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	<title>Afrojacks &#187; Interviews</title>
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		<title>Artist Interview: Psych Rockers ‘Mondo Drag’</title>
		<link>http://www.afrojacks.com/artist-interview-psych-rockers-mondo-drag/</link>
		<comments>http://www.afrojacks.com/artist-interview-psych-rockers-mondo-drag/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 05 Apr 2010 18:19:55 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Froman</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Interviews]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Music]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Music You Should Know]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Musicians]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.afrojacks.com/?p=9565</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Don't know who Mondo Drag is? Get your act together dude. The Fro caught up with Iowa's best garage/ psych/space/sludge/stoner rock band ever, Mondo Drag.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>From deep in the cosmos of Iowa comes Mondo Drag, orbiting the planet’s garage, psych, space, sludge and  stoner rock. With a wall of sound all their own, an arsenal of guitars,  and a head full of clouds, the psych rock quintet channels sounds from  the past. One listen to their <a href="http://www.myspace.com/holyrocks" target="_blank">myspace</a> and you can pick up the influences of  Sabbath, Vanilla Fudge, Blue Cheer and countless other successful acts  from the late 60s/early 70s. Sometimes the past sounds refreshingly new.</p>
<p>Their last album <em>New Rituals</em> off Alive Records has become  one of my favorite new listens. The album is characterized by spacey  song intros, powerful grooves and soaring vocals from lead singer Nolan  Girard. Girard is backed up by Jake Sheley (guitar), Johnnie Cluney  (drums and vocals), John Gamino (keyboards and sax), and Dennis Hockaday  (bass).</p>
<p>The other week I gave them a shout out prior to SXSW, and now I had a chance to grab a few minutes with them.</p>
<p><strong>1. For as long as i remember, i&#8217;ve always listened to psych rock acts  like Blue Cheer and Vanilla Fudge. When I first heard your music, as  familiar as it sounded, it sounded refreshingly new (in comparison to  today&#8217;s music). For those not in the know, how would you best describe  your sound?</strong></p>
<p>Mondo Drag:  We&#8217;re into tons of music. lets start with: space  rock, &#8217;70s kraut[rock] scene, proto-metal, beatnik freakbeat, acid folk,  free jazz, psych pop, flamenco, analog electronic, world music,  Japanese psych, early punk, shoegaze &#8212; it&#8217;s a vast range. We&#8217;re into  music that&#8217;s interesting and progressive.</p>
<p><strong>2. Gotta ask, how did you come up with the band name?</strong> <strong> </strong></p>
<p>Mondo Drag:  Mondo Drag can be whatever you want it to  be. a day at the beach, a bad day at work, a large puff of grass. you  know?</p>
<p><strong>3. I got ya. So  how pumped are you guys for SXSW. Is this your first major festival, and  how many shows are you doing? (<em>editor&#8217;s note: this interview was conducted before Mondo Drag melted faces at SXSW</em>)<br />
</strong></p>
<p>Mondo Drag: Yeah, were stoaked to go down. mondo drag has not played texas yet. our tour  publicist carl from action pr really came through for us, he hooked it  up pretty nice. we had a pretty heavy winter back home so we were all  ready to get out of there. this is our first festival. we have five  shows right now, but we are wide open for house parties, gun shows, etc.  we will be down there the whole time. give us a call. 563 449 2660.</p>
<p><strong>4. Your latest album New Rituals  is great. In my opinion it should be heard by all. And like all bands,  you guys want to get your music heard and ideally make a few bucks. So  what&#8217;s your thoughts on file sharing? Good to get your music out or bad  cause you&#8217;re missing out on money?<br />
</strong></p>
<p>Mondo Drag:  well anytime someone hears your band its good, but anytime you  loose money thats bad. the most important thing is for as many people to  hear our record as possible without loosing our asses. file sharing is  cool, its just like making a mixtape for someone. everybody steals  music. im confident that people that like the record will buy it anyhow,  i think in the end it all works out.</p>
<p><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="480" height="385" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/leEhEgdhnXo&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="385" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/leEhEgdhnXo&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></p>
<p><strong>5. Looks like you guys have a huge stretch of touring ahead of you.  So take us backstage at a typical Mondo Drag  show:</strong> <strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Jake and Johnnie are ________, while Dennis is ________,  all while John_______ and Nolan ________.<br />
</strong></p>
<p>Mondo Drag:  Well we do need the proper party favors to get pumped, tea, tea,  beer, snacks, a little conversation. We&#8217;re all very exciting people!</p>
<p>jake  and johnnie are smoking grass and drinking beers while dennis is  drinking coffee and rolling a cagarette, all while jon and nolan shine  their boots and drink more beers.</p>
<p><strong>6. Do you need to be on drugs to create space rock, or are you guys  vice free?</strong> <strong><br />
</strong></p>
<p>Mondo Drag:  We&#8217;re all hooked on a feeling, we&#8217;re high on believing.</p>
<p><a href="../wp-content/uploads/2010/04/mondo.png"><img title="mondo" src="../wp-content/uploads/2010/04/mondo.png" alt="" width="405" height="265" /></a></p>
<p><strong>7. &#8230;That you&#8217;re in love with me? Any bands today you&#8217;d love to share a bill with?  Perhaps some bands we&#8217;ve never heard of.<br />
</strong></p>
<p>Mondo Drag:  We are actually playing with a few of our current favorites in  the next few weeks. black keys, entrance band, dosh, sleepy sun. we  would love to play a show with graveyard, comets on fire, acid motheres  temple, and neil young.</p>
<p><strong>8. Will we ever see you  tour out east? Whats with all the middle america/down south touring.  Come to NYC will ya.</strong></p>
<p>Mondo Drag:  Yes, we actually did come to nyc in the fall of 2008 with our  friends plastic crimewave sound. we played at the knitting factory.  where were you?<br />
<strong>9. When its all said and done, what will the band&#8217;s epitaph read?</strong></p>
<p>Mondo Drag:  Here lies mondo drag, what a bunch of  pricks!</p>
<h2><strong>LINKS! LINKS!</strong></h2>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.myspace.com/holyrocks" target="_blank">MySpace</a></strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://mondodrag.org/" target="_blank">Band Site</a></strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mondo-Drag/247019162859?v=app_2405167945" target="_blank">Facebook</a></strong></p>
<p>﻿</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Artist Spotlight: The Dirty Heads</title>
		<link>http://www.afrojacks.com/afro-exclusive-the-dirty-heads/</link>
