MAN WITH A MISSION×Zebrahead 『Out of Control』

DJ interviws: B Side Story

 How'd you get started in music?

I (Don) started out playing drums as a young kid and then got into chorus in middle school.  I sang in a few different hair metal bands in the late 80's (back when I actually had hair) and then like many morphed into the "Grunge" scene in the 90's.  I got out of music for a long time doing the "real life" thing.  About 7 years ago, I got the itch again and decided to learn the bass guitar and start singing again.  Since then, I have been playing in a couple of original music bands.  Currently, I play bass for the Richmond, VA pop-punk band, Everybody Gets One and just recently kick started B-Side Story.  We are an "all over the place" alt. rock band and are currently writing, recording and releasing songs as they are completed.  We hope to start playing live in early 2022.

Who are your inspirations or influences?

My inspirations and influences are all over the place, kind of like our sound.  Vocally, my inspirations and influences are vocalists like, Layne Staley, Scott Weiland, Aaron Lewis, and Scully from Godsmack.  I have also started to try to add a little scream to my style to mix with clean vocals like Chester Bennington, Mattew Tuck (BFVM), etc.  

Bass influences and inspirations are guys like Mike Dirnt, Jeff Ament, Robert Trujillo, and guys like John Cooper (Skillet) and Sting who keep it fairly simple but memorable.

What advice would you offer aspiring performers?

Do what you love and do it because you love it.  Work on your craft and be the best you want to be, not what others think you should be.  

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

What sets us apart as a band is the fact that we have so many different influences and this makes our sound or style hard to pinpoint.  Are we grunge, alt. rock, pop rock, metal?  The answer is...YES, we are all of that.  As a singer, I just try to find ways to make the vocals compliment the music.

Any new gigs or albums in the future?

We are currently laying down the vocals for the final track of our debut EP.  The song is called, "Drowning" and the EP is titled "4 On The Floor".   We are also writing for another EP.  I (Don) have completed writing six songs for that EP and once we get "Drowning" finished and released, we will start recording the newest songs.  We are tentatively considering calling the next EP, "B-Side Ourselves" .

No shows booked right now, but we will be out booking a few shows early next year once we complete the recordings.

DJ Interviews: Stephen Fowler

 

 

How'd you get started in music?

From a very early age I loved listening to music. My Dad was a musician and played The Hammond Organ in Northern Clubs and Pantomime in the 60’s. I thought I want to do that. When I was old enough, I taught myself the guitar and started a band in the early 70’s. I played in a few clubs around Surrey and Hampshire but mainly in Pubs.

 

Who are your inspirations or influences?

My hero’s are 60’s pop bands I particularly like Ray Davies, his songs were very English. The style of music I love is melodic rock, guitar based so intricate work like Wishbone Ash I hold dear. But Bands such as The Groundhogs, Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac and Cream.

 

What advice would offer aspiring performers?

Don’t give up, follow your dream and don’t listen to the negative people who say you can’t do that.

 

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

I write songs and tunes that I like to hear. I listen to a lot of bands and singers these days and they sound very similar to me. I want to be different and strive to be unique and  individual, like if you hear a Queen track you just know it’s Queen. That’s my aim.

Any new gigs or albums in the future?

I have just finished an album ‘Hogwish’ and now making a few videos to release on YouTube. I will probably release the album on Bandcamp later in the year. I’m always working on new material. At present I’m developing an instrumental album, and re-working an album I recorded over a year ago with the intent of releasing a shortened version EP.

SAÜC - "EL GUERRER" (ft. Josep M. Corominas "Coro" - Sangtraït / Barbabl...

DJ Interviews: Rat King

 How'd you get started in music?

It’s hard to pinpoint a starting moment, considering music has always been a part of my life, but if I had to choose, it all started with my New Year's resolution to listen to 1000 albums. Before that, I’d been a casual music lover, but I felt like there was an entire world of sound I had been missing out on. In 2017 I listened to 1087 albums (or roughly 3-4 albums a day), and afterwards, music kinda just felt like a natural part of my life.

