Hey ladies and gents! Here's the latest news from the Peekaboo Theory camp:
The Houston rockers (and WANLS alums) have been nominated for 'Best Alternative' band for the 2009 Texas Buzz Music Awards! Please take a moment to look at the swinging pendulum and say "I will vote for Peekaboo Theory" 3 times and then click here to cast your vote and find out details for the upcoming awards ceremony. You can also copy and paste this link into your browser: http://www.thebuzz.com/pages/texasbuzz.html
Voting starts today, 12/13/09 at 9pm and ends at midnight on 12/21/09.
So there you have it....exercise the privelege for the sake of good music....Sierra says "Do it!"
Lol...here's that voting link one more time: http://www.thebuzz.com/pages/texasbuzz.html
New segment on WANLS! You know how I love to bring you newness, so here goes. This one is called "It's OK, I'm With the Band!" I will post photos of me with bands/artists that I interview or meet, strictly for your viewing pleasure. To start things off, here's a picture of yours truly with a slice or two of American Fangs, Gabe and Kenyon
....oh and that's Justin (see the last American Fangs Tour Diary) with his finger approaching Kenyon's nose. Good times....see ya soon....keep reading:)
Bad Brains came together as a band in the late 1970's. They were pioneers in terms of Black Rock music as we know it today and of hardcore punk, in general. Although the Rastafarian rockers have broken up and rearranged a few times over the years, they get mad respect for laying the foundation in the Punk realm with the likes of the Sex Pistols, Black Flag, The Clash and The Ramones.
Here's the footage from Bad Brains' famous 1982 CBGB show:
This is from a 1988 Daytona Beach show:
No video here, but there's a cool picture slideshow as Bad Brains performs the track, Secret 77:
The Oooh Baby Gimme More's are heating things up north of the border in Toronto, don't cha know! The guys showed major love when the Afro-Punk tour rolled through their town and even graced the stage with Saul Williams! They hold it down 2-deep; rocking hard and never lacking originality! Oooh Baby! Want more? Read on:
WANLS: Tell me the name of your band, how it came about, if you ever went by another name and how you guys formed a band:
OBGM: We went by several other names like all starter bands do. Densil came to me one day and was like "I had a dream we performed at this concert and after we were done, the girls in the crowd were like 'ooohh baby! gimme more!'" The rest is history. I liked it. He did too. It took us 3 years to form that name.
Originally, we started producing hip hop tracks. Densil bought a guitar and said that we were gonna form a band. I wasn't into the idea, even though I already knew how to play drums. Eventually, he learned, and that caught me off guard. before we knew it, we were seeking new members. After a while, we got fed up with not being able to find the right match, so we stayed as a two piece. The rest is history.
WANLS: Introduce me to the band members and whether they play/sing/etc.
OBGM: Colanthony: Drummer, back up vocals, Densil: Guitar, lead vocals
WANLS: Throw your sets up! We love living in ____________, because ______________.
OBGM: Toronto because healthcare is free in Canada! And there are black people in this city!
WANLS: Do you guys identify with a particular genre?
OBGM: We’re like, a fusion between Punk/New Jack Swing/Electro or something…
WANLS: What are your musical influences?
OBGM: Everything from jazz music to dancehall/reggae. Punk, 80’s pop, Funk. Life is the musical influence
WANLS: How would you describe your music to someone who has never heard it before?
OBGM: It sounds like Sex feels… Damn good
WANLS: Do you have or are you signed to a record label?
OBGM: No not as of yet.
WANLS: What are some of your most memorable shows?
OBGM: The AfroPunk festival was definitely a breaching point for our band… having our first international audience was amazing. The AfroPunk Show where we opened for Saul Williams in our hometown was another breaching point for us. It’s not everyday you can open for a star in your hometown. My favorite show of all time was A show we had Sept 4th of this year (2009). It was our first crowd that we didn’t know absolutely everyone in the crowd. We got the people moving and dancing… and that’s essentially what the music is for
WANLS: Who writes your music?
OBGM: We both do, but Densil is the craftsman behind the words.
WANLS: Tell me about the in-studio/music making process for your band.
OBGM: We make sure to write & practice songs before we even go to the studio. We don’t like to be in the booth too long because it’s a hassle. An unneeded one too. One that could’ve saved money.
WANLS: What direction do you see the band going in 2010? Any specific plans?
OBGM: We’re planning to be the band to fuck with in 2010; so this means new album, lot’s of releases, iTunes, play lots of shows, etc. We’re also doing a lot of collaborations and production work as well, so we also plan to be the hottest production duo in the country (Canada).
WANLS: Which do you prefer: studio time/creating new music or touring/live shows?
OBGM: I prefer all three of them together… in fact, that’s what we do right now. Excluding the tour.
WANLS: Your fantasy show or tour line up?
OBGM: Like the tour we’d want to be on?! Not sure exactly… I guess it would be something like: Us, American Fangs, Lightspeed Champion,… I never really thought about it though
The OBGM's and Gabriel Cavazos, lead singer of American Fangs.
WANLS: Describe what its like to experience your live shows.
OBGM: Hardcore big fuzz distortion party.
WANLS: Fill in the blank: If it hadn't been for _______, we would have _________.
OBGM: If it hadn’t been for music, we would have been selling acid to kindergarten teachers.
WANLS: Do you have any new music being released soon?
OBGM: Yes… Spring of 2010… keep an eye open.
WANLS: Are there videos to any of your songs?
OBGM: Only live performances… music videos are coming in the new year
WANLS: What's the #1 priority for your band right now?
OBGM: Exposure, and writing the new album.
WANLS: Plans to tour any time soon?
OBGM: Possibly summer.
WANLS: Where can we find you on the web?
OBGM: www.myspace.com/theooohhbabygimmemores www.afropunk.com/TheoOohhBabyGimmeMores Google: The oOohh Baby Gimme Mores
WANLS: How can we buy your music?
OBGM: Right now, you can download our EP for free at: http://www.mediafire.com/?mlzuykwxwwz Get it soon before we put it up on iTunes!
