KickActs interviews “Blacklite District”
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Welcome to Kick Acts. Tell us a little about yourself and were you can be found online.
Well I was born and raised in a town called Spearfish of the state of South Dakota. I met Kyle Pfeiffer (Lead Vox/guitars) in 5th grade and ever since then I’ve been by his side in the process of making music which later became Blacklite District. You can find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.
Who are your musical heroes and influences? Why?
I’d have to go with Chester Bennington of Linkin Park is one of my biggest influences because they were the band that really inspired me to wanna get involved with music. Other heroes of mine would be James Hetfield, Ozzy Osbourne, Zakk Wylde and the list goes on and on.
Do you have any advice for someone just getting started in the music business?
Always have a lawyer and always make friends which will lead to great connections to get you further along and always be writing music. You either go full on with it or don’t do it. Go big or go home.
What piece of advice did you ignore that you wish you hadn’t?
Not having a lawyer at the time we absolutely should have had one but all you can do is live and learn and to move on.
Do you have a greatest gig story or worst gig horror story you’d like to share?
It’s always been an absolute blast playing at the famous venue “The Machine Shop” in Flint, Michigan. You can never go wrong playing there. They have an awesome staff, great sound and amazing hospitality. The party is just insane all around.
Worst gig we’ve had is where an amp or PA gets blown out and having to basically turn it into a stand up comedy show to keep the crowd from keeping silent until the situation is fixed. That’s never fun but we make the best of it. lol
Do you have any other hobbies other than playing music? Collect stamps? Collect hats from off the side of the road? Draw pictures of peckers or boobs? Make sock puppets? Sit in the dark and eat Cheetos?
Always enjoying the art of drawing peckers and boobs growing up ahaha wtf. Some interesting questions we got here. Other that the drawings I enjoy running, disc golfing, skating and hiking quite a bit. I basically just love to be active and to be outdoors as much as possible.
What do you think about the current music scene or lack of? Care to address that?
For the rock world I definitely see it dying out just because there hasn’t been any bands that top the big names like GNR, Kiss, Motley Crue, or Linkin Park. It’s all just starting to sound the same anymore. Where are those top new bands coming out at?
Do you think reality shows like American Idol, X factor and The Voice have helped or hurt the music industry as a whole?
Look up some famous quotes that Dave Grohl states. He says exactly how I feel about those lame shows.
What is your opinion of unauthorized music downloads?
It’s definitely a big reason of why the industry has been hurt and has changed the game dramatically. No one buys records anymore when your able to just go on YouTube and listen to an entire album for free. People need to realize that artists put their life into the music spend thousands of dollars to make their records. It has come down to making your money doing live shows, period.
Do you know what a vinyl album is and have your ever purchased one? If so, what was it?
I know Vinyl records are out of date but I absolutely still rock them. I’ve got a couple old records players I use from time to time. I’ve got about a hundred old Vinyls including Black Sabbath, Kiss, The Doors, Led Zeppelin to even Linkin Park and more recent albums I’ll still occasionally purchase.
Which would you rather hear in concert? Lip syncing or real vocals?
Real. Live. Vocals.
Who, or what, is the next big thing?
BLD is back and we are ready to roll harder than ever. It’s round 2 engaged. \m/
One artist you can’t get enough of and can’t live without is…
Linkin Park
Confession time. Share a secret about yourself.
My real name isn’t Roman it’s Nick. Roman is my middle name. In high school I would always get annoyed by classmates coming up to me and saying “I’m Nick James B****!” But I’ve always went by my middle name Roman.
Favorite movie of all time and why.
The Breakfast Club. No need for why but because it’s such a fresh classic and if you haven’t seen it there must be something wrong with you.
Our last question is called “Shout It Out Loud”. It’s were you get to talk about whatever you want to talk about. So go ahead and “SHOUT IT OUT LOUD!”
Get off your phones and enjoy this precious thing called life that we all have! Nothing upsets me more than seeing 5 year old kids playing on their IPads/iPhones instead of being outside and coping with reality.