		<comments>http://www.afrojacks.com/afro-exclusive-the-dirty-heads/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 26 Mar 2010 19:25:34 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Froman</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Interviews]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Musicians]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Music]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.afrojacks.com/?p=9279</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Dirty Heads are a reggae rock band from Southern California. Their debut album, Any Port In A Storm, was released on September 23, 2008, by Executive Music Group (Fontana/Universal).  “Any Port in a Storm” features some of the final recordings of the late music industry icon Billy Preston. Frequently referred to as “The Fifth [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>The Dirty Heads</strong> are a reggae rock band from Southern California. Their debut album, <em>Any Port In A Storm</em>, was released on September 23, 2008, by Executive Music Group (Fontana/Universal).  “Any Port in a Storm” features some of the final recordings of the late music industry icon Billy Preston. Frequently referred to as “The Fifth Beatle,” Preston played on three tracks, including “Stand Tall,” “Chelsea,” and “Driftin’.” Additional special guests on the album include drummer Josh Freese (A Perfect Circle, NIN, The Vandals) and veteran session percussionist Alex Acuna, whose A-list resume includes such diverse work as Elvis Presley and Weather Report to Jackson Browne, Peter Gabriel and Beck.</p>
<p>The Dirty Heads are:</p>
<p>Dustin Bushnell &#8211; Vocals/Guitar<br />
Jared Watson &#8211; Vocals<br />
Jon Olazabal &#8211; Percussion<br />
Matt Ochoa &#8211; Drums</p>
<p><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="560" height="340" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/t6G4aGizgqs&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="560" height="340" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/t6G4aGizgqs&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></p>
<p>The Fro was able to secure a few minutes with the band to discuss the origin, touring and banging chicks&#8230;you know the usual shit.</p>
<p><strong>How did you guys meet and who came up with the name The Dirty Heads?</strong></p>
<p>Met in school, and the name came from a lyric in one of our old songs wich we played with  duddys brothers band, then people started calling us that,  the lyric &#8220;dirty headed boy&#8221; came from one of our older brothers calling us that</p>
<p><strong>For those not in the know how would you best describe your sound?</strong></p>
<p>Reggae hip hop acoustic</p>
<p><strong>We see you do a ton of touring on the west caost  how has the east coast  been receiving your music and any plans to tour over here?</strong></p>
<p><strong><br />
</strong>We&#8217;ve actually been to the east coast twice and both times were killer. The support and feed back was awesome, planning on a tour soon,</p>
<p><a href="http://www.afrojacks.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/dh2.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-9286" title="dh2" src="http://www.afrojacks.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/dh2.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="400" /></a></p>
<p><strong>You have some great players on the album; M Shadows, Slash, Josh Freese, how did you you guys hook up and how was the recording process?</strong></p>
<p>Been friends with m.shadows and the avenged guys for since childhood, and the rest were met through mutual friends/ musicians,  every one of them were absolutely genius and unbelievable to watch play.</p>
<p><strong>Which song of yours would best make for a porn soundtrack?</strong></p>
<p>All of them. It just depends how hard you&#8217;re fucking!</p>
<p><strong>Right on!</strong></p>
<p>For more music and info check em out <a href="http://www.myspace.com/dirtyheads" target="_blank">here</a></p>
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]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Music You Should Know – Twin Atlantic</title>
		<link>http://www.afrojacks.com/music-you-should-know-twin-atlantic/</link>
		<comments>http://www.afrojacks.com/music-you-should-know-twin-atlantic/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 02 Mar 2010 18:27:01 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Froman</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Interviews]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Music]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Music You Should Know]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Musicians]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.afrojacks.com/?p=8248</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[2010 has been a monster year for Twin Atlantic &#8211; including supporting acts for Blink 182, Biffy Clyro &#038; The Gaslight Anthem. It&#8217;s only up from here. The Breakdown: In the last couple of decades, the city of Glasgow has shone as one of the world&#8217;s most vibrant and diverse music scenes. Twin Atlantic – [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>2010 has been a monster year for Twin Atlantic &#8211; including supporting acts for Blink 182, Biffy Clyro &#038; The Gaslight Anthem. It&#8217;s only up from here.</p>
<p><strong>The Breakdown:</strong></p>
<p>In the last couple of decades, the city of Glasgow has shone as one of the world&#8217;s most vibrant and diverse music scenes. Twin Atlantic – a young four-piece whose ambitious debut mini-album, Vivarium, is packed with enormous sweeping riffs, moods that flit from light to shade, and impassioned vocals dripping with gorgeous Scottish vowels – are powering out of that creative hub of a hometown to take on the world.</p>
<p>The seeds of Twin Atlantic were sown when front man Sam McTrusty and bassist Ross McNae met at school, united by a love of music. Guitarist and cellist Barry McKenna came on board after driving the fledgling band around Scotland to tiny pub gigs. The final piece of the puzzle came in the shape of drummer Craig Kneale, who had been in an earlier band with Ross.</p>
<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s very incestuous scene, but everybody helps each other and it&#8217;s genuine,&#8221; explains Sam. &#8220;If you&#8217;re from Scotland you&#8217;re pretty much an underdog from the start because everything&#8217;s going on in London. I think it&#8217;s awesome that there&#8217;s loads of amazing music getting made in Glasgow.&#8221;</p>
<p><a href="http://www.afrojacks.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/twin-atlantic1.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-8262" title="twin atlantic" src="http://www.afrojacks.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/twin-atlantic1.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="315" /></a></p>
<p><strong>TWIN ATLANTIC</strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Sam McTrusty – Lead Vocals &amp; Guitar</em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Ross McNae – Bass, Piano &amp; Vocals</em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Barry McKenna – Guitar, Cello &amp; Vocals</em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Craig Kneale – Drums &amp; Vocals</em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em><br />
</em></strong></p>
<p><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="425" height="344" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/3njDN2UpRfY&amp;color1=0xb1b1b1&amp;color2=0xcfcfcf&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feature=player_embedded&amp;fs=1" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/3njDN2UpRfY&amp;color1=0xb1b1b1&amp;color2=0xcfcfcf&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feature=player_embedded&amp;fs=1" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></p>
<p>For more music and info check out <a href="http://www.myspace.com/twinatlantic" target="_blank">click here</a></p>
<p>We sat down with band at CMJ to discuss the album and touring in the states&#8230;</p>
<div><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="420" height="339" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="src" value="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/xcfg0r" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="420" height="339" src="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/xcfg0r" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object><br />
<strong><a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/xcfg0r">Twin Atlantic Interview from CMJ</a></strong><br />