WANLS: How can we contact you for booking?
OBGM: colanthonyh@gmail.com or densil.mcfarlane@gmail.com
WANLS: Fill in the blank: People would never guess that ________________.
OBGM: I (Cola) grew up only listening to Gospel music… and I still listen to gospel… often.
WANLS: Best thing about being in your band?
OBGM: Everything is great about being in this band… everything.
WANLS: Fill in the blank: one day they're probably gonna name a ________ after our band.
OBGM: Condom… or dildo... a really big one.
WANLS: Last and most importantly, if you were stranded on a desert island with your bandmates, who would go cannibal first?
OBGM: I think Densil would eat himself first.
By the way, I love my readers, so here's a little gift....2 FREE downloads from The Ooohh Baby Gimme More's! How awesome is that??!!?
That was the sound of my horn...haha...get it? (Lame, I know...lol) So, um...yeah....just thought I'd share this: http://www.boldaslove.us/2009/12/introducing-new-contributors.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BoldAsLove+%28Bold+As+Love%29&utm_content=Gmail
I will be contributing regularly to Bold As Love, the internet home of Rob Fields, the Black Rock Evangelist himself ((and one of my favorite writers!!!))!
I'm so excited. I will be reporting on the Bay Area's Afro-Punk/Progressive Hip-op scene.....rrrrrad, right?! Please follow my column on there, as well as continue to check out WANLS daily for newness, got it? Kool;)
What's better than a punk band playing music to make you dance dance dance???? A female-fronted punk band playing music to make you dance dance dance!!! That's exactly what you get with The Revenge of Ricky Williams. I'm loving the energy from this band....good people, good music. I can't wait to see what they have brewing for us in 2010. They agreed to answer a few questions for WANLS, for which, I am extremely grateful. You're going to be smiling when you're done reading this. They're just so much fun....like pop rocks in your mouth:) Oh, and Pam (the super cool frontWOMAN of the band) wasn't feeling too well the other day, so be sure to send some Get Well shouts her way. Now REEEEEAD:
WANLS: Tell me the name of your band, how it came about, if you ever went by another name and how you guys formed a band.
Pam: Taylor and I were playing music in local coffee shops and open mics as The Pam And Taylor Awesome Band. We played cover songs that we enjoyed, but we wanted to be a full rock band and play original music. Taylor: The band's name is The Revenge of Ricky Williams. It's the only name we've ever had as a full band. It started out with Pam and Taylor playing acoustic covers at open mic places around town, which was fun, but still unsatisfying. We knew we needed a full rock act. So I started talking to Dave, an old friend of mine to play bass and provide the group with a practice space. Clinton: I answered their Craigslist ad for a drummer and several months later Evmenios answered a similar Craigslist ad for a keyboard player.
WANLS: Introduce me to the band members and whether they play/sing/etc.
Dave: I am Dave, I play bass guitar and am one of the song writers. Clinton: While I’m not trying to steal the mic from Pam, I play the drums. Pam: I sing... and I like to dance! I also handle the majority of our booking, PR and other nuances. Taylor: I play guitar and do the majority of the art for the band, including the logo, color scheme, and merchandise. Evmenios plays the keys, and also some guitar.
WANLS: Throw your sets up! Fill in the blanks: We love living in ______ because ______.
Taylor: Louisville. It's cooler than New Albany. Clinton: We love living in Kentucky, because it’s socially acceptable to take children into bars. Dave: We love living in Louisville, because it is home. Pam: We Love living in Brooklyn New York, because this response is pure fantasy!
WANLS: Do you guys identify with a particular genre?
Pam: We refer to ourselves as being "Party Punk." I think we're the only band claiming that genere so I guess we're on the forefront of the Party Punk movement. Dave: Rock Taylor: We call our music "party punk". It's rock music that is uncomplicated, but always uncompromising, and it's fun to party to. Clinton: If you’re good, then you can’t be classified into one particular genre. So far, though, we’ve called ourselves "party punk", but I guess you could also call us "party rock" or "party music". Anything with "party" in front of it, really.
WANLS: What are your musical influences?
Clinton: Queen, Foo Fighters, Of Montreal, The Cardigans, Junior Senior, The Sounds, Madonna, Electric Six, Led Zeppelin, No Doubt, Prince, Scissor Sisters, White Stripes and, lots, lots more. Dave: Local Hardcore, Jazz, Progressive Metal, Blues, YO YO GABBA! Pam: My musical influences are all over the place... My number one influence is No Doubt. I love the way they are able to play a variety of different music but still consisteantly make it their own. I really love 40's swing, grunge-- I love Nirvana. I adore and kind of idolize Ella Fitzgerald and Eartha Kitt. I like poppy belters like Janelle Monae, Christina Aguleria and Pat Benitar. I'm really into Led Zepplin, and Jimi Hendrix but honestly who isn't? Dance Music like Debora Cox and I do like Britney Spears, and I'm not afraid to admit it.
WANLS: How would you describe your music to someone who has never heard it before?
Pam: It's fucking rock and roll! It's party music that'll kick your ass and get you out of your seat. Clinton: I say that we’re loud and fun. Taylor: I (Taylor) say we sound kind of like a mix between No Doubt and Bad Religion. Or maybe Aretha Franklin and the Foo Fighters. Or maybe Katy Perry and The Ataris. It's kind of hard to pin down.
WANLS: Do you have or are you signed to a record label?
RRW: No, we aren't. And presently we pride ourselves on being DIY. Everything we've done has been because someone believed in us or we did it ourselves.
WANLS: What are some of your most memorable shows?
