching and I found it hard to stay focused on the job at hand (photographing the band) due to the fact that I just wanted to ROCK too! With the release of Juliette’s new album, we believe will come new fans galore.
you…this is far from being the case . If I had never heard of Juliette and had randomly caught one of her shows, I would still have been 100% into the music. She is no passing fancy. I see great things in the future for Juliette as far as her music goes, it can only get better from here, as I believe that Omar’s influence has made it better than her last release. Like all musicians, she is not exempt from the evolution
Juliette and her band play was mesmerizing and I think the crowd was the most diverse I have ever seen at a show.
THOU JULIETTE?
AND LISSY BY COLA
Produced by Legendary guitarist of both “At the Drive-in” and “Mars Volta” Omar Rodriguez Lopez, there is newfangled rough edged flow that carries an undertone of meaningful composition as well as wild chord progressions and fun blues out solo moments. Fans of Omar’s work are certain to recognize his influence. I believe that this release has taken Juliette’s music to entirely new level, boosting her talent, showing off her diversity and opening up the door for more folks to enjoy the songs and must see shows. As an actress, Juliette doesn’t leave that part of herself behind, while on stage. The difference in my mind is that she hones her ability to use her body language and facial expressions to convey her mindset while in the songs she is giving us. The stage allows her to give fans of her music the full picture. Now I know there may be some of you out there that are thinking, “She’s just another Hollywood star gone musician”, I can assure
within her own songwriting, and performance style. Girl can sing…girl can move…girl designs her own wardrobe and does her own make up for stage. She is a one-woman powerhouse, whom needs no help from Hollywood, she’s got what it takes to grace the stages of the best of venues all over the world, as she has been and will continue to. -Cola Well, I am supposed to add my twocents to Cola’s editorial and I think she nailed my sentiments about Juliette and her performance perfectly. She is definitely a musician and artist in her own right and belongs on the stage. Watch-
I feel privileged to have seen her rock out Reggies and look forward to her coming through Chicago again. Bitter Wigs, having recently released their first EP, were a last minute add to the playbill and drew the crowd, already of a formidable size, into their rock n roll style music and energetic set. People were shouting out requests and singing along with the songs, with this much electricity in the room for the first band of the night, you knew this was going to be one hell of a show. Anyone who has already seen The Last Vegas knows that they are entertainers as well as musicians, the whole package you receive from them leaves you fulfilled and feeling like you’ve just seen some major stars rock an auditorium. The small stage at Reggies just wasn’t big enough for the Rock’N’Rollers as Chad Cherry strutted around stage and the two guitarists and bass player tried not to knock into each other. Although they have played with Motley Crue, ACDC, Papa Roach, Buckcherry, New York Dolls, The Last Vegas rule the stage. -Lissy
Juliette at Reggies Rock Club Photos By Cola
spooky screenings: lissy’s top 20 horror flicks What’s my favorite thing about this time of year? It’s not wearing hoodies and drinking that non-alcoholic apple juice you folks call “Cider”, it’s sitting up all night and watching every single horror movie available to me. I love vampires and dislike chainsawwielding psychos, and if I’m too scared to go pee in the middle of the movie then it’s a hit. Here’s my top 20 in no particular order:
M- Fritz Lang (1931)
Subtitled but engrossing as you watch a compulsive child murdering serial killer terrorizing citizens that decide to take the law in their own hands.
Psycho- Alfred Hitchcock (1960
One of horror’s biggest icons: the knife coming at Janet Leigh as she showers and her face as she screams and realizes her fate. Poor old Norman Bates.
The Shining- Stanley Kubrick (1980) “Heeeeere’s Johnny” What about hotels that’s so darn
is it freaky?
Rosemary’s Baby- Roman Polanski (1968)
Don’t tell me you’ve never wondered about your neighbours and maybe even looked at your significant other and thought about this movie. I do not recommend watching this while pregnant.
The Birds- Alfred Hitchcock (1963)
Flocks of birds attacking humans, nowhere is safe as they peck peck peck peck…I’m forever damaged from watching this one.
The Haunting- Robert Wise (1963)
What a fab idea! Go to a haunted mansion and conduct studies on ghosts with family members and psychics, of course nothing horrible and freaky will happen.
Hellraiser- Clive Barker (1987)
Clive Barker always brings you into his alternate worlds with magic. This time it’s a puzzle box that releases sado-masochistic demons that are chasing a zombie who wants nothing more than to reunite with his former lover- and get a new skin to wear.
Dawn of the Dead- Zack Snyder (2004)
I don’t know why I haven’t seen the original, but I’ve seen this version and these zombies KICK. ASS! There’s nothing like waking up to hell on earth.
The Last Man On EarthUbaldo Ragona (1964)
The last man on earth tries to stay alive after a virus turns everyone into zombies. A Nightmare on Elm Street 3 (dream warriors)Chuck Russell (1987) Probably not a good idea to watch this when you’re 13, but I still think Freddy’s gonna get me while I’m sitting on the toilet late at night.
calls BOOBS “Dirty Pillows”? This is what happens when you don’t know how to raise your kids right- be warned parents.
The Mist – Frank Darabont (2007)
Bram Stokers Dracula- Francis Ford Coppola (1992)
Stephen King successfully turns harmless mist into a terrifying experience by trapping people in a supermarket while “something” in the mist is gruesomely killing people.
The Silence of the Lambs- Jonathan Demme (1991)
People eating people just isn’t right, especially when they’re intelligent men like Dr Hannibal Lecter, right Clarice? It rubs the lotion on its skin…. Lalala
Black Sunday- Mario Bava (1960)
Brrrrrr…. Witches and body snatchings. So gothic, so beautiful, so bloody scary!
Excellent cast and well made. It’s the whole romantic idea of being a vampire that makes it brilliant and horrific. Do you hate him, fear him or pity him?
House on Haunted Hill- William Castle (1959)
Interesting theme party goes awry when people start to turn up dead and go missing. Vincent Price is the (handsome) face of horror.
The Others- Alejandro Amenabar (2001)
Night Of The Living Dead- George Romero (1968) Is my house haunted? Who are the ghosts? Is it the ones I can’t see that are thumping around? Is it the weird housekeepers? Nope it’s you!
Diary Of A Madman- Reginald Le Borg (1963)
A Magistrate becomes possessed by an evil spirit after visiting a condemned man and kills. Vincent Price masterpiece.
Interview with a VampireNeil Jordan (1994)
Even though any Anne Rice fan knows Lestat is a blonde and not a brunette you can’t help but love this movie version of the best selling book.
Carrie- Brian De Palma (1976)
“They’re all gonna laugh at you” Everyone in that movie got what they deserved, and who the hell
Man-eating zombies, the best zombie movie ever made. They’re coming to get you...again!