<em>by <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/afrojacks">afrojacks</a></em></div>
<p>Sorry for the poor audio but that&#8217;s what you get when a soundcheck is going on.</p>
<p>You can see them now on the Marked Men of 2010 tour. TWIN ATLANTIC have been selected as one of 3 bands to participating in one of the best tours of the Spring! Newcomers to the US rock scene, Twin Atlantic will be joining Envy On The Coast and Fall Of Troy (in what&#8217;s going to be the last FOT tour before they go their separate ways) on a North American spanning 35 dates in 2 month&#8217;s time. The Marked Men Tour will also stop off in Austin for this year&#8217;s South By Southwest (SXSW) festival. Right now you can visit <a href="www.themarkedmenof2010.com" target="_blank">themarkedmenof2010.com</a> and sign up you will receive free MP3 downloads from each of the band&#8217;s participating in the tour.</p>
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		<title>Afro Exclusive: Joe Satriani Interview &amp; Giveaway</title>
		<link>http://www.afrojacks.com/afro-exclusive-joe-satriani-interview/</link>
		<comments>http://www.afrojacks.com/afro-exclusive-joe-satriani-interview/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 19 Feb 2010 01:06:32 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Froman</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Interviews]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Win]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.afrojacks.com/?p=7716</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Afro crew was lucky enough to get 5 minutes with the Satch to find out what he is up to. And by lucky we mean we snuck our midget correspondent into a guitar case and threw him on the tour bus. It&#8217;s hard to escape a sweaty midget on a tour bus so he [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The Afro crew was lucky enough to get 5 minutes with the Satch to find out what he is up to. And by lucky we mean we snuck our midget correspondent into a guitar case and threw him on the tour bus. It&#8217;s hard to escape a sweaty midget on a tour bus so he agreed to answer the questions before kicking him off on the side of the road.</p>
<p><strong>Afro: Aside from being a tremendously talented guitarist, you’ve also found great success in teaching the craft. You&#8217;ve taught some of the biggest names in Rock before they were stars such as, Steve Vai, Tom Morello, &amp; Kirk Hammett.  How does this all come about?  Is there some form of shredder school we are unaware of that you are turning out killer guitarists? And we have to ask, who was the biggest pain to teach?<br />
</strong><br />
Satriani: Never taught Tom Morello, but have played with him a few times, he is completely amazing! Teaching just happened because people started asking me for lessons, so I acquiesced. I like getting other players to reach their full potential. I’m afraid I’ve been the biggest pain to teach; sometimes I can be so spacey!</p>
<p><strong>Afro: So congrats on the new CD/DVD release.  What are some of the highlights on Live in Paris: I Just Wanna Rock? </strong></p>
<p>Satriani: I am always amazed when we have just one night to record/film and be great, and it all works out beautifully. We were really on fire that night, and sounded like a real band.</p>
<p><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="560" height="340" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xnVfSmR4s84&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="560" height="340" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xnVfSmR4s84&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></p>
<p>and the classic Satch Boogie</p>
<p><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="560" height="340" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/U7-lB2vSKs0&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="560" height="340" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/U7-lB2vSKs0&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></p>
<p><strong>Afro: Out of all of the youtube clips of people trying to play our stuff, have you ever seen someone who actually impressed you? </strong></p>
<p>Satriani: There’s a clip of an eight-year-old <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TIq6GwejJE" target="_blank">Chinese girl playing “Always With Me, Always With You”</a> on a Chinese television show that is awe-inspiring. But, I particularly like the clips of me where someone overdubs some hideous guitar playing over my performance; those clips have me rolling on the floor laughing my head off…</p>
<p><strong>Check him out &#8220;shredding&#8221; </strong></p>
<p><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="560" height="340" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8Vml7SwxXTI&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="560" height="340" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8Vml7SwxXTI&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></p>
<p><strong>Afro: You&#8217;ve toured with so many great guitarists over the years. Is there anyone you wish you could have played with? </strong></p>
<p>Satriani: Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, Eddie Van Halen to name a few…</p>
<p><strong>Afro: How has it been playing with Chicken Foot? Being you are all well-established musicians, how is the song writing process?  Do any egos get in the way? </strong></p>
<p>Satriani: No egos, just fun, all the time. Sammy and I get together and write quite a bit, we have a good chemistry going. We each bring in musical and lyrical ideas and try to go with the moment. Then when the band hears it, we all shape the arrangements.</p>
<p><strong>Afro: As big Spinal Tap fans, we’re well aware of your contribution to the track “Break Like the Wind.” Tell us how it was recording the track with those guys, and all the other contributing musicians. It is like the We are the world for guitarists (Slash, Beck, Lukather) </strong></p>
<p>Satriani: Unfortunately, we were never at the same studio at the same time. They didn’t even play me the other guys’ solos until I was finished with mine, but somehow all the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7V406XfAaI" target="_blank">solos worked together</a>!</p>
<p><strong>Afro: With everything you&#8217;ve accomplished so far, what is next for The Satch? </strong></p>
<p>Satriani: Writing and recording a solo CD, writing and recording Chickenfoot 2, but first, I’m going out on the Experience Hendrix Tour this March. I’m looking forward to a very busy year!</p>
<p><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="480" height="270" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="name" value="cfvp" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#000000" /><param name="align" value="middle" /><param name="flashvars" value="srcVid=2009-12_greeting_480x270.m4v&amp;autoplay=false" /><param name="src" value="http://www.chickenfoot.us/podcast/cfwidget.swf" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="270" src="http://www.chickenfoot.us/podcast/cfwidget.swf" quality="high" flashvars="srcVid=2009-12_greeting_480x270.m4v&amp;autoplay=false" align="middle" bgcolor="#000000" name="cfvp"></embed></object><br />
<a href="http://www.chickenfoot.us">visit chickenfoot.us for more info</a></p>
<p><strong>Afro: Sounds like a great year! Thanks for taking the time.</strong></p>
<p>Everyone be sure to check out the DVD <a href="http://www.satriani.com/discography/Live_In_Paris-I_Just_Wanna_Rock/promo/" target="_blank">here</a> and be on the look out for the new <a href="http://www.chickenfoot.us/" target="_blank">Chickenfoot</a> disc as well as the <a href="http://www.experiencehendrixtour.com/" target="_blank">Experience Hendrix Tour</a> this March.</p>
<h1>WIN WIN WIN WIN!!!</h1>