Dave: All of them, motherfucker. Clinton: Our show at the Highlands Taproom was very memorable because the crowd demanded an encore, and it wasn’t just our friends, it was people who heard us playing from the street and walked into the bar. Taylor: We played a show on right before Halloween this year, which was totally amazing. First of all, we had two other really great bands playing with us, Accidentally on Purpose and The Vibrolas. Everyone was in costume and we had these silly decorations hanging up everywhere. And at some point these this couple; a guy and a girl who were really skinny and just trashed, were performing sex acts in the back of the bar. I have to say that was our best show yet. Pam: It was not our best performance, but it was one of my more memorable experiences. I put togther a show with the help of Clinton and some of my neighbors-- it was a free all-day show held at the Art Studio owned by my landlord (she's also a great friend) and it was the first time that a lot of people got the chance to see us play... we had previously only played one show at Clinton's house. It was a great experience-- it was incredibly hot, and we were all sweating up a storm. But everyone was really excited and they were thrilled about the show!!
WANLS: Who writes your music?
Clinton: I was under the impression that Pam found the music etched into giant stone tablets whilst on a vision quest atop a mountain, but it turns out that she, Taylor and Dave actually wrote it all. Dave: All of us...except for Clinton (Legally drummers don't write music) Taylor: We all have a hand in the writing process. Usually, someone, either Dave or Pam, or I will come up with a melody and some lyrics, and then we all take that raw idea and turn in into full songs. Or one of us will just come in with some chords and be like "i like this, can we turn it into a song", and someone else will be like "i have some lyrics but no music". So we'll take those single elements and rework them so they all fit together.
WANLS: Tell me about the in-studio/music making process for your band.
Clinton: Usually Taylor or Dave will play a guitar riff, I’ll put drums to it and the song will grow from there. We usually make changes to it at each practice session until we’re satisfied. The studio process was pretty much just us playing live with minimal overdubbing. Pretty simple and to-the-point. Pam: Sometimes there will already be lyrics to the song, and the guys won't really have a melody for the vocals, but most of the time I write the lyrics. Maybe I already have an idea about the melody. It's never the same thing each time, it really depends on who is coming up with what. It's a reall if it sticks to the wall, than it fits, kinda attitude and I like it. It's really relaxed. The studio was pretty easy. The guys laid down the music and I sang, and we walked away with a kickass EP! Taylor: Basically, we come in, we kick ass all over the tracks, we grab some lunch, we kick some more ass, then we leave. Dave: Very open and respectful to each other's song ideas.
WANLS: What direction do you see the band going in 2010? Any specific plans?
RRW: We hope to play a lot of gigs at places we haven’t played before, release our first EP, and grow our following exponentially.
WANLS: Which do you prefer: studio time/creating new music or touring/live shows?
Clinton: I love playing live because afterward the audience walks up to you and tells you how great you are. However, I have to admit that I find creating new music via jam sessions with the band more exhilarating. Pam: I prefer live shows. Having created original music is fantastic, but I don't think you really know how great it is until you're able to share it with your friends & fans. I'm honestly bored a lot if I didn't create the music, because coming up with vocal layouts for the song is the very last step in the process, so I'm sitting around listening to everyone else work things out for hours, which isn't all that exciting. Taylor: Me, personally, I prefer doing live shows. I like to think that maybe there's some people out there watching us perform and listening to our music and maybe they can get inspired to do something on their own. It's really weird for me to be up in front of people playing rock music, because i'm usually very anti-social and I have problems communicating with others. But up on stage, none of that shit seems to matter. So I think that maybe people can see me doing that, and it could push them to do something that is scary to them. Dave: Creating new music is always more fun to me personally. As I get older I am liking people less and less. When we rehearse it is so much more laid back. No pressure.
WANLS: Your fantasy show or tour line up? Clinton: I would love to play the rooftop of Actors Theatre here in Louisville if they are still doing that next summer. There are tons of groups that I admire and would love to open for, but of those groups, I think Electric Six would be the ones most likely to actually take us up on that offer. The audience wouldn’t know what hit them. Taylor: Taylor: Well, if it's a fantasy show, then I want to play with the Sex Pistols circa 1977 and Eminem circa 1999. Something more realistic would be to play with the Warped Tour or the Afro-Punk festival or SXSW. Pam: My fantasy tour would be Tina Turner headlining a tour of female fronted bands including No Doubt, The Lunachicks and The Revenge of Ricky Williams, with Janelle Monea as a special Engagment at big cities like New York and LA.
WANLS: Describe what its like to experience your live shows. Dave: Oral sex: it may happen. Taylor: It's cool, we go to these bars, and people see us setting up, and they know some music is about to start. And they're looking at us and our gear and probably trying to figure out what kind of music we're going to play. Our genre is not really obvious just from looking at us, so I imagine that makes people more curious about us. And then they hear us start to play and they're like "oh shit, this is some badass shit these guys brought". And then the sound takes over and people start dancing, and drinking, and dancing and drinking some more. It's all about having fun, you know. Clinton: It's like being raped and winning the lottery at the same time Pam: Our live shows are really what makes people go HOLY SHIT YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME because we have this incredible energy that I can't even discribe (should. have. sent. a. poet!) Some people have compared my performance style to Tina Turner (Which is an honor, but I don't really see it) and I was once called, "Arethra Stefani," which was also a badass compliment. Our music is all over the place in style, speed and even tone... I think the best discription of our live shows is that post-orgasam glow, only you're drunk and your ears are ringing... because it's freaking LOUD.
WANLS: Fill in the blanks: If it hadn't been for __________, we would have ____________.
Clinton: If it hadn't been for Cragslist, we would have been a duo. Pam: If it hadn't been for the help of some really awesome neighbors we might have not played our first show out as soon as we did. Taylor: If it hadn't been for The Revenge of Ricky Williams, we would have nothing to do on a saturday night.
WANLS: Do you have any new music being released soon?
RRW: Yes, our first release, an EP called Past The Legal Limit is due out in January, 2010.
WANLS: Are there videos to any of your songs?
Taylor: Not yet, but I happen to be a very talented filmmaker, and I'm biting at the chance to do music videos. Clinton: Not yet, but being the creative people that we are, we already have lots of ideas lined up. But no money to make them reality.
WANLS: What's the #1 priority for your band right now?
Clinton: Creating new songs to add to our setlist. Dave: Exposure Taylor: Getting to the point where we can all quit our shitty day jobs and play music full-time. Pam: Making bigger plans & executing them!
