MUEN October 2009

Page 1


Jessica Shroy

Myspace.com/jessangel2003

Contributors: G. Cataline, Shauna OʼDonnell, Jeanne Thomas (JET), Macavity, Slavewriter6, BC Blonde, R.L. Segarra, Karen Fader McBride, Yvonneʼs World, M Lazar, AngelDevil Nick St. Onge, Charly Gienau, Shannon Lindsey, Tracy L. Forsyth-Lundy, Jus Forrest, Morbid Miller, Q5, Ron “Roosterpuddin” Isbell, Cerys, Morbid Miller, Diana Price, Metal Mike, Natalie Perez, Tina Rose, Heather Armstrong, Nik Vicious, Laya, Brittany Todd, Warren Meyers, Jori Pierson, Darcee, Lilly Ryden, Brian Cade, Bianca Malise, Seegal, Eric Eaton, Chris King Spokesmodels: Penny Layne, Saphira Spanks, Suzie Q, Jessica Shroy Toy Kitten (Genocide), FluxXx Mutation, Danielle Fornarelli, Ethel Hallow, Bianca Barnett, M Lazar, Helen Limon, Paris Inez, Kelly Chaos www.Scribd.com/MUENmag • www.MUENMagazine.net MUEN TALK 525.COM www.525PowerTracks.com MUEN Artist PR & Promotion www.Myspace.com/gcataline www.Myspace.com/ShaunasBandPage

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Content:

69 EYES PG. 4 APE PG. 140 ANGEL SPIT PG. 136 ANUBIS PG. 58 ARCH ENEMY PG. 14 BIANCA BARNETT PG. 11 BILLY CONNALLY PG. 55 BLIND DIVINE PG. 68 BUCKCHERRY PG. 52 CANDIRIA PG. 112 CD REVIEWS PG. 140 COSMIC INTENT PG. 48 DEANNA WESSON PG. 29 DEATH BECOMES YOU PG. 130 EUROPE PG. 55 EVERGREEN TERRACE PG. 62 FREE SPIRIT PG. 91 GENITORTURERS PG. 19 HALO IN REVERSE PG. 118 HYDROVIBE PG. 104 KMFDM PG. 136 MELODIC BLUE PG. 108 MEN WHO LISTEN PG. 110 M LAZAR PG. 32 PLOY OF ORACLE PG. 80 RIVERBEND PG. 72 ROCK CITY ANGELS PG. 94 SALIVA PG. 40 SEPTEMBER MOURNING PG. 32 SHADOWS FALL PG. 86 SOLVI PG. 100 STORY OF THE YEAR PG. 46 STRUNG OUT PG. 96 TANTRIC PG. 124 THE ATTITUDE PG. 90 THE COLOR MORALE PG. 76 THE SAMMUS THEORY PG. 18 THE THIN VEIL PG. 9 THE USED PG. 20 THE VEER UNION PG. 56 TRACK FIGHTER PG. 36 UNDERLINED PG. 58 YVONNEʼS WORLD PG. 134 XXX CAR RIDE PG. 116 MUEN Magazine P.O. Box 11446 Whittier, CA 90603

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Jessica has also modeled for Fashion Bug 2002 thru 2009, and has worked for Harman Agency Films.

JESSICA SHROY, recently appeared in the latest Kittie video, “Sorrow I Know” just out this Sept. Aug. 09 on MTV2 and Headbangers Ball. She is a MUEN model and is also featured on covers of various publications. Check out "City Untouchable" coming out on Netflix Nov. 2009. She also appears in films such as "Last Day Of Summer" featuring Nikki Reed, and DJ Qualls, "Alexis" where she plays Crea a vampire hunter, the independent film, "Leghi Lo", "Killing Fields" where she plays Lisa, based on a true story about the serial killer Rober Palmer, featuring: Todd Servo, Playboy Model Angelina Leigh, Eddie Benevich, Debbie D, and Katie Russell.

Jessica is a Barbizon School of Modeling and Acting graduate (99-00), winning 2nd Place to be on a flyer for Sinners Saints Gallery, and was featured in Rudy Stone's gallery • 2nd Floor gallery • Joe Miller's gallery • Cafe Beracah & Gallery in Lebanon • The Art Association of Harrisburg • 1st Floor Rudy Stone's gallery • 2 OMP showcases • Jaycie Photography for artistic category • Barry Kid aka: Sixty4Graphics for artistic nude • Harrisburg's Featured Model for Jan. 2008, more. Myspace.com/jessangel2003

Oct 28 2009 GEN-XX & Combichrist @Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom, Denver, CO

Shauna OʼDonnell with The Sammus Theory (Hot Topic)


By G. Cataline / Shauna O始Donnell

out that these bands just "more than fit" and they "belong" to play with us. SO YOU HAVE A TOUR I'm excited and thrilled. COMING UP WITH The Becoming are great DOMMIN AND THE BE- guys and have been COMING. HOW DID around for quite a few YOU DECIDE TO HAVE years. They've sent us THOSE TWO BANDS their work and I've known ON THE TOUR? about them for a long time. It's an obvious I think it's a great packchoice to have them on age. I始m excited about board with us. And Domplaying with those bands, min is like one of my new and ofcourse when tours favorite bands. I will are booked the booking probably be telling people agency has some ideas from now on that they are about what bands should just amazing, and I will be there. We've had be there from a fans point great tours in the states of view just enjoying their before and this time set. around someone pointed

"They are like one of my new favorite bands that I've never seen, but I've heard just one song, and I'm already a fan."

worth coming early enough to catch all these bands at the shows. I'm thrilled about coming to the states here in October, because I始ve never been in the states during Halloween time. I see It's amazing stuff. The this tour like the "long lost musical style of these Halloween tour"... Every three bands are not so day we're going to celefar away from each other. brate the upcoming HalAll of them have a differ- loween. What better way ent angle towards darkto do it than with The 69 ness and have different Eyes, Dommin, and The ways of representing it. Becoming. All of us are pretty different... We are like The Maybe the live show will Rolling Stones in comgive you something else parison to these young to think about while guys, but it's a tight pack- you're itching to see "The age. It will definitely be New Moon Of Twilight".


Nearly the whole concept of The 69 Eyes is based on the concept of Halloween... a celebration of ghosts, vampires, and Frankenstein monsters and things like this. But actually Halloween is not really celebrated in Finland. It's an American celebration, and it's a part of the pop culture that interests me. Ofcourse Halloween has been commercialized somewhat in Finland, such as in some of the clubs or some festivals, etc., but again, it's really not part of Finish culture.

ing "what the hell do they have this green little guy everywhere in the stores for?" St. Patrick's Day is totally unknown in Scandinavia. I never even read it in the school books, so this is really the first time we始ve ever experienced it in the states.

But wherever in the world The 69 Eyes are playing... that night is Halloween, for us.

THE LATEST ALBUM, "BACK IN BLOOD" , RELEASED ALREADY IN EUROPE AND ON I've been very inspired by SEPT. 15 IN THE U.S., WOULD PROBABLY BE American culture, and I YOUR BEST WORK am very excited about being there at that time. I YET, SO WHAT WOULD don't know what exactly YOU SAY MOST INto expect. We did do one SPIRED THE ALBUM IN tour in the states before GENERAL? during St. Patrick始s Day, and all the while wonder- Our fans. The fans are

the people who don't hesitate to write if they don't like something. That's actually irritating if your fans don't write what they think. Like if you write something in a blog you get instant feedback from your fans, such as "Oh, why didn't you..." or "I love this..." or something like, "You should do this or that..." They are fast, sometimes they care too much. I always want to keep the excitement though. And I'm sure noone will ever guess what I'm going to do next. We always try to surprise them. But also when fans are saying something to us, it sort of makes you wonder if they are saying something that you should really listen to or not. On the other hand, If you listen too carefully you probably don始t end up with any-

thing. So the fans have been pointing out that "Blessed Be", from about 10 years ago, is one of their favorites. That's our "master of puppets". The fans are our bosses, and we do our records and tours for them. And then we had the producer, Matt Hyde with whom we talked about this with before.. who was an outsider... and he would jump into the boots of a "fan'". He would listen to our records and the album "Blessed Be", and he said, "hey guys, I actually understand why the fans say this is their favorite record." He said something was missing on the past records, and that he knows what there should be in the new one. He had alot of ideas and namely solved this case of ours from the perspective of "the fan". He


wanted to make the album that The 69 Eyes fan has been waiting for from us. So that's how we started on this album.

pire inspired songs”, and he said, "no, that's great, because we have this new movie called, Twilight in the states, and it's promoting you guys alBeing Finish, and coming ready". to the states... what we got from him was more And this was in January power and more attitude, when "Twilight" was just and an "in your face" kind out. And obviously right of feeling. And also now "Twilight" is like the maybe a little more agbiggest pop culture phegression. We have the nomenon that has spread Finish, melancholy across the western world melodies and style of since The Titanic. writing. It's more polite. Whereas American rock We have been doing this is more aggressive and for 20 years and this idea always a strong attitude. came about someThat comes along with where... I don't actually what we have by ourknow where, but about a selves, and with an year ago. So the vampire American flavour there. scene obviously needed The main inspiration for some fresh blood, and I this album was the fans. think “Twilight” brought But there were other that. And fresh blood things.. like I started to also, meaning the new write the lyrics, and audience. Obviously I halfway through I started wouldn't mind having our to realise that all the songs on the soundsongs were about Vamtracks, so it's a cool thing pires, or flirting with hor- that is happening right ror images, or something now. I've seen the movie like that. And that is a couple of times, and I something I had never have to say that I really done before. There were like it. always vampire rock songs on the albums, but When I'm writing songs this time all of them were about Vampires, and oflike that. And it's mainly course we are the by accident because all Helsinki vampires, of the material was written close to a year ago. “I would say we are And then this past Janu- closer to like Christoary when Matt Hyde pher Lee or the gang came to Finland to do the of Lost Boys “vampire”. preproduction with us, I That is the new genertold him, “by the way, I hope you don't mind that ation that is sparkling these songs are all Vam- in the sunlight, so why

not!”

THERE ARE ALOT OF TV SHOWS OUT AS WELL.. YOU HAVE TRUE BLOOD, ETC. YOUR SONGS WOULD GO GOOD WITH THESE SHOWS..

PROGRESSED?

Well we were inspired naturally by Guns N' Roses.. you know they changed the world back in 87.. I was a teenager, and when “Appetite For Destruction” came out I felt like it was my time to experience something important. And I tried to get out to L.A. where everything was happening back then, but I didn't have enough money. I did have enough to get to New York though. That was a great time because there was a great music scene at that time in New York city. You know the great bands like The Ramones, and Johnny Thunder, etc. And then about a year later I did get the chance to experience Hollywood.

Yeah It's a crime if there won't be, you know. I guess the whole vampire phenomenon is like... you know... the female audience needs some way to escape the reality and to have dreams. At this moment, people want to dream about supernatural... lust. You know when it was written in the 19th century, it was written for a female audience, so it's back to the basics. So you know vampires are sexy and rock and roll is sexy, so I guess they just go hand in hand. Ever since the VILLE VALO OF "HIM" STARRED IN THE days of Ann Rice, you VIDEO FOR "WASTING know. THE DAWN" (ROADRUNNER REC.) AS THE WHERE ARE YOU PLAYING OCT. 31 ANY- GHOST OF JIM MORRISON, AND ALSO DID WAY? BACK VOCALS ON At The Chameleon Club YOUR FIRST TWO ALBUMS BACK IN THE in Lancaster, PhiladelEARLY 90'S.. HOW DID phia. YOUR FIRST MEETING WHAT WAS IT LIKE TO OCCUR WITH VILLE? AND IS THIS PRODUCBE A BAND IN TION EVEN AVAILABLE HELSINKI, FINLAND ANYMORE? WHAT WHEN YOU FIRST WERE YOU DOING BEGAN YOUR MUSIC DURING THE YEARS CAREER? WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO TAKE THAT YOU WERE NOT RELEASING ANY ALON THE MORE BUMS.. 2005 thru 2006 GOTH/ROCK DIREC..etc. TION AS THE BAND


duced us to radio here in Finland, and it was also a huge hit in central EuWHAT MADE YOU rope. We were introCHOOSE SAN FRANduced to the big Euro CISCO FOR THE LATgothic scene during that EST 69 EYES VIDEO, AND WHAT SONG WILL time. ʻDevilsʼ was definitely something differTHAT BE FOR? ent.. when we made it I For the next single “Dead thought, “this will be the And Gone”. The first sin- album that takes us to gle is called “Dead Girls America” and it actually ended up happening like Are Easy”. You can that. After making the check out the video on video for Lost Boys with Playboy.com/69 . Bam Margera, etc. .. So WOULD YOU SAY THE that was the first album of ALBUM 'DEVILS' (EMI) ours that was released in the states and where a AND YOUR SINGLE, tour was made there as 'LOST BOYS' (EMI) well. Itʼs a new period WAS THE BIGGEST now starting with ʻBack In TURNING POINT IN We were friends like that. YOUR CAREER, THUS Bloodʼ. Our profile in the states had been very unAt some point he became FAR? derground... very cult so huge, that we sort of bandish, because we I think it opened up the lost contact eventually. never had really done Heʼs extremely talented, doors to America. ʻBlessed Beʼ was a gold any promotion there. But and it was very cool to now everything is being record, and had introhave him involved with Actually I think he sang on like 4 records. But it was in the mid 90ʼs and I was DJing one of the nights, and his band had just played. I think it was Infernal Majesty or something. So he just had a new ep out at the time, and he gave it to me to listen too. Ofcourse we were recording a new album, so I invited him over to lay down a few tracks. He had some really fresh musical ideas, so I asked if heʼd be interested in working with us. He ended up preproducing “Wasting The Dawn”..

The 69 Eyes.

Photo by Ville Juurikkala

taken care of so itʼs very exciting for us to come and tour. I hope we are going to make alot of new friends, and see our old friends as well. Weʼve been playing for two decades and there is still a mission left. I know there are alot of people, maybe even some of these twilight people, that have never heard of The 69 Eyes or our music and Iʼm sure that they will have a place for our band in their hearts. So the mission is just to spread the word and get the band better known especially in the states where we are still a band of the underground and secret society.

YOU BROUGHT UP THE VIDEO FOR “DEAD GIRLS ARE EASY” .. BAM DIRECTED THAT VIDEO RIGHT?

Yeah. Heʼs a good friend of the band and heʼs one of the most talented people Iʼve ever met. He has all the energy that this world really needs. He has fresh ideas, and has changed the history of tv with his tv series. Meanwhile heʼs directing very cool music videos for us, and more over itʼs extremely fun. I can imagine making a video can sometimes be miserable, but with Bam, he makes it fun. Heʼs very focused and very professional. CONTINUED PAGE 8


JYRKI69 OF 69 EYES CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7

a 69 Eyes fan, and so far "PERFECT SKIN" OFF the feedback from the THE ALBUM 'ANGELS', fans has been extremely HAD GONE STRAIGHT positive. Ofcourse withTO #1 IN FINLAND, AND out The 69 Eyes fans, we "NEVER SAY DIE" OFF would not still be playing THAT ALBUM WENT after all this time. fore we go to record the GOLD.. DO YOU HAVE album. CONFIDENCE THAT HOW DID HELLFEST YOUR FANS WILL AP- GO, IN EUROPE, AND HOW DID YOU LIKE PRECIATE THE DIREC- HOW DID IT COMPARE AUSTRALIA? TION OF "BACK IN TO THE AUSTRALIAN BLOOD", AS COMTOUR YOU DID IN That was amazing bePARED TO YOUR PRE- JUNE? cause we had never had VIOUS ALBUMS? any records out in AusIt was cool. It really tralia before. The shows We stole a brain of a fan showed what type of year were full, and everyone (haha) and fed it into a itʼs been for the 69 Eyes. had the record and tatcomputer. We proWe went to tour in Eutoos etc.. so it was like grammed the computer rope for a month, and we had always been with the facts we got from then we came to L.A. to there. that brain. And then the start the recording for the computer created the album. We played WHAT WILL YOUR specifications for the new Hellfest to get the live MAIN FOCUS BE THE album. We wanted to vibe.. and to get the band REST OF THIS YEAR, make the album to be like at their best, so that AND IS THERE ANY the ultimate wet dream of theyʼre tight as fuck beLATE BREAKING NEWS

YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE?

Itʼs seriously always like a dream come true. We do a record and then we dream of doing a tour. Itʼs been about 2 years since weʼve toured in America. It will be a five week period and then we will be back touring in Finland. We are a rock in roll band. We have to play as many times as we can. THANKS FOR THE INTERVIEW!


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Penny Layne


BIANCA BARNETT

Bianca Barnett is a freespirited Bohemian (actress/model) who has done work in the feature films Albino Farm, In A Spiral State, and more. She has also worked on several short films (including the award winning Bunny Time Cupcakes), music videos (including The Rocketz: “Killing”), student films, commercials and countless background work for NBC, CBS, MTV, and more, over the past three years.

would love to work with them all again. I've been in so many music videos, I can't even keep count! So, again, The Rocketz video is my favorite! MUEN: TELL US ABOUT THE COMMERCIAL WORK, AND IS THERE A BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DOING COMMERCIALS VS. DOING MUSIC VIDEOS?

The last commercial I worked on was for an energy drink. The theme was 1940s swing, so MUEN: YOU WERE there was a lot of dancTHE PILL POPPIN ing which is very similar VAMPIRESS IN THE NICK BLACK VID FOR to a music video shoot. Both call for very, very “SORRY”... WHAT long work days (always WAS THAT EXPERIover 14 hours straight). ENCE LIKE, AND ARE They film much quicker THERE ANY OTHER than movies, but you still MUSIC VIDEOS have to be a patient perYOUʼVE BEEN IN? son and willing to take and follow direction. It The "Sorry" video was sounds simple, but some fun, I've always liked people really have a playing a sexy vampiress! The best video I problem with that! I have a strong work have ever been in was ethic, so I give it my all The Rocketz KILLING everytime I am on set. music video. Not only was everyone really MUEN: SO OUT OF friendly and profesALL THE FEATURE sional, but they even FILMS YOUʼVE DONE, took care of me on set because I had the flu. It WHICH WAS THE was shot so beautifully MOST GRATIFYING and I am definitely proud FOR YOU, AND WHY? of how it came out! I

Each film I have worked on means a lot to me. Okay, that's not entirely true, but they have all been learning experiences. I always want to improve and do something better than before. I don't think I've done anything that has been a real stand-out yet. I am happy when a film actually gets released! So many of the projects I have worked on end up in independent film purgatory. I'm not completely opposed, though, because I'm not proud of my acting skills yet. I cringe whenever I have to see myself on film, but I force myself to watch because I can learn

what I need to work on. At the moment, I am in negotiations for a feature length action film and I'm hoping that's going to be

my "breakout" role.


September 4, 2009 ARCH ENEMY

IN SWEDEN RIGHT?

Yeah, I just got back. We played a couple of shows Century Media/Toyʼs Fac- in Mexico and then we tory went to Germany for a couple of days to hook up Angela Gossow (Vocals) with family and now Iʼm back in Sweden. Halmstad, Sweden MUEN: ARE YOU TAKMyspace.com/archenemy ING A BREAK FROM TOURING? By: Shauna OʼDonnell myspace.com/shaunas- No, we have the next tour bandpage starting at the beginning of October. We are doing MUEN: HI ANGELA, promotions right now for HOW ARE YOU the Root of All Evil album. TODAY? We are also doing preproduction for the next Hello, Iʼm fine, thank you. upcoming tour which is Asia, Australia and New MUEN: YOUʼRE BACK Zealand, so itʼs a lot of

work. We actually have a lot of stuff to do.

MUEN: ON OCTOBER 6TH, YOU WILL BE RELEASING YOUR LATEST ALBUM THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL. THIS ALBUM IS A COMPILATION OF ALL OF YOUR CLASSICS FROM YOUR FIRST THREE ALBUMS. YOU RE-RECORDED THEM WITH YOUR CURRENT LINE-UP CORRECT? Thatʼs correct.

MUEN: WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION BEHIND DOING A COMPILATION CD?

We have always wanted to bring back the first three albums because they were done with a very different line-up. We have a lot of young fans which is great because they are usually the ones raging at the show in the front row. They were born around the time the first album came out. Things started happening around when I joined so I think there are some really great songs from the old albums. We would love to play them live and in order to do this we kind of have to resurrect them. The best way to do that is not to re-issue it, but actually to pick out our favorites and record them


like we would play them live with the current lineup. We picked our favorite three or four tracks off each album and completely re-did them. We put them on one album so people could check them out. If they like it a lot they might go back and buy the original albums because the original albums have a lot more songs than just three. Itʼs bringing the old and new Arch Enemy together and closing the circle a bit as well.

MUEN: SINCE SOME OF THE SONGS ARE OVER A DECADE OLD, WERE YOU ABLE TO INCORPORATE NEW TECHNOLOGY INTO THE SONGS?

We re-did them because they were recorded on tape. The thing with tapes is they break or they simply get lost. You put them in storage, you move and then you leave them behind. We recorded it digitally now and itʼs on the hard drive so it never gets lost. I donʼt think we have any master tapes of our last album for example. There are lots of good things with the old recording techniques, but the downside is that they used tapes and they tend to go bad with time. MUEN: WHAT DID YOU DO TO THE SONGS TO UPDATE THEM?

ously what I did with the Well, we obviously didnʼt vocals, so that has change the songs bechanged a lot. Danny didcause we didnʼt want to nʼt play on some songs re-write them. They are on Stigmata and Sharlee great as they are. Obvi- didnʼt play on these ously, the vocalist is a dif- songs, so they had to ferent one and I have a write new drum patterns very different voice from and bass lines as well. Johan Liiva. We are two Itʼs kind of new Arch totally different singers. Enemy, but we didnʼt toMy vocal range is a diftally step away from the ferent one and I canʼt original. We kept the copy him. I donʼt think I overall songs obviously. should anyway. Itʼs like covering your favorite MUEN: I CANʼT WAIT band, you always try to FOR PEOPLE TO HEAR do something to give IT. HOW DID YOU DEyour personality to the CIDE ON THE ALBUM cover song and make it TITLE? your own. Thatʼs obvi-

Itʼs obviously a biblical expression and it does say a couple of things. It says Arch Enemy and the root of all evil; those two things go well together. The root of all evil refers to the root of Arch Enemy in a sense because thatʼs where we come from in the first three albums. That is where it all started. The cover of the album shows a skull and the symbolism in the brain. The brain is the root of all evil. That is where mankind thinks of things of all evil. It has a bunch of different levels and it sounds old school


and death metal at the same time.

MUEN: THERE IS GOING TO BE A LIMITED EDITION CD THAT COMES COMPLETE WITH A REALLY COOL “MEDIABOOK,” THREE BONUS TRACKS, ALTERNATIVE ARTWORK, AN EXTENDED BOOKLET AND AN EXCLUSIVE PATCH.

The “mediabook” looks like a childrenʼs book, you know, the small ones that you read when they are three years old. Itʼs in small format, you can go through it and it has lots of pictures. I think I can read it to my little niece. Sheʼs going to appreciate it. Itʼs actually like a book with a lot of pages in it. It has a hard cover around it like one of those little pocket books. Itʼs very nice paper with glossy print on it. It has different, extended artwork. Itʼs nice and I think it looks very exclusive and exquisite. Thatʼs why we did it; itʼs really for the collectors. The patch is totally cool, I mean because a patch for old school. I think the kids are going to love that. Patches are really cool and we have been asked by kids for many years now and we finally got around to making patches. Patches are old school and this is an old school release. Itʼs not going to be one of those albums that we re-

release later with twenty bonus tracks. A lot of labels like to do that. The hardcore fans will be there the first day and buy the first version. They get basically screwed over because ten weeks later a better one comes out with even more bonus tracks. We try to do it the other way around. The first edition is limited and thatʼs where all the cool stuff is. Afterwards, you can only really buy the normal version. If youʼre a hardcore fan you should get that one because that is going to be the very special version. MUEN: YOU ARE ABOUT TO EMBARK ON AN ASIAN AND AUSTRALIAN TOUR. WHAT KIND OF PREPARATION GOES INTO A TOUR LIKE THAT?

A lot, weʼve kind of took over a lot of the management and booking ourselves. We do a lot of this ourselves now. You have to do nine visas and some of them are very complicated. I think Japan is the worst. Australia and New Zealand is actually an outdrawn process. You have to go to the embassies and we live in the middle of nowhere in Sweden so there is nothing really close by. You have to fill out a lot of paper work and you donʼt understand half the questions they

are asking you. Thatʼs one part; the other one is around the world flights, tickets and how to find the best connections. We are actually playing a bunch of back to back shows in Asia so we have to make it the same day, letʼs say from Tokyo to Hong Kong. You have to fly, play a show and then get up early the next day. You have to find the best flights and then the crew. The back end of making a show happen is pretty huge. You just hope you have enough energy to pull it off. We usually have, but itʼs amazing what happens behind the scene of a show. I know that Iron Maiden and Slipknot have a huge amount of people employed, but we want to keep it small. Itʼs like a family business we are running. We have five people in the band and five people employed. To make it work, the bottom line is to be on the spot all the time. Anybody who has booked a band or has done it themselves knows what Iʼm talking about. You grow into it, but itʼs really a lot of work. I work between twelve to fourteen hours a day before a tour and thatʼs for weeks. Itʼs great because itʼs all yours and when everything works out you look back on a great tour; itʼs the best reward you can get. When things go wrong you canʼt blame anybody else for it.

Thatʼs good too because you grow with the challenges and you learn from your mistakes. I think itʼs good for us in the long run even if we decide one day to have someone else doing it again. When you have other people working for you, you never know if they are doing it efficient or not or if they are screwing you over a little bit here and there. We have had people take advantage of us and we didnʼt know because we didnʼt know how to read the numbers or if things could have been done a lot better. Last minute flights tend to be very expensive. We have been very busy with the tour and we are always recording something. We are not the band that has been standing still for the last nine years, we have just been raging. We are going to the U.S. in January and February of next year. We are putting that together as well. It is going to be a great tour and a great package.

MUEN: I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE SAYING. IʼVE DONE QUITE A FEW THINGS IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY, BUT I REFUSE TO DO BOOKING.

Everybody goes back and forth about the money and what they are willing to pay. I never really bothered with it be-


cause I wanted to be a musician only, but itʼs great to see the control. I think Iʼm a control freak, so itʼs great. We can look at each other after a show and say “It was great!” or we can look at each other and say “We really sucked today.”

GREECE. I HAVENʼT COME ACROSS TOO MANY BANDS THAT PLAY SHOWS IN GREECE.

Greece is a very alive metal/rock scene. Itʼs not really a place you do with a tour bus, so you have to fly in and fly out. We MUEN: DO YOU HAVE A have played Athens beBIG FAN BASE IN ASIA fore so we know. It has a AND AUSTRALIA? southern European flare; the people are very pasYes we do, we have sionate and sing along. I toured there quite exten- know not too many bands sively. It is quite difficult, go there, which is weird that is why we always because it is not really pick a bunch of places that far to fly. I think it is and are always playing because a lot of bands new ones. This tour will use a tour bus to get be new territory and new around Europe and they shows. We are always canʼt get there. We are careful of not adding too going to Russia again many new places bethis year and lots of fun cause itʼs not good to places. have too many big surprises on the tour. They MUEN: YOU GET TO donʼt get too many SEE THE WORLD, shows, so when there is WHICH IS SOMETHING a show, everybody goes THAT I WOULD LOVE there. Thatʼs the great TO DO. thing, people will travel really far. Weʼve been to You should, the food is Australia a couple of really great. Itʼs probably times, so we know that really fattening, but who people like us there. I cares. love Australia, the plants, the architecture and the MUEN: YOU ARE IN vibe of the people there. GREAT SHAPE, WHAT It is beautiful so Iʼm toDO YOU DO TO STAY tally looking forward to THAT WAY? going there again. Itʼs going to be nice big I just ordered a cross shows and it is probably trainer for home. What I going to be sold out. have to do is work out twice a day. I have to MUEN: YOU WILL ALSO work out in the morning; I BE GOING TO NEW have to go running for an ZEALAND AND hour. In the evening I do

weights and cardio again for one and a half hours. That way I stay in shape. It doesnʼt come easy for me. I wouldnʼt be fat, but I am not someone who has this great metabolism that burns it off. I really have to work hard. I have to because I have to be in good condition and I need the endurance as well. It helps when you can run for nineteen minutes straight and you donʼt feel any pain. Thatʼs what I do; I train everyday to be in good shape. Iʼm a vegetarian so there are a lot of fruits and vegetables in my diet. No white carbs and no sugar. Itʼs good, it works and it

makes me a strong, aggressive female.

MUEN: THE ONE THING I NOTICED TO PUT WEIGHT ON ME IS ALCOHOL, I GO TO A LOT OF SHOWS AND SO I HAVE TO BE CAREFUL...

Yeah, itʼs the sugar in the alcohol, thatʼs what it is. I love a glass of wine or two, but thatʼs all I need because Iʼm not a hard alcohol drinker. I drink a couple glasses of wine and Iʼm totally drunk. I think if you start mixing Jack and Coke and then you get really, really hun-


THE SAMMUS THEORY IS NOW PROUDLY ENDORSED BY COFFIN CASE

ARCH ENEMY

CONTINUED from Pg. 17

gry and you can始t remember you just had a bucket full of fries.

MUEN: WILL YOU BE MAKING ANY VIDEOS FOR THE NEW ALBUM?

Yes, we始ve actually already done one. We played a festival in Germany and used the live footage for it. I think it is going to be released in a week or two online. MUEN: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TALKING WITH ME TODAY ANGELA. IT WAS A LOT OF FUN.

Thank you so much for letting me talk about Arch Enemy, Shauna.

On September 22, 2009, I was able to attend the Hot Topic Instore signing with the band The Sammus Theory in City of Industry, California. It was awesome to be able to hang out with the guys as they signed not only their CD始s, but also t-shirts and anything else their

fans desired. I wanted to share pictures of the experience, so here they are. There has been a lot happening with the band since my interview with Sam back in March. They have been on a national headlining tour since June of this year with no plans to stop anytime soon. All the

MUEN: WAS THERE ANYTHING YOU WANTED TO ADD BEFORE I LET YOU GO?

while they have been Listen to The Root of All making new fans at Evil and Stay Metal! every stop with increasing CD sales and interest from a number of sponsors and endorsements. Check them out at Myspace.com/thesammustheory


GENITORTURERS TO RELEASE BLACKHEART REVOLUTION NOVEMBER 3....

Lead Single “Cum Junkie” Available Now on iTunes, and via Limited-Edition 7” Vinyl....

Fall Headlining Tour Kicks Off October 24 in Orlando, FL....

October 1, 2009 – Renowned for their status as agents provocateur of the underground hard rock and industrial metal scenes, the latex defining and pop-culture defying Genitorturers return with the Nov. 3 release of Blackheart Revolution [GForce/MVD Entertainment]

The outfitʼs fifth studio release, Blackheart Revolution is a mesmerizing blend of infectious riffs and riotous overtures that lay the sexually-charged foundation for frontwoman Gen, the master of turbo-charged ceremonies and erotic rituals. The Genitorturers live spectacle returns to the road October 24, with the first leg of dates running through November.

“We wanted to make a big rock record that translates the same excitement I felt when I heard AC/DCʼs Highway to Hell for the first time, combined with the dark intrigue of Alice Cooperʼs Welcome to My Nightmare,” says Gen of the new release. “We wanted something that shakes the walls, grabs you by the balls, and scares you a bit in the process!”

Mission accomplished, as Blackheart Revolution combines the bandʼs signature, genre-bending style of ag-

gressive rock, seductive metal and underground electric pop. Co-Produced by David “Evil D” Vincent [Morbid Angel] and Scott Humphrey [Motley Crue, Rob Zombie, Ozzy Osbourne], the album is a roller coaster ride of musical twists, sonic turns and reckless abandon.....

A product of Orlando, Floridaʼs musical underbelly, what Genitorturers lack in wholesome family fun, they make up for in their celebration of the unspeakable, embracing and exploring our conservative cultureʼs taboos. They caught the ear (and eye) of legendary music industry magnate Miles Copeland, who signed the band to their first deal on his I.R.S. label, where they joined the ranks of fellow Copeland signings Gary Numan, The Go-Gos and R.E.M. ....

The lead single from Blackheart Revolution, “Cum Junkie,” is currently available via digital release, as well as in limited-edition, 7-inch vinyl. The collectible physical release will be the first in a series of vinyl singles to be released from the album, each complete with expansive packaging and uncensored artistic detail.

From their beginnings as upstart mavericks, to their current status as veteran iconoclasts, the only boundaries the Genitorturers know are the boundaries that they shatter. GENITORTURERS FALL HEADLINING TOUR

Sex Slaves support on all dates starting November 6

Myspace.com/genitorturers


THE USED


September 29, 2009 THE USED (Reprise)

Jeph Howard (Bass) Orem, Utah

Myspace.com/theused By: Shauna OʼDonnell

whole thing.

somebody that would listen to everything we said total MUEN: ALRIGHT WELL, 100% and go that direction. YOU RELEASED YOUR We wanted a new sound FOURTH STUDIO ALBUM and a new everything. We ENTITLED ARTWORK. brought our songs to him, YOU WORKED WITH A played them and let him NEW PRODUCER ON hear them. His reaction THIS ALBUM. YOU HAVE and the chemistry that ALWAYS WORKED WITH came about was really the THE SAME PRODUCER reason we picked him. He WHY THE CHANGE? was very good at guiding.

I think maybe it was because everything seemed MUEN: HI JEPH! HOW a little stale. This was the ARE YOU? first record our new drummer actually recorded with Hi, Iʼm great actually, how us, so that was a change. are you? We have a new manager. We got rid of our manager MUEN: IʼM GOOD; I JUST and got a new one aboard LOVE YOUR BAND. YOU during this record. We also GUYS ARE AMAZING. had some other business, label stuff, changed around Thank you to make everything new. This whole record is us MUEN: YOU HAVE starting over, like a new ACHIEVED BOTH GOLD point. The new producer AND PLATINUM STATUS seemed like the next basic IN MORE THAN SIX step I guess. COUNTRIES DURING YOUR CAREER. THAT MUEN: WHO DID YOU HAS TO FEEL REALLY WORK WITH? GOOD. His name is Matt Squire. At Yeah, I didnʼt know that, so first, Iʼm not going to lie, we that does feel pretty good were a little skeptical. Our finding that out. Thank you label was like “Check this guy out. Just hear him out MUEN: WHEN YOU first. We know you guys FIRST STARTED OUT are looking for producers. DID YOU EVER THINK Hear him out, hear what he YOU WOULD BE THAT has to say, maybe do one BIG? or two songs with him and see if you like him or not. Weʼve never really cared. I You donʼt have to use him, mean, it wasnʼt about get- it doesnʼt matter.” We deting big, it wasnʼt about try- cided to test him out and ing to be famous, it wasnʼt he was exactly what we about anything, we just were looking for at the wanted to write songs. We time. We wanted someone have fun writing music towho was more laid back, gether, thatʼs really the wasnʼt very hands on and myspace.com/shaunasbandpage

MUEN: DOES THIS ALBUM HAVE A CONCEPT?

It has an open concept. Our singer writes songs about his life and things that happen in his life. I donʼt 100% know exactly what he writes every song about and I keep it that way on purpose. The way that I take things and the way that I think art should be taken really, is for instance when you go and see a painting that you really like, that painting sparks an emotion in you and you bring your emotion into the painting and the painter puts his emotion into it, so really itʼs 50/50. As far as music and songs go to me itʼs 50/50 too. You listen to a song and it reminds you of some part of your life and something that happened to you in your life. The songwriter wrote the song about whatever he wanted; actually, Iʼm not sure if Iʼm answering your question.

MUEN: WELL, BASICALLY IT IS ALL ABOUT INTERPRETATION AND HOW EACH PERSON INTERPRETS THE SONG.

100% or 50% I guess.

MUEN: WHICH SONG TOOK THE LEAST AMOUNT OF TIME TO WRITE?

“Blood on my Hands” it took about an hour to write. I think the lyrics were even done in an hour. It was a pretty quick one, they donʼt all take that. “Blood on my Hands” started from another song a long time ago. We had the beat, it was a baseline kind of idea and it had sort of a melody thing going on. It was a totally different song and nothing happened with it. We finally wrote the whole record and went into the studio again after the record was done to see if maybe we could do one or two more songs. Quinn remembered that guitar line and kind of just messed with the idea of it and “Blood on my Hands” came out.

MUEN: WELL, ITʼS A GREAT SONG. Thank you

MUEN: HOW WOULD YOU LIKE PEOPLE TO VIEW THIS LATEST RECORD?

Hopefully, with headphones on. Like a whole new beginning for The Used, a step in a different direction. We are really just trying to write music for ourselves and we love it when people like the music. If people hate it, thatʼs good too, itʼs whatever. This record is very honest, open and real. It


sounds real, like there are mistakes on it and mistakes are real, they are part of life. This record to me is the most important, most thought out and most planned out record we have ever done. To me, it means a lot and everyone in the band feels the same. MUEN: WHICH OF THE SONGS ON THE NEW ALBUM DO YOU MOST RELATE TO?

this record.

MUEN: DID YOU TAKE MORE TIME MAKING THIS RECORD?

It did take about a year, year and a half, to finish totally. Thatʼs including writing, recording and producing. We even toured a little bit in between. It might have taken a little longer, but it felt really easy and smooth. It felt very natural.

ten about churches, actually. I really donʼt know, like I said I try to take my own thing out of it. What I kind of gather from overhearing Bert in interviews is how religion, church and the whole idea really is there to make you feel bad. Itʼs that they pressure you into doing things, make you feel bad for things and make you feel guilty about stuff. It really shouldnʼt be that way.

BANDʼS HISTORY.

Oh, I didnʼt know that, youʼre teaching me so much stuff that I didnʼt know.

MUEN: IʼM SO FULL OF KNOWLEDGE ON YOU GUYS. DID YOU THINK IT WOULD GET THAT KIND OF REACTION?

We had no idea. I know they did this thing called “Radio Call-Outs” which I have no understanding of MUEN: THE SONG Itʼs hard to say because I “BLOOD ON MY HANDS” those. There is no sense love every song on this MUEN: ONE OF MY FAas far as music goes. I reIS BADASS! record so much. Iʼve never VORITE SONGS THAT ally just like music, thatʼs really felt that way about YOU GUYS HAVE WRITpretty much it. They call Thank you other records. There are al- TEN IS “LIAR LIAR.” people and show them a ways issues with everyWAS IT WRITTEN ABOUT snip it of a song and ask MUEN: WHEN IT PREthing because nothings ANYONE IN PARTICUthem if they like the song. MIERED ON ITUNES IT perfect and nothing will LAR? MARKED THE HIGHEST They only get to hear like ever be perfect. I have the 30 seconds of it or someleast amount of issues with I think it was originally writ- DIGITAL DEBUT IN THE


thing, I really donʼt understand it. I guess this song got the highest ratings out of any song we have ever done. Thatʼs something that I still donʼt really understand, but itʼs cool.

MUEN: AND WHEN THE VIDEO DEBUTED ON YOUR MYSPACE PAGE YOU GUYS HAD 200,000

VIEWS IN 24 HOURS. THAT IS REMARKABLE.

