Saturday, November 28, 2020

DJ Interviews: The Insufferables

Hello one & all DJ Dizzy here & I had the pleasure of sitting down with a punk rock band who answer to the name of The Insufferables who had a lot to share about their humble beginnings & their success. So I proudly present to you The Insuffeerables!


How'd you get started in music?
Gene, lead guitar/songwriter:
I used to play classical guitar, and when I met Carolyn she said " hey you're pretty good, you should play in a rock and roll band" or words to that effect, so we started the Insufferables. 


Carolyn, rhythm guitar/backup/songwriter:
When I was in college in Boulder, Colorado, punk rock exploded and I dropped out of school and started playing bass and then guitar. I moved to NYC to be a punk rocker, but it was so hard to find a place to live that I moved back and started two girl bands, the Profalactics and then the Varve (both bands on Facebook and on Soundcloud). I used my student loan to buy an amp and put out a fanzine. After finishing college, the Varve moved to San Francisco. We played around San Francisco for about 6 years. I  had my guitar in the closet for a bunch of years. I'm an artist and music seemed like a distraction. 

Who are your inspirations or influences?
Gene:
REM, the Beatles, Johnny Marr,  Steve Jones,  Johnny Thunders, so jangle and early punk.  
Carolyn:
Ramones, Beatles, early 60s like Shadows of Knight, Troggs, later Hoo Doo Gurus, and anything with jangle and good backups.


What advice would offer aspiring performers?
Gene: Rehearse for a gig.   
Carolyn: Performing never gets easy for me. It’s like scuba diving. You can’t lose focus for a second or you’re dead.


How do you set yourselves apart from other bands or singers?
Gene: Age 3 decades before getting on stage.
Carolyn: Yhe Insufferables just hit our 10-year anniversary! Keith, our singer, Ram, our bassist, Gene and I now can musically read each others' minds. Our drummer Kevin, has now been with us for about 5 years. Also, since we now have jobs, it's easier to actually acquire the gear we need.


Any new gigs or albums in the future?  

Gene:
Albums, yes of course.  We are always writing new music. When we get enough new songs that we really like, we'll do another album.  Gigs, we have one after the holidays at a cool surf bar called Winters, in Pacifica, Feb 24, 2020.
Carolyn:
I just wrote a song called the "Devil's Doorbell" that I am excited to record. We have a bunch of songs that have only been done live and then were discarded. Check out our earlier EPs on band camp (https://theinsufferables.bandcamp.com/) or Soundcloud (https://soundcloud.com/the-insufferables)

Special thanks to them for doing this interview & I wish them luck in their music. So until then I'll be seeing you I'll catch you on the flipside! So stay awesome & rock n roll!

Friday, November 27, 2020

DJ Interviews: The Goatboy


Hey guys DJ Dizzy here, & this is my interview with a singer who answers to The Goat Boy who shared his musical beginnings.


How'd you get started in music?

After discovering the grunge rock revolution in 1991 Stef and James learned that diy music was possible, Grant and Steve have also been in bands and been playing the music scene for over 20 years also 

Who are your inspirations or influences?

Nirvana , mudhoney, sonic youth we were also inspired by diy bands of the 90s like broccoli and apple orchard. 

What advice would offer aspiring performers?

Don’t dilute your sound for anyone. Play what you believe in and work hard and finally if you don’t enjoy it don’t fukin do it .

How do you set yourselves apart from other bands or singers?

Most people our age are wankers in wedding bands playing shit cover songs.

Any new gigs or albums in the future?

Current EP “Long Live The GoatBoy” is out now on Spotify etc gigs next sat 22nd June supporting fue fighters in montys Dunfermline. More to come 

Special thanks to him for doing this interview & I wish him nothing but luck in his music so until then I'l catch you on The Flipside. Stay awesome & rock n roll!

Thursday, November 26, 2020

DJ interviews: Last Kiss Goodnight

Hey everyone its your friendly neighborhood DJ Dizzy here & I had the pleasure of interviewing a band by the name of Last Kiss Goodnight who had so much to say on their musical beginnings.

How'd you get started in music?

   When I was 14years old my mom bought me my first electric guitar. I spent day and night learning the songs of all my favorite bands of that time (early 90’s). I think that was the catalyst for me to begin writing my own songs and material. To this day, I still believe my mom to be the main influence behind me wanting to be a rock musician/performer. 



Who are your inspirations or influences?

