Q2. What superhero would be your sidekick? What villain would you go after first?
A2. Batman / Lex Luther
Q3. Bathroom read?
A3. “Working”
Q4. Where and When in time would you go?
A4, 200 years into the future. I would go to New York to see if it’s still standing. If so, I can’t wait to kick it with robots and hologram people.
5. Most Embarrassing Moment? —
Q6. Best compliment ever received?
A6, Someone telling me that Alex & Sam was like Ike and Tina.
Q7. What do you admire in a person?
A7. Drive
Q8. When do you feel most creative?
A8. Afternoon
Q9. What 80’s movie would you live in for a day? Who would you be?
A9. Moon Walker / MJ!
Q10. Biggest Pet Peeve?
A10. Smelly people
Harlan is funky fresh and fun. I saw him live at The Satellite not too long ago and wrote a midnight review of the show (check out review here). The music still ignites thoughts of old school 70’s Sesame Street, Wonder Years, Block Parties, and Roller Discos. He is fun, the band is fun. The music is certainly different and refreshing amongst the countless other indie rock, surf inspired, and/or shoe gaze psychedelic music (which I all love) circulating the Los Angeles music scene. The first time I heard Harlan I was completely surprised, like I had stepped into a gold plated time machine, dialed into 1978 and was more than happy to go on this little musical excursion.
This month (May 2012) Harlan has a Monday night residency at The Echo and Full Length Album coming out soon.
Nickname: Big Head Jehov-
back in the day. With a head of 23 inches in circumferences and was raised
Jehovah witness…but was still cool.
Sign: Aquarius –
Favorite:
Food:Indian Food w/ Garlic
Nan. But can make the most badass Eggplant Parmesan.
Book: Lolita-Vladimir
Nabokov; a book with the most elegant pros ever constructed in the English
language. And there is something to be said considering the fact that English
was Vladimir Nabokov’s third language. His first being Russian, French second
and English third. If English is your first language and you can’t write better
than a man who has it as a third language…you suck
Season: Tricky, I love the
Fall because of the crisp air and leaves changing and walking around in the
woods, but it’s kind of tricky because when you live in Chicago the weather
gets so shit, you go “oh what a beautiful fall “ and you have a week of fall.
And then you have sticks for the next 6 months, all the leaves fall on the
ground and turns to brown mush and then there is just sticks and ice and
horribleness, so I’m almost a little terrified of fall because of what’s to
come. There is a bit of anxiety. Unlike Spring I might say spring is my favorite
season, or something I look forward too. My libido is on over drive and girls
are wearing skirts. Fall is good for a week and then for the next 6 months its
all sticks, ice, and horribleness…brown mush on the ground etc…making spring
very much something to look forward to.
1. If
your art was an ice cream flavor which one would it be?
(Was taken with boisterous laughter)
Tuna fish
smoothie w/ orange juice: – bittersweet. Because you would not want to eat my
painting in any way (referring to the painting he was currently working on). My
work isn’t sexy like gelato. Or that his work is surprisingly tasty, in the
sense that you would never read his work as being something delicious but then
surprisingly is. Searching for something low calorie but tasty, a snow cone
with booze was decided. Snow cone (low brow) with an expensive alcohol (high
brow); it would be a fine Chianti Snow Cone
2. How
many times have you been pulled over and why?
He has
only been pulled over four times, although he admits it should have probably
been more. With his incredible luck of being let off, once he was pulled over
in another state wearing a crown with pink aviators going 115 mph. The officer
let him off, because he explained he was going to spend 4th of July
with his grandparents. He is incredibly lucky when it comes to authority.
3. Best
show you have ever been too?
Recently
saw Maulers 4th symphony, was moved to tears complete water works. Had never
seen Mauler before and it blew him away. The whole production every element to
it was phenomenal
Concert: Radiohead
in Florence “Hail to the Thief Tour” on a beautiful hill for free. The concert
was sold out, but he and his friend took turns looking over a wall 90 ft away
from the stage to see the show. With the acoustics amazing, hearing the music
was great, in beautiful scenery.
It is a tossup
between the two shows.
4. What animal
is your spirit guide?
At one time a
lot of hallucinogenic were taken to try to find the spirit animal with no
avail. But a chameleon seems to be the animal which sticks. Can talk to anyone
from a homeless man to a billionaire banker; regardless of topic or social
status he can always adapt himself to situations in which he can be able to
hold conversations with his company.
5. What
have you said you would never do, but have ended up doing?
There was
a looong pause of thought in trying to figure out this answer. Has never said
he was never going to do something and always been a reckless person. So…the
question was left un answered.
