Muen Magazine May 2009 Part 2

AMERICAN GOTHIC

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Contributors: G. Cataline, Shauna OʼDonnell, Jeanne Thomas (JET), Macavity, Slavewriter6, BC Blonde, R.L. Segarra, Karen Fader McBride, Yvonneʼs World, M Lazar, AngelDevil, Tracy L. Forsyth-Lundy, Cerys, Morbid Miller, Diana Price, Jus Forrest, Q5, Metal Mike, Natalie Perez, Tina Rose, Heather Armstrong, Timo Satanis, Nik Vicious, Laya, Venus, Brittany Todd, Warren Meyers, Jori Pierson, Darcee Seegal, Eric Eaton, Latchkey Web, Chris King, Twisted Spokesmodels: Penny Layne, Saphira Spanks, Hannah Kramer, Toy Kitten (Genocide), FluxXx Mutation, Danielle Fornarelli, Ethel Hallow, Bianca Barnett, M Lazar, Paris Inez, Katja Cintja, Deanmon, Kelly Chaos

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THE CITY OF BRANSON, MO

WILL NEVER BE THE SAME;

THE EARTH, is bringing the world of tattoos and piercing to this seemingly tranquil area of the country.

On April 26, the bandʼs singer/songwriter/guitarist RIGGSʼ MONSTER RIGGS opened the doors TATTOO IS OPEN FOR to RIGGS' MONSTER TATBUSINESS TOO parlor. The new business venture is sure to April 30, 2009 -- Branson, overwhelm local residents MO is known for their luxu- and tourists with a way of rious resorts and golf life filled with lust, carnage courses, museums and at- and debauchery, craniumtractions. And now itʼll be cracking music, and infecknown for…tattoos? tious art brought on by Thatʼs right. Americaʼs some of the top tattoo bloodiest band of heavy artists in the business. metal hellions, SCUM OF RIGGS has assembled an

CONTENT

of a formal apprenticeship to get used to working on irregular and somewhat tender surfaces. Many a tomato was sacrificed in this effort! Itʼs funny, once ADAM FICEK PG. 34 LACUNA COIL PG. 10 a grapefruit has been tatLEGION WITHIN PG. 77 tooed; they turn hard as a ADELITAS WAY PG. 47 rock. Iʼve had some of my LITTLE BRAZIL PG. 64 AMERICAN GOTHIC PG. 7 “earlier works” given away REAL GHOST STORIES PG. 57 ANOME PG. 17 as Christmas ornaments RIGG’S MONSTER TATTOO PG. 2 when friends found out I BELLADONNA PG. 37 was just throwing them BREATHE CAROLINA PG. 20 SETTINGS PG. 60 away and asked to keep them because they were TELLING ON TRIXIE PG. 25 CD REVIEWS PG. 41 too pretty to just throw out. THROTTLE PG. 51 CITY LIGHTS FADE PG. 22 (Ask to see my grapefruit Seahorse as an example.) ULTRAVOX PG. 46 DEATH TO JULIET PG. 31 I like tattooing the tradiVETNA PG. 67 HUNDREDFOLD PG. 70 tionally more “Girly” tattoos; butterflies, flowers, ZELAZOWA PG. 29 leafy stuff. I find that floral type designs give me a little more license to fit a all-star crew of tattoo Hereʼs info about all of the and I always knew that I artists to keep the shop tattoo artists (in their own wanted to tattoo. All I can specific area of the body or running at its most fevered words): say is that I was fortunate tie it in to other designs pace, including Rev. Tim to be tattooed by some re- and can be very individualized for the person getting Pontillo, Eden Draven and Rev. Tim Pontillo: ally great artists when I the tattoo. On the other Crazy Joe McVeigh. Some was younger, and that by side of the spectrum, I also prestigious special guest I have been tattooing over happenstance I met a talenjoy drawing up stippled, artists will also stop by the 10 years. I grew up in ented artist named Clay worn out teddy bears being store throughout the com- Sturgis, SD and served a Decker. He provided me held by zombie children ing months. two year apprenticeship with the insight, knowlsurrounded by stone markunder Troy Sander in edge, and the inspiration, RIGGSʼ MONSTER TATOmaha, NE and Springto journey down this path, ers. Or even silly bats hanging upside-down leerTOO is home to a crazy field, MO. I like almost all to which I am forever collection of famous guistyles of tattooing and Iʼve grateful. I own and operate ing at the viewer. So really, tars, movie monsters, been published in Tattoo, Fine Line Tattoo Missouri, I just like tattooing somestage props, Gold and Tattoo Revue, Tattoos For which is part of a family of thing I can get into just a little bit. Platinum records, music Men, Tabu Tattoo and Skin shops along with Todd and horror movie memora- and Ink. My client list inHlavaty, including five So book your ticket to bilia, and the best tattoocludes, of course Riggs shops in the Dallas/Ft. ing and body piercing in and Brandon of Scum Of Worth metro area, and an- Branson ASAP, not to check out the latest magisouthern Missouri. “We The Earth, members of other shop in Japan with cian, tribute band or took the time to make our David Allen Coeʼs band Gus Higo. I've been pubshop stand out from the and Metal Sanaz. lished in Karl Marc's Hand- Broadway show, but to get rest, with prices that canʼt made series of books. I'm inked at RIGGSʼ MONSTER be beat,” proclaims Joseph McVeigh: an original member of the TATTOO! RIGGS. “The feel of the Tattoo Machine Builders The shop is located at: store is a rock ʻn roll mon- I started tattooing in 1992. Guild, and an all around ster extravaganza! The I wish I had some cool swell guy. 1615 State Hwy. 76, Suite F neighbors and tourists are story to tell about how I Branson, MO 65616 loving it so far.” got into tattooing, like my Eden Draven: 417 544 0003 As artist Rev. Tim Pontillo uncle came home from the continues: “This is not Navy when I was 3 years Iʼve been tattooing profeswww.myspace.com/rigyour average, boring, old, and was sleeved. Or sionally for over three gsmonstertattoo slapped-together-quick tat- how I used to draw on all years. Before that, I was too shop like the others the neighborhood kids tattooing grapefruits and here in town.” when I was 12 years old tomatoes for a year as part

www..DarkerImageClothing.com

www.Myspace.com/DarkerImageClothing

HANNAH KRAMER

MUEN Magazine May 2009 Part 2 - PG. 7

Jason and I have been together as AG in some way shape or fashion ever since. I wanted to do something different musically and not be boxed in with my writing.

AMERICAN GOTHIC By Q5

Hailing from WinstonSalem, North Carolina, these deep down to the bone southern boyʼs play no frills in your face metal music. Employing a heavy low end with growling vocal lines on top of cleverly written guitar hooks and piercing guitar solo work, American Gothic is quickly making a name for themselves in the music world, through tireless live showʼs and an endless dedication to their craft.

I had the honor of sitting down with, the than three members of, American Gothic in January of 2009. Note: Since, American Gothic has enlisted the talents of Bob Mansell on bass guitar. Moving Jason Moss from bass to guitar, creating a more filled out sound to peak the already assaulting guitar playing of Phil Vogler) The following interview was conducted at a special appearance meet and greet that American Gothic had within the friendly, clean and comfortable confines of Ouch Ink Tattoos and Body Piercing in Hibbing, Minnesota. Having already wit-

MUEN: I HAVE TO ASK, WHERE DID THE NAME AMERICAN GOTHIC COME FROM? IT IS QUIT AN EYE-CATCHING NAME!

Phil: I read a lot of comics and different books when I was growing up and would right down cool words and phrases as I went along this just happened to be one of them...

nessed the spectacle of an American Gothic show on two prior occasions, I immediately contacted them upon my hearing of them playing, in my backyard, so to speak. I asked if I could conduct a live sit down (buckle up) interview with them for MUEN Magazine. They immediately complied and the following is that

MUEN: HOW LONG HAS AMERICAN GOTHIC BEEN TOGETHER?

MUEN: HEY GUYS! Jason: As a complete HOW ARE THINGS? band? Since '05 or so... Phil: Fuckin' lovely...

MUEN: COULD YOU TELL ME A LITTLE ABOUT HOW AMERICAN GOTHIC FORMED?

MUEN: IS IT CORRECT THAT AMERICAN GOTHIC STARTED OUT OF SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS?

Phil: The band formed American Gothic toin NC in 2004 roughly,

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CHOOSE THAT SONG? ARE YOU Phil & Jason together: GETTING ANY No Q, Winston-Salem, RADIO PLAY, NOW? NC! Jason: Yeah it's gonna be ''Stagger MUEN: WHERE When I'm Drunk'' as DOES AMERICAN the lead off single... GOTHIC CALL THEIR HOME? Robert: We're getting Robert: Pretty much, a shitload of play from where ever we're at! underground channels, which is pretty much who have acMUEN: I HAVE LISTENED TO YOUR E.P. AND I REALLY LIKE IT! DO YOU HAVE ANY PLANS ON A FULL LP RELEASE? gether: (laughing)

Phil: We have worked with a small independent in the past and weren't happy with what was being done so they were cut loose, we've worked with lot's of different promoters up and down the south-east and mid-western United States. We're still looking for that ''special'' someone though?

Phil: The debut album is called ''A HODGEPODGE CLUSTERFUCK OF HIGH-ANXIETY CHAOS'' and will cess to the music right now. MUEN: ARE YOU INbe out this spring. TERESTED IN BEING SIGNED? I Robert- we're already MUEN: IS AMERICAN GOTHIC SEE THAT YOU lining up a tour. SIGNED TO ANY HAVE QUITE A FOLLOW ALREADY MUEN: DO YOU SEE LABEL OR SPONSORED, BY ANYJUST OFF WORD OF ANY SINGLES ONE? DO YOU MOUTH? BEING RELEASED BOOK THROUGH IN THE NEAR FUPhil: We're interested TURE? WHAT SONG ANY ONE EXCLUin making a living WOULD IT BE AND SIVE BOOKING playing music and AGENT? HOW DO YOU

bringing real rock nʼ roll back to a mass audience...period.

MUEN: HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE INTERNET AND THE USE OF IT, AS A MARKETING TOOL FOR BANDʼS AND MUSIC TODAY? IT APPEARS THAT IT HAS BEEN GOOD FOR AMERICAN GOTHIC.

Jason: We think it's great, the fact that information can be spread so quickly is good and bad at times...it has and continues to help spread the word about us.

MUEN: DO YOU RUN YOUR OWN MYSPACE SITE AND WHAT ABOUT THE STREET TEAMʼS THAT I SEE UP ON MYSPACE?

Robert: Right now, we are looking after the MySpace, but a complete website and online store is on its way. As far as the fan sites...that's exactly

MUEN Magazine May 2009 Part 2 - PG. 9

what they are, put up and run by...fans, and we think it's great.

MUEN: WHAT WOULD SOMEONE THAT HAS NEVER SEEN AMERICAN GOTHIC PLAY LIVE, LEAVE THE SHOW THINKING?

American Gothic together: Whole bandFUCK! I NEED A NAP...SHELL SHOCKED...ETC.

MUEN: ARE YOU CURRENTLY TOURING OR PLANNING A TOUR?

Phil: Yeah a tour of the states is being put together for '09.

MUEN: WHERE WOULD SOMEONE THAT HAS NEVER HEARD THE MUSIC OF AMERICAN GOTHIC, GO TO LISTEN? HOW COULD I PURCHASE THE E.P. OR ANY UP AND COMING L.P.ʼS?

any merch needs of our peeps.

Jason: Get loose baby! (Big smile) Robert: I'm deliMUEN: I LIKE TO cious… (Laughing) END ALL OF MY IN- Phil: Is the ''hokeyTERVIEWS WITH A pokey'' really, what it's Phil: All that is coming FAMOUS LAST all about? (Sinister soon, internet distribu- QUOTE. COULD I smile) tion, iTunes, the GET ONE FROM works...we have an EACH OF YOU, MUEN: THANKS online store and fullSTARTING WITH FOR YOUR TIME on website coming JASON? AND I LOOK FORthat will take care of WARD TO HEARING

MORE FROM AMERICAN GOTHIC IN THE NEAR FUTURE. YOUR MUSIC HAS DEFINITELY MADE A FAN OUT OF ME! American Gothic together: Thanks a lot you cute and fuzzy bunny.

LACUNA COIL

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By: Shauna OʼDonnell

LACUNA COIL

So far it has been amazing. We have some projections on different charts all (Century Media) around the world. The Milan,Italy results seem to be really good. The most imCristina Scabbia portant thing to us is (Vocals) the reaction from the crowd. These days it Myspace.com/lacunacoil has been amazing because we are presentMUEN:SO WHERE ing two of the new ARE YOU GUYS AT songs live. Especially if TODAY? you are playing in front of crowds that are not Let me check because Lacuna Coil fans, they I just woke up. We are are a new audience. in Bell Vernon, PennItʼs interesting to test sylvania. the reaction and it seems like people like MUEN: WHATʼS THE the new songs. Itʼs WEATHER LIKE? IS great to know. IT COLD? Itʼs kind of cloudy now, it was sunny a half an hour ago. Hopefully, it will stay sunny because we are barbequing. It would be nice if it wouldnʼt rain.

MUEN: THATʼS GREAT; IʼM GLAD TO HEAR THAT. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE NEW ALBUM?

DONE ON PREVIOUS ONES?

MUEN: YOU RECORDED WITH PRODUCER DON We definitely did some- GILMORE AT NRG STUDIOS IN LOS ANthing different. We alGELES RIGHT? ways change with every album we do. We never got stuck with the Yes. same formula over and MUEN: I HAVE BEEN TO THAT STUDIO, IT over. IS AWESOME!

“We always try to be creative and honest - itʼs pretty much impossible if you canʼt change or evolve. There are a lot of changes going on with this album.”

First of all, we changed the place where we recorded it. It is the first Itʼs hard to describe be- American album cause every song has recorded in Los Angeles MUEN: YOU GUYS a different vibe or feel- with an American producer, Don Gilmore. We JUST RELEASED A ing to it. Some of the actually had a little bit NEW ALBUM songs are really dark more time to record so CALLED SHALLOW and slower songs. LIFE. SO CONGRATU- Some are more rhyth- we took better care of a lot of details. Of course LATIONS ON THAT. mical with a happy with three years bevibe. Itʼs a really dytween ʻKarmacodeʼ and Thank you very much. namic album. I would ʻShallow Lifeʼ, there is a call it a good hard rock difference as well beMUEN: WHAT HAS album. cause we had different BEEN THE REexperiences and we did SPONSE TO THE MUEN: DID YOU DO different tours then. Itʼs NEW ALBUM SO ANYTHING DIFFERnormal that all of our inFAR? ENT ON THIS ALBUM fluences are going into THAT YOU HADNʼT the new stuff.

Yeah it is awesome and the vibe is awesome. The weather in L.A. is amazing, for singers especially, because you donʼt get sick. That happened pretty often with the other recordings because we were recording in the winter time in places like Germany or Milan, Italy. We didnʼt really have the chance to have our voices at 100% all the time.

MUEN: HOW DID IT COME ABOUT THAT YOU ENDED UP IN L.A. TO RECORD?

Basically, it is the studio that Don was mainly working in. We agreed because of the energy of the studio. It is where a lot of big bands have worked and we heard the production on those records and the sound was awesome. It was a known studio and we were sure about the good quality of it. MUEN: DO YOU WRITE ALL OF THE

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LYRICS?

I write them together with Andreas.

MUEN: HOW DOES THE WRITING PROCESS WORK FOR YOU GUYS? WHAT COMES FIRST THE MUSIC OR THE LYRICS?

It depends to be honest, because in the past we wait for the ending of the music and then we squeeze in lyrics. For this album we came up with a lot of ideas. Either I or Andreas came up with some melodies and lines together so it has been a more complicated process this time. MUEN: TELL US ABOUT YOUR PHOTOBUCKET CHALLENGE.

Everyone who wants to participate has to upload on our photobucket their creations. It is really important that they have to be their own creations. It cannot be anything taken from our pages or anything like that. It has to be absolutely personal and creative from their side. They can upload any picture or collage or whatever it is connected with a picture inspired by Shallow Life. They

be happier, honestly. Thatʼs the right environment for an artist. Sometimes itʼs hard to call it a job because it is so much fun. As I told you, today we are barMUEN: IT SOUNDS MUEN: I LOVE IT, ITʼS bequing together, then LIKE FUN. GREAT. THE WORDS we are going to have a meeting with some fans LACUNA COIL and then do a show Yeah, it is fun, we alTRANSLATES TO which is always great to ready got a lot of good EMPTY SPIRAL IN do. I canʼt really be feedback, but Iʼm wait- ENGLISH. WHO DEing for more. CIDED ON THIS NAME complaining about anyFOR THE BAND AND thing. MUEN: THE ALBUM WHY? MUEN: YOU GET TO COVER HAS A GLASS GRENADE ON IT. We decided it years and HANG OUT WITH DISTURBED. DOES THAT HAVE A years ago. Honestly, it SPECIAL MEANING? cannot really be transYeah, with all the lated because Lacuna Yes, we wanted an is an Italian word which bands, Disturbed, Killalbum cover that was is also Latin. The trans- switch Engage, Chimaira and sometimes meaning something, not lation is not like 100% the bands on the seconly an artsy cover, but translation. When we ond stage. There is with a beautiful image. had to sign the deal also a second stage We wanted to send a with our label we deoutside. message or at least cre- cided on the name. ate a question mark for MUEN: AWESOME, anybody who was look- MUEN: I WANT TO THIS IS YOUR FIRST ing at it. We think that TELL YOU THAT I TIME TOURING this image was perfect THINK YOU HAVE A NORTH AMERICA IN because it totally repre- BEAUTIFUL VOICE. TWO YEARS. HOW sents the duality, someDOES IT FEEL TO BE thing fragile and Thank you very much. BACK? something more agMUEN: CURRENTLY gressive. It kind of YOU ARE ON THE It feels amazing, I feel makes you wonder “MUSIC AS A at home. Every time I what the hell it is and come to America I feel that was the point. It is WEAPON IV” TOUR great. The atmosphere totally representing the WITH DISTURBED AND KILLSWITCH ENis definitely one of my Shallow Life. It reprefavorite countries, my sents something that is GAGE. HOW IS THE favorite after Italy. really fragile, itʼs there, TOUR GOING? but it can explode if you handle it the wrong way. Itʼs doing amazing and MUEN: ONCE THAT the crowd is reacting TOUR IS OVER YOU amazingly. The shows WILL BE RETURNING MUEN: WHO CAME are always pretty TO EUROPE FOR UP WITH THE IDEA? packed and we couldnʼt can maybe take a phrase from a song that they found interesting or that they like and they can create an image for it.

It was a designer from our label. We picked his image from the images we got from different people. We thought it was the best idea.

PG. 14 - MUEN Magazine May 2009 Part 2

THIS YEARS FESTIVAL SEASON. WHATʼS IT LIKE BEING THE ONLY GIRL ON THE BUS?

Sometimes itʼs kind of annoying because being a girl I kind of tend to keep everything clean and in place. You know how it is with guys, itʼs kind of different. Sometimes they just throw their stuff on the floor and leave it there. Sometimes itʼs annoying because when you live with a lot of people on the same bus itʼs always a question of respecting each other and trying to keep the balance. You are far from home, youʼre far from your stuff and everybody has their own habits. We try to respect each other and itʼs not a question of being a girl. To be honest, Iʼm kind of a tomboy so I donʼt have a lot of problems with that.

MUEN: WELL, YOU ARE STILL BEAUTIFUL EITHER WAY.

Thank you, thank you.

MUEN: DO THEY ALLOW YOU A PRIVATE SECTION ON THE BUS THAT YOU CAN CALL YOUR OWN?

and everywhere. So, of course, if they heard that some channels will not play the video for some reason they provide an edited version that can be available for everybody. MUEN: WHERE WAS IT FILMED?

It was filmed in Milan, The only private place where we live, Italy. It is your bunk. That is was filmed in a restauthe only place you can rant that is owned by call yours and private is fashion designers the bunk and someDolce & Gabbana. times hotel rooms. They gave us the location for free and they MUEN: THE SINGLE provided the clothes. I OFF OF YOUR NEW think it was perfect beALBUM IS CALLED cause its totally feeling “SPELLBOUND.” the “Spellbound” song. Everything is really Yes. shining and over the top. MUEN: YOU GUYS MADE A VIDEO FOR MUEN: YOU HAVE NO “SPELLBOUND.” BARRIERS WHEN IT THERE ARE TWO COMES TO MUSIC. VERSIONS, A PERFORMANCE VERNo. SION AND A STORY VERSION. WHY DID MUEN: I AM THE YOU DECIDE TO DO SAME WAY, I BEMUEN: YOU ARE TWO? LIEVE AS LONG AS BEAUTIFUL THE MUSIC MAKES THOUGH. Some TVʼs and chanME FEEL SOMEnels wanted to censor THING I DONʼT CARE You should see me the story version beWHAT GENRE IT IS. now. Obviously, Iʼm WOULD YOU AGREE pretty different from the cause we used the image of a priest and a WITH THAT? pictures you see on the magazines with all the politician Itʼs not our choice, itʼs a matter of Exactly, I agree 120% make-up and the clothes. Iʼm not like that the company wanting the video to be played MUEN: WHAT ARE all the time; I want to as much as possible YOU LISTENING TO make that clear.

THESE DAYS?

Honestly, Iʼm not listening to anything because we are always busy with stuff. As soon as we go back to the bus after the show, the meetings and signings we tend to watch movies. So I am basically listening to soundtracks while Iʼm watching movies. When I go to bed Iʼm not the type of person who puts the IPod on to fall asleep. Once I go to bed itʼs because Iʼm crashing.

MUEN: THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT THERE WITH LACUNA COIL TATTOOS.

Yeah, we actually saw a couple yesterday during a signing.