1983-1986: Starting out as a drummer, Gary (aged 13) played in a band called Feedback with some older guys from school. The only reason Gary was in the band was that he was quite talented, even without considering his age. Feedback played classic rock music such as The Rolling Stones, The Who and The Beatles. And later on, Feedback started writing their own material continuing in the same genre. Most gigs in Østfold County. 1986-1988: Young Gary was not too happy with Feedback’s “old” music style. He wanted to play heavier music, like Kiss or Y&T, and also to sing and play his own songs. But Feedback’s singer and songwriter, Magnus Grønneberg, was not very keen on lending the mic to his ambitious drummer. Therefore, Feedback split up and Gary formed a new band called Rebel Rousers, with Feedback guitarist Jon Pettersen and bass player Jørgen Larsen. With Gary both singing and playing drums the trio played a mixture of fast rock-n-roll and hard rock. Mainly their own material, playing gigs in Østfold and even one in Uddevalla in Sweden. In this same time period, Gary also played drums in another band called Jack Daniels and the Scotchmen. This band played only cover material and was meant to be just a fun side project for the members who all had other bands to attend to. However, the band’s party rock (Georgia Satellites, Status Quo etc.) became quite a hit in the rock clubs, and Jack Daniels ended up doing more gigs than Rebel Rousers, playing in Østfold, Vestfold and Møre og Romsdal counties. 1989-1991: Gary was never comfortable with the idea of being both drummer and lead singer. It was difficult to communicate with the audience, and of course: it looked stupid! Gary decided to break out of Rebel Rousers and go for a solo career. However, finding new musicians was not easy, so he ended up asking the Rebel Rousers guys to help him out in the studio. Out of this came a new band, Kane, rebuilt on Rebel Rousers’ ruins. With drummer Per Madsen on board Gary was now lead singer and leader of the pack, “Jon Bon Jovistyle”. And it was at this stage Geir Olsen became Gary O. Kane! Gary wanted to make his band Kane world famous! He moved to Oslo to get closer to the business. Making demo-tapes, taking photos, driving from one record company to another in his old, worn out car, he really struggled! A few months he earned his money from playing on the streets and in the subways. Some companies blew him off at once, but quite a few, like the big CBS, showed interest and wanted to hear more. However, as so many artists sadly come to realize: It wasn’t gonna happen! Kane played around the southeast of Norway. They had a pop/rock sound, high hair, many different line-ups and was quite a good band! In 1991 Kane released the vinyl single “Streets of desire/Without your love” on their own label. The drummer on this record was Ketil Holme from the hard-rock band Ammunition. About one later, Kane split up. 1991-1992: Gary formed a trio with some young and talented guys, called Nastycat. After a few months, he fired the guitarist and as he already had the studio booked, he had to find a replacement. Jan Ov Olsen, also from Ammunition, was called in and did the demo-tape (“Women”, “Hungry heart” and “Candyman”). But Nastycat didn’t get further than this. They never played live, and the demo-tape didn’t get anywhere.
1992-1993: Jan Ove called to see if Gary wanted to join the hard-rock band Ammunition. Gary said yes, and the band wrote a bunch of new material together. Gary was still disappointed from Kane’s fade-out, and wanted to take on the world one more time. In the following months the band rehearsed, recorded and performed continuously. But the rest of the band were tired of struggling and as Jan Ove left the band, Ammunition split up. 1993-1996: Gary went into the Atletic Sound Studio in Halden (initially booked for Ammunition) and recorded eleven songs. Using three months, he had to borrow 70.000 kroner from the bank to see it through. It was Gary’s biggest attempt to date! He hired top studio musicians and made huge efforts to make it sound good enough for a record company to release without having to spend too much money on it. The result was however poor; only one of the songs, “Everything you want”, got any interest from the record companies. It was released in 1994, horribly re-recorded, on the album “Sound of young Norway” (Polygram Records). At this time, the MTV Unplugged series was rolling on the TV-screen. Everyone wanted to play “acoustic”, it seemed!
Interview Gary O from N
By Sha
Well, Gary and his friend, Roar Hansen, called themselves Desperados and hit the pubs with two acoustic guitars. For the first time in his career Gary earned money! Not having to pay for a big P.A. system, bus, sound engineer, lights Not having to pay for a big P.A. system, bus, sound engineer, lights and a band, he had money left in his pocket when he got home! This was a turning point; Gary was now going to do this for many years Desperados split up after a year or so. Gary continued on his own. However, once in a while he got a little help from his friend Andreas Bosy, the bass player in Ammunition. But the need to play with a band was still there. Gary did some demo-tapes with his brother’s band, both as a drummer and a singer, and later on the two brothers joined the band Playground. 1996-2000:
Shaz: Today I would like to take the Time to say Welcome To An awesome Artist...Gary O Kane.... Firstly could you Please Introduce Yourself? First of all I wanna thank you, Shaz, for your kindness and interest in my music! Thank you! (-: Well, my name is Gary O. Kane, and I’m a singer/songwriter from Norway, basically just trying to get my music heard, that’s all, hehehe! Shaz: What is your Musical background? I started out playing drums in the school marching band at the age of 7 or 8. I was actually quite talented, and at the age of 13 I joined my first rock-band with some older guys. I played drums until I was around 20 or something. By then I had been writing songs for a few years, and I really wanted to sing them myself. So I became a singer and formed my first own band, called Kane. Since then I have been singing and writing songs. That’s basically the only thing I’m any good at, hehe! I also went to a music school, at “college age” (different school systems here in Norway), but it was kind of a religious school and the main focus was classical music and God, so it didn’t do anything for me. I dropped out. And to make a long story short, I’ve been playing in a million unknown bands, and for the last 17 years I’ve been making a living from playing covers on request in pubs and bars. Just me and my acoustic guitar.
Playground was meant to be a side project. Gary and his brother Ole K. Olsen started playing together with drummer Terje Sørensen and bass player Patrick Moe, and as Patrick had a rehearsal studio, the band recorded many songs during their four years of existence. None of these songs were ever Shaz: Your tunes are so Inspiring please tell us what triggers a song? released. Playground did a few gigs around the Østfold County. Thanks for the compliment! I can’t explain how the melodies are made, cause they’re just “there” all of sudden. Sometimes it pops up in my head; sometimes I’m just jamming on my guitar or goofing around in the 2000-2005: studio. I always make the music and melody first, and then I go through During the whole period of Playground, Gary had also played the great pain and agony of writing the lyrics! I hate writing lyrics! on his own with his acoustic guitar in the pubs. He traveled over many parts of Norway and some places in Sweden, play- Shaz: Where have you performed? What are your favorite ing on request. But the constant compromising with him- and least favorite venues? Do you have any upcoming shows? self, the audience and the cover songs was hard to swallow. And in 2001 Gary decided he had to make an album with his I’ve played many, many places in Norway. And some gigs in Sweden own songs! In the spring of 2002 he recorded his first solo al- once in a while. I don’t really have a favourite venue or a venue I disbum and released it on his own label. Sales were not exactly like. To me it all comes down to how the audience and I get along! sky high, but Gary was very happy with it anyway! After this, Doesn’t matter if it’s a crappy venue if the gig is good! And it doesn’t it was a little easier to continue the “covers on request” again. help if the venue is fantastic if I can’t get the crowd going, right? And somewhere in 2004 Jan Ove called again to see if Gary Yes, I have quite a few shows coming up for this fall. But they wanted a new dose of Ammunition! are all in Norway and all just me and the guitar, unfortunately...
w with O. Kane Norway
az Millar
2005-Present day: Ammunition rehearsing, writing songs, and making demos. But no gigs. Sadly, the members could never agree on a strategy to get the show on the road. So now the band is once again on hold, and Gary is back as a solo artist again. At present Gary is quite busy, writing songs for such different artists as Ged Roberts and Lars Kristoffersen, and for the great metal band Mecalimb. In 2008 he signed with Helping Hand Records and finally released his 2002 album on the Internet. He is also releasing his brand new album “Forever Dreams” due out soon, and that album will have the biggest budget and production to date! STAY TUNED FOR UPDATES!!!.