<p><strong>Right now, courtesy of Joe Satriani &amp; Ibanez you have your chance to design your own Ibanez specialty guitar!  Go to the following link for all the details on how to enter: <a href="http://web.epicrecords.com/joesatriani/guitardesign" target="_blank">http://web.epicrecords.com/joesatriani/guitardesign</a>.  To go along with the custom guitar, one winner will also receive a Vox Satchurator pedal, a Planet Waves strap, and Joe Satriani&#8217;s new CD &amp; DVD &#8220;Live In Paris: I Just Wanna Rock&#8221;</strong></p>
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		<title>Music You Should Know: Atomic Tom</title>
		<link>http://www.afrojacks.com/music-you-should-know-atomic-tom/</link>
		<comments>http://www.afrojacks.com/music-you-should-know-atomic-tom/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 09 Feb 2010 04:50:06 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Froman</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Interviews]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Musicians]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Music You Should Know]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.afrojacks.com/?p=7283</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Atomic Tom’s journey really began back in 2007, when four guys met at a crossroads – a place they&#8217;d each arrived with their individual instruments and talents, seeking allies in pursuit of a bigger sound. Those four guys were Luke White (Vocals/Guitar), Eric Espiritu (Vocals/Lead Guitar), Phil Galitzine (Bass) and Tobias Smith (Drums). White, who [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Atomic Tom’s journey really began back in 2007, when four guys met at a crossroads – a place they&#8217;d each arrived with their individual instruments and talents, seeking allies in pursuit of a bigger sound. Those four guys were Luke White (Vocals/Guitar), Eric Espiritu (Vocals/Lead Guitar), Phil Galitzine (Bass) and Tobias Smith (Drums). White, who has been the front man for AT, believes a mutual love and respect for music brought the band together, “If we had just wanted to make a name for ourselves and get famous, we wouldn’t have come together the way we did. What we’re pursuing is more like a musical legacy, and we’ve learned that with each other, that legacy is much stronger.”</p>
<p>Check out the interview from CMJ Week in NYC</p>
<div><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="600" height="484" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="src" value="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/xc5t9o" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="600" height="484" src="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/xc5t9o" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object><br />
<strong><a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/xc5t9o">Atomic Tom &#8211; CMJ 2009 Interview &#8211; AfroJacks.com</a></strong><br />
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<p>To even call White a front man might be a misnomer – it’s much more tied to the attention he demands when he takes center stage. But the band speaks of themselves almost as a musical collective. Espiritu offers, “Writing is a collaborative process, and that often allows a sound to grow more organically. “ Listening to some of Atomic Tom’s veteran tracks like “Take Me Out” and “You Always Get What You Want” have orchestral sized sound with a deep pop rock footing. But early listenings to songs from their upcoming debut album like “We Were Never Meant to Be” and “The Moment” have a level of lyrical and musical depth that suggest real growth from the band and offer the listener a new reason to listen again and again.</p>
<p>The awareness of audience in Atomic Tom’s new sound is fitting for a band that has taken so comfortably to the demands of touring. Though they call New York City home, Atomic Tom consider themselves a traveling act. “We like to think of ourselves as modern day rogue gypsies, “ jokes White, “The stage is our home but it’s constantly changing. We leave everything on each stage as if it were our first and last.”</p>
<p>For now, the future of Atomic Tom looks and sounds exceedingly promising. With songs already making their way on to shows like “The Hills” and their new album garnering strong buzz through out the industry, it would be easy to understand if Atomic Tom went Hollywood on us.</p>
<p>Thankfully, AT is that rare glimpse of honest talent in a musical world overrun with too many ‘somebodies.’ “We know who we are,” explains White, “and because of that, our sound may change as we grow as a band, but we’ll always inherently be the same people. Four guys, four instruments, and one evolving sound.”</p>
<p>Listen to the evolution of Atomic Tom when their new album arrives early 2010. Check out their myspace <a href="http://www.myspace.com/atomictom" target="_blank">here</a></p>
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		<title>Exclusive Interview with Michael Ironside: The Bannen Way</title>
		<link>http://www.afrojacks.com/exclusive-interview-with-michael-ironside-the-bannen-way/</link>
		<comments>http://www.afrojacks.com/exclusive-interview-with-michael-ironside-the-bannen-way/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 23 Jan 2010 16:47:58 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Froman</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Interviews]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Other]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.afrojacks.com/?p=6567</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[AfroJacks.com hot celebrity reporter Dani T recently sat down with Movie and Television star Michael Ironside (&#8220;Terminator Salvation,” Total Recall,&#8221; “Smallville”) to discuss his new project: Sony Pictures Television&#8217;s The Bannen Way, which premiered on Crackle.com. THE BANNEN WAY is the highly-anticipated, sexy, fast-paced series starring Mark Gantt (“Ocean’s Eleven”); Vanessa Marcil (&#8220;Lipstick Jungle,&#8221; &#8220;Las [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>AfroJacks.com hot celebrity reporter Dani T recently sat down with Movie and Television star <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000461/" target="_blank">Michael Ironside</a> (&#8220;Terminator Salvation,” Total Recall,&#8221; “Smallville”) to discuss his new project: Sony Pictures Television&#8217;s <em>The Bannen Way</em>, which premiered on <a href="http://www.crackle.com/c/The_Bannen_Way/1_The_Criminal_Lifestyle/2480290/" target="_blank">Crackle.com</a>.</p>
<p><strong>THE BANNEN WAY</strong> is the highly-anticipated, sexy, fast-paced series starring <strong>Mark Gantt</strong> (“Ocean’s Eleven”); <strong>Vanessa Marcil</strong> (&#8220;Lipstick Jungle,&#8221; &#8220;Las Vegas&#8221;); <strong>Gabriel Tigerman</strong> (“Supernatural”); <strong>Michael Ironside</strong> (&#8220;Terminator Salvation,” Total Recall,&#8221; “Smallville”); Academy-Award® nominee <strong>Robert Forster</strong> (“Jackie Brown,” “Heroes”);  and special guest star, Academy-Award® nominee <strong>Michael Lerner</strong> (“Entourage,” &#8220;Elf,&#8221; “Barton Fink”).</p>
<p><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="500" height="281" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="name" value="mtgPlayer" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#869ca7" /><param name="align" value="middle" /><param name="flashvars" value="id=2480290&amp;mu=0&amp;ap=0" /><param name="src" value="http://www.crackle.com/p/The_Bannen_Way/1_The_Criminal_Lifestyle.swf" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="500" height="281" src="http://www.crackle.com/p/The_Bannen_Way/1_The_Criminal_Lifestyle.swf" quality="high" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="id=2480290&amp;mu=0&amp;ap=0" align="middle" bgcolor="#869ca7" name="mtgPlayer"></embed></object><br />
From Crackle: <a style="text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; word-wrap: break-word;" title="1: The Criminal Lifestyle" href="http://www.crackle.com/c/The_Bannen_Way/1_The_Criminal_Lifestyle/2480290/">1: The Criminal Lifestyle</a></p>