WELL.

us is playing a different part too. We are backHe probably wasnʼt acting, ground characters. Iʼm a That was actually just me. I thatʼs why. (Laughing) CSI agent, the guy that comes in and checks all just hit repeat on my thing the killer guys stuff. Quinn and kept clicking it. MUEN: GIVE US A LITplays a cop and Dan actuTLE INSIGHT ON THE MUEN: THE VIDEO IS IN- MAKING OF THE VIDEO. ally is Bert at some point. Itʼs really hard to notice it, I TENSE AND BLOODY. BERT PLAYS THE PART The video was really fun to canʼt remember the exact scene, but if you look close make. If you look in the IN THE VIDEO VERY you can see Dan with a background, each one of WELL, ALMOST TOO


wig. Itʼs really kind of funny. The video is about how far would you go. Everybody has a demon inside of them a little bit. If something happened to you, how much of that demon would come out? Bert is obsessed with a serial killer to the point of going crazy, following him and trying to be like him. You kind of canʼt even tell, we tried to make the video open enough that you canʼt tell if Bert really is the serial killer. In the movie they find Bert and all of his crazy writings of him either looking for the serial killer or being the serial killer. He gets tried and put to death for it. Heʼs better now, which is good. Itʼs kind of open to let the viewer take what they want from it.

opposed to just trying to find them all or watching them on YouTube. YouTube is fun, but you canʼt take them with you unless you hack some program. I think itʼs cool to actually buy it and get it. It helps us out so itʼs fun either way. If you go to The Used YouTube, we have so many videos. Quinnʼs brother is an amazing videographer and editor. He is amazing at editing videos. Quinn gave him all these tapes and has been paying him a little bit of money to see what he comes up with. They came out incredible and Iʼm not just saying this, you should really check them out. He does like one a week and I think he has ten of them done now or something.

STARTS OCTOBER 3RD.

I really donʼt know, Iʼm going to have to find out.

MUEN: YOUʼRE GOING TO HAVE TO START PACKING.

I think I should.

MUEN: I SAW THAT YOU WILL BE GOING TO AUSTRALIA. ARE THERE ANY PLANS FOR A VISIT TO JAPAN?

I think Australia got moved back a little bit because we are going to do a full Canadian tour. We have never done a big Canadian tour. We are going to do a full U.S. and then almost a month in Canada, which is crazy, that is a long time. Then we are going back to MUEN: SPEAKING OF MUEN: YOU ARE ABOUT England, itʼs been a while VIDEOS, YOU GUYS RE- TO EMBARK OR HAVE so we might as well go LEASED “THE BEGINYOU ALREADY EMback again. Then I think we NING: THE USED MUSIC BARKED ON YOUR will do Japan/Hawaii. Iʼm VIDEO COLLECTION” TOUR SUPPORTING not really sure about RECENTLY. IT IS ONLY ARTWORK? Hawaii, but it would be AVAILABLE ON YOUR cool. WEBSITE AT We did, funny enough; we WWW.THEUSED.NET were just in England two MUEN: DO YOU HAVE A RIGHT? months ago. It was a pretty BIG FAN BASE IN ENGquick trip, we went to Eng- LAND? Oooh Shout out! Yeah, per- land and Germany right befect. fore the record came out. Itʼs pretty good. We havenʼt We came home for two really toured in a while and MUEN: WILL IT BE REweeks and then we went we havenʼt headlined since LEASED ANYWHERE back to England for anour second record so this ELSE EVENTUALLY? other month just in Engis great for us. land. That was the whole You know, Iʼm hoping we Artwork beginning of Eng- MUEN: WHAT DID YOU are going to do some like land tour and now we are DO FOR A LIVING BEUSB thing and sell it in back home for a little bit. FORE YOU BECAME A stores or maybe put it on We are going to be doing a MEMBER OF THE USED? DVD. Right now the thing headliner in the U.S.which is to see if people like it. starts in like two weeks or I was a cook and a baker. I Personally, I think the a week or something pretty have a deep hatred for whole idea is awesome. soon. cooking from that job. I reYou get all of our videos on ally didnʼt mind baking at a disc or your computer as MUEN: I SAW THAT IT

all. I had to get to work at four in the morning so that was kind of weird. Nobody bugged me, I could listen to the music that I wanted and it was totally cool. MUEN: AT WHAT AGE DID YOU BEGIN PLAYING BASS?

I was 17; I kind of started off late. I wish I would have started at ten, but I guess you canʼt really change that. MUEN: DO YOU PLAY ANY OTHER INSTRUMENTS?

My hands are too big for guitar, so I donʼt play guitar. Thatʼs not totally true, I just donʼt like the strings, they are too small and too fumbly. I can mess around with the guitar and piano, but I wouldnʼt call myself a piano or guitar player. MUEN: WHO FIRST SPARKED YOUR INTEREST IN MUSIC?

My friend growing up, he and I were both way into music and bands. We were in a little town in Utah and all we wanted to do was start a band together. He actually played guitar and was taking lessons and that is sort of why I took to bass. Iʼm pretty sure the actual reason I started loving music was because of my dad. Growing up he would always play me his favorite bands and records. He loved rock stuff, so all of his stuff rubbed off on me. Now, itʼs kind of the opposite, now that Iʼm


older I send him bands that heʼll like or that heʼs into. He even actually wanted to be a bass player so it sort of works out. Heʼs missing half of a lot of his fingers so he wouldnʼt make a very good bass player. Thatʼs his joke not mine.

MUEN: A SUBJECT THAT HAS BEEN COMING UP IN MY INTERVIEWS LATELY IS UFOʼS. DO YOU BELIEVE THERE ARE ALIENS OUT THERE WHO FLY IN TO CHECK ON US PERIODICALLY?

Iʼm so excited that you said that. I love all of that stuff. I watched this video a couple days ago that was all about infrared lights and how they are seeing ten times more UFOʼs now because they are using infrared lights and night vision cameras. They will have two cameras set up and they will have one where you canʼt see the UFO at all and then they will have an infrared one set up right next to it and all of a sudden there is an object in that one thatʼs moving. Itʼs totally crazy right? So itʼs almost like there is an infrared cloak over it so that you can only see it in certain lights, which is amazing. MUEN: DO YOU WATCH UFO HUNTERS AND STUFF?

for a while. All of his stuff is like all the religions and stuff, like going back to the beginning of every religion, every time, like the whole Sumerian thing that happened. Going back to the caveman and nobody knew what was going on and then all of a sudden this civilization appeared out of nowhere. There is a book that you can buy that has all the Sumerianʼs inventions. I think there are thousands or something like that, something ridiculous. There is stuff that you just canʼt come up with. The whole thing is basically like this alien thing is teaching them how to do it and all of their Gods are different aliens. Itʼs actually really interesting.

MUEN: DO YOU EVER HAVE PEOPLE TELL YOU STORIES ABOUT THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED TO THEM?

Yeah, somebody came out to a show one time, I was getting interviewed, and they showed us footage on their actual cameras. There were all these lights hovering right over their head and you can see that it looked like one object flew over their head. It stopped and spread into six different objects. It was pretty crazy. MUEN: THANK YOU SO MUCH JEPH FOR TALKING WITH ME TODAY. I HAD A GREAT TIME.

I donʼt really watch TV, but I probably would. There is this writer named Zecharia Sitchin, I donʼt know if you Yeah, it was easy, it was have heard of him, but I got awesome. pretty obsessed with him

MUEN: THANK YOU, BEFORE I LET YOU GO IS THERE ANYTHING YOUʼD LIKE TO ADD OR SAY?

these songs are live. Itʼs like a sing-a-long record, the whole record is.

MUEN: I WILL DEFINITELY SEE YOU WHEN We would really appreciate YOU PLAY HERE IN L.A. it if people would come out to this next tour we are Okay doing. We are so stoked about this record. We arenʼt even excited about the record itself, but excited about how great




Deanna Wesson Australia

DEANNA WESSON

GO BACK A LONG WAY, AND USED TO PLAY DEANNA myspace.com/dean- WESSON SONGS OFTEN WHEN WE nawesson STARTED OUT AT MUEN, IT'S GREAT By G. Cataline TO SEE THAT YOU MUEN: SPIDER IS A ARE STILL WRITING AND UPLOADING REALLY GOOD NEW MATERIAL! SO SONG, IS THAT WHAT ELSE HAVE NEW? YOU BEEN UP TO I wrote Spider about 3 LATELY? years ago and ended I've been doing the up recording it last year. It's a song close gig circuit here in Melbourne, Australia. to me, as it's about making life decisions. Doing both solo and with the full band. It's been cool this time MUEN: WELL WE

around as I've attracted a new audience who have taken to my old material as well as my new recordings.

MUEN: IS IT COLD THERE RIGHT NOW? I THINK IT'S 90 SOMETHING DEGREES HERE. It's the beginning of Spring here in Oz. It's great that there is more daylight. Spring is my favourite season. Not too hot and not too cold.

WHO HELPS YOU ON THE PRODUCTION OF YOUR SONGS, THEY ARE GETTING A REALLY GOOD SOUND!

I write all the music and lyrics to my songs. Production wise, I work with Brian Canham (Pseudo Echo - popular 80's band). We've got a good understanding and it's always a treat working with him.

MUEN: YOUR LYRICS ARE VERY MUEN: SO TELL US ORIGINAL AND IN-


TERESTING... WHAT INSPIRES YOU TO WRITE, AND HOW OFTEN DO YOU GET WRITER'S BLOCK?

Writing has always come natural to me. Everyday life, growing up, various people who enter my life inspires me to write. I am a versatile songwriter, so it's always easy writing melodies and lyrics to suit the mood and situation I'm in and make it universal, so my songs are accessible to a wide audience.

MUEN: WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO GO BLONDE? IT'S VERY BECOMING LOL! AND OFCOURSE YOU LOOK GOOD AS A NATURAL BRUNETTE AS WELL..

Why, thank-you hehe. I think it's important for artists to reinvent themselves both image wise and musically. It shows different facets of my personality and I admire artists who are constantly keeping it interesting. MUEN: HAVE YOU

DONE ANY LIVE PERFORMANCES IN AUSTRALIA LATELY, AND IF SO, HOW DID THEY GO?

MUEN: WHAT ABOUT YOU AS THE ARTIST MAXI? WHEN DID YOU START THIS, AND WHAT WAS YOUR I have been doing the MOTIVATION FOR circuit here in MelGOING UNDER A bourne. It's been fun. DIFFERENT NAME? I've enjoyed doing the acoustic shows in par- Last year I decided to ticular. I always get a go under the alias kick out of gigging to MAXI because I was Melbourne audiences. writing pop/electro They are big music tunes and thought it lovers! would be cool to completely re-invent myMUEN: ARE YOUR self and portray SONGS AVAILABLE something completely TO BUY, AND IF SO different and have fun WHERE AT? with it. The name MAXI came from a I haven't got a release nickname my Mum as yet. My dream is to gave me because I'm find the right label for always doing things to me. the extreme "to the max" hehe, and it was MUEN: YOU HAVE A quirky because I am GREAT VOICE! of a small physique so "ASK ME TOMORit worked well. ROW," "SPIDER," "HAD ENOUGH," MUEN: WHO ARE ALL GREAT SONGS YOUR BIGGEST INAT YOUR MYSPACE. FLUENCES? HOW MANY SONGS Many artists inspire DO YOU HAVE IN me, but to name a TOTAL? few: Carole King, Sia, I have 60 of my songs John Lennon, Shout Out Louds, Bloc Party recorded, but have numerous songs writ- and many, many ten that I'm itching to more. record! Looking forMUEN: WHAT ARE ward to getting back YOUR PLANS FOR into the studio soon.

THE REST OF THE YEAR AND BEGINNING OF NEXT?

I am fronting a new band in which we'll be recording an EP in the next couple weeks. I'll be updating on my MySpace site as things progress. We're doing a photo shoot soon and have shows lined up for end of Oct. Apart from that, I'll most likely be recording a bunch of solo material and seizing any opportunities that come my way. MUEN: ANYTHING ELSE TO ADD?

I would LOVE to head to the USA again. I really adore all the support I've gotten over the years. So, I would like to say a huge thank-you for all your love both personally and musically! xo!


SEPTEMBER MOURNING it. The crowd was amazing, the stage was huuuge, the sound was awesome. As I had James in a headlock onstage screaming at the crowd, I thought.... 2 1/2 weeks of this is gonna be sick. There were a bunch of celebs there too... DJ AM, Rita Haney, Kerry King and Vinnie Paul,who shook my hand and nodded "good job" as he was walking out that night. I pissed myself. Seriously I think I did. The hard rock comped us a room here. I could get used to this. Ha. Saturday Aug.22nd

ple at the Joint at the Hard Rock Cafe and Casino. Three days. Our first tour. Holeeeee crap. let's go......

Friday Aug. 21st

I knew it was gonna be a good first show when I went into the casino bathroom to pee after the 5 hour drive from LA, and I Marilyn Manson Tour Diary was greeted Have you ever been shot by a huuoutta a cannon? BAM! flyuuge ing through the air ... no poster of trajectory... just onwards my boy and upwards? The minute Dave I got the call that we were Navarro doing the Manson tour on the was the minute my cannon wall... went off. Three days until made me we had to be in Vegas smirk and ready to play to 4000 peorelax a lit-

We played San Diego tonight. The crowd was awesome. Some girls up front offered to be our roadies... I think they are out getting drinks with the Vegas was crazy. But isn't boys as I type this, ha. it suppose to be? Tonight Some girl threw a pearl was all about breaking us necklace on stage for me in..... and what a way to do tonight. It was rad. She tle. Took a pic of it and sent it to his phone with a "lol u are everyfuckingwhere" attached.


threw one to Manson as well. Speaking of which today was the day I was summoned. Manson's assistant came and got me before the show because Manson wanted to meet me. Apparently he doesn't do this to all his openers, but it seems as though he's taken an interest in us, which is awesome all in itself. We chilled in his dressing room. Talked a bit about music and the tour and whatnot. He's rad. I felt really comfortable around him. Oh yeah...I've been recording some of our tour antics and posting them up on our youtube channel. Random crap is always fun to watch and record, ha.

Tues. Aug. 25th

Ok, so on every tour I've done there's those first few shows to get the kinks outta the system... then you hit that one show where you start to own it. After having 3 under our belt I could say this 4th one was that turning point. Sure I had busted up my knees and bruised my legs from jumping around so much and rollin' around on the floor but nothing says loving like busting your foot by jumping on barricades and into the crowd. This was the first night I attempted it... the first of a 2 and a half week string of doing it cause there just isn't anything quite like being all in the crowd feeling their energy and just laying into your vocals. it

was insane. The response we got that night was killer. Manson crowds are the best.... nothing like them out there.... and if they like you they give you so much back. In the middle of the set some guy yelled out "Marry Me", to which I responded, "maybe". Afterwards, I met up with Jonny from Coffin Case who had come with his photographer to shoot the show and chill as well at my friend Keith, who is ridiculously talented in his own right. A bunch of people involved in us have been showing face at shows. Marc, Bridget, Shawn, Adam, Bruce, Ryan... we <3 u all. Keith ended up giving me piggy back rides all night long cause my foot swelled up like a bal-

loon. Keith rules like that.

Friday Aug. 28th

Um, I'm looking out the window of our hotel. Kinda spooked at the fact that I could easily be the victim of a stray bullet in this neighborhood. I saw a woman walking down the street with a needle stuck out of her arm. no joke. The Warfield is the theater here. It's in a sketchy part of SF, but the theater itself is super cool. We've all been getting to know Manson's crew a lot. Bruce is his monitor guy and he is my favorite cause he's just really fucking good. He's also super nice to me. Was talking to Manson tonight about vocals and all and he is letting Bruce


help me out a little bit now which is rad. I get to use his inears and whatnot. It's gonna step up my game a ton. Stoked on the next show.... The boys got some sun when everyone took their day off to hit up Disneyland, so tonight it was all about extra white pancake to cover that up. James and I partied it up tonight with Bruce and the crew a bit. James got super sick and ended up puking all over the sidewalk in front of the hotel. It was epic. The concierge was hating on us but i just said to him, "look man, at least it's not in your lobby". He was like *facepalm*. Nothing says rock and roll like a sidewalk full of vomit. <3

like their pits there in Spokane. Made a nice one for "seal your fate". Brutal. I heard one kid had to get dragged out of it cause he got hit bad in the head and was bleeding. No bueno. I hope that kid is ok...We all went out after with some of our friends who had made it to the show. Good times. Tonight was Missoula. It was crazy. College town.... So, my foot is still giving me problems but I'm sucking it up and taking a bunch of Advil. What I didn't know about Advil was that they put this ingredient in it so that you can't o.d. If you take too much it makes you puke it up. Well guess what? I took too much. Oops. The minute the set ended I ran off stage and over to Bruce, who pointed to the Mon Aug 31st garbage and bam I puked like 4 times. Boot, ManReno was cool. I really liked the venue. Mostly be- son's bass player's tech cause it had a huuuuuge was like.... "wow, that's model plane backstage, a hot." Yep, I said it before nothing says rock and roll basketball court and a like vomit. The show was sweet dressing room. sponsored by the radio Crowd was dope. Now station out there, who we're in Spokane. I'm loved us and is now spinstoked because they have ning us on air. I did a tag a big comic book store for them too. Nice doods here and I can go be a to party with. Rad college dork for a few hours. town. They comped us a Hooray. room in town so we're gonna camp out here for Laters.. the night. Back to Spokane in the a.m. Tuesday Sept. 1st

lovin' and then I totally disappeared to PF Chengs. Like I ditched everyone right after so I could make it before the kitchen closed. I sat outside on the patio and was diving into sum lo mein when all of the sudden there was a ton of people walking by from the venue. Apparently someone pulled the fire alarm and everyone had to evacuate. I got recognized real fast by a bunch of fans and ended up taking pics and signing stuff at my table there as my waitress looked on and chuckled. Some fans even bought my meal for me, which was sweet. we really have the best fans... like for real. You all rule!

Sat. Sept. 5th

Seriously, SLC is insane. I don't think I have ever experienced a more beautiful sunset as the one I saw tonight over the Salt Flats. Insanity... like really, insane.... gah. The venue was this huuuge airplane like hangar in the middle of the Salt Flats that looked like some weird Mosque. The stage was really elevated so I used the stairs in the back of stage instead of jumping off the front to get on the barricades. Decided to climb on some monitors while I was at it.... which in hindFriday Sept. 4th sight wasn't the smartest Spokane was ridiculous. idea cause I gashed my The crowd ate us up. I was knee but ah well. A phoWe are in Boise, ID.... all up in it, standing over tographer from NYC who which is rad cause they top of them, stepping on likes us a lot flew in to have a P.F. Chengs right people... and they were shoot the show. She got near the venue. Yummy tearing my arms off I some epic shots of us all. =]... Venue and crowd was swear. It was sick. They cool.... gave us sum good Had a moment with Chris

onstage that was pretty sweet. Like things just connected. Always a good feeling when that happens. We're all hanging in there. Our Tour manager got a date with the front desk girl at the hotel after the show. hahaha.... I think they went bowling. Last show is in Portland. Can't believe how fast this tour went by.

Mon Sept. 7th

We had a day off in Portland so we all went out to dinner with Chris who plays keys in Manson's band. He's a chill dood. We talked shop a bit and about how tour has been and about the future. Good stuff coming soon. Tonite is our last show. It's at the Roseland Theater. It's been an epic 2 and a half weeks. We've learned a lot, partied, and puked a lot, ha... met a ton of new fans and friends. I grew up listening to Marilyn Manson. He was always up there on that list of people I'd like to tour with. I hope we get to do it again sometime. Thanks to all the fans who came out to see us play... new ones and old ones. You all made it rad to be here. It's been real.



TRACK FIGHTER

September 10, 2009

TRACK FIGHTER

TJ Chopelas (Vocals)

Sacramento, CA

Myspace.com/trackfighter

YOU?

Iʼm doing good, just kind of waking up. MUEN: WHATʼS BEEN HAPPENING LATELY?

Weʼve been out on the road for about 3 ½ months now. We are in By: Shauna OʼDonnell Nashville, Tennessee myspace.com/shaunasbandpage today. We just got done doing a show last night MUEN: HI TJ, THANKS at a place called The FOR TALKING WITH Rutledge that was really ME. cool. Tomorrow, we are headed to Mississippi to Hey Shauna, howʼs it play down there. Lots of going? travel going on right now. MUEN: ITʼS GOING GOOD. HOW ARE

WOUNDS RELEASED IN FEBRUARY OF 2009. I LOVE THE We have a big RV that NAME OF THE we travel in with a trailer ALBUM. ITʼS DOING VERY WELL I SEE. behind it. YOU ARE GETTING A LOT OF MAJOR AIRMUEN: SO YOU ARE PLAY. COMFORTABLE THEN. Yeah, it was kind of Yeah, actually it isnʼt too weird because we didnʼt bad. If we had any more really expect it, but we people with us it would got added to all these probably be uncomfort- different radio stations. I able. Having five people think we got up to 37 stations that were playin the RV is not that ing “Too Broken to bad. Mend” at one time. That MUEN: YOUR LATEST was about a month and RECORD BAND AIDS a half ago, so it did pretty well. It was really FOR BULLET MUEN: WHAT ARE YOU TRAVELING IN?


cool to see the response.

MUEN: WOULD YOU SAY THE RECORD IS BEST DESCRIBED AS MELODIC, ALTERNATIVE ROCK? Yeah, that would be a good explanation for it, with a heavy edge to it.

MUEN: THERE ARE A LOT OF GREAT SONGS ON THE RECORD. YOU WORKED WITH THE LEGENDARY BEAU HILL. TELL US ABOUT THAT EXPERIENCE.

I think he found us through MySpace when he was checking out another band. He happened to see our profile on that bandʼs top friends. He hit us up and we struck up conversation from there. He is an amazing guy to work with, so if any bands are looking for a good producer, you will definitely want to hit that guy up. MUEN: WHICH SONG OFF THE RECORD IS YOUR FAVORITE TO PLAY LIVE?

My favorite is “Pushing Me Away.” We usually Awe Man that was play that one first. We crazy. Beau is a really have a song that we didcool guy. We didnʼt nʼt even record that we know what to expect are getting ready to when we first met him, record in the next batch but he took us under his of songs we do. It gets wing and guided us the best crowd response through the whole and it is called “Save process. We did preYourself.” Look out for production with him for a that one. couple months by sending emails back and MUEN: YOU GUYS forth. We would send ARE WORKING ON him demos that we were NEW STUFF? working on and he would tell us to change When we get back to this or tweak that. We Sacramento in Novemmet up in Sacramento ber we will probably and he recorded our start working on pre-prorecord for us. It was an duction for the next amazing process work- record. We already have ing with him. seven or eight songs mostly done, so we will MUEN: HOW DID YOU keep adding to that and COME ACROSS HIM? when we get back there DID HE COME TO we will start recording YOU? the next record.

MUEN: WELL, IʼM LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT. YOU GUYS PUT THIS RECORD OUT INDEPENDENTLY RIGHT?

Yes, we did it all ourselves.

MUEN: ARE YOU GUYS LOOKING FOR A LABEL?

mainstream. If that doesnʼt come along and a good independent deal does, Iʼm sure we would take that too.

MUEN: TELL ME A LITTLE ABOUT THE BAND. DID YOU GUYS GROW UP TOGETHER? HOW DID YOU GUYS MEET?

No, actually, the two guitar players have been in Yeah, that would be the band the longest. I great. We set out with have been in the band the idea that we were going to do as much as about 2 ½ years. We just got our drummer we could on our own and make ourselves as and bass player three attractive as possible to weeks before we left for this tour. It has been a a record label. It has been a good process for process of getting to us to get out here on the know each other while we are out on the road. road and do it all ourselves. I definitely think MUEN: WHAT WAS we are ready to take that next step whenever THE INSPIRATION BEHIND THE SONG “TOO it comes along. BROKEN TO MEND?” MUEN: I HAVE TO SAY THAT YOU GUYS ARE Itʼs pretty typical, a guy DOING A GREAT JOB is in love with a girl and the guy asks her to ON YOUR OWN. marry him and the girl cheats on the guy and Well, thank you. breaks his heart. Itʼs the MUEN: DO YOU WANT song for all the broken hearted out there. TO GO INDIE FIRST AND THEN MAJOR? MUEN: WAS IT WRITTEN FROM PERI donʼt know because SONAL EXPERIENCE? the industry has changed so much that it Yeah, it was from a peris kind of hard to say. sonal experience that We definitely feel that happened in my life. I the style of music that we have is more major think the whole record label because it is more represents my thought


process at the time when we were writing the record. Itʼs about trying to pick up the pieces in your life when you think it is going in a certain direction. You think that you are going to spend the rest of your life with somebody and all of a sudden the rug is pulled out from under you. You have to shift direction and itʼs hard. Itʼs putting band aids on bullet wounds; there is nothing you can do to stop the bleeding at the time. MUEN: ITʼS LIKE A SHOT THROUGH THE HEART. Exactly

MUEN: THE VIDEO IS SO SAD. IS THAT THE ONLY VIDEO YOU HAVE MADE? Yeah, so far, we have talked about doing another one.

that we never thought weʼd get a chance to play with. That experience alone has been really cool. We went out with Burn Halo for about three weeks and got to go to the south. We have never been there before and we got to play a lot of places we have never played. We played with Pop Evil and a couple shows with Framing Hanley. We just got booked to play with Uncle Kracker, which is going to be interesting.

to avoid that stuff. Three we go home from tour. of our guys are still MUEN: I WAS GOING sleeping right now and TO ASK YOU IF YOU its 3:00. HAVE EVER HAD A MUEN: LETʼS TAKE A UFO ENCOUNTER. WALK ON THE PERNo, I thought I did one SONAL SIDE. I WAS SNOOPING ON YOUR time, but I think I was just really high. PERSONAL PAGE AND CAME ACROSS MUEN: CHEVELLE MANY INTERESTING DETAILS ABOUT YOU. JUST PUT OUT A NEW CD CALLED SCI-FI YOUʼRE ALL NERVCRIMES AND THERE OUS NOW RIGHT? IS A UFO ON THE CD JACKET. THEY WERE Yeah TELLING ME ABOUT HOW THEY WENT TO MUEN: LETʼS START MUEN: YOU ARE WITH THE FACT THAT THE ROSWELL UFO PRETTY GOOD YOU HAVE AN INTER- MUSEUM. I THOUGHT FRIENDS WITH PAIT WAS COOL YOU EST IN THE PARAPERCUT MASSACRE NORMAL. WHAT ARE WERE INTO THAT RIGHT? STUFF. YOUR FAVORITE SHOWS? Oh yeah, those guys are Yeah, we are all into it, our boys. We love those “Paranormal State” is we go on YouTube and guys. look for ghost videos really good. “UFO and things like that. Hunters” is my all time MUEN: SO, HAS ANY- favorite show, so I dig THING INTERESTING anything about UFOʼs, MUEN: “PARANORHAPPENED OUT ON MAL STATE” IS THE ghosts and stuff like THE ROAD? SCARIEST. that.

(Laughing) Oh yeah, let MUEN: YOU HAVE me tell you something, BEEN OUT THERE ON before we left I was like THE ROAD WITH “Those stories arenʼt SOME BADASS true about the girls, the BANDS. I LOVE PAbooze and whatnot.” It PERCUT MASSACRE pretty much is exactly AND BURN HALO. how itʼs portrayed. BOTH ARE VERY TALENTED BANDS. HOW MUEN: LADIES AND IS THE TOUR GOING? GENTLEMEN…ITʼS ALL TRUE. Itʼs going great. It has been a lot of fun and we It totally is. It takes have played with bands every ounce of energy

MUEN: WE HAVE THAT IN COMMON. I LOVE “PARANORMAL STATE” AND “GHOST HUNTERS.” IʼLL WATCH THEM AND THEN I CANʼT SLEEP AT NIGHT.

Iʼve never seen a ghost, but it has always been something that fascinates me. Iʼve never seen a UFO either, but I want to see one before

For sure, is that the one where the kid just graduated from college? That show is great. The other day I saw this one where they were doing an exorcism on this girl and it was so real.

MUEN: I READ THAT YOU LIKE TO CLEAN A LOT. Uh yeah


MUEN: WELL, I THINK THAT IS A GREAT. Iʼm definitely OCD.I think my band wants to kill me sometimes because Iʼm like screaming “You guys have to clean up!” They leave stuff everywhere and Iʼm the one walking around picking it up for them.

MUEN: THEY PROBABLY DO IT ON PURPOSE.

Itʼs hard; I havenʼt been to a gym since we left. Our shows take so much out of us, thatʼs probably the cardio we do most. When you are a struggling band trying to make it like we are, there isnʼt a lot of money to throw around on getting good food. Most of the time itʼs hamburgers and Top Ramen.

MUEN: AND THE DOLI think they do. Iʼm going LAR MENU. to have to have a talk with them about that. Yeah, exactly, the dollar menu at McDonalds. MUEN: CAN YOU Wal Mart has become COOK? our best friend. The dollar menu is great. Yeah, a little bit, here and there. I can cook MUEN: WHO ARE spaghetti and toast, SOME OF YOUR PERthings like that. SONAL ROCK INFLUENCES? MUEN: WOULD YOU RATHER LIVE NEAR Jared Leto from 30 SecTHE OCEAN OR THE onds to Mars is my faMOUNTAINS? vorite singer. I think that guy is incredible. I really Near the ocean, for dig on Story of the Year sure, I will have a beach and Thrice is definitely house in Southern Cali- up there. We have been fornia at some point in listening to a lot more the next couple years. mainstream stuff and I Itʼs my goal, I love used to hate on bands water. There is somelike that. When you work thing about it, Iʼm drawn with producers and mato it. ture a little bit as an artist and musician, you MUEN: HOW DO YOU realize just how good GUYS STAY HEALTHY those guys are and they ON THE ROAD? ARE are where they are at for YOU ABLE TO EAT a reason. Papa Roach RIGHT AND WORK is probably my all time OUT AT ALL? favorite band.

MUEN: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TALKING WITH ME TODAY TJ. IT WAS SO MUCH FUN AND I HOPE TO SEE ONE OF YOUR SHOWS REALLY SOON. For sure, I canʼt wait.

MUEN: BEFORE I LET

YOU GO WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADD OR SAY ANYTHING?

Be safe, and hopefully we will see you guys at a show soon.



SALIVA Island Def Jam

HAVE THE CROWDS BEEN?

Theyʼre good, they have

Jonathan Montoya been real responsive. (Guitars)

Memphis, Tennessee Myspace.com/saliva

By : Shauna OʼDonnell

myspace.com/shaunasbandpage

Itʼs been pretty much packed and sold out the entire tour. We are going home on September 11th and then weʼre going back out two and a half weeks later for the rest of the year.

MUEN: HI JONATHAN! MUEN: WHO ARE YOU GOING OUT WITH Hello, how are you THEN? doing Shauna?

MUEN: IʼM DOING GOOD, THANKS FOR TALKING WITH ME TODAY.

I have no idea. There have been names floatMUEN: YEAH, I WAS ing around. Iʼm not reBUSY GOING FROM ally sure, but Motley ONE TOUR BUS TO Crue would be great. THE NEXT.

Yeah, itʼs nice to talk to MUEN: YEAH, THAT you again. WOULD BE GREAT. I JUST WENT TO MUEN: HOW ARE CRUEFEST ACTUTHINGS ON THE ALLY. ROAD?

Itʼs pretty busy; we are in Duluth, Minnesota today. Iʼm on Lake Superior right now, itʼs pretty nice actually. Itʼs 70 degrees and the wind is blowing.

MUEN: WHO ARE YOU OUT ON THE ROAD WITH?

Smile Empty Soul, they are from up there (Los Angeles) actually.

MUEN: YEAH, I KNOW WHO THEY ARE. HOW

Yeah, I know all the bands on that tour. Did you go to the one in L.A?

outside, but if you dig deep it is really blues based.

MUEN: YOUʼRE LATNice! Well at least in a EST ALBUM CINCO good way. That was the DIABLO HAS GONE GOLD. first time I heard that and it actually sounded Yes. decent, haha.

MUEN: WELL WHAT CAN I SAY; YOU GUYS MAKE ONE KICK ASS ALBUM AFTER ANOTHER. SEEING AS MUEN: YEAH. HOW YOU ARE FROM MEMPHIS, TENYeah, I know a lot of NESSEE, WHAT KIND people that went to that OF MUSICAL INFLUone. ENCES ARE YOU SURROUNDED BY MUEN: I INTERTHERE? VIEWED THEORY OF A DEADMAN AND We have blue-grass, GODSMACK. blues, rock and country out of Nashville. Our Oh God, you were busy. music is somewhat blues, maybe not on the

MUEN: CONGRATULATIONS ON THAT.

I heard we are selling more records than The Killers and Fall Out Boy combined. At least online.

MUEN: THIS ALBUM SEEMS TO BE A LITTLE HEAVIER. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE IT?

I think it is a little angrier, a little more on the dark side and aggres-


sive. At the end of the day we all just want to have fun. The fans react to the heavier stuff like “Click Click Boom” and “Ladies and Gentlemen” so we try and give them what they want. We are trying to stick to the heavier stuff this time around. MUEN: ONE OF MY ALL TIME FAVORITES OF YOURS IS “RAZORʼS EDGE.” I LOVE THAT SONG.

Right, he really understands the band and the inner workings of it. He knows how to get the best out of each person. Thatʼs what you want at the end of the day. Whatever method it is that you need to go about doing... do it, then you will be happy with the results.

MUEN: THE ALBUM COVER IS A SONOGRAM PICTURE OF A BABY. I READ THAT IT IS ACTUALLY ONE OF There you go. That is a THE GUYS IN THE good song. We used to BANDS BABY. play it live, but we donʼt WHOSE IS IT? play it anymore. Yeah, itʼs Dave our bass MUEN: YOU SHOULD playerʼs son. Itʼs an acRE-ADD IT TO YOUR tual sonogram of him in SET. his womb. I think they did a little Photoshop to We are actually going to it with the devil horns. add some more songs, He actually had me because we are regoing for a couple vamping the set, so it months telling me “No, might show up. itʼs real.” I was like “Are you sure?” and finally MUEN: YOU GUYS one day he told me “No, RECORDED IT HERE its Photo shopped.” IN THE LOS ANGELES AREA, I REMEMBER. MUEN: THE NAME OF THE ALBUM, “CINCO Yeah, because you DIABLO”. THE FIRST were there. THING I THOUGHT OF WAS THAT THE FIVE MUEN: BOB MAROF YOU WERE DEVILLETTE PRODUCED ISH AND THAT IS WHY THE RECORD. IT YOU NAMED IT THAT. SEEMS TO ME HE REALLY GETS THE BEST The five of us each OUT OF YOU. have 20% devil in us and if you put it all to-

gether you have 100%. Iʼm pretty sure we have more than 20%. Weʼve got a lot of bad seeds. Thatʼs what we have in common.

MUEN: ONE OF YOUR SONGS IS IN THE STAR TREK TRAILER.

Yeah, whatʼs really funny is “Ladies and Gentleman” cannot possibly be used anymore. People are like “Oh that song is being used, we will use it too.” Iʼm like “Cʼmon Really? How about another one of our songs?” I guess at the end of the day, itʼs all good. Itʼs funny because I was watching that trailer and I am always making fun of Star Trek people. Iʼm the guy that says “Look at that guy, heʼs watching Star Trek!!” Our bass player and guitar player are huge Star Trek fans. Iʼm sitting in the theatre the day the trailer comes out and Iʼm like “Holy Shit! You have to be kidding me.” Unfortunately, Iʼm in the Star Trek trailer, not that I want to be, but I have no say in the matter. It actually was a good movie, I went and saw it.

ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO HEAR IT.

Oh yeah, itʼs huge. If you havenʼt heard “Ladies and Gentleman” by now itʼs kind of like, youʼve heard it, you just didnʼt know youʼve heard it. If you have been to any type of sporting event at all, youʼve heard it. Iʼve heard it at minor league hockey games. It was the theme song at the Super Bowl two years ago.

MUEN: THE VIDEO WAS KICK ASS FOR IT TOO.

Oh yeah, that was pretty cool. That was a long day by the way. I was really tired for not doing anything.

MUEN: JOSIE HAS SUCH A DISTINCTIVE VOICE.

It has kind of a country twang to it, because he does like country music. His daddy was a country musician and he has had a lot of country influence so thereʼs that. Iʼm from Tennessee and talking the way that I talk, it is obvious Iʼm not from Boston or Chicago, so thatʼs going to come out.

MUEN: WELL, STAR TREK HAS A HUGE FOLLOWING SO THAT MANY MORE PEOPLE MUEN: TELL ME


ABOUT THE DVD YOU like “Really? You were MADE FOLLOWING sitting right there?” THE RECORDING OF CINCO DIABLO. MUEN: I THINK “HUNT YOU DOWN” IS A Iʼd love to tell you about GREAT SONG. it, but I honestly didnʼt have any idea I was on I do too; itʼs my favorite there. It came out at off the new record. Best Buy and I was at Best Buy the day it MUEN: MINE TOO, came out. My mom THERE ARE DAYS wanted to buy every WHEN I FEEL LIKE copy in the store. I went HUNTING PEOPLE with her and I was like DOWN. “What is this? A live DVD? What?” I was like Yeah, thatʼs what itʼs “When did this hapabout. We were pissed pen?” I put it in and I off when we wrote it. was like “Youʼve got to be kidding me.” This MUEN: IT SOUNDS was last year at the LIKE IT. House of Blues in Chicago and nobody Yeah, I know, right. If I had told me about this. I told you what it was rewas just as surprised as ally about, youʼd be anybody else. I put it in shocked. and I said “I guess itʼs alright.” If I would have MUEN: RECENTLY known it was going to YOU TOURED WITH be distributed, I would POP EVIL. have worn better pants or something. Yeah, they donʼt want to hang out with us, theyʼd MUEN: I REMEMBER all have to go to rehab. YOU TELLING ME Iʼm kidding; they are all YOU ARE A HUGE really good guys. MOTLEY CRUE FAN. MUEN: YEAH THEY Well, kind of seeing as ARE, I JUST SAW how I have Nikki Sixxʼs THEM PLAY WITH signature tattooed on JUDAS PRIEST. my body. Iʼm a fan too. Iʼm good friends with all Oh yeah? We hung out of the guys. Iʼve gotten with them in Grand to know them over the Rapids. They were last year. Itʼs kind of home for a day or two weird and surreal. Itʼs and we happen to be

playing up there. It was crazy, we all got together and Leigh took us to his house. They were very hospitable, letʼs put it that way. We had a great time up there.

MUEN: YEAH, I HUNG OUT ON THE TOUR BUS WITH THEM. I BROUGHT YOU GUYS UP.

You did? Did you mention my name? MUEN: YEAH, I DID.

(Laughing) What did they say? Did they give you a look like Oh Shit!! We are notoriously good buddies and when I say notorious, I mean NOTORIOUS. We are not good for hanging out if you want to be a good person. If you want to make a deal with the devil, itʼs Pop Evil and Saliva.

MUEN: ITʼS A GOOD COMBINATION. YOU GUYS MANAGE TO KEEP IT TOGETHER ON THE ROAD BY USING COMEDY. WHICH ONE OF YOU IS THE BIGGEST COMEDIAN? I BET ITʼS YOU.

now from laughing so much. I can drink twenty beers a night and still have a six pack because I laugh so much. We are better comedians then we are musicians, I have to say. If you get us together, it is like Saturday Night Live. It is absolutely the funniest thing. Iʼm even in on it and I think it is the funniest thing Iʼve ever seen. It would have to be Wayne though, heʼs got that look. He will do something funny and then we all play off him. Ten minutes later we are all talking about something completely different, but somehow you get on a tangent and it gets weirder and weirder. MUEN: HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A STEEL PANTHER SHOW?

Oh! We just played with them in Seattle.

MUEN: ARENʼT THEY HILARIOUS?

Oh! You mean Metal Skool, yeah. I was actually putting my make-up on at the same time as them and I said something to the affect of “Whatʼs up guys? Iʼm a big fan of Metal Skool and I actually like Steel Actually, hereʼs the thing, we are all funny. I Panther too.” They were think I have a six pack like “Really?” He was


very appreciative. That was the same show that Slipknot just cancelled. They were good, I watched them. Whatʼs funny about it is that it was all real in the 80ʼs. You couldnʼt have taken it more seriously. MUEN: THE NEXT TIME YOU COME TO L.A. YOU SHOULD GO SEE ONE OF THEIR SHOWS ON MONDAY NIGHTS.

Yeah, at The Key Club, Iʼve been there three or four times. They always play so late, like at midnight. Itʼs always packed too. Theyʼve called me onstage, I just remembered that. I think we did Led Zeppelinʼs “Whole Lotta Love.” Iʼm not real sure.