Fast forward to the Minnesota winter of 2018. After being assaulted by a roommate, I ended up homeless, frozen inside of my car during a -63 degree F night, grasping onto any little bit of heat I could find. It was a moment in my life where I felt my lowest, like every bit of me would freeze to the driver seat and they would find me in the morning, deceased. Needless to say it was a long night.

In the heat of the moment (ha), I turned to the only thing I felt I had left at the time. Spotify. I remembered my friend telling me how Man on the Moon by Kid Cudi had gotten him through his parents divorce, and so I turned it on, and it just changed me. I could feel my brain stirring, shaken by sudden thoughts of what could be. Nothing like a moment you’re supposed to be dying to make you feel more alive than ever.

 All of my crying, hopelessness, and dread just turned off as the song Simple As… rang through my phone speakers. (My car didn’t have any way to get phone audio, so that's all I had.) It made me realize how much I really had missed, and how much of an impact music had in my life. In that moment, I learned that I didn’t want to die, but rather, pursue what I loved, music. It really was as simple as that for my simple ass.

3 years later, after tons of personal struggle, hardship, and time spent learning more and more about the craft that inspires me, I began publishing music. This leads us to today, where I work with tons of supportive and amazing people attempting to do the one thing I love more than anything else. Even balancing a job, I tend to aim at about 40-50 hours of music a week.

Who are your inspirations or influences?

Obviously Kid Cudi. His music had really breathed a hope into me that has been impenetrable since that long night. However, it’s definitely not just him. 

The Beach Boys is a major influence of mine. The experimentation of hundreds of instruments to create songs that are blended almost too perfectly has really challenged my ideas of what’s possible with sound. Even their studio sessions that have been released are legendary. Truly some of the most impressive people to ever touch the craft, and especially with Brian Wilson.

Sticking with 60 psychedelic music, The Beatles are also a huge influence. All four of them had touched almost every popular genre at the time, not only mastering a sound of their own, but continuously expanding that genres sound. I especially love diving into Magical Mystery Tour and Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band.

For my hip-hop production, Madlib, The Alchemist, MF Doom, and El-P are huge influences. All 4 have dedicated themselves to discovering a unique and personalized sound, executing their own visions. It really shows in all of their music. Each album that comes from them really hits me in a way that feels personal, even though (not including Doom and El-P’s rap, which is also spectacular) they just provide instrumentals. 

The list goes on, but for honorable mentions, Marty Robbins, The Temptations, The Gorillaz, The Avalanches, Dr. Dre, Flying Lotus, Pink Floyd, The Clash, Weird Al, Green Day, Frank Zappa, Kendrick Lamar, Ween, Tame Impala, La Luz, Mac Miller, Tyler The Creator, Mac Demarco, and Phinneas would be just a few of the other inspirations. I try to pull from everywhere I can to find a perfect sound. 

What advice would offer aspiring performers?

TAKE A CHANCE ON YOURSELF! I myself have faced self esteem issues for my entire life, and it wasn’t until I started trusting myself that others began to as well. People aren’t stupid, so trying to act like something you’re not isn’t going to get you far. Being genuine, honest, and believing in your work can get you a long way in anything you’re trying to do. This applies on stage, in the studio, while practicing at home, and everywhere else.

Otherwise, also expect rejection. It happens, especially in such a saturated business like music. It could be that people aren’t ready for your sound, and it could be that you aren’t as good as you think and you have to improve. When  rejection happens, it’s ok to ask why and grow from the experience. Some people might be really rude about it, but that usually has less to do with you anyways. It’s always important to keep an eye out for the critics who actually care about the industry. They want to lead you to success, but only if you’re willing to follow their advice and grow from the experience. 

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

My belief system. I believe in the world of music, and it’s influence in the world around us. For example, during the LA riots of the 1990s, hip hop changed the way we looked at the “violence” happening. It brought the perspectives of hurt, angry, and marginalized minorities and told stories of death, success, frustration, friendship, hatred, and love, in a way nobody had seen before. And now more than ever, the world needs stories like this.

Everyday, across the world, people are awakening to horrifying truths, especially after the pandemic, and I’m tired of not being able to do anything about it. 