<p>The high-octane, slick new series follows Neal Bannen (Mark Gantt), a charming con-man and thief with a police chief for a father (Michael Ironside); a mob boss for an uncle (Robert Forster); and a penchant for fine women – like Madison (Vanessa Marcil), who wants to turn his life around and leave the criminal lifestyle once and for all. All Bannen has to do is complete one more job in order to pay off his debt to a notorious gangster…which just doesn’t work out as easily as he’d hoped.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.afrojacks.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/ironside.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-6583" title="ironside" src="http://www.afrojacks.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/ironside.jpg" alt="" width="580" height="300" /></a></p>
<div>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Afro</strong>- You’ve had hundreds of roles throughout your career ranging from TV to Movies and more recently from Video Games to the Internet.  Out of all of the characters you played which type are the hardest to prepare for?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Michael</strong> – Some of the unhealthy characters over the years especially the sicker ones.  I did a film called Visiting Hours</span><span style="font-size: small;"> way back in the early 80’s </span><span style="font-size: small;">where I played a violent serial killer. </span><span style="font-size: small;">I</span><span style="font-size: small;"> see </span><span style="font-size: small;">violence </span><span style="font-size: small;">as a mental illness because it isn’t natural to people and</span><span style="font-size: small;"> I had to play that character </span><span style="font-size: small;">for 42</span><span style="font-size: small;"> days in a row,  mostly night shoots and it was difficult because when you are doing something like that you really can’t shut the motor off&#8230; you kind of are just in neutral at night and try to stay to yourself. I don’t mean you are going to go out and kill some</span><span style="font-size: small;">body</span><span style="font-size: small;"> I mean these are very sad, unhealthy, uncomfortable, frightened people. It was hard to do that but the end product was cool.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Afro</strong> &#8211; Are there any roles you passed up on that you wish you didn’t?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Michael </strong>– I have, there have been about 2 or 3 but I really don’t want to talk about them because I think they are doing justice to the people that did them. It is kinda unfair…it is</span><span style="font-size: small;"> like saying yeah, but what if? </span><span style="font-size: small;">And if I had to do it over again I would probably do the same thing.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Afro</strong>- </span><span style="font-size: small;">What is the worst script you’ve ever read?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Michael </strong>–  There are some</span> <span style="font-size: small;">thing</span><span style="font-size: small;">s</span><span style="font-size: small;"> that really just don’t work and I get a lot of scripts sent to me and it is so hard to find a good one. </span><span style="font-size: small;"> I get about </span><span style="font-size: small;">3-4</span><span style="font-size: small;"> a week sent to me.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> You find 1 out of a hundred that you want to do and probably one out of five hundred that breaks your heart when you don&#8217;t get to do it.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Afro</strong> &#8211; How did you get involved with The Bannen Way?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Michael </strong>– Well The Bannen Way was one of those scripts that I was reading. A friend of mine from my agency sent it my way and said I should really have a look at this.  I read it and it was absolutely charming, well written, </span><span style="font-size: small;">witty and clever. A</span><span style="font-size: small;">fter 99 scripts that don’t work </span><span style="font-size: small;">it is such a pleasure to read something that does. I actually read it twice to make sure I wasn’t out of my mind. So I met with them and they were just as charming, witty and talented as the script was.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">Bad scripts…I just read one and I just said ugh&#8230; and I have this tendency to feel bad if I don’t read at least half of it before I realize it is as bad as it really is. I find I fall asleep when reading bad ones because it takes so much effort to follow a bad story.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Afro</strong>- Can you tell us more about The Bannen Way and the character you play?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Michael</strong> –The story is based around Mark Gantt’s character (Neal Bannen) who is kind of a con man. He is a flashy guy/ladies man who is into fast cars and gambling that sort of thing.  I play his father the chief of police (Chief Bannen) and Robert Forster plays his uncle (Mr.B) who is the head of the local crime family. He (Neal Bannen) is caught between the two of us. We are kind of like the ying and yang of his life. He owes the mob a lot of money and I’m trying to get him to turn evidence over on my brother, his uncle. So the there are numerous conflicts for Mark Gantt’s character. It is a very very clever piece and I had a great time doing it.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Afro</strong> &#8211; With The Bannen Way premiering on Crackle.com Do you think more movies and shows will premiere on the internet first…what are your thoughts on this new way </span><span style="font-size: small;">of releasing  a project?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Michael</strong> &#8211; I see it as a sign of the times. Money is very very tight these days. It&#8217;s the same as television and movies back in the 50&#8242;s had to find a way to coexist I think the internet is working its way in there too. And with money being tight they need to find more than one delivery system. This project (The Bannen Way) is an example of something that first starts off as a web series. Then is can become a Movie of the Week or a DVD release and then it&#8217;s also acting as a pilot for network television.  I think the days of shooting a pilot for network television and if it doesn&#8217;t work out just throwing it away are gone.<br />
</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Afro</strong> &#8211; What are some of your favorite websites you go on?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Michael</strong> &#8211; I&#8217;m a bit of a Luddite&#8230;some favorite sites would be online poker, sports sites especially hockey being I&#8217;m Canadian, it is in my DNA.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Afro</strong>- We&#8217;ll just say you also love AfroJacks.com and Crackle.com for good measure.<br />
</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Afro </strong>- What are your thoughts on the growing popularity of gossip sites and celebrity blogs?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Michael</strong> &#8211; I stay away from all of that stuff. My grandfather use to stay &#8220;don&#8217;t trust anything you read and only half of what you see&#8221; and I think that is pretty good advice. It is so easy to damage somebody&#8217;s  personality with the wrong information.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;">Big thanks to Michael for taking the time to speak with us and we wish him the best with The Bannen Way. It is a great series full of action and hot chicks but more importantly shows that the internet is becoming the go to place for new releases so be sure to show some love and check it out.</span></p>