MUEN: HOW DOES IT MAKE YOU FEEL WHEN SOMEONE HAS TATTOOED A PORTRAIT OF YOU ON THEIR BODY? Itʼs flattering because you realize that this person will have your face forever on their skin unless they do a cover up. Hopefully, they wonʼt. There is a section on my page where I posted some. You realize that your

music means so much for some people and sometimes you donʼt even think about it because you have been pleasing yourself, writing your stuff. Itʼs not like you are dealing with the purpose of saving anyoneʼs life or anything like that, you are expressing yourself. To know that someone can share the same passion in such a profound way is just amazing.

see that scene is just growing. There are a lot of girls following the music and Iʼm just happy. Metal and rock is the genre that is not always completely followed by girls. Some girls may find it too harsh for their ears. Iʼm so happy that slowly they are changing their minds.

PEOPLE WANT TO KEEP UPDATED ON THE BAND AND INTERACT WITH OTHER FANS THEY CAN GO TO EMPTYSPIRAL.NET.

Yeah, they can go there, or they can go to the official page which is www.lacunacoil.it or the Myspace page. They can go to the MUEN: I NOTICED ON bands page or even my YOUR PERSONAL personal page. They MYSPACE PAGE can basically be in THAT YOU ANtouch with us personMUEN: THE ONE SWERED SOME FRE- ally if they want. THAT STUCK OUT QUENTLY ASKED THE MOST FOR ME QUESTIONS. DID IT MUEN: I KNOW THAT WAS THE GUY WHO CUT BACK ON YOU PERSONALLY TATTOOED CRISTINA EMAILS OR ARE RUN YOUR PAGE NO DAMN H ON HIS PEOPLE STILL BUT WHAT ABOUT BACK. WERE YOU EMAILING YOU ASK- THE BAND PAGE? SURPRISED TO SEE ING THE SAME SOMEONE HAD QUESTIONS? We do not run the LaDONE THAT? cuna Coil page but all Sometimes they do, it of the members are (Laughing) Possibly, depends on whoʼs ask- running their own yeah. There are some ing. Somebody who is pages. wonderful portraits as new to our music asks well. There is a girl that the basic questions be- MUEN: THATʼS AWEhas half of her leg tat- cause they donʼt know. SOME; I WOULD REtooed with a picture of ALLY LIKE TO THANK me. I absolutely love MUEN: I WOULD SAY YOU FOR THE INTERwhen I can create a THAT YOUR BAND VIEW. IT WAS AWEconnection with women HAS SOME VERY SOME TALKING WITH and girls. I can totally DEDICATED FANS. IF YOU.

Youʼre welcome, it was my pleasure.

MUEN: BEFORE I LET YOU GO WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADD OR SAY ANYTHING? I just hope people like the album as much as we do and whoever can come, I would like to invite them to our shows in the states. We will surely come back so there is always time. The more you give us a chance, the more we will be thankful. MUEN: GOOD LUCK ON THE REST OF THE TOUR AND BE SAFE.

Thank you very much. Hope to see you somewhere. Have a good day.

MUEN Magazine May 2009 Part 2 - PG. 17

ANOME

Aaron (Formerly of OTEP) By G. Cataline

MUEN: SO TELL US ABOUT THIS NEW PROJECT... HOW LONG AGO DID YOU START THIS?

We started working on Anome in our spare time off the road about a year and a half ago. It started, originally as myself as a solo guitar/voice act in LA. Brian and I started with some of those songs and turned them into a more “band based” sound. Then we started writing some tunes together like Destination:Unknown and Escaping the Infinite. Then in January of this year we found Mike Gussis and started writing with him and are about to record the

most recent songs.

MUEN: HOW LONG WERE YOU WITH OTEP, AND WHY DID YOU LEAVE?

I was with Otep for about two years and Brian for about three. Without getting into too much detail, Brian and I have been playing music together for about a decade and we were both personally, and professionally unhappy in our situation and decided it would be better to pursue something on our own. I think I can speak for both of us that we were glad to have been a part of Otep for the time we were, but it was time to go.

MUEN: TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT THE OTHER MEMBERS, MIKE AND BRIAN... Brian Wolff is a great friend of mine, a brother

if you will, as well as a gifted musician. He is a proud husband, a martial artist, and really one of the most creative people I have ever known. He is very quiet and laid back, but donʼt mistake that for a lack of intensity. Brian doesnʼt do anything halfassed, unless itʼs something he couldnʼt care less about. Mike Gussis, though I havenʼt known him as long as Brian has also become a very close friend of mine, Brianʼs, and our families as well. He is also a proud husband and an amazing chef and treats us to a great meal, whenever we can all get the time. As a musician, he brings a very different element to what we do, which I really enjoy. I think that will shine through on the tunes we are about to record. Heʼs really doing some crazy stuff and I enjoy letting him run

with it.

MUEN: WHAT IS YOUR MAIN FOCUS, AND WHAT ARE YOU HOPING TO ACCOMPLISH WITH THIS PROJECT?

We want to combine the elements of all of the music we have enjoyed in our days, from heavier sounds like Opeth, Pantera, and Mudvayne, to the more prog sounds of Porcupine Tree and Dredg, to more ethereal sounds like Jeff Buckley and Elliot Smith. I think our goal is to showcase our musical ability and chops, without compromising the integrity of the songwriting process. We are writing tunes that arenʼt the run of the mill crap, but also arenʼt too out there that anyone can listen to it and enjoy. The end goal is to be the most successful band to ever have

lived. I like to shoot high. We want our music exposed to the masses and to perform it for them, and maybe make a decent living in the process. MUEN: YOU RECENTLY PLAYED A GIG AT THE TATTOO EVENT, "INKIN" ... HOW WAS THAT EXPERIENCE?

Yeah, our first show was the “Inkin Lincoln” tattoo extravaganza in Chicago. It was the 15th year and we were asked to play. It was a strange show because people were doing tattoos while we performed so all the lights were up and whatnot. I have to say though, a bunch of the artists came up to us after the show and said that after working 50 something conventions, we were the first band to ever even get applause. Everyone really enjoyed it and we enjoyed playing it. Suffice it to say we got some new fans from the experience.

weʼre waiting for that to finish before we get too carried away. This summer we will definitely be playing in and around the Chicago area. We have a biker rally in Michigan that weʼve been asked to play as well. Details of all of this will be on our myspace www.myspace.com/ano me23 so you can keep track of what weʼre doing there.

MUEN: ARE YOU THE MAIN SONGWRITER FOR THIS PROJECT? HOW DO YOU GUYS GO ABOUT WRITING THE SONGS?

In the beginning, I was the only songwriter. However, we all write together now. Sometimes somebody comes in with ideas, but a lot of what weʼve been doing lately has been written out of the ether while we jam. Thatʼs my favorite kind of writing when it just “happens” on the spot.

MUEN: I'M REALLY LIKING "DESTINATION UNKNOWN," MUEN: DO YOU HAVE AND "KINGDOM OF ANY OTHER SHOWS THE INNOCENT," PLANNED FOR THE ETC.. TELL US WHAT FUTURE? SOME OF THE MESSAGES ARE THAT I am currently booking YOU HOPE TO GET us in Chicago, but we ACROSS IN YOUR are scheduled to go into SONGS? the studio in the next couple of weeks and I have always written

about my personal experience in this life whether from my direct life, or me watching others around me. Life is about learning and growing. Songs like “Destination” are about the fact that you donʼt always know what the hell is happening or what risks you are about to take. I wrote that when we were leaving Otep. I was a little disillusioned with the whole deal and was afraid, but ultimately, I knew we had to jump in the fire and see what happened. “Kingdom of the Innocent” is pretty straight forward. The last section starts off with “Take a moment to appreciate the beauty of the atmosphere” Thatʼs about as blatant as I can get. Life can be totally Fʼd up sometimes but you have to remember that youʼre still here, and that IS a blessing, whether it feels like it or not.

ished in the next couple of months. We have about five or six more tunes to record and then we will be in the process of getting the music out there, and then touring.

sociology term meaning the absence of normalcy and the entropy of order in systems when roles are no longer defined. I thought it was a pretty accurate description of life in general.

MUEN: WHERE ALL IS YOUR MUSIC AVAILABLE?

Well, we are currently looking to sign with a label, but we have handled some digital distro ourselves and you can find our tunes on MUEN: WHAT EQUIPMENT DO YOU MUEN: HOW WOULD itunes.com SWEAR BY TO GET YOU CLASSIFY YOUR rhapsody.com napster.com amazon.com THE GREAT SOUND MUSIC... IT'S MUCH and emusic.com and YOU ARE ABLE TO DIFFERENT THAN CREATE? WHAT YOU DID WITH you can always check in on the myspace as well. OTEP. I HEAR A LITThis project has been TLE 'PORCUPINE MUEN: WELL THE dominated by Orange TREE' AND EVEN MORE I HEAR, THE and Green amps for 'JETHRO TULL' ... MORE I LIKE... I HOPE me. I play a custom WHO ARE SOME OF YOU GAIN THE ATLance Alonzo guitar. YOUR BIGGEST INTENTION YOU DEHeʼs out of LA and is FLUENCES? SERVE FOR THIS. IS amazing. Mike is rockTHERE ANYTHING ing some Gallen Kruger Yes, a lot of different ELSE YOU WANT TO and Ampeg stuff and music plays a part in Brian is playing a Tama what we do. Opeth, Por- ADD? star classic kit. Othercupine Tree, Tool, Mudwise, all the magick vayne, Dredge, Buckley. We want to thank you happens at the Race I personally am a huge for talking to us and Recording Studios in Imogen Heap and Sade helping us get more atChicago, but thatʼs all fan so vocally I listen to tention. Everyone at our guy Steve Oʼs dethat kind of stuff as well. MUEN has always been partment. Trade secrets Mike is into a lot of Nir- very good to us and we if you will. vana, Helmet and some appreciate it. We love hearing feedback from doom stuff. Weʼre all fans and such so if you MUEN: WHY DID YOU over the place. Iʼve MUEN: I HEAR YOU been listening to a lot of want to come and drop DECIDE TO USE HAVE SOME VIDEO IN ANOME FOR A 10 Years lately as well. us a line, please do. THE WORKS.. We want our focus to be www.myspace.com/ano NAME? IS THIS more on melody as op- me23 and www.reverbTAKEN FROM THE We will, but one thing at SCIENCE FICTION posed to screaming, al- nation.com/anome23 Thanks again. a time. Record first, though I do scream NOVEL, "THE video later. from time to time, I think ANOME" BY JACK it should be more for VANCE, OR SOMEMUEN: SO HOW garnish instead of the THING ELSE? SOON FOR THE UPactual meal. Thereʼs COMING ALBUM? nothing like a good I actually havenʼt read strong melody from a that book yet, though I ʻEscaping the Infiniteʼ plan on it. The term was voice who can sing it. will be more or less fin- actually taken from a

PG. 20 - MUEN Magazine May 2009 Part 2

FAST YOUR CAREER Rise Records David Schmitt (Vocals) TOOK OFF FROM THAT POINT? Denver, Colorado

Breathe Carolinaʼs music is brimming with the excitement of modern youth. Their debut CD Itʼs Classy, Not Classic will make you want to sing, scream, jump and shout.

MUEN: IN THE SPRING OF 2007 YOU SET UP A MYSPACE PAGE. WERE YOU SURPRISED AT HOW

Yeah, it was definitely an unexpected thing. We were just kind of putting it up there.

MUEN: YEAH BECAUSE I READ THAT YOU PUT UP A MYSPACE PAGE AND DIDNʼT EXPECT MUCH, BUT ALMOST IMMEDIATELY A BUZZ BEGAN TO BUILD AND YOU WERE

RACKING UP MILLIONS OF MYSPACE PLAYS.

SONGS?

One day we were in Colorado and we had this crazy blizzard. Yeah, it was crazy. It There was four feet of was definitely cool. snow and everything was shut down. He was MUEN: ALL OF THIS hanging out at my KIND OF HAPPENED house and ended up BY CHANCE WHEN getting snowed in. We YOU AND KYLE BEknew each other from CAME ROOMMATES RIGHT? TELL US HOW previous bands so I knew he could play THINGS GOT music and stuff. We ROLLING. HOW DID YOU DISCOVER THAT were trying stuff and YOU WERE COMPATI- made up this funny Christmas song that is BLE AT WRITING

MUEN: HOW OLD ARE MUEN: IT LOOKS TO YOU GUYS? ME LIKE YOU ARE GOING TO BE HEADIʼm 20 and Kyle is 23. ING OUT WITH CUTE IS WHAT WE AIM FOR MUEN: WOW, YOU IN THE TAKE ACTION GUYS ARE SO TOUR AND THEN MUEN: WELL THATʼS YOUNG. I FOUND IT WITH A MONTH COOL BECAUSE INTERESTING HOW BREAK IN BETWEEN LOOK WHERE YOU YOU CAME UP WITH YOU WILL BE ON THE ARE. THINGS HAPTHE NAME OF THE ENTIRE 2009 VANS PEN FOR A REASON. BAND. TELL US WARPED TOUR. YOU ABOUT THE DREAM WILL BE OUT THERE Yeah, totally. YOU HAD. UNTIL AUGUST ALMOST NON- STOP. MUEN: YOUR DEBUT I had a dream when I HOW DO YOU PREFULL LENGTH CD ITʼS was in 9th grade about PARE TO BE AWAY CLASSY, NOT CLASthis woman named Car- FROM HOME FOR SO SIC IS NOW OUT. olina. I could see how LONG? WHEN WAS IT REeverything was kind of LEASED? hectic and I wanted her Everyone that I hang to calm down. I out with back home September 16, 2008 was kind of like telling tours with us. We are all her to calm down and I best friends so itʼs really MUEN: HOW WOULD was saying “Breathe not too weird. I miss my YOU DESCRIBE THE Carolina.” It was kind of family and my girlfriend, MUSIC STYLE OF THE random. but itʼs not too bad. Itʼs CD? kind of nice to get away MUEN: WELL ITʼS A for a little bit. Itʼs kind of like techno. GREAT NAME. HOW Itʼs a bunch of things DID RISE RECORDS MUEN: WHAT DID IT mixed together. There FIND OUT ABOUT FEEL LIKE TO BE are a bunch of different YOU? TOLD YOU WERE influences like hip-hop, GOING TO BE ON THE there is screaming to Our manager shopped ENTIRE VANS make it edgier and all us around a little bit. We WARPED TOUR? around electronic. talked to a bunch of different labels at first and It was definitely crazy. MUEN: WAS THIS THE ended up going with We were told that we FIRST TIME YOU Rise. had an offer for half of it. EVER WENT We were already THROUGH THE MUEN: WHAT IS THE pumped and then a couRECORDING EXTENT OF YOUR ple days later they said PROCESS? we had the whole thing. TOURING EXPERIWe were like “Wow.” ENCE SO FAR? No, I was in a different band that I actually Since January we have MUEN: THE BAND IS played a guitar in. I BASICALLY MADE UP been touring non-stop. didnʼt sing, but we OF YOU AND KYLE Itʼs been crazy. recorded a couple CDʼs. BUT WHEN TOURING actually on his personal MySpace. I moved into his house a little bit later and we just tried to make another song and it just happened I guess.

YOU HIRE A BAND IS THAT CORRECT? Yeah, it is actually our friends that we were in bands with before that play with us. MUEN: DID YOU KNOW AT AN EARLY AGE THAT YOU WANTED A CAREER IN MUSIC?

Yeah, I started playing bass in seventh grade. I played guitar after that and then drums. MUEN: AND NOW YOUʼRE SINGING.

Yeah.

MUEN: YOU SING IN THIS BAND, BUT DO YOU PLAY ANY INSTRUMENTS?

I do all the music like the beats and the keyboards.

MUEN: YOUR MUSIC IS REALLY DIVERSE. I REALLY LIKE IT BECAUSE IT IS UNIQUE. WHY DO YOU THINK KIDS ARE DRAWN TO YOUR MUSIC?

I donʼt know, maybe because itʼs kind of weird. Itʼs a little different and maybe some people arenʼt used to it.

MUEN: DO KIDS GET PUMPED UP AT THE

SHOWS AND GET ALL EXCITED? Yeah, itʼs cool.

MUEN: I WAS CHECKING OUT THE PIC ON YOUR MYSPACE PAGE WHERE IT LOOKS AS THOUGH PAINT HAS BEEN POURED ON YOUR HEAD. HOW LONG DID IT TAKE TO GET THE PAINT OUT OF YOUR HAIR?

It was a while, it was pretty hard. It was pretty nasty and a mess. MUEN: I KNOW YOU USED TO LISTEN TO HIP-HOP. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO THESE DAYS?

I still listen to a lot of hip-hop actually. I listen to everything. I love Kings of Leon or anything that catches my ear. Iʼm not judgmental about music at all. If itʼs good, itʼs good. There is no denying a good song.

Photo: dprimedp.com

City Lights Fade Sydney, Australia

Interview by: Macavity

More and more bands are coming to the notice of people all over the world through their music, touring and especially sponsorships that give them press where they may not have had that chance. Such is the case of City MUEN: IT HAS BEEN Lights Fade where noGREAT TALKING TO tice was placed on their YOU. IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WANT TO music based on a rare sponsorship by ADD OR SAY? Schecter Guitars of an No, I think we covered a unknown and unsigned band out of Sydney. We lot of shit, itʼs good. cause up with Tobias to Thank you so much. talk to him about the band and shed a little more light on this band.

THE BAND IN 2007 AS I UNDERSTAND IT. HOW WAS IT FORMED AND HOW DID YOU CHOOSE EACH MEMBER?

CLF: Aaron and I formed the band after playing in a small cover band with some mates of ours from another Sydney band Town Hall Steps. When they got busy with recording Aaron and I thought we may as well form our own band as well. Each member was chosen out of mate ship not reMUEN: HI TOBIAS! ally musical ability. We THANKS FOR SITwanted members that TING DOWN AND we could get along with TALKING TO MUEN and be mates with and TODAY ABOUT CITY if they were a great LIGHTS FADE. OK muso that was just a SO A USUAL TYPE bonus. We have had OF QUESTION THAT I three different lineup AM SURE YOU GET A changes on guitar all LOT. BUT WHERE DID because of that reason. THE NAME COME FROM AND DOES IT MUEN: YOU HAVE A HOLD PARTICULAR FULL AND MATURE MEANING FOR ANY SOUND FOR SUCH A OR ALL OF YOU? NEWLY FORMED BAND AND JUST THE CLF: The band name FOUR MEMBERS. really has no meaning; WHAT DO YOU ATit was just 3 words that TRIBUTE YOUR MAsounded really cool toTURITY OF MUSIC gether. Itʼs really imporTO? tant to have a really great sounding band CLF: I think that our name and I think we friends have a very big may have something influence on us. We with this one. have friends in pretty big bands here in SydMUEN: YOU FORMED ney and I think there

has to be a little friendly competition so you definitely have to live up to their expectations. That and our producer from another Sydney band called THE MISSION IN MOTION, he pushed and pushed us to limits we never thought we would get to, taught us a lot about structure, song writing, and a very important saying "Donʼt bore us, get to the chorus" (laughter). MUEN: HOW WOULD YOU BEST DESCRIBE YOUR SOUND TO SOMEONE THAT HAS NOT HEARD YOU LIVE OR ON MYSPACE?

CLF: I think our sound is a blend of heavy guitars, clear poppy vocals with great melodic hooks, and electronic samples

MUEN Magazine May 2009 Part 2 - PG. 23

USUAL OR MEMORABLE THING TO MUEN: YOU HAVE HAPPEN WHEN YOU TOURED QUITE A BIT HAVE GONE OUT ON IN AUSTRALIA. HOW TOURS? HAS THAT EXPERIENCE BEEN IN EACH CLF: The most memoPROVINCE/STATE? rable would have to be PUTTING YOU ON Adelaide, we did a THE SPOT A BIT BUT show with Mourning DO YOU HAVE A FA- Tide, which is a comVORITE PLACE TO plete 180 from our PLAY LIVE? music style so already we were thinking "wow CLF: You canʼt get any their fans are going to better place to play than hate us ha-ha" the in Sydney! Thereʼs shows were good something about being though! We got a lot of in a room full of people positive feedback from you know that makes Mourning Tide and their you feel at home, but in fans except for one saying that we just got such gentleman who back from Adelaide, thought it would be a which was awesome as good idea to flip us off well the entire half hour set and yell profanities to MUEN: DO YOU HAVE us after every song ANY PLANS TO TOUR (laughter). Its people IN STATES ANY TIME like that that make me SOON OR ARE YOU play harder and faster STILL BUILDING and makes the show for YOUR FAN BASE IN at least myself more enAUSTRALIA? joyable. synth.

MUEN: DO YOU FEEL YOUR MUSIC FALLS NEATLY IN TO ONE CLF: Definitely have GENRE AND IF SO plans to play overseas WHICH ONE? at some point, whether that is a year or two CLF: I think our music years from now who is hard to put into just knows. I think itʼs imporone genre, we have the tant to get a great folheavy sound of guitars lowing in your country that can be metal, then before moving onto anwe have poppy lyrics other. and hooks, and on the other hand we have MUEN: SPEAKING OF that electronic touch TOURING, WHAT HAS with our samples and BEEN THE MOST UN-

MUEN: NOTICED YOU JUST HAD AN EP DROP CALLED “THE WORLD IS NOT AGAINST YOU” ON APRIL 2ND. HOW WAS THAT EXPERIENCE TO SEE THE RELEASE OF YOUR WORK?

international guitar company SCHECTER GUITARS. They loved what we were doing and what our plans were so they took a chance and added us to their already amazing lineup of artists.

MUEN: THE FIVE TUNES ON THE EP SEEM TO HAVE A “MESSAGE” IN EACH. IS THERE INTENDED TO BE ONE AND IF SO WHAT?

CLF: I think every song should have some kind of message and story. If it doesn't then it doesn't give the listener much to connect to. I donʼt want to give too much away on what the songs mean to us because we like to leave it up to other people to interpret the songs how they see them and how it best connects with them.

MUEN: HOW IS THE MUSIC WRITTEN FOR THE BAND AND BY WHOM?