MUEN: DID YOU GUYS GO TO KOREA AND DO SHOWS FOR THE MILITARY THIS YEAR?

Yeah, we did, Korea and Japan. We go to Iraq in December. The shows were awesome. Letʼs put it this way, it was like they were starved. It was like hanging a piece of meat in front of a bunch of rabid hyenas. They were eating it up. We played “Click Click Boom” on top of a tank. That was one of the

highlights of my life. I had the gun, the big ol cannon shooting out between my legs. I straddled it and we started playing “Click Click Boom.” Then they shot of the cannon at the end of “Ladies and Gentlemen.” I was like “Whooooo!!!” Speaking of that, I donʼt know why any other country would ever mess with us. There is one thing I learned about going to the military is that we donʼt skimp on defense. It was a great time.

We will be coming out to see if my name is being Pomona on October brought up for any pre4th. carious reason.

MUEN: WITH THE WAY THE ECONOMY IS, A LOT OF PRINT PUBLICATIONS ARE NOT ABLE TO PRINT ANYMORE. HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT ONLINE PUBLICATIONS AS FAR AS PROMOTION? DO YOU THINK THEY ARE JUST AS EFFECTIVE?

MUEN: IN MY CASE, YOU ARE ALWAYS BEING BROUGHT UP.

Yeah, but thatʼs good, usually those turn out to be most flattering. Donʼt think for a second we donʼt appreciate it.

MUEN: NO PROBLEM, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TALKING Absolutely, I think the in- WITH ME TODAY. IʼM A ternet is the most pow- HUGE FAN AND HAVE erful thing you have at BEEN A LONG TIME. I your disposal. Itʼs a MUEN: ITʼS COOL HAD A GREAT TIME THAT YOU DID THAT, human being, with AND I HOPE TO TALK music you have to be IT HELPS THE TO YOU AGAIN SOON. connected to the interMORALE. net these days. If youʼre Thank you, I hope so not, what are you going too. Of course it does, the to do? Get it out in the only bad thing is there newspaper? No. If you MUEN: BEFORE I LET are not a lot of chicks. Itʼs really skimpy on the canʼt beat them, join YOU GO WOULD YOU them. You canʼt win, so LIKE TO ADD OR SAY chicks and usually you might as well emthose are taken. You ANYTHING? donʼt get a lot of female brace it and do what you can to help promote Yes, thank you to everyfan base. Those guys your record. Even if are so appreciative one that has supported they donʼt buy a record, us over the years! though. they might buy a t-shirt. MUEN: IT SEEMS LIKE You do have to support the band in some kind YOU GUYS NEVER COME OUT THIS WAY of way. FOR SHOWS. MUEN: I NOTICE I donʼt think L.A. per say MORE AND MORE ONLINE PUBLICATIONS is our crowd; we actuCOMING OUT LATELY. ally do well in San Diego. We do really Absolutely, I go to them well, which Iʼm a San Diego Chargers fan. Iʼm all the time. Iʼm one of a die hard Chargers fan. those people; I want to



While doing their on again/off again routine, St. Louis rockers Story of the Year or SOTY recently stopped by Long Beach to pay their respects to a local charity event but before hitting the streets they decided to do what they do best and thatʼs playing music. Dan, Ryan, Phillip, Adam and Josh gave me the opportunity of a lifetime when I got word that I'd be interviewing the entire act before they were due to meet up with their fans for a quick signing session - not to mention their headlining performance for later on that same night. The band spoke to me about what theyʼve

currently been up too and what to expect from them come the New Year.

MUEN: YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR 14 YRS. IS THERE ANYTHING PLANNED FOR THE 15 YR MARK COMING UP AROUND 2010?

Dan: Most definitely. We have a new record coming out. MUEN: GOOD, AND WILL WE BE SEEING YOU ON JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE ANYTIME SOON?

Dan: Hopefully. We will

have to have them ask us. We did that back in the day... played Jimmy Kimmel, Carson Daily, etc.

YOU PLAY A HANDFUL OF SHOWS IN YOUR HOMETOWN AND THEN YOU COME OUT TO CALIFORNIA... WHY THE ON/OFF ROUTINE?

MUEN: I FIRST GOT INTO YOU GUYS IN 2004 WHEN YOU WERE APART OF THE NINTENDO FUSION TOUR AND I WAS AN EXTRA IN YOUR MUSIC VIDEO FOR "ANTHEM OF OUR DYING DAY." SO WHATʼS BEEN GOING ON SINCE THEN?

Dan: Why not? Weʼre always around when weʼre at home and whenever California wants us we try to come out and play. . MUEN: WHEN WILL WE BE SEEING THE NEW ALBUM?

MUEN: WHAT I'VE NOTICED ABOUT STORY OF THE YEAR IS THAT

MUEN: I LIKE YOU AN THREE DAYS GRACE. WOULD YOU CON-

Dan: I think weʼve matured alot.

Dan: Early to mid next year, January-February.


SIDER GOING ON TOUR WITH THEM?

Dan: I think the producer that did our last albums worked with them on their first one.

Day I Die and our new album.

Josh: Sidewalks *Laughs* and ofcourse our new album.

Phillip: Take Me Back, Phillip: But I donʼt know if and the new album. our fans would get along with their fans. Adam: The Antidote and the new album thatʼs not Dan: Weʼll just see what out yet. can possibly be set up. Ryan: Take Me Back, MUEN: OUT OF ALL and the new album. THE MUSIC VIDEOS AND ALBUMS TO MUEN: YOU GUYS DID DATE, WHICH IS YOUR A COVER OF METALABSOLUTE FAVORITE LICAʼS "ENTER SANDAND WHY? MAN". WOULD YOU EVER CONSIDER Dan: Probably Until The RECORDING IT, AND

WHAT OTHER COVER TUNES WOULD YOU WANT TO INCLUDE? Adam: I want too!

Dan: Itʼs one of those songs that sounds good the way it is. We might record it on another live album, thatʼd be cool.

comes out.

MUEN: ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO ADD?

Dan: Go pick up the new album when it comes out. Josh: yeah definitely go get it once itʼs been dropped.

MUEN: WHAT ARE YOUR UPCOMING PLANS FOR THE REST Adam: Go get the new album when it comes OF 2009 INTO 2010? out. Dan: Go out on tour in Ryan: Pick it up! November/December with The Devil Wears Phillip: Look for the new Prada, and then basically tour all of next year album come the New Year! after the new album


COSMIC INTENT

WHY?

Steve: Well, we intend to be paid for our efforts, just as the baker – who does not put out his bread for free every day!

Switzerland

By G. Cataline

MUEN: TELL US HOW THE TWO OF YOU FORMED COSMIC INTENT...

I sing the robotʼs voice and also made the text.

for the online-platforms and so on... Besides that, we got an MUEN: WHAT WOULD invitation thru Myspace YOU SAY HAVE BEEN last September to play a SOME OF YOUR gig in London in a small, BIGGEST ACCOMbut very nice venue, and PLISHMENTS IN THE of course we did it. It PAST YEAR? was a great experience, even if we played for Both: The album ʻCOLabout 20 noses, but so LECTIVE ILLUSIONSʼ, of we had the possibility to course! get in contact with almost all of them and reaped a Steve: It was a great lot of great compliments. challenge to produce all The club is specialized the 13 songs in our own for promoting new excelEva: I started playing tiny studio on a ten-year- lent electronic music, bass guitar, which I alold computer and small, also Tenek, a new engways wanted to do. but nice equipment, belish upcoming band When I played it to the sides my first 105% job played there. first song, we knew, as a high school teacher thatʼs it! We found it and the second job as I have a lot of contacts gives the music a wide seller of analogue vinfrom myspace and other ground and more life. tage gear. platforms, I always hope to get the chance to find MUEN: SO EVA PLAYS Eva: As our children are a label or someone who BASS AND WHAT bigger now, this album can help us. I've got a ELSE? AND WHO became our new baby! It personal contact to the DOES MOST OF THE was a great effort to pro- manager from A Different SINGING AND WHO Drum and he took us alWRITES THE LYRICS? duce the 13 videos for ready in the online store. the multimedia show Eva: I play the bass gui- which I produced all myMUEN: SO YOU DON'T self. tar and synthesizers, HAVE YOUR SONGS sometimes vocoder. Steve does all the vocals Iʼve made also all visual AVAILABLE FOR MYarts, I promote the music, SPACER'S TO PUT ON and lyrics, except on ʻROBOTER LOVEʼ where made our website, I care THEIR PLAYERS... Steve: We have been a couple for nineteen years now and Iʼve always produced different styles of electronic music in that period and before. For a new album and multimedia live project, I was looking for a video producer – thatʼs the way Eva was involved first. She began to compose brilliant images to my songs and then the idea was born to form a band.

MUEN: HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE MUSIC ENVIRONMENT IN SWITZERLAND RIGHT NOW? IS ELECTRO AND NEW WAVE SUPPORTED VERY MUCH THERE?

Eva: As we know, there are some organizations who invite artists and make some parties, but itʼs difficult to get noted here, Switzerland is too small and if you are unknown, they give you just a non-paid slot if you get the luck. They prefer to invite well known bands from all around the world and pay them a lot of money, because we have so many venues here and everyone wants to get the people for sure. You must have a lot of connections and we donʼt have so much. We were brave at home when our kids needed us, now we see, that it was the best, they love and respect us. MUEN: TELL US ABOUT THE UPCOMING GIG ON THE 12TH...

Eva: We are happy to have the chance to have a live gig! We play as



the first band of three. The Beauty Of Geminaʼ are the headliners, a well known band from Switzerland, they are much more longer in the scene and much darker than we are. But it is our intention to bring light into the darkness ;)

one day and I started to take piano lessons. MUEN: WHAT OTHER SORT OF INFLUENCES DO THE BOTH OF YOU HAVE, ARE THEY VERY SIMILAR TO ONE ANOTHER?

Steve: I wouldnʼt say influenced. They inspired The venue is very well me: Kraftwerk, Depeche known and it is a birthday Mode, New Order, party from the organisa- Howard Jones and all tion, so hopefully, a lot of our mainly analogue people will come to see equipment, such as the us, the venueʼs space is Korg MS-20, Roland Sysfor about 500 people. tem 100M, SH-101, Jupiter 8, some Moogs We are looking forward and the self-developed to this gig and we are Technosaurus Selector hoping that this opens us modular. some doors. We would love to do more gigs! We Eva: We are one heart would like to make a and one soul ;)! Yes, we tour! really love the same things and the same MUEN: WELL YOU music styles, so this DEFINITELY HAVE THE makes it very easy to SOUND OF 80'S NEW work together and each WAVE AND SYNTH of us give oneʼs best in POP, IT IS INTENwhat we are most talTIONAL OFCOURSE, ented. We complete each SO WHAT DRAWS YOU other perfectly! TO THIS GENRE? MUEN: WHAT DO YOU Steve: Music is in my DO OTHER THAN blood! At the age of 2 MUSIC? you could make me cry when shutting off the Steve: Family, work. radio. When I was 6 I had pre-school lessons Eva: Well if I get the time in music and was rocking and beneath loving to be on my cardboard guitar, with my kids and some listening to Elvis and the good friends, 3 cats, I Beatles. In 1978, started again to paint Kraftwerk came out with some surreal paintings. the track ʻthe modelʼ and Iʼve missed it a lot, I from that very moment I didnʼt have any spare was sure that I would time to make this for 5 make electronic music years. It is a nice work

where you see instantly what you did and no one can steal or copy it from you… such a satisfaction ;) MUEN: WHO DOES THE VIDEO PRODUCTION? Eva: Me.))

duced some new songs and will compose some others for the next album, but we are not sure that we can realise it ourselves once again. We need to get support, so we are seeking a label, everywhere on this planet. If someone has any ideas, please contact us, thank you.

MUEN: I SEE YOU PRODUCE VIDEO FOR MUEN: IS THERE ANYOTHER ARTISTS AS THING ELSE YOU'D WELL? LIKE TO ADD?

Eva: Iʼve got an offer to take part in a competition from a band to make a video for them and they wrote me, if I got the luck they will choose mine hey, for free!… Do they have an idea how much time it takes to make a good video?! I donʼt think this band is very well known, but I think they take too many hard drugs… and have lots of stupid ideas. I would say: welcome to the 'Collective Illusions'...

Eva: So nice, Yes! – We prefer to sell our CD ourselves, while we had an expensive production and you have to live… you can get it on our website

http://www.cosmicintent.c h. Here you will find also some download-stores. But if you like, you can buy it also on http://www.cdbaby.com/c d/cosmicintent

You can friend us and - Well, but yes! I would leave us some comments love to produce some if I on get paid for it, I donʼt http://www.myspace.com/ make impossible prices, I cosmicintent . check out produce all with fun and also http://www.reverbnawith my heart, and it de- tion.com/cosmicintent pends on how much I there is also our ambienthave to work with of electro album ORGANcourse. ICS to hear, and on http://www.youtube.com/ MUEN: WHAT ARE cosmicintentmusic you YOUR MAIN GOALS can watch all of our FOR THE REST OF THE videos. YEAR AND NEXT? Thanks for the interview, Steve: We have progreat magazine!



BUCKCHERRYʼ S FOUNDING DUO DISCUSSES THE MANY WAYS OF KISS By: Natalie Perez

Buckcherry is one of those modern every day hard rock acts that just never seems to fade away or get old as other bands tend to do from time to time. As far as Buckcherry goes, this is an act worthy of a cause and that cause is to create music. Creating music since the band's formation back in 1995 and having 4 albums tucked under their belts, Buckcherry had the chance of a lifetime when going out on tour with Kiss back in 99. Now the time has returned to reunite these mighty warriors with the almighty legends of rock n roll music once again. Lead vocalist Josh Todd and lead guitarist Keith Nelson held a teleconference where a handful of journalists had the chance to talk to these musicians discussing exactly how and why Kiss meant so much to them along with whatʼs in store for the New Year.

MUEN: WHEN YOU TOUR WITH KISS DO YOU PLAN ON COM-

ING OUT TO JAM WITH Josh: No we did a full THE GUYS? tour with them on our first record 24 shows in Keith: If I' am asked I will Europe - I think it would definitely come out, rock- really take away from the ing out with the platform show, with the make-up shoes for sure Iʼ am not and crazy production afraid. itʼs a really great rock show and I donʼt think MUEN: WHAT CAN THE theyʼre a “jamming” type KIDS EXPECT, WHEN of band. YOU PLAY WITH KISS? MUEN: WHY TOUR Keith: Nothing like weʼve WITH KISS? had a conversation about, I don't really see Josh: The reason weʼre Kiss, as being one of touring with Kiss is bethose bands you see cause we really wanted yourself getting on stage to be involved with the with and still feel at 35 years existence that home. I donʼt know... rock n roll music has eshave you heard anything tablished to this day and time. Thatʼs impressive Josh?

for anybody, to accomplish and theyʼve broken a lot of rules and we love it. Weʼre a rock n roll band and from what I understand is this is a true rock n roll show, this is going to ride out into many years to come and Kiss is one of those bands that always puts on an incredible show hands down. MUEN: WHY NOW, DID YOU DECIDE TO PUT OUT THIS LIVE ALBUM?

Keith: Honestly this is the first time that weʼve actually had the opportunity to do it the way we had


out wanted to. Luckily CHOICES OF COURSE. weʼre back with Eleven Seven Music and there is Keith: We wanted to no reason not to do it. have an actual reputation of what a night in a life of MUEN: IS THE SONG Buckcherry is about. So "CRAZY BITCH" we recorded 6 shows, BASED ON AN ACduring the spring while TUAL EXPERIENCE? out on the Canadian tour and listened back to Josh: Yeah I came up what we had, and took it with the chorus for from there. "Crazy Bitch" while driving around L.A. and it MUEN: DO YOU HAVE was right around the time A TIME TABLE AS FAR the Paris Hilton sex AS WHEN WEʼLL BE tapes had came out. I HEARING NEW MATEthought it was funny how RIAL FROM YOU someone had launched GUYS? their career by a homemade porno and then I Keith: We actually do started thinking about all have a time table. We the crazy girls I had have some great ideas came encountered with. on what we got kicking When I was a young around and excited man 18-25 I was never about but our main focus attracted to girls who is on the upcoming tour were always insane, but for sure youʼll be seegreat in bed but who ing some new material sucked when it came to come next year. playing the girlfriend role. So I came up with this MUEN: WHAT CAN chorus and called Keith YOU TELL US ABOUT talking to him about how THE SONG “HIGHWAY I had wanted it to lie out, STAR” WHICH IS ON so that was simple and THE ENHANCED VEReasy to figure out. I SION OF “BLACK BUTwanted it to sound like a TERFLY”? rap song but more of a rock song vibe. That's Josh: It was a song we basically out it was born. had done for NASCAR It became a phenomenal and it became their and we definitely needed theme of the year on top it at the time. of that. We donʼt normally do cover songs, it MUEN: HOW DID YOU is a Deep Purple cover CHOOSE WHAT so we cut the song up a SONGS WOULD GO bit and put our own touch ON THE ALBUM BEon it and it now sounds SIDES THE OBVIOUS more like a Buckcherry

song. We had wanted to re-release the album so that everyone who got the album could experience the song, plus it sounds so much better blending it with all the other songs. MUEN: HOW MUCH HAS THE BAND MATURED SINCE THE FIRST TIME YOU TOURED WITH KISS?

Keith: Not only have we matured, we had 3 different members at the time when we first went out on tour back in 99. I think when we first toured with them we had finished our first record which wasnʼt even released yet and now we are 4 records deep into our career. So now weʼre 700/800 shows better than the last time we played with them. *Laughs*

the table for us to learn off of.

MUEN: IS THERE GOING TO BE A DVD SHOT AT ONE OF THE SHOWS ON THIS UPCOMING TOUR?

Keith: I donʼt know I didnʼt hear that rumor.

MUEN: WHY SHOULD PEOPLE PICK UP YOUR LIVE ALBUM?

Josh: We have a great reputation for putting on a live show and we worked really hard on this record. We had done a week-long series of shows, 6 in total, and we wanted to capture that live experience. Being able to play some extended songs here and there and just throw it altogether.

MUEN: HOW WAS IT TO WORK WITH ESMUEN: DO YOU THINK CAPE THE FATE ON THEIR LATEST ALBUM, THERE IS A LOT OF WOULD YOU EVER GO PRESSURE ON YOU ON TOUR WITH THOSE NOW, THAT YOUʼVE MATURED, AND NOW GUYS? THAT YOU ARE CONFIJosh: We actually did a DENT? show with them in the Josh: There is definitely summer. They were out on the East Coast. I more confidence, but I donʼt think there is much donʼt know if our styles of rock would cut it - but pressure. I think itʼs more excitement to join those guys were really fantastic to work with and forces with them once again and its going to be I had a great time. We had a lot of fun. Iʼm sure a monstrous rock show being able to learn from weʼll do it again at some what theyʼve brought to point. Those guys have a


real good fan base now and Iʼm so happy they stuck it out and got a new singer, and moved on from what they were dealing with. MUEN: ANY TOUR ANXIETIES?

Keith: No none whatsoever. We can definitely get it done.

MUEN: WHEN YOU WERE GROWING UP WAS KISS ONE OF THOSE BANDS YOU JUST HEARD OF, OR WERE THEY A MAJOR INFLUENCE TO YOU GUYS AS A WHOLE.

Josh: I liked how they wrote their songs, very simple and not too much clutter within their music. As far as instruments goes, it was just straight up raw rock n roll. Thatʼs pretty much how we were with our music. Itʼs not just music, itʼs an art form as well, and they did a really great job with the whole imaginary thing. No one had ever done it like that and that was incredible. MUEN: DO YOU THINK KISS DESERVES THE HALL OF FAME?

Keith: They have outlasted everybody - taking the commercial parts of rock n roll to a level that no one can even come close to fulfilling.

MUEN: YOU HAD TAKEN OUT ONE OF THE TRACKS AND REPLACED IT WITH “HIGHWAY STAR” WHY?

done. Thatʼs whatʼs lead us to being such a great band. Weʼre getting better and better. At times we just look at one another and instantly know what we want to accomplish when making music.

alive and well.

Josh: Itʼs going to be a tight and powerful machine when it comes to Kiss.

MUEN: WHAT'S IT LIKE TOURING WITH ALL THESE "LEGENDARY" MUEN: IF YOU COULD ARTISTS I.E. MOTLEY CRUE, KISS, WHO'S CHOOSE A MEMBER NEXT ON THE LIST? OF KISSʼS MAKE-UP Keith: Just the sound of TO WEAR, WHO chicks with guns, does WOULD YOU PICK things for me. Weʼve alJosh: As far as the way it AND WHY? ready done some shows rolls out - within the lineup “Highway Star” plays, Keith: I think weʼd all be with Aerosmith, AC/DC, it makes it all blend in to- fighting for Paul. *laughs* so weʼve hit the Holy Grail of famous rockers... gether. Josh: Iʼd definitely want whoʼs left? The Stones, Metallica, whose left MUEN: HOW WOULD to be the demon child. Josh? YOU EXPLAIN THE SUCCESS THAT MUEN: DO YOU HAVE Josh: Iʼd like to tour with “BLACK BUTTERFLY” ANY OTHER PROJSlipknot, but donʼt think HAS GOTTEN? ECTS YOUʼRE CURweʼre heavy enough.. Iʼd RENTLY WORKING like to tour with Prince. Keith: I think there was ON? really 10 long years of MUEN: IF YOU HAD A hard work put into it all. Keith: We have someCHANCE TO BE FEAWe are touring non-stop thing in store. TURED ON A CARand weʼre one of those TOON SHOW, I.E. bands that will be in your Josh: Definitely music. SOUTH PARK, THE town sooner or later. I SIMPSONS, OR FAMILY donʼt think there is any- MUEN: HOW DO YOU GUY, WHICH WOULD IT one else in the market FEEL ABOUT KISS BE AND WHY? place that know how to NOT TOURING WITH do it as well as we do. THE WHOLE ORIGINAL Josh: I think Family Guy LINE-UP? aims towards MUEN: HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE Keith: Well youʼre speak- Buckcherryʼs style, but Iʼm not sure how we ing to 2 guys that know “MARRIAGE” YOU would fit within the what itʼs like to keep a HAVE WITH ONE ANepisode. Itʼd be fun to band together. I abOTHER? watch. solutely respect everything that Kiss stands for. Keith: When we get together it just works, there You never know what happens behind closed are things that we canʼt do, but when it comes to doors. Iʼm glad that theyʼre keeping Kiss music we can get it

Keith: It wasnʼt as much pulling out as much as putting in. *Laughs* I donʼt like records that are too long so thought it was the right move to make.


BILLY CONNALLY

job myself.” says Connally. “The final “Start From The stage will have peo- EUROPE Dark” was made in Live shows beginPlaying Guitar for ple with superior 2004, and now with ning Nov. 1st in over 27 years, Con- engineering skills “The Last Days Of London! In support nally has been in assisting me.” Eden”, this band of their latest, ʻLast countless bands born from the 80ʼs Look At Edenʼ. and played tons of seems to be on a Formed in 1983 gigs. Some good, solid path in this from Sweden, Eusome bad, and a new music age. rope were signed to “few that really Check their mySony and produced would have made space page for upa smash album, mama proud!” says coming European “The Final CountConnally. tour Nov. thru Jan. down”, which sold 2010 www.myover 3 million Deciding to do an space.com/europe copies. Working instrumental guitar with producer Kevin rock album and Elson, who also share it with as produced Jourmany people as ney.In the later possible, all the years, Eurpope songs on the page lived and worked in are pre-production the San Franfor the final album. cisco/L.A. area. “I record all tracks Europe did not peron my home comform or record for puter and did the years, but never ofmixdowns and ficially broke up. ghetto mastering


Interview with CRISPIN EARL of THE VEER UNION

No problem at all.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE NEW ALBUM By: Slavewriter6 THAT CAME OUT IN Myspace.com/slavew APRIL. IT IS riter6 CALLED 'AGAINST THE GRAIN'. NOW HEY CRISPIN HOW WHEN I HEAR THAT ARE YOU DOING? TITLE I THINK OF DOING THINGS DIFNot too bad. How FERENTLY OR OUT are you doing? OF THE NORM. WHY DID YOU I AM DOING GREAT. GUYS CHOOSE I AM EXCITED TO THAT TITLE? TALK TO YOU SO THANKS FOR GIV- 'Against The Grain', ING ME A CALL! for us is kind of like,

well as a musician you strive to get to where you want to go. There are a lot of trials and tribulations that you go through. And for me personally, I sent out a bunch of demos to different record companies and they loved the music. I am not going to mention any names but truthfully, I had a couple of the record companies get back to me and say that they didn't know how

to market a black singer in rock n' roll. I got that response from a few different record labels. It was just so bizarre. In this day and age I would have thought that wouldn't be an issue. The funny thing is that it is surprising how much it still is an issue. So that was a big reason because it was almost like maybe this wasn't meant to happen. But we just kept on persevering through and here we


THE VEER UNION CONTINUED...

are, you know what I mean?

THAT'S RIGHT AND IT'S PAYING OFF! Yes, absolutely.

these people that are saying this or saying that. There is a lyric saying "I'm turning the page for something new, I'm finding my way through life and bloom". You've just got to forget about the negativity, move forward and just realize that there is so much more to life. It's about starting over and shedding skin, is basically what the song is about.

NOW, THE FIRST SINGLE OFF THE ALBUM, SEASONS, WHICH I CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF, HAS DONE REALLY WELL ON THE CHARTS. TELL US A BIT ABOUT THAT Hear the entire interSONG AND WHAT view @ www.myIT IS ABOUT. space.com/slavewrite r6 Well you know, it kind of relates back again to the name of the record. Seasons is all about starting over. For me it was kind of like getting to the point, you know you have gone through so many negative things; you have to remember why it is you are doing what you are doing. I am doing what I am doing because I love what I am doing. I had to drop off the baggage and forget about all

ANUBIS

Midlands, UK Myspace.com/anubis

By G. Cataline

SO TELL US ABOUT THE RADIO SHOW ON EURO- recording the new album European Klassik Rock PEAN KLASSIK ROCK. “Waking Pete and Sarah The Dead”. “Sibuna” and “Avatar” were a On the radio we act as great success.. partly guest DJ's (Me Pete & down to your great review Sarah (ISIS my daughter) of it. for European Klassik Rock (part of Caroline .. The film ARE YOU PLAYING LIVE “The Boat That Rocked” is ANYWHERE SOON? about Radio Caroline).

We are playing an Album release party on the 17th of November 2009 and then we will take a little rest before we kick off with gigs in 2010, which we are On Air we play any type of booking now. We are alRock.. our favourites ready booked to headline mainly. Sarah features some big UK festival next new music and is always year. on the outlook for new good bands. www.myspace.com/anubisisis WHEN DO YOU AIR, AND WHAT TYPES OF MUSIC AND THINGS ARE YOU DOING?

We are in the process of


By G. Cataline

MUEN: CAN YOU GIVE US A LITTLE BACKGROUND ABOUT THE MEMBERS IN THE BAND, AND HOW THE BAND CAME TO BE? AND HOW LONG HAS THE BAND BEEN TOGETHER?

Well, i started UNDERLINED in late 2006 with 2 friends of mine, after i decided to leave the band i was in at the time. At that point in my life, i was sick of being told what to do by asshole singers with egos

the size of skyscrapers, all who just manage to wreck there bands due to a bad attitude towards people wishing to help them. We started off with no real goals, or even any idea on what we wanted to sound like. We just kind of ran with it, starting off as a borderline techno group then, overtime i just knew what i wanted and wouldn't settle for anything less. The band was pretty much a massive cluster fuck, until Oct 2007, which brought the joining of DAVID ZAWCKI

(Shades Of Suicide & 9th Evolution). By that point, he managed to help me get my ass in line, then get the music figured out. After that, it was just a revolving door of various contributors like, IAN HALL (Crossbreed), KEM SECKSDIIN (Celldeweller & Crossbreed), and JOE HAZE (Solo Guitarist). With all of them on bored, helping out and contributing to the music of the CD, The 3 years of waiting, setbacks, and non-stop bullshit, Our first release will finally be wrapped up and ready

to get out there.

MUEN: TELL US ABOUT THE NEW ALBUM "TRUTH AND DENIAL", HOW DID YOU DECIDE ON THE TITLE, AND WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM THIS ALBUM?

The title is has a very personal meaning to it, it's regarding alot of past losses in my life, and the fact that its a "saying" that has stuck with me over the past few years, so calling it Truth And Denial just felt right. But in a nutshell, the 11 or so


tracks on the record were all done within the past 2 years. In that time, i've had various addictions and relationships that ended in self destruction, all of which lead to me becoming a very different person then i once thought i would be. But, to keep this story from droning on, Its just about being taken advantage of, being used, and the toll it takes on you after a long period of time. So to sum it up, this record is going to be a showcase of what happens to someone after dealing with such issues. Musically, Its good mix of Industrial Electronics, Heavy Metal Guitars, Massive Double Bass Drums, And Harsh Vocals. It should bring something pretty cool to the people who are sick of the same old cookie cutter bands, and that want something new. MUEN: WHY DID YOU DECIDE ON "UNDERLINED" FOR A NAME?

Well, we had a different name when we started, we had to change it because i found that a company in russia already had the rights to the name. After finding

that out, i sat down for a while and figured out what i wanted the name "to say". I wanted it to show something of bands that we have looked up too, but something that could be brought to a whole new crowd. In essence, a name that we could take over, and bring new meaning towards. So, i figured that "UNDERLINED" would be perfect because it was the first single of the band "CROSSBREED", a band that DAVID and i have looked up for years, So it just felt right. MUEN: WHAT WOULD YOU SAY HAS BEEN SOME OF YOUR BEST MOMENTS AS A BAND, SO FAR?

There are not note any moments in particular. The recording of "TRUTH AND DENIAL" has been on hell of a ride in itself, haha. The ability to work with musicians that i've looked up to over the years, has been an amazing experience. But most of all, i feel the best "moments" are when i hear things like, "i love your band, i cant wait for the cd!", or "you guys look badass, come play [in-

sert town here]". Its moments like those, that keep this band going.

MUEN: WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO DO MUSIC, WHAT SORT OF THINGS DO YOU THINK INSPIRE YOU TO DO WHAT YOU DO WITH UNDERLINED?

YOUR AREA, AND DO YOU PLAY LOCALLY?

West Palm Beach, is not in the least bit supportive of what we do. They're far to wrapped up in there little "scene bands" that are playing music for all the wrong reasons. They don't care if you mean what you say and what your doing, They only care if you look good girls jeans and or have a trashy fucked looking haircut. Tampa however, Is a major market city. So it's alot more supportive of our style. But once we get out there and start playing shows, I feel we will be able to figure out what works for us. Which brings me to shows, If we had the money, we would be out there right fucking now. I can't word to you how angry I am over the fact that I cant take this band live over the simple fact that i'm broke. But sooner or later, we will start playing shows, Its just a matter of when.

DAVID and i are artist's at heart, i honestly could not picture myself doing anything outside of music. Personally, its the only that i feel gives me the outlet that i need, Without it, Id be dead right now. I know alot of people say that, but i can swear to you that i mean it with everything i have. But anyway, music is not all we are limited to, i also enjoy graphic design and photography. DAVID started a production company called "IMAGI MEDIA" [www.myspace.com/im agimedia], which i offer all the those services. So, in a way, everything motivates me in some form. Its just a matter of how i choose MUEN: WHAT ABOUT to express my outlook, TOURS? and feeling on it. If someone offers us a MUEN: IS THE MUSIC tour that I feel would be ENVIRONMENT VERY great way for us to get out there, i'll take it. SUPPORTIVE IN


Right now, the only 100% set people for the live line-up are DAVID, and myself. We're looking at few people for the drummer slot, but I know I could grab someone up if touring was on the table.

out there.

You should not have to listen to a particular band, in order to be accepted by your friends, you should be able to listen to whatever makes you feel right, not what your friends, family, or what the MUEN: WILL YOU BE radio says you should DOING ANY VIDEO? listen to. I just want people to understand We're hoping too, It that, what music you might take some time enjoy is YOUR DECIthough. But, I have SION. If you hear us, some very cool ideas and love it, Fucking for the more "single great, love you too style" songs, so if we haha. If you hear us were offered a video it and hate it, thanks for could be done no prob- giving us a shot, sorry lem. The main issue is you didn't like it. Its that that, video's can be freedom that you very expensive, so if should be aware of, we did one, odds' are that's our message, that we would have to and pretty much my do it ourselves. main reason for not giving up, when things MUEN: WHAT SORT have gotten really bad. OF CONCEPTS OR MESSAGES DO YOU MUEN: WHAT TRY TO GET ACROSS WOULD YOU SAY IN YOUR MUSIC? SETS YOU APART FROM SOME OTHER Our message is simple, BANDS IN THIS I don't want people that GENRE? listen to the same old cookie cutter bands to Music wise, Were not think that there is noth- afraid to leave our ing outside of that so "box". I have no probcalled radio music lem releasing an "box". acoustic EP, I have no problem coming out I want people to see with a dance record. Of how many other kinds course, we wont do of musical styles are anything that will shoot

us in the foot, But we have nothing stopping us from enjoying ourselves, that is another reason why I wish I get this band live as soon as possible. But one of the major things that I feel sets us apart from 90% of the bands in our genre, is that we actually TALK to our fans. We enjoy the input we get, and we keep them all updated the second something new happens. I just feel its really shitty when a band, no matter how big or small they may be, doesn't communicate or interact with there fans.

MUEN: WHAT BANDS AND MUSIC ARE YOU CURRENTLY INTERESTED IN AND WHY?

My personal list is to big to name, but to name a few, PSYCLON NINE, CROSSBREED, DEADSTAR ASSEMBLY, MUSHROOMHEAD, MOTOGRATER and THE MISFITS (Graves Era). If I have any interest in a band, its most likely because of how unique there music, and visuals are. I can not stand band's that sound exactly the same, Its just pointless. DAVID is a huge fan of COAL CHAMBER,

CROSSBREED, ORGY, NINE INCH NAILS, 9TH EVOLUTION, and TIM SKOLD.

MUEN: WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE REST OF THIS YEAR AND THE BEGINNING OF NEXT?

Our plan is to get this record finished, out there, and at least make a slight dent in the industry. After that, all our focus goes to getting this live. I can not picture this band NOT going live, there has been to much invested into this, to have it just sit around doing nothing. But, our overall plan is to play it all very safely, make sure we make the right moves, and not mess up all our hard work haha. Over time, I know with enough hard work, we can leave our mark in the industry. regardless of how many people want us to fail.



EVERGREEN TERRACE

Metal Blade

Josh James (Guitar, Vocals) Jacksonville, Florida

Myspace.com/evergreenterrace

By: Shauna OʼDonnell

myspace.com/shaunasbandpage

MUEN: HOW ARE YOU?

I canʼt complain, Iʼm in New Haven, Connecti-

cut, the weather is beautiful and Iʼm walking around Yale University trying to pretend that Iʼm extremely smart. MUEN: ARE YOU WALKING AROUND SAYING “I GO HERE.”

my rugged looks that are I will. giving it away. MUEN: FOR THOSE WHO DONʼT KNOW, MUEN: YOU SHOULD KYLE WAS IN A BAD GO PLEDGE A FRABIKE ACCIDENT IN TERNITY OR SOMETHING WHILE YOUʼRE JUNE. HOW IS HE DOING? THERE.

Iʼm going over to sorority Heʼs doing well; I actuYeah, actually I went ally talked to him today. row right now. and bought the Yale shirt He had a few rather expensive surgeries, as so Iʼm walking around MUEN: AWESOME, well as an unexpected WELL YOU NEED TO saying “Hey, whatʼs up blood clot in one of his fellow student? How you LET US KNOW HOW lungs. It went from a doin?” I donʼt think they THAT TURNS OUT. very strange, freak accibelieve me. It must be


dent to a real serious freak accident. That happened in June and he has not been on tour with us since. He has been going to physical therapy for about a month now and heʼs in good spirits. I think the one thing that helps him through it, is all the fans and friends that have been sending in emails and donations to help him pay his medical bills. It has really put him in a good mindset and really helped him have an optimistic attitude toward it. At the end of this tour we are doing a CD release show in Jacksonville and the plan is for him to be playing drums at that show, fingers crossed.

MUEN: MY FINGERS ARE CROSSED AND I WAS SO HOPING HE WAS DOING BETTER.

Thank you, I will let him know.

MUEN: DID THE NAME OF YOUR BAND COME FROM THE NAME OF THE STREET “THE SIMPSONS” RESIDE ON? It does, 742 Evergreen Terrace, is the address of Homer, Bart, Marge, Lisa and little Maggie Simpson. Thatʼs where it comes from definitely. Actually I take that back, Matt Groening got the idea from us and we are

just waiting to be put on the show. If he is listening or checking this out then it is my invitation to him to have us on the show anytime.

more structured. When we started off we had a little bit less structure to the songs and I think you can hear our punk influence a little bit less. Over the years that beMUEN: THAT WOULD came a little bit more ACTUALLY BE REclear and we started putALLY COOL. I HOPE ting a little more strucHE IS LISTENING. YOU ture to the songs. Itʼs HAVE A LOT OF EXCIT- definitely a new era for ING STUFF GOING ON. Evergreen Terrace, but FOR ONE YOUR LAT- at the same time I think EST ALBUM COMING when people listen to it HOME RELEASES ON they will be able to tell SEPTEMBER 29TH. that it is the same band. THIS IS YOUR SIXTH We have just got a little ALBUM RIGHT? better. It is our fifth full length MUEN: THAT HAPstudio record and then PENS OVER TIME, we also have a full DOESN'T IT? length of covers that we released in 2004 called I hope it does, for my Writerʼs Block. Itʼs our sake. fifth original record and our sixth actual full MUEN: YOU WORKED length. WITH JASON SUECOF ON THIS ALBUM. HAD MUEN: WHICH OF YOU WORKED WITH YOUR PREVIOUS AL- HIM BEFORE? BUMS IS THIS ONE MOST LIKE? HOW IS No, it was the first time IT DIFFERENT FROM that we worked with him. ALL OF YOUR PREVI- I had met him briefly beOUS ONES? fore and he is definitely a character, an aweMy personal opinion is some dude and just a that it sounds like a huge madman. It was cool to mixture between our work with someone that second record Burned has had his experience Alive by Time and our in heavy music because with the records we had last record that we redone in the past the enleased in 2007 called gineers were great, but Wolfbiker. It has elethey didnʼt have a bunch ments of early Evergreen Terrace as well as of experience in our elements of the “newer” genre. It was cool to Evergreen Terrace. The have him understand what we were going for songs are a little bit

or what we were trying to do. On top of that, he was probably the most ridiculous and funny human being I have ever met. He would wake you up at five in the morning wearing nothing but a sombrero saying “Itʼs time to record your vocals.” We would be like “What are you talking about?” and he would say “Get in there now!” There were many interesting nights at that studio. MUEN: WELL, IʼM SURE YOU GUYS GOT ALONG REALLY WELL THEN. Oh, we did, trust me.

MUEN: I WAS CHECKING OUT THE TITLES OF THE SONGS. I WILL READ OFF A FEW HERE, “HOPELESSLY HOPELESS,” “THE LETDOWN” AND “FAILURE TO OPERATE.” IS THERE A THEME GOING ON HERE?