Shaz: What genre of music do you consider your work to be and who are your major influences? I just call it “rock”! It’s very basic, melodic and traditional stuff. I leave to others to change the world, hehehe! When I was younger I went through the whole “80s hard-rock” thing, of course! So that will always be in there somewhere. As I grew older I started listening to all sorts of music, and now I think a good song is a good song, regardless if its rock, pop or polka! I don’t really have any particular influences. But I’m sucker for good chorus lines, and I like riffing guitars and punchy drums. And as for singers, Mr. David Coverdale has always been a bright star in my sky! Shaz: How has your music evolved since you first began playing music?
It hasn’t! Hahahaha!!! (-: Really, the basic line is still the same: melodic and rocking. But of course, with experience the songs I write now are a little bit more “together” than the first songs I wrote when I was fourteen. Shaz: What has been your biggest challenge as an Artist? I guess the same as for most musicians: Getting heard! Shaz: Are you a member of any music organizations? Yes...hmm...yes! I’m in an organization called TONO. It’s basically taking care of my rights to my music and make sure I get paid for radio play and things like that. But in this area I’m a total idiot, hahaha! So I will recommend you ask my record company about those matters! If I were smart I would be in a thousand organizations, so that I would get paid for every little thing! Some “musicians” seem to be more focused on those things than the music. I care very little about money and that stuff! Shaz: Who handles your daily business activities? (Bookings, promotions etc.) Rainbow Booking & Management and Helping Hand Records. Shaz: What are your long-term career goals? Make my songs heard, so that they will “get a life”. Shaz: If you could play music in front of a large audience where would that be? Really doesn’t matter, as long as the crowd is happy! (-: Shaz: What type of media exposure have you received? None. Had some TV and music
things going in magazines, but
the nineties, like nothing recently.
Shaz: If you could tour with another band who would that be and why? Here in Norway I would love to go with a band called Stage Dolls! They are the best Norwegian rock band! As for international bands... hmm...would have to be someone quite similar to me of course, so I don’t scare the crowd away... I don’t know...Bryan Adams??? Shaz: How big a part has the Internet played in promoting you and getting your music out there? For me it has meant pretty much everything! I can present my songs directly to people, without a lot of business people in the way!That’s awesome!!! (-: Shaz: Is there anything you would like to add, Gary for your fans? Thank you sooo much to all of you that have bought my songs and sent compliments to me etc!!! I’m truly grateful for your kindness and support, and I would LOVE to come and play for each and every one of you!!! All my best wishes to you all! ---Thank you Shaz! (-:
DISCOGRAPHY: 1985-1989: Feedback, Rebel Rousers (Locally promoted demo-tapes) 1990: Kane “Streets of desire/Without your love” Vinyl single (o.l.) 1993: Gary O. Kane “Everything you want” Local Album Collection 1994: Gary O. Kane “Everything you want” Polygram Records Collection 2002: Gary O. Kane Self titled album, 8 songs (o.l.) 2008: Gary O. Kane Single “Easy Love”, Do that Thing”, “Nuts” (Helping Hand Records) 2009: Back In ‘92 (Helping Hand Records) BANDS: Feedback (1983-1986) Rebel Rousers/Jack Daniels and the Scotchmen (19861988) Kane (1989-1991) Nastycat (1991-1992) Ammunition (1992-1993) Gary O. Kane solo (1993-1996) Playground (1996-2000) Gary O. Kane solo (2000-2005) Ammunition (2005-2007) Gary O. Kane solo (2008 -present)
A short while ago I received a message from Doris Brendel informing me of a new project that she was starting to put together for a very worthy cause. This cause is Reunite, a charity formed in 1986 now recognized as the leading UK charity specializing in international parental child abduction and the movement of children across international borders.
Emilys Song for the UK- based charity Reunite
Doris had been in contact with a chap called Neil who Reunite had been helping after losing his daughter Emily. I have been following the progress of this ever since, Doris has done an incredible job of pulling this together and with help from Sam Blue, Dave Beeson, Sparkie Dalton and Mike Wesson a song has been produced, aptly titled ‘Emily’. This will soon be released to raise funds for the Reunite charity while also highlighting the need. I recently had a little chat with Neil – Nick – Could you tell me a little about how this all started? Neil - It started with a Myspace conversation about my TV projects and her new album. I said I’d always been a writer and I’d love nothing more than to have the skills to write a song for Emily so she knows how much I love her... Doris simply said, let’s do it then, and I set to work on the lyrics. The rest really is down to her, and although I’ve written lyrics before, it was never with so much personal emotion attached, and never flying blind without having a melody to work with and put words to. I had no idea what it would sound like, but she has done
an amazing job, as have all involved. Special thanks need to go to Sam Blue for coming on board as well. His vocals really do make it feel like I am speaking directly to Emily and all the other children who have been taken from their parents. Nick - Could you give us a little information about Reunite and its aims/objectives? Neil - Here is some information Reunite gave me, for press releases... Reunite International Child Abduction Centre is the leading UK charity specializing in international parental child abduction and the movement of children across international borders. They operate a 24-hour advice line and offer practical, impartial advice, information and support to parents, family members and guardians whose children have been abducted or who fear abduction. The reunite Child Abduction Prevention Guide provides clear and concise information and practical steps to take if a parent fears their child is at risk of a b d u c t i o n . Reunite also provides advice and information to parents who may have abducted their children, and assists and advises in international contact issues and relocation cases. They also offer a mediation service to assist parents in making informed decisions, which are focused on the best interests of their child and family as a whole.
I can’t really say any more on this because of the legal situation. Nick - What drew you into working with Reunite?
Neil - What drew me into getting involved with them? Well again I have to be careful what I say, but I am more of a client than an associate. In terms of motivation to raise money for them there was a low point last December... I can’t really explain everything that was going on, but I was very very low, far from my usual bullet proof self. Another Christmas without my daughter was adding to all this, but one phone call to Reunite and within a week they had made some calls and all of a sudden some glimmers of hope emerged. You might say it is an exaggeration to say they saved my life... I would not. It was Doris who suggested that money raised from the song should be used to help them after I’d praised them so highly. The song is also an obvious way to raise the issue of child abduction. Many parents are in the same position, with on-going legal battles, and so unable to talk about their children. It may be called Emily’s Song, but it is a song for all these children and their parents. If we can chart the song these children will get a voice... And wait till you see what the video will look like. Suddenly all the lyrics will really come to life! Nick - From your experience and involvement what is the best way that can people help? Neil - Reunite is a registered charity, so they will welcome any donations to help them maintain their help line. They also post on
For more information about reunite and the services they offer, go to http://www.reunite.org Nick volvement
What is with
your inReunite?
Neil - I got involved with Reunite through a judge giving me their details.
By Nick Giles
their website fund raising events, such as the sponsored walk I will be attending this weekend (25th September) on Wimbledon Common. The simplest thing is to download a copy of Emily’s Song when it is released. Not only does it raise money for the charity, but also if we get enough downloads to chart, it will bring these children to the public eye. And what would you prefer as the Christmas number one, the X-Factor winner (No offense to the X-Factor contestants, but let’s have something with a story at number one.), or Sam Blue, Doris and the band on Top of the Pops as a thank you for putting all this together? Nick - Have there been many successful re-unifications? Neil - Yes there have been some happy endings. Reunite work closely with the child abduction department at the FCO, and together they do a remarkable job. More and more countries have signed up to the Hague Convention, which is reducing the complications and removing some barriers. Again, if we make a big enough noise internationally we can help. This is where people like me and Emily’s Song raising the issue, and people downloading to give us a more powerful lobby can help. Nick -I may not be a parent myself and can only imagine the pain caused by abduction, how do people cope and again what is the best form of help support that we can give? Neil - This is the toughest question to answer, because I have to be careful what I say... I well up with tears whenever I hear a child (of a similar age to Emily when I last saw her) cry.