CLF: The music for this EP at least was pretty much all written at our producers home studio. We would take ideas to him and build off them. CLF: Itʼs been amazing! Other songs I would Since the release we write some ideas down just signed a deal with

PG. 24 - MUEN Magazine May 2009 Part 2

or one of the other guys would have an idea then the band just jams on that idea and it eventually takes shape

MUEN: HAS THE PROCESS OF WRITING CHANGED AS YOU HAVE PLAYED SOME OF THIS MATERIAL LIVE AND ESPECIALLY NOW THAT YOU HAVE FINISHED THIS DEBUT EP?

CLF: Definitely! I think for me writing now Iʼm thinking of how to do our songs live. We play to a click track which we run through a monitor to our drummer which has all our samples going to the PA, so writing now its not just like coming up with a riff and playing it there is now a technical process that goes into our live show that new songs have to go through as well.

MUEN: DO YOU HAVE A VIDEO PLANNED FOR THE ONE OF THE TRACKS FROM THE EP OR TO SHOWCASE THE BAND ESPECIALLY THE LIVE PERFORMANCES?

filming it in Melbourne lot of people into us. on April 24th and 25th. MUEN: YOU HAVE A MUEN: YOU HAVE STREET TEAM QUITE A RARE CALLED YOUR “ASHONOR BEING ENSAULT TEAM”. HOW DORSED AS AN UN- HELPFUL HAVE THEY SIGNED BAND FROM BEEN IN GETTING AUSTRALIA BY YOUR NAME OUT SCHECTER AS YOU THERE TO FANS? MENTIONED BEFORE. HOW EXCLF: The street team ACTLY DID THAT has been amazing! Its COME ABOUT AND run by a girl called Tam HOW HAS IT HELPED who really never liked YOU? local bands before us, she got into us and CLF: It pretty much then it pretty much came about by me opened her eyes to so spending a day send- many amazing local ing emails to all differ- bands that donʼt get the ent places looking for credibility they deserve. endorsements. They were one of the few MUEN: CHANGING A who actually emailed BIT, YOU HAVE A back and loved the BASE IN SYDNEY. sound we have for a ARE THERE ANY new band. Its helped PLANS TO MOVE OR us out credibility wise, DO WANT TO STAY new unsigned bands BASED THERE? especially from Sydney arenʼt really known for Most likely staying getting such a high based here. All our level endorsement from families and friends are such a massive com- here but who knows pany what the future holds MUEN: HOW USEFUL HAS MYSPACE BEEN TO THE PROMOTION OF THE BAND?

CLF: MySpace has been good for promoWe do. We are going to tion, but we don't rely be filming a video for on it, you canʼt substiour single "BREAK THE tute a great live show. WALLS" that we are Thatʼs where we get a

MUEN: WHAT SHOULD WE EXPECT TO SEE FROM CITY LIGHTS FADE FOR THE REST OF 2009?

THING PLANNED FOR THE REST OF 2009 OR BEYOND OTHER THAN SELLING THE EP AND THE DATES YOU HAVE LISTED ALREADY?

CLF: I think the most exciting thing is seeing the band evolve from a small band just starting out to seeing us grow as musicians. Other than that we have a film clip shoot coming up and possibly starting work on another EP. It takes us months to write because everything has to be perfect.

MUEN: WHAT DO YOU EACH LIKE TO DO WHEN NOT TOURING AND PLAYING/WRITING MUSIC?

CLF: I think everyone in the band has their own way of escaping the band, itʼs important to have something outside the band so you can always be fresh and not burnt out.

Thanks Tobias for taking the time to talk with MUEN today. We look forward to seeing and hearing a lot more from you and the rest of the CLF: A lot of shows and guys in the future. a lot of touring

MUEN: AND, WHAT IS THE MOST EXCITING

TELLING ON TRIXIE

MUEN Magazine May 2009 Part 2 - PG. 25

Derek Nicoletto (Vocals) New York, NY

By: Shauna OʼDonnell

MUEN: HOW ARE YOU?

Iʼm doing just fine. Our album just released so Iʼm just kind of waiting to see how itʼs going to do. MUEN: HOWʼS IT DOING SO FAR? I KNOW ITʼS ONLY BEEN A DAY.

There is a lot of excitement, interviews and hoopla. Itʼs fun, were just riding it out.

MUEN: THE NEW ALBUM IS CALLED UGLY, BROKE & SOBER. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE HEARD OF A “FAN FUNDED” ALBUM. HOW DID THAT COME ABOUT OR HOW DOES THAT WORK?

Some artists do donation styled, fan sourcing, I guess that is what they call it. What we wanted to do, that we had not seen anyone else do, is make it an interactive experi-

Photo by Jeff Fasano

ence for our fans. We have a very loyal fan base and they had questions for us. We wanted to use those questions and get them involved. They had questions about song writing or “Why did you put this on the cover?” Our fans are very opinionated and I felt we needed to use that. We created this interactive model where our fans would donate so we could pay to make this album because we were out of money. We had just promoted Telling on Trixie, which was our debut album for a year and a half. We had this whole body of work, but we didnʼt have any money to promote it. We had just done two videos and we were

touring around when gas prices were ridiculous. We needed to raise some money and get them involved. We came up with bandwithaplan.com. The fans would help us decide by voting in polls. A lot of questions I get are about our song writing process. Usually, how it works is that Tommy or Brad give me a musical idea and then they send it over to me. I write the melody, the lyrics and then I tell them how I want the chorus to go. There is a lot of back and forth. I let them follow along with that and I said “Listen, this is the music.” People pay $25 to be a part of the website and for $50 you get a t-shirt thrown in too. The fans got to

experience the song writing process with me. That is a couple of examples on how our interactive model works for us. Since we got them involved in the very beginning, in the process of how an indie band works, I think they wanted to see it succeed. When the cut off date of September 30th came around, we decided to do what we could with the money that we raised. We were going for $20,000, but we will make do with what we raised. Two weeks before we had only raised $15 or $16,000 and it had plateaued for a while. A lot of those people upgraded and gave more money because they were personally

invested in seeing the project work. They contributed to it in some way, it wasnʼt like they just gave money and “Iʼll see you later.” Some people want to do that, I had some people tell me “Derek, Iʼm giving you this money and I donʼt want to hear about the album until it comes out.” (Laughing) People from all over the world gave me words to help me write “Crash Me Up.” It also helped me to decide what kind of t-shirt to design. I gave them a couple designs and they gave their opinions. The t-shirts came and they were totally ugly so I sent them back. When the t-shirts come and they are ugly I cannot say “Well, Iʻll just give them to people anyway,” because now I have people involved who invested in this. It has to be right, so when the manufacturer doesnʼt make it the way we designed it, it is more than me and the guys in the band who are at stake here. Itʼs the ninety people who gave money in five continents across the globe. Thatʼs how it was with the album; we had to get it right. In October and November I found that the song

writing and recording process was much more stressful, because I really wanted to do a good job. I had so many people give me money that they probably couldnʼt afford. On “Ugly, Broke &The release said I could do whatever I wanted Sober” I think I recorded those vocals three times and I had never done that before. That song is so personal, I kind of got emotional, but by the third time I was pretty happy with it. When you involve all these people it had affects on me that I didnʼt necessarily expect. I didnʼt think we would reach our goal, first of all, and we did. There were no throw away songs on the album, we had seventeen songs and we chose ten. They were carefully chosen and some were hotly debated. One of the decisions the band members put on me was, will there be a cover song on the album? Two of my guys were rolling their eyes, but those two same guys said “Fine, but this is what we are going to do.” We came up with a crazy version of “Mad about You” by Belinda Carlisle. We

were like “If we are going to do this, then it is going to be a pop song.” On our first album people said we sounded like Matchbox 20, I donʼt think we sound like them now. We got that comparison a lot. We didnʼt want to cover someone who was like us; to do Belinda Carlisle is a beautiful irony. At first when I did it, I sang it like a response to her. Did you notice I give the worldʼs longest answers?

It has everybodyʼs name that contributed on it. That was part of the process; I had outlined all of the perks that they were going to get. I need constant stimulation or Iʼm bored out of my gourd. I was like “Surprise, everybody is going to be in the latter notes.” That kind of like regenerated it, everybody is going to be named and you will be immortalized forever. Everyone thought it was awesome. We reached our goal two MUEN: (LAUGHING) I hours before the cutKNOW I WAS THINK- off. At 10:38 we got a ING WE ARE STILL $250 donation that ON THE FIRST QUES- sent us $50 over. We TION, BUT YOU ARE had strangers give DOING $500, we had periphGREAT. eral friends give $1000. There was a girl from What happens with me Germany who gave is, youʼll ask one ques- $500, I met her once tion and I will cover all after one of my shows. ten. Some of my friends didnʼt give any money MUEN: ITʼS TRUE. at all. They said they YOUʼRE GOING would buy the album RIGHT DOWN THE when it comes out. I LINE. have this actor friend, who I have seen so I donʼt know why that many of his plays, I is, Iʼm just excited could cry. He said he about it. would buy the album when it came out. You MUEN: WERE THE never know, I was surPEOPLE WHO DOprised at so many asNATED MENTIONED pects of this and how it IN THE THANK YOU turned out. SECTION ON YOUR ALBUM SLEEVE? MUEN: ITʼS GREAT

THAT THESE PEOPLE DONATED THAT KIND OF MONEY TO HELP YOU MAKE MUSIC.

Yeah, I canʼt believe that we pulled it off, with everything that is going on right now. This one girl, she is very loyal to our band, I know for a fact she lost her job and then gave us a hundred dollars. There was another girl who said if we let her be the first to hear “Mad about You” after it was mixed she would upgrade from $250 to $500. I was like fine! I couldnʼt send it to her though, I told her she could come to the studio, but she said it was too far. I didnʼt want it to be passed around, so I told her she could come to the studio and we would give her a private session. She and her husband came down and listened to it on my producers amazing speakers. Her husband also gave $100. MUEN: THE PERSON YOU HAVE ON THE COVER IS ZONDRA FOXX. FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT KNOW HER SHE IS AN INFAMOUS DRAG QUEEN FROM THE

80ʼS. WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO HAVE HER PICTURE ON THE COVER?

My friend Mike took that picture in Cherry Grove. Every 4th of July these drag queens get on a ferry boat, I donʼt know why, and it is hilarious. People get crazy and it is a bit much. When I saw the picture I was like “That is my album cover.” We did not know what the album name was going to be and we did not name it because of the picture. I think it is a fantastic photograph. If you look at the image online, it is such a pristine photo. Mike said, “That is Zondra Foxx, Iʼm scared to call her.” I said, “Listen, you have got to call her and beg her to do a model release. I donʼt have any money to pay her, so see if she will do it for free.” Weeks went by and I didnʼt know what to do. One day I get this phone call. “Hello, is this Telling on Trixie? This is Zondra Foxx and I understand you would like to use a photo of me. Is there any money in this? There is never any money in these things.” I said, “Mike is a professional photographer, he is willing to let me

use the photograph and I would be eternally grateful if you would do the same thing.” She was like “Okay fine, I will send the release.” I have been super scared because “Ugly, Broke & Sober “was written and the fans knew it was a track on the album and they had heard it. They said it was the perfect name for the album because we were so broke and we had to do this plan. So, I was like “Well, that means that I have to name this album Ugly, Broke & Sober and I have to have this vicious drag queen on the front of it. Iʼm going to get stalked and killed.”

MUEN: DID YOU TELL HER THAT WAS GOING TO BE THE NAME OF THE ALBUM?

I never spoke to her again. I read that release a billion times after I got it in the mail. It said I could do whatever I wanted to it and alter the photo any way I wanted. I gave it to our lawyer. He said not to worry, that the album was going to be all over the world and she will have her face plastered all over the place. I basically

want her to understand that I do not think she is ugly. It is an amazing and hilarious photo. Iʼm waiting for that call “Hello, is this Telling on Trixie?” I was talking to a friend of mine who runs in the same circle as her. I asked him to ask her to attend the CD release party. We throw this huge extravaganza. I knew she would feel wonderful and stylish if she came to it. She didnʼt come. MUEN: SHE WILL PROBABLY CALL YOU ONE DAY AND ASK FOR A COPY OF THE CD JUST BECAUSE SHE IS CURIOUS.

I would love to give her a copy of the CD. You know what I can. I can send her a copy. I thought if I sent her the CD it would break the ice. That would be when she finds out.

MUEN: SEND IT TO HER AND INCLUDE A NOTE THAT EXPLAINS WHY YOU NAMED IT THAT. SHE MAY FIND IT TO BE HILARIOUS.

She is an art collector by trade. She dresses in drag all day long, which I guess, is not typical for drag queens.

MUEN: I FIND THE COVER TO BE HILARIOUS.

THE BEST WAY I CAN.

VERY FUNNY. I LOVE Thatʼs the truth, if you A GUY WITH A listen to the song SENSE OF HUMOR. “A.N.F.O” at the beginning, that sound Did you watch Allenis me knocking on my town: Land of copies skull. In “Eden” I bit and roses? into a carrot, the only thing is, you canʼt hear MUEN: NO, I DIDNʼT it as well. People never WATCH THAT ONE. knew what I was doing, until now; we just Tommy and I went started shows for this down to Allentown to album. That is my spedo an acoustic show cial instrument. I would and we acted like it get jealous, because a was a Blair Witch Proj- percussionist can pick ect. Gary was like “I up any instrument and canʼt believe you went play it. The most I can into that 7 Eleven. My muster up on stage is friend is a cop and he knocking on my skull just arrested a fugitive with my knuckles. for murder in there.” We decided we were MUEN: IT WAS AWEgoing to leave the SOME TALKING WITH venue to get something YOU. I APPRECIATE to eat and get some THE INTERVIEW. earplugs. We hit every bad neighborhood.

We are an indie outfit Whatʼs hilarious is in the true sense of the when people ask if it is word. Every success me on the cover. I say, we have is our own. “Letʼs just start with the We have Reybee and fact that there is a he is great. Every time forty-five year age dif- we get ference.” I dressed in new coverage it is a litdrag once for Haltle victory for us. A lot loween and I looked of bands have conlike Gilda Radner. I will tacted me regarding A not do it again. Band with a Plan. They want to know how we MUEN: I NEVER did it. I tell them to THOUGHT IT WAS go to the website and YOU, NOT EVEN rip everything off. Make ONCE. it your own. I will give them the password so It was funny. I like your they can see how it magazine by the way. I works. A couple of like how it is interview bands are doing it now. heavy and how you get I thought it was so cool to read a lot of what to be doing this interthe artist has to say. view because there is so much online stuff MUEN: YEAH, I TYPE nowadays that it is reMY INTERVIEWS ally cool to be put in MUEN: THE OTHER WORD FOR WORD, print. Itʼs a little bit of THING THAT I BECAUSE I FEEL an exclusive thing. THOUGHT WAS THAT EVERYTHING FUNNY WAS THAT THE ARTIST HAS TO MUEN: I LOVE THE YOU ARE LISTED AS SAY VIDEO ON HOW TO PLAYING KEYIS IMPORTANT. I RE- TEACH A BASS BOARD, KNUCKLES ALLY TRY TO PROPLAYER TO SING ON ON YOUR HEAD, MOTE THE BAND YOUR PAGE. IT WAS AND CARROT.

ZELAZOWA

great support from friends, family, and fans whenever we are performing within driving distance. There are a lot of great bands around here right now, so be prepared to hear big things from this area soon.

MUEN: YOU HAVE AN UPCOMING TOUR. WHERE WILL IT TAKE YOU, AND HOW DID YOU DECIDE ON THE PLACES YOU WILL PLAY?

After doing years of field research (touring our asses off), we have found the markets in Photo by: David Urbanic - ShipKingMedia which we see success. Our aim then is to hit LAZOWA release to new album is leagues By G. Cataline these markets whendate. Oh and we above Polymorph. We ever we get the chance. recorded to tape! recorded with a good MUEN: WOW YOU Currently, we are friend of ours, Patrick HAVE ACCOMchanging our touring Himes, in his Nashville MUEN: SO HOW ARE approach to be more PLISHED ALOT ALhome studio, so we had THINGS IN PHILADEL- targeted towards the READY... CHARTING PHIA? ARE YOU ALL ON THE BILLBOARD the good fortune of Northeast, but we hop being able to really take ORIGINALLY FROM TOP 200 WITH THE on any opportunity that THERE? WHAT IS our time with the 2006 RELEASE comes our way, so that "POLYMORPH"... THIS recording process. This THE MUSIC ENVIRON- could certainly change MENT LIKE REenabled us to make ALBUM WAS PROin the near future. DUCED BY GRAMMY each song its own sep- CENTLY? WINNER, JOHN SEY- arate entity on the MUEN: I'VE READ BEThings in Philadelphia MOUR.. HOW WOULD album. In addition to FORE THAT YOU ALL are great for us right YOU SAY YOUR LAT- that, the studio was a STARTED VERY now. We draw really wonderland of vintage EST ALBUM, "ELEYOUNG. ARE YOU gear, which we utilized well when we play loPHANTS ON A STILL ALL THE ORIGIto the fullest. The com- cally and over the MOUSEHUNT" COMNAL MEMBERS, AND bination of all these fac- years, we have been PARES TO "POLYHOW DID YOU FIRST able to develop some MORPH"... WHAT ARE tors along with better MEET? song writing and fantas- great relationships with THE DIFFERENCES, tic engineering (record- the industry profession- As far as meeting goes, ETC..? ing and mixing) helped als here. We all grew Bryan and I are brothus to put out what in our up in the Philadelphia Well first off, the proers and Terry and Ian opinion is the best ZE- suburbs and we see duction level for the

are cousins., so everything just kind of came together when Bryan and Terry met in gym class in 7th grade. Needless to say, we have known each other for a very long time. Originally, the band had a different name and a different guy playing lead guitar, but things did not work out with him. I joined the band in 2000 and we have had the same line up ever since.

MUEN: HOW DID YOU CHOOSE THE NAME OF THE BAND? WHAT IS ZELAZOWA SUPPOSED TO MEAN?

Bryan came across the name in his collegiate studies as the birthplace for Fredrick Chopin in Poland and we all thought it sounded cool, so we went with it. Later, we found out that it roughly translated to “iron will” and coincidentally enough described our work ethic perfectly. I guess it was meant to be. MUEN: WHO DOES THE ARTWORK?

My mother actually did the artwork on both “Elephants” and “Rest Easy” and Bryan took care of the artwork on “Polymorph”. We also have a graphic designer

who assists in a lot of our logos, banners, posters, web design, you name it…David Urbanic of Man Is 5 (formerly Ship King Media).

us the most. As you can probably tell, we are heavily influenced by both the grunge movement and classic rock, The Beatles to Soundgarden, but there MUEN: TELL US, are some great bands HOW ARE YOU GETout today: Shrug, CapTING RADIO PLAY ON tain of Industry, and Ra93.3 AND 104.5? ARE diohead (of course), THESE TWO RADIO just to name a few. STATIONS PRETTY SUPPORTIVE OF UN- MUEN: YOU HAVE A SIGNED AND LOCAL VERY DISTINCTIVE BANDS? VOCAL SOUND... HAVE YOU EVER In all honesty, we were TAKEN LESSONS, OR able to get play on ARE YOU SELFthose stations by beTAUGHT? coming friendly with the DJʼs, but both stations Bryan took singing are very supportive of courses in college, but the Philly music scene. is self-taught for the They both host weekly most part. Tuesday night original music events and have MUEN: TELL US A LITlocal music programTLE ABOUT YOUR ming. VERY OWN "WWW.INDIEONTHEMOVE.CO MUEN: WHAT DO YOU M"... WE KNOW YOU FEEL INSPIRES YOU STARTED THIS DATA THE MOST, IN THE SITE LAST YEAR. WRITING PROCESS? THAT MUST BE A AND WHO ARE SOME GREAT RESOURCE OF THE CURRENT FOR BANDS. HOW BANDS TODAY THAT ARE THINGS GOING YOU RESPECT, WITH THAT? WHETHER THEY BE WORLD KNOWN OR Things are coming "NOT SO KNOWN?" along great. We already have almost 3,000 acAs far as inspiration count holders in just goes, it comes from under 6 months, but everywhere and anymany more people utilize the site daily since where, a random eneverything is open counter to an inspirational news story. source. We receive only So in general, life expe- praise and thanks from riences probably inspire the siteʼs many visitors.

We are constantly making updates, so even better things are to come.

MUEN: WHERE DO YOU SEE THE MUSIC MUEN: INDUSTRY HEADED? DOES IT LOOK MORE AND MORE LIKE "EVERY BAND FOR THEMSELVES" OR DO YOU SEE ANY GROUPS OR SYSTEMS ACTUALLY BENEFITING THE BANDS OR ARTISTS TODAY?

The industry is most certainly in the digital age and only see it continuing in that direction. I would not say that it is every band for themselves, but I would say that bands really need to establish themselves before they will be noticed or “discovered”. The days of sitting around and waiting are long over. Bands need to figure out what they want to do and work towards doing it. As far as systems go, bands should look towards publishing and Internet promotion to really make a splash in todayʼs market.

MUEN Magazine May 2009 Part 2 - PG. 31

DEATH TO JULIET By G. Cataline

LOOKS LIKE YOU'VE JUST RECORDED ALOT OF NEW SONGS... WHERE ARE YOU RECORDING AT, AND IS THIS FOR AN UPCOMING ALBUM? Yeah we just recorded a E.P last summer called "Depends how you look at it" We recorded at Double Time Studios in San Diego with Jeff Forrest, They have a great vibe, and it was totally next door to Sombreros. SUPER TASTY

SOUNDS PRETTY TIGHT, HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN TOGETHER, AND WHAT WOULD YOU SAY HAVE BEEN SOME OF YOUR BEST SHOWS SO FAR?

We've been D2j since 2006, but me (Preston Taylor-Bass Player) and Maverick Boudreuax (Vocal/Guitar) have been playing music in the same bands since we were about 13, so we've always been around music in some form. Our best show yet would have to be Warped Tour, we played in 07' on the Hot Topic stage, it's great. and you

got to some how sneak behind the gates and get you guys some grub one year, its some fucking killer food!