<p><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="500" height="281" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="name" value="mtgPlayer" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#869ca7" /><param name="align" value="middle" /><param name="flashvars" value="id=2480282&amp;mu=0&amp;ap=0" /><param name="src" value="http://www.crackle.com/p/The_Bannen_Way/2_The_Offer.swf" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="500" height="281" src="http://www.crackle.com/p/The_Bannen_Way/2_The_Offer.swf" quality="high" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="id=2480282&amp;mu=0&amp;ap=0" align="middle" bgcolor="#869ca7" name="mtgPlayer"></embed></object></p>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12px; width: 500px;">From Crackle: <a style="text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; word-wrap: break-word;" title="2: The Offer" href="http://www.crackle.com/c/The_Bannen_Way/2_The_Offer/2480282/">2: The Offer</a></div>
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		<title>Artist Spotlight: Dead By Sunrise</title>
		<link>http://www.afrojacks.com/artist-interview-dead-by-sunrise/</link>
		<comments>http://www.afrojacks.com/artist-interview-dead-by-sunrise/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 10 Jan 2010 08:03:39 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Froman</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Interviews]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Music]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Musicians]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false"></guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Fro got 4 questions in with Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington and his new band Dead By Sunrise. Dead By Sunrise is Bennington, Ryan Shuck and Amir Derakh, formerly of Orgy and current Julien-K members, Brandon Belsky, Elias Andra, and Anthony “FU” Valcic. “It was just me writing the lyrics this time around, so [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The Fro got 4 questions in with Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington and his new band Dead By Sunrise.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.myspace.com/deadbysunrise" target="_blank">Dead By Sunrise</a> is Bennington, Ryan Shuck and Amir Derakh, formerly of Orgy and current Julien-K members, Brandon Belsky, Elias Andra, and Anthony “FU” Valcic. “It was just me writing the lyrics this time around, so I was very straight to the point, very forward, and very personal with the lyrics for this record,” Bennington says of his first endeavor outside Linkin Park. “I got to the point where I thought, ‘Okay, it’s time to be real.’”</p>
<p>The album <strong>Out of Ashes</strong> is out today.</p>
<p><strong>FROMAN: Dead by Sunrise has more of a metal feel to it than Linkin Park, is this a sound you are looking to pursue?</strong></p>
<p>DEAD BY SUNRISE (CHESTER): I wouldn’t say it’s metal so much&#8230;I think it has more of a grungy sound to it, but there are metal elements to the record, and that’s a style we also like.</p>
<p><strong>FROMAN: Everyone has a couple guilty pleasure songs mine is Boz Scaggs- Lido Shuffle, I love that dumb ass song. What&#8217;s your favorite guilty pleasure band/song? </strong></p>
<p>CHESTER: You Spin Me Right ‘Round – Dead Or Alive</p>
<p><strong><br />
FROMAN: If you were to go to the P section in the artist list on your ipod, what would the first artist that comes up?</strong></p>
<p>CHESTER: Proxy<strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>FROMAN: Out of all the years of being a musician what was your favorite year?</strong></p>
<p>CHESTER: This one by far.</p>
<p><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="560" height="340" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/-ycKNQJSrbE&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="560" height="340" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/-ycKNQJSrbE&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></p>
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		<title>Artist Spotlight: Cream Pie</title>
		<link>http://www.afrojacks.com/artist-interview-cream-pie/</link>
		<comments>http://www.afrojacks.com/artist-interview-cream-pie/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:10:54 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Froman</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Interviews]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Music]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Musicians]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false"></guid>
		<description><![CDATA[In Italy 2005, Nikki Dick sought out to form a band in the spirit of 80s hair metal. Four years later, Cream Pie has relocated to Florida and is melting faces in the name of GnR, Skid Row, Crue, LA Guns, W.A.S.P. and every other sleeze rock/hair band that we love. The band&#8217;s debut album [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>In Italy 2005, Nikki Dick sought out to form a band in the spirit of 80s hair metal. Four years later, <a href="http://www.myspace.com/creampieblue" target="_blank">Cream Pie</a> has relocated to Florida and is melting faces in the name of GnR, Skid Row, Crue, LA Guns, W.A.S.P. and every other sleeze rock/hair band that we love. The band&#8217;s debut album Dirty Job was released in 2008, and the band continues to tour, and has discovered a great deal of success on myspace. We caught up with Nikki (guitar), Phantom (guitar), and Brian Kent (drums) . . .</p>
<p><strong>FROMAN: What are your feelings on the music industry today?</strong></p>
<p>Nikki: It&#8217;s kinda a jungle. There are thousands bands and artists playin&#8217; all kinds of music and ready to sell their asses to even do something bigger.<br />
Brian: I totally agree with Nikki, there are lots of bands in the music industry, and the majority of these bands are very ridiculous.</p>
<p><strong>FROMAN: Who are your biggest musical influences?</strong></p>
<p>Nikki: Personally the street metal of the 80&#8242;s (Guns N&#8217; Roses majorly), Beatles, Stones, Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Metallica, Sex Pistols&#8230;and I love Chinese Democracy.<br />
Phantom: 80s street rock and glam metal, but also punk rock and a bit of thrash metal and visual kei.<br />
Brian: I&#8217;m influenced by bands like Guns N&#8217; Roses, Motley Crue, Aerosmith, Kiss, Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Metallica, Def Leppard, AC/DC, L.A. Guns, Cinderella, Skid Row, Whitesnake, Hanoi Rocks, W.A.S.P., Ramones.</p>
<p><strong>FROMAN: What&#8217;s different about your music that makes it worth listening to?</strong></p>
<p>Nikki: Oh man, I don&#8217;t know&#8230; let me think&#8230; the energy, the attitude and the songs&#8217; quality I guess.<br />
Phantom: We take it seriously!!<br />
Brian: The rage and the spontaneity of our songs.</p>
<p><strong>FROMAN: What&#8217;s the worst thing that&#8217;s ever happened during a live performance?</strong></p>
<p>Nikki: The sound on stage is messed up almost everytime thanks to the genius soundguys that we find in the clubs.<br />
Phantom: The drums wasn&#8217;t there! hahah</p>
<p><strong>FROMAN:  You guys know in America, a cream pie refers to a vagina that&#8217;s had a load of semen shot into it.(And note, semen ON a vagina is NOT a cream pie. Cream pies have cream on the INSIDE. A vagina that merely has semen ON it is just a messy vagina). Is this what you guys were going for when naming the band? I mean, pie is american, why not go for canoli?</strong></p>
<p>Nikki: Actually canoli is an american word too. The italian one is &#8220;cannuoli&#8221;. And anyway it would sound really bad. So yeah, let&#8217;s think about the messy vagina and keep it like Cream Pie.</p>