As a producer, I seek artists who have something to tell the world. I want to carry these voices as far and as wide as I can. Even as broke as I am, money is no object. It’s about THE MUSIC for me, and that’s something I carry with myself as a symbol in any interaction I have. With the right people, I truly believe I could change the world with something that translates to all languages. That’s what sets me apart. 

(I also have a super dope, unique sound, but we’ve all heard that before I’m sure) 

Any new gigs or albums in the future?

Where do I even start?! I’ve been pushing for the last few months to help artists reach their visions, and because of it, I have about 30-40 songs dropping this Fall between 5-6 artists. As far as anything LIVE goes, I don’t really have the right connections to that scene after having moved from Portland, OR to Roanoke, VA after the West Coast wild-fires, so until I get something lined up, it’s time to CREATE CREATE CREATE! 

Speaking of, I am always willing to work with artists who are willing to work with me. For any contact, you can reach me at randdrap@gmail.com or @RatKingRap on both Instagram and Twitter. I’m also in your local sewer, always watching, so just give it a few taps and I’ll see what I can do to get in contact. 

For any upcoming project, you can always stay informed by checking out www.ratkingrap.com, or otherwise following me on my socials and any available streaming platform, as I am on all of them. Just look up Rat King Faces and look for the green cover or Rat King Heavy Headed with the Red cover. 

If you’ve made it this far, thank you! From the bottom of my heart, I believe in what I’m doing with music, and I hope you can too. Remember, you can change the world if you put your mind to it. To quote the great Gandhi, BE THE CHANGE IN THE WORLD YOU WANT TO SEE!

Whistlin’ Past the Graveyard - Tom Waits Cover

DJ Interviews: Kyle Meldrum

 

Kyle Meldrum	Sun, Jun 27, 4:19 PM (4 days ago)
to me

How'd you get started in music?

In the late 90s I started writing a lot of poems/lyrics just for fun, only for me myself and I.

In 2002 My bandmate Nunnyboy produced one of my favourite albums ever with Ray McCartney Aka El  Jugador called “Operation immigration” that Album gave me the inspiration to take my scribbles to Nunnyboy to see if we could do anything with them.

 In 2003 we quickly started to bring my words to reality, with Nunny’s amazing ability to conjure beats/music and guide me on this musical journey. 

Before we knew it we had an album Ideal Elements “Voldese Falcon” I never really promoted the Album the way it deserved to be, 

I take full blame for that, at that time I think I just wanted to prove to myself that I could do it, 

And Yes we did it!

I’m still very proud of it and turned out to be the precursor for Voldo.

Which started up again in late 2019, except this time we’re really going for it, we want the world to hear what we’ve got to say!

Who are your inspirations or influences?

I have a very eclectic taste in music ranging from Donovan, Nick Drake to Beck, Tricky spanning all genres. I like interesting & unusual sounds. Oh and of course Ray McCartney Aka El   jugador (Ramiscomakimaki)

What advice would offer aspiring performers?

A very simple message, just do it, create something that’s never existed before, then set it free, have no fear to let the people hear. Then do it again and again and again!

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

Personally I don’t go out with any intentions to set ourselves apart, only to create something that interests me and in doing that Voldo comes alive, each song is completely different to the last one, I don’t like pigeon holes of genres, I know we like to defy conventions and that excites me and hopefully the listener.

Any new gigs or albums in the future?

Voldo have a new album “Nostalgia Regalia” out on 2nd of July on all major platforms but especially on

https://nunnyboy.bandcamp.com/

As for gigs no definite dates yet but we’re planning the get the ball rolling as soon as possible, probably some nice intimate venues to start with.

DJ Interviews: AP Tobler

 

How'd you get started in music?

I started playing music when I was 8. I was quite an energetic and aggressive kid, and I really wanted to do some form of martial arts, but when my mom told me I couldn’t hit other people, I turned to drums! I fell in love with music, particularly Nirvana and the rest of the 90’s grunge scene.

Who are your inspirations or influences?

Most of my songs are really grungy, but my latest song have more of a Green Day punk vibe. I have a track on my upcoming EP that’s more influenced by heavier artists, and includes an unexpected breakdown. I’m inspired by bands like Nirvana, Destroy Boys, and Weezer.

What advice would offer aspiring performers?