Well We've never changed members, but we've added one, In early 08' We added a lead guitar player, (Ben Vedros) At shows we alWHAT ARE YOUR UP- ways felt as though COMING SHOWS? IS something was missing, THERE GOING TO BE so when our drummer ANOTHER TOUR? (Brad Herbert) brought this guy over, we were At the moment we have like dude this guys kicks a few shows near our ass, Lets Keep him home town and we have around. a show with the band Framing Hanley, so I'D CLASSIFY YOU AS were pretty excited ALTERNATIVE AND about that. The Next POP PUNK, AS IT Tour will be this Novem- SAYS AT YOUR MYber, Were going to tour SPACE, BUT YOU all the way to New York HAVE A LOT MORE OF and Back Down, so A RAW, SPONTAabout a month tour. NEOUS SOUND THAN ALOT OF OTHER POP HAVE YOU EVER HAD PUNK OUT THERE... A CHANGE OF MEM- WHAT TYPE OF BANDS HAVE INFLUBERS WITHIN THE ENCED YOU THE BAND? MOST, DO YOU

Photo by Myong Hong

THINK?

Well we all have influences that are very different, I grew up listening to Led Zeppelin, and I'm a big Coheed fan these days, so you get alot of that when you would hear my bass lines, Our drummer has influences from Seven dust to Blink, We all enjoy music and enjoy playing music, but we don't wanna play other peoples music, get what i'm saying?

HAVE YOU HAD MUCH LUCK WITH RADIO? IT SEEMS LIKE MOST OF YOUR SONGS ARE DEFINITELY RADIO FRIENDLY... We've had success more with this new E.P

PG. 32 - MUEN Magazine May 2009 Part 2 due to it having less cursing, We're get played time to time on our local radio stations, One time my friend heard us on satellite radio in Texas, and we were like dude that's awesome, We still don't know who's playing our music, but as long as its playing we're cool with that. HOW IS THE WARPED TOUR VOTING GOING?

Its going great, we were surprised at how many votes we got so far, and its because the fans man, there the best.

WHAT DO YOU DISLIKE ABOUT THE MUSIC INDUSTRY RIGHT NOW... AND WHAT DO YOU THINK IS GOOD?

Right now we don't like how most labels are going with a trend, you know? Like if they sign a band with a girl and succeed i guess every other label must sign a band with a girl singer, it seems money talks the most for them. But we do like how kids are getting more into online magazines and contests to support there bands and are checking out more independent or underground bands these days.

MUEN Magazine May 2009 Part 2 - PG. 33

An Interview with Adam Ficek

Roses Kings Castles

Baby Shambles By RL Segarra Forced to take a leave from his band The Libertines in 2003 to get help for his substance abuse Pete Doherty instead formed another band. After various changes in the line up “Babyshambles” as the band was called exploded on the music scene. Dragged through a media frenzy that would have overshadowed and destroyed a lesser band the talented Pete Doherty, Adam Ficek, Drew McConnell and Mik Whitnall put out some major critically lauded cds. The music, the writing, the playing were solid and sure. When that much talent comes together it is a natural step for band members to take on side projects. Pete Doherty’s solo cd has just come out with praiseworthy reviews along with drummer

Adam Ficek who has stepped outside the box grabbed a guitar wrote some incredible songs and to his surprise and our delight has his own critical raves on his solo project “Roses Kings Castles”. The talented drummer not only plays the drums for Babyshambles, sings his beautiful songs for Roses Kings Castles but has a strong following as DJ Adam Ficek. This writer caught up with the very busy

Adam Ficek as he was touring with Roses Kings Castles and was delighted when he agreed to do this interview.

MUEN: SO..I WAS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE I WANTED TO START SO HOW ABOUT THE BEGINNING, WHAT CAME FIRST THE DRUMMING, THE TEACHING, THE DJ'ING OR THE BANDS?

AF:The drumming and playing piano when I was a teenager, followed by the djing when I was late teens, running

club nights in and around London then finally the teaching (as a safety net really) I'm not that rock n roll.

MUEN: I WAS LAUGHING AT YOUR "I'M NOT ROCK N ROLL" SO IRONIC COMING FROM A DRUMMER IN HOT ROCK BAND, IT'S INTERESTING THE ROADS LIFE TAKES US DOWN, DID YOU EVER IMAGINE THE FAME AND SUCCESS NO MATTER HOW GOOD OR BAD THAT CAME FROM BABYSHAMBLES?

AF: Not really, it's been a bit of a surprise but life's like that isn't it? you never quite know what's around the corner!!

MUEN: YOU HAVE QUITE A FOLLOWING AS A DJ, IT HAS BEEN A CONSTANT IN YOUR LIFE FOR A WHILE, WHAT IS IT ABOUT THE DJING THAT KEEPS YOU DOING IT?

AF:I really love so many different styles of music, the djing element provides me with the opportunity to entertain and play loads of great tunes.

MUEN: BABYSHAMBLES IS STILL GOING STRONG, YOU AND PETE BOTH HAVE SOLO PROJECTS, DO YOU FEEL THAT BEING ABLE TO STRETCH CREATIVELY IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS BRINGS A BETTER STRONGER FRESHER PERSPECTIVE TO THE BAND? AF:Yes I think it's a really good thing for bands to have the freedom to be able to

step out and express themselves in a variety of ways. It does bring a real refreshed vigor to the band when we get back together.

MUEN Magazine May 2009 Part 2 - PG. 35

THINK WILL HAPPEN TO THE MUSIC INDUSTRY DOWN THE ROAD?

AF:It's so tough out there at the minute, it's like the wild west, MUEN:YOU'VE record labels just COME OUT AS A don't know what to do WONDERFUL to earn money. SINGER /SONGI think the future is WRITER, WHAT about building a comMADE YOU WANT munity with your fan TO STEP COMbase, it's going to be PLETELY IN THOSE hard to exist as a sepSHOES WITH arate entity form your ROSES KINGS CAS- fans in the future. TLE? MUEN:FIRST SONG I AF:Thanks, I have al- HEARD FROM RKC ways written songs WAS ENTROUand never had the BLED..THE LYRICS confidence to go out AND THE MUSIC, IT and play so I thought IS STILL MY FAit was about time I VORITE. YOU HAVE tried some live gigs, POINTED OUT THAT and to my surprise it ROSES KINGS CASdidn't fall flat on it's TLE IS NOT ANface. OTHER BAND YOUR IN, IT IS JUST YOU. MUEN:DO YOU FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO DO MORE ARE NOT YET FAWRITING FOR MILIAR WITH RKC BABYSHAMBLES? CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE MUSIC AF:Yes, I write conYOU PLAY? stantly, I'm hoping some of it gets used AF:Yes it's quixotic on the next shambles pop, it has a strong record. melodic sense with a little rugged limp. MUEN: YOU HAVE YOUR OWN LABEL. MUEN: I HAVE WHAT DO YOU GONE TO STADIUM

CONCERTS THEN ONE NIGHT ALONG TIME AGO SOMEONE BROUGHT ME TO THIS CLUB WHERE YOU COULD STAND RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE STAGE AND BREATH ON THE BAND...I'VE BEEN ADDICTED EVER SINCE TO SMALL INTIMATE VENUES NO MATTER WHAT'S PLAYING..PUNK METAL ROCK ETC..PLAYING IN BS AND RKC AS A PERFORMER WHAT IS YOUR PREFERENCE?

I like to perform in smaller places as RKC as I can connect to my audience better, I like to get up close and play as if it's my own living room.

MUEN: BUT...I LOVE THE COACHELLA MUSIC FESTIVAL...ITS A VAST SPECTRUM OF BANDS AND DJ'S AND MUSIC STYLES...IF I HAD THE MONEY I WOULD GO TO EVERY MUSIC FESTIVAL THEY HAVE IN THIS WORLD....AGAIN AS

A PERFORMER YOUR OPINION ON PLAYING MUSIC FESTIVALS?

AF: I love some festivals, especially the ones in Europe they treat you so much better. It's great to play to larger crowds via the shambles tip.

MUEN: IF YOU HAD TO CHOOSE ONLY ONE, THE BAND, RKC OR THE DJING WHAT WOULD YOU BE MOST CONTENT WITH AND WHY? AF:I couldn't choose

such a thing, I like all 3.

MUEN: IN THE U.S. WILL WE BE SEEING ROSES KINGS CASTLES OR BABYSHAMBLES TOURING ANY TIME SOON? HOW ABOUT DJ ADAM FICEK?

Shambles won't get in, I would love to come back but I can't afford it at the moment. If anyone wants to book me then lets do it..

Note:

Baby Shambles

(And if someone would explain to this writer why we canʼt let talented musicians in to play and tour and NO donʼt use the drug excuse….just pat them down when they come in and before they leave and just take the shit from them k)

Adam Ficek is still touring through Europe doing both Roses Kings Castles and his Djing. Babyshambles has also put out some dates they will be playing also. You can

check out all Adams music and talents and tour dates by checking out the links below. www.myspace.com/ro seskingscastles

www.myspace.com/b abyshamblesofficial

www.myspace.com/dj adamficek

BELLADONNA

MUEN Magazine May 2009 Part 2 - PG. 37

BELLADONNA

them alongside major national acts (www.vir(Italy) ginradioitaly.it/top/magazine.html), Belladonna Myspace.com/wwwbelladonnatv seem to constantly be resurfacing. Just this By G. Cataline past month they made a trip from Italy to Los AnBelladonna have long geles to play the Key since been one of the Club, and not long bemost recognized "unfore that, finished up signed" rock groups out recording their second of Italy. Whether it be album (The Noir Album) the heavy traffic on their with acclaimed producer blogs, which garnered Sylvia Massy in Califorthem top chartings at nia. We interviewed Belmyspace or even more ladonna once already a recently the fact that Vircouple years ago, but gin Radio Italy featured

natural, erotism, esoterism all mixed in a hienergy rockʼnʼroll cocktail that has a very definite identity and sound. We were thrilled to discover on MUEN: EXPLAIN Wikipedia that even ABOUT YOUR SELF many new bands in the PROCLAIMED MUSIC USA have decided to GENRE CALLED play and take on this "ROCK NOIR"... genre that weʼve creWHAT SEPARATES ated, itʼs truly flattering! THIS GENRE FROM THE REST? MUEN: TELL US ABOUT THE NEW RERock Noir is mystery, LEASE TITLED "THE sensuality, the superNOIR ALBUM" ...

wanted to catch up on the latest as they continue to grow and keep their presence in the ever changing music environment.

PG. 38 - MUEN Magazine May 2009 Part 2

HOW MANY SONGS ON THE ALBUM, AND WHAT CAN YOUR FANS EXPECT FROM THE ALBUM?

MUEN: THIS WAS ALL DONE ANALOGUE RIGHT? Half analogue, half digital, but even on digital the approach was a toThereʼs eleven Rock tally analogue one: no Noir songs on it, and software tricks, no auwe reckon that whototune, no click ever liked our debut CD tracks… the sessions “Metaphysical Attracwent on as if we were tion” will totally LOVE still in 1975, when this new one as well! records were made in The CD's official web- the studio by musicians site is www.thenoiralplaying their hearts out bum.com and the CD together, capturing the can be found on itmagic of Music. Tunes at www.itunes.com/belMUEN: HOW LONG ladonna/thenoiralbum DID IT TAKE TO RECORD? MUEN: THE FAMOUS SYLVIA MASSY Around 3 weeks. Being (TOOL, SYSTEM OF A basically a collection of DOWN, and plenty live performances it more) PRODUCED took very little time. THIS LATEST ALBUM Luana sang the whole "THE NOIR ALBUM". album in only one day! HOW DID YOU GET It was totally her HER TO WORK WITH choice, so she could YOU? retain that certain peculiar vibe and mood she We recorded the album was in on that day in her fantastic studio throughout the whole and she was (and still record. is!) our musical and production guru in MUEN: WHAT SONGS many ways. It was her OFF THE ALBUM ARE suggestion that we pro- YOU MOST EXCITED duce the album ourABOUT? AND WHAT selves, keen as we WERE SOME OF THE were to follow our mu- INSPIRATIONS FOR sical instincts and inner THE ALBUM? fire during the sessions. Our Dani ended We love them all so up producing it, with much, for us it would Sylviaʼs seal of apbe impossible to single proval! out any of them. As

usual the inspiration came from within ourselves: we do not listen to other music for inspiration, weʼve never done that. Having said this, Edgar Allan Poeʼs work was once again an important reference point.

YOUR RECOGNITION COMES FROM THE INTERNET?

We feel it has come from the people, from the underground, thanks to their word of mouth on our music. People nowadays communicate through the MUEN: WITH YOUR internet, but thatʼs only VISIT TO CALIFORa medium as any other. NIA AND WHILE Weʼve always felt and RECORDING THE still feel that we owe ALBUM, WHAT WERE everything to our SOME OF THE HIGH- friends and fans all LIGHTS AND WHAT over the world. EXPERIENCES DID YOU VALUE THE MUEN: HOW IS THE MOST? ATMOSPHERE TOWARDS YOUR MUSIC Well, Sylviaʼs studio, in IN YOUR HOMELAND a Northern California OF ITALY? town so small that it has no traffic lights was Very good indeed, esamazing! Sylvia, her pecially since weʼve enhusband Greg, Rich tered the "Grammy Veltrop the chief engi- Awards ballot 2008" neer and everyone in with 2 of our songs. the studio were amaz- This event made it posing to work and live sible for many people with, and weʼll never in Italy (that hadnʼt yet forget our days there! heard of us) to discover Belladonna. Many were MUEN: BELLADONNA absolutely shocked that HAS HAD ALOT OF a self-produced italian RECOGNITION ON band could get that far THE WEB AND ON by its own strengths. MYSPACE. SOME OF THIS IS DUE TO THE MUEN: SO YOU BELLADONNA BLOG, WOULD SAY THAT WHICH HAS EVEN YOU ARE NOT INFLUBEEN LISTED IN MY- ENCED FROM OTHER SPACES "MOST ARTISTS OF THE VIEWED" IN THE RE- PAST?. CENT PAST. DO YOU FEEL THAT MOST OF We really feel that we

have no actual musical influences. We just write the music that comes to us and we try to play it the way we like to hear it. Edgar Allan Poe, William Blake, Alfred Hitchcock are all very important sources of inspiration though. And of course we all love The Beatles, especially their darker side.

MUEN: WHILE YOU'VE PERFORMED WITH SUCH ACTS AS 'SIOUXSIE AND THE BANSHEES' AND 'SCARS ON BROADWAY,' YOU ALSO GOT A GIG AT THE 'DUBAI INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL... HOW DID YOU GET THAT GIG?

The word was out that we had written our own soundtrack to the classic German horror movie “Nosferatu” so the Dubai International Film Festival invited us to perform it live at their festival. For these “Nosferatu” performances we collaborated with our long time friend and awesome musician, Massimiliano Annibaldi on Viola Da Gamba and Theremin. MUEN: HOW DO YOU GO ABOUT THE SONGWRITING

PROCESS? AND DOES LUANA MOSTLY WRITE THE LYRICS?

MUEN Magazine May 2009 Part 2 - PG. 39

getting “your” sound using classic gear. Thatʼs what all the bands from the Seventies had to do at the Itʼs a process pretty time, and we think itʼs much akin to automatic one of the reasons why writing. The songs their records now seem to be floating out sound so much richer there somewhere and than current ones. You we feel like we are sim- could hear the musiply the receivers of ciansʼ fingers, sweat these sounds that aland soul. Thatʼs what ready exist in some we are going for with outer space. Yes, we Belladonna. know this sounds like some hippie clichè, but MUEN: WILL THIS itʼs what truly happens SHOW AT THE KEY to us, and all the peo- CLUB IN L.A. BE ple that know us perYOUR FIRST LIVE APsonally know this really PEARANCE IN THE well. U.S.? AND WHAT OTHER SHOWS DO MUEN: WHAT TYPE YOU HAVE WHILE OF MUSIC EQUIPYOU ARE HERE IN MENT DO YOU USE, THE U.S.? AND DO YOU HAVE ANY ENDORSEYes, itʼll be our live MENTS? debut! And 2 days later weʼll play at SXSW in Itʼs always vintage Austin, TX, and that will gear: we are into clas- be a real thrill too!! sic sounds and we find that modern technology MUEN: HOW DID YOU makes everything PRODUCE YOUR sound great with no ef- VIDEOS, AND WHICH fort, ONE ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF, AND ...but it can also make WHY? everything sound very shallow, lifeless and With the exception of empty. We want our “Mystical Elysian Love”, sounds to resonate which was directed and with depth and charac- edited by a young and ter... talented Italian director named Serena CorThe only way to do it is vaglia, weʼve always dito work very hard on rected and edited

everything ourselves to preserve our vision. Proud might not be the most appropriate word, but yes, we are very very happy with all of them! The most recent one, “Till Death Do Us Part” – the first single off “The Noir Album” is already on YouTube, check it out: here.

MUEN: WHAT ARE YOUR MAIN GOALS FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR?

Do as many live shows as possible!!

MUEN: WHAT INSPIRES YOU MOST TO KEEP GOING, AND PLAYING MUSIC?

Being a musician is our calling. We never felt we had any choice but to do what we do. Itʼs our life.

MUEN: WELL THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE UPDATE!

Thanks SO MUCH to you!!…

PG. 40 - MUEN Magazine May 2009 Part 2

CD REVIEWS THE ENGAGEMENT "Now And Forever"

Through their music The Engagement, find themselves in the middle of a pop culture that is embracing the lore and romanticism of a love not meant to be. On their sophomore release, the Engagement left me thirsting for more with soulful vampire undercurrents to their sound. With an over, all feeling of depression shining with up beat changes that reflect a hope deep down inside, “Now And Forever” is definitely an emotionally charged LP worthy of repeat listens. “Now And Forever” grows on one in much the same sense that love, finds, and grows on the unsuspecting cold-hearted cynic.

ear. Punctuating drums by Joe Ingle, on songs such as, “Who Cares” and “I Canʼt Feel You” transmit strongly throughout this LP with a backdrop that elevates and drops in near perfect timing; compassionately carrying one through a forest of emotions.

A band on the rise fast in todayʼs transitional scene coated in Twilight, and a must see live performance for this reviewer. The Engagement definitely is on the rise with the popular scienceʼs evolved in music today. Check out my favorite song, the LP titled “Now And Forever”, an anthem song suitable for airplay on any radio station, and more on The Engagement at the bandʼs MySpace: www.myspace.com/thee I found it difficult to igngagement or take a nore the resentment listen at the bandʼs and betrayal felt through quirky and interesting multi-instrumentalist web site: theengage/writer and producer, ment.org . Matt Andersonsʼ voice. The Engagement made From the opening song, me a fan and I look for“Two Pieces” to the final ward to hearing more in song, “Waste” I found the future, from this “Now And Forever” full feverish and contagious of strong guitar hooks alternative rock band orchestrated with emo- from Minneapolis, MN. tion musical interludes that draw in the listening ~Q5

MUEN Magazine May 2009 Part 2 - PG. 41

LACUNA COIL “Shallow Life”

From the first ʻleakedʼ release emitting from the folds of Lacuna Coilʼs new cd ʻShallow Lifeʼ, I was worried! Spellbound was great, but I wanted to headbang. I mean really, really headbang. Sure, I can make an effort on it, but I wanted something that had me bending at the waist almost instinctively, and without effort. Thanks to the very first track on their new album, my fears were alleviated with the opening throngs of double bass from Criz in ʻSurviveʼ!! Thank you Lacuna Coil. Now on we go with the rest of this digital array of art.

The first thing I noticed was how excellent the vocals are on this release. Cristina and Andi have truly taken their talents to a new level, both together and individually. Their harmony has never been better and both players in this LC saga have improved not only the quality of their voices, but also their enunciation of the English language, taking it to the point where personally I donʼt have to look up the lyrics in

the insert, which I find absolutely wonderful!! The guitar solos, though perhaps a bit short at times, are done to perfection and being rather rare in their catalog, were nice to hear for a change. Maus and Pizza are a true talent to be reckoned with, especially with their work on this album. Other tunes that had me in motion were 'Spellbound', 'Underdog' and 'I Wonʼt Tell You', in which Cristina exudes some Italian ʻsassʼ with lyrics such as “Iʼve been burned so bad, but I still play with fire”! Wide Awake is one of Cristinaʼs finest songs and this is one that I feel has the potential to do very well in North America with a single release of it. The song ʻNot Enoughʼ is a perfect example of the improvement in Andiʼs vocals and, with the addition of his Italian accent, adds flavor to the tune along with another great solo from Cristina in the bridge of the song. I love ʻUnchainedʼ for its Motown style melody in the chorus by Cristina with a bitch guitar solo added to boot! Marcoʼs bass lines shine in ʻThe Mazeʼ and itʼs one tune I hope to see them per-

CD REVIEWS

PG. 42 - MUEN Magazine May 2009 Part 2

form live just to watch his fingers move on the neck of his guitar. I hummed and hawed a bit on ʻThe Painʼ. It starts out nice! Atmospheric and airy, then hits a beat that just doesnʼt do it for me. Itʼs the only one I pass on the disk however.

voices to all of their diverse fans, and at the same time grasp new fans in the process. That is true talent! That is Shallow Life!