Some days I have to put all the photo’s face down because I want to cry for her. I don’t know what she is doing? If she remembers me? There is the frustration of feeling totally helpless, and anger when you feel that people who could help aren’t. Worst of all there is the guilt. The feeling that somehow you have let her down. That there might have been something you could have done differently, and the nightmares I get every night without fail about what could be happening to her. What keeps me going is the tears my mother shed before she died of cancer, because she never got a chance to say goodbye to Emily. She gripped my hand and made me promise not to give up... two days later she was gone. Please please, show support and click ‘like’ at And become a fan, also have a listen at http://www.reverbnation.com/reunitecharitycampaignfeaturingemilyssongbysamblue It would be great if you could become a fan of this on Reverbnation, soon you should be able to able to purchase this song (at a very low cost) and help it along through the charts. This will not only raise funds and awareness for Reunite but also help to put out a voice for all those children and a message to Emily.
GENERATION INCLINATION RADIO As part of our growing enterprise at Inclination, we are striving to bring you the best in music and entertainment. With the launch of our iTunes Podcasts now available, you can delve deeper into our world, cheers and enjoy! This month Lissy and I took a bit of time off to focus on launching the iTunes podcasts, which are now up and live and ready to be downloaded for FREE! In August we were able to bring you a show with quite a bittersweet tone, as the passing of Chicago’s drumming legend Jason Eickmeier was paid tribute to in the final weeks of August. We showcased all of the music that Jason created and also had a part in creating throughout the years, by playing tracks from his solo album, recorded by Tim Rusin, and also allowing our listeners to enjoy the music of his bands over the years. We began the show with a track off of
AUGUST RE-CAP ANOTHER MONTH ON THE AIR WITH YOU..... BY COLA Jason’s solo album, “I’m an Alien”, and from there launched into a tribute from his former band mate of The Imperial Spheres and Stutter and close friend Jason Dreher. We rocked out to “Crybaby” (with Jason on vocals) and “Arkansas”, two stellar Stutter tunes. We also played tributes from his third project with musicians of “So Far”, Bob Baumgardner and Robert Eisel. Two songs, “Meat and Potatoes” (a favorite of Jason’s) and “Starry Nite” were jammed along with the words of his former bandmates and buddies.
His final project, “The Low Republic” ended the evening off as far as Jason’s band biography. Myself and Adam McKinstry put our two cents in and we gave “Analytical Chemistry” and “Sweet Sorrow” listens, knowing that they were Jason’s masterpieces for us; as far as his drumming. One final track, “You Can Do Anything”, Jason’s solo track left us all an important message. Recorded also by Tim Rusin, this particular song was the epitome of Jason’s philosophy on living. We were fortunate enough to have received prerecorded messages for Jason, proving how many people loved and respected him for his passion for life and his friendship. He will not be forgotten, through music and his antics, he will live on in all of our hearts. Thanks again to all whom helped with the show. R.I.P. Jason. Jason Eickmeier, May you rock and rest in peace. 10/22/1976 - 8/14/2010
the self-employed musician
Every now and then, I’ll be having a conversation with someone and the subject of my Music Education degree will come up. At some point in the conversation, the other person will encourage me to seek a music teaching position at a school and give the usual reasons for doing so: good salary, medical and retirement benefits, using my degree to it’s fullest potential, and simply that I’d make a great music teacher. My usual response is that all of these points may be valid, but the most important element is missing: the fact that, at this point in my life, I have no interest in managing classrooms full of children day after day, and that I love what I am doing now--which is teaching private guitar lessons and performing. It is true that I face certain challenges on a day-to-day basis that would be absent if I were employed by a school district; nonetheless, I have no desire to trade my freedom for traditional employment. It took over two decades and many phases of life to get where I am today. I started working on my music degree right after high school, back in the mid-1980s. I went to community college for a year, and then DePaul School of Music in Chicago for a year. But my restlessness and need for freedom got the best of me, and I didn’t return to DePaul the second year. The following summer I moved to California--and the rest is history. Fast forward fourteen years, and I’m a single dad living back in Illinois in the 1990s, working low-paying jobs that required me to act like someone who I wasn’t. So at age thirty-three, I decided to go back to college to finish my music degree. At DePaul, my declared degree was Composition, but as a parent, I felt that I needed to justify my endeavor with a more practical goal. I enrolled at Roosevelt University and chose Music Education as my major. The Music Ed program expanded my horizons significantly, both as a musician and as a general citizen, but I realized about halfway through the
By Kevin Branigan
program that I was really not comfortable as the leader of a classroom. Most Music Education majors probably feel that way while they are students, but most of them are younger, have previous experience in music programs in elementary and/or high school, and feel a passion to develop their classroom management skills and master their vocation. None of these factors, however, were true for me. But I knew that this time I had to finish what I started, so I fulfilled all of the obligations of the degree, which included 100 hours of classroom observations, sixteen weeks of student teaching, and I even went forward and got my Illinois teaching certification. It was a great accomplishment in the end. After graduation, my plan was to do a variety of musical things: teach guitar, perform, and maybe do some substitute teaching. But while I was applying to substitute teach in one of my local districts, a music position opened up in a school about a mile from my house. My heart said no, but my head say yes. So I took the job...and I dreaded every minute of it from the moment I signed the contract. It felt wrong. Long story short, I lasted three weeks at the school until a minor uprising in one of my classes created an opportunity for me to resign my position. Although leaving the job was a major relief, it was a scary thing to do; first because of the financial stability I was giving up, but also because it was just another occurrence in a long series of short-lived jobs I had over the years which led me to going back to school to finish my music degree in the first place. So there was some dark irony there.
But a month later, my timing was perfect and I found a guitar teaching position that was opening up at Discover Music in Tinley Park. This was the beginning of a chain of events that led me to where I am today. I eventually moved to Tinley, where I found numerous musical opportunities right up the street. I started going to open mics, where I polished up my solo acoustic act and started making musical connections. I branched out and met up with an old friend, Rick Lisak, who was running a jam night in Orland Park. I eventually joined his band, Jack and Jill, and this led to regular gigging all over northern Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin, and has also branched out into several side projects. In a larger sense, however, my timing has been somewhat tragic. Just as things started rolling for me a few years after graduation, the global economy went downhill. My student roster, which had grown to about thirty students, slipped into the low twenties. My primary source of income was suddenly on a roller coaster. But as this was happening, the gigs started picking up. As a matter of fact, in the past few months, I've earned almost as much gigging as I have teaching. So there is an old lesson that lies herein. A working musician must be versatile, whether it means being able to both teach and perform, to be a multi-instrumentalist, or to have mastery in a variety of genres. He or she must also be marketing all of those talents at all times because when one area slows down, another may pick up if you've been working it. The bottom line for me is, regardless of the financial struggles I've faced, I have never once considered giving up my career as a self-employed musician to find a steady position with an "employer." So instead of having a job that I dread going to, my only dread is ever having to stop doing what I am doing now, regardless of the inherent challenges that it brings.