*One
thing he has said he will never do, and does not look forward to doing in any
way, would be to sleep with a prostitute- but that does not answer the
question.
5-II. What do you hate doing,
have to do it?
Hates doing everything, all task or chores; shopping, laundry,
cleaning, buying beer etc. “I am a barely functioning individual that somehow
gets by”
6. You
were slipped a radioactive roofie by an evil scientist and now have mutated,
what’s your superpower?
Power as
of present- mind control
7. Most Embarrassing Moment?
During one summer romance, a lady
friend the time was extremely drunk on jack and proceeded to vomit on the bed,
in bathroom, and at some point was laying/ crawling in a river of vomit. Already
embarrassed for her, it was when she shit on my bed that took it to the next
level. Scrubbing her panties with a carpet cleaner, and scrubbing the bed. The roommates
helped out by scrubbing her down in shower.
8. Is there any toy you really wanted
as a kid but was never given? Did you ever buy it for yourself when you got
older?
No not really. A self proclaimed really
weird kid, he would make Barbie dolls and GI Joes have sex. GI’s banging Amazon
women. Was given Stretch Armstrong by an aunt and crucified him, built a cross
and nailed Stretch to the cross and set it on fire. Does reflect on the fact he
had a huge Lego collection, possibly influenced the development in visualizing
3d; the conversion of 3 dimensional space into a 2 dimensional image.
9. Do you have a phobia? Or what is
your most irrational fear?
Does not have any phobias or any
irrational fears, no fears that not any normal person would have, i.e.: the
fear of death. If there was any fear, a fear of his would be sleeping too much.
Not as much a fear, but if he sleeps to long it would piss him off. Fear of
losing time. Currently is really focused on being a more efficient painter; by
not going out, sleeping in front of his painting, anything that would aid in
the obsession and being focused on art. So to lose time in over sleeping would
be the most irrational fear he has at the moment.
10. What’s the most interesting thing
you found lying on the street/sidewalk/ground/random place?
Was walking in Wicker Park brown
bagging a bear and found a book “Man, Myth and Magic”. A very odd, strange,
weird book with pictures of possibly burning babies and two headed dogs, photos
from a possible Rambers Museum. Avoiding the text, because the photos are
interesting enough on its own. The book
was possibly from 1978 or 68.
Back in November I had the pleasure of talking with Ryan over Skype for his survey. My first “verbal” interview and my first transcribed, loosely quoted, survey post. His personality is as rich and layered as his work, possessing a charm and dark humor.Without a clue, it wasn’t until the day of the interview did I discover Shultz was a contestant on the Bravo Show Work of Art. A show I personally did not care for from the pilot. I had become a fan of his work independently, stumbled upon him on another art blog never mentioning his TV fame. A hour plus long conversation with him was entertaining, informative, and includes a dozen more thoughts that I am unable to share, or have no desire to try and transcribed. Selfishly keeping it to myself. If you ever get the chance to have a conversation with Ryan, be on your toes, alert, and ready for some knowledge.
Favorite: Month: October Color: teal Cookie: triple chocolate espresso
Q1. Are you superstitious?
A1.I always cross my fingers on plane rides during take-off and landing.
Q2. Best show you’ve ever been too?
A2. This summer- Muse. Whether or not you like their music, the power of their shred cannot be denied.
Q3. What have you said you would never do, but have ended up doing?
A3.Rollercoasters.
Q4. Bathroom read?
A4. Nylon.
Q5. Most Embarrassing Moment?
A5. Traditionally, I cringe every day when I wake up. Oh God, this can’t be happening, this is so embarrassing.
Q6. If your music was ice cream, what flavor would it be?
A6. Correatown: mint chocolate chip, with a side of salted caramel. Mine: didn’t turn out right, looks kind of gross.
Q7. What was your favorite cartoon when you were a kid?
A7.Moomin.
Q8. What’s your vice?
A8. Cocktails. The more elaborate, the better.
Q9. When are you most creative morning, mid day, or evening?
A9. I get my best ideas when I’m about to fall asleep, which is incredibly unhelpful in terms of remembering any of them.
Q10. You were slipped a radioactive roofie by an evil scientist and now have mutated, what’s your superpower?
A10. I have the power to run errands without being seen, talked to, or intercepted by anyone I know, am vaguely acquainted with, or even complete strangers. Name: Angela Nickname: Hungeeee/ Momsies/ Angiepants Sign: Libra
Favorite: Month: October Color: Teal Cookie: Chocolate Crackle
Q1. Are you superstitious?
A1. Just about fortune cookies.
Q2. Best show you’ve ever been too?