Categories: General Tags: alternative, Black Hills, Electronic, metal, rock, SD, Shauna O'Donnell
KickActs interviews “Doll Skin”!
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Welcome to Kick Acts. Tell us a little about yourself and were you can be found online.
We’re an all girl hard rock band from Phoenix, Arizona! You can check out our facebook (Doll Skin), our website (dollskinband.com), or follow us on Instagram and Twitter! (@dollskinband)
Who are your musical heroes and influences? Why?
Meghan: My Chemical Romance, Refused, Avenged Sevenfold, Tool, and Underoath. They’re all so different from each other but so powerful in their own ways, I take a lot of inspiration from all their styles when writing.
Alex: I second Avenged Sevenfold. Orianthi, Rancid, NOFX, Dead Sara and John Scofield for sure too. I like the contrast from jazz (Scofield) has with the other kinds of music I listen and it influences my writing style a lot.
Do you have any advice for someone just getting started in the music business?
Nicole: Practice, practice, practice. Take as many opportunities as you can, no matter how small they seem because you never know who will be there or what it’ll bring. Be confident in yourself and what you’re putting out, if you don’t love it why would anyone else!
Sydney: Be flexible and open minded. Listen to every type of music and expand your taste.
What piece of advice did you ignore that you wish you hadn’t?
Alex: We didn’t really ignore any advice, there are just certain things we didn’t know before that we know now.
Do you have a greatest gig story or worst gig horror story you’d like to share?
Meghan: Whisky A Go Go for sure!!! We played a sold out show with Metal Allegiance the night of the Lemmy memorial on Sunset Strip and it was crazy. So many of our music idols we’re in the same room as us and we met a whole bunch of them. The show was amazing and the response was much better than we expected, just a wild night we’ll never forget!
Nicole: One time we got invited to this “festival” in Tucson. They advertised it to us as a up and coming Warped Tour but when we got there it was in a random park and the “stages” were just grass patches. The whole thing ended up running like 3 hours behind and we didn’t even end up playing because our set got pushed back so far. It was one of those things where the promoter royally screwed up, didn’t pay any of the bands or promote it and no one even showed. Horrible horrible show haha.
Do you have any other hobbies other than playing music? Collect stamps? Collect hats from off the side of the road? Draw pictures of peckers or boobs? Make sock puppets? Sit in the dark and eat Cheetos?
Meghan:Photography! Go like my page on Facebook “Meghan Herring Photography”! Writing poetry and lyrics and stories.
Sydney: I like photography too but I’m not as serious as Meghan haha. I like dying hair.
Alex: Cooking and drinking coffee. Not eating meat.
Nicole: I like to draw a lot but I don’t do it as much as I used to! I really love makeup too and really any form of art.
What do you think about the current music scene or lack of? Care to address that?
Meghan: I think the current music scene is extremely diverse, people take influence from absolutely everything now and creating their own genres which is really cool. There is so much new styles of music around now.
“Rock n’ roll ain’t dead.”
Nicole: Our local music scene in Phoenix is really cool and there’s a lot of interesting new music coming out of it. I would describe the Phoenix scene as really artsy and wacky and is incredibly supportive to bands that are exactly that, artsy and wacky. Personally I feel there wasn’t the best support for us until we got out of the scene, but I still love the scene and consider myself pretty involved in it.
Sydney: Everyone’s in it. Everyone’s connected somehow which is really cool. Whether from photography or playing in multiple bands, it’s very connected.
Do you think reality shows like American Idol, X factor and The Voice have helped or hurt the music industry as a whole?
Sydney: Hurt. It’s made mainstream the only thing that can succeed in. It’s not true, it’s made it harder for rock to make it big
Alex: It presents music as being only one way. You have to look one way, sound one way, act one way. Music is so much more than what those reality shows show you.
What is your opinion of unauthorized music downloads?
Nicole: I will illegally download absolutely everything, I’m the worst at it. As a musician I see how it can hurt musicians but honestly I’d rather have people be able to hear our music for free than not at all.