RRW: No concrete plans, but tentatively we may do some traveling next summer. We'd really love to play the Afro Punk Festival in Brooklyn next summer!
WANLS: Where can we find you on the web?
You will find The Revenge of Ricky Williams on Facebook, Twitter, Last.fm, Reverbnation.com, MySpace, and our tumblr blog. The best place to find us is Afropunk.com, where you can also download some of our first self-recorded tracks for free.
WANLS: How can we buy your music?
RRW: Our EP will be available on iTunes, CDBaby, Amazon.com and local record stores next year.
WANLS: How can we contact you for booking?
RRW: You can message us through any of the above websites or by sending an email to Pam Newman revengeofrickywilliams@gmail.com.
WANLS: Fill in the blank: People would never guess that _____.
Clinton: People would never guess that Sigourney Weaver has decided to spare the world from total annihilation in 2012. Dave: People would never guess that I don't like people. Taylor: We're not nearly as cool as some folks think we are. I know every band says that, but it's really true in our case. Pam: People would never guess that I didn't have a good answer for that question.
WANLS: Best thing about being in your band?
Pam: The best thing about being in this band as opposed to like, any other band is that we have FUN. I love all my bandmates, they're really fun people! I've been exposed to so much more, and we have a really great time doing what we all love. We love to party, we love to get a little wasted from time to time, and we love rocking the fuck out on stage and getting a crowd amped up! Clinton: Our music is very energetic, so I get lots of cardio. And my bandmates are pretty enjoyable to be around. Taylor: It's really cool to be at a venue and playing music that I wrote, and we worked on for weeks, pouring over every single note and chord and beat, and to see people out there with their drinks, dancing along with it. And they dont seem to care about how incredibly insecure and fucked-up I am; they just hear fun music and it makes them want to move and dance and have fun. There's a certain connection that we make with people that I can't make any other way.
WANLS: Fill in the blank: One day they're probably gonna name a _________ after our band.
Clinton: one day they're probably gonna name a class action lawsuit after our band. Taylor: Strain. You know what I mean. Pam: Cocktail. Dave: Football Player.
WANLS: Last and most importantly, if you were stranded on a desert island with your bandmates, who would go cannibal first?
Pam: I don't want to eat these guys, are you kidding? Then we'd have no band!! I'd get them to work together and make something to eat out of that sand. There are poverty stricken people who figured out how to make edible cookies out of salt and mud. I'm sure we could do something similar. Clinton: Me. I need to eat every hour or so. Taylor: Taylor: Probably me, because these skinny motherfuckers will be looking at me like a Manwich. I'll have to take them all down fast. Dave: Dunno, I would swim out to my death, before that would happen.
And there you have it.....the coolest to ever do it in Kentucky. Thanks to RRW, I appreciate you guys!
Can't get enough, can you? Indulge yourself...go ahead...you know you want some more:
Visit RRW on the web: http://revengeofrickywilliams.tumblr.com http://myspace.com/revengeofrickywilliams
Be sure to go here to download some FREE RRW music: http://downloads.afropunk.com/album/the-revenge-of-ricky-williams
And just cause I'm feeling friendly today, here's one more taste for ya....you're welcome:)
As often as I can, I will bring (legitimately) FREE music to you guys. First up is a download from the good folks over at Afro-Punk. This is actually Volume 2 of their mix series which features the hottest bands on the scene. You'll especially love it because it features a few WANLS faves, including Peekaboo Theory and American Fangs. Every track is bangin....what are you waiting for? Get to clicking on the Download link below and you'll be jamming before you can say WANLS is the coolest website ever:) P.S. You can listen to all the tracks right here before you download, if you'd like. Use the arrows to go through the tracks.
Early in the millenium, Houston hip-hoppers caught the attention of the music industry and the entire world. It seemed that talent flowed as freely amongst the MC's as the "purple stuff" they heralded in their music. But what many don't realize is that Houston has a lot more to offer, music-wise, than freestyles and hot 16's. Put simply: Houston ROCKS. The bands that call Houston home are hotter than ever and poised to take the industry and your ears by storm. Case on point: A Dream Asleep...the 5-piece embodies the new surge of life in The Bayou City's music scene. These dudes definitely have it and they never disappoint. This Saturday (11/28), A Dream Asleep will celebrate the release of their EP, "We Are The Juggernauts," by playing a show at the legendary Fitzgerald's in Houston, along with fellow WANLS faves American Fangs, Peekaboo Theory, thelastplaceyoulook and Cavernous. Seriously, this show will be like sticking your face in a bowl of liquid awesome. Houston, you don't want to miss this. I know I'll be there. I've wanted to interview these guys for awhile and am really glad to be able to bring this to you. A Dream Asleep...they rock, I just roll....let's go!
WANLS: Tell me the name of your band, how it came about, if you ever went by another name and how you guys formed a band.
ADA: A Dream Asleep - It is a metaphor for unrealized/forgotten ambition. After PM Theory split, the brothers Girth picked up Aaron who was in The Kidnap Soundtrack, Justin from A Royal Tragedy and Mike who had been PM Theory's videographer.
WANLS: Introduce me to the band members and whether they play/sing/etc.
ADA: Mike Seals - Vocals; Ryan Girth - Bass; Erik Girth - Guitar/Vocals; Justin Smith - Guitar/ Vocals; Aaron Perez - Drums
WANLS: Throw your sets up! Fill in the blanks: We love living in ____________, because ______________.
ADA: We love living in the past because its comfortable...haha...but really we love living in Houston because its flat, ugly and stanky but we have alot of good friends and family here.
WANLS: Do you guys identify with a particular genre?
ADA: Hardcore
WANLS: What are your musical influences?
ADA: Things and stuff, alot of Punk Rock and Core. Maybe "SOME" Metal... Barbra Streisand and your various barber shop quartets.
WANLS: How would you describe your music to someone who has never heard it before?
ADA: Loud, aggressive and energetic.