A2. Hall and Oates at the Hollywood Bowl. Wow. And the champagne and *pot brownies* didn’t hurt.
Q3. What have you said you would never do, but have ended up doing?
A3.Taking life really seriously. Yikes.
Q4. Bathroom read?
A4.Not my thing, really. Someone told me sitting on the toilet and reading will give you hemorrhoids and I’ve been freaked about it ever since.
Q5. Most Embarrassing Moment?
A5.A bird once dropped a giant shit bomb on my head while I was sitting in the sun in the Jardin de Luxembourg in Paris. It was truly awful. My friend was pouring water from a huge Evian bottle over my head trying to rinse it, and scandalized passersby were snickering and pointing.
Q6. If your music was ice cream, what flavor would it be?
A6. Mint Chocolate Chip, or Fig with Salted Caramel and Balsamic Swirl
Q7. What was your favorite cartoon when you were a kid?
A7. Gem, she was truly outrageous. Close second: GI Joe- I had a huge crush on the silent bearded Bazooka guy. And part of me also thought Cobra was sort of hot- all masked, whiney, and wearing a skin tight war-outfit.
Q8. What’s your vice?
A8.Staying up really late at night reading… and/or drinking too many cups of coffee. Which may be mutually related (I now realize).
Q9. When are you most creative morning, mid day, or evening?
A9.From 4pm – 12 midnight. It’s like a gong goes off and all my best ideas arrive with trumpets, but I’m usually unable to capture them for later because I’m making dinner, or out and about.
Q10. You were slipped a radioactive roofie by an evil scientist and now have mutated, what’s yoursuperpower?
A10.I can magically transport myself to and from places in an eye blink, and I can also bring my friends along if they are touching some part of my body. This is extremely useful when I have late night cravings for nutella crepes in Paris, whilst sitting on the couch in LA.
I couldn’t think of a better time or day to sit and listen to Correatown, trying to figure out how to explain the sound of their music. Drinking green tea with honey and watching the sun break through the rain clouds on a Sunday afternoon while “Shine Right Through” is playing, it’s kind of perfect. Correatown has a sweet indie sound, singer Angela Correa’s voice carried on the melody like a whisper of the wind. There is something in the songs that gives a sense that there is a very me looking at me scenario, a self realization notion, yet that self realization is in observation. Like as if hearing the inner thoughts of the girl drinking coffee by themselves, the man walking down the street with a gentle smile, or your lover right before they wake; you’re seeing yourself. I might sound completely insane or make no sense at all, but you can listen to their latest release Pleiades on Bandcamp and decide for yourself.
(image courtesy of David’s facebook profile picture)
Name: DAVID BRAY
Nickname: Tragically I guess it would be DAVE. If i type it like this D.A.V.E it looks a little more interesting?
Sign: Pisces (if that’s what you meant? Or is it some kind of masonic thing I’m missing out on? Went for dinner the other night opposite the huge masonic building in Great Queen St in London. There are a LOT of masons. They all had a sign.)
Favorite:
Book. ‘Jesus’ Son’ Denis Johnson
Season. Winter
Beverage. Morning coffee, evening wine.
Q1. What is something you hate doing, but must do anyways?
A1. Anything involving arithmetic. I’m number blind. I tell myself that to cover up stupidity. I need numbers to count pens, measure pieces of paper, sugar in coffee, get on the right bus. All that.
Q2. If you had to give up one of your 5 senses, which one would you abandon?
A2.I think I’ve already lost my sense of smell. My girlfriend constantly tells me she can smell cat’s piss. I can’t. At all. Which either means she is a cat. Or I stink of piss.Tell me if I stink of piss.
Q3. Most rewarding moment of your life thus far?
A3. Every day alive brings its own rewards.
Q4. If you owned a parrot, what would you teach it to say?
A4. ‘He’s not here.’
Q5. How old were you the first time you got drunk? How was the experience?
A5. I was 13 or 14. Went through the contents of my parent’s drinks cabinet with a friend. We had a small window of opportunity when my mother went out. About 10.00 a.m.- 12ish. On a Thursday morning in the school holidays. I remember laughing. A lot. And barely able to stand. It was difficult to get it together to disappear from the house before discovery. It was a very methodical, measured approach.
Q6. Whats the most interesting thing you found lying on the street/sidewalk/ground/random place?
A6. A half eaten snake in Anerley, London. If you know it, then you will know that is no place to find a snake. I’m not talking grass snake, it was a hefty looking thing. Cobra size. It looked tragic. We left it. An hour later it had moved up the street by a mile or so.
Q7. How many car accidents have you been in?