Well… My mom is definitely one. I would also have to say the people that I have worked with (musically) over the last twenty years have also played roll in capabilities and drive. Also, many years of listening to all types of music. From the rock bands of the 70’s all the way up to the grunge era and beyond. I would like to think that Freddie Mercury, David Bowie, Peter Gabriel, Peter Murphy and Scott Weiland have probably played the biggest influences on me, vocally. 


What advice would offer aspiring performers?

I would say…. Do what you love! And don’t be afraid to take risks. Paint outside your boundaries.


How do you set yourselves apart from other bands or singers?

I don’t set myself apart. I thrive to be involved with the world of music and entertainment. I think that once you start to set yourself apart from others in a specific genre the learning and growing process weakens. In order to stick out from others you must embrace them.  


Any new gigs or albums in the future?

New gigs are on the horizon for the spring/summer months. Keep checking in wit us at www.lastkissgoodnight.com for news and tour updates.  We are constantly writing! There is definitely new music on the horizon. But, our debut album “Immortal” just dropped on all streaming services. So, Last Kiss Goodnight is going to bathe in the glory of the release of “Immortal” for awhile before we release another album. But we will release more songs and albums in the future that are guaranteed to 
melt your minds!

Special thanks to them for doing this interview & I wish them lots of luck in their careers & success.
so until then I'll catch you on the flipside! Stay awesome & rock n roll!   

Wednesday, November 25, 2020

DJ Interviews: Glass Alice Part 4

Here's the conclusion of my 4 part interview with Glass Alice


Howard Burns - Drummer



How'd you get started in music?

started drumming when I was young and it went from there and by 13 14 I was in my first band



Who are your inspirations or influences?

rush led Zeppelin Buddy Rich Frank Zappa question



What advice would offer aspiring performers?

Be patient with it and never stop learning and improving your craft question



How do you set yourselves apart from other bands or singers?

 By taking my iwn approach to it musically and stylistically in whatever musical situation I'm a part of .



Any new gigs or albums in the future

we are always creating new songs and have some things that will be out soon


Special thanks to them for doing this interview & I wish them nothing but luck in their careers so until then I'll catch you on the flipside. Stay awesome & rock n roll!


Tuesday, November 24, 2020

DJ Interviews: Glass Alice Part 3

Here's the third part of my interview with Glass Alice


Eric Albenze - Co-Founder and Lead Guitarst for Glass Alice



How'd you get started in music?

I bought an old piece of shit no name guitar off my neighbor,  I am left handed but the guitar was right handed. i was so facinated and annoyed that i couldn't get it to sound like Motley Crue. I would spend hours every night trying to learn new songs that i heard on the radio, it was so hard but i couldn't quit. i would literally play until my fingers hurt so bad that i had to put it down, even when i put it down for a few days i would spend those days at the smoke shop buying Guitar Tab magazines, and was just blown away that musicians fingers could pull off some of the leads i was looking at, which made me want to learn it even more. I am always trying new techniques not just on guitar now but recording, editing, mixing our songs. When we got called to record with legendary producer Jim Wirt (Incubus, Fiona Apple, Black Crowes) I had recorded our demo myself. Mike and I did all the instruments ourselves. But that's what defined our sound. I uploaded our demo to iTunes and Spotify, and  a few months later we got a call from Jim Wirt's assistant that Jim heard us on Spotify and wanted to produce our next EP. So we did, we recorded twice with Jim so Far, our next songs are getting mixed and mastered right now and will be released soon.



Who are your inspirations or influences?

my first infuence was Motley Crue, Metallica, then came the grunge scene and i was hooked. I loved Nirvana, Alice in Chains, Smashing Pumpkins. Seems a lot of people miss that scene, a lot of our fans compare us to that 90's grunge scene. Which we love, because to me, that was a great time for music. Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, etc. You just don't see bands like that anymore, I think that's where we carry the torch.



What advice would offer aspiring performers?

Be original. Think way outside the box. Don't get too techical. Technologies great. but if it's used too much then you lose the essence of music. you ever hear a song on a cd, then you hear that song live and it sucks? usually because some bands rely way to heavily on effects, auto-tune and all that bullshit. Keep it simple and create catchy melodies. Look at the classics, The Rolling Stones, The Doors, Beatles. They pretty much used a 4 track recorder and the songs still sound great. Today you can have unlimted tracks all the effects at your finger tips. but it doesn't mean you have to use all of that.





How do you set yourselves apart from other bands or singers?