<p><strong>FROMAN:  The music scene desperately needs more hard rockin, adrenaline powered, pussy smashing rock music. For those who don&#8217;t know about Cream Pie, what will one see and hear at a Cream Pie concert?</strong></p>
<p>Nikki: Surely a very good show, a lot of guitar playin&#8217;, a lot of screamin&#8217;, a powerful drumming, some throbbing basslines, a lot of energy, attitude, and much much fun.<br />
Phantom: and some naked Italian guys!<br />
Brian: Our shows are totally crazy, nobody knows what can really happen.</p>
<p><strong>FROMAN:  You guys were inspired by the hair metal scene. What&#8217;s your all-star hair band if you could create one? Who plays what?</strong></p>
<p>Nikki: I&#8217;d just leave the bands like they were, everyone was perfect in their own time. Don&#8217;t make me fuck things up and create some kind of monster!</p>
<p>Brian: It&#8217;s very easy: Axl Rose, Slash, Izzy Stradlin, Duff McKagan, Steven Adler, anything else?</p>
<p><strong>FROMAN:  Who gets the most pussy in the band?</strong></p>
<p>Phantom: Brian, absolutely, then me! hahaha<br />
Brian: I really don&#8217;t know, we don&#8217;t count the pussy we get.</p>
<p><strong>FROMAN:  What the major differences between Italian and American groupies?</strong></p>
<p>Brian: There are no differences for me, the pussy is always the pussy!!!<br />
Phantom: Italian groupies don&#8217;t exist, those girls just want to fuck someone at the show&#8230;which is good!!</p>
<p><em>check out some vids </em><a href="http://www.myspace.com/creampieblue" target="_blank"><em>here</em></a></p>
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		<title>Artist Spotlight: The Dear Hunter</title>
		<link>http://www.afrojacks.com/artist-spotlight-the-dear-hunter/</link>
		<comments>http://www.afrojacks.com/artist-spotlight-the-dear-hunter/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 24 Aug 2009 10:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Froman</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Interviews]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Music]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Musicians]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[FROMAN: For the few people who don&#8217;t know, how would you best describe the band? THE DEAR HUNTER (ANDY WILDRICK): We&#8217;re a little indie rock. We&#8217;re a little progressive rock. We&#8217;re a little ambient mellow rock&#8230;and we&#8217;re quite a bit classic rock. We like harmonies a lot and we don&#8217;t believe you have to play [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>FROMAN: For the few people who don&#8217;t know, how would you best describe the band?</strong></span></p>
<p>THE DEAR HUNTER (ANDY WILDRICK): We&#8217;re a little indie rock.  We&#8217;re a little progressive rock.  We&#8217;re a little ambient mellow rock&#8230;and we&#8217;re quite a bit classic rock.  We like harmonies a lot and we don&#8217;t believe you have to play a million notes to get a good point across.<br />
<strong><br />
FROMAN: How did you come up with the name?</strong></p>
<p>DH: Casey came up with it about 8 years ago when he was still in high school.  The play on words is pretty cool I think.<br />
<strong><br />
FROMAN: How has it been touring with the new album? Any new elements you added to this tour?</strong></p>
<p>DH: : Touring with a new album makes things more exciting that’s for sure.  It’s always more fun to play new songs and to try and win the audience over with them.  The long time fans that have been coming out to shows are so excited to get ACT III in their hands&#8230;and they try to guess what new songs we&#8217;re going to choose to play.</p>
<p>The newest thing to the band is our reunion with original bass player Josh Rheault.  He makes 6 people on stage and plays the acoustic guitar, keyboards, glockenspiel and has a great voice for background vocals.  We have every person in the band singing throughout the set now.   We even do a near a capella version of a song.  It takes a lot more rehearsal to get everyone singing strongly, but it’s so rewarding when it’s tight.</p>
<p><strong>FROMAN: What are your thoughts on the band deer hunter? Do you think this confuses people?</strong></p>
<p>DH: I do think it confuses people.  It’s really hard to tell who had the name first.  And neither band probably thought it would matter at the time.  It looks like both were conceived in the same year.  If both bands can be successful, I think more people will be able to separate the two.  It could even become an interesting conversation topic.  And I can see how both bands could appeal to fans of the other.  I feel like all the music falls under the indie rock realm.  I think it would be fun to do a tour with them honestly.  A lot of people definitely asked me if we were touring with Nine Inch Nails last year&#8230;because Deerhunter was.  haha.<br />
<strong><br />
FROMAN: What&#8217;s the inspiration behind the concept albums?</strong></p>
<p>DH: The inspiration is a fictional story taking place during WW1 that involves the coming of age of a boy whose mother is a prostitute and whose father is unknown.  The boy grows up and struggles with emotional battles within himself that are deeply rooted in the past.  Some songs are used to try and convey the character&#8217;s emotional struggles.  Other songs are more literal, and take the standpoint of different characters involved in specific events&#8230;such as a thief scheming to steal from the main character.  Sometimes there&#8217;s even dialogue and sometimes songs are written from an observant narrator&#8217;s standpoint.  But everything follows a story that’s already written.</p>
<p><strong>FROMAN: What are your thoughts on the music industry today?</strong></p>
<p>DH: The music industry is secure in knowing that people still love music and will continue to seek out what appeals to them.  What is unknown is a standard for how to make money as a musician today.  It must be equally hard for companies to turn a profit with so many expenses, as well.  There isn&#8217;t enough money to go around to all the bands trying to be popular.  I feel like whoever can make it through the next five years while still putting out quality music will be on top when the time comes.  Longevity has quite a bit to do with overall success in some cases.  Music goers seem very excited about vinyl again which is awesome.  People like having a nice product in hand to represent a band that they love&#8230;and records look the most artistic.  We are asked daily if we have any plans to release something on vinyl.  And we do.<br />
<strong><br />
FROMAN: Are you pro music/file sharing?</strong></p>
<p>DH: It’s kind of a pain that it exists honestly.  If someone told me I could never download something again I wouldn&#8217;t be too hurt.  I&#8217;ve been playing in bands and have been trying to sell records for a long time. Since the beginning, people have come up to me and said, &#8220;You know people are just going to download it and not pay for it.&#8221;  After you hear that a thousand times, it starts to become an annoying frustration that nobody can really do anything about.   I would actually prefer if someone had to put 10 dollars in an envelope and mail it to my band to get the CD.  At least then I would know where the money was going.  It seems like money has to be transferred through too many mediums between the consumer and the artists&#8230;and everyone enjoys taking a piece.</p>
<p><strong>FROMAN: Which band member is most likely to roofie a chick? </strong></p>
<p>DH: I’ve done it a dozen or so times already&#8230;.so I guess I am.  Righttttt. We&#8217;re good moral guys actually that just like to write songs about prostitutes and guns and poison and other cool shit.</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14px;"><strong><br />
</strong><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>The Dear Hunter &#8211; The Church and The Dime</strong></span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size: 14px;"><strong><br />