A7. Four happened in the space of 6 weeks, culminating in me totally writing off my car. A slow impact, 5mph head-on collision. Really mundane. I think I prefer the slow crashes.
Q8. Do you have a phobia?
A8. Moths. I scream. Proper screaming. Embarrassing.
Q9. If you could morph into any animal what would it be?
A9. Bear. So I could see if I really do shit in the woods. What an unpleasant answer. Should have said unicorn. I don’t shit in the woods. Not that I could smell it. Going to stop typing about shit now.
Q10. If you knew when the world was going to freeze for ten minutes, what would you plan to do in those 10mins?
A10. Check out what’s really going on in that masonic building.
*I have held on to this survey for WAY to long now and it needs to get out into the universe damn it. Unfortunately I don’t have the time to do a proper write up on the work except for the fact that its mysterious, sultry, and seduces you to look a little bit closer. Please check out more of David Bray’s work on his website and check back later for a better write up.
Name: Kelly Allen Nicknames: Silkies, Beeps, Punkin, Kel Sign: LEO
Favorite: Book: Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris Season: Summer Color: Currently, it is orchid (pantone purple C)
Q1. What animal is your spirit guide?
A1.Bees!
Q2. What superhero would be your sidekick?
A2. The Flying Pig from Kids in the Hall
Q3. Bathroom read?
A3. Bust Magazine
Q4. Where and When in time would you go?
A4. That is a tough one. I can’t pick just one. For today, let’s say Hawaii, 1800.
Q5. If your art was an ice cream flavor which one would it be?
A5. Blue Moon! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Moon_(ice_cream)
Q6. Did you have an imaginary friend as a child?
A6. Unfortunately not, although my sister did. She invented and entire species, called “Popies.” She described them as little people with green eyes, white hair, wore jogging suits, and had suction cups on the ends of their fingers, so that they could stick to the TV. She would tell me epic stories of how they drove in double decker buses and had lots of fun adventures. So amazing!!!
Q7. Personal Quote?
A7. Quotes I coined:
“A son of a bitch is a puppy.”
also:
“A son of a gun is a bullet.”
Q8. Do you believe in horoscopes and zodiac signs?
A8. YES! I LOVE that kind of stuff.
Q9. Do you drink coffee? If so how many cups a day?
A9. Yep. Usually 2.
Q10. Best show you have ever been to?
A10. Quintron and Miss Pussycat!! They rock my world. I love them sooooooooooo much!
I was lucky to get to see them on a whim during a trip to Madison, WI with my sister. I had no idea who they were before we got to the show. I was mesmerized. I dream of the day I get to experience their amazingness once again.
I wish I knew of great master artist to compare Kelly’s work to or steal ideas from other interviews and about me’s. But as that just wouldn’t be my style I will jump back into the MAOI style of artist reviews…A painted collage of flora, fauna, flesh, and fur. Kelly isn’t your typical abstract artist but her concepts play in the land of dreams. Jumping from one idea to another till you wake up with bits and piece of your own personal subconscious wonderland. A foggy memory with key elements stepping out from shadows and clouds of color. To see more of Kelly’s work please visit her website.
Name: timothy john karpinski jr. Nickname: tea moth y , pinski Sign: pisces
Favorite: Book.Still life with woodpecker by tom robbins Animal. Kitty cats Color. blissful blue
Q1. Are you superstitious?
A1. yes very, i love ritual and use it in art making.
Q2. Best show you’ve ever been too?
A2. artshow: souther salzar at jonathan levine, or barry magee at redcat, music: efterklang
Q3. What have you said you would never do, but have ended up doing?
A3. fall in love again
Q4. Bathroom read?
A4. pocket french dictionary / national geographic
Q5. Most Embarrassing Moment?
A5. getting naked at a party and reading poetry
Q6. If you knew when time would freeze for 10 minutes, what would you do in that time?
A6. make a sandwich
Q7. What was your favorite cartoon when you were a kid?
A7. pinky and the brain
Q8. What’s your vice?
A8. drawing in public places
Q9. When are you most creative morning, mid day, or evening?
A9. early morning, very late at night, and blends of both
Q10. You were slipped a radioactive roofie by an evil scientist and now have mutated, what’s your superpower?
A10. i can read her mind.