You know, I didnʼt think there was, but when you just read all three of those it sounded really depressing and kind of pathetic. Yeah, I donʼt know sometimes we are pretty negative. I guess all the songs relate to the lyrics. “The Letdown” is almost kind of poking fun at ourselves. Itʼs so funny because kids will


come up to us or send us emails and say “Hey, you guys are pretty good, but you were way better in 2002.” Now we start telling kids “Oh yeah, youʼre going to hate the new record. Itʼs going to be a huge letdown. Donʼt even bother.”

which we do a couple times on the record for lack of creativity. We are trying to be less creative; all these other bands are trying to be creative and different. We are like “Letʼs just be as little creative as possible.”

released it, Mind over Matter Records, they have a little bit left as well. It is coming pretty close to running out. Itʼs pretty cool, they are a fairly new label and they do strictly vinyl and limited edition things. It was We got a ton of recool to be able to do that sponses and it was reMUEN: YOU GUYS and we are going to see ally cool, but then the LIKE TO HAVE A LOT layout just did a comif we can do that with MUEN: WELL, THERE OF FUN. plete 180. Once you see some of our other IS ONE TITLE I AM records. We really want the actual layout, you WONDERING ABOUT. We really do. will notice that there are to try to do it with the THE SONG IS CALLED new record Almost no pictures. There are “GOD ROCKY, IS THIS MUEN: I ENCOURAGE actually four live pictures Home. I think that the YOUR FACE?” PEOPLE TO GO TO artwork will look awethat fans took themYOUR PAGE AND some blown up like that. selves that we put in Itʼs from Rocky, we alCHECK OUT YOUR there and we gave them Definitely check them ways have a bit of pop VIDEOS, IF THAT out and you can get credit for it. culture references in our DOESN'T SAY IT, THEN them online or at the songs. The same thing I DONʼT KNOW WHAT MUEN: WELL COOL, I shows. with the song on the DOES. CANʼT WAIT TO SEE record “Iʼm a Bulletproof IT. THE COVER LOOKS MUEN: VINYL IS MAKTiger,” thatʼs a Kenny You checked out the tour AWESOME. ING A COMEBACK. Powers line from a show blogs? Awesome! If anycalled Eastbound and one is listening to this in- I canʼt wait to see it eiIt is and it is so crazy. It Down. We are all just a terview then you should ther, I still havenʼt seen had a huge increase in bunch of idiots, thatʼs go to our MySpace or sales last year and CDʼs it. To tell you the truth, why we donʼt go to Yale. YouTube and check out we donʼt even have a had a huge decrease. I A lot of times when we our tour videos and then mastered copy of the think it is definitely startare reading a book or you will maybe undering to become the new record. Thatʼs pretty watching a movie we will stand our sense of crazy and we wonʼt get thing, a collectorʼs kind find humor in something humor a little bit better. any copies of the CD of thing. Everything else or if we find influence in is so digital that now reuntil a couple days besomething we will be like MUEN: ABSOLUTELY, I fore it comes out. ally when people want “We should name a something they want it to LAUGHED UNTIL I song this or that.” Later CRIED. IT WAS THE MUEN: YOU PUT OUT be special and vinyl is a on whenever we are put- FUNNIEST THING I cool thing. The Burned YOUR VERY FIRST ting the lyrics to the song HAVE EVER SEEN. I FULL LENGTH VINYL Alive by Time vinyl is all we will find that the title HAVE INTERVIEWED hand screened and hand RECORD FOR THE fits the lyrics. “Iʼm a Bul- MANY BANDS AND I numbered so itʼs not ALBUM BURNED letproof Tiger” is about WOULD HAVE TO SAY ALIVE BY TIME. ONLY generic in the sense that how you just canʼt be de- THOSE WOULD WIN 500 WERE MADE, ARE a CD would be. I can tell stroyed in your own at the shows that kids THERE ANY LEFT? FOR FUNNIEST mindset. It actually ends VIDEOS. are purchasing more up working. I guess itʼs We have a few left with vinylʼs than they have in better than just saying Well that just made my us that we are selling on the past. the name of a chorus, the road. The label that day that much better. MUEN: FANS SENT IN PICTURES OF YOU GUYS WITH THEM TO BE INCLUDED IN THE CD JACKET. HOW MANY DID YOU GET?


MUEN: TELL US THE INSPIRATION BEHIND THE SONG “ENEMY SEX.”

MUEN: GETTING BACK TO THOSE VIDEOS ON YOUR PAGE, I NOTICED THAT YOU DO A LOT The title of that song, we OF EATING IN THE were talking earlier VIDEOS IN DIFFERENT about pop culture refer- PARTS OF THE ences, is actually a Joe WORLD. WHO HAS Rogan joke. Iʼm not THE BEST PIZZA? going to try to execute it, so Iʼm sure that you can You know, really, get online and look it up. Chicago has some deliCheck it out; it has some cious pizza. I have had humorous parts in it. The some great pizza in Italy lyrics are more about as well, but thatʼs some some bands that we of the best parts of travknow or that are coming eling is experiencing the out that are doing it less culture. One of the easiand less for themselves est ways to experience and the sake of having culture, in my opinion, is fun, or for the sake of re- the food. Itʼs everywhere leasing music that has so itʼs one of our favorite some sort of integrity, or things to do, especially that actually has some- when you go on tour thing to say, whereas with another band and they are just doing it to they are like “Man, I just become popular, make want Burger King.” I money and have some- donʼt care how nasty or what of an easier life. how good the food is, I just want to try it out. Itʼs MUEN: WILL YOU BE one of those things MAKING ANY VIDEOS? where I think itʼs a priority almost to be able to We actually just shot a try the food. We have video for “Sending Sig- gone to a couple differnals” with director Sky ent countries and we Hanson. He did the last have had some crazy Day to Remember video things. There are a couand quite a few videos in ple vegetarians in the the past. We were actu- band so that definitely ally his 100th music limits them, but I am not video. We havenʼt rea vegetarian so tongues, ceived an edit yet, but intestines and all these we should be this week other weird things that I and hopefully we will get would not be able to that up online right have here I have defiaround the same time nitely tried. I really feel the CD gets released. like I have an open mind so I will try anything

once I guess when it comes to the food.

MUEN: WAS THERE ANYTHING THAT YOU COULD NOT STAND?

I had this weird eyeball thing. It was this eyeball with this relish stuff and it was so disgusting. You know when you are about to throw up, you start dry heaving? It was exactly like that, but I could not get the taste of that out of my mouth. It was really bad.

MUEN: WHAT KIND OF AN EYEBALL WAS IT? COW OR PIG?

I think it was a goat. PETA would not be happy with me.

MUEN: WELL YOU GOT TO GO TO JAPAN SO THATʼS COOL. THERE WERE A LOT OF CRAZY THINGS THAT HAPPENED TO YOU THERE.

Japan was nuts, we were there for five days and I think we slept for maybe 10 hours. I read something a long time ago that said for every 24 hrs. that you are awake it is equivalent to drinking x amount of glasses of wine. If thatʼs true, then we would have all been so trashed that I donʼt even know what would have happened. It was really in-

tense, I mean, Japan likes to party. That is all I can say. We played a show in Okinawa and Iʼm sure that you saw this, but we go on at 1:30 in the morning and half the crowd starts getting naked. You can see it on the video that Iʼm not lying, its proof. Iʼm so glad that I had all that on video, because no one would believe that. People who arenʼt even in the band that are naked start grabbing back-up guitars and hopping on the stage. We were just sitting there and our mind was just blown. Afterwards at 3:00 in the morning when the show ends, they are like letʼs go party at a restaurant. We go to this restaurant, they start ordering all this food and one guy lit his face on fire. That was the first day of the tour; it just kept getting more and more crazy. Kyle fell down a flight of stairs and he had these huge bruises all over his ass. You can actually see it in the video, but it was really cool and an awesome experience. I was absolutely amazed whenever we saw Tokyo, take New York City and times it by a hundred, it is so massive that it goes on forever. The place is so overwhelming with colors and lights, itʼs really cool. I think it is one of the coolest places in the


world that I have been to as far as drastic differences to what we are used to in our culture.

MUEN: SPEAKING OF NAKED, I LOVED YOUR SEXY BATHTUB SCENE WITH THE RUBBER DUCKIES.

Oh, yeah, I forgot thatʼs on there, but thank you for bringing that up. I think that was about 6 or 7 in the morning after an hour and a half sleep. I went into that bathroom and I saw that bathtub and couldnʼt resist. All of a sudden Iʼm like “Why are there rubber duckies in here?” Well, when in Rome. I took full advantage. Itʼs so weird because I was just so tired, but later on after I slept and I watched it, I didnʼt remember doing that.

MUEN: WHILE SNOOPING THROUGH YOUR BLOGS, I MUST ADMIT MY FAVORITE WAS TITLED “BONERS ARE FUN, BUT ARE THEY SAFE?” Oh yeah, thatʼs our Trojan commercial.

MUEN: YOU GUYS ARE SO FUNNY. IF I COULD GO ON TOUR WITH A BAND, I THINK I WOULD CHOOSE YOU GUYS.

I think that sounds good. I always joke around

with my girlfriend that if the band doesnʼt work out that I would try stand up comedy. She gets so embarrassed. Sheʼs like “Please donʼt, please tell me youʼre kidding.” I tell her Iʼm being dead serious and then I will make up all these terrible bits. We will be driving in the car and I will be like “Okay Maggie, howʼs this for a bit.” Iʼll go into this terrible Jerry Seinfeld bit. She will be so embarrassed hanging her head in shame and I will be like “What do you think? What do you think?” She will be like “Stop it! You are embarrassing me.”

Europe at the end of the year with Biohazard and Ignite. You can definitely count on another video coming out in December.

MUEN: IS IT TRUE THE FIRST BAND YOU WERE IN WAS CALLED PMS (PUNKS MAKING SOUND)?

Yes, it really is, I was twelve years old. My friends Josh and Chad and I had a band. That was the coolest name that we came up with. That is probably the worst name I could think of now to this date. If someone were to tell me “Hey, think of a band name right now.” I would MUEN: I THINK THE say “Well, I canʼt think of WHOLE BAND IS HIone right now, but I can LARIOUS, THEREʼS tell you what NOT to call USUALLY ONE OR your band.” That is a TWO GUYS THAT ARE, true story, I tell you no BUT ALL OF YOU ARE. lies. I REALLY ENJOYED WATCHING THOSE MUEN: YOU ARE VIDEOS AND I ENPLAYING SHOWS COURAGE PEOPLE WITH EMMURE UNTIL TO CHECK THEM OUT. OCTOBER 2ND AND THEN YOU ARE HEADThank you, we are some LINING THE ALMOST characters. We normally HOMELESS TOUR donʼt make them in the WITH FOR THE states, because funny FALLEN DREAMS, things happen and we ASKING ALEXANDRIA have pranks, but I think AND UNHOLY. IT MUST it is more interesting in a BE TOUGH BEING A TOURING BAND WITH different country. The majority of our fans and THE WAY THE ECONfriends live in the states OMY IS TODAY, ESPEand they are always so CIALLY WITH THE GAS PRICES. curious what itʼs like over there. We are You know, honestly, you heading back over to

hit the nail right on the head. We have been a band for close to ten years and the hardest years of touring were these last two years, especially if you break it down to financially and as a business. It is all based on the economy. We are part of the entertainment of peopleʼs lives and going to a concert is not a priority as it is paying the electric bill or putting food on the table. You brought up gas prices; I think a lot of people would be shocked to find out how expensive it is to be in a band these days. Last year, when we did the Vans Warped Tour, we shared a bus with another band to cut costs in half and we still spent over $25,000 in fuel just on that one tour. We typically do not tour on a bus because it is financially better for us not to. Right now we are getting into the habit of touring smarter and not harder. We think of ways to cut corners and still not have an effect on the bands live show. MUEN: ITʼS HARD FOR THE SMALLER BANDS TO GO OUT ON TOUR.

I canʼt imagine what itʼs like now to be in a brand new, fresh band trying to make it. First off, the market is oversaturated, there are so many bands


touring and there are so many shows going on. I really donʼt think that, especially Americans, the kids here know how lucky they have it that they can go to a show more than once a week. In other countries they are starving for it because they may get a show once a month. What we did to build up our fan base or get our name out there is we just toured our asses off for years. Right now, thatʼs probably not the best thing for a new band to do especially when you have the internet to promote your band. Even sometimes when you are doing support tours, your guarantees barely cover the expenses of the tour, so any kind of money you are looking off of to pay your bills if from the merch. The way you sell the merch is from the kids being at the shows, so itʼs like the cause and effects kind of deal. Hopefully, things will turn around. MUEN: OKAY JOSH IT HAS BEEN A LOT OF FUN AND I THANK YOU FOR THE INTERVIEW. BEFORE I LET YOU GO WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADD ANYTHING?

Our new record comes out September 29th and you can pre-order it now

and I donʼt know a lot, but I knew a lot more when I was a woman. We are always touring so Iʼm sure we will be wherever you live eventually.

own mind is constantly being blown by my own MUEN: YOU ALSO mind. Itʼs just really, reKNEW A LOT LESS ally weird and now I BEFORE YOU PUT THAT YALE SHIRT ON. have a seeing problem and I need glasses. That is true and now my


BLIND DIVINE Tucson, Arizona

Interview by: Macavity

Blind Divine is one of those unique and intriguing bands whose music you have heard more than you would ever think. But turn on most any television show or even watch the Weather Channel or just see some amazing films and you will instantly recognize the artistically haunting music as that belonging to Blind Divine. We had to hear what drives these multi-talented artists.

Blind Divine is comprised of Daniel Martin Diaz and what we do. We don始t rePaula Catherine Valenally think about it anycia. more. Actually, we prefer not to think about too Hi Daniel and Paula! much and just let the moThanks for taking some ment inspire us. time to talk to MUEN today. MUEN: I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU HAVE BEEN Blind Divine: Hey Mac, TOGETHER SINCE thanks for having us. ABOUT 2000. HOW LONG HAVE YOU MUEN: YOU ARE ONE BEEN TOGETHER AND OF THE MOST PROHOW DID YOU MEET? LIFIC BANDS I HAVE COME ACROSS. WHAT BD: (Paula) It was in DRIVES YOU TO CRE- 2000 that we began reATE SO MUCH MUSIC? leasing our music. We actually met almost 20 BD: (Daniel) We始ve been years ago in a smoky writing for so long that its bar, I was out with some kind of who we are and girlfriends and Daniel

cussionist, and backup singers Jools Holland style; everyone always sounds so great on his show! Instead, what we have done is stripped down the songs to be able to play them with three people. Daniel MUEN: DO YOU FEEL plays the acoustic, Jacob YOUR CURRENT LIVE on bass, and myself on vocals. We have chosen LINEUP PERFORMS YOUR MUSIC AS YOU to perform the songs that HAVE WRITTEN IT OR can stand on their own and still have the power IS THAT STILL BEING without all the bells and REFINED? whistles. Some songs have some percussion BD: (Paula) Our dream tracks and /or ambient would be to be able to have a full band, an extra tracks playing on our pianist, rhythm guitarist, iPod. It has the feel of an orchestra, scratcher, per- unplugged set. We break had decided to go out and have a beer after hitting a writer始s block. I guess you could say it was fate, within a few weeks were writing songs together, and the rest is history.


out the stools, rope lights, and candles and an artsy Bill Domonkos video projected behind us with moody film noir stock footage jacked up in only the way he can. It feels intimate, naked.

MUEN: YOU DEFINITELY HAVE A SYNERGY OF ART AND MUSIC. DO YOU FEEL YOUR ART IS EXPRESSED COMPLETELY IN YOUR MUSIC?

BD: (Daniel) Although the art and music have been synergistic over the years, there will always be limitations and modes of expression that the other lacks. This may be what keep the two interesting is that one picks up where the other leaves off. MUEN: YOUR SITES DESCRIBE YOUR MUSIC AS HAUNTING, BUT HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR MUSIC TO SOMEONE THAT HAS NOT HEARD IT SO THEY CAN RECOGNIZE IT ON SO MANY THINGS THEY HAVE WATCHED?

BD: (Paula) We have described out music as art music only because there is a general feeling of stillness or seriousness to it as one may feel while looking at a piece of art. You not only get an immediate vibe of

the mood, but the more you look, the more it will reveal itself on a subconscious level. Often times it is used at the most somber or serious moment in a film, documentary, or reality show, such as the final battle scene in “The Last Stand of the 300,” or the final moments of “Flight 175: As The World Watched” about September 11th, or when Steven Adler falls off the wagon on “Celebrity Rehab.” Look for us on the last five minutes of any show. You may have seen the VH1 Autism Rocks PSA with Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, Steven Tyler and many other rock stars, which features our song “Sometime Soon.” The ʻhauntingʼ element of our music translates on the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack for Clive Barkerʼs “Midnight Meat Train,” where weʼre featured on “Whenever We Come Back.” Somehow, there is an appeal for producers to pick up our music for shows about the Devilʼs Triangle, the Illuminati, or secret societies, anything mysterious or somber.

MUEN: YOU HAVE YOUR MUSIC LICENSED FOR MORE PROJECTS THAN I HAVE EVER SEEN ANY BAND DO. HOW DID SO MANY OF THESE COME ABOUT?

BD: (Daniel) A few years back we signed with a licensing company who licensed our entire catalog. The placements started pouring in. We were lucky to still own our publishing and to get in while the industry was getting hot.

MUEN: VERY WISE OF YOU TO DO! YOU HAVE FIVE CDʼS THAT HAVE BEEN OUT THERE WITH OBVIOUSLY SOME GREAT ATTENTION TO THEM. I UNDERSTAND YOU ARE WORKING ON YOUR SIXTH ALBUM. WHAT WILL IT BE LIKE?

Publishing.com, iTunes, and gobs of online stores.

MUEN: HAS THE RECORDING AND PRODUCTION OF THIS CD BEEN DONE ANY DIFFERENTLY AND IF SO HOW?

BD: (Daniel) Weʼve been playing the unplugged live shows and were inspired to strip it down and write with this in mind. Daniel wrote on the guitar instead of piano and kept the keyboards to a minimum. He focused more on the sound of the guitar filling the spaces that piano or BD: (Paula) Our sixth re- strings may fill and used an EBow on some lease, “Breathing Spell” is a raw interpretation of songs, the sound is remithe current ebb and flow niscent of Robin Guthrie, Kevin Shields, and David of our lives. We had no intention of actually writ- Sylvianʼs “Gone To Earth.” In “Breathing ing a new album and Spell, there are moments when our son went to Australia for three weeks, of swirling mass amidst a dusty western quietness we wrote one song and that reflects a sort of never looked back. We sepia drenched Gothic went into this manic Victorian landscape. phase as we often do during a project. Itʼs betMUEN: AN INTEGRAL ter than drugs. PART OF THE BAND IS THE VISUAL ART ASMUEN: WHEN WILL PECT OF IT BY THE LATEST CD BE OUT AND WHERE CAN DANIEL. HOW DOES THAT TIE IN TO THE PEOPLE BUY IT? COMPOSITION AND THE PERFORMANCE BD: (Daniel) We just OF THE MUSIC? booked our mastering session in LA for the end BD: (Paula) Like Danielʼs of September so weʼre artwork, we like to set a projecting a November mood by making the release. The album will be available at Mysticus- shows artistic with video,


special lighting, candles, etc. We even went as far as to design a stage at the Historic Hotel Congress. You can check it out on Danielʼs website.

wide- open spaces for your imagination to run wild. The desert can be an unforgiving place with the unyielding heat, prickly landscape, and venomous cohabitants, MUEN: I UNDERSTAND which we feel over the THAT PAULA WRITES years has made its way LYRICS AND into the music and art we MELODIES MOSTLY create. While it toughens BUT WHO COMES UP you, youʼre still always on WITH THE CONCEPT guard. There is someOF A SONG AND HOW thing mystical about this DOES THE WRITING place, stemming from the PROCESS HAPPEN? melding of the Native American spiritual herBD: (Paula) Writing gen- itage with the conquering erally starts with Daniel of the Spanish Conquisplaying chords and if Iʼm tadores, who introduced around I may give some Catholicism and later the input as to the changes. Gothic Victorians who He records the basic settled in the Wild West. structure of the song and I throw down a vocal MUEN: WHAT IS ON melody and lyrics, we THE SCHEDULE FOR both edit the song as YOU FOR THE REST needed after that. Some- OF 2009? times we capture a magic on the first take and it BD: (Daniel) We foresee goes directly to mixing the rest of 2009 as a culand other times we work mination of some exiting the song until it evolves projects that have begun into something else. this year. Weʼll be promoting the new album MUEN: CHANGING A and working on two pubBIT, YOU LIVE IN TUC- lic art projects for the AriSON. DO YOU FEEL zona Light Rail in THAT HAS ENABLED Phoenix. I am also workYOU TO BE MORE ing on designing a piece PROLIFIC AND ALSO for the Low Brow Tarot FEED THAT VISUAL Deck, a project in which ARTISTIC SIDE BEING Iʼll be creating the back THERE? card image for the entire deck. I recently painted a BD: (Paula) Tucson is a skateboard deck that great place to create. It was exhibited in Phoenix had fed us artistically and for “Deck III” sponsored has added a flavor to our by Red Bull, which was music. There are little stolen off the wall at the distractions here, just opening, the paint wasnʼt

about creating a game featuring Danielʼs artwork and Blind Divineʼs music and decided the iPhone game is a perfect opportunity to do that. Itʼs in MUEN: I KNOW THERE the works now and we expect should be ready IS TO BE SOME MAJOR ART EXHIBITS for release by the beginning of 2010. IN 2010 BY DANIEL. WHERE ARE THEY MUEN: DO ANY OF GOING TO BE AND WILL THE BAND PLAY YOU EVER GET ANY TIME OFF AND IF SO AT ANY OF THESE? WHAT DO YOU DO FOR FUN? BD: (Paula) We plan to perform at the opening BD: (Daniel) Create. receptions at Yves Laroche Gallery in Mon- Spend time with family. treal in June and in No- Create. Go to movies. Create. We really love vember at Mondo Bizzarro Gallery in Rome what we do, so we actually have fun working all where Daniel will have night to hit a deadline. solo exhibitions. Because we have so many different creative MUEN: YOU HAVE outlets thereʼs never a SUCH A MULTI-TALdull moment and it keeps ENTED BAND THAT us excited about the next YOU ALSO HAVE A project. GAME IN DEVELOPMENT FOR THE MUEN: THANKS FOR IPHONE THAT FEATAKING THE TIME TO TURES YOUR MUSIC. HOW DID THAT COME TALK. LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING AND ABOUT AND WILL IT BE ONE MORE MAJOR HEARING HOW ALL THESE ELEMENTS OUTLET FOR YOUR MUSIC TO BE HEARD? CONTINUE TO EVOLVE FOR BLIND DIVINE. BD: (Paula) Thank you. BD: Thanks Mac. Jacob Stevens is not only an amazing bass player, he is the CEO of RiverMan Media, a gaming company that he heads with his brother Paul, which has created games for Nintendo and the iPhone. We have been throwing around the idea for a few years even dry yet. We had planned on keeping it for our private collection. Weʼll also be working on trying to get that back!



RIVERBEND Seattle, WA


Interview by: Macavity

thour called it quits, and one day I called Izzy and said, "Hey we should start a band, man." I had no idea that Cody had been talking to him about doing the same thing, and one day they showed up at my apartment and RiverBend was born. After we got the early tunes going, we enlisted a hell of a bassist named Bryan Seeley (we call him BB), whose musicianship and stellar personality really completed our lineup. We began playing shows all over the Seattle area, gained some recognition from the local radio, and things have been going well ever since.

Izzy: LA was an experience I will never forget RiverBend is a collection both humbling and eye of talented musicians that opening. It taught us all a are making a name in the lot about each other as Seattle area and beyond. well as life on the road. We had the great luck to We met some incredible catch up to Izzy (lead vopeople who helped us cals and guitars), Jesse move a little further to(lead guitar and vocals), ward our goals as a band. Bryan “BB” (bass and voJesse: Our LA shows cals) and Cody (drums) to were a real affirmation to find out more about what us. It really opened our has been happening and eyes to the possibilities of what is in store for Riverthe band and what we Bend. could do out on the road. Playing to a capacity Hi guys. Thanks for talkcrowd at The Knitting ing to MUEN today about Factory in Hollywood was RiverBend. a total trip! Loved every minute of it. Cody: Yeah, RiverBend: Thank YOU we played at the Knitting for the time and interest Factory in Hollywood with in interviewing us. Weʼve Jon Pleeter of CAA and read previous issues of MUEN: YOU PLAY A the legendary Susan SilMUEN and are honored LOT OF SHOWS IN THE ver in attendance. Amazto be included among NORTHWEST. DO YOU ing! It was fun to get bands we consider to HAVE PLANS TO down there and experiKICK ASS. BRING YOUR SOUNDS ence a different scene. TO MORE AREAS AND Fans and family actually MUEN: FROM WHAT I WHEN? flew down for the show. CAN TELL YOU HAVE Things move a little faster BEEN TOGETHER FOR Cody: We are looking into down there, it was a good ABOUT 4 YEARS. HOW doing that pretty quick time. DID YOU ALL GET TO- here. We wanted to make GETHER? sure that we were comMUEN: WHAT BANDS pletely established where MOST INFLUENCE YOU Jesse: We went to high we are from, so if we take IN YOUR CREATIVE school together, with the off for four months we SOUND AS IT IS NOT exception of BB. We can still come back to a THE TYPICAL SEATTLE played in a few different crowd. Jesse: We plan to GRUNGE SOUNDS? configurations over the tour the world via the inyears. Cody and Izzy ternet...no, seriously, we Cody: I thing we all draw were a part of a group will tour the next record from different backcalled Eleventhour after which should be out early grounds as far as what high school which had BB next year...no dates yet. we were raised on, but I on the bass. He was playthink a few staples for the ing with Brandi Carlile be- MUEN: YOU DID DO band are Alice, CSNY, forehand. I was playing in SOME SHOWS IN L.A. STP, Zepplin, etc. weʼre a band called Remedy IN 2008. HOW WAS all over the map really. I which broke up around THAT EXPERIENCE? do think that we carry the the same time as ElevenSeattle sound with us to

some extent. Itʼs our favorite era of music. BB: My personal influences are Iʼm sure a bit different from the guys. I grew up with the favorites, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Silverchair, AIC, all the classics. But musically, my influences are Red Hot Chili peppers, Jaco Pastorius, Miles Davis, Victor Wooten, and a lot of old jazz. As I studied it intensely for a few years before rock came back and grabbed me and shook some sense into me. All of us seem to have a connection to the old classic rock. Southern, British, west coast, and east coast.

MUEN: HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR SOUNDS TO SOMEONE THAT HAS NOT HEARD YOUR EP OR SEEN YOU LIVE?

Jesse: Heavy-ass rock with a lot of truth behind our words and melodies. Edgy but oddly contemporary. Our sound is dynamic, as far as the changes in our songs and from song-to-song. Somehow we manage to cross over a few different genres, so we get fans of all ages, from all walks of life. BB: We have all the creative elements of a good hard rock band; groove, melody, meter, and a killer vocalist. But we add an element that gives it a bit of a different tone with Swamp. Hippie, hippie swamp.


MUEN: ONE THING I DID NOTICE IS THAT YOU PLAY SEVERAL BENEFIT SHOWS FOR CHARITABLE CAUSES THAT INCLUDED SHARING A STAGE WITH TANTRIC AND OTHER GREAT BANDS. THAT IS VERY ADMIRABLE ESPECIALLY FOR AN UNSIGNED BAND TO DO. IS THERE A PARTICULAR AFFILIATION WITH THESE CHARITIES?

MUEN: YOU ARE NOMINATED AGAIN AND CAME IN THE TOP FIVE LAST YEAR FOR KINGS TV BEST OF WESTERN WASHINGTON BAND. HOW DID THIS NOMINATION COME ABOUT AND HOW CAN FANS HELP YOU REACH THE TOP SPOT THIS YEAR?

Jesse: Well, we've been nominated by our fans two years in a row for this honor, and received great recognition for placing 3rd BB: Layne Staley Fund as the highest ranking unapproached us a few signed original band last years ago with opening year. VOTE! Izzy: Yes! the tribute. Seemed like a Yes! Yes! Vote for Riverwin/win situation. Huge Bend King 5's Best of crowd, national touring Western Washington. We act was headlining. It need all the love we can wasnʼt really until Nancy get. And a little bit more! McCallum, (Layneʼs mother) invited us to MUEN: CHANGING A come have a BBQ at her BIT, YOUR DEBUT home after the tribute SELF-TITLED EP CAME weekend that it really hit OUT IN FEBRUARY. home. Soon we were ARE YOU IN THE talking about her son, his WORKS ON A FULL band, and his life. It defi- LENGTH? nitely impacted me that this tribute and fundraiser Cody: Yes we are, we for helping keep people have some money saved off drugs was a good and we just got a silent thing. The rest was just a backer to help with the fibonus. Cody: Our man- nances. Weʼre hoping to ager, Jamie co-founded get back into the studio the Layne Staley Fund this winter or spring. We with Layne's mother, are looking at studios and Nancy so were very innegotiating pricing. volved with that charity for that reason and beMUEN: WITH ALL THE cause Alice is probably LIVE SHOWS AND EXthe band we can all agree PERIENCES YOU HAVE is fucking amazing. We HAD, WILL THE SOUND play a lot of random char- CHANGE ON YOUR ity shows for different FULL CD AND IF SO causes all the time. HOW?

Jesse: Well, itʼs still the same RiverBend, a little older, a little wiser; or not, depending on how you look at it. We are ready to make another kickass CD. We hope to deliver a powerhouse record which will rock our current fans' socks off and hopefully bring us a larger, broader fanbase. Our music is about our lives and our friends and experiences and we're here to bring our sound to the world, if they'll have us. BB: I think so. I would never change anything about our EP. We got exactly what we wanted out of that record. A very live, big, Seattle sound. The next record will have a bit more money behind it. Meaning more time to record and experiment. Our EP was a ʻgogogogogo!ʼ sort of recording. Which was awesome at the time, but I definitely want to spend more time on this record.

Cody: I'd say we all bring our own style to the table in the songs. The skeleton of the songs thus far has been brought to the band by Izzy or me, but the songs really take shape when they get rehearsed. Weʼve always been really good with bouncing ideas off of each other, thatʼs where I think we excel the most as a band, is finding that balance between staying true to the song, and still making sure the hooks are in there. MUEN: YOU HAVE SOME LIVE PERFORMANCE VIDEOS FROM SHOWS. ARE THERE PLANS FOR A VIDEO TO SHOWCASE YOUR SINGLE “HEAVEN INSIDE” OR ANY OTHER TRACK OFF THE EP?

Jesse: We've talked about shooting a video in the future for "Heaven Inside" and it sounds like a great idea but we've yet MUEN: WHERE CAN to set the ball in moPEOPLE GET YOUR EP tion...these things take OTHER THAN YOUR time. SHOWS? MUEN: HOW USEFUL Cody: Our EP is available HAS MYSPACE BEEN for download on iTunes TO THE PROMOTION or Amazon. You can also OF THE BAND? send us a message on our MySpace and we will Jesse: MySpace has have one shipped out to been our best friend from you day one. It has been an invaluable tool for promoMUEN: WHO WRITES tion, networking, booking, THE MUSIC FOR THE and communication with BAND AND HOW DOES our fans. Who knows IT ALL COME TOwhere we'd be without it?! GETHER SO WELL? BB: As Iʼm sure everyone


says you really move at the pace of a stoned snail without MySpace. Communication is key. It just allows a fast paced communication to a wide array of people. Fans, labels, and venues. Cody: MySpace has been a godsend. The marketing and networking potential on a forum like MySpace, or Facebook is endless. You can get as much out of it as you put in. MUEN: WHAT MORE SHOULD WE EXPECT TO SEE FROM RIVERBEND FOR THE REST OF 2009 OTHER THAN THE SEATTLE AND NORTHWEST AREA SHOWS?

Iʼm not really at liberty to say until itʼs all a go, but Jamie is busy at work, negotiating with a label or two.

MUEN: FOR THOSE LOYAL FANS THAT SEE YOU LIVE SO OFTEN, TELL THEM ONE THING THEY DONʼT KNOW ABOUT THE BAND THAT WOULD INTRIGUE OR SURPRISE THEM.

Jesse: We're all a bunch of dorks. Closeted movienerds and internet junkies who rock out as much as we can. We are nowhere near as cool as the people who come to see us. I hope they don't figure it out. BB: Izzy doesnʼt Cody: Honestly weʼll know how to work his probably slowdown a little amp. Lots of knobs and bit and start adding some buttons. extra rehearsals to the schedule to prepare for MUEN: IS THERE ANYthe album. A full length is THING I HAVE NOT a timely project, and ASKED THAT YOU when on a budget and THINK OUR READERS time being money, we WOULD LIKE TO KNOW need to be able to capABOUT RIVERBEND? ture everything in a few takes to leave ample time Jesse: We've been and money for mix, post, around for a few years, and mastering. seen a lot of faces in the crowd, rocked them all, MUEN: WHAT IS ALand RiverBend is here to READY PLANNED FOR stay. We love our fans, 2010 FOR THE BAND? and we hope they still love us. BB: We love Cody: The CD is the big what we do. Itʼs very rare thing; I think were all rewhen you get a group of ally excited for that. We guys together to play will probably end up music, and they break up shooting a video as well. within a few years. We Hopefully getting out on have all been friends for the road as well. We have over a decade. We will a few things in the works, keep rocking if you all

keep listening. Cody: Weʼre really not as depressing as we might sound at times; weʼre actually kind of goofy.

Thanks guys for taking the time to talk with MUEN today. Looking forward to see what you do next.

BB: Thanks for having us!


By Nick St. Onge


The Color Morale Garret Rapp

MUEN: Listen up MUEN Readers!!! Straight out of Rockford, Illinois... One of the newest members of the Rise Records family... With the new album "We All Have Demons" just dropped on September 2nd... Here is The Color Morale: a hard hitting, riffheavy band that'll still make the girlies swoon.

MUEN: THANKS FOR TALKING TO US TODAY GUYS! CAN I ASK HOW YOU CAME UP WITH THE NAME THE COLOR MORALE, AND WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

The Color Morale was just a general statement we wanted to make that was somewhat metaphorical of our mission statement as a band. The word "Color" refers to adding a sense of optimism or life to our current grey surroundings. "Morale" refers to holding fast to the common moral that people seem to lack anymore in society. Some of the situations kids have to deal with on a daily basis have become so outweighing, we wanted this band to be our way to connect and offer some sort of hope. That's what this band is to us, that's what we want it to be to others. We wanted a title that was simple and meaningful.

MUEN: HOW LONG HAVE YOU GUYS BEEN PLAYING TOGETHER AS A GROUP, AND HOW DID YOU ALL MEET?

were. We are not industry musicians, we had no idea what to do at that point. We then held off on releasing that ep, and we were directed to shop the Steve and I have been album around. In the playing together for about midst of shopping, five years. Four of us Matthew at Rise actually were all in a band prior to came to us wanting to this one and decided that know the situation as well. we were happy with the Months later we had felt music or purpose in what that Rise was the best fit we were doing, so about a for where we were and little over a year ago we where we wanted to go started The Color Morale. together. We couldn't be It was Steve, myself, happier with that choice Ramon, and John after and we couldn't be more numerous lineup thankful of our manager. changes, and we later acquired Justin. We had fi- MUEN: CAN YOU EXnally felt confident in our PLAIN TO OUR READsound and our direction ERS A LITTLE BIT so we decided to put ABOUT YOUR SONG everything we had into STYLE AND WHAT TO pursuing our dreams. EXPECT FROM THIS ALBUM? ALSO, THE MUEN: THE NEW BANDS WHO HAVE HAD ALBUM "WE ALL HAVE AN INFLUENCE ON DEMONS" WAS JUST YOUR SOUND? RELEASED UNDER RISE RECORDS. HOW We are collectively heavDID THE COLOR ily influenced by alot of diMORALE HOOK UP verse artists. I can say as WITH RISE? AND HOW a whole that we draw DOES IT FEEL NOW, huge reference from Life AFTER ALL THE HARD in your way, Beloved, and WORK, BEING ON THE Misery Signals. At the RISE ROSTER? same time, we wanted to craft something very We had recorded six unique that ultimately songs with Joey Sturgis sounded like "us." We and posted a demo of a tend to write what we feel, song called "Humanthat's the best kind of nequin." We quickly got music in my opinion. quite a bit of attention upon posting. Our (now MUEN: WILL YOU TELL current) manager was the ME A BIT ABOUT WRITfirst that came to us stat- ING THE ALBUM AND ing that he heard someYOUR COMPOSITIONAL thing unique and wanted PROCESS AS A BAND? to know what our plans

When we all sit and write together it's not about one person. That was the biggest tool we learned upon depletion of our old band, especially when we are all so heavily influenced by different artists. That gives you an opportunity to really create something unique. We always just try to be as original as possible and never compromise sincerity in our music, be it vocally or musically. MUEN: I UNDERSTAND THIS IS YOUR DEBUT ALBUM. HOW DID THE BAND ADJUST TO BEING IN A STUDIO ENVIRONMENT AS OPPOSED TO THE PRACTICE OR LIVE SHOW ENVIRONMENT?

The studio was a huge learning experience for us. It was really the first professional studio experience on that level that we've ever had. I personally had a pretty big struggle doing all of the singing and screaming together in a pretty short time frame. I know we weren't really used to recording like we did. We were super stoked to record with Joey Sturgis though, Joey is awesome. MUEN: AND HOW WAS IT RECORDING AT THE FOUNDATION WITH JOEY STURGIS, PRODUCER OF SUCH BANDS AS THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA AND MISS MAY I?


It's rare when you come across guys so dedicated to what they do. Joey seriously works every single day of his life, nonstop. He always pushed himself to progress in what he's doing to. You can hear that in his newest projects (new prada, plea for purging, Miss May I, and for the fallen dreams). Joey makes an album an experience, which sets him apart from alot of producers. MUEN: I FEEL YOUR MUSIC IS A BALANCED STRUGGLE BETWEEN THE HEAVY AND THE MELODIC, THE DARK AND THE LIGHT. HOW DOES THIS REFLECT YOUR LIVES/PERSONALITIES?

MENTS OF SOUND WE ENJOY OURSELVES." DO YOU FEEL YOU'VE ACCOMPLISHED THIS GOAL, AND HOW?

I feel on this album that we did a pretty good job of that. While we are very overcritical musicians and constantly search for ways to improve and progress, I feel that the music reflects the title and the meaning reflects our purpose. We are super excited for our next album already and ideas have begun circulating. Currently, we are just stoked to be going out on tour with friends and learning life on the road.

TEMPTING TO MAKE A BETTER CONNECTION TO THEIR AUDIENCE?

Honestly I would just say try actually caring about your audience. The feeling of reward and thankfulness I get while standing on stage looking out is surreal. I want to play as hard as i possibly can, and remain honest in doing so. If your music means nothing, it's probably worth nothing. When we write a lyric and hear kids sing it back to us, we feel like were doing something meaningful. I have had some pretty awesome conversations already with kids sharing what our music has done to them and their life. Their isn't a great reward God could ever give me over hearing what I've heard.

MUEN: I HEAR THE BAND IS GOING ON TOUR WITH ATTACK ATThis album is just that, it's TACK! THIS FALL. ARE a reflection of our strugYOU EXCITED FOR gles and the hope and THIS OPPORTUNITY? faith that pull us through AND WHERE CAN WE MUEN: IN A BLOG, YOU them. Each of us have EXPECT TO SEE YOU? ALSO REFERENCE A dealt with very difficult SHOW WHERE "..I WAS and intense strangleholds We are SUPER excited LEFT QUESTIONING IF in our lives and we each about this. It's crazy to go KIDS WERE IN THE coincide in each other to- from Canada, to Florida, ROOM FOR THE MUSIC wards the future. This to Texas, to Cali and OR FOR THE PARADE." band is our way of taking home on your first real DO YOU THINK IT'S our negative experiences tour. And to go out with HARDER NOW FOR A and using them as a muour friends in Attack! is GOOD BAND TO MAKE sical outlet in hopes of even better, I've already IT WITHOUT THE "PAhelping or changing the brainstormed on how to RADE"? lives of others. build my bromance with It's very hard to make it Johnny. MUEN: ON THE ALBUM without all the bells and whistles. I think it takes a YOU WERE LOOKING MUEN: THE COLOR TO "...KEEP EVERYMORALE'S LIVE SHOW combination of humility, smart music, and honesty THING AS REAL AND SEEMS TO BE VERY for a band like us. The HONEST AS WE HIGH-ENERGY AND fact that there are tens of COULD, WHILE STILL CROWD FRIENDLY. BREACHING EVERY AS- WHAT ADVICE WOULD thousands of bands out there trying to do the PECT OF WHAT ELEYOU GIVE A BAND AT-

same thing as you makes the industry very hard to get noticed in. We never want to compromise our own integrity or write music influenced solely on popularity or commerce. While being financially comfortable is ideal, I still would want to be able to sleep at night as well. We just set out to write music we needed to write and felt people needed to hear. There is still so so much we want to accomplish as a band in our future records, we can't wait. MUEN: WHERE DO YOU ALL ENVISION THE COLOR MORALE ONE YEAR FROM NOW? ...three years from now?