Hawthorn believes in making meaningful music, to withstand the test of time. It is culture over trend and the beauty is in the harmonics running through your ears as you listen. The beauty of this music is found in a combination of folk song and electronic looping, blended together with a touch of the sacred medieval and a dollop of acid. Taking stories from mythology and fairy tales, and telling them to music. I was recently fortunate enough to discover Hawthorn while attending an acoustic gig held at Cosies Wine Bar in Bristol. This was a truly enlightening ethereal experience, which simply spun me out and won my heart. I have been lucky enough to have a little chat with Hawthorn ,Natalie Farr.
thing that I feel completely comfortable doing in this world. In 12 months time I want to be exhausted after performing at a string of festivals! I performed at Shambala Festival for the first time last week and realized that audiences at music festivals are something very special. They are completely open to what you are doing and can help you create a wonderful atmosphere.
Nick: How did Hawthorn originally form and what shaped and inspired the music?
Natalie: Drunken hecklers are always a terrible thing. I like to tell little stories in between songs, which isn't easy if someone is yelling over you, or telling to you get on with it. I try to respond with wit and try to remember that I'm the one with the microphone.
Natalie: I started Hawthorn in January 2010, with the aim of creating songs that were focused around the voice. I didn't expect at the time that they would solely consist of vocal harmonies, independent of other instruments, but I'm very pleased with the outcome. The songs I write are based on legends, folk tales and fairytale. So, the music style is often based in folk music, with added electronic effects. I took the name Hawthorn for its roots: It's a very old English name, and according to mythology the Hawthorn tree is the entrance to the fairy kingdom. I wanted the name to reflect the stories. Nick: How far would you like your music to take you, where would you like to see yourself in say 12 months time? Natalie: I hope to be able to support myself because of my music. I'm not good at real life - music is the only
Nick: Your sound is heavily dependent on a Kaoss Pad, had you tried any other makes or brands of Loop Station or any other forms of sound processors before sticking with the Kaoss Pad?
Nick: What are your highs and lows to date? Do you have any amusing or entertaining moments that you may care to share?
Lows include moments of technical failure. Hawthorns highs to date include playing at Shambala Festival, and performing on top of a boat at the Bristol Harbourside Festival. It was wonderfully windy! Oh, and Big Jeff danced to my music once. Nick: The ambience that you created in Cosies cellar bar in Bristol, complete with its vaulted ceilings blew me away, what is you favorite form of venue? Natalie: Old buildings like Cosies are wonderful, as well as churches and chapels. Anything that has a bit of history to it, and a natural acoustic.
Natalie: I heard a friend using a Kaoss Pad during a concert last year and fell in love with the sound then and there. I risked it and bought one without having tried it out based on that performance.
G k c i By N
Giles
Luckily, the Kaoss Pad does everything I want to do, since it has own effects as well as loop pedal. Nick -How has your summer season been, I know that you have been pretty
I have my first gig in London coming halloween weekend up in October. And once the summer season has has calmed down, I look forward to recording some new songs Friday October 29th Shakira @ Allstate Arena I have.
events
Born Ruffians @ Empty Bottle
Nick: Has your music attracted a Daedelus @ Double Door typical or specific type ofaudience, Halloween Fest @ Abbey Pub following or broad section of Bear In Heaven @ Lincoln Hall music lovers? Natalie: It's quite a mix of different people who tell me they enjoy my music. Some folk lovers, and some world-music enthusiasts who enjoy my rhythms. I always enjoy talking to other vocalists.
Nevermore @ Reggies 7th heaven @ Cubby Bear Echo Son @ Elbo Room The Rocket Summer @ Beat Kitchen Queensryche @ HOB
ghpteslaqm
I'm also told that young children respond well to my music! Several of my friends who are Saturday October 30th parents have told me that their The Dandy Warhols @ The Vic toddler like my songs. Nick: Finally can you recommend any acts that you consider to be worth watching out for? Natalie: Keep an eye on Rae, www.myspace.com/raeonline a modern world-jazz ensemble, based in the Bristol/Bath area. Guaranteed to make you dance and reconsider your perception of genres.
active gigging in the Bristol area? Natalie: It's been busy and hot and wonderful. I've been playing all around Bristol and supported some wonderful bands. This month Bristol had it's first Pride event, which I was honored to play at. Now I'm starting to get gigs outside of Bristol
Also, the wonderful singer-songwriter Heg Doughty has recently moved to Bristol. She's a pianist, singer and storyteller of history and fairytales. hegdoughty.com www.myspace.com/nataliefarr soundcloud.com/hawthorn
Groovatron @ Martyrs Voice of Addiction @ Mutiny Blood Red Shoes @ SubT Halloween Fest @ Abbey Pub The Morning Benders @ Lincoln Hall Bassnectar @ Riviera Theater Remaindermen @ Beat Kitchen The Soft Pack @ The Empty Bottle Cealed Kasket @ Reggies Montia @ Elbo Room The Last Vegas @ Double Door FNR @ Cubby Bear Exoskeleton @ Beat Kitchen Deer Tick @ Bottom Lounge
ktuisnmg October 31st
Supervillains @ SubT Ghostface Killah @ Abbey Pub Misfits @ The Vic The Tubes @ Reggies
The Bangkok Five are a band I first interviewed a few years ago when they were playing at the long lost Pearl Room in Mokena. They were fun to talk to and spectacular to watch, I certainly have missed them since then although I cyber stalk them every now and again to see what’s going on. Then Nik Frost emailed me asking for an interview, I knew this meant they had something new going on and he was wanting to get the word out. Excited doesn’t even describe how I was and when he sent me their new album to check out, I was very impressed! There’s something new about this band, it’s fresh and energizing… After living the words of “We love What Kills Us” for years, The Bangkok Five are back and ready to take over the world! Lissy: Hi Nik? Nik: Hey! Lissy: It’s Lissy, how have you been? Nik: Been great! Let me get my drummer Ray on…
Lissy: Hey Ray, we’re waiting for you guys to come back to Chicago. Ray: We’re working on it. Lissy: So, I hear you have a whole bunch to tell me…what’s all the news? Nik: There’s a lot of stuff going on, there’s a couple of new releases that have just come out. A new record coming out soon which is a compilation of all my favorite songs over time, spanning everything from back to Billy Idol who is obviously a huge inspiration as well as Michael Jackson, who’s Ray’s favorite artist of all time. Covered recent songs too, like Weezer and obviously Lady Gaga. So we did something really fun that we thought would be really unexpected Lissy: Yeah Lady Gaga was very unexpected; I’d have to say that. Nik: I’ll
And that let Ray
was take
Ray’s, that…
Lissy: I love what you guys do with it; it’s better than her ver-
version.
So,
why
Lady
Gaga?