WANLS: Do you have or are you signed to a record label?
ADA: Nope.. no label as of yet.
WANLS: What are some of your most memorable shows?
ADA: A dream Asleep vs. Skeleton Dick. At Rocbar. Both bands were on stage the whole time. We battled song for song and it was badass!! Also, making our own stage at the last Westheimer Block Party by setting up on the street and just playing was fun too
WANLS: Who writes your music?
ADA: everyone... including you!! and you!!
WANLS: Tell me about the in-studio/music making process for your band.
ADA: We usually start with guitars or drums and work around it until Ryan writes a hook or bridge. Refining comes more when we are sure of what we want from the song.
WANLS: What direction do you see the band going in 2010? Any specific plans?
ADA: Touring!! Everywhere.
WANLS: Which do you prefer: studio time/creating new music or touring/live shows?
ADA: Live shows honestly! That's what we work for mainly.
WANLS: Your fantasy show or tour line up?
ADA: Every Time I Die, The Gallows, Norma Jean... and Barbra Streisand
WANLS: Describe what its like to experience your live shows.
ADA: Intense! Its high energy and the music as well as our stage presence makes you jump with it!
WANLS: Fill in the blanks: If it hadn't been for _______, we would have _________.
ADA: If it hadn't been for music we would have a livable wage! Can you spot me a sandwich?
WANLS: Do you have any new music being released soon?
ADA: Yes!! November 28th we release our EP "We Are The Juggernauts".
WANLS: Do you have any upcoming shows?
ADA: We have the EP Release show November 28th at Fitzgerald's in Houston with American Fangs, The Last Place You Look, Peekaboo Theory and Cavernous. We will roll to The Abbey Pub in Katy December 3.
We also are playing a Punk Rock AIDS awareness show call Destroy The Disease on December 6 at The White Swan in Houston.
WANLS: Are there videos to any of your songs?
ADA: We are about to go into production for Horus -vs- The Juggernauts in 2 weeks and we have a gang of live footage at our YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/adreamasleep.
WANLS: What's the #1 priority for your band right now?
ADA: Getting things ready for tour and finishing the kicking and screaming EP and our EP Split with Skeleton Dick. "A dream Asleep vs. Skeleton Dick"
WANLS: Plans to tour any time soon?
ADA: January we are off!!! We'll the locals and dates listed soon.
WANLS: Where can we find you on the web?
ADA: www.adreamasleep.com; www.myspace.com/adreamasleep; Facebook; www.twitter.com/adreamasleep; and about another dozen social websites that waist our lives away!!!
WANLS: How can we buy your music?
ADA: At shows and online soon on iTunes and Amazon and all those neat places.
WANLS: How can we contact you for booking?
ADA: booking@adreamasleep.com
WANLS: Fill in the blank: People would never guess that ________________.
ADA: People would never guess that Justin strips part time on the weekends and sometimes on Tuesday.
WANLS: Best thing about being in your band?
ADA: How close we all are. Its like a family. We all get along well.
WANLS: Fill in the blank: one day they're probably gonna name a ________ after our band.
ADA: One day they're probably gonna name a beer or a dildo... or maybe an s.t.d. after our band.
WANLS: Last and most importantly, if you were stranded on a desert island with your band mates, who would go cannibal first?
ADA: Ryan's hungry ass!!!
Yeah, they're cool...admit it...you're a little obsessed now. Find more A Dream Asleep here: www.adreamasleep.com www.myspace.com/adreamasleep www.twitter.com/adreamasleep or find them on Facebook!
Sierra Says: Thanks again, ADA! I appreciate you guys...see ya Saturday!
All things come to an end....sigh. I've had such a great time bringing these tour diaries to you with American Fangs. Now that its over, I'm kinda sad, but look forward to coverage of AF and all their happenings on WANLS. They're good people who make good music and that's what WANLS is all about! Until then, I urge you to visit www.americanfangs.com to purchase their EP. When you go to the site, you can also find links to add them on all of their other homes on the web. AF, you guys rock and WANLS is rolling with ya...keep it up...your fans (including me!) are behind you all the way! Special thanks to Gabe for taking time out of the uber busy tour schedule to answer these questions each week. You guys do Houston proud! Now enough of the mushy stuff...happy reading:)
WANLS: What's the first thing each of you will do when you get back to Texas?
Gabe: In no particular order, but in some sort of sequence: Sleep. Eat. Love. Get back to work.
WANLS: Tell me about the connections AF has made during this tour.
Gabe: We connected with a lot of new friends, fans, beat makers, bands, club owners, promoters, you name it, we met em. I would get specific on a few but i'm pretty superstitious...so don't yell at me for not giving you the deets. :)
WANLS: How does AF plan to optimize the benefits of this experience through those connections?
Gabe: The same way we would optimize NOT having these new and wonderful connections...keep the wheels rolling by keeping our work ethic tip top.
WANLS: Was it weird having me in the green room before you guys went on, knowing my inner journalist was observing and plotting on things to write about? (Lol)
Gabe: Not at all! You're a very nice wallflower to our green room.
WANLS: Why is AF so prone to spitting giant loogies(not sure how to spell that) on each other on stage?
Gabe: That's probably my fault...I salivate...I'm slanging words at a high rate and movement on stage doesnt stop. I don't usually have the time to swallow it, so I spit it. I don't really need it anyway...but sometimes it lands on the fellas...so they return the favor.
WANLS: What else happens on stage that fans may not notice unless you guys point it out?
Gabe: Extended moments of levitation and mind reading.
WANLS: What are you thinking about when you're performing?
Gabe: Between the songs point, the music being drilled through my soul and the onlookers looks....if I remembered to leave more than 3 days of food for my cat back home.
WANLS: What's happening with AF emotionally as the tour approaches its end?
Gabe: The desire to keep the tour going. The stack of bills that wait at home that won't be paid but used for arts and crafts.
WANLS: AF is hitting the ground running with a show shortly after arriving back in Houston. What's it going to feel like to play for a hometown audience after being in all these other cities?