Alex: I buy a lot of CD’s but I’m terrible at illegally downloading. I wouldn’t listen to 90% of what I listen to if I couldn’t get it for free.
Tell us something about each of your band members that we wouldn’t expect to hear.
Alex is the biggest book nerd ever. She’s planning a cosplay for NerdCon 8 months in advance.
When you wake Meghan up she jumps, no matter what. She makes this little noise and all of a sudden you’re like “oh. Meghan’s awake” Sydney had a really hardcore One Direction phase. Before she started listening to the music she does know she was obsessed with One Direction.
Nicole’s secretly loves Kanye West and Nicki Minaj. Don’t ask her about it.
Hypothetical situation. You’re on Gilligan’s island and you get to hook up with only one of the survivors… Which one and why?
Nicole and Alex: We have no preference….
Meghan: The island itself
Sydney: I have no idea……
Do you know what a vinyl album is and have your ever purchased one? If so, what was it?
Meghan: Of course we know what vinyl is! I have a huge collection of vinyls I’ve gotten through the years. Too many to name to be honest!
You’re marooned on an island with Justin Bieber. Do you choke him out the first night in his sleep or what?
Harvest his organs. And cut off his nasty dreads.
What is your opinion of Miley Cyrus?
She’s just doing her thing! She’s just really carefree and living her life. She seems happy, there’s nothing wrong with her! None of us really listen to her music but as a person she seems pretty cool and confident. And her dogs.
Which would you rather hear in concert? Lip synching or real vocals?
Is this even a question!!! Of course real vocals, if someones paying to see you perform it should be 100% authentic.
Who, or what, is the next big thing?
Tarantulas.
One artist you can’t get enough of and can’t live without is…
Barry Manilow.
Confession time. Share a secret about yourself.
We are lizard people. Lizards in disguise. Hillary Clinton anyone?
Favorite movie of all time and why.
Nicole: High School Musical 1, 2, and 3
Sydney: The Never Ending Story
Meghan: The Conjuring
Alex: Alice In Wonderland (non-cartoon)
Our last question is called “Shout It Out Loud”. It’s were you get to talk about whatever you want to talk about. So go ahead and “SHOUT IT OUT LOUD”!
TED CRUZ IS THE ZODIAC KILLER!
Categories: General Tags: all girl hard rock band, arizona, David Ellefson, doll skin, female punk, girl band, Phoenix, Shauna O'Donnell, sobandpromos
KickActs interviews!!!
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ANOTHER LOST YEAR!
Welcome to Kick Acts. Tell us a little about yourself and were you can be found online.
We are a group of young strapping lads from the south that should never be left alone with power tools. Haha We’re the everyday dudes from right down the street and we happen to be in the rock band Another Lost Year. We have some social media stuff, I think it’s called The Facebook and The Twitter
and The Instagram. Also 2 sites, whoisALY.com <http://whoisaly.com> and anotherlostyear.com. We play roughly 200-250 shows a year. Coast to coast and border to border.
Who are your musical heroes and influences? Why?
Mr Rogers. He has a sweet yet soft voice. Also ADTR, Breaking Benjamin, Journey, Kansas, Conway Twitty, Sir Elton John, Angie Aparo, Garth Brooks. And Tupac.
Music should make you feel something. Have you ever listened to any of these bands and NOT felt something. Next question
Do you have any advice for someone just getting started in the music business?
Get a side hustle, thick skin, and a rich significant other. Leave your heart in your music and your feelings at the door. This is the real world. No one cares. No one listens. You gotta make them care. You gotta make them listen….
What piece of advice did you ignore that you wish you hadn’t?
Haha I can’t say those…. At the end of the day we’ve carved out our own path. It’s what we’re known for. It’s what I hope we’re always known for.Integrity.
Do you have a greatest gig story or worst gig horror story you’d like to share?
Every show is its own thing. But watching the Midwest markets grow from nothing to 150+ people a night is one of the best feelings ever. The nights that we play to smaller crowds where you have to rely on connection though…. That’s where the magic is.