One thing I love about Glass Alice, is we all come from different backgrounds. When we write our songs, each memeber has the freedom to create and play their own notes into the song. And I've played with a lot of muscians, bands. Never have i had a group like this where we just all click on that same level. that really is a rare thing to find. And we are just getting warmed up. We have been greating great feedback from fans, even other bands we have played out with are like "where did you guys come from" because we spend almost 2 years just writing and recording ourselves defining our sound. Then we came out playing. So we kind of blindside people with our sound. We haven't had to call any venues to book a show, they have been calling us. Same with bands local and out of state ask us if we can play out with them. And we set ourselves apart by playing our music and our songs, and being able to stand on own with our original music is what i am most proud of. and like i said wait til you hear whats coming next for Glass Alice!



Any new gigs or albums in the future
We just finished recording with legendary producer Jim Wirt the songs are currently being mastered and we will be releasing these new songs soon in a very special and unique way. I can't wait to anounce it, but i can't say anything yet! lol.. We just finished playing all summer and fall. Our last show of 2019 was at Stella's Music Lounge in Cleveland, OH. We are now focused on these new songs we just recorded with Jim Wirt and getting ready to launch our new single. I'll have the date and more information in the next few weeks when we get them back from mastering. In the meantime, check out our songs recorded by Jim Wirt on our website www.glassalice.com or facebook at @glassaliceband. We are also on iTunes, Spotify

Part 4 is on the way soon so stay tuned & stay awesome & I'll catch you on the flipside!

Monday, November 23, 2020

DJ Interviews: Glass Alice Part 2

Here's part 2 of my interview with Glass Alice,


Mike Hermensky - Vocalist



How did you get started:

one day age of 16 took tax return and went and bought a guitar.,and pa system. Stumble and fumbled and self taught myself.



Inspiration and influences:

Grew up grunge was in and a big fan of nirvana, silverchair, pearl jam.



Advice for up in comers:

It don't happen overnight it is always a work in progress keep nose to grind and play for yourself before anyone else.

How I set myself apart from other bands:
Worked on finding my own style and comfortableness in my own voice. And try to hone it to the best I can. Be

Part 3 is coming soon so stay tuned & stay awesome! Catch you on the flipside!

Sunday, November 22, 2020

DJ Interviews Glass Alice Part 1

Hey-hey everybody DJ Dizzy here & I had the esteemed pleasure of interviewing a band who answer to the name Glass Alice who had so much to say on their musical careers. I had to do each of them individually so they'll be in different parts so here's part one of the interview.


Anthony Village - Bassist

How'd you get started in music?

Did band in middle school and both parents did things musically.

I took to bass because you dont hear very often of any good bass players.



Who are your inspirations or influences?

Ryan martinie (bass) - muvdvayne / soften the glare

Ramon ortiz (guitar) - ramon ortiz / puya

Mark michelle (bass) - scale the summit (the migration and V albums)

Animals as leaders

Slayer

Trivium

He is legend



What advice would offer aspiring performers?

Its hard to be a musician; any way you slice it. It is the same as running your own business, you need to buy gear and merch, you need to outreach to fellow musicians and acts, you have to sell yourself as a marketable product to venus/fans/labels. So just keep that in mind as you get into this. Keep your goals small and manageable at first as your grow and dont undersell yourself. If you want to make this a job then you need to put in the work.

So best things i could tell you having said that is:

- think about what you want to get out of this: whether its to tour the world or play local venus

-practice practice practice; people wont nitpick every little mistake you make but be sure to hone your craft and be confident that you can carry yourself (you are one of a kind, if its shreding at 400bpm or sticking to 4/4 easy listening; you are a amazing and dont let anyone tell you otherwise)

- and my most important tip is STAY HUMBLE

You may be a one of a kind but there are millions of fellow musicians trying to do what you do. The world doesn't need another better than you attitude.





How do you set yourselves apart from other bands or singers?

I try to pour my heart into my playing; I dont want people to hear me and go he's alright but to feel something and really connect with it. But having said that; there is probably other people out there that feel the same way with their playing also.



Any new gigs or albums in the future

Always. I do two bands at the moment and i am constantly trying to find time to jam with fellow musicians, so as long as im not injured/sick or dead then i will be trying to do something musically. 

That's just part one stick around for part 2 coming soon Catch you on the flipside & stay awesome!