Ray: Well, I love Poker, that’s a good start. haha. I don’t know, like Frost was saying, we did a bunch that meant a lot to us, I don’t think any of us would go on the line and say that Lady Gaga means a lot to us, although any artist that can still come out in this day and have a rock sound, a solid album sold as pop, probably the best album to come out in the last four years and have the success that its had (whatever genre you’re in) deserves a little bow. She’s actually pretty badass, a talented artist. Nik: That’s the first and foremost for me, is when you see the woman performing alone on her piano, she’s just as good as she is on stage with the full band, she really is talented and for us, that’s what this really is about. It’s about people that can actually play, people that can actually sing. In an era when… we’re in a very interesting time where we don’t have the things that separate the women from the boys anymore. Anyone can grab pro tools, anybody can make a record, and anybody can
throw it up through tunecore onto iTunes. So, that and also being able to play with where that song’s coming from, Ray’s a tournament winning poker player, like he’s actually on professional ground, so that actually had a lot to do with everything. Also it’s not about being the perfect woman anymore, you don’t have to be Jessica Simpson, it’s about being greatly talented than looking a certain way, I believe that’s a huge part of her success, when she’s all stripped down and sitting by the pool, she’s not a pretty girl. Lissy: I was watching her on the Today show and someone I was talking to wouldn’t believe it was Lady Gaga because she didn’t have all the crazy stuff on . Nik: Yeah people use that against her, that’s the irony, “Well she’s not that hot” come on…. Lissy: So what! people don’t know how talented she is, she plays a lot of instruments and writes her music, and I don’t think people realize that . Nik: Yeah and also the producer on it, who is a very good friend of ours, and a hugely influential person in the world of rock n roll and in music in general, when he heard that Ray was tossing around the idea of doing that song, he signed up because… what were the words he used Ray? Ray: I don’t want to misquote him… Nik: Basically, like “That was one of the best mixes I’ve heard in the last five years.” Lissy: I wanted to ask, what have the reactions been so far? Obviously that was a great one from the producer, but what have your fans been saying? Nik: Well the actual record hasn’t come out yet. We’ve dropped two singles; we’ve dropped Saved, which isn’t really a cover. We’re huge fans of the show Lost and there’s a really cool episode when Charlie, one of the best-
-loved characters sings a song to his brother. They’re going through a bunch of stuff, heroin, drugs invading their lives, changing the communications between them, a lot of tension there, he sings the first couple of lines to his brother and that’s all you hear. It’s not even a verse; I think it’s a verse into a pre-chorus. And everybody was looking for that song, we were looking for that song, I think we found one version and it was terrible Ray: Basically a girl sang it over and over, way slower. It sounded like a dog got ran over by a car. Nik: So we were at the studio, Sandbox in Los Angeles, Hollywood and Ray played me this song and I was like “This sounds like you, dude” and he was like… cause you know Ray sings as well.. “No it’s this” and he was playing it on YouTube. So we sat down and wrote this song. We realized, it was amazing, it was quite transforming because the song and the character, I don’t know if you’re familiar with Lost and the character of Charlie but he’s a heroin addict, he’s a desperate wonton heroin addict and at the time of recording I was actually doing a lot of partying and probably one of the worst hangovers of my life while singing that song. So there’s a real cool clarity and reasoning behind that song and writing the song. It was very therapeutic and now hearing the song, I’ve changed my ways and cleaned up a little bit and obviously that has a lot to do with where are at today. Getting off the road after brutalizing ourselves for the last five years, when you’re out there and the only way you can survive with five grown men in a van sometimes only being paid $100 a night to stay out on the road and promote your record, the only way to survive is to drink and use drugs and self-medicate, basically. So when we sat down and wrote that song, we were kind of at that phase where we were like “Do we fire everybody and start from a real perspective of our art and from where we need to
be as people, or do we continue on this road of conscious, complete and utter destruction, throwing all caution to the wind and being these people that just stay on the road?” “Stay on the road, stay on the road, we’re gonna keep booking you, building your profile” But in the meantime everything at home is falling part. Our relationships are falling apart. The places that we lived don’t even exist anymore, really just throw everything into this thing and hope for the best, hope that they have your back and know what they’re doing. Obviously after five years we realized this was not the case, that they didn’t know what they were doing, everybody’s trying to reinvent the music business because as we know it, it died four years ago and there’s a complete reinvention that’s taking place. That’s kind of what’s exciting about what the band’s doing, where we’ve been and what we’ve done is that we came to all these different realizations after a certain point in our career. Yeah we were on a major label, with one of the biggest managers, we had all that stuff. But in the end, you’d be number one at a radio station in New York and you’d show up and your record wouldn’t be for sale in the storesof the town that you’re number one in. Lissy:
That’s
crazy!
Nik: Yeah we’d look at each other and say “there’s something dreadfully wrong with this equation, there’s something really wrong with the way this business is and that was the transformation. But it’s a transformation you can’t just jump into, because you’re programmed a certain way, to be a certain way and to think a certain way
and to perceive the business a certain way and so to change that perception and move in a different direction it takes time. It’s also a huge leap of faith to not be those guys anymore And you’ve got to find people to work with that are willing to change too, because there’s so many people in management that are stuck in the old ways, and that’s not good for you guys either. That was what we went through and what the main transformation was for us was having the balls to fire everybody. Literally, we got off a particularly brutal tour supporting “we love what kills us” – You remember that- you saw us on that. Lissy:
Yeah
totally!
Nik: And I would say at that point we became unruly and obnoxious towards our management and our label and we started rebelling and everyone was like, you can’t do that. We were like, fuck you we can’t do that! We posted some really funny videos online on youtube that absolutely incensed our agency, incensed our management and we were asked to take those videos down to which we replied “Hell no, Part of our lives is what we’re doing and if you’re embarrassed by where you put us, suck it up and fucking deal with it. We’re not taking the videos down, that’s what we live, this is what we are.” And that point we were still yelling the rally cry of “We love what kills us” Lissy: Yeah, you have always been very honest with who you are through your music, and the way you interact with your fans, everything’s very honest.
Nik: Yeah you’re absolutely right. I really did lead the charge on this thing because I thought this was a really great time for us to transform our sound, and a really great time for us to go from being this live rock n roll band to embracing some of the things we could inject into our music. Instead of coming out with a new record that was all original material, it had to be a complete shift, like what the fuck, there’s synthesizers on here, there’s drum machines, so lets do a record like that where you have to do that to make the material work
now fans and interacting with the band based on this song that we kind of covered then finished writing.
Lissy: So this was recorded completely different from your last album then, cause that was recorded completely live…
Ray: Haha, I think I was a little disappointed. I’m going to have to go through and watch it all again to absorb it all, there’s so much information that was processed there but I was a little let down.
Nik: Yeah pretty much all of our records up to this one, and what’s ironic is that some of my livest moments are on this record. That’s what’s crazy, we would put in a skeleton beat, then I would sing live, Ray would sing or play live, then the guitars would go down live, so a lot of the stuff went down live. But afterwards, we were able to go crazy with the overdubbing like we haven’t with the other records. Like if we get a take and we think the guitar kinda sucks, we’ll just fix that in the over-dubs. But we’ll leave it sounding for the most part live. But this record we worked with some really great friends; Shaun Lopez of Far, Rick Torres from Supreme Beings and Weezer amazing Los Angeles band that are just unparallel in the kind of trip-hop electronica world, so all these guys that have their influences, Chris Johnson, who’s done Buckcherry records, having that guy come in and do the most rock n roll song of the record, the rebel yell version. We did a triphop version of rebel yell, like a down tempo version produced by Rick, and then we did the rock version produced by Chris Johnson. We loved them both so much, they’re both going on the record. Yeah so kind of a long-winded response to your question. But with Saved there was such a market waiting for it, what’s cool about it, people that had never heard of our band before are
Lissy: I think it’s really cool that you took something that lasted less than a minute and finished it for them. Nik: Yeah it’s a stunning track. It’s really beautiful and like I said it kind of speaks of transformation. I don’t know….Ray what did you think of the end of Lost? Did you feel ripped off or did it end the way you thought it would?