Do you have any other hobbies other than playing music? Collect stamps? Collect hats from off the side of the road? Draw pictures of peckers or boobs? Make sock puppets? Sit in the dark and eat Cheetos?
I collect watches. Seiko to be exact. I just score a sweet 50th anniversary divers kinetic. My boy Eric, he’s a pilot. Not that that has anything to do with anything, but he has a similar obsession. And I wanted everyone to know I have a pilot friend.
What do you think about the current music scene or lack of? Care to address that?
It varies. It starts with the bands. Then the promoters. Then the venue. It’s a joint effort. We’re all responsible for growing it or killing it. You have a pet? Do you feed it?
Do you think reality shows like American Idol, X factor and The Voice have helped or hurt the music industry as a whole?
I may have been on one of those. Tried out for all three. Who knows. To each their own. We hurt the industry as consumers. We let this happen.
What is your opinion of unauthorized music downloads?
Can’t stop it. Embrace it. Napster was the best and worst thing ever. Again, we’re all to blame.
Tell us something about each of your band members that we wouldn’t expect to hear.
There isn’t much people don’t know about us. We’re people. We have good days. We have bad days. Much like every other person. Sometimes you catch us in a funk. That’s something about all of us people probably didn’t know.
Hypothetical situation. You’re on Gilligan’s island and you get to hook up with only one of the survivors… Which one and why?
The professor?
Do you know what a vinyl album is and have your ever purchased one? If so, what was it?
Haha I do. Also I know what lazer disc is. DO YOU? I have purchased many a vinyl. Probably my favorite though is Otis Redding. I love the smell. The sound. All of it. (Editor: Lol good come back on the Lazer Disc! It was a great concept that never really took off, too bad :(…)
You’re marooned on an island with Justin Bieber. Do you choke him out the first night in his sleep or what?
I’m actually digging his new stuff. I know. I know.
What is your opinion of Miley Cyrus?
She grew up in the spotlight. She’s just being her. I follow her on social media. She’s a beast.
Which would you rather hear in concert? Lip syncing or real vocals?
I’ll pretend like you didn’t ask that. We run no tracks. That’s where I’ll leave that.
Who, or what, is the next big thing?
Anyone who works hard. You don’t become legendary by buying your place. You earn it. You make people care when they don’t want to. Success is defined by many different levels. I feel Another Lost Year has a many of the pieces and we’re connecting the dots. Shameless plug.
One artist you can’t get enough of and can’t live without is…
Kelsea Ballerini and Lauren Alaina both country singers. They’re boss’.
Confession time. Share a secret about yourself.
I take selfies in the gym. Daily.
Favorite movie of all time and why.
I’m hooked on Straight Outta Compton right now.
Our last question is called “Shout It Out Loud”. It’s were you get to talk about whatever you want to talk about. So go ahead and “SHOUT IT OUT LOUD”!
Check out our new album first and foremost that drops in June. The new EP comes out in a matter of days, also, if you’re of age, go vote. I don’t care for who. Just do your part. Remember. Make them care. Thanks for taking the time to chat.
Categories: General Tags: another lost year, Charlottte, NC, O'Donnell Media Group, Rock/Alternative, Shauna O'Donnell, youtube
KickActs interviews “NoMara”!
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Welcome to Kick Acts. Tell us a little about yourself and were you can be found online.
Face Book link: NoMara
Website: Nomara
Responses by all members as noted:
Kelly Burdge: Lead vocals
John LeCompt: Back-up Vocals and Guitar
Jack Larson: Drums
Josh Grissom: Guitar
Thad Ables: Bass
Who are your musical heroes and influences? Why?
Kelly: All my musical heroes are based upon seeing them perform live and processed the ability to move me emotionally in a way that can only be described as electric. David Lee Roth (early years), Jani Lane, Scott Stapp (early Creed years), Brent Smith (early Shinedown), Jeff Keith, Brett Michaels, Katy Perry, Gwen Stephanie. Authenticity rules.
John: Crowbar, Pantera, Metallica, Hank III, Slayer, Twenty-One Pilots, Florence And The Machine, Massive Attack, Lana Del Rey, Die Antwoord…a multitude. I take in something from everything. If it sounds good, it goes into the memory bank and I pull all I can from it.