THE BREAKDOWN: </strong></span></p>
<p>The Dear Hunter started as a solo side project by singer and keyboardist Casey Crescenzo, formerly a key member of Boston emo act the Receiving End of Sirens. An outlet for Crescenzo&#8217;s songs that didn&#8217;t fit the Receiving End of Sirens&#8217; heavy post-hardcore vibe, the Dear Hunter was initially envisioned as a concurrent project. Indeed, Crescenzo&#8217;s first gig as the Dear Hunter was an opening slot for the Receiving End of Sirens, at which he was backed by the other members of the band. Shortly afterward, however, Crescenzo decided to leave the Receiving End of Sirens and focus full-time on the Dear Hunter.</p>
<p>Following a self-released EP taster called Dear Ms. Leading, Crescenzo wrote and recorded the full-length concept album Act I: The Lake South, the River North. The story of a young boy&#8217;s birth, adolescence, and death, the album matches the exceedingly sensitive lyrics with prog-influenced chamber pop arrangements played almost entirely by Crescenzo, with a few family members and friends helping out on drums, keyboards, trumpet, and harmony vocals. For touring purposes, Crescenzo &#8212; now calling himself Casey Blue in the band&#8217;s official bio &#8212; put together a full-band version of the Dear Hunter with guitarist Erick Serna, additional keyboardist Luke Dent, and drummer Sam Dent. The lineup was used to record an even more dynamic and symphonic second album in 2007, titled Act II: The Meaning of, and All Things Regarding Ms. Leading.</p>
<p><em>~ Stewart Mason, All Music Guide</em></p>
<p>The band&#8217;s latest full length, Act III: Life and Death was released on June 23rd.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.myspace.com/thedearhunter" target="_blank"><strong>MySpace</strong></a></strong></p>
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		<title>An Exclusive Interview with Patton Oswalt</title>
		<link>http://www.afrojacks.com/an-exclusive-interview-with-patton-oswalt/</link>
		<comments>http://www.afrojacks.com/an-exclusive-interview-with-patton-oswalt/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2009 09:27:57 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Froman</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Comedians]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Interviews]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Other]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[comedians]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Patton Oswalt has been headlining at comedy clubs all over the United States since 1996, as well as appearing in his own standup specials on Comedy Central and HBO. He was chosen as Entertainment Weekly&#8217;s &#8220;It&#8221; comedian in 2002. You&#8217;ve seen him on Late Night with Conan O&#8217;Brien, Seinfeld and NewsRadio and films &#8220;Starsky &#38; [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Patton Oswalt has been headlining at comedy clubs all over the United States since 1996, as well as appearing in his own standup specials on Comedy Central and HBO. He was chosen as Entertainment Weekly&#8217;s &#8220;It&#8221; comedian in 2002. You&#8217;ve seen him on Late Night with Conan O&#8217;Brien, Seinfeld and NewsRadio and films &#8220;Starsky &amp; Hutch,&#8221; &#8220;Man on the Moon&#8221; and &#8220;Magnolia.&#8221;</p>
<p>Oswalt recently completed filming in an upcoming drama titled <em>Big Fan</em>, written and directed by former The Onion editor-in-chief and The Wrestler writer Robert D. Siegel. Oswalt portrays Paul, an eccentric parking lot attendant and a &#8220;big fan&#8221; of the New York Giants, who attempts to follow and meet his favorite player but ends up dealing with consequences after a violent confrontation between the two.</p>
<p>Also, earlier this year, Patton recorded his third comedy album and a new Comedy Central special at the Lisner Auditorium in Washington D.C. It will be called <a href="http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&amp;VideoID=61281479" target="_blank">My Weakness is Strong</a> and will be released on August 25, 2009.</p>
<p><strong><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br />
A FIRESIDE CHAT WITH FROMAN <span style="font-size: 12px;">(without the fireside)</span>. . .</span></strong></p>
<p><strong><br />
FROMAN:</strong> Big Fan is your first lead role in a film, how does it feel to carry a film on your own, especially in such a dramatic dark comedy directed &amp; Written by Robert Siegel who&#8217;s hot off the success of the Wrestler?</p>
<p>PATTON: Like I’ve got a sack of walnuts on my back and they each weigh as much as ten battleships.  But they sing to me, so it’s okay.</p>
<p><strong>FROMAN:</strong> I&#8217;ve seen you play NYC a couple years ago (at the late Mo&#8217;pitkins, RIP) and your stand up routine is one of the best.  I also love when you pop up in movies and shows because you often steal the scene.  What do you like better, acting or stand up?</p>
<p>PO: Acting has better craft services, but stand-up usually has better mixed drinks.</p>
<p><strong>FROMAN:</strong> Big Fan is about a die hard Giants fan who has his life ruined after his favorite player beats him up.  I met you at the bar after your stand up show and you were super nice but have you ever had  your love of something completely tainted after you found out the artist/actor/director/etc was a douche bag?</p>
<p>PO: Angela Landsbury stabbed me when I tried to get her to sign my Bedknobs and Broomsticks poster.   Otherwise, everyone’s been very sweet.</p>
<p><strong>FROMAN:</strong> You&#8217;re one of my favorite guests on Doug Benson&#8217;s I Love Movies pod cast, partially because you&#8217;re such a movie nerd.  Where did your love for movies come from and what are you excited to see coming out soon? Whats the one DVD you own and couldn&#8217;t live without?</p>
<p>PO: It comes from an ancient gypsy curse that can only be removed if I defeat ten false men in punching combat.  And I could not live without my “How to Operate Your Sanyo DVD Player” instructional DVD.</p>
<p><strong>FROMAN:</strong> Most comedians draw from their past whether it be good or bad for inspiration in their stand up, what got you into comedy and what are some of your inspirations?</p>
<p>PO: Our Lord and savior Jesus Christ got me into comedy.   And I am inspired by my complete lack of any sort of faith.</p>
<p><strong>FROMAN:</strong> Have you had any horrible hecklers at your shows?  How do you typically deal with that, and if you have any, whats your best heckler story?</p>
<p>PO: Every single one my my shows has ended within five minutes of me starting by people screaming at me to stop.    I deal with it through alcohol consumption.<br />
<strong><br />
FROMAN:</strong> Whats the one joke/situation you wish you could take back because it just bombed (on stage or in real life)?</p>
<p>PO: Some well-intentioned but tasteless limericks at my grandfather’s funeral.</p>
<p><strong>FROMAN:</strong> How did you get your start as a comedian/TV Show writer and what advice would you give kids out there that want to get started?</p>
<p>PO: I applied at the TV Writer Store.   Drop by — they’ve got free coffee!</p>
<p><strong>FROMAN:</strong> What bands are you listening to right now and who&#8217;s putting on a kick ass live show?</p>
<p>PO: I’m enjoying S.O.S.O.S., which is a band from Spain which covers Erasure covering Abba.   Best live performer is still Leon Redbone, but I wish he’d cut down on the pyrotechnics and lasers.</p>
<p><strong>FROMAN:</strong> You&#8217;re a married family man now, but as women like to lie and say they are attracted to a man with a sense of humor,  back in the day did you ever score some ladies from the crowd after your shows?</p>
<p>PO: If I did, it’s been stricken from the fossil record.<br />
<span style="font-size: 14px;"><strong><br />
BIG FAN HITS THEATERS 8/28</strong></span></p>
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