Nik: Yeah yeah cause the writers over and over again said, “they’re not in purgatory, they’re not dead” they said that and then in the end that was the case, right? Lissy: Yeah… it was almost like at the end there they rushed it, like “oh god what are we gonna do? Oh we’ll just do that” Which was a shame cause they had this huge fan base all speculating and they could have come up with something really cool. Nik: Well, that’s what I thought, and I was telling Ray “they don’t know what they’re doing, this is all being written on the fly just to be interesting.” Once again the parallel with this new music industry and where we’re going and once again this record really allowed us to really get down and not only strip away the sound that we had, but playing with sounds that have always been important to me, I come from the DJ world, I come from the electronic world, so it was fun for me to put something together as a set, that was a like a set of songs I would play at a club. And for the band to go in there and pull everything together, nothing is done in this band with an autocratic rule, it’s all done in a collaborative democracy, but I did lead the charge on this because I
I thought that this would be a great place for us to… kind of like eating that cracker between wine-tasting, when you try a different bottle of wine. Lets just completely throw out our sound for a record and just be fucking nuts and have the only rule be, lets have no fucking rules. Lissy: Now did you find that easy to do, or do you find that more challenging? Nik: When you say, “That’s the rule” in our band, it’s very easy to follow. Haha Very early on in the band, back when Ray joined, we threw out a lot of rules, we started to fuck around with each other, it got crazy, the walls started to come down and I believe that was a transformation point of so many aspects of where we’ve come and learning also that The Bangkok Five is bigger than any one individual. When we lost Nicky Lucero, I thought it was the end of the band, but along came Ray Blanco, Nicky was our first drummer, the Queens of the Stoneage guy. The second drummer of our band became more of a member of our band and an influence of our sound than Nicky ever was, you know what I mean? So transformation can take place when rules are thrown out, we always thought our last sound was sacrosanct but then we just threw it out and I gotta tell you this next record is gonna be without a doubt some of the best songs that I’ve ever written, best songs that Ray’s ever written, best songs’ that Sweeny’s ever written. We all came to this table with this fresh perspective and threw out all the fucking rules cause we had made that precedent and we accept that precedent that there’s no fucking rules now. So when people came in to writing on this upcoming record, which is… how many songs do we have now? Like forty? We have such a wealth of material to choose from. Our relationships.. That’s the irony; by going away from the business for about a year and a half our business is stronger than it’s ever been. We’re managed by one of the biggest companies in the world They have offices in Montreal, New York, Los An-
geles, London, Copenhagen, we’re riding with one of the actual award winning song writers of the year, weve got these kind of guys working with us now. It’s really funny, the real success has been in the reinvention and what we’re finding out now is throwing out the rule-book on this last record we’re getting fans from places we never thought we’d get fans from. Michael Jackson fans are discovering our version that came out on iTunes, those fans are finding The Bangkok Five and they’re Michael Jackson fans! Fans of the show Lost are finding the band and when this record drops with all the diverse artists that we cover it really is gonna be kind of incredible to see the discovery that takes place with regard to the new fan base that will be created with this new record. The way we stripped our sound away is going to enable us to come back burly and gnarly and huge on this next record, there’s no question in my mind, like I said I’m writing the best shit I’ve ever written in my life, so’s Ray. That’s the other fun thing about this new record that we’re writing now, members of the band came to the table with completely finished songs, and they were able to produce on their own. So that’s really really fun, we’ve always written as a collective and so our sound is going to really be expanded upon. Ray’s voice as an artist is really gonna be heard, he does sing, he does play guitar. Bobby has brought stuff to the table, you know when we were on “We Love What Kills Us” Ray had been with the band for about two years but Bobby had just joined us. So Bobby has really come into his own, it’s so funny to hear his take on the Bangkok Five, some of his shit is some of the coolest shit I’ve ever heard in my life. Obviously he’s writing for the band, but it’s so fresh and so funky. It’s so fun to see the various members of the band grow within the band watch the band expand. For me it’s been some of the most rewarding writing sessions I’ve had. Ray will come in with a song that sounds like Ex-Idols or a very early band they were influenced by greatly,
but Ray’s into hardcore shit. But it’s really fun, psychedelic and cool and highly highly rewarding creatively. Lissy: Now I know you guys are into Yacht Rock, so why weren’t there any Kenny Loggins on there? Nik: HAHAHAHA. I think as much as I love Steely Dan, as much as I love that stuff, it’s funny cause my fiancée’s father is literally a yacht rocker, he’s got planes and boats and that’s his shit, that 70s beautifully played, perfectly played rock. Ray? Just too out of style for us to do right now? Ray: I’d be too cliché. Too obvious. Lissy: Hahaha we were expecting it… Ray: Yeah it was too obvious, we pulled out Lady Gaga and people are ok with it. Nik: Yeah I think that is a good point; we wanted to show people where we came from by playing certain songs. I was lucky enough when I first got to LA when I first got back from Europe in my early 20s I had the ability to work with Keith Forsey who produced all those amazing Billy Idol dance rock songs and was the drummer for Giorgio Moroder in the seventies when they created the template for techno and house music. A lot of people think that’s drum programming on those records, it’s not it’s a drummer by the name of Keith Forsey. So it was really cool to pay homage to him by recording – the only artist that got covered twice was Billy Idol; we did two versions of Rebel Yell. You can’t pay homage to Billy Idol without throwing down some crazy shit because of the way he changed punk rock. Techno as we know it wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for Keith Forsey and unfortunately a lot of people see The Bangkok Five as just this rock n roll band whereas The Bangkok Five is a lot more like Primal Scream the only reason its never been expressed on record is because some of the members who were involved in earlier incarnations of
the band just wouldn’t accept that kind of stuff and as we grew and moved forward, a band can either disintegrate or it can transform itself into perfection Lissy:
Right,
evolve
Nik: I believe the journey of The Bangkok Five…and everyone knows I’m never going anywhere, is we’re gonna get better and better and better, very much like Primal Scream. Very mush like Sonic Youth, very much like crystallizing the vision and making it truly great. That’s why it’s truly inspirational Lissy:
It’s
exciting!
Nik: Yeah and to see Bobby come in and write great Bangkok Five songs it’s stirring because we have something that transcends individuals and I always tell the guys if anything were to ever happen to me, the band is your guys’ band, you gotta find somebody. And they’re always “oh nonono it wouldn’t be anything without you, you’re the voice” Like no dude, it really is its own thing. But it has songs on this new record that hasn’t even been recorded yet but it’s like electro-clash with full-on rock n roll tracks sometimes then some of the gnarliest saddest love songs you’ve ever heard in your entire life, then other songs are almost like fifties do-wop songs, but with Weezer guitars, you get what I mean? Lissy: Oh yeah cool! I really excited about this before even “Under The Covers” is out! Nik: There’s only so much a band can say about a cover’s record, but they can say a lot about the transformation that takes place and where they artistically allow themselves to record a whole album of covers. Can you imagine how exhausting that is? You didn’t actually write those songs, it’s a hell of a lot of fucking work. Lissy: Yeah, u have to pay homage to the original artist, you can’t fuck it up.