To be honest, not really sure. We're just keeping close to our faith and promise that we have made to each other. I know that as time progresses we will push ourselves to progress. Realistically I think a dream come true would be having a song on the Dumb and Dumber 2 soundtrack. Jim Carey and Jeff Daniels would be all over our music video; no there won't be anyone else playing starring roles in D&D2...this is my dream damnit! Thanks so much for the interview guys, have a great week!


lows guitarists like him to be backed by some of the most famous rock drummers.

"Sonoma Wire Works was the unanimous choice of our review team," said Chris Purcell of Submersible. "We particularly appreciated their sincere and enthusiastic presentation here in Seattle. Part of our quest was to find a good home for DrumCore, where it could move up to the next level of technology and market presence. Sonoma Wire Works really resonated with us."

Sonoma Wire Works Acquires DrumCore, KitCore and Famous Drummer Content

--Sonoma Wire Works purchases entire Submersible Music product line, including awardwinning DrumCore and KitCore featuring grooves and instrument sounds by famous drummers.-Los Altos, CA - October 8th, 2009 - Sonoma Wire Works, makers of RiffWorks recording

Sonoma Wire Works founder Doug Wright said the purchase will be good for existing customers of Submersible and Sonoma Wire Works. "We think Submersible customers will love our plans for integrating Sonoma technologies into future DrumCore versions," he said. "We know that our RiffWorks and InstantDrummer community will love the premium grooves offered by this huge variety of pro drummers."

software and the FourTrack and InstantDrummer iPhone Apps, has acquired the entire Submersible Music product line, including the award-winning DrumCore and KitCore software and drum content. Submersible was created by Paul Allen, the philanthropist and Microsoft co-founder, to help him in his own songwriting. The company's products realized his goal of a great-sounding, accessible drum tool that al- About DrumCore and

KitCore

DrumCore gives songwriters and composers access to grooves and instrument sounds of over a dozen famous drummers and percussionists. It includes a groove library of both audio loops and MIDI files plus a VST/AU/RTAS software instrument loaded with the drummers' sounds for Mac and PC. KitCore and KitCore Deluxe offer most of the features found in DrumCore, but include only the MIDI content (grooves and a drum instrument). http://www.drumcore.co m Content is arranged into song-like GrooveSets, that group related loops, fills and variations together and supports typical song variations for verse/chorus/etc. It supports searching via metadata that includes drummer, musical style and "Feel," including shuffle, swing, 1/8th, 1/16th, etc. Grooves and instrument sounds can be used in most popular music/recording applications.


... mind, body, and spirit in a maze of circular logic struggling to speak over one another's manipulative semantics and selfish need for dominance, lest it be swept away by its own brevity and debility~

Lightning is flashing like a strobe and spreading out like veins across the sky . Simply beautiful and calming. Perfect backdrop for a discussion with you Madame.

MUEN: I ALWAYS ASK ABOUT BAND NAMES AND NOW I WILL HAVE TO ASK YOU WHAT DOES "PLOY OF ORACLE" MEAN FOR YOU? WHAT DOES IT REPRESENT? I KNOW WHAT IT MEANS BUT THERE ARE MANY OUT THERE WHO DO NOT.

PLOY OF ORACLE Dallas, Texas

By BC Blonde

October 2009

MUEN: HI GREG, IT'S GOOD TO BE ABLE TO HOOK UP

well, as a solo artist who does my work under a band name and concept, I felt it was really important to choose a name that was reflective of the point of my work and what I am ultimately trying to achieve with it. The name Ploy of AND SEE WHAT始S mer storm, listening to Oracle is more or less GOING drops falling on a a paradoxical repreON WITH YOU IN metal roof with an sentation of the way I DALLAS! SO WHAT thunder crawling like a view the motives of IS GOING ON OVER chamber orchestra. the human mind, THERE THESE Each roaring crack which is the foundaDAYS? chasing the next until tion of my concentrait fades out and gives tion. We all have My pleasure BC. I始m way to next burst of some form of ausitting outback enjoy- pressure that transtonomous sense of ing the smell of a sum- forms the atmosphere. self, or personality


based on our ideas, opinions, and views of the world and its inhabitants as we see it. In a sense this is oneʼs own “oracle” and each is unique in their own right. In some manner, whether it is on a grand scale or not, I believe people have a need to express themselves in way that shows their individuality and most long to be loved or accepted for who they are. I have always felt that a band, or an artist, is the pinnacle of this. All of us have a different purpose for what we do. Each a different voice, message, style, or attitude. Whether you want to be a huge commercial success or an underground respected cult icon we still have to reach out and try to create something that is unique and that lures people to your work. So in a sense we are often devising a way to capture anotherʼs attention and mind in order to share our work. I see this as our “ploy”. That is how the name came about, and what it ultimately means to me.

MUEN: HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN ACTIVELY PURSUING YOUR MUSICAL CAREER? HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE JOURNEY?

well , I would say I have done this completely backwards when compared to most bands or artists, and I am not sure if that helps me or hurts me. I have been writing the songs and stories that became this album, and will also become the next 2, over a span of 9 years. I made some decisions as a young man that caused me to put this dream on the shelf a few times. When I was around 23 I read a quote by Abraham Lincoln that I turned into my mantra for being patient with my career as a musician. He said, “ If I had 6 hours to chop down a tree, I would spend the first 4 sharpening the axe.” It all made sense to me that I had to plan my work and work my plan. I've spent the last 6 years more or less living and learning from mistakes, and

right word when speaking of all the instruments except for the guitar. Piano, keyboards, bass, and even singing are not my strong suits. I am a guitarist first and foremost. By no means though have I even become close to mastering it. I donʼt really think anyone can ever master the guitar. I think Hendrix, Jimmy Page and Stevie Ray Vaughn were the closest, and I feel that came more from the mastery they had within themselves to let the instrument speak for them. There are a lot of great players from a technical side of the guitar, but the guitar players who touch me the most are the ones that even though someone can play their work, it just doesnʼt sound the same being played by anyone else. Their MUEN: GREG, YOU aura attached to it is PLAY SEVERAL IN- what makes them so special. I will never STRUMENTS ON forget the moment I THIS ALBUM knew I wanted to play WHEREAS MOST PEOPLE ONLY MAS- a guitar. I was 9 years TER ONE. WHEN DID old. I saw Guns n YOU FIRST PICK UP Roses video for “Welcome to the Jungle” THE GUITAR? on MTV; back when MTV actually played “Play” is really the growing as a person and a musician. This past year I decided it was time to do this, and I virtually came out of nowhere with this record on May 29th 2009. So it has been less than 6 months. I never wanted to just throw something out there just to say I did it. I wanted to make sure the timing was right for me and the work. So far, this part of the journey has been rewarding, humbling, and educational; mostly in a business sense. I am reassured daily, as sad as it is, this is no doubt a business. One in which I am learning more and more about each day, and thus far I have been fortunate to meet some great people. I have a lot of exciting things coming up in the next few months.


music videos. That was it for me. I begged my dad to buy me one. We didnʼt really have a lot of money, and I donʼt think it would have mattered at that time even if we had. I borrowed one from a friend for about a year. It was just too hard. I didnʼt have the drive or the patience, so I gave it back. A few years later I bought one with some money I saved up. Same story. It just sat there for the most part. Around 16, I had really got into music, and I was starting to experiment with all the things most teenagers do. All I thought about was being able to play the guitar, so I finally decided I was ready to learn. Just sat it my room and tried to figure it out. For hours on end. Day in and day out. I shared a room with my younger brother and he would beg me to shot off the amp and go to bed, so he could sleep in peace. I literally stayed up all night. I would try and play along with albums of bands I loved. Learning each part of the

songs. As I got better, I just kept going up the ladder. Once I was playing Hendrix and Zeppelin and artists like that, I started to get more confident as a player and that is when I started exploring my own sound, and writing my own songs. I still play about 3-4 hours every day, and I am still getting better every day, and have a long way to improve as a player.

and boots. If I had to pick one genre that would be hard, because the songs could fall in Rock, Blues, Metal, or Alternative. I really donʼt think about what the style is when I write a song. All I care about is that the music fits with the story I am trying to tell. Each song is itʼs on story, and they are all part of a bigger story. All the songs for the next record are written. The heavier MUEN: HOW DO songs are much heavYOU DESCRIBE ier and far more proYOUR MUSICAL gressive. the bluesy STYLE? songs are much more of a traditional blues In my mind I am a style, and the slower blues rock artist. (softer songs) are When I write an initial even slower and riff, that goes on to be softer. So, my style a song , it almost alwill become more apways starts out as parent; I am just not simple blues chords. sure what exactly it The more I play with it, will be called. I am and let my feelings comfortable with “Rock and Roll”. That pour into the idea, it allows me a broad kind of morphs and eventually comes out brush. a lot heavier in structure. I hear the word MUEN: WHAT HAS “southern rock” from a BEEN YOUR MOST lot of fans, peers, and DEFINITE MOTIVATOR IN MAKING people within the AND PRODUCING music industry, but I am always curious if THIS ALBUM? that is solely due to There were a lot of the fact that I live in Texas, and wear a hat factors that motivated

me. Doubt, fear of regret, naysayers, pursuing a dream I have had since I was young, putting my past behind me, and dealing with all the thoughts and pain I was still going through. i guess if I had to choose the most definite motivator, it was pain. I have been through a lot in my life. making this album was by far the hardest thing I have ever done. it was something that had to do for me. It may be just another record from just another artist; sent out into a over flooded industry. However to me, and those who are close to me( that know what I have been through, and what I went through to make this album) and all who were a part of it, It was so much more. I feel it shows. MUEN: YOUR CD INSERT IS UNIQUELY PUT TOGETHER, IN THE PHYSICAL SENSE. VERY NICE. YOUR SONGS AND THE ORDER OF THE SONGS ARE ENTIRELY DIFFERENT


THAN WHAT I AM USED TO SEEING ON CD COVERS. IT'S RATHER COOL. WHERE DID THIS IDEA COME FROM IN SUCH A CREATION? AND THANK YOU FOR AUTOGRAPHING MINE.

You are quite welcome. This album told such a story, one that is so very real. One that is still unfinished. I let what style song it was, or how to make it flow musically, take the back seat. I focused more on the songs flowing within the story correctly. The more I looked at the album, and the story, as a whole, the more it just made sense. It had a play or operatic quality. The hardest part for me was thinking up I wanted to structure it visually. To word it tastefully. To show that it was not some joke or gimmick. Also, that the design and wording I came up with still required the listener to put it all together. that was just as important to me. I lot of thought went into it, and overall I was pleased with

how it turned out.

MUEN: YOUR SONGS TELL A STORY OF ADDICTIONS THAT YOU HAVE HAD IN THE PAST, IN FACT THE ENTIRE CD IS BASED UPON THIS. THAT'S SOME RAW MATERIAL THERE. REAL EMOTION FROM YOU AND YOUR MUSIC. COULD YOU PLEASE SHARE WITH ME AND OUR MUEN READERS WHAT EXACTLY WENT DOWN? TELL US ABOUT THE GOOD FIGHT OF A MAN CALLED GILL T. FREEMAN! AND HOW YOU TURNED THIS EXPERIENCE INTO A CREATIVE MEDIUM?

I will do my best to give you the facts. Otherwise, we could talk all day and night. which I am fine with, but I am sure you are a busy gal. Also, the fact that I am no one special just yet, leads me to believe that the readers would like me to spare the details. So here is pretty much the just of it. I was a drug addict/alcoholic. I

Made a lot of bad decisions and mistakes. Some I payed for more dearly than others, some I still indirectly pay for. About killed myself a few times, in a few different ways. Never tried to take my own life, but accidents, and brushes with death that came from foolish behavior and decisions, ego, and pride. It took me a little while to understand that I was the one causing all these problems for myself, and I had the power to change. It was a very bumpy road, but I did just that. The problem is life doesn始t stop just because you get clean, or become a better person. So then you have to learn how to live all over again in a sense. I have been 100% sober for 8 Years, and I am still learning every day. Life is hard; no matter who you are, where you are from, what you do, or what you have done. We always have the choice to have our life始s be what we want them to be. It始s just not going to be easy. It始s going to be a fight. One that is worth

it. This album represents not only the fight to grow up, and get clean, but it also represents doing something with my life that was not going to be easy. Which was take a dream, and try and make it real. Music was that dream, and it is what I focused on. This album gave me a chance to put all that behind me, and I have. As for Gill T. Freeman. That is more complex. That answer will come later. MUEN: HOW DID YOU FIND THE STRENGTH AND COURAGE TO DITCH IT ALL? I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE DECIDEDLY KEPT THE CIGS AND WOMEN THOUGH! YEAH WE ALL HAVE A LITTLE SOMETHIN' GOING ON DON'T WE? :LAUGHS:

(Laughs exhaling cigarette smoke) women? Who me? never. Yeah, we all have something, no doubt. Ditching it was a day to day battle. Just had to face the facts. Some people can do drugs and


drink and not mess up there life to the point where I did. Some canʼt. I am one of the ones who canʼt. I am an all or nothing type of person. I tried all, and it didnʼt work so well. Besides, at some point you get sick of hurting yourself, and others. At least I did. I got in enough trouble that I had no choice other then to quit for a while, and it gave me a chance to see what I was doing to myself, and others. When I had the chance to go back to that life, I decided not to. I have been focusing on music ever since.

voted to helping artist spread the work, and all the live shows and festivals you would think it would be simple to just jump on ship and set sail. It just doesnʼt work that way. You can always do better work. There is always someone better than you. That drives me a lot. I donʼt care if I am a starving artist forever. I am doing the only thing I want to do, and I love it. The most beneficial part, for me, is taking something that did not exist and turning it into a song that I believe in. The most rewarding part is sharing it with others, and having them tell you they MUEN: WHAT IS can relate to it, or that THE BEST PART OF they love it the same BEING A MUSICIAN? way you do. WHAT IS THE MOST BENEFICIAL PART MUEN: I CAN HEAR OF DOING WHAT AND SENSE THE YOU LOVE? PASSION, THE PAIN, AND SORROW IN Ploy of Oracle: YOUR The fact that there is MUSIC. I'VE ALWAYS no satisfaction. You FELT (QUITE LITERhave to earn it. In ALLY) THAT PAIN todayʼs music market HELPED ME IN MY good music is not CREATIVE PROJenough. You have to ECTS. WERE THERE put in the time and be TIMES LIKE THAT dedicated. Itʼs funny FOR YOU AS WELL? really. With all the different websites deIt is often said the only

2 things guaranteed in life are death and taxes. They should have thrown pain in there as well. It is just a basic part of life. Everyone has something going on, and the more people I meet the more I learn that we all really are the same. pain can often be a debilitating force for most. For an artist, poet, writer, or anyone who delves into any sort of creative medium; I think pain can drive you to do your best work and be not only therapeutic to yourself, but others. To feel pain means you feel. The alternative is a lifeless, apathetic, numb existence, and I would rather feel all the pain in the world and live to write about it, then be as a sheep waiting for the slaughter in that state of being.

MUEN: MY SECOND TO LAST QUESTION FOR YOU GREG IS ABOUT GOD. YOU THANK GOD ON YOUR ALBUM (AS WELL AS YOUR FANS) BUT YOU THANK GOD. HE DIDN'T WRITE, PRODUCE OR CON-

TRIBUTE LYRICALLY OR MUSICALLY TO IT. (I'VE GOT MY OWN ISSUES WITH RELIGION :LAUGHS:) JUST CURIOUS, SO ANSWER UP DARLIN'

Next question. Haha. No, I have no problem answering this question, and I am actually glad you asked it. this will give me an opportunity to go on record about this, and ATTEMPT to make my views, opinions, and beliefs clear. However, my answer will be a lengthy one, so just remember; you asked. This record is about the little devil on one shoulder and the little angel on the other. Most of us have each voice in our ears throughout our days. I try to always listen to that angel, but a lot of times I donʼt. I am far from perfect, but I seek to get better every day and be the best person I can be. My music is me. Flaws and all. A place I can let each go to the extreme. I not only find comfort in it, but I also hope it helps people relate to it as well. As for God, The truth


is this: I spent a good number of years studying all types of “religions”. even the years when I was using a variety of mind altering substances. My focus was pretty much always on exploration. Whether that was music, physcology, or spirituality. As I was getting clean, and changing my life, I guess you could say I went through a soul searching period, and I really explored many different avenues of thought, and myself. I wanted to know each at their core. I was more interested in tracing each one back to the actual men they were attached to. For example, Jesus, Buddha, or even more current figures such as the Dali lama, and Ghandi. The more I read and the more I delved into book after book, one thing became very clear to me. I could not judge any religion based off of the way the followers of it chose to live it. Meaning, in todayʼs world most forward thinking individuals who hear, or see, the word “God” almost always attach it to an

image of a man in a suit on a Sunday morning on television asking for money. I think that coupled with the cynical and judgmental nature of most who claim to be “religious” leave not only a foul taste in others mouth, but also defeat the very idea of “God” and togetherness. I consider myself a spiritual person. I believe in God. My decision to do so is based on personal experiences and faith. I have the upmost respect for the wisdoms of many religions, spiritual leaders, and prophets. I donʼt write directly about it, but I wonʼt hide it either. People have a right to believe what they want, and I am not trying to push it on anyone. If people chose to like me or dislike me on that alone there is not much I can do about that, nor will I lose a wink of sleep over it. I thanked God first, because I feel that force has helped me in this life, and everything I have gone through has shaped me and thus my music. MUEN: A QUOTE

OFF YOUR CD IS: "I DEDICATE THESE SONGS OF MINE TO BROKEN HEARTS AND TROUBLED MINDS. TO THOSE WHO LIE AWAKE AT NIGHT. TO THOSE WHO TREMBLE FULL OF FRIGHT. FOR HERE YOU'LL FIND A PLACE TO HIDE. A PLACE TO LEAVE YOUR PAIN BEHIND. FOR OPEN EARS AND OPEN EYES, THEIR ARMS ARE ALWAYS OPEN WIDE." SIGNED GREGORY A. BARDASIAN ~~THAT'S A PRETTY COOL DEDICATION THAT I THINK ALL OF US WITH BROKEN HEARTS AND TROUBLED MINDS CAN APPRECIATE.

wrote this album with these type of people in mind. If they can draw any type of solace, comfort, or escape from my work; even if just one other human is touched or inspired, then I have done what I set out to do , and I will consider it a success. Obviously, I want to share it with as many as I can. MUEN: THANK YOU GREG IT HAS BEEN A PLEASURE. MY BEST TO YOU AND GOOD LUCK WITH EVERYTHING. ROCK ON!

Pleasure has been all mine BC. I thank you for your time, your interest in my work, and the opportunity to share it and connect with the MUEN audiSometimes all it takes ence. I look forward to talking to you again is one person to be there for u, or believe in the near future. in you, and it can cheers! make all the difference it the world. If a person listens to this album , and is in this category of people , (as am I) they will know I meant these words. I hope the music will be enjoyed by all types of all backgrounds, but I


SHADOWS FALL

(Everblack Industries/Ferret Music)

Jason Bittner Springfield, MA

Myspace.com/shadowsfall

Itʼs nice to be here. MUEN: THERE IS A BRAND NEW ALBUM OUT CALLED RETRIBUTION. CONGRATULATIONS ON THAT. THIS IS YOUR SIXTH STUDIO ALBUM RIGHT? Yes

Yes, you pretty much summed it up in a nut shell on that, this album is darker, angrier and more aggressive than our past stuff. What it really reflects is the last two years of frustration that we have had as a band with the business, with labels, the economy and all the other shit that is going on in the world. I think it came out in our songwriting big time on the way it affected us.

MUEN: WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THIS RECORD AS BEING A By: Shauna OʼDonnell myspace.com/shaunasbandpage LITTLE ANGRIER, DARKER AND HEAVIER MUEN: HEY JASON THAN THOSE YOU THANKS FOR TALKING HAVE DONE IN THE “We didnʼt set out to write WITH ME TODAY!! this dark, angry, heavy PAST? album, but thatʼs just the

way it came about...”

It was just due to our outside influences and what has been going on with us. It seemed like that was the pattern that the album was going to take, and the songs started writing themselves once we got into it. We hit a flow and things worked out really well.

MUEN: YOU GUYS WROTE THIS ALBUM TOGETHER IN YOUR PRACTICE SPACE. WAS THIS THE FIRST TIME YOU HAVE DONE THAT?


We always write together as a band period. But what sets this album apart from the rest is we wrote more songs collectively as a band this time. We did more jamming in the practice room than we have in the past. For most of this bandʼs career, we havenʼt been a real “jam band.” We have never been that type of band. Paul and I have been pushing it a little more because we like the improv thing and we like farting around seeing what happens. What happened with this record is, someone would come in with a riff and someone would have something that would fit with it really cool. All of a sudden you have the A & B part and someone would come up with the C part. We are like “Alright, we have 65% of a song here. If we continue rolling down this road, we are going to get through this and we might have something really cool.” It really worked out in our favor this time around I think. MUEN: WERE THERE CREATIVE DIFFERENCES, HAVING TO DO WITH THE DIRECTION OF THE RECORD?

Not really, maybe a little on the last record. We may have been a little scattered on the direction we wanted to go in, but usually not. We are a

democracy first and foremost. Everyone has to agree on the final outcome or it doesnʼt hap-

pen. If four guys in the band like a song and the fifth one says “I donʼt really like that part right

there, maybe we should try something else.” That idea is always going to get tried. It will never be


“We donʼt care if you donʼt like it, majority rules.” It has to be something that we all agree on.

are just concentrating on Shadows Fall. Eventually, we are going to branch out and sign bands. You will see more of our side projects come out MUEN: WHAT ELSE DID through the Everblack YOU DO DIFFERENTLY label too. ON THIS RECORD THAT YOU HAD NOT MUEN: WHAT WAS THE DONE ON THE OTHINSPIRATION BEHIND ERS? STARTING YOUR OWN LABEL? This was the first time we had profanity on a record It was the next logical out of six records and it step for us getting off a was the first time we had major, going back to an a guest appearance on a indie and having the record. We had Randy power within that indie to Blythe (Lamb of God) start our own label. We sing on “King of Nothing.” kept the distribution that we had with Warner Bros. MUEN: YES, I READ It was a win-win situation ABOUT THAT. YOU for us. Itʼs nice to go back GUYS ARE PRETTY to being in a position of GOOD FRIENDS power, we make the deciRIGHT? sions now. We donʼt have to answer to anybody Weʼve known those guys anymore. After ten for years and have toured years, I think we know with them dozens of whatʼs best for us as a times over the years. We band. were down there doing vocals in Virginia and we MUEN: THE DEFINIcalled Randy up one TION OF RETRIBUTION night. He came down and IS “DESERVED PUNthe next thing you know ISHMENT.” WHY DID Brian was like “You know YOU CHOOSE THAT AS you are not getting out of THE TITLE OF THE here without singing on RECORD? this thing first.” We had the perfect line for him Probably for the nay say“Quit your fʼing crying.” ers that think that we are down for the count. MUEN: IS EVERBLACK Hereʼs your answer to INDUSTRIES YOUR that, hereʼs your punishOWN LABEL, AND DO ment for thinking that. It YOU HAVE OTHER just worked. We wanted BANDS UNDER IT? a strong, one word title and it was the one that At the present time we worked.

MUEN: YOU GUYS HAVE MADE ONE VIDEO SO FAR FOR THE NEW ALBUM. TELL US ABOUT THE MAKING OF THE “STILL I RISE” VIDEO. WILL YOU BE MAKING ANY MORE?

The “Still I Rise” video was something that we did in conjunction with Affliction clothing and the MMA fighters they were sponsoring. We had this crazy idea of having the fights going on, and us playing in a cage and having kids rocking out. It turns out, that Affliction had a ring in L.A. at their warehouse. We were like “This is a no-brainer.” We did some shows up in Alaska this spring and as soon as we finished them we flew to L.A., went to the warehouse, shot the video in one day and here it is three months later. We are really happy with the way things came out with it. It is a little unfortunate for us that two other bands put out videos shortly after that, and that they had the same concept that ours had. We were like “Wow, once again we lost out.” So whatever, shit happens. There are no plans at this present time, to make another album. Iʼm sure we will at some point, but right now itʼs too early in the cycle.

MUEN: SO YOU GUYS

JUST HIT THE ROAD WITH FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH AND YOUʼLL BE HEADING OUT TO EUROPE AS WELL PRETTY SOON. HOW DO YOU GUYS KEEP THINGS FRESH NIGHT AFTER NIGHT? DO YOU CHANGE UP THE SET LIST?

Not with this run because itʼs a support tour and we only have a certain amount of time. We want to play the best selection of songs that we think is right for the tour. We have a 45 minute set on this tour, so half the set is new stuff and the other half is old. We are just really trying to push this new album. When we go over to Europe and coheadline we will have a longer set so we will mix it up a little more.

MUEN: IT SEEMS LIKE SOME BANDS ARE ALWAYS ON TOUR. WOULD YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF A “TOURING” BAND?

Oh hell yeah! We will be out on the road 12 to 18 months for this album cycle like we always are. We are always road dogs for an album cycle. We have never done less than 14 months on an album cycle.

MUEN: YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN TOURING FOR QUITE SOME TIME. WOULD YOU SAY


THAT NOW IS THE HARDEST TIME TO BE ON TOUR BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE ECONOMY IS?

Yes! Like every other business in the world, this is just as bad. It sucks!

MUEN: WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS YOU DO TO TRY AND CUT BACK?

We share a bus with another band. We normally donʼt do that, not because we donʼt want to, but we normally canʼt afford to have our own bus with a crew. Not on this run, we are sharing a bus and we have a skeleton crew basically. The clubs canʼt guarantee the monies that they could before, because nobody is going to shows to the extent that they were a few years ago. Itʼs tough, thatʼs why you see so many package tours with 5 or 6 great bands on the bill and a $40 ticket. No one can afford to tour a 2 or 3 band package, we just canʼt. In Europe it happens even more, and you do a lot more sharing. MUEN: BESIDES MUSIC WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS YOU ARE INTO? SPORTS PERHAPS? Iʼm a baseball guy, thatʼs it.

We have a very strong Red Sox/ Yankees feud on this bus a lot, because Iʼm the only New Yorker fan. Aside from that I do a lot of yoga, pilates and working out. I have to stay as fit as possible. I do things with sticks on a

nightly basis so trying to stay in shape is hard, especially when you are on the road.

MUEN: THANKS FOR THE CHAT TODAY. I WISH YOU GUYS THE BEST OF LUCK, BE-

FORE I LET YOU GO IS THERE ANYTHING YOUʼD LIKE TO ADD OR SAY?

Please go out, support the band and buy Retribution. If youʼre a metal head you will enjoy it.


EARACHE ANNOUNCES I-TUNES ROCKTOBER SALE

For this month only, select Earache Records albums will be available on iTunes at discounted prices as part of the Earache Rocktober Sale.

Throughout the whole month of October, classic albums from legendary bands - both old and new - will be available worldwide on the iTunes store for just ÂŁ4.49 in the UK, 4,99EUR in Europe and $5.99 in the USA (prices may vary in other regions).

Albums in the Earache Rocktober Sale include: Napalm Death - Scum At The Gates - Slaughter Of The Soul Morbid Angel - Blessed Are The Sick Municipal Waste - The Art Of Partying Deicide - Till Death Do Us Part Oceano - Depths Sleep - Holy Mountain Evile - Enter The Grave Entombed - Wolverine Blues Cult Of Luna - Somewhere Along The Highway Akercocke - Words That Go Unspoken, Deeds That Go Undone Decapitated - Nihility Iron Monkey - Our Problem Bonded By Blood - Feed The Beast Hate Eternal - I, Monarch Brutal Truth - Extreme Conditions Demand Extreme Responses

To get these great titles while they're on offer, just open iTunes and go to the store during October, or if you don't already have iTunes, head to http://www.apple.com/itunes to download it for free. View the Rocktober Sale flyer at http://earacherecords.com/myspace/itunesrocktober2009.jpg http://www.earache.com http://earache.tumblr.com

THE ATTITUDE was conceived in May of 2005 by Jim Louvau and Anthony Kirksey. Both musicians are veterans of the valley's local music scene. Louvau was the lead vocalist of "Victims In Ecstacy" and Kirksey fronted the electronic act "Formula". They began writing songs for the THE ATTITUDE with one idea in mind. They wanted to have absolutely no musical limitations both comming from different backgrounds. Later bassist Nick Ruggiero, guitarist Jared Bakin (Victims In Ecstacy, WASTE) and newly added drummer Kansas Farver completed

the project. The end result is chaotic at times but also takes the listener to opposite ends of the musical spectrum. This band may be influenced by bands like NIN, Radiohead, 16 volt, Deftones and The Cranes but they have built a sound will speak for itself. Even thought the band has only been playing out for a year they have already shared the stage with bands like Mindless Self Indulgence, Buckcherry, Crossfade, Dog Fashion Disco, Authority Zero, 18 visions, and Flyleaf.


FREE SPIRIT

LIKE MANY STREET TEAMS ALONG WITH THE PERSISTENCE OF ONE FAN IN PARFinland TICULAR THAT BROUGHT YOU TO Interview by: Macavity OUR ATTENTION. TELL US WHAT THEY The new wave of TYPICAL FREE melodic rock coming out of Finland seems to SPIRIT FAN IS LIKE? be catching many eyes Timo: Enthusiastic, it and ears with their seems, as you must great music. Such is the case of Free Spirit. have noticed already. This is of course the We had a chance to talk with Sami and Timo second most sincere about what makes their form of flattery that peomusic and the band so ple are so excited about popular in their country our music, so it's really nice too see that. We've and now appears the met people from teens world as well. to adults to grannies that are excited about MUEN: HOW ARE THINGS IN FINLAND? our music. So I think the biggest common Sami: Summer is defi- factor really is enthusinitely over and we are asm. Sami: It is actually quite hard to describe a heading towards the typical Free Spirit fan dark and long winter. Fortunately this far the because, like Timo fall has been very nice said, there are so many different types of people and there have been who like our music. If many sunny days, so there is one thing in itʼs been an enjoyable common it could be the season. Itʼs actually very beautiful and calm- fact that people have been missing melodies ing right now with all the fall colors. Itʼs even and big choruses for some time now and it more beautiful when the first snow falls, but I seems that we have managed to build a hope it wonʼt happen bridge from the glory too soon. days of melodic rock to modern day music and MUEN: WELL, YOU that really seems to enSEEM TO HAVE A chant the audience. LOT OF SERIOUS FANS AND IT LOOKS And like you said, there are surely Free Spirit

ous that we were ready to work with the full length album. Markku joined the band a few months later when we had already started the recording sessions. Unfortunately Markku had MUEN: SEE THAT SAMI AND PASI ARE to leave the band just before the album was FOUNDING MEMBERS. HOW DID YOU released, but we were lucky to find Marko to EVOLVE TO THE replace him in fall 2008. CURRENT LINEUP THAT YOU HAVE HAD Timo had been playing SINCE 2006? keyboards for Free Spirit recordings for a Sami: After Vesa joined long time and he has the band in summer been our trusted “studio 2006 it was soon obvi- musician” since the first fans out there with lots persistence or “sisu”, which is a Finnish word for determination and devotion on something. Right Lisa!


demos. After the album was finished Timo was playing keyboards on every track, so we realized that we needed a keyboard player for live shows too and Timo was the obvious choice. MUEN: HOW WOULD YOU BEST DESCRIBE YOUR MUSIC AND SOUND TO THE ONE OR TWO THAT HAVE NOT HEARD YOU? Timo: I'd say we bring melodies, big emotions and stadium-size choruses back to rock music. While influences from hard rock giants are a part of sound, we bring something new to it and perform our music in a style of our own.

MUEN: ONE THING THAT IS NOTICEABLE ABOUT BANDS FROM FINLAND IS THAT NO MATTER THE GENRE THE QUALITY OF SOUNDS ALWAYS SEEMS TO BE BETTER THAN JUST AVERAGE AND YOU HAVE A GREAT POLISHED SOUND. WHO OR WHAT DO YOU CREDIT FOR THIS HIGH QUALITY OF SOUNDS?

best I can do is to give an educated guess. About ten years ago it was still mostly unheard of for a Finnish band to have international success, and although the situation is very different today, I think there is still a tendency for both the bands and their record companies to put a lot of effort to making every aspect of the band and their music as competitive as possible, since gaining an international breakthrough is seen as a very difficult feat to achieve for Finnish bands. This of course includes making sure that the production and sounds are top notch. Sami: Itʼs very flattering to hear such a compliment because I have recorded and mixed the ʻPale Sister of Lightʼ album! Besides careful production, it could be also that the loudness race in CD-mastering isn't usually quite as bad in Finnish releases as it is in some international major label releases at the moment. Perhaps that is a reason for warmer and cleaner sound to most Finnish albums. But of course mastering canʼt fix a bad mix or poor production.

Timo: Thank you! I really don't know why would that be so, so the MUEN: YOU PRIDE

YOURSELF ON BRINGING THE MELODY BACK IN TO ROCK MUSIC AND YOU HAVE DONE SO VERY WELL WITH YOUR MUSIC. WHAT DRIVES YOU TO CONCENTRATE ON THIS ASPECT OF MUSIC AS OPPOSED TO SCREAMING ROCK THAT WE HEAR OFTEN?

bution has also been increasing with the few songs we have been working on since ʻPale Sister of Lightʼ came out. Usually once a song is starting to take shape, mostly from an idea by Sami or Vesa; all the band members give their own contribution to it. Then it's just up to playing it over and over again and dropping all the ideas that Timo: Mostly two don't fit the song, now things, at least for me matter how good or bad personally. The first is they are on their own. that for almost two It's not also uncommon decades now mainfor a riff or a melody stream rock has mostly hook that's been rebeen “screaming rock”, jected from one song to which concentrates on become the starting how angry, sad or evil point for a new one. you can be, and I think it's time to do someMUEN: YOUR DEBUT thing different for a CD “PALE SISTER OF change. The other rea- LIGHT” CAME OUT son is that my musical EARLIER THIS YEAR childhood heroes are AND APPEARS VERY really quite melodic, so WELL RECEIVED. that kind of music just HAVE YOU BEEN appeals more to me, TOURING TO PROand I think the same MOTE IT? applies to all of us in Sami: We've had some the band. gigs in Finland and itʼs MUEN: WHO WRITES been really fantastic to THE MUSIC FOR THE play these songs in front of live audience. It BAND AND HOW would be so cool and a DOES IT ALL COME big dream come true to TOGETHER SO tour around the globe WELL? with this material! There Timo: Sami is definitely have been talks about the main writer, but European and even US Vesa also has an imtours, but nothing is portant part. His contri- 100% sure yet. We and


our fans believe that with lots of “sisu” we can make these dreams come true!

MUEN: WITH ALL THE LIVE SHOWS AND EXPERIENCES YOU HAVE HAD RECORDING THE FIRST, WILL THE SOUND CHANGE ON YOUR NEXT CD AND IF SO HOW? Timo: There will surely be some differences, but I don't think it will be too radical. Most of the songs on “Pale Sister of Light” are somewhat older Free Spirit songs that were reworked, some even quite significantly, for the album, but the next album will be entirely new songs written after the publication of ʻPale Sister of Lightʼ. That will surely affect the sound, and considering the new songs we're working on now I think there will be a somewhat more consistent and straightforward sound, with even more of a stadium-rock feel to it. MUEN: YOU HAVE FOUR VIDEOS OUT THERE WITH ONE THAT IS AN AWARD WINNING ONE. HOW DID YOU DECIDE ON THE TWO THAT ARE CONCEPT VIDEOS AND HOW DID THE

AWARD COME ABOUT?

exhilarating when the multi-million selling producer Beau Hill, of Alice Cooper and Warrant fame among others, wanted to work with us by mixing some songs from the album. He made a radio mix of “Far Away from Heaven” which sounds awesome! Sami: Itʼs been also great to see how radio stations and DJʼs have received our music. Songs from the album have been on rotation on many radio stations both in Europe and in the USA and Free Spirit have been featured artist on many radio stations. We have even reached the number one spot on a certain radio stationʼs TOP10 list!

Sami: Last fall a Finnish music channel, The Voice, hosted a competition where people voted for their favorite music video by sending text messages. Free Spirit video “Until the Night” won the overall competition and The Voice rotated the video for couple of months. The timing couldnʼt have been better for us, because the album was released while the video was still on rotation. Making videos has been great fun because we have had the pleasure to work with such talented people. Mainly the ideas and concepts of the videos have been evolved during the shooting sessions. MUEN: WHAT MORE SHOULD WE EXPECT MUEN: WHAT HAVE TO SEE FROM FREE BEEN SOME OF THE SPIRIT FOR THE HIGHLIGHTS FOR REST OF 2009 AND THE BAND THIS NEXT YEAR? YEAR? Sami: We are currently Timo: Of course the writing new songs for publication of the album the next album and and the reception it's we'll try to get to play as had both from the fans many live shows as we and the press has been can. There are also the biggest thing. Also some other plans, but finding some very nounfortunately they're still at such an early table partners to work with us, and who have stage that I can't say been excited about our anything more publicly music has been great. until we know more. Especially it was really

MUEN: ANY PLANS TO TOUR IN THE STATES SOON?

Sami: It would really be great to tour the States, and we're trying our best to arrange that. Currently there are plans for the next summer so weʼll keep our fingers crossed. It would be really a dream come true to tour the US! Sisu!!! MUEN: IS THERE ANYTHING I HAVE NOT ASKED THAT YOU THINK OUR READERS WOULD LIKE TO KNOW ABOUT FREE SPIRIT? Sami: I think you have done a great job and perhaps we should leave something for the next interview.

MUEN: THANKS GUYS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO TALK WITH US TODAY. WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING AND HEARING A LOT MORE FROM YOU IN THE FUTURE. Sami: Thanks! Iʼm sure you will!


ROCK CITY ANGELS began their career in 1982 as a punk band called THE ABUSERS, writing songs indicative of their influences,( Dead Boys, Sex Pistols, The Clash, The Jam, Adolescents, The Germs, Fear, etc.)and their pet peeves, ( parents, hippies, school, high school elite, etc.) If the members of the band weren't social outcasts before, they sure were now! This was the fuel that lit a fire under lead singer, Bobby Durango's ass and drove his artistic ambitions to this day. Regardless of their relentless disdain for the peers who stood in judgement of their playing abilities, youthful ignorance and love of provocation they began to get gigs and play clubs in South Florida. By '83 Bobby Durango and company began to experiment with different genres of music with the idea of approaching these other styles with a definite punk rock sensibility. Along with this expansion of musical boundaries came a name change, Rock City Angels, and a new/old look. Taken by the androgenous look of '68 -'72 era Rolling Stones, New York Dolls, and Johnny Thunders and the Heartbreakers, the band began to grow their hair long and accent their clothing and style. In this time the band had


many different band members, not quite sure what they were going for in music or image.The only constant outside of the singer was the bass player, Andy Panik and a continuous line of the areas top players. Musical ability began to count as much as looks, but it was a simple, tasteful style that won the most points. After this goal was reached, Bobby became convinced the only way for the band to get any kind of exposure or possible real success was to move the band to Los Angeles. By 1985, after realizing that this would never happen, he decided to move there by himself and take his chances. It was at the "last ever Florida show", that the news came out that the ROCK CITY ANGELS demos would be coming out on a small L.A. label called New Rennaisance. With an album in the works, the whole band decided to follow Bobby to L.A. At that point the band included Andy Panik, bass, Bobby Durango, vocals, Jimmy James, guitar, Mike Bar-

nett, guitar and Punky (Stephen Adamo), drums. This was a powerhouse rock'n'roll band, and it wasn't long before they were playing great shows with bands like Red Hot Chili Peppers, Janes Addiction, The Hangmen, etc. at places like the Scream Club, Coconut Teaszer, Exposure 54, White Trash au go go. Their audience, growing at a constant clip, was setback along with the band, when first Jimmy James left for personal reasons, to be replaced later by Johnny Depp and then Punky left the band, leading to an endless round of auditions for a new drummer to keep momentum going. Punky later joined Johnny Crash. In 1986 record labels were signing rock bands left and right to cash in on "the next big thing" in anticipation of Gun's and Roses first album. This soon turned into a bidding war for Jane's Addiction and Rock City Angels. After Jane's was signed to Electra, Rock City Angels became the new focal point and was

soon snapped up by Geffen Records. In that period, Johnny Depp was given the lead roll on a new Police drama, "21 Jump Street", and decided to pursue his acting career, ( a good choice actually), fullfilling his obligations to the band before taking the trip to Vancouver where the show was being filmed. His playing helped the band dynamically as well as leaving a strong foundation for the new drummer, Ringo Jukes, to find his fit. He also trained his replacement, Doug Banks, so all was in place for the recording of their first major label album. In this time, Bobby had become enamored with early to late 60's soul music and the descision was made to record the album at Ardent studio's in Memphis, Tn., giving the forthcoming record, "Young Man's Blues", a more authentic, timeless quality than other bands releases of the period. This was also achieved with the help of veteran producer/artist Jim Dickinson, guitar player Mike Barnes, whom was found through the bands Allman Brothers connection after Barnett left for personal reasons.