Do you have any advice for someone just getting started in the music business?
John:
The only advice that I consistently share is to do it because you love it. No matter what happens, good or bad, there are rewards and disappointments, either way. Making music and bringing something creative and beautiful into the world is it’s own reward, regardless of fame, money and popularity. If you have that attitude, then good things and opportunities will make themselves known at the right time and even if they don’t, you will be fulfilled and satisfied.
Kelly: Never give up and there is no longer such thing as being too old. Stay in shape, take care of yourself and follow your heart. Just because you have a family and are forced to “quit” the band, don’t stop playing and writing. If it’s what you want to do, you can do it, it may just NOT unfold the way you think was supposed to.
What piece of advice did you ignore that you wish you hadn’t?
Kelly: So far nothing I can think of. I typically listen to everyone and let it settle in, eventually if you are true to yourself and to others the right way will be unveiled as we go along.
Thad: None that I can think of. I have an issue with taking advice to begin with. For the most part I have no regrets in this matter.
Do you have a greatest gig story or worst gig horror story you’d like to share?
Kelly: The very first time I performed on stage my favorite song at the time was called Overrated. I completely forgot the words and made up both verses on the fly by rhyming and mumbling.
John: The worst would have to be the twenty minute trip between the main road and the destination at the Festimod festival in Madrid, Spain. You have to drive right next to where the entire city’s sewage runs to. True story, the worst smell in the world. The best would have to be playing direct support for Metallica in the same city.
Do you have any other hobbies other than playing music? Collect stamps? Collect hats from off the side of the road? Draw pictures of peckers or boobs? Make sock puppets? Sit in the dark and eat Cheetos?
Jack: Other than music. I love playing soccer. I’ve played since I was 3. Had the privilege of playing in Europe . Also big into working out and spending time with the nephews.
What do you think about the current music scene or lack of? Care to address that?
Josh: It sucks. People are just lazy and would rather watch it on YouTube
Do you think reality shows like American Idol, X factor and The Voice have helped or hurt the music industry as a whole?
Thad: It’s certainly hasn’t brought any substantial value to the game. I’m fairly indifferent to talent shows such as this anyway. There is a downside to it, of course. Here we have starving, ambitious talents who
will lay their hopes and dreams before a panel of random judges, and they’ll be put through trials to determine their worth as a valuable contender. For some, it’s a make or break moment. That’s an unfortunate way of approaching it. The only test I feel is worthwhile is the road test. Tour tour tour. Your panel of judges are an authentic audience, and that matters. That means something.The upside to these talent shows are the ones who don’t win, but still continue to tour after their little bit of TV limelight has come and gone. When all is said is done, the touring life is the only real currency in this business anymore.
What is your opinion of unauthorized music downloads?
Kelly: Well from a financial standpoint it has crippled the industry for a majority of bands. However, given the option of having someone take it for free vs. pay, please take it but at least come to one of our shows. Have some respect for the amount of time and money it takes us to create these songs. At least give us a shout out once in a while. Free music and tour buy on’s make it nearly impossible to even come close to breaking even for 90% of bands. I have not stolen a song since back in the Napster days. I understood the problem with it and don’t do it. Even before I was in a band. Even today I spend hundreds on I-Tunes cards for my kids.
Tell us something about each of your band members that we wouldn’t expect to hear.
John: I think the latter part of my “influences” answer may be something that wouldn’t be expected. That, and I do a damn good impression of Josh, our guitar player. It’s pretty spot on and always good for a laugh.
Jack: I suppose something that most wouldn’t expect from me is that, when I’m not touring around playing drums, I work healthcare. I’ve worked with kids and adults who’ve sustained brain and spinal injuries along with working at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. I love helping people. That won’t ever leave me.
Josh: I waited tables for 10 years in every restaurant imaginable while looking for my big break with music.