There is something completely whimsical and delightful about the work of Timothy Karpinski. Like the butterflies of first love his work lifts your mood instantly. His close attention to detail and meticulous dedication to cutting out perfect pieces of paper to place back together sets him apart from most artists in the scene. The work has a completely organic and innocent nature to it like a child creating with construction paper in an elementary school art class. At his gallery shows he has created magical installations, awakening the curious voyeur in all of us. Walls covered with poems and doodles and decorated with owls and other eclectic nick-knacks give you the feeling that this maybe just what Timothy’s world at home looks like. The first piece of art work I ever purchased was a small piece by Timothy entitled “Ready To See My Sweetheart”. It’s a very modest piece of a boy standing with balloons and flowers in hand; calling to the romantic in me I hope to one day live that picture I bought and be greeted with balloons and flowers.
Please check out more of Timothy Karpinski’s work at hiswebsiteandblog
Name: Cecilia Della Peruti – no longer in Rumspringa/ now leads Gothic Tropic Nickname: The band calls me “C” Sign: Virgo (libra rising, gemini moon)
Favorite: Dessert. too many to choose from…. A well made Flan. Holiday. Halloween (and New Years) Book. Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto
Q1. Did you have an imaginary friend as a child? A1. Not so much as one friend, but imaginary scenarios, definitely. All the time haha.
Q2. Personal Quote? A2. “son of a bitch” is a staple… and taken from a text convo between my roommate and I “We can donate some of that $50 to strippers and death rock. Yeah, I’ll be okay this week, I’d rather do that than buy lavish meals.”
Q3. Do you believe in horoscopes and zodiac signs? A3. I believe the earliest of human civilizations referenced the night sky and documented their lives according to the stars/planets. Over time, enough consistencies suggested a correlation between humans and what exists outside our planet. It’s already a scientific fact that the moon influences the tides of our oceans, I think as humans, products of evolution, we’re not exempt from the effects of the planets/star systems/universe ect.. I demystify it, because the flower children often distract from the basic logic of it all.
Q4. Do you drink coffee? If so how many cups a day? A4. Unfortunately I work in a corporate office, so YES. Maybe 2 cups a day. Sometimes 3 😦 Only started about 8 months ago though. Prior to that, absolutely not. Never, in fact. Tea…and hot chocolate…
Q5. If you had a parrot what would you teach it to say? A5.Probably profanity
Q6. What superhero would you make your sidekick? A6. Quail Man?
Q7. What do you admire in a person? A7. Forwardness, intuition, absurd humor, the ability to do anything i cant do…I could go on. Q8. Biggest Pet Peeve? A8. a ‘The Cool Guy complex’…And saying “melk” instead of “milk.” Same rule applies to “pellow.”
Q9. Bathroom read? A9. Mome (graphic novel) Q10. Most Embarrassing Moment? A10. I pissed my pants in 7th grade on the tennis court. I was laughing too hard. I think even then I thought it was too funny to be mortified.
Name: Ricardo Robles Jr. Nickname: Caco Sign: Virgo?
Favorite: Dessert- too much sugar, don’t like it. I like deserts though. Holiday- Kwanza (don’t celebrate it). Book- “God Bless You, Dr. Kevorkian”- In 9th grade I realized my worldview was similar to Vonnegut’s.
Q1. Did you have an imaginary friend as a child? A1.God.
Q2. Personal Quote? A2. “Get Real.”
Q3. Do you believe in horoscopes and zodiac signs? A3. Hmmm. This one’s hard for me. The idea that the time of year a person is born somehow determines their personality seems like blatant bullshit. I don’t see very good evidence for it; but maybe there could be checkable evidence later- like the location of the other planets of our solar system in relation to earth somehow affects the physiology of a growing fetus’ brain…? The way Carl Jung explained Zodiac Signs makes it sound not too far-fetched: the weather and time of year that a person is born naturally affects a person’s first experiences outside of the womb, and therefore their personalities. My reply to this would be to ask: do only people born outdoors exhibit personality traits associated with their Zodiac symbol? Most of us in developing countries are born in hospitals with roofs and temperature control…How could this apply?
My own horoscope suggests that I’m very picky/anal. Most of the time though, my house etc. is pretty messy and I can just go with the flow…..then again my long ass answer to this question may indicate otherwise! Often, horoscopes seem to perfectly describe a person. I read one of those birthday books and it describes me well. So, I’d say I’m skeptical, but allowing for the possibility.
Q4. Do you drink coffee? If so how many cups a day? A4. No coffee. I’m always shaky and nervous. That +coffee could = a mess.
Q5. If you had a parrot what would you teach it to say? A5. I’d see how many digits of Pi it could memorize….might take some time.
Q6. What superhero would you make your sidekick? A6. Magneto, duh.
Q7. What do you admire in a person? A7. If a person is really opinionated but not closed to debate, I like em.
Q8. Biggest Pet Peeve? A8. Those who, on a certain level (often barely conscious), are comfortable lying to themselves or others because life is easier that way and second guessing your ideas or values is too uncomfortable.