Saturday, November 21, 2020

DJ Interviews: The Turnstiles

Hey there everyone DJ Dizzy here & I had the pleasure of viewing a punk band by the name of the Turnstiles who had a lot to say regarding their musical beginings



  1. Callum (singer) kind of got everyone together. I think we were just the only four people he knew who played instruments, but there was a chemistry there straight away. Wasting Away, our first single, was the first song we wrote at our first practice, and now it gets sung back to us at gigs. That’s something we never would have imagined during that session.

  1. Obviously bands like Fontaines DC, Idles and Shame have really opened the door for post-punk guitar music at the moment, although I don’t think we sound anything like any of them. We get Amyl and the Sniffers and The Chats a lot, which is fair, they’re probably more direct influences of our sound.

  1. Don’t wait around hoping to get asked to play gigs. We tried to get in touch with so many venues without response at first, which can be demoralising, but in the end we just started putting on our own gigs, and after they got attention, local venues started getting in touch with us. There’ll always be somewhere that’ll let you rent the space for a night, get all your friends in, get them pissed, put on a good show, see what happens.

  1. I don’t think there’s a conscious effort to set ourselves apart really, we just write songs that are fun to play, and that we think will get a crowd rowdy. You can’t control these things, if people respond to you they do, if they don’t they don’t. 

  1. We’re headlining The Cellar in Galway on January 11th, as well as The Kasbah in Limerick on February 8th. New single is on the way too.

Turnstiles hail from Galway City in Ireland and have been together less than a year. They started off doing covers and now have a set list of their own blistering punk material.

Their first proper gig (not in a living room) was supporting a band called Felonies. They have built up extensive live experience and in December 2019 are supporting The Clockworks (signed by Alan McGee’s Creation Records) in Dublin and Galway. They had their first headline gig in Galway’s Róisín Dubh in November in Nov 2019 and have further headlines booked in January (Cellar Bar, Galway) and February (Kasbah, Limerick).

In September 2019 they released their first single Moving Forward/Wasting Away on Spotify. And they also won the Star Nation band competition in Whelan’s Dublin – press here. Some local articles here and here

The line-up is:

Callum Mitchell on vocals. 22, born in South London and lived there until he was 12. Now lives in Galway. Massive Arsenal fan. Loves the Stone Roses

Colm Sweeney on lead guitar. 22, born in Galway, previously played in band called Two Trees.  Big fan of Red Hot Chili Peppers

Cillian Ryan on rhythm guitar. 21, from Tuam Co. Galway. Previously played in a Tuam band called The Kegs. Influences include Pixies and Arctic Monkeys 

Jake Tiernan on bass. 20 from Galway. Main lyricist in the band. All time favourite artist is Bob Dylan and loves The Fall and Talking Heads. Previously in a band with Colm called The Vibe. 

Luke Mulliez on drums. 20 from Galway. In his first band. Current favourite is Girl Band.

Tracks to stream/download, videos and their social signals can be found at https://www.blowtorchrecords.com/turnstiles

Their manager is Richard Blowes

richard@blowtorchrecords.com

Special thanks to them for doing this interview & I wish them luck in their careers. So until then I'll catch you on the flipside. Stay awesome & rock n roll!

Friday, November 20, 2020

DJ Interviews: Ceasasr Did It

Hey there everyone DJ Dizzy here & I recently sat down with a band who call themselves Caesar Did It as they had a lot to say regarding their musical adventures.


How'd you get started in music?

Kane: Well, I remember when I was around 5/6 years old and my dad always used to play his Black Sabbath vinyls around the house, so I guess that was how I got into rock music.

Luke: I’ve been playing drums my whole life since my dad and brother are both drummers. However, a few years ago I picked up guitar and always wanted to play something other than drums live, which is how this band came about. It’s a kind of fantasy for me that’s finally come true. 

Elaina: I started learning the cello when I was around 7, and played in orchestras in my school. When I was 11 I got into Avril Lavigne, which introduced me to pop punk, and so on my 12th birthday I got an electric guitar and practised for hours and hours every day in my room. I started to learn the drums when I turned 15 and I picked it up really quickly and it soon became my favourite instrument to play.


Who are your inspirations or influences?

As far as our influences go Queens Of The Stone Age and Nirvana are very present when it comes to the way we like to write our music. Since we all idolise both bands they’re pretty much always going to be a big part of our sound. 


What advice would offer aspiring performers?

The best advice we can give to performers is to treat every gig like it’s your last. Having a great energy on stage will always set you apart from other bands, but obviously you need to have decent set of songs too. But that’ll come with time and experience. 