As cheesy as it sounds, be yourself! You can’t get caught up in being artificial. If you’re authentic, people will tend to like you. Just go for it!

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

I’m just being honest and authentically me, this is how I dress, how I act, and the music is influenced by some of my favorite artists. I talk a lot about mental health in my music, which is a subject that still has a lot of stigma around it.  I hope that folks with similar struggles can hear my music and feel less isolated. Another unique feature of my music is that all of the the parts are written and played by me.

Any new gigs or albums in the future?

I just started gigging again and it’s been fantastic! I just played a show down at the Prima Vera Roadhouse, which was super fun. Video of the performance will be available on YouTube soon. Finally, I have an EP coming out on July 14th! The EP is called Alternate Vision and has 5 tracks.

BOUNCING BETTY - SATISFY ME (official video)

DJ Interviews: DJ Skylump

 

How'd you get started in music?

Hi, thanks for this interview :) I'm starting to DJ'ing in 1990 in a local Club's in a little town in Italy called Rovereto (TN),
with the legendary Technics 1200.
In the 1993 starting to compose music with a PC and a SoundBlaster Sound Card and a Tracker.
At that time, Internet was in its infancy, there were no social networks and the web had just
come out, people were still communicating via modems and BBSs, and music composed via this
sub-world was spreading.
It was the time of Demoscene an international computer art subculture focused on producing demos:
self-contained, sometimes extremely small, computer programs that produce audiovisual presentations.
Demos and other demoscene productions (graphics, music, videos, games) are shared at festivals known
as demoparties, voted on by those who attend and released online...
In the 1994 I founded the largest Italian Demoscene Music Group the SKYJUMP TEAM.
From 1993 to 1996 I made dozen of Tracks most influenced from 90s UK Techno, Rave, Hardcore, Jungle, Bigbeat, BreakBeat scene,
and I also did some video game soundtracks of the time. In 1997 I stopped and moved on to other things.  
In 1997 I stopped and devoted myself to something else.
In 2020 he resumed composing music with modern DAWs, thus beginning another adventure...


Who are your inspirations or influences?

As said before the UK Techno, Rave, Hardcore, Jungle, Bigbeat, BreakBeat scene, the most famous 90s groups
like The Prodigy, Orbital, Orb, T99, N-Joy , N-joi, Bizzare Inc, Dj Seduction, SL2, and nowadays I am very
influenced by progressive house music..


What advice would offer aspiring performers?

You only write music when you are inspired, you don't have to write a track every month.
Rather than producing a poor track, it is better not to produce one at all. Once you have a good track, listen to it for at least a month to
see if you don't get bored with it.
Be original, don't try to copy the latest music but create your own style and experiment with new ways.


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


I have my own style, I have been producing music for more than 30 years and I do it just for fun.
I'm independent and I will remain so. I don't like to produce on commission so I can't be under contract :)


Any new gigs or albums in the future?

No, no gigs from me, I'm not looking for fame,
but I produce as I said before just for fun.
 I think albums are a thing of the past, nowadays it's better to produce single tracks,
so maybe a "Best of" collection. I will continue to produce single tracks.

DJ Interviews: Justin Ross

 

Justin is a Blues/Rock artist out of the Ft. Worth, Texas scene and he has a brand NEW single out on the radio trail right now called, "Take You For A Ride." It's a Texas Swamp Rock track that takes you through the swamps in New Orleans. This single is on Justin Ross's brand NEW album "Into The Dark" that was released on Friday, May 14, 2021.

Below I have attached the MP3 of "Take You For A Ride" along with the cover artwork. Not to Mention, a link to Justin Ross's EPK and socials.

Social Media Channels:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Justinrossartist

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justinrossfw_/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/justinrossfw

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@justinrossmusic?lang=en

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsRI4XEHXaoqm_kCtcrkdLg

Website + Bio + EPK: www.justinrossmusic.com 

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1J8GXBrFbnaaQlLG2bbJiK?si=GQ4-Kci5QfyugS7tYjCM2Q

I-Tunes: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/justin-ross/4646890 

DJ Interviews: on4ir4m

How'd you get started in music?