Q9. Bathroom read? A9. I don’t take THAT long to poop…but I might play Bubble buster on my phone.
Q10. Most Embarrassing Moment? A10. Every time someone walks into my house (often), they are greeted by a CD tower which I’m too lazy to move. It happens to be the tower from the time period between 6th grade and 9th grade with great bands like Limp Bizkit, Slayer, and everyone on the Warped Tour…..there’s a couple I’m proud of and might still listen to like Richard Hell, but for the most part it’s horrible.
Rumspringa is indie rock dipped in a 70’s psychedelic sound. With paisley printed melodies and guitar work they have a familiar gypsy sensibility. Unlike most psychedelic music that tends to be so trippy one needs to be on hallucinogens to appreciate the music. Rumspringa has a very grounded rock sounds that is more of an homage to the great rock stars of days gone by, instead of being trapped in the rock stars acid trip. As a contemporary band they are taking classic rock elements and brushing off the cobwebs to make them fresh again. Their song “Shake’em Loose Tonight” dips into the love den with a heavy velvet rhythm, easily I can imagine a bunch of people dancing together in a room decorated with silk scarves and bohemian pillows. But its songs like Triptych and Sway that validates their music in its current relevance while nodding to their influences and inspirations.
Please listen to more Rumspringa on thier Facebook
Favorite: Color. Green Food.Burrito Season. Summer
Q1. What animal trait do you wish to possess?
A1. Flight, mating for life, and awareness/knowledge of the earths electro-magnetic fields.
Q2. If you could live in a movie for a day, which movie would it be? Would you be yourself or another character?
A2. Boyz In The hood. I’d be myself and tell Ricky not to split up with Tre at the end so he doesn’t get shot. In turn, Doughboy wouldn’t have to retaliate and then he wouldn’t end up in prison. Best. Movie. Ever.
Q3. Bathroom read?
A3. Secret Teachings of All Ages by Many P Hall and Be Here Now by Ram Dass are in the bathroom currently. Both are really good to just open up randomly and start reading. Tons of really cool imagery in both books too.
Q4. Most exciting moment of your life thus far?
A4. I’ve had a lot of very exciting moments in my life, but I would like to think that the most exciting is yet to come. Besides,I would hate to name just one past experience because I feel like it makes everything that happened after anticlimactic.
Q5. Do you have a lucky charm?
A5. It sounds silly but I kind of consider some of my tattoos my lucky charms. My elephant on my arm protects me from impulse and the third eye on my sugar skull sees with my minds eye everything that my regular eyes cannot.
Q6. What do you miss most about being a kid? What the best thing about being an adult?
A6. I miss the feeling of infinite possibility and innocent naivete. When I was real young I was oblivious to the potential of human cruelty and becoming painfully aware of it as I got older is something I’ve never really got used to. As for being an adult, I guess the best thing is the gift of loving myself. I know how to now, but didn’t then.
Q7. If you had to give up one of your 5 senses, which one would you abandon?
A7. Smell. Reluctantly.
Q8. You were slipped a radioactive roofie by an evil scientist and now have mutated, what’s your superpower?
A8. The ability to speak every language spoken on earth.
Q9. Best compliment ever received?
A9. When someone tells me that a song I wrote helped them through a hard time, or even that it just made them happy for a few minutes is pretty much the best compliment ever as far I’m concerned.
Q10. Greatest strength? Greatest Weakness?
A10. My greatest strength is that I realize I’m weak. It makes me strong.
This is a momentous post as Dead To Me is the FIRST PUNK BAND to grace the pages of My Favorite MAOI. Breaking this musical barrier on the blog, I couldn’t be happier as Dead To Me is a straight up, no chaser, no filler, no gimmick punk band. They play the kind of punk music that inspired and fueled Warped Tour before it went strangely drastically astray into the sugar coated overly processed land of pop-punk it lives in today. (Jeffrey Star has been on the Warped Tour bill, need I say more). Playing their instruments hard and fast with lyrics that are a bloody heart on the bands sleeve. Singing about overcoming ones demons, establishment frustration, and the trials n’ tribulations of love; they cover all the basic raw truths that fuel punk ideals. Opening for bands like Screeching Weasels and NOFX, they deserve every minute of stage time their sets allow. Never holding back while performing, fans go crazy singing a long to passion filled songs. And lets not forget the element of fun that every true blue great band possess, above all else Dead To Me is fun! You want to get down and start a circle pit, surf a crowd, blast it on your car stereo while stuck in traffic or speeding down the freeway. A kick in the stomach, to say wake up you’re alive, now enjoy it damn it!