Gabe: Like a family reunion with games such as Jack Apples...where we bob for apples in a bucket of Jack Daniels (sharma) ... some Texas shit.
WANLS: I hear that you and Justin are the ones awake in the van while everyone else is sleeping most times....any sleep prank stories?
Gabe: Justin must have told you that. Justin actually rides in the trailer, so he doesn't know what goes on.
WANLS: Best meal you guys have had on the road?
Gabe: There are some dope sandwich shops around America and Canada...but every meal is the best even if it's made of dog meat.
WANLS: City with the best hospitality?
Gabe: Don't mean to be too neutral, but all the cities were cha cha cha. The venues were rad. Aren't we so easy to please?
WANLS: Favorite show?
Gabe: We're grateful for every opportunity we have to play...but ATL gets down. Chicago gets down. Toronto and Vancouver get down. Cali Gets down. Highly memorable shows.
WANLS: From what I observed, you guys are really well behaved, as in no crazy groupie chicks, no broken bottles in the green room, that type of thing. How does AF stay so focused with free booze, beautiful women and all other distractions constantly present?
Gabe: We don't forget why we're there. And we don't get caught.
WANLS: You guys seem so genuinely nice. Some artists feel the need to create crazy personas or have monstrous egos. What lessons have u learned as a performer about being yourself?
Gabe: At some point or another you will realize you can't be anybody else but you.
WANLS: Worst meal you've had on tour?
Gabe: See question 11.
WANLS: Worst sleeping situation on the road so far?
Gabe: Can I email you the audio i recorded of Jerry snoring every night?
WANLS: Have you guys been writing any new music while you've been on the road?
Gabe: Everyone's got their ideas, but all that takes shape once we get home.
WANLS: Saul Williams is phenomenal....biggest lesson you've soaked up from your interaction with him?
Gabe: "Patience over anxiety.
"
WANLS: If you guys could play in any city you wanted for the final show of the tour, where would that be and how would you envision an amazing finale performance?
Gabe: The tour itself covered soooo much ground. New big city and state every day if not every other day. I recall the guys wanting to go to Miami, we've never been...and as an amazing finale performance, everyone including the audience would be butt naked, of course.
WANLS: What have you guys been listening to on the road?
Gabe: The Bronx...before Justin left that shit in Portland...., Telefon Tel Aviv, Nirvana, Beck, Glassjaw, Silverchair, alot of the tunes we've been gettin ready to perform after this tour.
WANLS: You guys work your merch table yourselves which allows you to come face to face with fans. Any cool/crazy/interesting fan interactions?
Gabe: Lots of intelligent folks. Someone offered me LSD too. Kenyon got a few gals pregnant just by looking at them.
SIERRA SAYS: This is an actual note left for AF by a fan at one of the shows...I'm not making this stuff up...these guys really do rock!
And that's Kenyon below....look at those impregnating eyes! lol:)
WANLS: You guys perform songs that aren't on your EP. Where can fans get that music?
Gabe: AT shows and online.
WANLS: In an earlier post, you told us about Keith and his description of the tour as "EPIC." Would you change or add to that at this point?
Gabe: Bananas.
WANLS: What does the Afro-Punk movement mean to you?
Gabe: It means "Come one, Come all." No division. It being such a unique tour, unique people gravitated towards it.
WANLS: What would you say to those bands that are just starting out and dream of releasing an album and touring like American Fangs?
Gabe: Be ready to work and do it yourself. If you want to wait for anyone else but you to get the ball rollin for your music, you might as well not even pack your bags.
WANLS: Other bands have reached out to me expressing their love for American Fangs. Why is this sense of community present in the Afro-Punk movement lacking in so many other scenes and replaced with every band for themselves style of competition?
Gabe: Competition isn't unhealthy. But maybe Matthew Morgan and his peoples know how to create an atmosphere where a lot of art, not just music, can take place and still have that friendly competition. who knows..it's just plain ol' fun.
WANLS: Any thank you's or shout outs that you guys want to give to ppl who have been instrumental to your success thus far, or who've made this tour what it was?
Gabe: Thanks to Afro-Punk for letting us travel the states nationally and internationally and all the people out there who opened their doors and ears.
Straight out of Brooklyn, NY, it's Mama's Dirty Little Secret! They rock hard, they rock sexy and I can dig it. I reached out to them and they graciously agreed to answer some questions for WANLS....(thanks guys!)
You're gonna feel alot sexier after you read this:)
WANLS: Tell me the name of your band, how it came about, if you ever went by another name and how you guys formed a band.
The Deacon: We're Mama's Dirty Li'l Secret, here to spread the Universal Truth of Mama - to rock hard, rock sexy! We knew we had to have "Mama" in the name and we've always been pretty dirty and you wouldn't really know that just by looking at us... well, I guess you do now.
Damn: I was tired of the motherfuckin' bullshit. I just wanted to rock and I wanted to find two other motherfuckers to rock with me.
The Monster: We met when we were all abducted by the same mothership.
WANLS: Introduce me to the band members and whether they play/sing/etc.
MDLS: The Deacon - the neon-Romeo (vocals, guitar); The Monster: bass, bg vocals
Damn: drums
WANLS: Throw your sets up! Fill in the blanks: We love living in ______, because ______.
The Deacon: We love living in Brooklyn, because Brooklyn rocks! There's a Brooklyn style, a Brooklyn attitude that says "I do me, you do you and we're cool."
Damn: Brooklyn in the home of the new renaissance being squeezed through the butthole of Hollywood East, that's happening right now.
The Monster: Sin. because we're gonna have hell to pay anyway. And New York because it's the only place you can find a real slice of pizza.
WANLS: Do you guys identify with a particular genre?
The Deacon: soul punk.
Damn: Mama Soul and Papa Punk!
WANLS: What are your musical influences?
The Deacon: The Sisters of Mercy, The Cure, Fishbone, 24/7 Spyz, Lenny Kravitz, B-52s, Nine Inch Nails, The Clash, Seal, Prince. The 80's rule!