Lizzie, approach to the new tunes they were laying down for the next album, giving the band a whole new dimension while maintaining it's aggressive, punk approach. This band was quite successful with critics. Sadly, many of the 60 or so demos worked on for the second Geffen album have been lost.

This includes the seven songs written and recorded with Brian Robertson from Thin Lizzie when the band travelled to London, where they were well recieved. The band broke up in 1993 after it became obvious that Geffen had no intentions of putting out a new disc. In 2001, Gott Records out of England reissued Young Man's Blues and Bobby Durango put together the perfect band for a new Rock City Angels album. This band included Bobby Durango on vocals and guitar, Andy Panik on bass, Jimmy James on lead guitar and young Chris Yates on drums. Recording basic tracks in Los Angeles, Bobby took the masters back to Memphis to mix and produce the new album. It took another seven years of dashed hopes After completion of the album and unabashed ambition to fiand video for "Deep Inside My nally get the money together to Heart", the band went on the complete the work. Brought in road with Jimmy Page, playing at a little under two thousand sports arenas to touring with dollars in 2008, the new recordJoan Jett and finally with Geor- ing, "Use Once And Destroy", gia Satellites. The album did was released to the public on well in the U.S., selling close to Thanksgiving Day, where it has 100,000 copies, but it was over- recieved accolades from the seas where the boys shined. At press and public ever since. the end of 1990, RCA was More than one publication has recording songs for their 2nd referred to it as the best album Geffen album when they got an of the year, and Bobby and the offer to play Japan, where the RCA road band which includes album had gone gold. (In Jimmy James on guitar, Pagan Japan "gold" is 100,000 units Raygun on guitar, Mike Dover sold.) The band toured the on drums and Adam G. on country to sold out shows. It bass, are currently on the road seems the Japanese audience promoting the new disc. ROCK had a much greater understand- CITY ANGELS have always ing of what the Angels were try- been about making great, timeing to do musically. At this point less, agressive rock and roll and the band consisted of Steve they are keeping this dream Richards on guitar, Bobby on alive with an unerring longevity vocals, James Cooper on bass that just don't quit. The world and Stuart Casson on guitar. might be finally ready for them. The group was attempting to take a more dual guitar, Thin


(Fat Wreck Records)

Jake Kiley (Guitar) Simi Valley, CA

Myspace.com/strungout

By: Shauna OʼDonnell

myspace.com/shaunasbandpage

MUEN: IʼM HERE AT THE SHORE IN LONG BEACH, CA WITH STRUNG OUT. MUEN: STRUNG OUT WAS ONE OF THE FIRST BANDS TO BE SIGNED TO FAT WRECK RECORDS.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU really the only label BEEN WITH THE weʼve worked with. They LABEL? released all of our major releases and full lengths. We have been with them Weʼve done some other since our first record in things on the side with 1994. We got signed some other smaller laaround December of bels, but theyʼve been 1993, so itʼs been for our home. quite a while. They are


MUEN: LIKE YOUR COMPILATION CDʼS?

MUEN: NEXT WEEK YOU WILL RELEASE YOUR SEVENTH STUYeah, weʼve done some DIO ALBUM TITLED compilations with some AGENTS OF THE UNother bands and things DERGROUND. THIS like that. We used to ALSO MARKS THE work with Fearless BANDS 20TH ANRecords a lot. Itʼs nice to NIVERSARY. CONwork with the same peo- GRATULATIONS ON ple you are comfortable THAT. with. Thank you very much. MUEN: ABSOLUTELY, I AGREE. IN MARCH OF MUEN: WHAT DID YOU THIS YEAR YOU REWANT TO GET LEASED YOUR COMACROSS TO PEOPLE PILATION CD WHEN YOU NAMED ENTITLED PROTOTHE ALBUM? TYPES AND PAINKILLERS? We have always done things on our own terms That was actually our by word of mouth. Weʼve first full B-side compila- never done any big, big tion of unreleased press and stuff like that songs. We wanted to put or radio play for that something out to hold matter. I think that we everyone over. just kind of felt like that is where we feel comMUEN: YEAH, I WAS fortable, itʼs our home, CURIOUS AS TO WHY “the underground”. Itʼs YOU PUT TWO ALnice to be a little below BUMS OUT SO CLOSE the radar and not just in TOGETHER. everyoneʼs face. That stuff will make you big Yeah, it was to keep the for a while, but then momentum up and let everyone gets sick of people know we are not you. You have to keep it just sitting around doing cool and keep a bit of nothing. These days you mystique amongst peohave to keep the atten- ple. It has kept people tion up. It was good to coming back to us. keep people knowing that weʼre putting some- MUEN: WOULD YOU thing out and people SAY THAT THIS have been asking for the ALBUM IS THE CULMIB-sides for a long time. NATION OF EVERYItʼs nice to finally get it THING YOUʼVE DONE? out to them. Every record that we

have done has included our history within the sound. Weʼve grown and we try to listen to a lot of new things. We try and put all of that into the new album, but it is all coming from the same place. We want to be happy with the songs first and hopefully our fans will be happy with what we are creating. Itʼs crazy, after putting out so many records, I donʼt know if this one is any better than the last one or the first one. Everyone has their favorites

Jake Kiley

throughout our catalog. I think this one stands up to any of them. I think the long time fan will be happy with it.

MUEN: YOU HAVE BEEN WRITING SONGS FOR OVER TWO DECADES NOW, SO DO YOU FEEL IT GETS EASIER WITH TIME OR DOES IT GET HARDER?

A little harder because we donʼt want to repeat is why. I think it would be easy if we said “That for-


mula worked, so letʼs do another one just like it.” For me, that is so unchallenging and you are never going to better it I donʼt think. It doesnʼt seem comfortable for us to do that. Itʼs a little bit of a challenge to go in and create something that is nothing like the last record, but still has the heart and soul of our band in it and sounds like us. I love our old records; I really like the band that we are, so I donʼt want to stray to far from that. I also like to listen to more technical bands and melodic stuff that is super catchy. Itʼs cool to kind of fuse the two together, the technicality involved is genius. Itʼs nice to fuse that with a more listenable approach as well.

We give each other a lot of space. When we write, we all come up with riffs on our own and when we get together we show each other the parts and build off of one personʼs idea. Everyone has a say. Things get strained at times when you are around people 24 hrs. a day for five or six weeks at a time, but we enjoy each others company as well.

MUEN: CAMERON WEBB PRODUCED THIS RECORD. WAS THIS YOUR FIRST TIME USING A PRODUCER?

We have worked with other producers; it was our first time with Cameron Webb.

MUEN: WHAT DID HE MUEN: HOW DO YOU BRING TO THE THINK YOU HAVE RECORD THAT YOU EVOLVED AS A BAND? DIDNʼT HAVE ON THE PREVIOUS ONES? I think we are a little bit better players and writEveryone has their own ers than we were. I still touch and they have listen to the same stuff their own way of looking that I did growing up and at music and helping us I like to have the new in- assemble the songs. We fluences from books, all come to the table with movies or anything that I a lot of riffs and it helps can be influenced by. to have that outside opinion. MUEN: WHAT IS THE KEY TO KEEPING MUEN: YOU ALWAYS THINGS FRESH AND HAVE REALLY INTERNEW IN A BAND ESTING ALBUM COVAFTER ALL THESE ERS. TELL US WHAT YEARS? IS GOING ON WITH THIS ONE.

Rob Ramos Photo by Melissa Hetu

dise was taken from it. Yeah, no one knows where that has gone, nothing has surfaced. It happened to us in Philadelphia and I know it has happened to two or three other bands in Philadelphia too. Itʼs like MUEN: BACK IN 2007 they have this little ring YOU WERE ON TOUR out there, especially this WITH EVERGREEN one hotel we stayed at, I TERRACE AND YOUR think they are definitely VAN WAS STOLEN. involved. Youʼve got to DID YOU EVER REbe careful, but it was the COVER YOUR STUFF? first time it had happened to us in our years We got the van and the on the road. I guess we trailer back, so we got have been lucky. We the vehicles, but the gui- went around to the pawn tars and the merchanshops, let everyone I get the vibe that it is a 70ʼs, kung foo kind of movie poster or something like that. Iʼm always very impressed with the way they come out.


know and alerted the fans, but it hasnʼt shown up. Thereʼs a bunch of our shirts somewhere.

MUEN: AFTER THIS RECORD RELEASES YOU WILL BE HEADING OUT ON THE ROAD STARTING OCTOBER 1ST? I NOTICED YOUʼLL BE GOING TO JAPAN AND COSTA RICA.

We played in Costa Rica about three years ago and it was massive, about 2,000 people were at the show. It was one of the top concerts of the year they said. I guess they have other bands come through like Iron Maiden played there last year. A bunch of other smaller bands like us have played there so itʼs a great scene. Those kids donʼt get a lot of music, but when somebody comes through they absolutely go nuts.

MUEN: HOW DOES IT MAKE YOU FEEL TO KNOW THAT YOUR MUSIC HAS BEEN A MAJOR INFLUENCE TO SO MANY OTHER ARTISTS OUT THERE LIKE RISE AGAINST, AVENGED SEVENFOLD AND THRICE?

Well, itʼs pretty incredible. All we have done is taken the people we look up to and channeled it our own way and spit it

back out.

MUEN: WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SAY TO THE LOYAL FANS THAT HAVE FOLLOWED YOU THROUGHOUT YOUR TWENTY YEAR CAREER?

Thanks so much for enjoying us, buying any of the records and coming to the shows. Itʼs been a dream come true for us and I wonʼt be stopping anytime soon. MUEN: WE HOPE YOU DONʼT. THANKS SO MUCH FOR TALKING WITH ME. You are so welcome, thanks for having me. I appreciate it

Chris Aiken

Jaspm Cruz



SOLVI

Nashville, Tennessee by BCBlonde

MUEN: HELLO THERE SO NICE TO FINALLY BE ABLE TO HAVE THIS INTERVIEW WITH YOU! I HAVE GREATLY ENJOYED LISTENING TO YOUR LATEST ALBUM. LOT'S OF GOOD MATERIAL THERE! SOLVI: Thanks! We've worked very hard on it and are glad you don't think it suck.

MUEN: YOU ARE THE SONG WRITER OF THE BAND? THERE WAS NO INFORMATION THAT I COULD SEE ON YOUR WEB PAGE OR CD TO TELL OF THIS.

SOLVI: All of the band members share in the songwriting, and for the most part we write all of our songs together. MUEN: ARE THESE SONGS BASED ON FACT OR FICTION? ARE THESE SONGS BASED ON REAL LIFE EXPERIENCES THAT I WAS LISTENING TO? SOLVI: Our singer

TIONS AND ADDICTIONS. HOW DID YOU GUYS FEEL ABOUT PUTTING AN ALBUM OUT WITH THOSE THINGS MUEN: WHAT WAS BEING THE SUBJECT THE ADDICTION? TO MATTER? WHAT? FOR HOW LONG? SOLVI: It felt natural. SOLVI: Brian had an Music has always been addiction to cocaine for a self-help process and about 6 years, which is it isn't worth making unwhat Breaking Away is less it's honest. Writing, about. Stuck has the recording and performsame type of theme, ing songs with subject though the song is matter that is honest is about a friend that cathartic for the band nearly overdosed dur- members and can ing his ongoing heroin hopefully give comfort addiction. or warning to the listener. MUEN: WAS THIS DURING THE TIME MUEN:WHAT WAS IT OF SOLVI OR BELIKE BEING AN ADFORE HAND? IF IT DICT AND TRYING TO WAS WITH SOLVI MAKE IT AS A MUSIHOW DID IT AFFECT CIAN? THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE BAND? SOLVI: They kinda go hand in hand, unfortuSOLVI: It was mostly nately. Is this an interbefore, but continued vention? during the early stages of the band. He never MUEN: :LAUGHS: NO did it around the other THIS ISN'T AN INTERband members, except VENTION I JUST ASK at one show to stay A LOT OF QUESawake. We didn't know TIONS! THE SONGS that until right now! ON THE ALBUM ARE ARRANGED IN SUCH MUEN: THE MAJOR- A WAY AS TO TELL ITY OF THE LYRICS OF YOUR STORY ARE BASED ON FROM THE ONSET WHAT OF ADDICTION--THE SOUNDS LIKE UNPEEPS WHO ASHEALTHY RELASISTED IN YOUR DEBrian writes most of the lyrics and, yes, the lyrics are based on facts, written in either the first or third person.

MISE OF SUCH- -THE AGONY OF IT ALL-THE STRUGGLE TO SURVIVE-- THE WILL TO LIVE--AND FINALLY YOUR APPARENT RELEASE OF THOSE INNER DEMONS. PLEASE ELABORATE ON HOW YOU CAME ABOUT TO MAKE THE CD IN THIS MANNER AND WHAT YOUR MINDSET WAS LIKE.

SOLVI: The songs are definitely about those subjects, though we never planned the song order in that fashion. We ended up putting the songs in the order that felt best to us, but it's funny that they ended up telling such a great story.

MUEN: THE ALBUMS TITLE OF "SELF AFFLICTION" WAS A VERY FITTING CHOICE. DESCRIBE TO ME THE NECESSITY OF HAVING NAMED IT THAT. WHAT DID IT MEAN FOR YOU? SOLVI: As we've been talking about, all of the songs carry messages about the things we struggle with and must overcome. As a band, we feel that we allow


ourselves to be afflicted by these things. It's that whole "save yourself" dogma. By calling the album "Self Affliction" we're just acknowledging that we have to accept responsibility for the things that happen to us. MUEN: WHAT DOES THE BUTTERFLY REPRESENT ON YOUR INNER COVER? WHEN I FIRST SAW IT ON THE INSERT I WAS PUZZLED. BUT AFTER LISTENING TO YOUR CD AND LEARNING ABOUT YOUR SONGS IT CAME TO ME THAT PERHAPS IT WAS REPRESENTATIVE OF BEING BORN AGAIN. FROM A LARVAE TO THAT OF A BUTTERFLY THAT SPROUTS WINGS AND FLIES AWAY. AWAY FROM ADDICTION AND PEOPLE THAT ARE NOT YOUR FRIENDS. AWAY FROM YOUR OLD SELF AND OLD HABITS. NEW AND FREE. TELL ME ABOUT IT.

used a more subtle metaphor! Realization, acceptance, rebirth. That's the message we're putting across. MUEN: DO YOU SEE YOURSELVES AS ROLE MODELS FOR TODAY'S YOUNG ADULTS? HOW SO?

SOLVI: Yes. By showing them that you can overcome bad decisions and choices. Plus, someone needs to show them good music.

MUEN: WHAT'S THE BEST ADVICE YOU HAVE EVER BEEN GIVEN? WHAT'S THE BEST THAT YOU CAN GIVE?

SOLVI: The best advice we were given was: Never give up. The best advice we can give is: Don't wait for anyone to do something for you when you are perfectly capable of doing it yourself. MUEN: ANY IDEAS ON TOURING OUTSIDE OF THE STATES? SAY LIKE CANADA?? HINT HINT...

pecially since our bass seem to be Stuck, player Aaron is Cana- Home and Break The dian. Silence.

MUEN: WHAT FUTURE PLANS DOES THE BAND HAVE FOR RECORDING? WILL YOU BE WORKING ON ANOTHER ALBUM SOON OR WAIT A BIT?

SOLVI: We are already working on the next album! We have basic tracks for 5 songs recorded and would like to have the entire album in the can by the end of the year for an early 2010 release.

MUEN: AND BEFORE WE TIE THIS UP CAN YOU PLEASE TELL ME WHAT SOLVI MEANS?

SOLVI: It doesn't mean anything, but it sounds cool and so do we.

MUEN: THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR INTEREST IN MUEN AND IT WAS A PLEASURE TO HAVE THIS CHANCE TO HAVE MY QUESTIONS ANSWERED IN SUCH AN HONEST MUEN: HOWEVER, MANNER. THAT THIS ALBUM HAS ROCKS!! IT'S APPRESOME REALLY GOOD CIATED. SONGS ON IT, GOOD JOB! AS SOLVI: Not a problem YOU ALREADY at all. Thank you so KNOW MY FAVORITE much for taking the IS "BREAKING time to ask such great AWAY" I FOUND IT questions. TO BE A POWERFUL PIECE. I MUEN: I WISH YOU ALSO ENJOYED THE GUYS ALL THE BEST, LITTLE SCREAMO MAKE SUCCESS ACTION IN THERE!! YOURS DARLIN' BUT YOU GUYS CHEERS! HAVE A FEW SONGS THAT PEOPLE RESOLVI: Thank you. ALLY LIKE. WHAT Hopefully we'll see you ARE THEY? on the road!

SOLVI: We think all of SOLVI: You really SOLVI: Yes. Bring us the songs on this nailed it on the head. up there! We are seri- album are great, but Maybe we should have ously looking into it, es- the crowd favourites


found even the best sounding libraries tied my hands. Not wanting to use a drum machine, I called some old friends, went into the studio, and Discrete Drums was born. Now that I'm ready to go back to my roots as a performing musician, Sonoma Wire Works is a great fit for taking the reigns and continuing to offer quality Discrete Drums products."

Sonoma Wire Works Acquires Discrete Drums Multitrack Drum Recording Library

Los Altos, CA - October 6, 2009 - Sonoma Wire Works, makers of RiffWorks recording software and the FourTrack and InstantDrummer iPhone Apps, has acquired the Discrete Drums brand and product line of drum recording libraries. This move will ensure the continuation and expansion of impeccable drum library products for both Discrete Drums and Sonoma Wire Works customers. Discrete Drums' acclaimed libraries are available in a wide variety of formats, and new Discrete Drums products will be launching soon in various styles, including the Heavy Mental 2 multitrack drum library of performances by legendary drummer Tony Morra, recorded in the world famous Big Boy Room at The Sound Kitchen. Discretedrums.com has been redesigned with preview players, making it easy to find the drum recordings you need by acclaimed drummers like Eric Darken (Taylor Swift, Rascal Flatts), Chris McHugh (Keith Urban, Faith Hill), Tony Morra (Ayeshia Woods), Greg Morrow (Deana Carter), and others. www.discretedrums.com

Rick DiFonzo, Discrete Drums Founder says, "Discrete Drums was born of necessity. When I tried to use drum libraries in my work as a composer/producer, I quickly

Doug Wright, Sonoma Wire Works President adds, "Sonoma has always been impressed by the quality recordings achieved by Discrete Drums. We originally designed our InstantDrummer to take advantage of Discrete Drums' recordings because they offer a wide range of intensity, variation and room sound. While Sonoma Wire Works will bring more Discrete Drums recordings into the InstantDrummer format for RiffWorks and the iPhone, we are also proud to continue to offer Discrete's multitrack and stereo drum libraries that can be used with any recording software that imports WAV files. We are looking forward to releasing several new Discrete Drums libraries that were masterfully created by the original Discrete Drums team of renowned producers, engineers and drummers, starting with Heavy Mental 2."

About Sonoma Wire Works

Incorporated in 2003 and headquartered in Los Altos, California, Sonoma Wire Works develops products and services that help musicians enjoy playing, recording and sharing music. RiffWorks guitar recording software and the RiffWorld.com online collaboration community have received awards for performance and innovation, including a NAMM 08 Best in Show Trendsetter Award. They also develop the popular FourTrack iPhone application with Retronyms, and the InstantDrummer iPhone App. Sonoma Wire Works recently acquired the Discrete Drums brand and recording libraries at www.discretedrums.com. www.sonomawireworks.com


HYDROVIBE

deal for Hydrovibe. Itʼs THANKS SO MUCH FOR TALKING WITH ME looking very good. TODAY. Heather St. Marie (Vocals) MUEN: I WILL KEEP MY FINGERS CROSSED. Hey Shauna, thanks for Mat Dauzat (Guitar) HEATHER YOU JUST having us. GOT BACK FROM Los Angeles, CA MUEN: NO PROBLEM, LOUISIANA? WERE YOU VISITING FAMILY? MAT, YOU JUST GOT Myspace.com/hydrovibe BACK FROM JAPAN. Yeah, my brother got HOW WAS IT OUT By: Shauna OʼDonnell married and it was wonTHERE? myspace.com/shaunasbandpage derful to see everybody. Itʼs hard to get the whole It was great and really HEY GUYS THIS IS extended family together quick. I was there for SHAUNA WITH MUEN and itʼs always good to be three days and played MAGAZINE AND YOU in New Orleans. We pareight shows with my ARE LISTENING TO tied a lot and I guess I did friend Schuyler Fisk. I MUEN TALK ON 525 a little too much partying, also had three label POWER TRACKS. WE because now I kind of meetings for Hydrovibe HAVE HEATHER AND have a cold. Iʼll be alright. so I was really busy. It MAT OF HYDROVIBE was definitely crazy, but ON THE PHONE TODAY. all went well and we are MUEN: WELL, WELCOME BACK YOU keeping our fingers MUEN: HI GUYS AND GUYS. crossed about a record

Thank you

MUEN: LETʼS TALK ABOUT YOUR NEW RELEASE NOTHING LEFT TO LOSE THAT CAME OUT ON SEPTEMBER 29. THIS ALBUM WAS RE-RECORDED RIGHT? Heather: Yes

MUEN: TELL US THE STORY BEHIND THAT?

Heather: This album has been a long time in the making. Mat and I kept writing while we were looking for the band and a lot of these songs were while we were going through the process of not being sure if we were


ever going to put the band back together. Our future was kind of uncertain actually. When we finally found Eliot, the poor guy was in the band three months, we were really working him hard trying to get him up to speed and he was taking it like a champ, doing it well and all of that. We jumped in the studio to record and midway through we found out we had a song in the SAW III soundtrack and in the movie so we needed to capitalize on that obviously, so we hurried up and packaged it up as an EP and hit the road for two years. When we came back and listened to the tracks again, we felt it just wasnʼt good enough anymore. The songs were so much better now, we had fan input and playing on stage becoming tighter as a band the songs took on a life of their own. We werenʼt really happy with it and we werenʼt going to put something out that we were not completely satisfied with. We scrapped it all and started all over again. We are really pleased with how it turned out; we feel it was the right decision.

sounded like a studio album. This one sounded like a live rock band. We went in with the intention of trying to capture what weʼd been doing on the road for two years. That was the goal. A lot of the stuff is live, a lot of Heatherʼs vocals are live and it worked out very well. Recently, we got Kevin Churko to do a mix of the single “Fame”. He had done the last Ozzy Osbourne album and he was doing Ozzyʼs album when we got him to take a break to do this mix for us. He had also done the latest Five Finger Death Punch and In This Moment albums. We are pretty proud of it.

melodic, hard rock. MUEN: THE ENTIRE ALBUM CAN BE HEARD ON TUNELAB.COM RIGHT NOW. WILL THAT CONTINUE ON AFTER THE RELEASE?

Mat: I donʼt know actually, Iʼll have to find out. We will have it streaming somewhere for people to hear.

HAPPEN FOR YOU. TELL US ABOUT HOW YOU WERE PICKED BY KELLY AND SHARON OSBOURNE TO TOUR WITH KELLY. HOW DID THAT COME ABOUT?

It came about quickly; it was nerve-wracking because I had never been on an audition before in my life. I go in to audition for Kelly during the heyday of their show The Osbournes and so I had to do my audition in front of two MTV camera crews. They were up in my face while Iʼm trying to audition, nervous as hell, but I got it. My first show here was The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and that night we hopped a flight to London and we were off touring the world.

MUEN: YOU GUYS STARTED OFF AS A DO IT YOURSELF BAND AND NOW YOU ARE ON ORLEANS STREET RECORDS WITH A FULL TEAM BACKING YOU UP. IS THIS SOMETHING YOU HAVE GROWN COMFORTMUEN: FOR SOMEONE ABLE WITH OR DO WHO HAS ACTUALLY YOU MISS BEING THE NEVER HEARD YOUR ONEʼS IN THE DRIVERS ALBUM. HOW WOULD SEAT SO TO SPEAK? MUEN: WHAT ARE YOU BEST DESCRIBE SOME OF THE THINGS IT? Mat: We are in the THAT HAPPENED BEdriverʼs seat, believe me, CAUSE OF THAT? YOU Heather: Thatʼs a hard we are every bit as hard WERE ON THE OSone. We are edgier than working as we were, we BOURNES SHOW? what some people conare just getting a little sider rock today, but we help now. I guess we Yes, I was definitely on definitely are not metal. I have made a reputation The Osbournes, Amerithink Hydrovibe describes for being one of the hard- can Music Awards, Mad us perfectly, itʼs real wa- est working bands out TV and a bunch of stuff in tery, thereʼs a really good there and we are still Europe. We did some melody and itʼs an emo- going full force doing it all classic UK shows. We did tional roller coaster that ourselves with a little as- a U.S. tour with 2,000 cabrings you up and down sistance. Itʼs not a major pacity rooms. It was fun MUEN: WHO PROlike water and waves. label which is good. We and I made a lot of good DUCED THE ALBUM? There is a real vibe and kind of like it that way for connections. The Osenergy there that keeps it now. bournes are a close famMat: Kevin Lamb and I on the edge. ily and they consider me kind of teamed up. We MUEN: WHEN YOU a part of that. That is ultiwent in and did the album Mat: In Japan, we are FIRST ARRIVED HERE mately what led us to live. Like she said, the “loud rock.” That is our FROM LOUISIANA MAT, working with Kevin previous album was genre in Japan and I kind SOME INCREDIBLE Churko. Kelly and I regood, but it just kind of of dig it. I would say STUFF STARTED TO cently did a song with


Kevin and Kelly got both Eliot and I in recently to do a TV show. I donʼt know when thatʼs airing, but it will be on FOX. MUEN: DO YOU CONTINUE TO PLAY FOR KELLY WHEN SHE NEEDS YOU?

Yeah, if she is doing anything musically, she will call me and if Iʼm available Iʼll do it. She knows that Hydrovibe comes first. They knew that from the beginning and they are totally cool with it. Right now, sheʼs Dancing with the Stars. I saw her first one and it was pretty impressive. The girlʼs got some moves. MUEN: MEANWHILE, YOU AND HEATHER KEPT WRITING AND KEPT IN TOUCH.

Heather: Yeah, thank goodness for the internet.

Mat: Itʼs a lot of work to do it that way and itʼs difficult, but we made it happen. We were able to put the band together shortly after. When Kellyʼs thing started winding down, we made a move, put the band together and here we are. MUEN: DO EITHER OF YOU HAVE ANY SIDEPROJECTS GOING?

Heather: For me, Hydrovibe is more than enough to take care of.

Mat: Hydrovibe is definitely a needy baby. It takes a lot of attention. I will do things when there is a clear opening for me to do so, but most of the time I try to stick around.

and it is hard to multi task. It is definitely something I want to get into more in the future.

MUEN: HEATHER, YOUR VOCALS ARE AMAZING. DID YOU MUEN: MAT YOU ARE HAVE ANY VOCAL QUITE TALENTED, NOT TRAINING? ONLY DO YOU PLAY GUITAR, YOU SING, Thank you, I was self WRITE AND PRODUCE. taught. When I was a WHAT DO YOU ENJOY child my mom had a nursTHE MOST? ery school. She said I was a year old and I Thatʼs a tough one. I defi- would be in a room playnitely love creating in the ing by myself while she studio, but then again, I was watching everyone love performing my cre- elseʼs kids. She would ation on stage. Iʼm torn feel guilty so she would on that one. say “Okay Heather, sing for me.” I would sing BeaMUEN: WERE YOU tles songs because that is SELF TAUGHT? what she liked. By the time I was two, I knew all Yes, I was completely self the Beatles songs. I just taught. I learned what I did it because it was fun. know in the studio by When I was eleven or being forced to do it my- twelve, I decided I wanted self. I didnʼt have the to take singing lessons. I money to go into a studio, come from a really small so I had the gear at home town and the town vocal and you figure out how to coach told me “Well make things sound good. Heather, you know, youʼre Luckily, Iʼve been able to voice is just too low. I work with a lot of great donʼt think you will ever engineers and producers. be a singer. Why donʼt I always have my eye you take piano lessons open watching what they instead?” I was kind of were doing and learning crushed and I thought from it. well I will keep doing it for fun. I ended up in art MUEN: DO YOU PROschool meeting up with DUCE FOR OTHER Mat and he was like “We BANDS OR ARTISTS? are putting a band together. Do you want to try I have and I do. I canʼt out?” I thought it would be take on a lot because something fun to do. I when I do take on some- joined the band. Itʼs the thing I dive in head first first and only band Iʼve

ever been in. Itʼs all just kind of learning as I go. I love to sing so I think that helps.

MUEN: TRAVEL IS SOMETHING THAT YOU ENJOY THE MOST, AS WELL AS FISHING.

Oh yeah, I love to fish. I really havenʼt fished since I moved to California so I miss that a lot. Fishing is a big part of where I grew up. MUEN: YOU HAVE DONE QUITE A BIT OF TRAVELING, SO WHERE WOULD YOU SAY WAS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO FISH?

There are two, for two different reasons. Mat is also a fisher. In North Louisiana, once I joined the band, he and I would go to one of his childhood friendʼs homes and fish in their pond. Thatʼs kind of fun because you fish all day into the night until itʼs too dark to see. I also love fishing in the Gulf of Mexico. You get on the big boat, you go out really far and thatʼs more of an exciting type fishing. The biggest fish I ever caught was a 35 lb. red fish. MUEN: THE SELF TITLED TRACK FROM THE KILLER INSIDE EP WAS USED IN THE SAW III MOVIE. THAT LED TO A GREAT MUSIC VIDEO THAT INCLUDED


THE MOVIEʼS STAR SHAWNEE SMITH AND THE VIDEO WAS INCLUDED ON THE DVD TOO. I WATCHED IT AND I THOUGHT IT WAS BADASS.

MUEN: HOW EXCITING, I WILL DEFINITELY HAVE TO CATCH ONE OF YOUR SHOWS AGAIN.

Heather: Not just for Hydrovibe, but for every independent band out there, please go out and buy the album. Tell two people about it and have Mat: Absolutely, we are them tell two people. trying to hit Hollywood be- Thatʼs the way we do it fore we leave, if not, we these days because we Heather: Thank you, it was a lot of fun to make. will do it when we come donʼt have the money to back. get on MTV and have massive ads in Rolling MUEN: SO WHATʼS Stone. I wish we did, but NEXT FOR YOU GUYS? MUEN: THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH FOR we are relying on word of A TOUR? THE INTERVIEW. IT mouth and on people like WAS AWESOME TALK- you, Shauna, who really Mat: A tour, definitely, a help promote. That goes tour. Itʼs not official, but I ING WITH YOU AND I WISH YOU THE VERY for every independent have potential routing that BEST OF LUCK WITH band out there. Please has us going out on NoTHE NEW ALBUM. BE- support people because vember 4th through DeFORE I LET YOU GO they are working hard to cember 17th. We will be DID YOU WANT TO ADD support their dreams. hitting the south, going up OR SAY ANYTHING? through the east coast and then back here.

Mat: If you like an independent band, go buy “something” from them.

MUEN: ABSOLUTELY, EVERYONE NEEDS TO SUPPORT EACH OTHER. WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.


Interview with: Jamie Nicholson (Lead Vox) of

Melodic Blue By: BCBlonde

myspace.com/bc_blonde2002

October 2009 Edition

Melodic Blue is a fivepiece band coming to you from lovely, amazing Vancouver. Please be advised they can kick some serious ass. Melodic Blue is made up with J. Nicholson: Lead Vocals and plays a 12 string guitar. B. Bresh: Lead Guitar. J. Otter: Rhythm Guitar. S. McCarthy: Bass Guitar are you seeing a lot of guitars here?! Iʼm lovingʼ that aspect myself. into the recording stuAnd last and definitely dio with you guys not least is J. Hagen: when you were workDrums. ing on this album. MUEN: Hi Jamie how Sadly though I are you? Very nice to couldnʼt be there. How finally have this inter- did everything go for view underway. What you? How long it did took you guys so long it take? to get things together? Iʼm kidding. I MB: Things went ok it was hard for me this know itʼs me, my time around in the studoing. :laughs: dio being clean and Thanks for your pasober was a challenge tience darlinʼ. for me but got through it ... it took a few months MB: I'm fine lol !!!!!! MUEN: You know, Steve had invited me MUEN: Why only 5

tracks on this CD? Why? Why? Why? I want more. What gives? Itʼs a big tease. :laughs: Will you make your next album longer in length this time around? MB: Upon talking with GGGarth Richardson we decided that a 5 song Ep would be good opener for us ..... we are working on a full length with some live tracks on it as well. MUEN: Do you know what I thought in the

first 30 seconds of hearing your voice and music? MB: Nope, lol.

MUEN: Wow! These guys sound professional and smooth. Very smooth.

MB: lol we go down smooth, but with a kick........

MUEN: You sound like Stone Temple Pilots to me. As well you sound strongly of Alice in Chains. You


have such a smooth vocal take in your deliverance of all your songs. Iʼm a fan of both bands so take this as a big compliment if I compare you to them. Even your back up vocals are wicked at harmonizing. You all make it appear to happen so easily and fluidly.

the name of your band? I sense sadness.

MUEN: What has the Vancouver music scene been like for you? What kind of experiences have you had along the way?

thing called rock n' roll

MUEN: Jamie thanks so much! I would love to get together at a later time to do a follow up interview with MB: I've loved the music you guys. Maybe I might be able to crash scene through and through. Things are alot the studio this time! more clear now that I"m :laughs: clean and sober. I can MB: We would love to remember alot more, have you come lol. down...... Thank you for the support.... & to all MUEN: Your music the fans thank-you! makes me want to move! I would be surMUEN: Oh yes, and prised if you didnʼt pack a house. Do you Jamie since you like to offer dating advice have many “lady” to others, I was wonfans? :laughs: dering what kind of dating advice you MB: lol yes, lol comes with ....that's why we all could give me? (my start into music !!!!!!! lol dating world sucks) :laughs: MUEN: What venues do you play at in Van- MB: Do not ever settle couver and the Lower you are all better than Mainland? Where can that. There is only one of you so that makes we catch a show? you special....... Your MB: Right now working the prize pig ...lol ! on new material to get MUEN: You guys are ready for the studio great and keep on again, but by spring, making things hapyou'll find us playing pen! Peace, love and everywhere! rock to you, cheers! MUEN: Any plans for MB: Right back at cha ! 2010? Will you be around? Will you tour? Write? Record? All of the above?

MB: I drove to the California Baja with my friend all the way to Cabo right around Lapaz we were drinking really hard ... When I drank lol this was in 1992 I took some buttons, Paote . not sure if I'm spelling that corMB: Thanks... those two rectly lol, it was a long bands are awesome..... drive when it was kicking in I swore I saw a sometimes it is ...lol croup of kids and one had a blue aura around MUEN: Who were or are your musical influ- him then he shot straight into the air I ences? was stunned .... So I based the song around MB: Well.... Queen, G the poor and the sadN' R, Alice n' Chains ness of the time I spent in the Baja & the Blue MUEN: The song Bodied Child !!!!!!!!!!! “American Dream” rocks like crazy! Itʼs my favourite off of this CD. MUEN: There are five of you in the band and Itʼs also quite different from all the others. You the four of you are all really seemed to morph on guitars, which I canʼt help but like. It your style on this one and I love it lyrically as really makes for a nice well. Will you be creat- sound and I really like the rhythm section! ing more songs with The 12-string guitar is that kind of sound? a fine touch too. How MB: Oh for sure lyrically much gear do you that's my favorite off the have? What kind of guitars are you all CD as well. playing? MUEN: The song MB: Guitars used in the "Melodic Blue" is vague to me. Can you studio were Gibson ,bass Fender I believe tell me about this and the 12 string that I MB: All the above.... song? Can you also played was a Yamaha. there is no stopping this tell me why it is also


Interview with Dan Pokorni (Lead Vox) of Men Who Listen Chicago, Illinois, USA By BCBlonde

myspace.com/bc_blonde2002

October Edition 2009

MUEN: Hey there, good to make your acquaintance! Cheers from Vancouver! MWL: Hello Vancouver! We love ya!

MUEN: Well you guys have had an interesting beginning and a rather exciting journey thus far I would have to say! MWL: Yes, weʼre an overnight success that took 20 years…

MUEN: So it started out with you, Dan Pokorni joining forces with drum- your works? Is that about right? How did mer Patrick Doody and you meet up with him? bassist Bill Harrison in the Chicago area? MWL: Yeah, we realized MWL: Well, we were all in the production on the early demos were not up to the Chicago area doing scratch so we started our respective music thing. shopping for producers. I had just put out a solo acoustic CD and decided I We had it down to three guys and finally settled on would rather start a band Gary. Iʼll never forget what than go the solo route. I he said on our first phone contacted Bill and Pat on their websites and started call: “Iʼll know in ten minmaking demos with them. utes whether or not we can work together.” I guess the rest is history! MUEN: And then after

MWL: We sort of feel like the new kid on the block. Weʼve gotten some good reviews – one review called us a poor manʼs REM. Weʼve also gotten some lip service, both good and bad, from industry people, but thatʼs how a band evolves, right? At least weʼre being taken seriously.

MWL: Thanks.

MUEN: So when are we gonna get together to steal his car and take it for a whirl? :laughs: Thatʼs a great song with tongue in cheek humour! Oh and Iʼm serious about the car.

WHL: We get more comments about “I Hate Tom MUEN: You are receiving Cruise” than any other song! There is actually a airplay as well right? I disclaimer for it on our Mylove tracks 5 – (Dead & space page. People write Buried) In Your Love, comments like “…I hate track 1 –Pay Me No making some demos you him, too!” and “…Yeah, MUEN: Your debut album Mind, track 2 – I Hate were able to convince, somebody had to say it!” was released in June Tom Cruise & track 7 – lure and blackmail But the truth is I wrote that 2009. What has the reBeneath a Blue and :laughs: Gary Loizzo song way back in 2001, ception been like? Open Sky. who is Styxʼs producer long before Tom jumped to work his magic on


up and down on Oprahʼs couch. The line “I Hate Tom Cruise” just came to me in the shower, one of those rare flashes of inspiration.

MUEN: As for (Dead & Buried) In Your Love, well that one hits home for me. Lyrically itʼs a bit dark and jaded. Musically though it makes me dance around in a happy kind of way. I must be sick nʼ twisted. Love the misery. Yes? It describes how many of us feel about the dismal side of our loves. Enough said. I can listen to this one often. Thanks for this song!

MWL: Your welcome! Thatʼs another song that a lot of people like – it actually gives “Pay Me No Mind” a run for its money in popularity. I always thought the song was too simple, but thereʼs a grand, universal character to it that seems to strike a chord with a lot of people.