Thad: I usually don’t listen to metal when I’m on my downtime, very rarely, in fact. There’s so many varieties of music out there, and I embrace, own and listen to everything I can get my hands on. To me, a
good song is a good song, no matter the genre or when it was made. I embrace all of it. I mean, right now I’m listening to Blind Willie McTell, sooo..
Kelly: Everything that is happening in my life today I imagined it years ago.
Hypothetical situation. You’re on Gilligan’s island and you get to hook up with only one of the survivors… Which one and why?
Josh: The skipper because that’s the only part of the song I remember.
Kelly: Mary Anne. I love brunettes. Plus Mrs. Howel was taken.
Do you know what a vinyl album is and have your ever purchased one? If so, what was it?
Thad: Of course! My first albums, besides cassettes, were vinyl. My dad owned an eclectic mix of vinyl such as CCR’s “Cosmo’s Factory”, Kraftwerk’s “Autobahn”, The Beatles “Rubber Soul” & ‘Help”, Jesus Christ Superstar Soundtrack, Rare Earth “Get Ready.” I personally owned Ozzy Osbourne/Randy Rhoads Tribute, Slayer’s “Hell Awaits”, Kiss “Animalize” etc.
Kelly: Kiss Alive II
You’re marooned on an island with Justin Bieber. Do you choke him out the first night in his sleep or what?
Jack: Hmm..stuck on an island with the Biebs. I’d probably try and get a NoMara shoutout via his twitter or Instagram before he gets choked out. Either that, or see if he could introduce me to some Hollywood ladies. But classy ones.
What is your opinion of Miley Cyrus?
Jack: Ole Miley. I don’t think she’s all that bad. She actually has a good voice. Other than that, twerking is stupid. Also, I miss her long hair. She had it going on then.
Which would you rather hear in concert? Lip synching or real vocals?
Kelly: Really strange question. Real vocals all day long. Most rock songs today including our own have so many layers to them that it helps fill space using a small amount of background tracks. NEVER is actual lip
synching involved.
Who, or what, is the next big thing?
Josh: Anything that appeals to the masses and has a capitalist agenda. It’s all about money not art. So whoever can create a dance while simultaneously telling you you’re not cool until you have expensive clothes, cars and women. That will be the next big thing
Kelly: Thad Ables, John LeCompt, Jack Larson, Josh Grissom
One artist you can’t get enough of and can’t live without is…
John: Foreigner or Judas Priest. It’s a toss-up.
Kelly: Tesla, without question. My story with Tesla is amazing.
Confession time. Share a secret about yourself.
Kelly: When I was 16 my mom had a car I had to drive….the bad part, the license number was BJI 69. Not cool and NO they were not personalized.
Jack: Secrets?? I don’t really have any secrets. I scratched my head for a while with this one. I wish I had a good one. I can eat a tub of Nesquik powder in like 2 days. That’s 72 servings according to the tub.
It’s a real problem.
John: I can’t run fast or play basketball.
Thad: Downtown Abbey….
Josh: I love Justin Timberlake. He’s awesome. A truly talented individual.
Favorite movie of all time and why.
Jack: Anyone who knows me hates the fact that I’m not much of a movie watcher. They’re some really good ones out there. I’ll go with The Fifth Element. It’s just a solid movie. Former badass who becomes a deadbeat. The supreme being falls in his lap and they save the universe together. Deebo is the President?? A lot of curveballs and orange hair.
Josh: Fight Club. Because every time I watch it I learn something new about myself.
Thad: Nightmare City (1980)!!! Kidding, kinda. Although it certainly belongs high up my list. I’m such an extreme film fanatic that makes this question impossible to answer. My tastes go all the way back to the silent era, with films from all over the world. Movies from Sergei Eisenstein, Jean Vigo, Akira Kurosawa, Andrei Tarkovsky, Jess Franco, Dario Argento, Lucio Fulci, Federico Fellini, Mario Bava, Tod Bowning, Fritz Lang, F.W. Murnau, the list goes on and on. I’m afraid this the best answer I can give on this subject.
John: The Shining. For many reasons, unknown to me, I really identify with Jack Nicholson’s portrayal of Jack Torrence.