Damn: The drummers who really rock my world are dudes who just love their fucking drums. Like they're fucking them. Like John "Johnny Mac" Macaluso, Vinne Paul, Tommy Lee, Billy Cobham, Bobby Rock. I set up the kit like a woman (expressionistic, if you will): cymbals are like the hair, the ass is the bass, the toms are like the titties, and of course the snare is the sweet center.
The Monster: On the bass I have no influences, I only have inspirations.
WANLS: How would you describe your music to someone who has never heard it before?
The Deacon: soul punk.
The Monster: A little punk, a slice of metal and a dash of soul for flavor.
WANLS:Do you have or are you signed to a record label?
The Deacon: Our own label Shut Your Mouth.
Damn: We're under the corporation of Shut Your Mouth.
The Monster: I don't believe in record labels, that's why we're on our super secret label.
WANLS: What are some of your most memorable shows?
Damn: Any show where people are rocking is a memorable show.
The Monster: I remember this outdoor show we did in Brooklyn, sun shining on my face, motorcycles, chicks...
The Deacon: We try to make every show memorable. Folks put out some effort to go out and expect to be entertained when they see a show. They want to carry the experience with them to tell their friends or coworkers. I'm the exact same when I go to a show; I want to be moved. Make me laugh, cry... make me feel something! So, we keep that in mind for our live shows. And that's what we do, we give you a show.
WANLS: Who writes your music?
MDLS: Damn and I started writing "In Your Mouth" before we unearthed The Monster. But now that it's out, the three of us have been writing together and coming up with some new, fun shit.
WANLS: Tell me about the in-studio/music making process for your band.
The Monster: It's all about intention. You have to know what you idea is and it has to follow through the entire song. My process is... anything; I can write from a drum beat, a melody, sometime it's just a title in my head. The title will give me the intention.
Damn: I'm more in line with how Monster writes. I will write on anything except the guitar. I really love writing on the bass. I'm most inspired by everyday things.
The Deacon: We get all of the songs written and worked out before we hit the studio. Which, for right now, is my laptop and the MDLS headquarters! I actually hate recording. It bores the fuck out of me! Most of the time you're just sitting around waiting. BORING. Although, it beats sitting behind a desk answering emails for some company any fucking day! As for writing, I'm used to sitting in my dimly lit room, my cave, and let the Universe guide the way. I usually write the music first. I just can't write full lyrics without the music. Like a painter, the music is a canvas for me, I need to know the parameters in which I'm working.
WANLS: What direction do you see the band going in 2010? Any specific plans?
The Deacon: We need more wenches.
Damn: Beginning our stride on world domination.
The Monster: (imitating The Brain) Doing the same thing we do every night... trying to take over the world.
WANLS: Which do you prefer: studio time/creating new music or touring/live shows?
Damn: I think that they all feed into each other. You have to share the creation. You have to go from the creating which give Mama her being, her sound. But you have to share it, you can't just keep it locked it up in a room.
The Deacon: 1) creating new music 2) live shows 3) touring 4) studio (blah!)
The Monster: Studio is the lowest. It's all about getting to the live show.
WANLS: Your fantasy show or tour line up?
The Deacon: 10,000 sexy motherfuckers singing "Rock & Roll Whore!"
Damn: Headlining the New Year's Eve world party!
The Monster: No comment.
WANLS: Describe what its like to experience your live shows.
The Deacon: You're going to feel a lot sexier than your friends the next day.
Damn: People come to see MDLS 'cause they know what's up. People come to see a show and we're glad to give it to them.
The Monster: "High energy."
WANLS: Fill in the blanks: If it hadn't been for___, we would have _____.
MDLS: If it hadn't been for A Clockwork Orange, we would have been wearing purple!
WANLS: Do you have any new music being released soon?
Damn: Hell, yeah, it ain't gonna stop. Soon... and after that... and after that.
The Deacon: We just released "In Your Mouth," MDLS' full debut album. And we'll be putting out material frequently in 2010. I absolutely love the fact that we're in complete control of our music; when we release a song, where we release a song, even how we release a song.
WANLS: Do you have any upcoming shows?
Damn: Yes, we do. Come check us out.
The Deacon: December 1, 2009 - 8:30PM @ The Trash Bar (256 Grand St., Brooklyn, NY 11211; 718-599-1000; Cost: $6)
WANLS: Are there videos to any of your songs?
Damn: We got some shit coming for ya.
The Deacon: We're in pre-production.
WANLS: What's the #1 priority for your band right now?
MDSL: To Rock Hard, Rock Sexy!
Damn: ...all over
WANLS: Plans to tour any time soon?
The Deacon: No plans for our own tour, but we'd certainly consider a slot on a cool-ass tour.
WANLS: Where can we find you on the web?
The Deacon: www.MamasDirtyLilSecret.com. Start there and you can get the links to all of our social spaces.
The Deacon: We're offering singles for the sexy price of .69¢ at CD Baby.
WANLS: How can we contact you for booking?
The Deacon: Booking@MamasDirtyLilSecret.com or call 917.880.8298.
WANLS: Fill in the blank: People would never guess that ___________
The Deacon: I love rescuing wenches from evil at Renaissance Fairs!
The Monster: I boldly walk into women's bathrooms.
Damn: I'd like to make Oprah my cougar wife.
WANLS: Best thing about being in your band?
The Monster: It makes me feel all dirty inside.
Damn: We get to live the vibrations of soul punk.
The Deacon: We get to do whatever the fuck we want!
WANLS: Fill in the blank: one day they're probably gonna name a ________ after our band.
The Deacon: sex toy line
Damn: We'll put KISS to shame.
WANLS: Last and most importantly, if you were stranded on a desert island with your bandmates, who would go cannibal first?
The Monster: (raises hand first)
Damn: Monster would - after 5 hours of rehearsal!
The Deacon: Like in the movie "Alive?" I'd eat Monster's ass to keep me alive for a couple of weeks.