Please check out more of Dead To Me’s music on their Myspace Page
Q1. What was your favorite cartoon when you were a kid?
A1. Ren & Stimpy
Q2. What’s your vice?
A2.Watching shows about conspiracy theories
Q3. When are you most creative morning, mid day, or evening?
A3. Late at night.
Q4. You were slipped a radioactive roofie by an evil scientist and now have mutated, what’s your superpower?
A4.Shape Shifting
Q5. Most exciting moment of your life thus far?
A5. Finishing the new ROBOTANISTS album of course!
Q6. What do you wish was invented?
A6.The Holodeck
Q7. Childhood ambition?
A7.To be driven around in a pink limo all of the time.
Q8. If you owned a parrot, what would you teach it to say?
A8. “Sa Da Tay”
Q9. How old were you the first time you got drunk? How was the experience?
A9. My first time was in college in New Orleans (I’m lame). It involved a bottle of Jagermeister on my Birthday and copy of “Mingus at Antibes” on repeat. The rest of the details are hazy.
Q10. Biggest Pet Peeve?
A10. Conspiracy theorists.
GUITARIST: Name: Daniel DeBlanke Nickname: D-dubs, DEBLANKE! Sign: Cancer
Favorite: Cookie. black and white Colorblue . Season Fall
Q1. What was your favorite cartoon when you were a kid?
A1.Futurama
Q2. What’s your vice?
A2. Wine
Q3. When are you most creative morning, mid day, or evening?
A3.Early morning
Q4. You were slipped a radioactive roofie by an evil scientist and now have mutated, what’s your superpower?
A4. Mind control
Q5. Most exciting moment of your life thus far?
A5. Its a tie between the season 1 and season 2 finales of RuPaul’s Drag Race
Q6. What do you wish was invented?
A6. Those machines from star trek that simply create any food dish out of thin air.
Q7. Childhood ambition?
A7. creepy guy who hangs out with wolves all the time.
Q8. If you owned a parrot, what would you teach it to say?
A8.something from the big lebowski. “Fuck it, let’s go bowling” or “that rug really tied the room together”
Q9. How old were you the first time you got drunk? 14 How was the experience?
Q9. pretty horrible. warm beer, puking, menthol cigarettes.
Q10. Biggest Pet Peeve?
A10. fake eye glasses
BASSIST: Name: Keith Boyarsky Nickname: ugh, not goin there…. Sign: peace
Favorite: Cookie. Tagalongs Color. eh Season. all year in LA
Q1. What was your favorite cartoon when you were a kid?
A1. TMNT
Q2. What’s your vice?
A2. Rush
Q3. When are you most creative morning, mid day, or evening?
A3. Midnight-8am.
Q4. You were slipped a radioactive roofie by an evil scientist and now have mutated, what’s your superpower?
A4. ability to dunk a basketball from the 3pt line.
Q5. Most exciting moment of your life thus far?
A5. living through West Texas with Preston Scott Phillips.
Q6. What do you wish was invented?
A6.Robot knees.
Q7. Childhood ambition?
A7. Rocket scientist
Q8. If you owned a parrot, what would you teach it to say?
A8. “Fuck me? Fuck you!”
Q9. How old were you the first time you got drunk? How was the experience?
A9. Probably 13 or 14, playing boardgames and drinking cherry schnapps. Quite forgettable.
Q10. Biggest Pet Peeve?
A10. standard definition programming.
DRUMMER: Name: Preston Scott Phillips Nickname: PSP; p dog; p diddy; p funk; porkchop. Sign: Taurus
Favorite Cookie: Raspberry Macaron. Color: Green. Season: any time it’s just cold enough for hobo gloves.
Q1. What was your favorite cartoon when you were a kid?
A1. Bananaman
Q2. What’s your vice?
A2. Miami
Q3. When are you most creative morning, mid day, or evening?
A3. Morning.
Q4. You were slipped a radioactive roofie by an evil scientist and now have mutated, what’s your superpower?
A4. The power to not get raped by that evil scientist. He’s trying to rape me, right? I mean, he just slipped me a roofie.
Q5. Most exciting moment of your life thus far?
A5. The moment I realized some dude really did use the drunk, debilitated girl in his arms as a human battering ram in order to knock me to the ground after I did something to piss him off.
Q6. What do you wish was invented?
A6. Bacon already exists. What kind of silly question is this?
Q7. Childhood ambition?
A7.Grow up to be the Incredible Hulk.
Q8. If you owned a parrot, what would you teach it to say?
A8. “I’m pining for the fjords.”
Q9. How old were you the first time you got drunk? How was the experience?