Nik: Yeah and it’s not your music, you didn’t write it, it’s not about your relationships, it’s not about your life. And I have to say that singing these cover songs in a way that makes them sound believable really enabled me to truly embrace the songs that the other guys were bringing in for the next record, which we’re tentatively calling it.. Here’s a title for you “The Bangkok Five Incorporated” and that’s a play on the transformation we’ve been through as business people and obviously one of the greatest books ever written “Rolling Stones Incorporated” which ironically brought things round full-circle which was brought to my attention by my fiancée’s father. He said, you absolutly have to read this book, it’ll change how you feel about this band, and it totally did. The Rolling Stones actually created the template for Kiss. A lot of people don’t realize that but the first big business rock n roll band was not Kiss, but the Rolling Stones. But The Bangkok Five, as we started to grow and realized who we needed to become in order to survive into the next twenty years where we want to take this thing. We had to create something that could transform music and we couldn’t just worry about the band anymore we really had to worry about the music business. So we actually formed a corporation, formed an entertainment company. When you talk to most bands about signing to a major label and ask them if they’d sign a deal they say “I wouldn’t sign a deal with a major if you gave me $2 million up front. Our art is much more important than living a certain way and I know they will cripple my work and cripple my vision, I’d rather die on my feet running than live as a slave on my knees” That is truly where The Bangkok Five live now and hence the title of the next album “The Bangkok Five Incorporated” and hence us creating this company “Indiemedia, Inc” it’s the independent artist coming with a new voice and creating something way beyond what we ever thought we’d ever do in a band. We always thought we
we were just going to be rock and roll band, we were gonna go out there, play the stages, tear it up. Whether we did it on the scale of Black Flag in a van or Rolling Stones in busses and jet planes. In the end it was always going to be about the most honest rock n roll band you’ve ever seen in your life giving their heart and soul no matter where they’re playing, that’s where we thought we’d be, we never thought we’d be transformed into true business people where we interfacing with gigantic artists, we’re doing things we never thought we’d be doing. I don’t really want to get into the details of that, because it’s not time but when we unveil some of the things we’ve been working on it’s gonna be truly transformative for the industry because no band has had the perfect storm that this band has had. Where Nicky would always try and shut down creative ideas, Ray’s coming up with the new innovation. Never saying no, and always saying yes that’s enabled the band to stretch as a business and this bands’ gone from being this struggling entity to actually thriving and we’re doing really well in our lives right now, and I think that hiatus, that transformation that we’ve enabled ourselves to go on has allowed that. We’ve stopped living like animals and treating ourselves like animals to where we’re valuing our relationships and we’re valuing our lives and taking the time to connect to our humanity in a way. Ray: Meanwhile I’ve taken the last two years to try and disconnect from humanity Lissy: Now, you do a lot of work with Far? Didn’t you go on tour with them? Ray: Yeah I’ve been with Far for a looong time. Kind of like a silent fifth member of the band. I used to tour with the band many years ago, and then they took a hiatus. They had a lot of success with a song called Pony…. My story’s no good… I started telling it and I realized there’s no point to my story. Nik: There is actually, they came back
after not being a band for, how long Ray? Ray:
Ten-year
hiatus.
Nik: The singer and the guitar player who is a producer and produced songs on our record Shaun Lopez, and actually important to note, the singer of Far Jonah does a funny cameo on Poker Face, he does the rap in the middle, it’s bloody brilliant and hilarious! He literally transforms himself into “Dieter” from SNL and has this funny voice. But they did this version of Pony, it took the fuck off and became number one at KRock one of the most influential radio stations in the world and they jumpstarted their career to a new level. So yeah it is really a relevant and cool story, Ray. Once again, this is a band that pissed everybody off, woke up in the middle of the tour and told each other to fuck off then did something on their own that was bloody genius and completely invigorated their career, then took everything on their own terms and did everything on their own and really that is what The Bangkok Five is about. We’ve got the attorneys waving the opportunities in our faces and we wont take them. We know what we’re doing now, what we wanna do now, we know that we’re gonna make more money than we’ve ever made in our lives and be more successful than we’ve ever been. The band has always been one of those difficult list bands; we’ve always been “difficult”. When anyone wants to get involved with The Bangkok Five and start making the rounds and calling managers of the past, and the record labels of the past, the one thing you’ll always hear is “They’re incredibly talented but incredibly difficult” And we always say “Fuck yeah we’re incredibly difficult because most of you guys were more worried about when would be the next time you were going to snort cocaine off a stripper’s tit than when we had to pull off tour and get home safely” They live in this alternate reality that is left over from the nineties and they’re still living there. I’ll talk to managers and I’ll say “Yep, it’s really tough for you now isn’t it?” “Yeah it’s really tough” and they think I’m trying to nuzzle up to them and be nice and they’ll go “yeah it’s really
I wish it was ten years ago, or just six years ago, god we’re having a really hard time making a living” All these managers and A&R guys are no longer in the business, trying to sell real estate till the bottom fell out of that and now they’re trying to reinvigorate the online world, it’s comical watching these guys cause they just can’t figure it out. To have them watch The Bangkok Five, the stupid, difficult band, to watch us figure it out, because they never had the true passion and understanding of the art form, that has been one of the most satisfying things I’ve ever encountered in my life. Actually to see Tim Devine, one of the biggest A&R guys in the business at a party and say “I’m doing alternative business with Sony, I’m doing one-off business with Sony. Bigger business than any of the artists you’ve signed in the last five years, I’m doing all that and you’re not even in the music business anymore, buddy” You know how good that feels? Lissy: You guys are successful where they’re not because they’re stuck with the same thought processes and you have come along and reinvented yourselves. Nik: We’ll always be relevant, make relevant music, we’ll always be here because we are the real deal. Most of these people, unfortunately, you see them strip away, you see them fade away, fall to the wayside. Some guys would rather fix other people’s guitars than play the guitar. You can’t change them, you can’t make them into something else, they just are what they are and all you can do is tip your hat to them and keep moving hahaha Lissy: Don’t worry about that, you’ve got enough to worry about Nik:
Exactly
Lissy: Greg’s not with you anymore, am I correct? Nik: yes you are right; we did include him on Saved because that was the last song he worked on with us. The band was going in a different way, business wise from where Greg wanted to go. Also the bass player he’s been replaced with is a bass player that I’ve
been a fan of for over five years, Ray’s style is very elaborate and we needed someone to complement that. He’s been with a band that was on Virgin, Astralwerks , so he’s from the world that I’m from so I always felt that Ray, not being from the world I was from was genius cause he brought this fresh prospective to music I wanted to make, but I always felt that where Greg was coming from was burying us in the past, and Francis Ten is someone I respect as a creative entity. I respected Greg immensely as a player, but I always wanted a trimmer, more new wave electro sound. Francis brings us this new fresh sound. It’s sad when you’re great friends with someone but you’re coming from a different place, creatively, and one day you realize this and Ray, as it’s ultimately his decision, this is his partner, had to accept this, and it was his final decision... Lissy: So everyone in the band now shares the same vision? Nik: Everyone shares the same vision; we’re on the same page. It is really exciting to have another guy that brings a 50,000 fan base to our band. I always refer Greg any time I get the chance, I still love the guy, and the split was amicable. There’s a bond between all of us, we’re all artists, I’m always going to fight for Ray, Nicky, Greg, no matter who or where they are. Ray’s done some great sweet things for “Hometown Hero” his former band. I don’t want to dismiss Greg’s contributions, but we could not grow like that, we couldn’t have made Under The Covers with Greg still in the band, he wasn’t down. Lissy: OK, while we’ve been talking, you’ve actually answered all my questions… Nik: We’re just starting to do interviews, as I told you I had so much to say and you’ve been so great in the past I wanted to reach out to you. When I read what you write about the band I think it’s spectacular, this chick gets it, we had a great time with her, you’re one of us… so I definitely wanted to touch base with you first, let you know what we’re doing. Well thank you… (I shed a little tear)