I started with music like many people I guess, like at 13 years of age, curiosity, classmates and gathered to listen to music, mom's guitar at home, a bass player was needed for a band and it happened, images and sounds come to my mind, Come together by the Beatles and Never tear us apart by INXS, that moment of starting in a band is unforgettable.

 

 

Who are your inspirations or influences?

 

I love a variety of genres, my teens was marked by the rock of the 80s such as Queen, The Police, Pink Floyd, Def Leppard, Bowie, Prince, and classics like Beatles, Rolling Stones, 90s hard rock bands and pop, I am quite eclectic and curious with other genres I adore Bjork, Non-mainstream artists like Nitin Sawhney, Imogen Heap, Fluke in electronic, what they're currently doing on synthwave like The Midnight, Gunship, Electric Youth, I could spend days naming you cool artists! It is beautiful to discover new textures recently it was a shock to discover Dirty Loops a Swedish band that sounds incredible to me!

 

 

What advice would offer aspiring performers?

 

Music changes the way you perceive life, it does not matter if it is in a gig or sitting on the porch of your house with a guitar in your hands, it is a connection, a learning of oneself that emerges as music, do not lose that connection, no matter what instrument it is or for who it is, music always comes from within you.

 

 

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

 

Well, I try to be true to myself, I let myself be carried away by what comes to me, I believe that my songs reflect a mix of musical genres and at this stage I am discovering myself as a lyricist, producer, singer, I like songs to tell a story Personally, I believe that songs are like a message in a bottle, it is to throw it into the water one day it will reach someone and that moment makes you very happy, no matter what meaning the message has for that person, the important thing is that you arrived.

 

 

Any new gigs or albums in the future?

 

My goal at present is to release singles month by month, do some colabs too, it is difficult it takes me a long time to feel that a song is ready from beginning to end and adding roles such as mixing and producing and promoting in socials is not easy, I would love to be able to do gigs In the future I still have nothing planned, I would like to do something different, from something intimate acoustic to something that adds the visual to the music, let's let things flow :)

DJ Interviews: Rumkicks

 I would like to introduce to you Rumkicks a Korean punk band from Seoul - South Korea.

The band have released 5 single cd's since forming in 2018. 

With Choi SeEun on vocals/bass and Jeong Yeawon vocals/guitar (new drummer to be announced asap) these girls commanded the stage with an electric presence. 

 

Even though Rumkicks might look like cute punk girls but they say their live shows are intense, spectacle with thick solid slabs of sound soiled with punk attitude and specialised in the sort of catchy choruses that could put an ear-to-ear smile on the face of any music fan.

 

The band describes their music as definitely punk rock with a rock tempo and some metalcore influences mixed into their sound. 

 

I have attached 3 tracks which are taken from their cd singles" by Rumkicks.  

Track number one is called "Goodbye Song" by Rumkicks

Track number two is called "I don't wanna to die" by Rumkicks.

Track number three is called "Don't touch my head" by Rumkicks

They can also be watched on YouTube 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALwIRPBDq6o

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNkapbqqNP4

DJ Interviews: Trenched

 

How'd you get started in music?

Hi we're Trenched composed of myself Andrea Zattiero (lead singer, keys), Jimmi Ferris (bass guitar, singer), Joey (lead guitar), Demetrius Ferris (percussion, keys) we are a family of rockers with a combined total of about 75 years of rockin'! Joey has toured with some of the greats worldwide, We love him, and myself and Jimmi were both doing shows in South Florida mainly covers while we both separately made feeble efforts to record original music and write our own material it was around 2013 that we came together at a show one day. We had the original band name 'Swords of Truth' and later we came up with TRENCHED. Started writing duets, recording at bigger studios and the rest is history.

Who are your inspirations or influences?

Definitely Jimmy Hendrix, Nirvana was a big inspiration, Jeff Beck of course we're standing on the shoulders of all the great rock and roll musicians that came before us. We strive to be different with our sound, lyrics and bring some edgy content as well as love songs, ballads and some high performance songs as well. 

What advice would offer aspiring performers?

Be original, keep an ear to the street so our genre isn't compromised and becomes shallow. 