MUEN: Beneath A Blue And Open Sky…..a lovely melodic piece. Itʼs a simple, but a pretty song that I canʼt help but like. Who or what was the inspiration behind this one?

MWL: Ha! Isnʼt there always someone to inspire you? Or sometimes Iʼm just lucky enough to don my balladeer cap and pull out a tragic love song! BBOS is usually overshadowed by the rock tunes,

but weʼre pleased with all as it were… the different stylistic flavors on the CD. MUEN: Is there anything that you are not all in MUEN: Your band has an agreement with? What attitude that is actually have you fought about in similar to that of us here the past? Have you ever at MUEN Magazine, had to overcome differwhich is the fact that it is ences of opinion for the about the song. The sake of the band? Who song comes first. If you makes the final decidonʼt have the song then sions? donʼt bother! Harsh I know. :laughs: But you MWL: There was always a guys seem to hold the clear vision as to what the same sentiment. Can songs should sound like. you elaborate on that I would bring in a demo kind of mentality? and it would be pretty complete, right down to MWL: Well, I canʼt speak the solos. Pat and Bill for the other guys, but would add drums and bass coming up I always loved and then we would turn it hot guitar playing and over to Gary. This process great musicianship in gen- got easier as we kept eral, but as I grew older I doing it. I guess weʼve realized the stuff that had been pretty good at conthe most staying power flict avoidance so far! was a great song. And that philosophy, unconMUEN: The band name sciously or not, is what “Men Who Listen” made MEN WHO LISTEN is all me smile the first time I about. caught wind of it. What have you learned as men MUEN: I also like the fact and as musicians that as a band, you donʼt through the art of listenappear to be really con- ing? Or is that just a big cerned about the destifat lie of a name? nation as much as you :laughs: are enjoying being in the moment. Itʼs the journey MWL: Thanks, we knew and all the new experithis one was coming! Our ences along the way that original name was OLD make for an interesting STORY, but we decided to ride. Yes? Are you all in change it before the CD agreement with this came out. Weʼre going to mindset? take the 5th on the last two questions so that our betMWL: Sure. We have ter haves donʼt kill us!! short and long term goals that we would like to see MUEN: What will you be happen, but weʼre enjoying doing in the next few the process as well. years? What are your Smelling the musical roses plans?

MWL: Well, weʼre adding a new singer – a very big change and weʼre going to be upgrading to a new and better recording studio. Gary is still on board but Pat is going to be taking more of a producer role. The new singer will obviously add a lot and we hope to add another guitar player at some point. Hopefully, weʼll put together a live act not too far down the road!

MUEN: Well I for one look forward to new music from you guys, hope itʼs not too far off in the distance.

MWL: Weʼre already writing songs for a 4-song EP. Recording will start as soon as we finalize that new singer. MUEN: Are there any tours we should know about? Do you have a band website outside of MySpace that our readers can visit?

MWL: Hmm, no tours yet, but hopefully MEN WHO LISTEN will be playing at a location near you one day! That band website is always in the back of my mind, but itʼs MySpace for now.

MUEN: Thanks so much! It has been a most pleasurable experience and my best to you all! Rock on mes amies.

MWL: Likewise. Long live rock and roll!!


CANDIRIA

By Nick St. Onge of THE SAMMUS THEORY

Myspace.com/thesammustheory

Alright MUEN readers, listen up! Out of New York City's ageold, strong hardcore scene is a band called Candiria. If you haven't heard of them, I don't know what to tell you, besides that they've been putting out some of the best and most diverse

music in a scene they have helped keep alive for over 15 years, and have always kept things interesting.

Thanks for taking the time to talk with us today...

MUEN: Candiria seems to be a stylistic mash-up of Hardcore, Punk, Jazz, and Ambient music, to name a few, a sound that you had in the past dubbed "urban fusion". How

is this a reflection of the urban environment where the band has grown and thrived?

New York City is a very diverse place to live. Every day you walk outside your apartment you see and hear so many different languages and cultural styles, it始s difficult to not be inspired by it artistically. The music of Candiria I believe mirrors that diversity and energy.

MUEN: Has the band ever had a problem finding a niche, or having a solid following being that you are a musical entity that can't quite be categorized?

We have had our moments of alienation. Fortunately though, we were welcome into the NYHC scene with open arms early on in the bands career. It始s a music scene based more on a movement and state of mind


version. What prompted you to release such a package? I personally really dig the new album, but are you afraid that the new, more electronic MUEN: Let's talk about "Toying With remixes may alienthe Insanities: Vol. 1 ate your more heavy and "hardcore" rock & Vol. 2". This is a fairly ambitious and fans? interesting project. Being that you had Well I wanted to really have fun and be as dioutside musicians verse as possible with remix and rework these releases. The both classic and new tracks to get a artwork is kind of out new, somewhat out- there. I wanted to cresider perspective on ate a very cult-like theme. The members Candiria, how did of Candiria dressed in you feel about the suits donning ethnic final product? and animal masks. Great actually. There Holding these weird were some real scary devices and what not. It始s all just for the vimoments in the cresual effect. There's ative process of the art and the music and nothing to it and no the remixes we were one should be taking receiving. In the end any of that too seriously. The second volthough it kind of just ume especially. came together perPhotographer Taryn fectly. Elizabeth really nailed MUEN: I see you are the cover and back cover perfectly. She releasing the first volumes in a combi- really captured the vibe I was trying to nation of different formats. Volume one portray. I'm not worried about is on CD, volume 2 losing any fans beon LP, and you are cause I strongly feel also including a downloadable mp3 that the remixes on more than what the music consists of. We flourished well in that community and made many friends and allies.

another act. Michael Macivor and Carley Coma both working on other projects as well is really just too much to juggle to bring the band toMUEN: I also under- gether even for a couple of gigs. Maybe in stand that "Toying With the Insanities" the future. is meant to be a four volume set. Can you MUEN: Not to reopen old wounds, tell me a bit about what to expect from but I heard that in Volumes 3 & 4, and the late 90's the band survived a when we should start looking for it? nearly fatal car wreck while on tour. I'm not exactly certain Can you tell us myself to be honest. about how that affected the band both WE were talking personally, and as a about new material and maybe one of the whole in writing volumes being an EP your next album "What Doesn't Kill of all original music. Us" and perhaps in We'll see what transpires in the next sev- general perspective? eral months. this record are great interpretations of the original music. If folks are unhappy with it, oh well, better luck next time.

That's a lot to put into a paragraph or two so I will sum it up quickly. It was a life altering experience that effected every one of us on a grand scale. My life and the other 5 people in that vehicles lives will never be the same. It was a horrific accident and it is a No tour support for miracle that no one is this record. With the either dead or in a label, Ken Schalk being on the road with wheelchair. That MUEN: I see that you are planning a CD release party in New York City at the Three of Cups on October 1st. Do you have any other plans for touring in support of the new album?


being said I am very happy to be alive and still able to work on music. “What doesnʼt kill you” was a very difficult record for me to make for countless reasons. One of those reasons was a directional change in the style of music. I appreciate that record more now though and I appreciate all that I have learned from making it as well.

MUEN: Can you tell me a bit about the troubles you had releasing your last record "Kiss the Lie" on Type A records, and how it attributed to the formation of Rising Pulse, your new independent record label?

Type A records owned Kiss The Lie and Carley and I fought tooth and nail to get it released after it was finished. The label wanted a bunch of money no one was willing to spend so the record sat for two or so years before finally Type A decided to release a poor quality, unmastered version

with some songs titled incorrectly on itunes, emusic and other digital outlets. I felt it was an insult to the band and its members. I also felt that I could convince him to allow me to release a proper version of it on vinyl.. So I did. “Kiss The Lie” did not aid me in forming the label. I had done so almost a year prior to the release. MUEN: How does it feel to release the album on Rising Pulse Records, after the long fight with Type A?

Itʼs great to have it home where it belongs.

n't mean anything to me like working a 9 to 5 in some factory or some office, or something preposterous like that.

now? ...In three years?

Still putting out interesting music and being involved in interesting projects. MUEN: What, if any, That's the goal for Candiria. We are side-projects or other groups can we more a studio project at this point than anylook for from the band now or in the thing else. future? Anything in MUEN: Well there the works? you have it. "Toying There are a few. An- With the Insanities Vol.1, and Vol. 2" is other band I formed called Spylacopa with available now on Greg Puciato of The RisingPulse.com Dillinger Escape Plan, and all major digital Jeff Caxide of Isis and platforms (Itunes, Amazon, etc.) If you Julie Christmas of Made Out Of Babies are a fan of any kind released an EP in No- of music from Hardcore to Hip-Hop, this vember of 08. You can check that out, I is guaranteed to be worth a listen. Until think Candiria fans next time, RAWK would really dig it. Calrey formed a band ON!!! called Hope Kills Fear, which is doing For more info visit really well and playing www.myspace.com/ca shows now, and I also ndiria or RisingPulse.com. play in Michael MacIvors band, A Family Plot. The music is quite different from Candiria, but very diverse and interesting all the same.

MUEN: Have you sometimes found it difficult to keep up, being both a diligent musician and the hard-working owner of Rising Pulse Records? You have no idea.. Itʼs a lot of work. It doesn't end, but Iʼd rather be busy working and doing something noble and invigorating MUEN: Where do than being a part of you hope to see something that does- Candiria a year from


THE 69 EYES / DOMMIN / THE BECOMING TOUR DATES 10.05.09 Bottom Of The Hill, San Francisco, CA 10.06.09 Key Club, Hollywood, CA

10.07.09 The Galaxy Concert Theatre, Santa Ana, CA 10.09.09 The Prophet Bar, Dallas, TX 10.10.09 Zombie始s, San Antonio, TX 10.11.09 Meridian, Houston, TX

10.12.09 Howlin Wolf, New Orleans, LA 10.14.09 The Masquerade, Atlanta, GA 10.15.09 The Social, Orlando, FL

10.16.09 Ground Zero, Spartanburg, SC 10.18.09 Recher Theatre, Towson, MD

10.20.09 Blender Theatre at Gramercy, New York, NY 10.21.09 The Note, West Chester, PA 10.23.09 i-Rock, Detroit, MI

10.24.09 Reggie始s Rock Club, Chicago, IL 10.25.09 The Rock, Maplewood, MN

10.28.09 Ches-Arena, Pittsburgh, PA 10.29.09 Opera House, Toronto, ON 10.31.09 Chameleon, Lancaster, PA 11.01.09 Jaxx, West Springfield, VA


XXX CAR RIDE Detroit, Michigan

Interview by: Macavity

XXX Car Ride is a band that has only been around for a couple of years, but has already made a name for themselves with their great music. We talked with London Rozen who is the creative frontman for the band to find out more about them and what is coming up next.

MUEN: VERY INTERESTING NAME. HOW DID YOU ARRIVE AT THIS tured vocal on the track H8 show dates, location, etc. NAME ABOVE ALL OTH- U by Kem Secksdiin of For the most part I have ERS? Crossbreed. se7en on drums, Will Toombs on guitar Famus XCR: The name was actu- MUEN: QUITE IMPRES- on samples, keys and ally for the very first song SIVE TO HAVE ONE backing vocals but I have that was written for the at PERSON DO ALL THE also had DarkDaze on guithe time nameless project. VOCALS AND INSTRUtars and Kyzer on guitars It ended up being scraped MENTATION. DO YOU in the past Iʼve had Sage and the name was kept FEEL YOUR LIVE on bass or sometimes and used for the band inLINEUP PERFORMS Phoenix on bass like I said stead because I felt it was YOUR MUSIC AS YOU it all depends on the dates so fitting. HAVE COMPOSED IT? and availability.

MUSIC WRITTEN AND DO YOU WRITE ALL OF IT OR HAVE COLLABORATIONS WITH ANYONE?

XCR: Itʼs a long process of building piece by piece while sitting in a studio environment. Songs usually start with just one good idea maybe just a bass line or maybe just a simple guitar riff or vocal line and MUEN: YOU HAVE WHAT XCR: I really do have a at the end sometimes MUEN: HOW BEST DO HAS BECOME A COMthose great beginning great lineup of extremely YOU DESCRIBE YOUR MON CONFIGURATION ideas donʼt even make the talented guys and they MUSIC TO SOMEONE FOR MANY BANDS definitely share the vision. THAT HAS NOT HEARD final cut. No I havenʼt colTODAY ESPECIALLY laborated with anyone at It is very important in this IT? FOR YOUR GENRE. CAN kind of situation. To have this point but am open YOU EXPLAIN WHO the right people on board XCR: I would say itʼs a fu- minded to the concept. WAS INVOLVED WITH that know and understand sion as of right now it inTHE RECORDING OF MUEN: YOU HAVE ENhow things work and corporates Industrial, YOUR DEBUT EP? whatʼs going on. Rock, Electronica, Drum & TERED A VERY UP AND Bass, Metal and Trip Hop COMING GENRE OF INXCR: Yes, I wrote all the MUEN: WHO ALL IS IN- itʼs a very wide array and I DUSTRIAL ROCK AND music by myself, in a stu- CLUDED IN THE LIVE ELECTRONICA. WHO think you will see even dio environment as well as PERFORMANCES? ARE YOUR INFLUENCES more of this in the future arranged, produced and WHEN WRITING? with XXX Car Ride. mixed the debut EP. The XCR: That somewhat only exception is the feaXCR: Depeche Mode, changes depending on the MUEN: HOW IS THE


Deftones, Prodigy, Pink Floyd, Innerpartysystem, MSI, thereʼs a very long list here thatʼs ever changing but mostly life experiences and the emotions you go through. MUEN: THIS GENRE, AND YOUR MUSIC ESPECIALLY, APPEARS MORE TO LEND ITSELF TO LICENSING FOR SO MANY PLACES LIKE FILMS AND VIDEO GAMES ETC. ARE YOU CONSIDERING DOING THAT WITH YOUR MUSIC?

now I have some really great material lined up for that release but I am still finishing up a couple more tracks for that. Iʼm also anticipating in October there will be a XXX Car Ride vs. Fixt Remixed EP which will feature a bunch of Fixt artist and possibly even some others. You may be surprised at who shows up on this release.

MUEN: LOOKING FORWARD TO WHO WILL BE ON THAT THEN. YOU HAVE DECIDED TO SELF RELEASE THE ALBUM. WAS THIS THE BEST CHOICE TO RETAIN XCR: Yes, Iʼm venturing CREATIVE CONTROL OR into that now and am very excited about the possibili- JUST A NECESSITY TO GET THE MUSIC OUT? ties. I have a couple of companies that I just recently began working with XCR: At the time I felt like that was my best choice in and am looking to start placing some material very general due to the state of the music industry, but yes soon. I did enjoy the creative control. MUEN: YOU HAVE A DEBUT EP THAT JUST CAME OUT. WHERE CAN MUEN: I CAN UNDERSTAND THAT! DO YOU PEOPLE BUY IT? PLAN ON CONTINUING XCR: Itʼs available online TO SELF RELEASE OR through multiple retailers, ARE YOU LOOKING FOR MySpace, ITunes, the Fixt A LABEL? Online Store, and Amazon etc. Thereʼs also a new ex- XCR: Iʼm keeping my optended EP available exclu- tions open for now I would definitely say that if thereʼs sively through the Fixt people that belong on online store. board as far as XXX Car MUEN: DO YOU HAVE A Ride is concerned then yes letʼs find them and get FULL LENGTH CD IN them there. THE WORKS OR NEW MATERIAL READY AND MUEN: YOU HAVE A WHEN WILL IT BE COUPLE OF PERFORMAVAILABLE? ANCE VIDEOʼS OUT XCR: Iʼm in the process of THERE. ARE THERE PLANS TO DO MORE OR finishing the full length

industry has changed and the potential MySpace, Facebook, Twitter and all these other social networkXCR: Yes, Iʼm looking into ing groups have changed making video a way more the way music is bought integrated part of XXX Car and sold. Ride live performances, studio footage, video blogs MUEN: IT REALLY HAS! SO, DO YOU EVER TAKE and hopefully even a music video in the near fu- ANY TIME OFF AND IF ture. My main focus at the SO WHAT DO YOU DO moment though is more on FOR FUN AWAY FROM MUSIC? other things.

A CONCEPT VIDEO TO SHOWCASE ONE OF YOUR SONGS?

MUEN: OK, SO WHAT IS ON THE SCHEDULE FOR YOU FOR THE REST OF 2009?

XCR: A few show dates we will be lining up and finishing up the full length record is my top priority for closing out 2009. There may also be some massive web presence revamping.

MUEN: ARE THERE PLANS FOR A TOUR IN 2010 OR WHAT IS ON THE SCHEDULE FOR THEN AND BEYOND?

XCR: I donʼt usually take much time off. When I do I try to catch up with friends and family. That and keep out of trouble.

MUEN: ALL GOOD THINGS ESPECIALLY KEEPING OUT OF TROUBLE! WELL, IS THERE ANYTHING I HAVE NOT ASKED THAT YOU THINK OUR READERS WOULD LIKE TO KNOW ABOUT XXX CAR RIDE?

I think youʼve covered most everything.

THANKS FOR TALKING WITH MUEN TODAY. XCR: I would like to tour and pursue licensing heav- LOOKING FORWARD TO ily throughout 2010. Some SEEING WHAT IS NEXT FOR XXX CAR RIDE. details Iʼm working out now will take me into 2010 XCR: Thank you for your and beyond. time and support. We will keep you updated. MUEN: HOW IMPORTANT HAS MYSPACE BEEN TO GETTING YOUR MUSIC HEARD AND SOLD?

XCR: The internet has become such a powerful tool these days and MySpace is definitely a big part of that. Itʼs amazing how the



Joshua Steffen of

Halo In Reverse

are only about four. They came to me and said I love your stuff I want to use a song in my film. Another wanted to me to score it so I did.

WOW! YOU DO THE SYNTH PROGRAMMING, VOCALS, GUITARS, ALL THE PRODUCTION, MIXING AND MASTERING YOURSELF? IS THIS BECAUSE, "IF YOU WANT IT DONE RIGHT, YOU DO IT YOURSELF?" OR JUST OUT OF CONVENIENCE?

WHAT INDEPENDENT FILMS HAS YOUR MUSIC BEEN INCLUDED IN?

WHEN DID YOU FIRST START GETTING INTERESTED IN INDEPENDENT FILMS?

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN A MEMBER OF ANOTHER BAND?

One was called "Through My Eyes", I had one song in it and scored the film as well. Another was called "Craig" and the third called "Pantheon Black", a Sci Fi Flick. There is a Hahaha its because if fourth coming out in you want it done right 2010 called "Tour De you gotta do it yourself. Force". You can look Plus I've been in bands them up on imdb.com It before and it was a shows up under Joshua nightmare. I was the one Steffen, not Halo In Rewriting the songs, and verse. different people in the band would complain AND YOU'VE ALSO "well I don't like this sec- DONE SCORING FOR tion of the song". Of INDEPENDENT FILMS course I just got sick of AS WELL? HOW LONG it, I thought to myself "I'm HAVE YOU BEEN the only one writing the DOING THIS FOR? songs here, if you don't like that section of the Just that one film, I'd like song then write a song to do more. It was actuyour fucking self". So I ally a lot of fun. You have decided screw this I'm the film so your watching doing everything myself, the scenes and writing and told them all "I'm parts as the film goes outta here good luck!". along. Its a blast really.

In the past, no one anyActually the independent body would ever hear of, films came to me. There thank god. Ha!

cake. I love T-Rex, old Black Sabbath. There is so much I listen to all over the place. Nick Cave, Tom Waits to the "stoner rock" like Kyuss, Fu-Manchu, Electric Wizard, The Truckfighters. Good stuff man Hmm.... I can't really get good stuff. I recently went to go see The Revinto that right now, its erend Horton Heat over just recently happened, it would be uncouth of me at the Stone Pony at the to do so . All I can say is Jersey shore. Those keep an eye on the alfa- guys are simply amazing, I listen to them matrix website. whenever I can, I abwww.alfa-matrix.com solutely love them. Live... they where no YOU WRITE SOME joke, just right on the GREAT SONGS, NIN DOES COME TO MIND money. That guitar WHEN LISTENING TO player is just mind blowing, he has amazing YOUR MUSIC, ESPEchops. CIALLY WITH SONGS LIKE "SWEET AS HONEY"... IT'S FUNNY YOUR WRITING SEEMS LIKE IT IS INTHOUGH BECAUSE I SPIRED BY PERWAS THINKING IT'S SONAL EVENTS, IS EVEN BETTER THAN THIS TRUE? AND OUT NIN, AND THEN A COUPLE DAYS LATER OF ALL YOUR WORKS, I READ SOMEWHERE WHICH WOULD BE YOUR PERSONAL FAELSE THAT THE REVORITE AND WHY? VIEWER THOUGHT THE SAME THING. Yeah everything is inWHO ELSE ARE YOU INFLUENCED BY? DE- spired by personal PECHE MODE WOULD events. I'm not sure which one is my favorite BE ONE RIGHT? to be honest with you. I BEING THE NAME don't really have a fa"HALO IN REVERSE" vorite. It would probably IS FROM A LYRIC OF be Go All The Way, that THEIRS.. was a horrible moment in my life, and I think I Oh god yeah I portrayed the way I was loooooooove Depeche feeling at the time pretty Mode. Probably one of well. my favorites of all time besides Peter Gabriel HOW MANY SONGS who think takes the

TELL US ABOUT THE NEW RECORD DEAL YOU JUST SIGNED WITH ALFA-MATRIX, DID THIS JUST COME OVERNIGHT, OR WAS IT A LENGTHY PROCESS?


LISTED AT YOUR WEBPAGE WWW.HALOINThere are a bunch man, REVERSE.COM ... IS kind of all over the place. THERE ANYTHING NEW YOU'VE COME "POP ICON PUPPETS" ACROSS THAT YOU IS PRETTY BRUTAL... LIKE ALOT? GIVE US YOUR Eh... I haven't really THOUGHTS ON POP been purchasing synths. CULTURE... I'm really happy with what I have. The best Pop culture is the bane of our country. Pop cul- thing I'd have to say in my arsenal is the Univerture is the reason nobody has any idea what sal Audio DSP cards and is going on in their coun- plugins. Best investment anybody could ever try or with their politimake. I have 3 of the cians. I mean...... how many "reality" shows are UAD-1 cards and just recently picked up a UADout there right now? Its pathetic, its mind melting 2 Quad card. The UAD-2 Quad card gives 10 drool for morons, and times the DSP of one the amount of people UAD-1 card. The plugins that try to mimic these they make for these people in these reality things are just soooo shows is mind blowing. sweet. I picked up the They think this is really Neve 88rs channel strip the way people are supplugin, the SSL channel posed to live. Its also strip and SSL buss comtold people (the same pressor. Also the Imperiwith Myspace) that the goal in life is to become cal Labs Fatso. I "famous", and generally mean..... being able to have a whole Neve 88rs speaking, famous for doing nothing. Much like console or an SSL G4000 console whenParis Hilton or Kim.. what's her face with the ever I want is pretty ridiculous. These plugins ass so huge it has its sound like their hardown gravitational pull... famous for doing NOTH- ware counterparts to a T. I mean right on the ING. They polled teens around the country as to money. Although I have to say I prefer the Neve what they think "The American Dream" is. The 88rs channel strip over the SSL. The EQ is Majority replied "being famous". How pathetic is much smoother and nicer, the compressor that? and the gate all just sound better to my ears. I KNOW THAT THE The buss compressor GEAR YOU USE IS HAVE YOU WRITTEN?

though is killer. I'm actually remixing everything for the Alfa-Matrix release using the Neve 88RS channel strips along with the Fatso and the SSL Buss compressor, along with some of the other stuff that Universal Audio makes. Pultec EQ here and there when I need it, 1176 compressor sometimes, and the Fairchild Compressor. IS THERE ANYONE ELSE INVOLVED IN THE PRODUCTION OF YOUR PAST MUSIC FROM START TO FINISH?

Nope just me, every one in awhile I call my manager Jamie Myerson when I'm stuck on something in the mix and I need some advice. He's a phenomenal producer and really knows his stuff. HOW DO YOU, OR WILL YOU GO ABOUT PERFORMING LIVE?

on Ovum records with Josh Wink and King Brit. He was really one of the first people here in the US, back when Drum and Bass was big in the UK, he was the only one doing it here in the US. Of course that was awhile ago, the stuff he works on is light years ahead. He is just a great song writer producer and engineer. He really knows his shit. I READ THAT WHILE GROWING UP YOU DABBLED IN OIL PAINTING, PEN & INK ETC., DO YOU STILL CREATe ARTWORK TODAY?

Geez I haven't created anything in awhile all my time is spent on music really, art wise.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE MUSIC ENVIRONMENT IN PHILADELPHIA?

It blows big donkey dick. The music scene in Philly is either Rap/Hip I will be doing live shows Hop, or whatever the eventually, I'm still trying hipster scene kids are listening to these days. to put that all together, its going to take a bit of Generally very boring. time though. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE WHO IS YOUR MANMUSIC INDUSTRY IN AGER, AND HOW IS THAT RELATIONSHIP GENERAL? GOING? The indie section of the industry is not that bad. Jamie Myerson. He's a great guy. He used to be The major labels out


there are there to rape the artist, that is about all they are there for. WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR AND NEXT, NOW THAT YOU HAVE THIS RECORD DEAL?

Getting the CD finished and mixed, and getting the 2nd CD finished. After that.... I have an 08 Mustang that I plan on working on, putting in some twin turbos and other upgrades. Then taking it down to the track to do some drag racing.

WELL WE WILL DEFINITELY BE KEEPING OUR EYES AND EARS ON YOU, AND WISH YOU ALL THE BEST WITH YOUR FUTURE PROJECTS.. IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO ADD? Yeah, I just went to see Inglorious Bastards and it was f'ing great!

(haha, this question was wrote before you posted the blog about the record deal) Hehehe I'll skip this next question since I already answered the question about the record deal. LOL! Thanks man for this opportunity! -josh YOU SHOULD BE

SIGNED AND YOUR WORK SHOULD BE MORE OUT IN THE PUBLIC, WHAT LABELS (BIG OR SMALL) DO YOU FEEL YOU'D

BE MOST COMPATIBLE WITH?

Anyway, thanks for the interview!



OUR LADY PEACE KICK-OFF U.S. HEADLINING TOUR OCTOBER 19; “THE END IS WHERE WE BEGIN” IMPACTING AT RADIO NOW

OUR LADY PEACE--Raine Maida (vocalist), Duncan Coutts (bass), Jeremy Taggart (drums), Steve Mazur (guitar)—will be kicking off a U.S. headlining tour starting October 19 in Solana Beach, CA to promote their seventh studio album, BURN BURN, which was released July 21 via Coalition Entertainment (Records) through Warner Music Group's Independent Label Group. While the trek is set to conclude October 31, more dates are being added throughout the rest of the year. The album, which debuted at #41 on the Billboard “Top 200 Albums” chart, has already produced a hit single with "All You Did Was Save My Life," thanks to heavy rotation at four different formats: Alternative, Top 40, Triple A and Active. The video stars fellow Canadian, Shenae Grimes, of "90210" and "Degrassi: The Next Generation" fame. "The End Is Where We Begin" is the second single is now being serviced to radio and has recently been added to stations nationwide including KDGE/Dallas, KTBZ/Houston, WKRK/Cleveland, KRBZ/Kansas City, WPBZ/West Palm Beach and WGRD/Grand Rapids. A video for the song will make its premiere in the next couple of weeks. Primarily self-produced in lead singer Raine Maidaʼs Los Angeles home studio, BURN BURN marks the longest period between studio albums for Our Lady Peace. It also signifies a sonic and philosophical rebirth. The band now enjoys a creative and professional freedom that they havenʼt experienced since the release of their now classic debut. “I think about the way we made NAVEED,” Maida recalls. “We were just starting, we knew nothing about the business and we had no expectations. It was four guys in a room just trusting their instincts. We went back to that. ʻLiberatingʼ doesnʼt really even sum it up.” BURN BURN is a triumphant return to what Maida terms “a proper, mature rock album,” steeped in the kind of raw intensity that drove their early material. Blinding rays of anthemic light make way to the tender poise and precision of a band that was looking for a way out and found a satisfying new way in. Our Lady Peace's live show is as good as it's ever been and was on display during Julyʼs soldout shows in New York City and Los Angeles that had Billboard gushing, "OLP proved their readiness as arena-worthy superstars during the opening night of the Canadian act's U.S. tour.” The performance in Los Angeles left the Troubadour none-too-pleased with the damage OLP incurred. Maida victoriously climbed up to walls to the second floor during "All You Did Was Save My Life," leaving a heap of destruction in his wake. A fan caught the stunt on video and it can be seen on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrSVi5Ce_go). The album has been racking up rave reviews since the albumʼs release:

“…a nice return to the soaring rock they made their name on. Lead singer Raine Maida sounds more mature than ever - mostly forsaking his once eye-popping falsetto - and brings a poetic touch to his tales of everyday struggle and hope…Often praised for their energetic live show, OLP keeps the anthemic tracks flowing with ʻThe End Is Where We Begin,ʼ ʻEscape Artist,ʼ ʻRefuge,ʼ and the blistering ʻWhite Flags.ʼ Check This Track Out: ʻMonkey Brainsʼ is a manic blast of energy that features a - dare I say it - Iron Maideninfluenced effort by bassist Duncan Coutts.” --John Kosik, Associated Press “Fingerprints of the band's past are all over it, from the frantic basslines and guitar blasts found on the eccentric ʻMonkey Brainsʼ to stripped-down rocker ʻWhite Flagsʼ…the soaring, piano-driven ʻNever Get Over Youʼ is proof that singer Raine Maida can still write a killer ballad.” --Evan Lucy, Billboard Check out Our Lady Peace at any of the following stops: DATE

Mon 10/19 Tue 10/20 Wed 10/21 Thu 10/22 Sat 10/24 Sun 10/25 Tue 10/27 Thu 10/29 Fri 10/30 Sat 10/31 Tue 11/13 Thu 12/3 Fri 12/4

CITY

Solana Beach, CA Anaheim, CA Tempe, AZ Las Vegas, NV Houston, TX New Orleans, LA Johnson City, TN Columbus, OH St. Louis, MO Kansas City, MO Banff, Alberta Lake Buena Vista, FL Jacksonville, FL

www.ourladypeace.net www.myspace.com/ourladypeace www.facebook.com/ourladypeace

VENUE

Belly Up House of Blues Clubhouse Music Venue Rio Hotel & Casino The Woodlands Pavillion House of Blues Electric Cowboy Newport Music Hall The Pageant Kansas City Power & Light District Wild Bills Saloon House of Blues Freebird Live


TANTRIC

September 28, 2009

(Silent Majority Group)

Hugo Ferreira (Vocals)

LOUISVILLE, KY

Myspace.com/tantric

By: Shauna OʼDonnell

TANTRIC JOINING US ON THE PHONE TODAY.

MUEN: HI HUGO AND THANKS FOR TALKING WITH ME.

Hello, I was contemplating doing the whole interview in a Cuban accent. Iʼve been watching Scarface all week long, but I was advised by my label that I would be dropped if I did that.

HEY GUYS THIS IS SHAUNA WITH MUEN MAGAZINE AND YOU ARE LISTENING TO MUEN TALK. WE HAVE HUGO THE VOICE OF MUEN: I HAD HEARD

THAT YOU DO A GOOD MIND CONTROL. YOU GUYS COLLABOSCARFACE IMPRESRATED MORE AS A SION. BAND ON THIS ONE RIGHT? I actually do a very well known Scarface impresWe definitely did a lot sion. I canʼt do it right more than in The End now; I have to be in the Begins because I already character. Itʼs the whole had a lot of the songs nine yards. I have to written on that record. wear a red shirt with With this one, I think that white pants. Iʼm a character actor; I have to live is why we were able to make such a great in the character. record and do it in record time. I had Joe sending MUEN: IN AUGUST YOU RELEASED YOUR me riffs all the time, MarLATEST CD ENTITLED cus was sending violin


riffs, Erik sent me a couple bass riffs and basically I put them all in my Pro Tools. I put all the riffs in my Pro Tools and arranged them how I thought they would make sense and wrote melodies over them. It was really unique and it gave it that harder edge that I wanted to go for. This record is significantly darker and heavier than the last one.

MUEN: WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION BEHIND MAKING THIS ALBUM DARKER AND HEAVIER THIS TIME AROUND?

The last one was such an autobiographical one for me because I had just gone through hell and back. The songs were me contemplating how I just survived the last three years. It was a really difficult time and that record is not a happy record. This one is a contrast to that. Itʼs behind me, I feel better and itʼs time to step forward. I wanted it to have that energy. I think this record very much reflects the energy that I feel right now. Iʼm in a good place. MUEN: THAT WAS YOUR MINDSET WHEN GOING INTO THE STUDIO. Definitely

MUEN: WHAT DOES

THE ALBUM TITLE REFER TO?

Itʼs not that I hate everything on FOX, but I was sitting around watching FOX News, Bill OʼReilly, Glenn Beck and then I would switch to a different channel that was reporting on the same thing. It is basically a commentary on just how biased media is and how people who work for certain organizations like FOX and people who work for liberal forms of media both have their own agendas. To me, itʼs sad that all these people are not getting the truth, they are just getting what they want you to pick from their truths. I believe that media has become a very subtle form of mind control and itʼs being used in bigger scales in other countries. If youʼre Republican, Democrat, Liberal or whatever, just be Americans and be united. Do what makes sense, not what people on the news tell you to do. “Wear Prada, itʼs cool, okay letʼs do it.” Iʼm not this super political person, but I remember being in Korea playing for the troops many times. Just hearing it from their mouths how they felt why we were there and how they felt in general. What was told to us by everybody else was completely different, night and day. I love our

somebody that has a Berkeley background and somebody that is MUEN: THATʼS ALL WE very unorthodox. Weʼve pretty much covered the CAN HOPE FOR. YOU whole spectrum. Iʼm exGUYS ARE WITH cited to see what we are SILENT MAJORITY GROUP NOW. DO YOU going to create next, but I definitely think the sky is FEEL YOU HAVE FINALLY FOUND A HOME the limit. Iʼd like to be a band that is unpreWITH THEM? dictable. Itʼs a whole different experience than being on a MUEN: YOU NOW HAVE A VIOLIN major like Maverick PLAYER AS WELL. I where you had a staff of PERSONALLY THINK a hundred people. Itʼs just so much more family THAT MAKES A GREAT oriented. There are bene- ADDITION TO THE MUSIC. fits of being on a huge major that spends five million on releasing you, I think so too. Initially, but at the end of the day everybody was totally as long as I can make a freaked out. They were like “You canʼt do violin in living doing what I love, thatʼs really my ultimate rock.” Violin is a very old instrument and itʼs beaugoal. Iʼd rather do that tiful. Afterward so many with a family oriented type of organization. So people have come up to me and said “You guys far, those guys have are that dude with the viproven to us that they olin song.” They donʼt are willing to walk the know the name of the walk. I donʼt have anysong; they just know itʼs thing negative to say a violin song. Itʼs really about them. been accepted and part of our little shtick that we MUEN: THIS IS THE STRONGEST LINE-UP have going on. TANTRIC HAS HAD, MUEN: THE COVER TOO. WAS DESIGNED BY YOUR BROTHER CARYeah, musically, I donʼt LOS RIGHT? think there are going to be any limits to what we Yeah, my brother deare going to be able to signed the first cover, the grow into. We have the best of the best as far as third cover and the fourth cover, as well as a lot of players are concerned. We have somebody with the t-shirts. My brother owns a design firm in a classical background, country; I just hope the best for it.


L.A. called Sketched Ink. Iʼm Portuguese and we are really family oriented, so I always ask him if he has time to do it. I think he did such a fantastic job on this one. This is by far my favorite cover, the inlay, the video and the whole artistic side of this album is just perfect. It is exactly how I wanted it to be. I love the way the video represents the song. I hope that the people listen to it and really give it a chance because I think that they will fall in love with it.

MUEN: THE VIDEO FOR THE SONG “MIND CONTROL” IS GREAT! RICHIE REALLY GETS DOWN ON THOSE DRUMS.

Richie is very knowledgeable about what he does on the drums. Heʼs not just this guy who is self taught. He is very calculated on what he plays, but at the same time he has this free spirit and you never know what is going to come out of him. The energy that he puts into his performance and visually he is a fun person to watch play.

MUEN: SPEAKING OF WHICH, I SEE THAT YOU GUYS REALLY ENJOY MAKING IN STUDIO VIDEOS. I DONʼT THINK I HAVE EVER SEEN SO MANY ON ONE BAND.

We are a very comical band if you havenʼt noticed that. Generally, I would say 80% of the time, we are joking around. Itʼs not a very mopey type band. We are in the Poconos recording this record. There is literally nothing close around. We thought it would be fun for the fans. They are still up there and people can go check them out. They can live vicariously through us and see what it is like to be stuck in this cabin for a month recording a record. The reality of it and how much work it really is even though we are joking around all the time. We have the whole “Mustache of Love” which was obviously making fun of “Rock of Love.” We all grew these ridiculous mustaches that we couldnʼt shave throughout the whole thing. I had the whole handlebar thing, Marcus looked like Magnum P.I. and Richieʼs mustache, he has like four hair follicles on his whole face, so it looked like somebody wrote on him with a black pen. Towards the end of the record it was just so funny. I kind of got attached to that mustache.

MUEN: YOU GOT RID OF IT THOUGH, RIGHT? Yeah, I got rid of it. I

great guys, great players and they are really hungry. They remind me of me fifteen years ago. They are a really solid band, so cheers to them. MUEN: DIDNʼT SOME- We have Aranda thatʼs on the road with us and BODY SAY YOU our label mates Vayden, LOOKED LIKE A 70ʼS which are probably one PORN STAR? of my favorite bands of all time. At least, favorite Yeah, I definitely look like band that is recent. a porn star. I have the whole porn star creepo MUEN: HAS ANYTHING look. It was awesome. INTERESTING OR UNNot a lot of bands let USUAL HAPPENED people into their private THAT YOU WANT TO life like that and I think TELL US ABOUT ON that totally reflects our THIS TOUR? personality as a band. This is a really tough business that we are in. There are always setThere are 4 million peo- backs, I mean, our bus got robbed twice and my ple fighting to get in to one slot. When you in the identity got stolen once. This band has endured studio itʼs the only time so much in the last three that you can be there, months. The bus got create and not worry stolen once while we about everything else. I love being in the studio. were performing in Delaware. They caught If I could make a living the people, but they canʼt just being in the studio find them. We are talking and only touring once a about personal computweek, I would totally do ers, pictures and things that. that were irreplaceable. MUEN: YOU GUYS ARE Everything was stolen because somebody ON THE ROAD WITH wanted to snort crack or THE BAND ATOM SMASH RIGHT NOW. I something. We were just robbed recently within LOVE THOSE GUYS. the last week of quite a bit of thousands of dolYeah, first of all, I think they are going to go far. I lars. The A/C is broken down in the middle of canʼt say enough good things about them. I think 108 degree weather. Itʼs one thing after another. we are going to bring them out on the road with The tour has been going us again on the late Oc- great and we are having tober run. I think they are a good time. Itʼs a conwould wake up with jeans, a jean shirt and a jean jacket looking out into the wilderness with my handlebar mustache.


stant struggle to overcome the next obstacle. Iʼm not going to lie, Iʼm looking forward to the two week break we have coming up. I think people that steal are the lowest common denominator and I hope there is a special place in hell for them, unless itʼs to feed your children, then I can understand that. MUEN: WHAT DO YOU DO TO KEEP FROM GETTING BORED ON THE LONG DRIVES?

I have a PlayStation 3. My girlfriend bought it for me. Yes, Iʼm 35 and I play video games all day long. I do that or Iʼm reading or writing songs. Iʼm always doing something; Iʼm a very motivated person. Everyone has their own way of relaxing. We have two lounges on the bus, in the back and in the front. The one in the back is for the PlayStation and the one in the front is like the main living room where you have guests come in for tea and crumpets.