However, for those who may finally decide to abandon this band due to the expectations you insist on holding upon There are songs where them, pull out your In A the vocals are techniReverie and Unleashed cally enhanced, but I Memories CDs, dust feel theyʼre not overly them off, enjoy and Ardone, allowing for rivederci! moody intros and changes of pace such ~Eric Eaton. as in ʻShallow Lifeʼ, www.femmetal.net which, at this point in time, is my favorite. Slow, melodic and oh so deep in nature. Iʼm sure THIS A.M. STATIC “Touch Nʼ Go” something like this would have been slipped to the ʻBʼ side of Stop the presses! This a single release during A.M. Static has a musical brightness that you the Karmacode era. Now, itʼs the title song. will want to keep your eyes on and ears toWonderful! ward in the near future. I Unfortunately, there are feel This A.M. Static is ready for the next step many die-hard, old on the ladder of musical school LC fans that advancement. This have yelled ʻselloutʼ quintet from Rochester, since the Karmacode New York, impressed era, and that is fine! Nothing will change with me so much with the first track, “Void” off their this release. After all, E.P. entitled “Touch Nʼ everyone is entitled to his or her opinion. In my Goʼ that I feel they are worthy of whatever big opinion, itʼs not selling break may come their out when a band attempts to reach out with way.

eight hands and two

tastefully into This A.M. Staticʼs welcoming sound. These influences as named on the bandʼs MySpace page at: www.myspace.com/this amstatic , include such a diverse range as Radiohead, Fall Out Boy, Shiny Toy Guns, Keane, As lead singer/sequencer and keyboard Mindless Self Indulgence, Death Cab For player Jordan Bork pleas, “Will you give this Cutie, Mr. Bungle, Hawthorne Heights, life, chance to us? It might lack of sleep and of as well be now?” On “Void“, in the context of course; people. a love gone vacant. I could not agree with him I can hardly wait to hear more, in termʼs of listen- what This A.M. Static has to offer their listening to what this independent pop rock band ing audience with a full has to present. Master- L.P. of gripping sound. ful mixing and mastering This band on the rise reby Matt Klock through- flects a promising future out blends the whirlwind sound with this three song E.P.; entitled pop rock guitars of “Touch Nʼ Go” (also inAdam Brooks and cluding “Toyboat” and James Moore, whom also plays the Glocken- “Selfish Gift”) beyond spiel, with a steadily ad- what many larger corpodictive back beat by Jon rate budget backed bands in todayʼs market Waxmonsky on drums (sampler) and the jazzy have to offer in terms of commercial appeal and fused bass guitar of musical grandeur. This Dave Smith. colorful and attention deserving band creates If This A.M. Static sounds familiar, it more music that sounds as if it has written itself. than likely is not because you have heard Sinfully, Q5 of them before but rather because they not only intermingle as a group magically but also integrate their mad array of influences “Void” is so commercially appealing with its bitter sweetness in melody and catchy, pleading lyrics; it could play in heavy rotation on radio stations across the country.

CD REVIEWS

MUEN Magazine May 2009 Part 2 - PG. 43

ANTHIMOS MANTI nipulate the neck and “Alligator Lick”

Alligator Lick is one of those rare CDʼs that is a must listen to for any true music enthusiast that particularly likes mind-blowing guitar composition and performance. It contains fourteen instrumental tracks that prove that music needs to not include vocals to be truly remarkable and enjoyable to listen to. The talent shown by Manti is evident throughout the CD with shredding that would make even some of his influences envious of this offering. “Eight Roses” showcases his versatile talent to make a Fender electric sound as if it were a delicate acoustic with an amazing finger technique. Other highlights of the CD are the title track “Alligator Lick” and “Tostados” which all include a wide range of awesome shredding and a complete use of the range of sounds and effects afforded by his choice of guitars. In “Go Get the Cash”, “Telegun Burger” and “Happy Milk”, which is perhaps the best track of the CD, a listener gets the full effect of his ability to wickedly ma-

strings of his Telecaster for a sound uniquely his own. Recorded in his studio made this all the more intriguing as he has craftily used effects and pedals to bring out the best in his performance without any artificial effects to mask his talents by having complete control over the recording process. His music leaves you wanting to hear yet more and playing the CD many times over. It is a must have for anyone that appreciates intricate, articulate and complicated guitar performances and compositions. Manti may have many influences but the sound is distinctively his own and one that must be heard from start to finish on this CD to appreciate completely.

INSTINCT OF AGGRESSION

Watch out Lamb of God here comes the PAIN!! Instinct of Aggression is taking the heavy metal music scene by storm. They recently got off tour with DevilDriver, Snot, and Straight Line Stitch making the best out of an opportunity that an unsigned band could only dream of. They destroyed the stage every night alongside the headlining heavy hitters DevilDriver. Making Los Angeles their stomping grounds early in 2006 this band has come a long way since their early days in New York. Instinct of Aggression has one of the most intense live shows that I have ever seen and thatʼs coming from a concert junkie that ~Macavity would sell his soul to catch a good metal show. Comparable to Slayer, Lamb of God, and drawing inspiration from legendary metal/Thrash legends Megadeth; Instinct of Aggression is ready to take the next step in their musical careers and infect the world with their rare form of aggression. When I first heard these guys I was

impressed with the passion that they bring forth in their music through their live show, that as soon as I got to my computer I kicked a band off the Morbid Miller Top Unsigned List and replaced them with Instinct of Aggression. Having fun is something that most bands forget about when starting a band and thatʼs the beginning of the end when that starts to happen. This is not the case with these guys and its self evident when one seeʼs these guys do their thing on stage. I recently was contacted by their manager Mikey Doling (Snot/Soulfly/Invitro) and was asked to review some of their new material and I was taken away with the intensity and the passion that is poured out on the three song sampler that I received for review. Track one “Watching your World Fall Down” Starts out epic with a atmospheric guitar riff before ripping into a DevilDriver style raunchy riff and blood cur-tiling chorus “Watching you DIE!!” hold onto your asses as a back breaking breakdown jerks your fucking head to the floor at 2:15 in the song followed by a fin-

CD REVIEWS

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ger shredding solo. Next up is the song “Infect Humanity” which can be heard on the bands MySpace profile page (www.myspace.com/instinctofaggression). Starting out this song reminds me of early Slipknot with hard-hitting kick drums that creates a bomb leading to a full metal thrash riff that will get any fan of metal to bang their head against the wall before bursting into some badass groove that slows you down before taking you back into the eye of the storm, with hints of Death Metal in this song proving their variety of skills in all areas of the metal forte. Strong points in this song are the rapacious hard hitting snare drum that keeps the tempo of the song sick to the core. I really liked how they showed their skills as musicians in this song. Whatʼs next? Oh yea, “Kill Your Dreams” will make any and every Pantera fan happy with the similar vocal shredding of Phil Anselmo. “Kill Your Dreams” is my favorite song out of three due to the intense sense of brutality kicking your ass from beginning to end. The build up to the break down is

so fucking sick that after hearing it I caught some teddy bears on fire then the breakdown at 3:05 just sealed the deal for me making Instinct of Aggressionʼs new album one of the most anticipated album to come form an independent artist in a long fucking time. This is the best E.P. that I have heard since the infamous Burn the Priest demo. Horns in the air Instinct of Aggression is hear to squash those weak ass party line lip flapping, pussy, bullshit bands!!

SIRENS LAMENT Moments in Solitude

Never has a band name been so completely descriptive of the music produced and put forth for listeners. The hauntingly mesmerizing music and vocals of Sirens Lamentʼs EP will captivate like you no other siren song you have heard before. Well structured, written and performed songs are found on this amazing collection put forth as the debut offering of this one woman band that www.myspace.com/in- defies any attempt to stinctofaggression categorize to a specific genre. Unique uses of ~ Morbid Miller cello, bass, keyboards and most importantly the intricate uses of her voice are but all small parts that make up the total delights of this aural intoxication.

Ten tracks are found on “Moments of Solitude” and leave you allured enough to wanting much more than just the ten. The artistʼs classical training and ability to play several instruments is evident in all her songs but most notably in “Sirens Chamber” with the remix of this showcasing her use of synths and keys even

more. Although she plays many instruments and uses electronic elements beautifully it is her ethereal and hauntingly gothic voice that will keep you under the influence of this EPʼs sounds. Her voice brilliantly compliments the compositions and is reminiscent of Collide, Zeromancer and Nicole Blackman in her variety of sultry, electronica and industrial feelings within her songs. The deep sultry dark side is most notably found in “Eternal Hunger” and “Hatred.” Once you are enticed initially to thinking this will be a seductive ambient tone you are pulled to the full force of her harder edge of the intensely dark gothic industrial sound of “Dying Planet.” With two remixes to show further versatility to complete the EP, you are left wondering what will be next from this very talented artist.

~Macavity

CD REVIEWS

BULLETSIZE Self-Titled

Bulletsize self titled CD offers the best of thrash and dark metal in this debut offering from this Swedish band. While it would be easy to say they are just another metal band upon listening to the CD you can no longer make that broad statement. They do include amazing machine gun drumming and great shredding guitars with a heavy bass line. What sets this CD apart is the expressive and well thought out lyrics and mix of vocals to communicate these lyrics in a unique approach. The production and song structure of all the songs also highlight this uniqueness. “Feed My Hate” stands out as one of the tracks that truly exhibits the versatility of this band and what each band member brings to the amazing metal sounds. “Among the Living” and “Annihilation” are other tracks that highlight the full on scream and anger of the dark metal with great thrash while still retaining a melodic quality within. These songs and the others found on the CD are a further tribute to the ver-

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satility and creativeness JOHN JEFF TOUCH “Canʼt Live Without You” and “We Feel” are other of Bulletsize. “First Touch” examples of the amazAll ten tracks take you An aptly named CD by ing vocal and musical delight of this CD. through the darkest amazing vocalist John anger of metal with Jeff Touch is a treat for Eleven tracks are inawesome musicality the ears, the mind and cluded and there is not and lyrics and even in- the soul. At “First Touch” one that could not be a clude a ballad to end and listen of this CD you single with great appeal the experience of listen- think you are to hear a as they all have either a ing to them. The music pop version of rock with- lyrical, vocal or melodic leaves you wanting to out much innovation. It “hook” that entices you to listen to yet more. see them live to experi- is exactly the opposite ence the head banging with amazing use of that would inevitably many instruments in in- All the songs are written, arranged and produced come with the amazing novative ways to grab by Touch and are a tesguitars and drums dis- you to listen and take tament to his brilliant played throughout the you on a melodic tour musical talent not only in CD after listening to it within his world. It is a vocal abilities but also many times over. Bullet- world of silky clear vohis ability to offer to the size has given us a CD cals and a variety of that you will want to lis- styles all wrapped neatly world a CD to delight in listening to from start to ten to often for a unique in a cohesive CD that and fresh fix of full on has amazing lyrical writ- finish. This is our “First metal. ing to match the sounds. Touch” of John Jeff However, once you think Touch but certainly will ~Macavity you are to just be taken be far from our last. on a ballad or soft rock Look for this CD to be sound tour you find you just the beginning of a long and alluring tour of have been taken beautiful articulate and through a harder rock intricate music. that uses innovative piano samples and ~Macavity catchy guitar riffs mixed with other variety of keys and even acoustic guitars and violins. “Sometimes” is a brilliant highlight of all those elements encompassed within one tune with a wide vocal range and variety of styles used to enhance the musical composition.

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ULTRAVOX Symphony Hall, Birmingham, UK April 17, 2009

LIVE REVIEW

By Jus Forrest Photo by Brian Devine

A big hit in the early eighties whilst riding the crest of the New Romantic wave, you'd be forgiven for assuming Ultravox had faded to an almost invisible shade of grey since they last performed together circa 23yrs ago.

Tonight, following a swell of dry ice, four sharp suited figures on stage blend nicely with the space age styled backdrop, and the first tender notes flow freely to form the opening instrumental 'Astradyne'. It's a close encounter that six months ago would have been a mere vision in blue.

ever prominent signature synth sounds so faithfully recreated. The 'Thin Wall' showcases hugely effective guitar work, already giving the track it's edge, but the addition of the viola, and resulting interaction between both instruments is simply superb. Sadly however, 'Astradyne' and 'Mr X' the backing vocals are are welcome surprises, almost inaudible. both of which demonstrate an excellence in Combining dramatic soundtrack styled com- crescendos with the position. It's a brave most delicate of move, proving tonight's touches, Vienna' is Ulnot just about 'the travox's most classic greatest hits'. example - the audience cheering in appreciaElectro greets rock dur- tion during Billy Curing 'We Stand Alone', rie's magnificent solo enhanced by those spot - his work on both

the piano and viola proves so magically intense - a perfect climax to the haunting ambience previously set with 'Rage in Eden' and those chilling piano sounds of 'Your Name'.

that all expectations are met - Ultravox manage to recapture everything - classical musicianship at its best, deep meaningful compositions, accompanied by rock guitar mastery and some strong voIt's all passing so cals. One hell of a quickly, the strangers, melting pot, yes the sleepwalking, the maybe, but these elecgreat melody of 'I Re- tro pop / rock synth pimember' and so forth, oneers have got it all with 'The Voice' bring- nicely under control. As ing it all to a close. for me - 'I came to Slightly more bass wel- dance', but tonight come here, but not to many will go away with worry, there's a great an insight into the artful showcase of percusconstruction of musical sion overload from the drama. Whatever, it's a boys concluding vision and experience tonight's well worth holding performance. onto. I'm pleased to report

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ADELITAS WAY By Shauna O’Donnell

ADELITAS WAY Virgin/Capitol Records Rick DeJesus (Vocals) Las Vegas, Nevada By: Shauna OʼDonnell

MUEN: HI RICK! HOW ARE THINGS GOING? We have been going crazy with the record right now, trying to get it done on time. The label wants it to come out as soon as possible. Itʼs tough because we are doing fifteen songs in two months. Itʼs a lot of work.

TORY ON YOU GUYS. HOW DID YOU COME TOGETHER AS A BAND?

It kind of started out not that serious. I wanted to just write songs, play music and see if people get it. I never knew that I could really sing. I alWe started in Vegas ways thought that I was and it was kind of a sitone of those American uation where I was MUEN: WHY DONʼT doing a lot of acoustic Idol people who think YOU START BY GIVthey can sing. I wasnʼt shows, it was just me ING ME A LITTLE HISsure and I didnʼt want and one of my friends.

people to make fun of me. One night I did an acoustic set at this bar called Money Plays. I snuck into the bar because I was not 21 yet. I had written a song called “Crush” and I go into the bar, play it and I get a standing ovation. I was like “Oh my God!” That was the first thing I had done musically and I got a good response. People said it was amazing and I should record it so I ended up moving and selling everything that I had. I drove across country, lived in my car and tried to work my way up from the bottom. I was trying to get

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shows booked, I got a job in Vegas, got my first apartment and sold my truck that I lived in to do our first demo. No one would book us with that demo. No one would let us play anywhere. I handed demos out to every person that walked the face of the Earth. I probably handed out six or seven thousand demos in Vegas. Finally, we begged this place to play us. The Rainbow Bar was like “Look, we will let you open up for the opener. Your set is 20 minutes.” We brought 950 kids to the first show we ever played. When we got off stage the whole bar cleared out and from that day on every venue in Vegas wanted to book us because we were the biggest drawing band in Vegas. Robert Reynolds who manages The Killers came out to the first show we ever played live. He came up to me after the show and said “Dude, you guys have something.” Over the years he and I game planned and he guided my career. We got a manager, Larry Rudolph, who also manages Britney Spears. Larry was a friend of mine who did not end up being a long

term manager. He guided me as well so I would make the right moves. Eventually, it got us to where we were selling out everywhere we played. We were selling out the Viper Room in L.A, bars no one had ever heard of and The Clubhouse in Arizona. It got to a point where people started showing interest and the band got in a bidding war. We signed with In De Goot Entertainment who has Shinedown, Theory of a Deadman and Chevelle. When everyone started coming label wise, we heard every excuse in the book. Finally, one day, Virgin Records came in and said they didnʼt care what everyone else was saying. They knew that our band was a hit and they wanted to sign us. The minute they put the offer in, we had every single label in the industry send a deal to our lawyer.

company. They brought the whole new team in. Rob Stephenson (President of Virgin) has such a great track record. They believed in our band right out of the gate. We felt like it was the right team. We could have made an irrational move, but we did not take the money. We took who we thought would give us the biggest chance to get the music out to the fans. That is what itʼs about. You can take a quick dollar and not believe in yourself. We didnʼt think like that. We donʼt care about how big the bonus is. We want to get the music out to the fans who have never heard us before. We are a band thatʼs all about fans and people liking the music. Have you noticed that bands are putting out records with nine or ten songs on it? Itʼs because the record company only pays for ten songs. We donʼt believe in that. I didnʼt get into this industry for MUEN: DID YOU SIGN the record companies. WITH VIRGIN BECAUSE THEY WERE MUEN: TELL ME A THE FIRST TO COME LITTLE ABOUT THE AND OFFER A DEAL? ALBUM. ARE THE SONGS THAT WERE Not only were they the ON YOUR DEMO ON first to come, but I reIT? ally liked what they were doing with the Two songs that were

on the demo will be on the album. One is called “Brother” and the other is “All Falls Down.” MUEN: WHAT IS THE TITLE OF THE ALBUM?

I think it is going to be self titled. We donʼt want to come out trying to make any fancy names for our record. No one knows who we are right now. We are just coming out trying to make a statement in the rock industry. We want to make a record with twelve amazing songs on it. We are not writing songs just to write them we are trying to make a great record.

MUEN: WHEN WILL IT COME OUT?

We were going to put it out in March, but they want us to tour. I think we are going out with 10 Years in February. Then they are bringing out names like Shinedown and Theory of a Deadman for us to tour with in March and April. We believe it will come out the first week of May. They want to give it a good solid push with the radio and they want us to be on the road when it comes

out.

MUEN: HOW EXCITING. IS THIS YOUR FIRST TOUR?

This is our first major tour. We have toured the west coast, but this is our first time down south. We are looking forward to meeting all the amazing people down there. Itʼs our first time being jammed in a van for seventy hours. Iʼm excited about it though. I think that we signed up for it and itʼs what we all were dreaming of. MUEN: DO YOU DO ALL OF THE LYRIC WRITING?

I write all of the lyrics and melodies for the songs. I also write some of the music. Iʼm not saying I have to write all of the lyrics, but I write about things that Iʼm going through and things that people can relate to. Some of the rock that is out nowadays, they are singing about things that donʼt really matter. Thatʼs not really my style of writing. I want someone to sit down and say “Man, I listened to that song and thatʼs what Iʼm going through. Thatʼs how I feel.”

MUEN: THAT IS HOW I FEEL ABOUT “LAST STAND.”

Itʼs a true story. I had someone who was my best friend for years. Itʼs a girl and I was always afraid of commitment. We always knew we liked each other and we would do anything for each other. It was one of those situations where I was too stubborn to admit it and stop being a guy for a minute and admit how I felt. I let it go on for a year and a half. I almost lost her as a friend and everything. I got a second chance to explain that I was being a jerk and that I cared about her more than anything. That song is a pretty touching song because it is about a guy who is trying to play it too cool. Itʼs about telling someone how much they are really worth.

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who goes on shows and thinks they are great. I never thought about it. Maybe I was a little stage shy or I was a little embarrassed in the beginning.

like Hinder. We want to stick in that realm because we want to write songs that are radio friendly that have a little edge to them. Disturbed sounds amazing and thatʼs one of my faMUEN: YOU vorite bands. Iʼm from a RECORDED AT different era with GROOVEMASTER Soundgarden, Stone STUDIOS IN Temple Pilots and DisCHICAGO. YOU turbed. Iʼm not trying to GUYS ARE FROM re create another NickLAS VEGAS. WHAT elback record here. I MADE YOU CHOOSE like Nickelback, Iʼm THAT STUDIO? friends with Chad, but that records already out We wanted to go with right now. We want to be like Disturbed. We MUEN: ITʼS A BEAU- Johnny K. He makes real rock records. A lot want three number one TIFUL SONG. IT REalbums in a ALLY SURPRISES ME of these guys nowadays are all getting the row. I think we made THAT YOU DIDNʼT same sound. It seems the right move with the KNOW THAT YOU like Howard producer that we ARE A REALLY picked. GOOD SINGER. YOU Benson is making every single rock ARE REALLY TALrecord on Earth right MUEN: WELL I WISH ENTED. now. Johnny K did YOU THE BEST OF Disturbed and 3 Doors LUCK WITH THAT. I appreciate that. I Down. We wanted to YOU HAVE A GREAT didnʼt want to be like not sound too much VOICE, YOU ARE one of those people

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TALENTED AND I LOVE YOUR SONGS.

I really appreciate that. Thatʼs why we do it. Itʼs not for anything but that. Just hearing you say that makes me know Iʼm doing my job. MUEN: I KNOW THAT ALTERNATIVE ADDICTION NOTICED IT TOO.

I like those guys. They have been nothing but supportive to the band. Those guys have been great to us. I feel very fortunate to have people who get what we are trying to do.

MUEN: I THINK WE COVERED EVERYTHING. IS THERE ANYTHING YOUʼD LIKE TO ADD OR SAY?

I would like to thank the fans and Virgin Records. Itʼs going to be a good year for us. Iʼd like to thank you as well for taking the time to interview me.

THROTTLE Whittier, CA

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Gil Oyola: Guitar & Vocals Dave Macias: Guitar "Rude" Rudy Robles: Bass Guitar & Vocals Paul Ramirez: Drums & Intensity

Myspace.com/throttleusa

By: Shauna ODonnell

MUEN: HOW DID THROTTLE COME TO BE AND WHEN?

Gil: Around December of 2003, we started writing songs. Rudy called me out of the blue and came down. At the time we had a drum machine, it took us about eight months before we found a drummer. Ultimately, this cat right here, JC (Javier Cedeno), came down and did our initial run of gigs. Paul ended up in the band two years ago and it has been THROTTLE since.

attached we were to the name? I said that I was permanently attached, I have “Changes” tattooed across my arm because at the time we were writing songs, it was so difficult to find a drummer that as a personal challenge to press forward, I tattooed the name to my arm… I reMUEN: WHY THE member the day that we NAME THROTTLE? were considering the name change, we were Gil: We were originally rehearsing and we got a called ʻChangesʼ and it phone call from a cat was a bit ambiguous. who is the friend of a People didnʼt know if we producer doing some were Disco-dj or a 70s made in Mexico exwedding band. We had treme sports DVD aska drummer at the time ing permission to use named Mike Barnett our stuff. It all just tied in aka Doctor Metal, who and we became is a very educated, inTHROTTLE, it actually telligent man and a serimakes sense because ous drummer. He we rip your face off. challenged us with how

MUEN: WERE YOU IN BANDS PRIOR TO THROTTLE?

of bass players in a lot of bands. Mike Guerrero of Death Riders would always call me and tell me Hey bro, our bass Paul: I was in three bands prior to this one, player canʼt make it. I also played with a guy Dead Volt, Mentality and Heaven and Earth. named Steve Medrano I finally found my niche for three years. He past with THROTTLE. I have away and he was a loved music ever since I major part of my progression in music. I had was a little kid and I to step up my game in watched him play in order to keep up with garage bands back in him. In that three years I the day. I always knew became the bass player one day I would be playing with them. I had that I am today. THROTTLE is definitely to work my chops out and that day has come the band you want to know about. to pass. I am happy to be where Iʼm at. Gil: The most serious band I was ever in wasRudy: Iʼve been in a bunch of bands nobod- nʼt even a metal band, it ies probably even heard was a blues band. We were called The Lizard of. I have made a pastime of sitting in for a lot Skin Blues Band. We

were about 80% originals and 20% covers. It was a lot of fun.