A9. Every time is like the first time: I cry, get arrested, and my pants look like they’ve been attacked by a mongoose. Oh, wait, first time I got drunk, right. I can’t remember.
Q10. Biggest Pet Peeve?
A10. Their our know pet peeves I have, so your just out of luck.
The toe starts to tap and the hips to start to sway, the melodic dance indie rock sound of Robotanist literally move you (or me). The lyrics are catchy ready to be lipsung along with Sarah, while she emotes her heart into the words she sings. The second I played the Robotanists I couldn’t get enough, playing their Myspace page and Bandcamp on repeat. Sarah’s beautiful voice dances through the music and the band creating the landscape with well conducted transitions and Easter eggs of chord progressions. I can listen to a song over and over again and find little nuances I didn’t catch before. Plans in Progress (latest album minus Radiohead cover) is a album filled with longing and discovery, and maybe I can’t get enough because that’s the place I am in my life right now. The Robotanists have an electric future ahead of them, just the right people need to hear them. Comparable to The Sounds, but ten folds better…(trying to hold back this summary as I have a review of their show last night to write as well)
Please listen to more of the Robotanists on their bandcamp
Name: John Clardy Nickname: Clardz, “the TP” Sign: Aries
Favorite: Fruit. Ambrosia Apples or Strawberries Number. 78 Book. Junky
Q1. Most wild and crazy thing you have done thus far in your life?
A1. Joined Tera Melos
Q2. Whats the most interesting thing you found lying on the street/sidewalk/ground/random place?
A2. That’s more Nick and Nate’s thing.
Q3. Do you have a phobia?
A3. a few
Q4. If you could morph into any animal what would it be?
A4. Something that could fly, but maybe an octopus
Q5. Do you have a lucky charm?
A5. I carry an Irish Punt
Q6. If your music was a cereal, which one would is be and why?
A6. That Nintendo cereal from the 80’s, Link and Mario… where could you go from there?
Q7. What is the best show (music) you have ever been too?
A7. Probably Fugazi in Fort Worth, TX April 1st 2002
Q8. If you could live in any time period or be anyone dead or alive, who would you be or where would you go?
A8. I think about living in other time periods constantly, I’ll say the Cretacious Period or the 1960’s. I would like to live as Jimi Hendrix for a week.
Q9. What is something you hate doing, but must do anyways?
A9. shower
Q10. If you had to give up one of your 5 senses, which one would you abandon?
A10. Smell, I’m nostalgic enough as it is.
Name: Nick Reinhart Nickname: Nick Reinhart Sign: stop sign
Favorite: Fruit. richard simmons Number. the highest number Book. mad magazine
Q1. Most wild and crazy thing you have done thus far in your life?
A1. the craziest thing i’ve done is waste hundreds of valuable hours of my life while sitting at my computer.
Q2. Whats the most interesting thing you found lying on the street/sidewalk/ground/random place?
A2. a vintage tube guitar head in an abandoned practice space and a small booklet about dreams in the gutter in los angeles.
Q3. Do you have a phobia?
A3. yea, melophobia.
Q4. If you could morph into any animal what would it be?
A4. an earthworm.
Q5. Do you have a lucky charm?
A5. yes, a five gallon bucket of earthworms that i ceremoniously dunk my head in before each show.
Q6. If your music was a cereal, which one would it be and why?
A6. krusty-o’s, because it’s so fucking awesome.
Q7. What is the best show (music) you have ever been too?
A7. possibly jon brion at largo.
Q8. If you could live in any time period or be anyone dead or alive, who would you be or where would you go?
A8. i’d live one thousand years in the future and work as a shift leader at mcdonald’s but moonlight as a party city owner and manager.
Q9. What is something you hate doing, but must do anyways?
A9. smell farts.
Q10. If you had to give up one of your 5 senses, which one would you abandon?
A10. probably smell, because i hate smelling shit smelling farts.
Complex to say the least and experimental with out a doubt. Tera Melos plays their instruments to create unique and different music that is clearly their own style. As there is so much going on in a single Tera Melos song, I can’t help but to feel movement in the music. Sometimes the guitar chords and drum beats flow like a drunken waltz, with coordination hindered one still invents their own fun seamless movements from one dance step to the next . Or one is jerked around on a roller coaster of sound, twisting and bending with the shifting guitar chords and rapid drumming from snare to symbol to bass. There is nothing safe about Tera Melos, pushing their music with honest artistic freedom not every ear is going to fall in love with them, and that’s just one of the many reasons I have.
Please check out more of Tera Melos on their Bandcamp page
My Favorite MAOI 