How do you set yourselves apart from other bands or singers?

We like to think we set ourselves apart from other bands by the way we like to do EVERYTHING ourselves, from recording/mixing to filming our own music videos. 
Another thing that comes to mind is the energy that we have when we play live. A lot of bands that we’ve seen don’t tend to damage their spines jumping around like it’s their last gig on earth, but we love to do that, it’s fun. 


Any new gigs or albums in the future

Depending on when this gets published we’re playing our next gig at Cafe Totem with the band Allusinlove on the 7th of February. After that we’ve not got anything booked but we’re doing a live session and another photo shoot so we’re keeping busy. 

We’re currently in the process of writing and recording our debut album in which two singles have already been released. “Find Your Love” and “How Sweet” are available pretty much everywhere and hopefully everything will be recorded and released by the end of this year.


Special thanks to them for doing this interview & best of luck in their careets! So until then I'll catch you on the flipside! Stay awesome & rock n roll!

Thursday, November 19, 2020

DJ Interviews: The Kinters

 Hey there guys its your old pal DJ Dizzy & this is my interview with a band called The Kinters as we sat down & discussed their musical beginnings.

How'd you get started in music?

I’ve always played music. My mother was a singer and my father was a jazz flautist. It was high school I started gigging and playing guitar seriously and writing. I have a song on Spotify called “tomorrow’s another day.” I wrote that in high school.

Who are your inspirations or influences?

Kris Kristofferson an Bob Dylan are probably the two biggest influences. Lately I’ve been listening to a lot of Al Kooper and the Mamas and Papas. Johnny and June are huge influence is on us. George and Tammy, Neil and Emmy Lou. But I always come back to Kris Kristofferson an Bob Dylan

What advice would offer aspiring performers?

You’re not behind on anything. All this marketing stuff is just tools for you to use after you make songs. Making songs is your joy. Making music as what you’re here for. That’s what you’re behind on. Make music and you can always market it later.


How do you set yourselves apart from other bands or singers?

I like to think it’s our lyrics. When I listen to other bands I just don’t hear lyrics like I want a lot of the times. That’s what drives me to make music sometimes, contributing lyrics to the fray.

Any new gigs or albums in the future On November 24 we are releasing two singles. One of which is already on BandCamp! Hostage is a song I wrote when my mother died. I took the phrase hurt people hurt people and made a song out of it. I even used locations of the United States that exemplified that axiom. 


Special thanks to them for doing this interview, & I wish them nothing but luck in their music. So until then I'll catch you on The Flipside! Stay awesome & rock n roll! 

Tuesday, November 17, 2020

DJ Interviews:Tom Quick

Hey there folks, DJ Dizzy here & I had the pleasure of interviewing a singer by the name pf Thom Quick


How'd you get started in music?

Music really got started in me. I remember songs today I heard when I was only 3 years old and can hum them from start to finish because they were burned into my brain. In One Way or Another music is constantly in my head. Fortunately I like that.
 I started out playing drums and played in just a few bands when I was younger where I took an interest in guitar and eventually piano and got better over the years but still I'm at my best in the studio. Every one of my songs worldwide are all analog except for two... Beggarman and My Career.  Currently I have a crop of about 20 songs that I'm in the middle of mixing that of course need to be mastered that I need to get off my butt and finish. They will be all digital and hiss free


Who are your inspirations or influences?

Emerson Lake and Palmer mainly being a drummer  and loving classical rock and I wish I could sound like sometimes, but I don't and that's okay. I like the older bands such as any and all Beatles , Kansas, Jethro Tull, ELO, Styx,Yes and Foreigner, basically most all English bands with a little Alice Cooper and Chicago thrown in there  I am not into rap, but I did Like That Eminem song that I can't remember right now from a movie a while back, I think. I don't listen to any new music because I'm busy writing my own and I don't want to subconsciously steal something.


What advice would offer aspiring performers?

I am a one-man band and I do not perform in person anymore so I'm not a good one to ask about that. 

How do you set yourselves apart from other bands or singers? By not sounding like them nor any others that I'm aware of. I don't try to sound like someone when I write, I just write whatever comes out. The song usually tells me where to go and pretty much writes itself.
 If you think I sound like a certain band I would love to know who it is.

Any new gigs or albums in the future?
No, only putting out singles going forward and staying in the studio.

Special thanks to him for doing this interview & I wish him lots of luck in his music. So until then I'll catch you on The Flipside! Stay awesome & rock n roll!