TELL ME ABOUT THE THROTTLE CD YOU HAVE COMING OUT.

cause there is a promo pack of four songs being mixed as we speak. That is probably four months away.

MUEN: WHEN YOU DO DECIDE TO SHOP Gil: We think we have a A LABEL, ARE YOU title, but we have to dis- GOING FOR MAJOR cuss it as a band, so Iʼm OR INDIE? not going to let that cat out of the bag. We have Gil: The goal without a eleven songs, eight of doubt is a major label. which, are relatively The reason we are sitnew. They had never ting here, the reason I been recorded until last harass you through text October when we went message, email and to Dungeon Studios in phone calls is because L.A. the goal is major label. I pull no punches, I want Its powerful, itʼs threat- that signing check. I ening, soothing and ball have a specific number busting, face ripping in mind that Iʼve seen music. We are in the for the past five years of mixing process right what my check is going now; we are editing and to look like and the tail re-recording things that end of that will be a we cannot live with ten long term recording years from now. The contract. Thatʼs not to goal is summer 2009 dis the small guys, hell that we have it ready for even if we have to put it release. out ourselves and sell it out of our trunks, we will MUEN: ARE YOU do it all day long. PRODUCING AND MIXING IT YOURMUEN: SOME BANDS SELVES? START WITH AN INDIE LABEL AND THEN GO Gil: Yes, we are co-pro- WITH A MAJOR ducing. Adrian VilLABEL LATER. lanueva of Dungeon Studios is engineering Gil: Yeah, absolutely, the process. we will sit down and listen to anyone because I MUEN: ARE YOU may learn something as SHOPPING LABELS a result of the conversaRIGHT NOW? tion. Gil: No. we are not be-

OF 2007 YOU WERE CHOSEN TO APPEAR ON FOX SPORTS NETWORKS SPORTS SCIENCE. WHAT DID THAT DO FOR YOUR CAREER?

getting emails from all over the world so it has opened doors. Paul: For me, it put me on the map with my kids so that was awesome.

MUEN: DO YOU Gil: It landed us our first THINK MYSPACE HAS endorsement deal with BEEN A BIG CONLarry Hartke. He is very TRIBUTOR TO GETgenerous and gracious TING YOUR NAME to us. Rudy initiated the OUT THERE? contact with the guy. Rudy plays exclusively Gil: MySpace put our Hartke bass amps. Do asses on stage with you want to touch on UFO, Carrie Istad from that? the Key Club found THROTTLE because of Rudy: Yeah, we love Myspace. You and I met you Larry. He wound up through MySpace, yeah getting it together where 525! we could borrow some cabinets and have the MUEN: YOU HAVE ALkiller look going on for READY TOUCHED ON our show. It was aweSOME OF THE WELL some to make that con- KNOWN ARTISTS tact and have him in our YOU'VE PLAYED corner. People that I WITH, WHO ARE didnʼt even tell about SOME OF THE OTHthe show were telling ERS? me Hey! I saw that Throttle thing on sports Gil: We ran direct supScience and it was port for Glen Hughes pretty cool. It was the and Chad Smith after first step in the progress they collaborated on a that we have come to Glen Hughes CD, weʼve opened for Flotsam and see with Throttle. Jetsam and Laaz Rockit Gil: Dave and I utilize to name a few… Things Zoom products and that were presented then there is Samson were the Michael technologies, we are Schenker Group and trying to get their stuff Paul Di Anno, however, on stage with us. It ex- they fell through because the stars werenʼt posed the band to twenty-two different lined up. countries every day of the week. That is a lot MUEN: WHAT IS THE EXTENT OF YOUR MUEN: IN DECEMBER of exposure. We were

TOURING EXPERIENCE?

You have to approach what you are going to bring with a different Gil: I played in Tijuana taste or a different flaonce. Does that count? vor. With this CD what No, we are So Cal, we we are trying to get peoare chartering into an ple to do is bang their area of our musical ca- heads, tap their foot, reers that we have shake their butt and do never embarked on be- whatever they want to fore. Thatʼs the possibil- do. As long as they walk ity of going somewhere. away with a smile on This band has not their face, that is what toured, we have talked we are trying to about it and plan on achieve. They may not making it happen say they like all of the soon… songs, but they may say I like that one! Our goal MUEN: DO YOU FEEL is of course for them to THAT PEOPLE DO like all of them. Itʼs NOT GET THE FULL tough out there with the THROTTLE EXPERIshort set times and all ENCE UNTIL THEY of the bands you have HAVE SEEN YOU to play against with the PLAY LIVE? potential of getting blown off the stage. We Gil: What do you think? feel really confident of what we bring to the MUEN: I THINK SO. table, but there are a lot of bands out there. Itʼs a Gil: Yeah, I think the tough challenge in the CD will capture the spirit L.A. music scene. of the band because it is a pretty hot perform- Gil: This is why we are ance in the studio. The a little reluctant to get live show is like the dif- on the road immediference between seeing ately. Bands from the a Victoriaʼs Secret east coast want to come model and being able to to L.A. This is the hot embrace her. bed of metal and music. No disrespect to any MUEN: WHAT DO YOU other music market, but THINK OF THE MUSIC everyone is gunning toSCENE IN LOS ANGE- wards L.A. At the right LES? time and place someone may see us in anRudy: Itʼs cut throat in other state. L.A. is the the sense that there are place to be, but we are so many bands that are in touch with reality and trying to break through. you do have to get out

on the road. Texas and Nevada are where I want to take the band in the immediate future. Success to me is like a giant fucking rhino, the only way Iʼm going to chow that meal down, is one bite at a time. We line up the ducks and make a decision as a band.

MUEN: WHAT DO YOU FIND TO BE THE HARDEST PART OF BEING A BAND TRYING TO MAKE IT IN A FLOODED INDUSTRY?

you talk to us and get to know us you will see that. Now, having said that, we are not disillusioned, we know we have a lot of work to do, but we also know what our capabilities are. MUEN: DID I SEE THAT YOU GUYS ARE DOING A BENEFIT SHOW?

Gil: Yeah, Rob Sherriff of Hollywood Sherriff Productions over there is our booking agent and he is putting on a Save a Life animal benefit for a shelter in Gil: In business, you Southern California. have to make yourself Rob has bands like stand out from the com- DC4, THROTTLE and petition. I carry that over Mandy Lion playing the to my perspective of the benefit on July 3rd. band. One of our road Youʼll be there. crew (Chris Brown) made the comment MUEN: YES, I WILL BE today when he came to THERE. WHAT IS break down, he said YOUR MAIN GOAL “the thing about you FOR THE BAND? guys is people walk in and they see the Gil: Success… Personstacks”! Itʼs a visual ally, I have always thing, when people wanted to be in the powent to see Pantera; sition where I could Dime had eight cabimake a difference in nets, Rex had six amps other peopleʼs lives in a and the double bass for positive manner. I think Vinnie. We are not a being a wealthy, sucgarage band by any cessful musician will stretch of the imaginaallow me to do that. tion. We practice in a converted garage, but Rudy: Of course, its we see ourselves on wealth and prosperity, stage with Slayer, everybody wants that in Godsmack and Distheir lives. For me, itʼs turbed. This is what we being able to reach out believe, and the more and touch people with

our music. I want to reach their heart and soul. Whether it is live or with the CD, that is when I feel like Iʼve done my job. Paul: Itʼs to get more progressive in the band and to get the touring going. I want to get THROTTLE out to the world with these core members right here.

Dave: Itʼs definitely recognition because Iʼve known most of these guys for thirty years and I know we have paid our dues. We have done this for over twenty-five years and I think we have put our time in. MUEN: WAS THERE ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD OR SAY?

Gil: I would just like to say thank you, youʼre cool and I consider you a friend. The faith that you have demonstrated in the band is something I canʼt thank you enough for. Thanks for the love.

PG. 56 - MUEN Magazine May 2009 Part 2

Wednesday

MAY 27

cLub hAlo and Liquid City present: Feral City @ The Bordello 901 E 1st Street Los Angeles 90012 21+ doors open @ 6:30pm $5 before 7pm $10 after 7pm 8 bands 2 Dj's live music and dance podcasted by Rant Radio

CD release for headliner act:

DISMANTLED Bands:

12:00 - 2:00 Dismantled 11:15 - 11:45 Malkfactor 10:30 - 11:00 No Last Resort 9:45 - 10:15 Reloader 9:00 - 9:30 Mortal Clay 8:15 - 8:45 BiStandard 7:30 - 8:00 Kill Two Birds 6:45 - 7:15 Guild

Myspace.com/clubhalohollywood

Real Ghost Stories..

perfection at all times. It was the one place I could truly be myself. I spent much of my By summers there, walkMichelle M. Short ing in the woods, watching the wildlife, it “Ghost from our past”, was my favorite place, “Family skeletons in until darkness fell and the closet”. Iʼm sure then I had no choice you all nodded your but to retreat indoors heads in recognition of and into the hands of these phrases, it conthe ghost upstairs that gers images of somewaited there for me. one elseʼs family secrets or ghost, of At first it started out as mansions hidden in a sense that someone mist, the shadowy figwas watching me at ure lurking just around night, I would somethe corner, always times wake up to someplace far resomeone pulling on moved but never in my sheets, see a faint your own reality…usumist creeping along ally. Those words have the floor, or hear foota whole new meaning steps on the creaking for me now, as I stairs. The longer I watched a real life stayed there, with mystery, and ghost each passing year the story unfold before my more intense the atvery eyes over the tacks became. The course of my life. overwhelming sense of doom became unThe trouble began bearable at times. If I early in my life. I first didnʼt know better I started to notice the would say the place odd things happening learned what scared at my Aunts country me over the years as I home when I was grew. about 7 years old. She lived on a large I was not the only one ranch/farm in the the ghost had a probcountry, it was the only lem with, it also deplace I could find any lighted in teasing all real peace in my life, my cousins as well, or away from my the more precisely anyone tremendous pressures under 18 or 19 . But it my mother put on me, seemed to single me the need for constant

out more than the others, maybe it was because I could sense itʼs presence before anyone else. I remember walking in on a conversation my cousins were having about the things that had happened to them, so we spent hours comparing stories, and after that we always kept tack of each experience. We all came to the same conclusion, that there was something or someone there that did not want us kids invading itʼs space. And my mother would get so upset with me for being scared, she believed I was seeing things and maybe I should be taken to a doctor. Luckily for me, my father understood, he also felt uncomfortable upstairs as well, although he never saw anything, or so he said although I never did completely believe him, because he would sometimes react to the same noises I heard. He also believed that children could sense things that adults canʼt, what they deny or just donʼt believe anymore. My father was a very scientific

minded man, so I learned early not to take everything at face value. You have to study a situation in many different ways to find the true cause of any given mystery. So thatʼs what I set out to do. Although back then science did not thrill me, but I saw the reason behind my fathers thinking. Thatʼs when it dawned on me that I could accomplish the same thing by pretending be part of the Scooby Doo gang, silly as it sounds, but it was my favorite show then and now. Then my cousin followed suite very quickly too, because she was a big Nancy Drew reader, so we set out together to find the truth behind all the whispers we heard. It didnʼt take us long to discover the mystery of the creaking stairs. Although this still does not explain why they would creak on their own like it did. First we discovered that only certain steps would creak, and it took the weight of an adult to make the noise. We knew this because the other thing we loved more that searching for ghostly answers

was scaring the hell out of each other as often as possible, so it didnʼt take us long to figure out how to climb the stairs quietly. So every time I knew I was alone in the house, and I would hear those stairs creaking it would make my heart race, sometimes it was a long drawn out slow creeping sound of someone trying to be very quiet other times it sounded like someone was running or falling down the stairs. I have had some ghost experts tell me that what I could be hearing is a residual haunting, or like a recording of past event replaying themselves over and over again. And maybe that was true at first, but as I grew older and my understanding of things began to change so did my experiences with this entity.

wake up in the morning with mysterious bruises or handprints around my wrist. Other times I would be outside walking with my Aunt and Uncle in the field and look at the house, I would see a woman standing in the 2nd story window holding open the curtains.

And I hope I can explain this correctly, but the way the upstairs was built, the ceiling was very slanted at the two ends, and the beds where push right up next to that wall, so you had to be careful getting in and out of bed or else you would hit your head. It gave you a very closed in feeling, and on many nights I would hear quiet whispers echoing in the room in the quiet of night, sometimes saying “no“, sometimes “go“. One night when I was 12 I was laying there in bed unWhat at first had able to sleep and I started out as simple was curled up close to white lights moving the wall where the across the room or slanted ceiling meets, white mist floating and right above my close to the ground head a misty white became full bodied ap- face appeared in the paritions of a woman ceiling not 3 feet away reaching out to me at from my face, at first the foot of my bed, she was gasping for many times I would breath like she was

after the other throughout the house. And if any of you have ever spent the summers in SW Missouri or NW Arkansas then you know how still, how humid, and how hot the month of August is, those miserable days when itʼs so hot and muggy, the air Shortly after that is itself feels like it clings when things really to you. And if you have began to change for also spent any time me, this thing in the house began to follow swimming in lakes or me downstairs, some- the ocean, and you thing it had never done feel an ice cold undercurrent flow across before and only with your ankles and creep me. That is when the shadow people began up your legs then you know what it felt like appearing. when the doors would slam shut so violently, The staircase to the it was like a cold, 2nd floor was in the dinning room and was clammy current radiation from the upstairs enclosed and had a door throughout the door, and on the wall house. of the stairs was a very large, very heavy 3 ft mirror, and some- Shortly before my fatimes I would be sitting ther became to ill to at the table alone eat- travel anymore because of his cancer, ing lunch while my we had all went the my Aunt and Uncle were still in the fields work- Aunts house, my ing so I knew I was the mother and Aunt had gone to visit some only one home, and I family in a neighboring would hear someone falling down the stairs town, and my Father and Uncle had walked or sometimes somefar into the field where one pounding on the a good fishing pond stair walls hard could be found, and I enough to shake that mirror pretty hard, and was left in the house by myself. I remember Iʼd hear the doors the day so vividly, beslamming shut , one

choking, it was like listening to someoneʼs life slipping helplessly away, then it turned angry and told me I should leave, this was her house, it scared me so much I hyper ventilated and passed out.

cause I was so thrilled to be watching my Auntʼs tv, she was one of the very first people to get a satellite dish back then. I was sitting in the living room floor scanning thru the channels when in the next room, we called it the sun room, or observation room because 3 walls of the room were wall to wall windows, which overlooked there land, and there were two swivel, rocker recliners in that room too, and as the sun was setting, I heard the chair squeaking, then moments later it began rocking. At first I tried my very best to explain it away as the evening wind blowing thru the windows. But when it began rocking a second time I stood up and leaned into the room alittle thatʼs when the chair did a half a turn and there was a solid black form slumped over in the chair, then it lifted itʼs head and turned to look at me thatʼs when it dawned on me that this thing sitting before me had only half a head, and the sun was setting right where itʼs right eye should have been.

I was terrified beyond words, I couldnʼt scream, I couldnʼt talk, I couldnʼt so much as move, I thought if I moved it might see me, but it was already too late for that, because it was starting to stand up and come towards me. Then like a shock to the system something in my brain clicked and my flight or fight instinct kicked in and ran faster that night than I had even done at any race I had at school. I ran the entire length to the pond, and by the time I found my dad, I was too winded to tell him what had happened, but he knew right away by how terrified I was that something had Really truly scared me nearly to death. And he never did question what I told him later, and after that night I never had to stay there if I didnʼt want to again. But I did occasionally because I did love most of my time there, and also partly to see what else this thing would do, what else I could learn.

we were to stupid to understand what they were talking about, and I was an only child so I got bored easy so when I didnʼt have my cousins around Iʼd sneak around the house listening in on the adults talking. And they all agreed behind closed doors that we were right all along, that they to felt something upstairs. It didnʼt take me long to discover that the ghost upstairs was much more active when a certain relative would visit. I never really understood who the guy was, my mother would only say a distant relative, not to worry about it and then sheʼd whisper, heʼs the “Prison” relative. Which never told me much.

It wasnʼt until I was about 32 I guess I was, long after I had put my family, my past and that house behind me, did I find out the truth. When my Uncle finally pasted away, and after the funeral, my family all gathered And what made me so together and thatʼs mad was that my fam- when I found out that my Uncle had been ily had a tendency to married previous to my ignore children because they all thought Aunt. And that they

had a son together. That was who was visiting occasionally. And that this son, that I had been sharing personal space with, eating dinner with, had stabbed his mother several times and shot her with a rifle several times as well…upstairs. Then it all made sense. The noises, the screams of pain, the shadows of people with only half a head, it was her, my uncles first wife, and we really were intruders in her household. But I sometimes sit back and wonder if there were not really two things in that house. The ghost of my uncles murdered wife, and something evil, something dark, something that caused the violence in the home to begin with. Maybe she was trying to warn me, I donʼt know, I will never know because I donʼt think I could ever face going back into that house again.

SETTINGS

PG. 60 - MUEN Magazine May 2009 Part 2 Chris Flury (Guitars) Buffalo, New York

Myspace.com/settingsband By: Shauna OʼDonnell

MUEN: YOU HAVE HAD QUITE A YEAR. THERE IS SO MUCH GOING ON WITH YOU GUYS ITʼS HARD TO KNOW WHERE TO START. SO FIRST OF ALL IʼD LIKE TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS ON ALL THAT YOU HAVE ACCOMPLISHED. Thank you very much.

MUEN: YOU HAVE TWO DIGITAL EPʼS AVAILABLE. THEY ARE ONLY AVAILABLE ON ITUNES RIGHT?

Yes, thatʼs right.

MUEN: I SAW THAT YOU ARE RELEASING AN EP THIS SUMMER SO THAT WILL BE YOUR THIRD RIGHT?

Photo Credit: Ana & Steve @ TYKA Yeah, thatʼs going to be Editing: Kyle Adams the third official release. Itʼs definitely a step in a different direction for the More people can relate darker direction. Now it MUEN: HOW MANY band. It will be cool to to these songs. We is still heavy and darker, SONGS DID YOU PUT see what people think. posted a bunch of but itʼs more accessible ON THE EP? demo stuff in between to more people. Itʼs very MUEN: WHAT KIND OF now and the second EP cool and something we There are five songs. A DIFFERENT DIREC- we put on ITunes. It kind have never done before. TION DID IT TAKE? of went more into a MUEN: ARE YOU

WORKING ON A FULL doing the electronic thing you have to learn LENGTH ALBUM? the basics. The band and I just write, we Hopefully, there are no plans at this time. If all come up with an idea goes according to plans and then I get on my computer and track it then that would be in out. Itʼs cool to do it ourthe cards for us. We selves because there is would be really excited no time limit. We are still to do that. going to continue to do that stuff, especially if MUEN: YOU GUYS we got into a full length WRITE, PRODUCE AND ENGINEER ALL situation. We would get prepared by ourselves OF YOUR OWN first. MUSIC.

Yeah, up until now we have done everything ourselves.

MUEN: WITH THIS NEW EP, ARE YOU ACTUALLY GOING TO USE A PRODUCER?

MUEN: WHAT IS THE WRITING PROCESS LIKE FOR YOU?

Typically, before we went out and worked with Jay, we were writing a lot of the music first. Alex and I do all of the sequencing and Yeah, we went and whatnot. It would basiworked with this guy cally come down to us named Jay Gordon. He was the lead singer of writing something the band Orgy. He is a whether it is a beat or a riff and then really cool guy and it we would give it to went really well. We were out Donny our singer. He would then try there for a month with him writing and record- to write some lyrics and melodies to it. We would ing. We go back to the music are really happy with and try how it turned out. to accommodate to the MUEN: BEFORE YOU vocals. Now, what we USED HIM THOUGH, are doing, is really trying YOU WERE DOING IT to focus on vocals. We are doing ON YOUR OWN. minimal with what we do WHERE DID YOU musically and then once LEARN TO PROthe DUCE? vocal is there, we write I kind of just taught my- around the vocal. We try and make it more of a self. When you are

song.

MUEN Magazine May 2009 Part 2 - PG. 61

MUEN: DO YOU EVER GET INTO CREATIVE BATTLES?

Oh yeah, we definitely have that. In Los Angeles, we had that happen on a couple of occasions. We wanted to take a step back from ourselves with that. It was a lot easier for some than others. It was definitely a positive experience. There is that typical band tiff thing that always happens.

FIND IT DIFFICULT TO WORK AND STILL GIVE YOUR BAND THE ATTENTION IT NEEDS?

Yeah, thatʼs always a concern. Four of us live in an apartment together. It comes to a point where you have to do what you have to do. If you donʼt have the money to pay your rent then you are going to live on the street. Then the band canʼt happen either way. (Laughing) Yeah, itʼs hard. Everybody is trying to do their own thing to get money.