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

We have this bass guitar Jimmi made out of bulletproof glass and we call it IceCaliber when we're at shows oh my God it totally steals the show no matter where we're at. We've done fashion shows, race tracks, dive bars, festivals around the country and that is a band member in itself when we arrive to perform.

Any new gigs or albums in the future?

Yes we plan on releasing another follow up album this year now that venues are opening up and live shows may be feasible for us to travel. We actually charted the end of 2020 with our last release 'Loud And Clear' thanks to our label Miami2Vegas, publicist, and promotional team. We are thankful for that and appreciate all the fans around the world that supported that project. 

DJ Interviews: Brian Jin

 How'd you get started in music?

Wow, that’s a broad question. As a human, I was a toddler hypnotized by AM Gold. I was raised on Gerry Rafferty, Billy Joel, Fleetwood Mac, the Eagles, Gordon Lightfoot. Lots and lots of Gordon Lightfoot!

Instrumentally speaking I started playing guitar around 16, like every American boy worth a damn. Played my first show in someone’s backyard for a bunch of St. Charles High kids.

Who are your inspirations or influences?

Nil and I both go deep on acts like CCR, Cat Stevens, the Beatles, and Jethro Tull. I’m a big fan of R.E.M., anything Neil Finn touches, of course Gordon Lightfoot. Nil really digs the Sri Lankan pop rock that was being championed by Sooriya Records, the Grateful Dead, and the Moody Blues.

Geez, we sound like we should be in our 60s! Lol

What advice would offer aspiring performers?

Stop playing when it feels like work, and work at it when it feels like play.

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

Well, if you heard our last album, we set ourselves apart actually BEING A BAND. If it’s one thing I wanted to put across on this record is that we’re not just a singer who happens to have musicians behind them. We are a band, we play as a band. 

Any new gigs or albums in the future?

Well, we are playing a gig in the Central West End of St. Louis on June 19. We just released our new album, “The Frenchtown Connection.” I really think it’s going to shine. We have some surprises this summer as well.

DJ Interviews: Nathalie Miranda

 

How'd you get started in music?

Music has always been part of my life in some way or another. My mum used to play a wide collection of music around the house when I was little and I guess I've just grown up with it. I always loved singing but never sang in public until I was 15! I was really shy and so it took a lot of guts to get out there and make that first move. But it all went well and the rest is history!

I made my first demo when I was 16 and basically have never stopped!

Who are your inspirations or influences?

Freddie Mercury is my number one inspiration. He is the ultimate vocalist, performer and songwriter. I'm also inspired by artists like Christina Aguilera, Whitney Houston, Cher, George Michael...too many to mention. But I feel like they've all influenced me in some way and my own sound and style is like a mixture of all those artists I love.

What advice would offer aspiring performers?

Be confident in your vision and your goals. And never give up.

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

I have a really different voice, and the music that I like to make is what you might describe as niche, because it's inspired by the 70s, 80s era. And yes, that has probably made it harder for me but I'm passionate about the music that I make and I won't compromise my style or beliefs just to be mainstream.

Any new gigs or albums in the future?

You can find details of my online gigs on my website, www.nathaliemiranda.com

They are mostly online at the moment but I'm hoping to book some real life gigs very soon!

I hope to release two more singles this year plus a few cover songs, so yes, lots happening!

BEATLES - You Can't Do That -Funky Cover by David Perry

How we dare -lyrics

How we dare-Lyrics

 

(Hard rock instrumental)

 

(Verse 1)

You dare us to be

Something we know we’re not?

Its time to show you who we are

And just what we’ve got

Born & bred to be at our best

Putting our skills to the test

There’s nothing we can’t endure.

Ready for anything that’s for sure.

How dare us? Well…

 (Chorus)

This is how we dare

Take notice & beware

(Repeat twice)

 

(Verse 2)

Made out to look like fools

As you make up your own rules

Sure no one is perfect

Yet we’re more than worth it

We are who we are

Trying our best to take our dreams far

Want to challenge us now hear this.

(Chorus repeats)

(Guitar solo, Instrumental)

Dare to defy description

Dare to strive & achieve

Someone says otherwise

In yourself you must believe.

(Repeat 3 times.)

(Chorus repeats twice)

You dare us this is how we dare!