Our last question is called “Shout It Out Loud”. It’s were you get to talk about whatever you want to talk about. So go ahead and “SHOUT IT OUT LOUD”!
Kelly: I took the liberty to answer this question. If you are a fan of rock and roll and want to HELP keep it going so your children and grandchildren can experience and enjoy, make a New Year Resolution for 2016
to:
1. Look up the active rock charts and LISTEN to 5 bands outside of the top 20.
2. Go see 2 of them and bring 2 friends at least once during the year
3. Purchase one thing from them
4. Share and push those bands to all your social media friends.
5. Do it every year and get 5 of your friends to do the same
This small request will keep it alive and allow us to create more ear candy than you can consume! Until then, download our EP “…And So It Begins” for FREE via the link below. Come see us in 2016 and purchase our full length CD during the first quarter of 2016 ONLY after you downloaded the EP for FREE and like it.
Those American Rebel Forces are your instructions
Regardless,
We love you!
Kelly
Categories: General Tags: Active Rock, Arkansas, Columbus, Hard Rock, Little Rock, MUEN Magazine, Ohio, rock, Shauna O'Donnell
EMPERORS AND ELEPHANTS sneak peek video!
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The Chicago, IL based band released Devil in the Lake via Pavement Entertainment
in January of 2014. On April 27th they will release a brand new music video
for their single “Change” off of the record and on May 5th the band will
re-release the record with 9 bonus tracks that will include acoustic takes
and demos of the songs you may already know!
For the awesome interview with E&E click <HERE>!
TOUR DATES
April 4, 2015 Moline, IL Rascal's Live April 7, 2015 Macomb, IL The Outskirts w/ Saving Abel April 25, 2015 South Barrington, IL Penny Road Pub June 6, 2015 Frindley, MN Pickle Park w/ Jake E. Lee's Red Dragon Cartel July 18, 2015 Cadott, WI Rock Fest
Categories: General Tags: chicago, EMPERORS AND ELEPHANTS, MUEN Magazine, new release, pavement, randy cooper, Shauna O'Donnell, texas, youtube
Emperors and Elephants “MAN OF GOD” (official video)
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To check out their awesome interview hit the link!
http://www.kickacts.com/2014/07/18/kickacts-interviews-randy-cooper-of-emperors-and-elephants/
Here’s an excerpt!
Tell us something about each of your band members that we wouldn’t expect
to hear.
Ron Stoppable can build anything with his hands. Jeff Windish is super
smart, and a recording engineer that did a big part of our DEVIL IN THE
LAKE CD. Jason Meudt does all our merch and dog tags. works for Dean
Guitars and does all their filming, is a photographer and did all the art
work and Videos for our record. Jesse is always coming up with new topic
and songs and lyrics and plays guitar too. I’m surrounded by BADASSES!
Hypothetical situation. You’re on Gilligan’s island and you get to hook up
with only one of the survivors… Which one and why?
Mary Ann she would be a good partner and Help Mate. Someone to work
together with.
Do you know what a vinyl album is and have your ever purchased one? If so,
what was it?
All the KISS records on vinyl.
You’re marooned on an island with Justin Bieber. Do you choke him out the
first night in his sleep or what?
Try work together and we will see how it goes
Categories: General Tags: chicago, EMPERORS AND ELEPHANTS, MUEN Magazine, new release, pavement, randy cooper, Shauna O'Donnell, texas, youtube
KickActs interviews Randy Cooper of “Emperors and Elephants”
google.com, pub-2427795083793513, DIRECT, f08c47fec0942fa0
Welcome to Kick Acts. Tell us a little about yourself and were you can
be found online.
I’m Born and Raised in Dumas Texas, Moved to Denison Texas at 16. Founded
and started the band Texas Hippie Coalition in 2003-2012. Now in the band
EMPERORS AND ELEPHANTS out of Chicago. Signed to Pavement records. Touring
our brand new record released January 21st, 2014. DEVIL IN THE LAKE. I’m
living in Pittsburgh PA.
Who are your musical heroes and influences? Why?