MUEN: DO YOU GUYS MUEN: NOW YOU WILL BE GOING ON HAVE YOUR OWN TOUR. DOES WORK STUDIO? ALLOW YOU TO TAKE OFF THE TIME Itʼs not really a studio; NEEDED TO TOUR? itʼs more like my bedroom. The way Alex, Donny and I were recording is today, you can do a lot more with a fortunate for the past year because lot less. I donʼt have a we worked at a machine crazy factory where they amount of outboard make these insert tips gear or anything like for cutting that. I wish I did, but I metal. They let us come donʼt have the finances to do such and we got to make our own schedule. If we a thing. We have couldnʼt be there, they enough to get by and didnʼt care. We would get the point come back three across. We donʼt want months later and they to self engineer everywould be like “Yeah, thing forever. come back on this day.” That ended up falling MUEN: YOU ALSO through, it only happens FUND EVERYTHING for so long. YOURSELF, WHICH MEANS ALL OF YOU HAVE JOBS. DO YOU MUEN: YOU WON THE

PG. 62 - MUEN Magazine May 2009 Part 2 2008 ERNIE BALL BATTLE OF THE BANDS. ERNIE BALL, KEVIN LYMAN AND JOHN REESE DO SO MUCH FOR THE MUSIC COMMUNITY. WHAT WAS IT LIKE BEING PART OF THE BATTLE?

end. After the last band played they went on stage and announced that we had won. It was cool.

MUEN: WERE YOU SURPRISED?

honest. We had never even come close to doing something like that before. We were like “Thatʼs sick.”

MUEN: WELL, IʼM SO HAPPY FOR YOU GUYS. YOU WILL BE Yeah, it was one of ON THE TOUR AGAIN those things where you THIS YEAR. TELL ME It was really cool. It was get into a contest that ABOUT YOUR an awesome experiyou think you will never LIVE SHOW. I READ ence. We were win. None of us are THAT YOU HAVE almost overwhelmed lucky people or anything QUITE AN EXTENSIVE with how generous the like that. This time we LIGHT AND LASER people at Ernie Ball won and we were like SHOW THAT GOES were. They flew “Holy crap, this is awe- ON DURING YOUR us all out there and some.” (Laughing) PERFORMANCE. every guitar player got a free guitar. It was fun, MUEN: BY THE WAY Yeah, we had a person the KEVIN AT ERNIE BALL on our last tour that had venue was awesome. It SAYS HELLO! epilepsy and was one of the nicest couldnʼt watch. I felt tervenues weʼve played. It Tell him I said Hello, he rible. We were like was our is a great guy. “Aww, thatʼs not cool.” first time in L.A. and it Otherwise was a cool experience. I MUEN: YEAH, HE IS. it works out and itʼs a lot will never forget it. HOW DID IT FEEL TO of fun. Itʼs different and WIN THE SPOT ON not a lot of people see MUEN: WASNʼT IT AT THE VANS WARPED stuff like that everyday. THE KEY CLUB? TOUR? YOU WON We are trying to bring OVER 15,000 something unique to the Yeah. I have never been UNSIGNED BANDS. typical band in a club atto any other venue out THAT MUST HAVE mosphere. there, but if they are BEEN A GREAT FEELanything like that itʼs ob- ING. MUEN: WELL, BEviously good. CAUSE YOU INCORYeah, it was cool. Again, PORATE A LOT OF MUEN: WHO MAKES that was one of those ELECTRONICA IN THE DECISION AS TO things where YOUR MUSIC DO YOU WHO WINS? you donʼt really realize it FEEL THAT IS AN IMuntil it happens. Then PORTANT PART OF It was a bunch of people we were like “We really THE SHOW? who worked at Ernie did Ball and Kevin that?” I didnʼt even know Yes, definitely, we didnʼt Lyman. There were nine that many bands enter start doing this until or ten of them and they that. I didnʼt even know maybe six all just kind of voted at the months ago. When we the started doing it, it all contest existed to be

came together. We are already a pretty energetic band live, but nothing that we have done up until that point really tied the knot with the music. The lights really did it. We run the lights ourselves. The lights that we have now, a lot of them are sound activated. We trigger them to parts of the drum set and the rest of the lights are foot controlled by the band. We want to get somebody that we can teach the songs to so that every time it goes off exactly the same way that we would want it. Itʼs tough to find somebody who wants to go on tour for a month and run lights for an unsigned band. It doesnʼt seem like a cool thing to do for somebody on the outside. MUEN: WHO ARE SOME OF THE BANDS THAT INSPIRE YOU?

Thatʼs a long list. It depends on who in the band you ask. A couple of guys in the band think Blink 182 is the reason why they wanted to play in a band. Stylistically, for our band, we are big Linkin Park fans and we listen to a lot of trance music.

MUEN: TELL ME ABOUT SETTINGS TV. YOU HAVE TWELVE VIDEOS ON YOUR PAGE. WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO DOCUMENT WHAT YOU GUYS DO?

thing out of the movie “Saw.” I had a terrible stomach cough thing going on, like a chest cold, for a solid month. We went on Warped Tour after that and I was sick the entire time. I think I We always did the breathed in too much of whole video update something in that buildonce a week. We deing. We didnʼt think it cided was that we could make it a going to be that physilittle more legit. We cally tiring to do, but it thought it looked unpro- was. We really like the fessional way it to have it look so unor- came out and people ganized. We decided to seem to be into it. do it every week. Sometimes we MUEN: IS IT THE miss a week, but itʼs not ONLY VIDEO YOU because we are lazy, itʼs HAVE MADE TO just because we are not DATE? that interesting. When we were in L.A. there Yes, that is the only were long updates. video we have done to They were interesting to date. We had a watch, at least I think guy who knew what he so. Some are better was doing, do that. We than others, but the fans donʼt ever want to do a watch it and thatʼs all video that looks unprothat matters I guess. fessional. Honestly, we probably wonʼt be doing MUEN: I SAW THE another video again for VIDEO FOR “CREAquite some time. TURE.” ITʼS AWESOME. TELL ME MUEN: WHAT WAS IT ABOUT THE MAKING LIKE BEING AN UNOF THE VIDEO. SIGNED BAND PLAYING LIVE ON MTVʼS Thank you. The video TRL? was definitely a long experience. We That was very nerveshot for two days and wracking. It literally they were thirteen hour came out of nowhere. days. It was in this old They were doing that where segment and we were house. It was rundown the first band to actually and looked like somedo it. We were the first

MUEN Magazine May 2009 Part 2 - PG. 63

one they did for the “On the Radar” segment. When we were called about it, we were just like “Really?” I watched N Sync on that when I was really little. When we got there it was cool, but it was weird how it was taped. It was cool to see how they roll, because I had no idea. Hopefully, we can get on something like that again. MUEN: WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS THE TOUGHEST THING ABOUT BEING IN A BAND TODAY?

are a really successful band. They would be somebody that we look up to and I would love watching that every night. Even if I never even met them, they are awesome. MUEN: SO IF THINGS KEEP GOING THE WAY THEY ARE AND YOUR BAND BECOMES HUGE. ARE YOU READY FOR THE FAME?

I think so; we are the type of people that take everything with a grain of salt. If we were really successful, I There are a lot of gripes think we are really I have with it. I guess it humble people, so we wouldnʼt get caught up would in stupid stuff or overbe, being patient and not jumping the gun on whelmed. Who knows, maybe other people things. The realization who have went down that there that path have said the are people out there that have been doing it same thing. I think we way longer and they are would enjoy it because we work really hard. If on a way we could see some bigger scale than you. turnaround on it, we So kind of just try and would be stoked. take everything in and learn MUEN: I WISH YOU from people. GUYS THE BEST OF MUEN: IF YOU COULD LUCK. I THINK YOU GUYS ARE REALLY TOUR WITH ANY BAND WHO WOULD IT TALENTED. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BE? THE INTERVIEW. Iʼm going to have to say Linkin Park. Opening up Thank you. I will talk to you soon. for a band like that would be unreal. It would be great shows, obviously, because they

LITTLE BRAZIL (Anodyne Records/Mt.Fuji Records)

Greg Edds Danny Maxwell Oliver Morgan Landon Hedges Omaha, Nebraska

Myspace.com/littlebrazil By: Shauna OʼDonnell

MUEN: I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO INTERVIEW THE BAND LITTLE BRAZIL IN PERSON AT “THE WIRE” IN UPLAND, CA. HI GUYS AND THANKS FOR TALKING WITH ME.

know Oliver from hanging out in the same neighborhood that we all kind of grew up in. I went to high school with Greg and it all kind of just fell together.

Photo by Jessica Ewald - www.sour-sparkles.com

BUT THE FIRST RELEASE THROUGH ANODYNE RIGHT? HOW DO YOU PLAN ON CELEBRATING ITS RELEASE?

Thatʼs correct; we are MUEN: AND THEN going to throw a big YOU DANNY JOINED party when we come Yeah, you bet. THE BAND A LITTLE home. Itʼs our CD reLATER? lease show. We are MUEN: IN 2004 YOUR doing one in ..Kansas BAND WAS FORMED Yeah, there were some City, because that is BY LANDON other members in the where our label is out HEDGES. HE WAS band and I was kind of of and then the next FORMERLY WITH filling in. After a while day we do our homeTHE BANDS THE we got Oliver and coming show in GOOD LIFE AND DE- Greg. When the first Omaha. SAPARECIDOS. HOW record came out we Itʼs going to be good DID IT COME TO BE were a solidified unit. times. THAT YOU JOINED THE BAND? MUEN: ON MARCH MUEN: THE SONGS 24TH YOU WILL BE COVER TOPICS Landon: Dan and I RELEASING YOUR SUCH AS DIVORCE, grew up together, Iʼve ALBUM SON ADULTERY, CUSknown him since I was THROUGH ANODYNE TODY BATTLES, six years old, and heʼs RECORDS. THIS IS ABANDONMENT AND like my big brother. We YOUR THIRD ALBUM SUICIDE

THROUGH A CHILDʼS PERSPECTIVE. LANDON HAD SAID IT IS LIKE A STORY BOOK. TELL ME WHAT THE STORY IS ABOUT.

Itʼs from all perspectives, a womanʼs, a manʼs and a childʼs. The first song is how the couple met and fell in love, the love song if you will. Thatʼs why itʼs first, then it goes through and eventually she commits suicide the second to last song. The last song, the father is talking to her ghost if you will. There is positive stuff, but there is negative stuff also. Itʼs about the highs and lows of a family. We donʼt want it to come off like we all have bad families, because it is not neces-

sarily true. Have you met people that say “Thereʼs no such thing as a non dysfunctional family?” Thatʼs kind of how it flows with the record. MUEN: I USED TO SIT IN FRONT OF THE TV WHEN I WAS YOUNG AND WATCH THE BRADY BUNCH AND THINK “WHY ISNʼT MY FAMILY LIKE THAT?” IT WAS SO UNREALISTIC.

how I would feel to be in that certain personʼs perspective, how the other person would feel and then try to wrap it all up into one story.While on tour we would have late night discussions about how all of us grew up. Midway through writing this album we discussed how all of us grew up with different circumstances, but we had similar upbringings that made us all into the Yeah, exactly. sensitive people that we are today. All of us MUEN: I WAS CURIhad troubles OUS AS TO WHY YOU in childhood. WROTE AN ALBUM LIKE THAT. WERE MUEN: DID ALL OF THESE SOME OF THE YOU GROW UP THINGS YOU WENT AROUND MUSIC? THROUGH PERSONALLY? Landon: My dad and my two older sisters A couple of the songs I were singers was already writing were about a close Oliver: I grew up on the family member of mine Beatles, Simon and that was going through Garfunkel and early cancer. The rest of the MTV. I took piano lesguys called me out and sons and once I hit said I was on to some- grade school I found inthing and thought we terest in should try to make the violin and trumpet. I whole record about wanted to play the this. It was the most drums ever since I saw ambitious for me lyrithe video for “Panama”, cally. I had never done “Jump” and “Hot for a concept album at all, Teacher.” I started playeven vocal/melody ing drums at age fourwise it was the most teen. challenging. I worked for hours pulling my MUEN: WHAT IS THE brain apart thinking of MUSIC SCENE LIKE different scenarios and IN OMAHA?

Every couple of months there is a new band with totally new styles. I personally love the music scene and care about it as a whole, not just one particular group. There was a time when our scene was a little clicky, but that has changed over the last five or so years. It is now as far from clicky as the scene can be. Bands are constantly inspiring each other to create new bands and create new material. As a matter of fact, every time we go on tour and come back we are reminded of how lucky we are to be a part of it. Thereʼs not much to do there except drink, bowl and play music.

MUEN: DO YOU REMEMBER WHAT THE FIRST CONCERT WAS THAT YOU WENT TO?

Oliver: My first concert was the Black Crowes and Jellyfish in 1991.

safest way to go as far as genre. We usually refer back to late 90ʼs guitar, pop rock.

MUEN: YOU ARE HERE TONIGHT WITH LADYFINGER. HOW IS THE TOUR GOING SO FAR?

Itʼs going good. Everyday is getting better, performance wise.

MUEN: I HAVE NOT YET SEEN YOU PLAY. DO YOU PUT ON A HIGH ENERGY SHOW?

Yeah, even though we are getting older now. When I go see a band, I want to see them get into it.When I see a lot of energy and a lot of movement, it gets me into it. When I see them having fun, I want to have fun.

MUEN: HOW DO YOU PREPARE TO PUT ON A SHOW LIKE THAT NIGHT AFTER NIGHT?

Pilates and lots of stretching. We hurt so MUEN: HOW WOULD badly when we get up YOU DESCRIBE in the morning. Youʼll YOUR BAND TO see Landon doing SOMEONE WHO HAS some weird moveNOT YET HEARD ments. We try to eat YOU? well too, but it can be tough. As we all apPop Rock, itʼs the proach our 30ʼs, certain

things take more of a toll on our bodies, like jumping off drum sets.

MUEN: WILL YOU INCLUDE SONGS FROM PREVIOUS ALBUMS DURING THE SET?

Normally we would, but were not doing that this time. We will just be pushing the new material. This set is catered to our new album. It really depends on where we are at. MUEN: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF BEING ON THE ROAD?

The weather is awesome. I have been enjoying that the most, its 5 degrees in Omaha right now. The traveling too, there are beautiful drives along both coasts. We are totally land locked in the middle of the country, so itʼs nice for us to be able to see what else is out there. MUEN: WOULD YOU SAY YOUR LEAST FAVORITE PART IS BEING STUCK IN A VAN?

it becomes habit forming.

FOR THE SINGLES YET?

MUEN: WHICH Not yet, we are working SONGS WILL BE THE on one for April. We are SINGLES? working on the concept right now and hopefully Right now, the song have it done by May. “Son.” We really havenʼt decided on the MUEN: A LOT OF second one. BANDS ARE JUST MAKING THE LIVE MUEN: HOW DO YOU VIDEOS NOW INDECIDE WHICH STEAD OF THE EXONES WILL BE SINPENSIVE ONES. GLES? I was going to mention On the first record we that it is kind of obsogot a lot of college lete for a band on our radio play off songs we level. Itʼs all about staywerenʼt really pushing. ing on top of whatever They were some of the is current for a band in louder and faster types our situation. We are of songs, we never always thinking of what would have guessed. we can do today to sell We started playing another album. The those songs on tour. first video we will shoot The way the music in- for this record will not dustry is working now, be a live video and will to have a single is really uncalled for. You can take a band like Nickelback and you can push a single, but they have an audience and huge popularity. With us, we are trying to build our fan base so we want them to hear all of our songs. We will notice over the next three weeks on the road which ones people will remember.

Yeah, itʼs kind of fucked up, but you get used to it. After doing someMUEN: HAVE YOU thing seven or so times MADE ANY VIDEOS

be expensive. Most importantly, we want to see an artistic vision come to life, in relation to the song. Itʼs going to be Gregʼs baby and hopefully it will impress people.

MUEN: ARE THEY GETTING RADIO PLAY YET?

We have heard that the album opener “Brighton Beach” is getting the most radio play and attention. It is charting well on various charts.

VETNA By G. Cataline

MUEN: TELL US ABOUT SELF TITLED DEBUT ALBUM. HOW MANY SONGS, AND WHICH SONGS DO YOU FEEL ARE YOUR STRONGEST?

We started work on the album about a year and a half ago when we signed up with 3 Monkeys Music. We've got 13 tracks which we're extremely proud of, in particular 'Magic' and 'This Feeling' which are really energetic fun tracks, especially as part of the live set. There are also some tracks that are a bit more out there, kind of like a psychedelic rock trip with tinges of the Wild West, some of these tracks include Bandito and The Monkey Song.

MUEN: HOW HAS THE RESPONSE BEEN SO FAR?

Really good. We've been heaps surprised and pleased with the reaction to our new tracks. Our myspace (ww.myspace.com/vetn a) page has been going off since we relaunched it with the new look and the new sounds. We are playing a lot more

live gigs now than we had previously done (as we were cooped up in the studio for quite some time making the record) and the response from the audience has been amazing. We are continually building our set, adding in different elements, for example, Tom, our lead guitarist now plays keys on stage, which adds another dimension to our sound as a lot of our songs are pretty layered and sometimes it is difficult to pull off the whole gamut of a song with only four people, and we refuse to play with backing tracks.

MUEN: HAVE YOU EVER HAD ANY RADIO PLAY THERE IN YOUR LOCAL AREA OR ONLINE?

focusing on the internet, it really is the way of the future so we are always working on ways to improve our on-line profile.

MUEN: HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE CURRENT MUSIC ATMOSPHERE IN AUSTRALIA. DOES THERE SEEM TO BE We've had a fair bit of A LARGE MARKET air time with a local staFOR THE TYPE OF tion, Coast FM and MUSIC YOU DO? were a part of Triple J Unearthed which is a Locally the Pop music national competition scene has been huge, held by our countries and we've incorporated biggest government a lot of Pop elements broadcaster. Other than into our music. The that we are at getting album contains someour songs on radio thing for everyone, we more, but as we are think its pretty accessidoing this whole thing ble rock music. The ourselves, the process indie companies here in has been a little slow. Australia have really As a result of doing dominated over the things completely by past few years, it ourselves, we are really seems that people want

something real, not manufactured bands, and I think that is something that we have to offer, we are four young guys who like to rock out. There is no gloss added, so what you see is what you get. MUEN: YOU FIRST FORMED AS A 3 PIECE IN 2005, WHILE YOU WERE STILL IN SCHOOL. AND NOW YOU ARE A FOUR PIECE.. AND I HEARD YOU JUST GOT A COUPLE NEW MEMBERS. WHO IS IN THE BAND NOW, WHAT IS THE AGE RANGE, AND HOW ARE THINGS GOING THUS FAR?

whereas Andy and Tom have been introduced only recently. We are all nineteen and get along really well, meaning making music is a really smooth process for us. Tom has known Julius and Andrew for a long time now, and they even have a side project called 'The Saturday Mornings' just for kicks. In that band Julius sings and plays drums while Tom does all the guitar work, but now that the VETNA album is done, it is full steam ahead with VETNA, although you may hear an old Saturday Morning song at one of our gigs (depending on how drunk Julius gets and if he is keen to hit the skins).

Julius and Andrew have been the driving force MUEN: WHO IS 3 of the band since the MONKEYS MUSIC very beginning, AND DO YOU MAN-

AGE ALL YOUR OTHER AFFAIRS YOURSELVES?

own. For the time being though, we are really focusing on the scene in Australia, and in par3 Monkeys Music is a ticular, the small business setup by Sydney/NSW Coast. It our producer Braddon is more accessible (esWilliams. He has set up pecially in a country as the business so that we big as ours) and means can operate as a band we can really focus our under a more official efforts. banner. Besides us, 3 Monkeys mainly works MUEN: I WAS INTERas a production comESTED IN YOU BEpany, making records CAUSE OF YOUR throughout Australia. ORIGINALITY AND Braddon manages us SONGWRITING as well as operating the SKILL. BUT FROM business, so it is essen- YOUR PERSPECTIVE, tially the five of us WHAT DO YOU THINK working under the SETS YOU APART name of VETNA. We FROM OTHER BANDS like it this way because IN YOUR GENRE? we keep complete control over everything, we We have tried to create own our record, get to very accessible, fun choose the artwork, music and in doing so clips, gigs etc. Sure we have incorporated don't have a massive many ideas from other budget, but with the in- genres, trying to make dustry these days, we a very unique but flexidon't feel the need, ble sound, allowing us there are plenty of ways to do what we want muto get our ugly mug out sically and have fun. At there. the end of the day that is what we want, we MUEN: DO YOU want to have fun, and THINK YOU'LL DO we want you to have ANY SHOWS OUTfun when you listen to SIDE OF AUSTRALIA, our record. There are OR HAVE YOU ALno deep messages in READY? our songs, but there is enough depth, both lyriWe are very excited to cally and musically the do shows internationwe feel the listener can ally, to gauge reactions put our record on, have of people who have a fun for forty minutes, completely different and then want to do it style of living to our all again.

MUEN: WHAT IS YOUR LEAST LIKED TYPE OF MUSIC.. AND WHAT GENRES DO YOU LIKE THAT ARE OUTSIDE OF YOUR OWN?

All music can be appreciated on one level or another, and between us we can't think of a genre we don't really like. We love anything from dancy stuff like the Presets or the Ting Tings, to flat out rock like the Foo Fighters. The Foo Fighters are

probably the single biggest influence on our writing. Tom is totally addicted to Muse, and I swear he tries to conjure up the spirit of Matt Bellamy before each gig. As for music outside our own, we like stuff that pushes rock music into more electronic territory, stuff like Bloc Party, Does It Offend You Yeah!, Nine Inch Nails. In the end, good music is good music, which hopefully you will think ours is.

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HUNDREDFOLD

HUNDREDFOLD Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada

Interview by: Macavity

Hundredfold is a band that has already made a name in Canada and toured extensively both there and in the U.S. They are finishing up their CD in the studio and getting set to take Canada, the U.S. and possibly the world by storm. We sat down to talk with the guys about what is going on and what comes next. MUEN: HAVE TO START BY ASKING HOW YOU CAME UP WITH THE UNUSUAL NAME AND WHAT OR IS THERE A MEANING BEHIND IT FOR YOU?

Well, to be quite honest, I wish there was a great story behind the name but really it just came to my head a bunch of years back and I thought it sounded cool. I really didnʼt want a name that sounded typical of a lot of bands playing the style of music we play and so Hundredfold seemed to be a good choice. As well, I really wasnʼt worried about it, ʻcause I

have always felt strongly about the sentiment that the band and the music are what makes the name, not the other way around.

MUEN Magazine May 2009 Part 2 - PG. 71

about me.