MUEN: I LOVE YOUR DEFAULT PIC WITH THE OPEN SHIRT SO TELL ME WHAT DO YOU DO TO KEEP IN SHAPE?

Surprisingly enough, I think itʼs performing everyday; itʼs an hour and a half of cardio right

there. I try and stay in shape and not eat crappy food. Itʼs kind of hard when youʼre on the road, but I am definitely the cook at my house. When Iʼm on the road, itʼs the constant playing shows and sweating. On occasion Iʼll do a few sit ups here and there.

eight years to keep it fresh.

MUEN: I KNOW A BAND OUT OF LOUISVILLE. THEY ARE CALLED SUPERUNKNOWN. DO YOU KNOW WHO THEY ARE?

I know them and I know MUEN: DID YOU GROW a few of the guys in the UP IN KENTUCKY? band, not by name, but when I see them we alNo, I grew up in Hudson, ways give the old “yeah I Massachusetts. When I know you” nod. graduated high school, I moved to Detroit. I went MUEN: YOU GUYS ARE to college there and VERY DEDICATED TO starting pursuing music a YOUR FANS. WHAT DO little more on a rock level YOU DO TO TRY AND there. I had some sucKEEP THAT CONTACT cess and when I founded GOING? I SEE YOU Tantric with the other USE TWITTER. guys that were in it, at that point, it made more I normally use Facebook sense for me to move to and Myspace. Thatʼs my Louisville. Iʼm ready to main thing. Facebook move again soon, I love kind of does what Twitter Louisville, itʼs been great, does and itʼs easy to use. but Iʼm ready to go some- We always film little place new. I want to be video skits with my by the water. In Kenphone and we post them tucky, youʼre just so land- there. We can send them locked. If you drive 30 directly from the phone. miles out of the city, We try to keep up with youʼre in a whole differthe fans. We voluntarily ent world if you know do meet and greets at what I mean. The city it- every show. We walk out self is very cultured and and thank everybody. We not backwards. Thereʼs a donʼt act like dickhead lot of great music there rock stars. We are very and itʼs a good town. Iʼve appreciative that people been there for a while come out. We just really now and Iʼve got two want this record to get dogs. Iʼm ready to move noticed because I think if to a different climate and it does it will smoke anyatmosphere. You got to thing out there. Hopefully, move every seven or it will get the chance that

it deserves.

MUEN: PLUS, YOU HAVE THE TANTRIC ARMY OUT THERE SPREADING THE WORD?

We do have the Tantric Army. You canʼt mess with them because they will mess you up. They are literally an army, theyʼre strapping.

MUEN: THANKS FOR TALKING WITH ME TODAY, BEFORE I LET YOU GO IS THERE ANYTHING YOUʼD LIKE TO ADD OR SAY?

I would like to encourage people to join our Facebook at Facebook.com/tantric. I would also like them to join my personal one that tends to have more information about Tantric, like the day to day stuff. My user name is Hugotantric7 and obviously, join our Myspace. If you have any questions for us, ask them and we will do our best to answer. Pick up our record at any local store.



SOUNDTRACK 90210 TO compile a selection of songs that were heard in a BE RELEASED seriesʼ previous episodes. OCTOBER 13 Instead, this collection features all brand new and Collection Features Brand previously unreleased New & Exclusive Tracks tracks that will be integrated into upcoming From Some Of Musicʼs episodes and make Most Popular Artists Soundtrack 90210 a true representation of the All Songs Set For Placeshowʼs music sensibilities ment In This Seasonʼs throughout the current Episodes season. CBS Records will release As Sinclair explains, “The a specially produced soundtrack for the hit tele- music that we are using this season on 90210 revision series 90210 on flects the show; it's fresh, Tuesday, October 13. eclectic, passionate and Soundtrack 90210 features 14 brand new tracks fun. I'm thrilled with the wonderful artists who have from some of musicʼs given us all these great biggest names, including songs and excited to share Adele with The Raconthe soundtrack of the show teurs, N.E.R.D. featuring with everybody.” Santigold, JET, Anberlin, MuteMath, Owl City, OK Go and Parachute, all set 90210 airs Tuesday nights at 8 p.m. / 7 p.m. central for placement in 90210 on The CW. episodes during the 2009 2010 season. The complete track listing for Soundtrack 90210 is as Last nightʼs episode of 90210, “To Sext Or Not To follows: Sext” featured a brand 1. Adele with The Raconnew song from OK Go, “I Want You So Bad,” which teurs “Many Shades Of marked the first placement Black” 2. N.E.R.D. featuring in an episode of a song Santigold “Soldier” from the forthcoming 3. JET “One Hipster One soundtrack. Bullit 4. Mute Math “Valium” 90210 executive producer 5. OK Go “I Want You So Rebecca Sinclair and Bad” music supervisor Scott 6. The All-American ReVener listened to dozens of submitted tracks before jects “Sierraʼs Song” 7. Anberlin “A Perfect choosing the ones best Tourniquet” suited for the showʼs up8. Owl City “Sunburn” coming storylines. Sound9. Will Dailey track 90210 stands apart “Youʼre So Cold” from television show 10. The Red Jumpsuit soundtrack which merely

Apparatus “Love Seat” 11. Parachute “One Small Step” 12. Sarah Solovay “Hearts Collide” 13. Darrelle London “Understood” 14. Stars Crashing Cars “City Girl” 15. John E. Davis “90210 Main Title (2009 Remix)”


DEATH BECOMES YOU

LEE: Everywhere from the stages of the UK touring as the backing band of Wednesday 13 on his first solo tour in March 04', to premier venues across the US on previous outings playing places like FL's MUEN: HOW LONG Hard Rock Live to LA's Bar HAVE YOU ALL BEEN TOGETHER AS A BAND? Sinister in 04' and The Whisky in May 08'! As for Florida, we have toured LEE: It has been 9 years our little shop of horrors since what seems like a everywhere from major fraction of time, as we have done so much! Time clubs to "rock n' roll shithouses" waits for noone, its like a while putting on the show race against the clock to of shows! Through the get to where you want to years we have played with be! You turn around and everyone from Marky Rawonder where the years mone (3x) to WASP to went, and I will tell you! Loss of loved ones, tours, DANZIG! shitty record deals to name a few! If there's one Janos: As far as playing venues, it has always thing we have, its an energy derived from the band been a bit of a "rollercoaster" so to speak. We featuring 4 very distinct have played everything personalities that have been there since day one! from "sports bars" (after all, we are in FLORI-DUH! The same 4 original lost Can I get a YEE HAW!?) souls! Ironically, that to venues such as "The Nicodemous and Gory were not even legal drink- Hard Rock live" in Orlando, opening for national ing age when we first started playing clubs! Now acts. We have played our share of dives obviously they will drink you under as well. But it really has the table... Maybe we been a bit of everything so should change the band far, you just suck it up and name to Dead Boys To do what needs to be done. Men!? HA HA! Anyone with a brain realizes its going to be that Janos: I always hated way for a while. The band bands who had rotating members "who's the drum- was the backing band for Wednesday 13 on his mer this week"? How do "Graveyard a go go" tour you expect the public to playing 'theater sized" mid take you seriously when you don't take what you do venues, only to come home and play bars. Being seriously enough? a band influenced by "RAMONES" and knowing MUEN: WHAT TYPE OF VENUES DO YOU PLAY? their history you tend to have an idea of what's

waiting for you.

MUEN: WHAT'S IT LIKE HAVING TO WORK WITH YOUR BROTHERS? ARE YOU LIKE THE JONAS BROTHERS?

LEE: I wouldn't change a thing even those few times familial issues have caused knock 'em down drag 'em outs between us... That's what makes us a gang, you fuck with one you get all 4! There's a safety in playing with blood that you wont get from playing with strangers, I know their every move, I can put my faith in them to do their job and not fuck it up by letting life get in the way! Fighting for the same thing all these years, we are that much more respectful of each other seeing the depth of each others character, deadication, and conviction!

Janos: NO!! we are the JANOS BROTHERS! When I started this band, I wanted an army, a GANG. you want the band to be "a bond of sorts", who better to enlist than FAMILY? I noticed that whole trend of "Motley Crue wanna-be gang bullshit" had come back. Honestly, if you have to tell the public that you are a gang you fucking aren't! This should all be a part of you, the public can see thru bullshit (usually)..This goes back to what I said about "line up changes' as well. Myself, Nicodemous and Christopher Lee are all brothers. Gory, our guitar player is

not related to us. To be honest, he wasn't the choice. He was the ONLY CHOICE! We wanted someone who was "well versed". AT 17, he was running a local club. He was booking band's and running sound as well. He was doing everything. He was booking a lot of what has become known I guess now as "retro tours" booking bands like "Quiet Riot" and "Survivor". He wasn't booking the local "red neck Heavy Metal bands" (after all we are in FLORI-DUH!) He is the most "mechanically inclined" guy I have ever met. He built our original stage lights and our backline of amp's FROM SCRATCH! As far as the "JONAS BROTHERS", what can I say? This is what is considered "rock" in the eyes of the mainstream today? Thank you to MTV (MUSIC TO VOMIT BY, OR MOSTLY TELEVISION?) for perpetuating this!

Nicodemous: Well i wouldn't exactly call it work, our band is something that we take very seriously! Its our outlet and release its nothing but positive and therapeutic energy that leaves us exhausted when we give it our all! I wouldn't change it for anything, I could never imagine being in a band without the 2 of them it just wouldn't be the same, I wouldn't be the same. I wouldn't get as much of a thrill out of it either, being in a band...I get blown away at times play-


ing a show and looking around on stage watching my brothers in their purest form being the fucking maniacs they are, I guess because i'm also a fan of the band and that is why it blows me away , I don't listen to anyone's bullshit as far as i'm concerned "Chris Lee" is definitely one of the best drummers I have ever seen and i wont say that because he's blood i could never find anyone better than him to play with!! Then we have John Janos "FUGGIN FA GET A BOUT IT" I warn anyone to stay 5 feet away at least or further from this guy when he's onstage, he's like a pack of dogs with a heavy clamped bite and loud bark that will verbally take your face off and put you in your place with amazing sarcasm to polish it off !! But yes its awesome to be "IN A BAND" with the 2 of them!

about The Coop were rampant, and once our parents showed concern that we had a curiosity about Alice, WE KNEW we had to learn more! LOL! From there on I personally always loved bands that had an image that was cohesive with their music! Janos: I was influenced by KISS, THE ALICE COOPER BAND, RAMONES, THE MISFITS..I have always been a fan of band's who have a great "continuity" about them. Having the band name, lyrics, music, look and live show mesh together well.

Nicodemous: I COULD SIT HERE ALL DAY ANSWERING THIS !!! WELL, to be honest I would have to say my 2 older brothers Chris Lee and John Janos to start because they were the gateway drug dealers to my real influences, John and Chris had me listening to Motley, W.A.S.P, Alice MUEN: WHAT WERE YOUR MUSICAL INFLU- Cooper, Quiet Riot basiENCES GROWING UP? cally anything from VENOM to KISS I would say by the time I was 4 LEE: Well I had always had an ear for music from when I really got into the time I was like 3, and music, my first record I had on vinyl was "KISS remember Janos had DOUBLE PLATINUM" basome KISS records as a sically I would have to say kid, the look and the imGene Simmons, Paul agery caught my attention Stanley, Nikki Sixx, Blackie first! Especially, Mr. Simmons covered in blood on Lawless, were some of my the cover of KISS Alive 2! musical influences growing up, you couldn't fuck with Then being a dedicated viewer of The Muppets, my any of those guys in their prime! fate was sealed when I saw Alice Cooper performGory: While I was growing ing "Schools Out"! I was sold, and my soul was too! up and learning to play That's when all the rumors guitar, i listened to a lot of

metal bands, like Metallica and White Zombie to Slayer and they helped to teach me the basics on guitar, then after that stage, I got into more obscure bands like Paradise Lost and the almighty Faith No More, which are both huge influences on me still to this day.

MUEN: WHAT KIND OF MOVIES DO YOU LIKE?

LEE: I prefer allot of the classic horror films that John forced our late father to drag us to see when we were kids, everything from Food Of The Gods to The Boogens, 70's horror films had a certain charm to them that is lost today! Why rework a classic movie when you will never outdo the original, aka Dawn Of The Dead, The Fog, etc, classics! But the Universal horror films of the 30's and 40's still hold up, and look great for the time and they are still brilliant pieces of work, how can you not identify with those characters since as humans we are all monsters! Other than that I love all gangster films, or anything by Scorces. it has to do with our New Yawk upbringing, that honor among thieves and the virtues of loyalty and honor, things most socalled friends don't subscribe to! To quote GoodFellas "your murderers come with smiles"! And we have always been ahead of our time and some of our early songs were inspired by films that

years later have been reworked for a new audience which shows us that we are onto something artistically... The classic track "Scratch The World" was inspired by the the Charlton Heston film "The Omega Man" based on the Richard Matheson book "I AM LEGEND", which was recently reworked into a Wil Smith turd! And District 9 is the movie of the decade! Hands down! A classic!!!!

Janos: I am and always will be a fan of the "golden age" of universal studios horror films of the 1930's and 40's..These are timeless films and very well made visually for their time as well, great sets, etc.. Karloff, Lugosi and Chaney were absolutely the rock stars of that era. Larger than life and leading kinda sordid personal lives. They were all great at what they did because they were passionate about it. Totally fucking genuine. I don't see to much genuine out there anymore. I am a big fan of horror and sci films from the 70's and 80's as well..The more "iconic" films you could say. I'm not gonna list them all. Most films today are SHITE! and I fucking abhor "reality television" what a waste! Thanks again to MTV for releasing more trash worthlessness upon the masses!! We have a song called "PLANET GRAVEYARD" that talks all about the lack of good pop culture out there, and how


lame reality tv is.

MUEN: WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED PLAYING OUT WERE YOU JUST ANOTHER PUNK/ GLAM BAND?

LEE: No because we are not average people in any way...when we brought the band to life everyone locally was playing "rap rock", it was like a plague, and noone was doing anything visual or dangerous, and we declared war on those bands and now they are all dead! Our website had a slogan "Rock N' Roll has become a ghetto...we will now turn it into a graveyard"! Everything we did was by trial and error... We pushed allot of buttons and used any avenue to promote our band, lots of local egos were shattered by sheer intimidation, calling us things like "boisterous" when it was us just being confident! There was noone like us end of story, and we didn't fit into any "scene" or clique and we didn't fucking care, we made our own!

Janos: NO, we put this band together,as I mentioned before in 1999! The biggest band in the country at that point was...LIMP BIZKIT!! We went out there and just did what WE wanted to do, playing the live show that we always wanted to see.."How come a band never did it like this"? kind of a vibe..Its YOUR BAND it should be YOUR VISION!! Locally all the "rednecks" (After all we

are in FLORI-DUH) jumped on that whole "trend". Ghetto metal, rap metal, bounce metal whatever you choose to call it. We were having no part of that shit!it was hilarious. They all thought it was going to happen for them. What most geniuses fail to realize, is that it is a TREND. By the time you "get signed" (god forbid) and begin to ride it out, it will most likely be done. There is a limited shelf life. We were really the "outlaw band" here. This is pretty well documented actually in locally press, etc..The local's were very intimidated by the band. Within 6 months of us being together the bands locally were dropping like flies. We will keep doing this, CUZ WE don't CARE WHAT YOU THINK!! That's very important for a band..My advice to anyone new would be "just don't give a fuck"!

tended to have a look from day one as along with the music and stage show, it all forms a complete package, our live show was like walking into a horror film where you become a willing participant much like Rocky Horror Picture Show! Glam is a strong word, as I never saw it as "feminine", the idea was to titillate some and disgust others, much like New York Dolls... Strangely our fanbase was predominantly female, cause as Jim Morrison once said "the little girls understand"! The look at one point was really extreme, we naturally toned it down because we learned people tend to listen with their eyes not ears!

pushing forward through the dark times! No support system... I can proudly say had I walked into a club and saw my band playing, I would definitely be excited, if that sounds biased so be it! Death Becomes You has all the things I look for in a band... And we have great songs!

Janos: Yes we do, and they wear cool black robes!

MUEN: WHAT ARE YOUR FANS LIKE?

LEE: Much like Ramones we always appealed to the outcasts and social misfits, from the hardcore metal kids to the punks, we appeal to the people who don't have a voice...we Janos: This has always speak in tongues for them! and will always be a part of what we do. It all came We carry on the punk aesfrom our influences; music, thetics of attacking your film and comic books to a audience, acting out your rage, and exorcising your certain extent. The band demons! We have always should be as "larger than Gory: No, When we first life" as it's influences. This been a working class band! We are like a restarted, nobody was doing is all we know, and being lease for these people who what we were doing related it all "manifested" around here. it was 1999, itself way before DBY ex- are fed up with life in general... As are we! That's rap metal was huge and isted! why people always used to bands that wore makeup and didn't rap weren't cool. MUEN: DO YOU HAVE A ask us "why is your band so angry"!? Why!? Cause But i think I can speak for CULT FOLLOWING? people like you are ALIVE! us all, from the start we knew we were onto some- LEE: To quote Adam Ant thing special and different "cult is a polite way of say- Janos: We get all the and we had to forge on ing loser", we have lots of cretins, the misfits, people who maybe don't like this doing what we were doing. fans around the world, music but dig us. We get a some who have been MUEN: HOW AND WHEN there since the very begin- lot of girls who dig the look as well.. DID THE WHOLE HORning! But I will always be ROR GLAM BAND CON- my own biggest fan as I MUEN: WHAT'S YOUR CEPT COME ABOUT? put my life into this and only had my faith in myself FAVORITE HOLIDAY? LEE: Horror Glam!? We in- to motivate me to keep


Janos: HALLOWEEN of course. We are all "October kid's" anyway..Gory and myself actually share a birthday, October 17th..That really is the best time of year, everything starts to die, the burning leaves etc..I call it "leather weather". But we are in "Flori-duh"..In the northeast you have the burning of leaves, but down here in FLORI-DUH they burn down the sugar cane in the swamps..It smells like something died, that would be the closest to burning leaves here.. LEE: Halloween has always been my favorite...my birthday runs real close to it!

MUEN: ARE YOU INTO ANY KIND OF ART OTHER THAN MUSIC? WHAT KIND?

LEE: Love to read EVERYTHING, even the back of the cereal box and the milk cartoon to see whose missing now, lol, but music is life and a form of communication, never understood people have no passion for music yet worship sports figures, its hero worship at its lowest... Sports do nothing to feed the minds eye! Never understood how you could be a casual music fan but passionate about sports, and confuse Romantics for Ramones per example but know all about some sports figure! LAME! I like things that feed the pysche..."give me visual, give me audio overload" to

quote THE BRONX! HA HA!!

success, to have a nice little career like The Damned or Ramones that lasts in MUEN: DO YOU HAVE excess of 25 years would ANY MERCHANDISE OR be great! We have so CD'S AVAILABLE? many plans for this band, WHERE? we know where we wanna go! We want a full on LEE: Our first 2 self-fimedia assault! nanced releases, 1999's "UNEARTHED" CD EP Janos: To find a proper and 2001's "The Tarnished label that believes in DBY Tapes Of Transylvania" CD and realises our potenare out of print, but since tial... people ask about them all the time, we have plans to Gory: I始ve achieved the re-release them through a goals I始ve set for myself 10 proper label!? 2004's mas- years ago and then some. terwork DBY's MAKE IT I wanted to be in a "real" BLEED CD is still available band that plays outside of from our former label their hometown and takes whose name we wont it worldwide. We've put out mention and on I-Tunes as 3 or 4 CD's, traveled thouwell! A classic record that sands of miles played hunreceived great reviews in dreds of shows, magazines the world over, endorsements, ect..... I'm and the label fucked up pretty happy with what everything from the track we've achieved. listing to the packaging to forgetting to put a barcode MUEN: ANY TOURS on it! Time they should COMING UP? have spent working on our band was wasted by 34 yr LEE: Nothing planned for old guys picking up 15 yr right now unless The Coop old girls online because or KISS is looking for an their younger brother is in opener to give them a run a famous pop punk band! for their money!? We just Their initials are NFG! lol... did some shows in FL with Drop dead pricks! T-shirts the Christian Death, their are available through our first since the last time we Myspace page! We have played with them when we some new merch in the started out 10 years ago! works like the Death BeThe circle is complete!? comes You coffin! That But stay tuned we always KISS coffin ain't shit! This have a new trick up our one will lay you to rest! sleeves!

MUEN: WHAT ARE YOUR MUEN: ANYTHING YOU GOALS FOR THE BAND? WOULD LIKE TO ADD OR SAY TO YOUR LEE: To make Death BeFANS? comes You a household name, even with moderate LEE: Stay tuned for some

big news, and look for Death Becomes You to have a song in the directto-DVD horror film Resurrection Mary along with Matt Zanes most recent porn flick "Tattooed N' Tight"! Also we will be featured in UK rock journalist Mick Mercers new book on the history of Goth Rock! Plus a new compilation on Stalk N' Slash Records! Thank you for reading this and for more info be sure to join us at Death Becomes You Myspace and our Official YouTube channel at the following URL's: www. myspace. com/dbydeathbecomesyou www. youtube. com/dbykillstheradiostar Thanks!


yvonne’s world

Amarna Reign, hailing from Indianapolis, Indiana is a band that must be experienced; Currently touring in support of their new EP Atonement, the band brings to both stereo and stage a sense of maturity and poise in their songwriting and live performances. Atonement was self produced by the band, and serves as the sonic maturation of a group 5 years in the making; Combining el-

ements of tech, death, and Swedish influenced metal, and partnering those elements alongside ambient and ethereal passages, the band presents their dizzying technical abilities within mature song structures and a keen ability to write rocksolid hooks and memorable choruses. The band, comprised of Brad Kilburn providing throaty, aggressive vocals, Matt Knuteson on bass and clean vocals,

Bone Thorburn acting as both guitarist and producer, David Kilburn on guitar and Joshua Sales on drums, cite influences like Zao, In Flames, and Soilwork as their main inspiration for their sound; however, Atonement is most certainly it's own beast. Spanning 30 minutes within 7 songs, it is a dense and sonically stunning journey. Featuring slick production, skilled performances

and excellent songwriting, the band has developed an absolutely breathtaking ability to craft their ideas and present Atonement as an entrance into the future of heavy music. Sharing the stage in the last year with notable acts like Darkest Hour, Misery Signals, Between the Buried and Me, The Acacia Strain and more, Amarna Reign brings to their performances a level of intensity that


leaves the audience feeling the impact, as opposed to simply hearing or seeing it. With national touring experience, an intense live show, and a mesmerizing new record featuring all the elements that personify the band, Amarna Reign appears poised and ready to bring their sound to cities all across the globe. Amarna Reign released their new EP Atonement this past July and have been on the road all summer. More dates this fall. www.myspace.com/am arnareign.

www.GlassWolfe.com www.Myspace.com/GlassWolfe


ANGELSPIT & KMFDM

at The Gramercy Theatre, 9/25/09, NYC

By Lilly Ryden

With a sparsely decorated stage and serious lack of musical equipment, this two member ensemble rocked harder than most bands with three or even four times as many members. Most of their songs were stylistically repetitive to the point aspect of their where you couldperformance was n't tell when a the lightning. Two song was beginfluorescent X ning or ending. markers, a juke Thankfully their box looking promaterial was gramming magood, or else chine, and the their set would actual stage have been unlights all flowed bearable. But the to the bass beats most noteworthy

flawlessly.

Thankfully they're as sharp Considering as ever. From the KMFDM has second they been around stepped onstage twenty-five to the moment years, it wouldn't the house lights be a complete rose, KMFDM did shock if they had not disappoint. lost a bit of their Between Lucia's edge by now. sultry cat-like


dancing and Sascha's all around intense stage command, there was not an audience member who wasn't singing, dancing, or moshing along. Even with bulky keyboards in front of them, Lucia and Sascha were simply amazing. The drumming was also espe-

cially impressive. the stand outs Through the en- so that even the tire set there was pickiest hardcore very little trigger- fan would be ing used; Andy pleased. The did most all the sole disappointdrumming him- ment of the self and looked evening was that like a wind up toy their set wasn't at the speed he longer. Then again, even if was going. they played five There was a good variety of hours straight, I'm sure any true old and new KMFDM fan songs - Bait & Switch, DIY, and would still want Hau Rock being more.


CD REVIEWS experience. You can catch Ink Dot Boy live on one of his many (to be named) up and coming world tour dates, in full masquerade along with his “Lets start a revolution” attitude. He will be touring in support of his INK DOT BOY long awaited follow up "The Beautiful Murder" “The Red Symphony”. One can only wonder Ink Dot Boys L.P. “The how far into this dark Beautiful Murder” plays and twisted sound, this out as if written in the mystery man can take form of a ʻnew ageʼ his audience with a full Goth code bordering out assault of the into Emoland. Ink Dot senses. Boy takes the listeners into the mind of a madIntroducing a mixture man through a of classical and pop whirlpool of dark and prose to the element of macabre sounds on story telling. Ink Dot the latest CD entitled Boy delivers high end “The Beautiful Murder”. satisfaction in a dark, “The Beautiful Murder” romantic, thriller way. is free for download in Many of the lyrics on its entirety from the offi“The Beautiful Murder”, cial website: conjure up a magic powww.inkdotboy.com/do tion that lead from wnload/. chapter to chapter, from song to song. Very chilling yet comWhile a song such as forting at times. This is “Circle” is suitable for a definitely an L.P. that epic big screen thriller. will garnish your full out Many of the other attention or wane your arrangements written inhibitions to further by Ink Dot Boy will lands. relax the listener into a heroin trance before Ink Dot Boy considers musically arousing into his music to be a part a horrid shock of disof a larger, grandiose, may. The overall feelvisually enhanced live ing that “The Beautiful

Murder” created within me was an all out insane reclusive fright.

Songs of interests to me that can be heard on the Ink Dot Boy Myspace at: http://www.myspace.co m/inkdotboy , include “In Wonderland“ and the sinister withdraw sounds of “Once In Romania“.

COURTNEY YASMINEH

“Beautifully Lonely”

Lie back, close your eyes, and let the music carry you away. Courtney Yasmineh The world wide web is will take you along with her obviously a playground on a journey filled with for Ink Dot Boy and the smoke and translucent endless amount of in- skies through the music on her second full length LP formation and free appropriately entitled music that he offers “Beautifully Lonely”.

with a simple click into his parallel universe, http://www.inkdotboy.co m/, will entertain the most deranged of minds. This dark industrial rock pioneer appears to have the fortitude to take his ever gaining fan support into a realm of revolutionary musical insanity not yet attempted on a level this commercially extreme. Sinfully, Q5

With lyrical word play that intrigues, frightens and rhythmically hypnotizes. Courtney Yasminehʼs LP “Beautifully Lonely” is a lament to the heart, enthralling her listenerʼs ears with a sultry voice un-comparably comparable to a young Natalie Merchant (10,000 Maniacs). >Causing me alarm in breaking my number one rule of writing a music review: NEVER make a comparison when writing about a recording artist!

“Beautifully Lonely” (Stupid Bitch Records/Minneapolis, MN), is Courtney Yʼs second collaboration with Minneapolis based studio guru and producer Rob Genadek. “Beautifully Lonely” is a vulnerable L.P.


CD REVIEWS

Fire Within however , I have no fav tune, as I am unable to pick one from the many great songs on the cd. So simply put the whole cd is my fav. The song "Far" really starts off the electric feelings and gets the blood pumping while leaving and irresitable urge to belt out the vocals. The song "What you choose to call hell(I call home)" is another excellent song that continually resonates with me throughout the day, and several times I Ronny and the band ( have caught myself deeply entrenched in Rick Van Zandt- lead and rhythm guitar, Izzy singing this song at Rehaume-bass guitar, work, this while not even listening to the cd Rick Pierce -rhythm but recollecting this guitar, Johnny Ringo and David Van Zandt from the countless hours I have already on drums, Ronny on jammed this cd. All in lead vocals, and Michael Wilton solo on all it is a cool cd and I think most metal heads Across the Sea of will enjoy it so stop Souls, and What you choose to call hell(I call over to Ronny's page and look in the blog for home) and finally info on where to purRandy Cooper - solo on Ride Me) deliver a chase this outstanding cd. package of Musical Brilliance, wrapped in style, passion, energy, Myspace.com/ronnyand topped throughout munroe with the musical influences of the greats before them. On most albums I have a absolute fav tune. On The

translatable through rhythmically soul touching music, Courtney both tucks her listeners into bed with a loving kiss and awakens with an awkward Tracks such as “Stones” and “Daydrunk” (how can lovers regret. Take your own stroll through Courtone not love that title?) pulse with a soft rock atti- ney Yʼs flower garden of tude while others, such as easy listening rock daisyʼs “Stars” come off soothing on her web site at: enough to become one of http://courtneyyasmineh.co RONNY MUNROE grandmaʼs all time favorite m/ or on her personal my- “The Fire Within” space at: http://www.mysongs. My personal favorite, “Part I Like” thumps space.com/courtneyyasmi For those of you that with an attacking person- neh are not aware, Ronny able feel, yet is ironically Munroe recently resad in its undertones, leav- Honest and telling in a velvety colorful style, Court- leased a new cd entiing “Part I Like” open to the listeners own transla- ney Yasmineh is a bobcat tled "The Fire Within", and let me first say tion, like most of the emo- on the prowl through the art of music. tional (woe is me) 2009 this,"this cd is true to release “Beautifully the roots of Metal" Sinfully, Q5 Lonely”. from a talented singer/songwriter whom constructs songs in a nurturing personal manner.

Currently hot off the presses, “Beautifully Lonely” is an LP filled with deep thoughts and unfocused dreams. Hazily out of touch, yet completely


CD REVIEWS

My Top Picks for their HOT the “chigga chigga” got me TRACKS from this album going and as soon as Carin no particular order are: los hammered down I was hooked and banging! This Track 10 – Barred, Written song captivated my interby Everett Mason est and held it there throughout the duration. Barred is a ballad that is Musically and lyrically I sung by Everett in such a loved this track and it has way that it made me feel definitely grown on me so heavy hearted at times. watch out it will grow on Everything came through you too! in this song; the pain and angst and it had an effect Track 3- Messin Around on me not overpowering, With Love, Written by but real. Musically, when Everett Mason all three of them pull tometal/classic rock style. gether on this at the end of Catchy, Catchy, Catchy. Itʼs definitely rockinʼ and the song, look out. These When I first heard this groovinʼ and I absolutely guys are a tight fit and song it made me want to Album: Survival of The had a great time reviewing tight is good! How they play guitar but I was Fittest this album. They are an play this out at the end nowhere near one so I impressive band and they definitely rocked my socks! aired one out! (ha!) Lyrics Released: March 2009 know how to rock it out! You will have to hear it are good and I think this is There is substance to this yourself to appreciate my my second favourite song By: BC Blonde trio and I can only expect enthusiasm. A heavy end- off the CD. Best line? great things to come in ing to a panty dropper of “Fuck you, fuck you, fuck August 2009 their future. sorts ;) Nice. you, fuck you for all the shit you put me Let me introduce to you a Some of their songs really Track 1 – Itʼs all my fault throooough…” You can bet treasure of a band called did catch my interest. I (This Time), Written by your ass that I sing along APE. These boys come could identify with the writEverett Mason with this number! :Hornfrom Toronto, Ontario, ten words and the story sHigh: Can you say radio Canada and they are a that was being told to me. I I donʼt need to tell you play? Honestly, they ought fine trio. Everett Mason is was able to appreciate the what this song is about. I to be on the airwaves with lead vocals and plays a stories as told by Everett. will however tell you that this one. mean guitar, Galen WeirMuch of the songs were the guitar and drums are is the bitchinʼ bassist and based on love, betrayal, really strong throughout. It Track 4-Survival of The their fantastic drummer hate, anger, loss and all has a nice, sultry intro that Fittest, Written by Everett goes by the name of Car- the bullshit we have to enI am partial to. It had an Mason los Aguilera. dure in order to have a sigunusually long instrumennificant other in our life. It tal lead-in before vocals In this instrumental track I would like to first start off comes out in an animalisattacked at the 1:30 the sound of rain filled my by saying WOW! What a tic way, savage and with minute mark. Everett has head with thunder in the nice surprise, and what a intent. But thatʼs only until an original way about him distance. Then, when guigreat second album from things get so bad that it and how he sounds. I liked tar sliced in, it immediately these guyʼs. (There was a has to end and we tear his ability to twist his had me follow it string for Self –Titled in 2007). Their each otherʼs hearts out words in a unique way. He string and note for note! It style is made up with and walk away with blood took long sentences and was an emotionally melodic vocals, cutting stained hands and a bad stuffed them into small charged experience for me edge sass, backed with a taste in our mouth. Or is spaces. Manipulation of to listen to this. It allowed hard rock feel and a heavy that just me? the guitar and bass and all my mind to drift and it

APE


CD REVIEWS made my heart ache a little. This song is the color red for me. Itʼs hot, passionate and touches the soul. I got lost in the song and swept away by the guitars, as there were no lyrics to interfere with this lovely piece of music. This is my favourite song by APE. Thank you for creating it. Track 8-How You Left Me, Written by Everett Mason

Cool and edgy. Everett is pretty sassy on his guitar for this one. Rhythmic vocals throughout with some attitude from bass and drums. The drums come in rather late at about the 4minute mark. And again, Carlos and Galen delivered the beating bass and drums. This song had me smiling from ear to ear because the drums are so killer on this track. I loved the intensity of Carlosʼ style. It was an awesome bleed out on guitar, bass and drums combined. Beautifully done if you ask me. One of the things that I really appreciated about this band was their mindset on being a band and being the kind of band that wants to and succeeds in the deliverance of kick ass music and not a bunch of fluff or garbage tunes. A quote by Everett Mason that demonstrates this is: “When I listen to Guns nʼ Roses or Pantera it inspires me to make music that can have that kind of

that is all their own. Kill, the band's seventh release, is no exception. The Colonel (aka guitarist Zach Shipps) put it best when he described the album as, Fuck yeah. Letʼs go "more of everything. APEshit! The stuff we'd normally Well there you have it, my throw in an album, we take on APE and their first threw in ten times more of it." From start full-length album entitled Survival of The Fittest. to end, this record is one hell of a musically Signing off with Peace, gratifying mind-fuck. impact on a kid listening to an APE record. That wasnʼt some phase I was going through one summer when I was 13. The connection I have with those bands are forever.”

love & Rock! BCB XO

In "Egyptian Cowboy" the lyrics "Baby that's the sound of years Everett Mason going by" summarizes the musicality of this www.apeband.com track to a T. The entire www.myspace.com/apes- song is interesting because it sounds like music something that would be played on a '90s alternative rock station. But there are parts, especially towards the end, where a dreamy electronic harmony comes in that gives the song an almost childlike charm. For more information on the band call or write:

ELECTRIC SIX “Kill”

Electric Six is entirely familiar with mixing sounds and genres to achieve an end result

Thing Called Love" by The Darkness. And with lyrics like "Just forget what all your girlfriends say/ before the evening can explode/ you've gotta kiss that toad/ and activate his charming princely ways" you can't help but giggle. If not for the guitar solos and striking electronic melodies, this song would be a bit of a joke. Overall, it's funky and silly, but still complete rock. Another track worth mentioning is "My Idea of Fun." This tune is bouncy and happy, but lyrics like "My idea of fun is watching you come undone/ game over" suggests otherwise. This song has a duality and depth that the others simply do not possess.

Kill is an enjoyably versatile listen, whether you just want to sit "Rubbin' Me The back and rock out or Wrong Way" starts off dance atop a bar with some messy, and counter. likely impromptu, piano and percussion. From -Lilly Ryden there it progresses into groovy madness. Vocally, this track resembles "I Believe In A


fuse a sundry of genre elements, the end result is horrific. However, on Urban Being, there is a very distinct and delectable sound that is created because of all the metal melding DESTRAGE that takes place. This “Urban Being� band's ability to blend various elements of The banana eating thrash and death dude on the cover of metal, while mainUrban Being looks taining pristine comical and almost melodies, is surprisconstipated. But this ing and totally kick is just a classic exass. It's also because ample of why you of this that there is should never judge a never a lousy track book, or in this case you'll want to skip an album, by its over. cover. Aside from the music, the lyrics are just as engaging and interesting. Destrage can not only successfully mix metal with melody, but can also write about a multitude of subject matters. For instance, in "Art For Free" the lyrics of "Now you're overstuffed/ I slash your stomach/ so you can lick in the floor/ residues of what was More times than once haute cuisine" none, when an artist is pretty brutal and or band attempts to

Hailing from Milan, Italy, Destrage knows what good metal is and what it should sound like. Given, that statement is a bit broad because there are so many different classifications and sub-genres of metal. But this is yet another thing this band knows and effortlessly showcases on their latest effort.

fairly self-explanatory. However, on "Infinite Dump System Circle" lyrics like "Your kind of life is... portrait of new damage desire/ design of world blinded by illusion" can be suggestive of anything from a personal attack on someone to a vague criticism of government. Overall, Urban Being is definitely an album worth owning. Hopefully Destrage's next release will have a cover as engaging as their music.

-Lilly Ryden

DISARMONIA MUNDI Nebularium & The Restless Memoirs

Nebularium, originally released in 2000, was Disarmonia Mundi's first album. This year, Coroner Records decided not only to remaster this first record, but also to release it worldwide. Although it is unclear to myself what the original Nebularium sounded like in terms of production, this reissue is not half bad. The album begins with "Into Disarmonia Mundi" a darkly melodic song. It is a great starting point because, compared to other tracks, it is simplistic and no intro should ever be to complicated. "Blue Lake" is forceful and somewhat eerie, with hints of black metal throughout. But suddenly the beat breaks off into a sort of jazzy interlude,


great full length CD because they are dedicated band with amazing talent and innovation. They pay Overall, Nebularium precise attention to and The Restless their work ethic, writMemoirs are both ing and performance amazing releases. The only criticism is that be- and all that shows The next song, "Mecause of all the sudden through on each and chanichell" starts off every track they put musical shifts within very melodically and out. would definitely please any given track, it's

Suicide” is almost a departure in sounds for Mongrel and yet appears to be a standout in that exact individuality and uniqueness of sounds for the band. It has a decidedly more pop feel but never strays too far from their hard driving rock sound!

walks a delicate line between screaming ~Lilly Ryden thrash and solid heavy rock performance and usually stay just on that side of a great performance that encompasses the best vocal range and solid rock instrumentation. This is illustrated so well on “Beyond Repair” where Drewʼs MONGREL voice remains con“Revenge” trolled and yet lets Mongrel has done it loose with some seriagain with their new ous anger and emoThe Restless Memoirs, tion. “Catharsis” and EP “Revenge” by the second disc that “Point A Finger” are comes along with Neb- packaging a full two tracks that defiularium, is an EP of six album worth of kicknitely explode with a ass rock in just five songs. The songs on cathartic anger and The Restless Memoirs tunes! The most outare much shorter than standing thing about yet have catchy riffs those on Nebularium, Mongrel is that they and a stellar use of bass and drums to averaging about three are able to accomand a half minutes. Al- plish such a feat with make them seem like though the tracks are an EP that follows a just amazing rock not as lengthy, they tunes. “Butterknife

those bands that never seems to disappoint with whatever direction it takes and what music is provides for old and new fans to rock out to. “Revenge” is another example of how this band continues to evolve and layer in more intellectual lyrical writing and dexterous musicality. By any account this album is yet another example of how kickass rock should sound and how the production should showcase that music flawlessly.

and just as quickly as it deviates from its original sound, it returns back into its initial melody. This unexpected musical drift wasn't bad, just sudden.

are just as intense and definitely compliment the tracks of the first disc.

the ears of an In Flames fan. But suddenly, it speeds up quickly, and rather abruptly. "Guilty Claims" begins slowly with the guitars sounding somewhat mournful. This beautiful melody flawlessly flows into an assemblage of dreamy guitar riffs. But, the song soon breaks off into a messy clamor of chords. And every song after does the same: begins one way and breaks into something else.

hard to listen to one song and stay focused. They are a band that Mongrel is one of

~Macavity



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