Eddie Van Halen, Randy Rhoads, DIMEBAG, and Zakk Wylde. I play guitar
because of these guys and learned how to play from them. I’ve had the GREAT
Honor of Opening shows for PANTERA and BLACK LABEL SOCIETY. I’m a Texas guy
so I met DIME and PANTERA at 17 and soon after that was opening many shows
for PANTERA in the North Texas area.
Do you have any advice for someone just getting started in the music
business?
Learn all you can by watching and listening to other people. Don’t let
ANYONE tell you You can’t do it, because YOU CAN!!! Don’t fry your brain on
Drugs and Alcohol cause you’re gonna need it. DON’T EVER GIVE UP OR QUIT!!!
What piece of advice did you ignore that you wish you hadn’t?
I could have taken band in school as a kid but I chose to take sports.
You couldn’t do both, but I loved sports
Do you have a greatest gig story or worst gig horror story you’d like to
share?
Playing on the Jerry Springer show and playing the Brazilian National
Anthem in San Paolo Brazil in front of 1000,000 people
Do you have any other hobbies other than playing music? Collect stamps?
Collect hats from off the side of the road? Draw pictures of peckers or
boobs? Make sock puppets? Sit in the dark and eat Cheetos?
I enjoy family time with my kids and girlfriend, fishing, boating,
camping, I’m so outdoors I hate being stuck in the house during winter. I
love spring and summer, Lakes and Water.
What do you think about the current music scene or lack of? Care to
address that?
I miss music like the 80s. Every band was Killer and exciting to see
Live. I’m glad I learned to play from the guitar players of the 80s. they
were the BEST.
Do you think reality shows like American Idol, X factor and The Voice
have helped or hurt the music industry as a whole?
It gave people a chance to be heard that the world might have never had a
chance to hear.
What is your opinion of unauthorized music downloads?
It’s Killing our record sells and downloads, and making it real hard for
bands to survive.
Tell us something about each of your band members that we wouldn’t expect
to hear.
Ron Stoppable can build anything with his hands. Jeff Windish is super
smart, and a recording engineer that did a big part of our DEVIL IN THE
LAKE CD. Jason Meudt does all our merch and dog tags. works for Dean
Guitars and does all their filming, is a photographer and did all the art
work and Videos for our record. Jesse is always coming up with new topic
and songs and lyrics and plays guitar too. I’m surrounded by BADASSES!
Hypothetical situation. You’re on Gilligan’s island and you get to hook up
with only one of the survivors… Which one and why?
Mary Ann she would be a good partner and Help Mate. Someone to work
together with.
Do you know what a vinyl album is and have your ever purchased one? If so,
what was it?
All the KISS records on vinyl.
You’re marooned on an island with Justin Bieber. Do you choke him out the
first night in his sleep or what?
Try work together and we will see how it goes.
What is your opinion of Miley Cyrus?
She has a beautiful gift. I hope she gets through the phase she is
going through.
Which would you rather hear in concert? Lip synching or real vocals?
REAL VOCALS
Who, or what, is the next big thing?
I’m Hoping and Praying that We are!
One artist you can’t get enough of and can’t live without is…
Zakk Wylde, BLS, He is a Like a professional athlete on a football team. A machine.
The KING of what a GUITAR HERO should be.
Confession time. Share a secret about yourself.
Broke my neck in a car wreck in 1991. paralyzed from the neck down. Rode
in a wheel chair for almost 2 years, learned how to walk and take care of
myself and retrained myself to play guitar again. I have no feeling in my
HANDS.
Favorite movie of all time and why.
ROCK STAR movie, cause that’s all I ever wanted to be.
Our last question is called “Shout It Out Loud”. It’s where you get to
talk about whatever you want to talk about. So go ahead and “SHOUT IT OUT
LOUD”!
Follow your DREAMS! Follow your HEART. Listen to the VOICES in your
head. And PRAY everyday.
Categories: General Tags: chicago, EMPERORS AND ELEPHANTS, MUEN Magazine, new release, pavement, randy cooper, Shauna O'Donnell, texas, youtube