MUEN: BEFORE ALEX CHANGED TO PLAYING LEAD GUITAR, WHO WAS PLAYING LEAD AND WAS ALEX MUEN: I UNDERON BASS OR STAND THAT REJEAN RHYTHM GUITAR? AND ALEX ARE THE ORIGINAL MEMBERS Ha ha, thatʼs a really inAND JON WAS teresting question beADDED IN JULY OF cause Alex was neither LAST YEAR. HOW DID the bass player or the YOU GUYS FORM THE rhythm guitar player, he BAND AND WHAT was our drummer! Our WAS THE MOTIVAformer guitar player was TION TO HAVE YOU tired of touring and livEACH DO WHAT YOU ing in a van and not DO IN THE BAND? holding the conventions that musicians are not We formed for many of generally privileged to. the obvious reasons; we So when it came time all canʼt think of anythat he was done, there thing we would rather really was no debate in do then play write and my mind who should play. And yes it is true take his place. Alex is a that JP is the newest great guitar player, he member on the team can play anything well, and Alex and I have and I felt way better been around since the about him being my beginning but we are all writing partner then anyjust one piece of the one else because he puzzle. The way I look knows where we are at a band and its mem- and where we are bers is that each one going. had to bring something to the plate that beMUEN: SPEAKING OF comes an integral part BASS, I NOTICED of the team. If not, the THAT YOU HAVE NO chances of you making BASS PLAYER WHICH it in this band at least, SO MANY BANDS are pretty slim. There HAVE STARTED are things that JP does DOING. HOW DO YOU that I just cannot imag- ACHIEVE THE GREAT BASS LINES IN YOUR ine doing. My feelings TUNES? are the same for Alex, and I am positive they Yeah its strange but it would say the same

works! Actually we just havenʼt found the guy that we think should be a part of the team. If and when we do, then there will be a fourth member. Until then, both Alex and I write all the bass parts and just take a guy out on tour with us. There is a great player named Terence that will be out with us on our next North American tour starting in May.

MUEN: HOW WOULD YOU BEST DESCRIBE YOUR SOUND TO SOMEONE THAT HAS NOT HEARD YOU LIVE OR ON MYSPACE?

I suppose we in the band would all tell you that we play pop. It is so difficult to describe your own music to someone, but I realize that itʼs a natural question. I would say that we have a wide range of music that influences our sound and what will come out is stuff anywhere from the hard rock, to punk and hardcore, to pop punk and pop. I know, so ambiguous! Sorry ʻbout that. MUEN: YOU HAVE TOURED FAIRLY EXTENSIVELY FOR AN UNSIGNED BAND. HOW WAS THAT EXPERIENCE ESPE-

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CIALLY IN NEWFOUNDLAND AND NOVA SCOTIA?

the circuit down there that itʼs just cool to play those same venues. Yeah, we are definitely Well we have always going to tour California had the mentality that in support of this next we were not going to record. And I would wait around hoping for have to say my favorite something to happen. place to play down We wanted to start tour- there is Chain Reaction ing, so we did. The first in Anaheim. It is like the many tours were incred- CBGB of the West ibly sketchy and at Coast. So thatʼs fully times downright awful rad. but those paved the way to bigger and better MUEN: SPEAKING OF stuff. Touring out to the TOURING, OTHER East Coast of Canada is THAN THE MINOR amazing. We have TOUR BUS FIRE, made such good friends WHAT HAS BEEN THE out there that we miss it MOST UNUSUAL OR all the time. Not enough MEMORABLE THING bands from where we TO HAPPEN ON are make it out there TOUR? but now that we have starting going that way, Well naturally tour is the response has been filled with ridiculous stoexcellent. ries but I would definitely say that the time MUEN: YOU HAVE that I left Alex on the ALL MENTIONED side of the road someTHAT PLAYING IN where between CALIFORNIA WAS A Spokane and Seattle DREAM AND FAwas one messed up VORITE EXPERIENCE night. We stopped to FOR YOU. ANY switch drivers and he PLANS TO RETURN had unknowingly to me SOON AND WHAT slipped out the back of VENUE WAS YOUR the van to take a piss. FAVORITE AND WHY? Almost 2 hours later I got a call from him sayOh yeah we all defiing that he was at a gas nitely love California so station about 15 minmuch. To a bunch of utes in the opposite didudes from Winnipeg rection of where we left Canada, SoCal seems him. He did his best not to be a magical place. to completely lose his So many of our favorite mind on us when we fibands cut their teeth on nally got back there. He

was standing there in his socks.

MUEN: YOU HAVE A VIDEO DIARY THAT YOU HAVE STARTED WITH SOME CLIPS OF YOUR RECORDING PROCESS. HAVE YOU FINISHED THE CD AND WHEN WILL IT BE AVAILABLE AND WHERE?

Well not quite done, but ever so close. We are just finishing up the vocals as well as some production details. Some of it will be available by mid May.

MUEN: IS IT AN EP OR A FULL CD?

It is a full length but we plan on having a pre-release for about 5 songs online only. We want people to have access to the songs before we get to their town on tour, so this seemed to be a logical way to do things. We will most likely release the whole thing when we get back from tour. Then head back out on the road.

MUEN: HOW WAS IT RECORDING AT (REJEAN OR ALEXʼS) HOME AND DID YOU FIND THE BATHROOM TO HAVE THE BEST ACOUSTICS FOR GUITAR RECORDINGS?

Ha-ha yeah we did end up using the bathroom to record any acoustic we used on the record, as well, JP did all his hand percussion stuff there. It sounded great, and if you have the right gear it works perfectly. MUEN: I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU HAD JUNO AWARDWINNING AND GRAMMY NOMINATED PRODUCER BRANDON FRIESEN DO PRODUCTION OF YOUR CD. DID HE BRING OUT SOME NEW THINGS FROM YOU THAT YOU DID NOT THINK OF TO RECORD?

Well actually Brandon did our last record. It was great and a lot of the stuff he did was really good. We grew from that experience as far as understanding the engineering process and also the production that we knew that we could do the next one on our own which is what we are doing now. Written, engineered, produced by Hundredfold. We shall see where our confidence takes us! MUEN: WHO WRITES THE SONGS AND HOW ARE THEY WRITTEN?

The songs are all a joint

effort. We all have our hand in them. Typically a song will come together by one of us, presenting an idea/feel or riff and we'll kind of just jam it out and see where it takes us. Often we'll put 3 or 4 different drum grooves on top of that idea to get the feeling expressed in different ways. Create new emotions from the one riff. Then when there is a chorus and bridge presented for it, we do it all over again and everything changes haha... We are continuously changing the songs. Then we'll record the songs so we can hear it back from a listeners point of view and then we'll pick out things that need changing or could be expressed better. We really put them under the microscope. In fact we re-wrote almost every tune again while we were in the studio laying them down for the new record. And we recorded more than enough songs to choose from for the album. So many of those songs won't even end up on the album. We might come across them a few years later and try to do something with them again or they'll just never be heard again. Ha-ha.

MUEN: HAS THE PROCESS OF WRITING CHANGED AS YOU HAVE PLAYED SOME OF THIS MATERIAL LIVE?

Yeah that happens for sure. You are content with a song the way it is until you bring it out live. Then you sometimes rework it based on a new perspective. I guess you can view it as a rough copy that goes into a second or third draft.

TIME?

MUEN Magazine May 2009 Part 2 - PG. 73

MUEN: NOTICED THAT YOU HAVE “ENOh absolutely, we all TERTHEFOLD” AS love to have the ability PART OF YOUR WEBto connect with our SITE. IS THAT A REFfans. We pride ourERENCE TO YOUR selves on being a band STREET TEAM OR that does that better ANOTHER NAME FOR than anyone out there. THE BAND OR AN INVITATION TO BE A MUEN: HOW USEFUL FAN OF HUNDREDHAS MYSPACE BEEN FOLD? TO THE PROMOTION OF THE BAND? Itʼs kind of a reference to a street team or more MySpace has honestly so, just an invitation to been integral part of become a part of our where this band is. It re- lives and a part of what ally keeps you conwe do. Enterthefold.com nected to ways that are was our website name just too cool. Itʼs some- before and I donʼt even thing you take for think we looked for Hungranted until you think dredfold when we about how hard it would opened a MySpace acbe to network without count. We just went such a fantastic tool. straight to Enterthefold.

MUEN: I SAW THAT YOU HAD A VIDEO ON YOU TUBE THAT GIVES US A TASTE OF YOUR LIVE PERFORMANCES. IS THERE ANY NEW VIDEO PLANNED TO SHOWCASE ANY PARTICULAR SONG MUEN: HOW DID YOU OFF THE NEW CD? DEAL WITH THE HACKER THAT Well actually we are DELETED YOUR shooting a video this PAGE IN 2006 AND weekend for one of the HAS THAT HURT YOU songs that will be in the IN ANY WAY? pre-release. Look for that to be up by the end Man, looking back at of April. We are so ex- that I just kind of laugh cited for people to get a ʻcause it seems like a chance to see that side small issue to me now, of what we do. but thatʼs definitely not how I felt at the time. In MUEN: YOUR MYthe big picture I supSPACE BLOGS CON- pose we lost a few conTAIN MANY VARIED nections because of TOPICS. DO EACH OF that, but I would like to YOU BLOG TO EXbelieve that all those PRESS SOME people will find us if THOUGHTS TO YOUR they truly love what we FANS IN YOUR SPARE do.

MUEN: CHANGING A BIT, YOU HAVE A BASE IN WINNIPEG. ARE THERE ANY PLANS TO MOVE OR DO WANT TO STAY BASED THERE?

Well being in Winnipeg has its advantages and disadvantages but right now with the way things are, it just makes sense for us to be here. Our families are here and in all honesty, itʼs such a cheap place to live! If it makes sense to move at any point at all, I am sure all of us will do it at the drop of a hat. JP is actually originally from

PG. 74 - MUEN Magazine May 2009 Part 2

Bolivia and then spent most of his childhood in Mexico, so our winters destroy him! MUEN: WHAT SHOULD WE EXPECT TO SEE FROM HUNDREDFOLD FOR THE REST OF 2009? TOURS AND WHERE AND WHEN? OR MORE LOCAL LIVE DATES?

Yeah we will play local dates but we pretty much view Winnipeg as just another city to tour through. We just happen to live here. Yeah if I could spend all my time on tour, I would probably be the happiest guy ever, so yeah thatʼs what the plan is for 2009…tour.

MUEN: AND, WHAT IS THE MOST EXCITING THING PLANNED FOR THE REST OF 2009 OR BEYOND OTHER THAN THE CD?

son but I donʼt know how to do anything anymore except for band. I guess I enjoy real-estate, Alex is into nerding out on his computer. That we simply meet Jon really loves snownew people that love boarding and skatewhat we do. boarding. He likes to try and snowboard as MUEN: WHAT DO YOU much as he can through EACH LIKE TO DO the winter. Other than WHEN NOT TOURING that, he just likes hangAND PLAYING/WRIT- ing out with friends. ING MUSIC? MUEN: I UNDERRejean: I honestly STAND THAT JON would like to provide an OWNS A COFFEE answer to make me BUSINESS. CAN YOU sound like a normal per- TELL US A LITTLE

ABOUT THAT?

(Jon) Ha-ha yeah, itʼs pretty random! Coffee is like my second passion. I love it! Iʼm really getting into teas right now to. Itʼs called Jonny's Java and I own it with a great friend of mine Andy Wiebe. He pretty much runs the show now because Iʼm usually pretty busy with music related things. He's really great and works very hard, it wouldn't be anything with out him. Iʼm enjoying a press of

Guatemala Antigua as we speak! ...delicious!

MUEN: IS THERE ANYTHING I HAVE NOT ASKED THAT YOU THINK OUR READERS WOULD LIKE TO KNOW ABOUT HUNDREDFOLD?

We are in love with YOU!

“Hollywood Rock Band Of The Year”

Upcoming Full Length: “AEVOLUTION”

www.themaension.com

PG. 76 - MUEN Magazine May 2009 Part 2 Alexis Brown Straight line stitch By Shannon Lindsey

By G. Cataline

MUEN Magazine May 2009 Part 2 - PG. 77

MUEN: SINCE THE RELEASE OF 'THE EMPTY MEN' , YOU HAVE GOTTEN ALOT OF GREAT REVIEWS. HOW SUCCESSFUL WOULD YOU SAY THIS ALBUM HAS BEEN FOR YOU?

“The Empty Men” has been a great critical success for us and has definitely served to get us on the radar internationally. We have resultingly done numerous magazine and radio interviews, been able to bask in the glory of accolades and enjoyed the respect of our peers. As of yet however, we haven't been able to quit the day jobs. Such is life in these days of the digital download I suppose. Over all though we are quite pleased with the way it has been received.

I met Sascha years ago in Seattle when I sought him out to do a remix for Legion Within. We hit it off and ended up socializing regularly. When time finally came MUEN: TELL US, HOW to record “The Empty WAS IT WORKING Men”, we spoke and he WITH THE KMFDM hooked me up with a Mr MEMBERS AND PROJules Hodgson who DUCTION TEAM ON ended up producing the THAT ALBUM AND album for us. Jules hanALSO THIS LATEST dles most of the live inRELEASE TITLED strument tracking and 'MOUTH OF MADmixing for KMFDM, so NESS''... HOW DID his credentials seemed YOU FIRST GET ACup to par for the job. QUAINTED WITH THEM IN THE FIRST Working with the PLACE?

KMFDM persons has been a treat. You don't really know what you are fully capable of as a band until you have worked with a talented producer. When the person working on the record with you actually cares about making the best possible finished product it takes the whole project to an entirely different level. That was very much evident on “The Empty Men”, but even more so on “Mouth of Madness” – our most recent endeavor.

I think it is the best work we have done to date. We spent over a year in the studio with Jules fine-tuning the material until we had it just right. When I played the title track for Sascha he loved it and launched into doing a hard edge dark electro remix, which came out awesome.

MUEN: 'MOUTH OF MADNESS' IS SCHEDULED TO BE OUT VERY SOON, RIGHT?

That is correct. "Mouth

PG. 78 - MUEN Magazine May 2009 Part 2

of Madness" comes out June 16th on KMFDM Records. For the first month or two it will be available exclusively for purchase through the KMFDMSTORE.COM. After that it will be available elsewhere also. We are all very excited about the new material, it has raised the bar for what I think we are capable of as a band. MUEN: ARE THERE ANY DIRECTIONAL OR

TECHNICAL THINGS YOU DID DIFFERENT ON THIS ALBUM, COMPARED TO THE LAST?

band composed an entire song around one of Jasyn's (Synths) arpeggiated synth lines. The title track, Mouth of Madness, was originally a synth driven song that we couldn't ever get sounding quite right until Shannon (Guitarist) reworked the synth line into an infectious guitar riff, then all the pieces

In October we will be hopping on KMFDM's US tour for a few dates as well. I am working out the details on that with Sascha right now. MUEN: WILL THERE You can check out our BE A TOUR IN SUPMyspace.com/legionPORT OF THIS within and www.legionALBUM, AND IF SO, WHERE ARE YOU EX- within.com for details as they arise. PECTING TO PLAY? Setzer swing approach with full on horn arrangements. So in short, yes.

I am in the process of booking it right

MUEN: TELL US ABOUT THE ACTUAL WRITING

PROCESS WITHIN THE BAND ... IS THE

PROCESS DIFFERENT NOW, now. fell into place. We will be playing a THAN IT WAS WHEN On another spookier few shows in your town YOU FIRST FORMED, AND ARE THERE ANY acoustic track, I brought (LA) to support the I tried to analyze the el- in my 74 year old opera record in June. Friday NEW MEMBERS IN ements I liked most and singing mother and my June 26th we will be THE BAND, OR MEMthought worked well on friend's 11 year old BERS WHO HAVE playing the monthly “The Empty Men”, then daughter to do backing party "Release the LEFT? refine and develop vocals. We assembled Bats" @ The Que Sera them more for “Mouth of an Angry Mob for a in Long Beach and the When we started out I Madness”. Also we tried rousing angst laden assembled the band as next night Saturday some new formulas for chorus on the track June 27th we will be at a means to an end to writing songs and ex"The Empire is BurnBar Sinister (aka Board- play songs I had alperimentation. For one ing". And on yet another ner's) in Hollywood. ready written. Now, the of my favorite tracks off track we took a very musicians I am working Come on down if you the new album, the with are so incredibly tongue-in-check Brian can.

gifted it would be foolish not to tap into the wealth of talent at my disposal. Now instead of being a singer songwriter, I am more of the musical director/editor of Legion Within. Shannon Cole (Guitars), Erica "Raven" BranchButler (Bass) and I have had the great fortune to be working with for many years now. The most recent additions are Jasyn Byrum (Synths) and Aaron Nicholes (Drums). They are all exceptional talents in their own right. MUEN: WHEN EXACTLY WERE YOU SIGNED TO KMFDM RECORDS... THIS HAPPENED AFTER THE RELEASE OF 'THE EMPTY MEN' RIGHT?

upon mutual benefit. They believe in us and we believe in them. The stalwart indie labels by are the future of the industry in my opinion.

MUEN: FROM THE TIME THAT YOU FIRST FORMED IN 2000, WHAT HAS BEEN SOME OF THE MOST MEMORABLE EVENTS (OUTSIDE OF WORKING WITH KMFDM) THAT HAS HAPPENED WITH YOUR MUSIC?

Well, we have had a number of great shows with a variety of great bands. For me personally, the most memorable and lasting things to come out of Legion Within is how the music has served as a catalyst to connect with some of the most important people in my life. From other artists,DJ's, fans, and other assorted persons from the industry. Many have become dear friends. In fact, I would never have met my wife Jessica, had it not been for the music. There is something about throwing yourself into pursuing your art that tends to attract the right people to you.

We "signed" with KMFDM Records just recently. When Brent, who runs KMFDM Records for Sascha, heard the material he got excited about it and asked if we would be interested in releasing it through them. I immediately said yes, as the prospect of shopping it around to a dying record industry seemed an option I would rather MUEN: BEING THE pass on. BAND IS REGARDED AS A MORE "POLITIIt is a pretty friendly CALLY AWARE" TYPE arrangement based

MUEN Magazine May 2009 Part 2 - PG. 79

BAND... WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON SOME OF THE POLITICAL ISSUES OF TODAY.. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE EVENTS THAT MOST CONCERN YOU AND WHAT ARE YOUR VIEWS ON THEM?

Well needless to say I am glad the Swine Hearts (no offense to pigs) are finally out of office in the USA. But I fear it may be more a result of lazy minded people being forced to take action due to an 8 year long shit storm raining down upon their heads. I think the most important issue today, is for the American people to wake up and take responsibility for the society in which they (we) live. It is not enough to put a politician with seemingly left leaning tendencies into office and then hope for the best. That is not how things work. Unless the America People seize upon the moment to rebuild the country's infrastructure, create an actual social safety net for it's citizens (Health Care reform, Senior Care, Education, etc), and get some real legislation on the books to reign in and control the kind of financial prospecting and assorted brands of corpo-

rate mayhem that got us to where we are today... Then we, as a society, are doomed to a life of servitude and manipulation by our Corporate Masters.

Constant vigilance and a willingness to take action when necessary is the ONLY real path forward if we want any kind of a future worth living.

Also I think it is vital that we bring to justice ALL the parties involved in the practice of torture. Not doing so sets a very dangerous precedent for future administrations.

MUEN: WHAT OTHER CURRENT (WETHER THEY BE WELL KNOWN OR LESSER KNOWN) GOTH AND/OR INDUSTRIAL BANDS OF TODAY DO YOU HAVE THE MOST ADMIRATION FOR AND WHY?

There are a couple in the Pacific North West that I quite like. On the industrial front, our drummer Aaron Nicholes has a a project "Death Bed Repentance" he fronts when he is not playing with us that is top notch on all fronts. Very good song writing, hard and aggressive stuff. He is one

PG. 80 - MUEN Magazine May 2009 Part 2

of the most hard working musicians I know. On the weird end of the spectrum, there is an experimental band called "Emergency Hand Puppet" which is perhaps on of the more disturbing musical venture I have come across to date. It is pure and unadulterated art for art's sake. The man behind the scenes must have some deep issues. As far as Goth goes I have to say my new faves are a duo from Portland called "Mortal Clay". Great classic darkwave stylings fronted by an enigmatic operatic beauty. They are definitely worth checking out. MUEN: IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO ADD?

I think that about wraps it up. But I would like to include a link to the KMFDMTORE.COM for a free download of our new single for your readers.

‘SEE IT THROUGH’ OUT JUNE 9, 2009

Myspace.com/thesammustheory

May 20 - Hollywood Music TV - Live interview/Video Jun 12 - CD RELEASE SHOW @ The Sets, Tempe, Arizona Jun 17 - Cantina Live, Reno, Nevada Jun 19 - In-Studio interview on Power 95 Sidney, Montana Jun 20 - CD RELEASE SHOW at Richland County Fairgrounds w/ Vayden, Sidney, Montana Jun 23 - KAZY Radio Interview - In Studio, Cheyenne, Wyoming

Jun 23 - In Store Signing - Ernie November Music, Cheyenne, Wyoming Jun 24 - Mingles, Cheyenne, Wyoming Jun 25 - Club Vegas, Salt Lake City, Utah Jun 26 - Kbear Interview, Idaho Jun 26 - In-Store CD Signing - CD WORLD - 3-4pm Idaho Falls, Idaho Jun 26 - CD RELEASE SHOW at The Tropics w/ Vayden and more... (ALL AGES), Idaho Falls, Idaho Jun 27 - 1st Nash, Pocatello, Idaho

Jun 30 - Bourbon w/ Southern Death Threat, Vancouver, British Columbia Jul 1 - 99.3 The Fox Radio In Studio Interview, Vancouver, British Columbia Jul 1 - Pub Tree 40 w/ Southern Death Threat, Vancouver, British Columbia Jul 2 - KUBQ Radio Interview, Spokane, Washington Jul 2 - The Boulevard, Spokane, Washington Jul 3 - Amberjacks, Vancouver, British Columbia Jul 4 - The Mirkwood, Arlington, Washington