Thanx guys!!!! I appreciate it:)
Now don't you feel dirty after reading that? Take a cold shower and then go join the mailing list on their website: www.MamasDirtyLilSecret.com, so you can stay up to date on all their
OURstory is a new segment on WANLS. In it, I'll be bringing some Black Rock history to you....it's called OURstory because this is OUR story....how we got to where we are today. First up is Pure Hell....in the 70's, they pimped the Punk Rock scene worldwide. This video is a mini documentary introducing you to the band. By the way, these dudes are still around and STILL rocking....with the original members. Now that's cool....
There's a clear line in the sand separating those for whom music is merely a pasttime and those who live in the beat. Keelay is without a doubt the team captain of the latter. From bi-coastal beat making to Bay Area record scratching this dude does it all and them some! That certain, undefinable something is hard to name, but you know it when you see it....Keelay, I'm lookin atcha....
WANLS: Tell the beautiful people who you are and what you do:
K: My name is Keelay of Keelay and Zaire and MYX Music Label. I DJ, make beats, sing in the shower and love eggs and garlic rice. Our album is available now called Ridin High, check for it! I work with one of the illest bands in the land named The Park (Sierra says: an interview with The Park will be on WANLS soon...yeee!) so be on the look out for alot of new music we have coming out including an album with the one and only Ragen Fykes. Oh and I love Torta's too. www.thetortaoven.com!
WANLS: What's the last song you listened to?
K: Whitney Houston - How Will I Know
WANLS: What gets you started in the morning?
K: COFFEE..lol. Without my coffee I am useless. My day doesn't even START until my first sip.. Much love to Joe at Nervous Dog coffee
WANLS: Fill in the blanks: If it hadn't been for______, I would have never ________.
K: If it hadn't been for Sean who sat in the front row of Mrs. Brown's class at St. Olaf's, I would have never got that Eazy Does It tape So early. Thanks Sean!
WANLS: What's #1 on your priority list right now?
K: Payin these bills! Really though I have student loans..lol
WANLS: Fill in the blanks: Everybody should listen to ______, because _______.
K: Everybody should listen to Ryan Leslie - Never Gonna Break Up, because it is a prime example of how current commercial music can still be DOPE. It's musical yet simple, catchy not corny and most of all it will make the ladies dance! That's what we really want...something that can be dope and still keep things movin...lol
WANLS: Fill in the blank: People would never guess that ________.
K: People would never guess that I'm from the mean streets of Kaysville, Utah. WANLS: Fill in the blank: But as long as I can listen to ______'s music, I know everything will be alright.
K: But as long as I can listen to James Brown's music, I know everything will be alright.
WANLS: Fill in the blanks: I love living in ______ because ________.
K: I love living on Earth because damnit we are the best planet EVER! Shouts to Saturn though for having those fly rings.
WANLS: Fill in the blank: One day they're probably gonna name a ____ after me.
K: One day they're probably gonna name a torta after me.
WANLS: Favorite tour so far?
K: No favorite tours...just favorite NYC! Everytime I go there it's pretty much my favorite spot to be. I get more done there in three days then I do here in a month.. go figure, I guess there's industry out there or something.
WANLS: Fantasy tour lineup/show location?
K: yeeikes.. umm Keelay and The Park with Ragen Fykes alongside .. this question is too hard! lol. All I know is I want Ari Gold as tour manager and Courtney Love as "director of entertainment."
BONUS: Here's a little something your eyes and ears.....
Wanna more? Here ya go: www.myxmusiclabel.com www.KeeandZee.com www.twitter.com/keelay5
PHOTO CRED: The Lovely and Talented Amanda Lopez (http://amandalopezphoto.com http://amandalopezphoto.blogspot.com)
I've been working on LOTS of newness for you guys. Since we're rolling into the holiday season, I figured I'd give you a little sneak peek of some of what I'm bringing to you in the next few weeks. Wam, bam, thank you mam...that's what you'll be saying to me, so go ahead...clear your throats and get ready:
A Dream Asleep.....their EP release is November 28th in Houston, TX, but before that, I pick their brains WANLS style:)
Trackademicks makes you believe in hip-hop again....straight out of the Bay Area with his Honor Roll crew, I'll be letting you know what makes this tastemaker tick.
Don't let the cute faces fool ya, sonically, The Bots are everything that their older contemporaries are....if not more! I'll introduce you to the 2 brothers, fresh from sharing the stage with Saul Williams and American Fangs last week in LA!
The Park just has it. I heard them and was speechless. Amazingly talented musicians in the truest sense of all those words! They are constantly playing shows with Ms. Alice Russell or on the road, but I got them to sit down for a sec to answer some questions just for you!
If I could pick out everything I love about music and mash it up into one band, the result would be Peekaboo Theory. I'm not gonna lie, these guys are definitely among my favorite bands ever....you'll see why:)
The Oxymorrons are on the rise! Catch them in the finals for the PacSun Battle of the Bands, but catch them on WANLS as they dish the goods on what's next for the 3-piece rockers.
Ooooh Baby! Hailing from Toronto, the Ooohh Baby Gimme More's make me excited in so many ways! Their music, their energy, their down-to-earthedness (ok, so I made that word up), it's all love with these guys.
OK kids, cover your ears....lol. Gotta love some sexy rock....just makes you feel goooood. Mama's Dirty Little Secret is hot and spicy and they know how to rock it out! I can't wait to hear their dirty little answers to my interview questions;)
Keelay is 1/2 of the dynamic production duo known as Keelay and Zaire. It was an honor and a pleasure to meet Keelay face to face....he's everything that hip-hop stereotypes are not...so happy to bring you his interview....a little slice into the mind of a musical genius!
This is not a game.....this is rebellion! I promised it to you guys and I will honor that promise. Look forward to the complete Game Rebellion piece soon.....
Dion Decibels is truly a gem in the Bay Area's musical crown...whether he's spinning in the hottest venues or on ThinkBeat Radio, he's got the grooves to make the the bodies move (yes, I really did just say that...lol)
Everything about California King makes me smile...I had the audible pleasure of screening their entire album and will be bringing you a review along with their interview.
