Kiss or Kill Gets Intimate

The Return of The King Cheetah

www.myspace.com/thekingcheetah

1. Where are you from originally, and what brought you to Los Angeles (if you are not originally from LA)?

Robert Paul Maune: East London. Robin Holden: West London. Simon Hancock: Aldbourne, a small village about 75 miles west of London. We came to the USA because England is finished.


2. How did the current line-up meet? How long have you been together?

Robert and Simon met in London when they played together in a Camden Town band called STEN. They released three records under this name, then formed CHEETAHS which made one record with MAXIM from THE PRODIGY before eventually crossing the Atlantic, meeting Robin on their first day of rehearsals in Hollywood and finally becoming THE KING CHEETAH.

3. We originally met you as a four-piece. Is the plan to remain a three piece?

We were never a four piece, you're confusing us with Nirvana.
*(interviewer apologizes, I was briefly on crack...PSA:don't do drugs...you ask stupid questions)


4. What instruments do you each play?

Simon plays: Drums, Guitar, Bass, and sings. Robin plays: Drums, Guitar, and Bass, and sings. Robert Paul can't play Drums at all but does play Guitar, Bass, Cello and Keyboards.

5. What made each of you get involved with music?

Nothing could keep us away.


6. You guys have had the opportunity to tour with Morrissey. How was that experience?

It proved to us that if the people get exposed to it, then the people will get it. Every show was amazing, and since we'd been kind of starving to death in a Hollywood crackhouse up until that point it was a welcome change.

7. Do you actually enjoy touring? Are there any plans for a tour in the near future?

Touring can be pretty amazing if you're playing to a great audience. Driving to Phoenix to play to ten people doesn't do it.


8. What has been your favorite venue or town/city to play while out on tour?

Probably El Paso.

9. When did you play your first Kiss or Kill show?

Robin used to do live sound back when Kiss or Kill started at The Garage, it was immediately obvious that it was very different from the horrible Hollywood glam scene hangover nights we'd got used to.


10. You have taken a sort of hiatus from playing shows this past year. What was this due to?

Robert spent a chunk of time in Paris, when he got back we wanted to rip everything apart and then build it up again fresh from the ground up.

11. In your own words how would you describe The King Cheetah sound?

Adventurous, Bold, Challenging, Diverse, Exciting, Fresh, Grinding, High energy, Intense, Jaw Dropping, Killing, Loud, Mighty, Natural, Overpowering, Potent, Quasi-religious, Righteous, Stunning, Tight as fuck, Urgent, Virtuous, Warlike, Xacting, Your freedom constructed in Sound, Zealously pushing for perfection.

Here is the video for "Six Inch Killaz" by The King Cheetah



12. How do you feel your sound has evolved over the last few years?

See above.

13. What do you hope everyone will come away with from your performances each week throughout your August Residency?

Damp clothes and hearts on fire.

14.What advice would you give to bands that are just starting out?

Go your own way.

15. What would be your dream bill to play on?

Power trio night in Heaven: The Jimi Hendrix Experience, supported by Nirvana, Cream, and The Police.

Here is a Cream performance of "Sunshine of Your Love"

Meet Eject...

www.myspace.com/ejecttheband

Paul Rogers from L.A. based band Eject takes some time out of his busy schedule to answer some questions before their return to the Kiss or Kill stage tonight at Safari Sam's. Eject takes the stage at 10:15 pm.



1. Where are you from originally, and what brought you to Los Angeles (if you are not originally from LA)?

I'm from England; Gary and Tim (our drummer and guitarist) are from Ireland; and Andy, our singer/guitarist, is a native Californian. Music brought us all here.

2. Some of the longtime fans and supporters knew you as The Slow Lorries what called for the band name to be changed to Eject?

There was another band called Slow Lorries in Northern California. We'd rather not worry about names at all - it's all just time and energy that could be used making great music.

3. How did the current line-up meet? Were any of you involved in other bands previously?

I met Andy after he placed an ad on Craig's List for "Peter Hook Wanted". Gary and Tim go way back and have played together on and off for years. Gary had briefly played in a band with Andy too.

4. What instruments do you each play?

I (Paul) play bass; Andy sings, plays guitar (and keys on the recordings) and writes all the songs; Gary plays drums and sings backing vocals; and Tim plays guitar.

5. What made you get involved with music?

Is there anything else?

6. Are there any plans to tour anytime soon?

Absolutely - as soon as it's viable.

7. Eject is currently in the studio recording, will the end product be a full length? Has a release date been scheduled?

We're permanently in the studio - Tim is also a world-class engineer. We just released our debut EP - the stuff we're currently recording will probably also appear as an EP, in the fall.

8. How did Eject's involvement with Kiss or Kill come about? When did you play your first Kiss or Kill show?

We first played KorK, at the Echo, in August '05 I think. A friend introduced me to the club in 2004 and we've had a relationship with them ever since.

9 What do you feel makes Kiss or Kill different from other nights in Los Angeles/Hollywood?

They're consistent with the bands they book. If you like melodic, punkish pop music, you can go to KorK on any given night and - even if you're not familiar with any of the bands - you'll almost certainly enjoy at least one of them.

10. In your own words how would you describe the Eject sound?

It's melodic, atmospheric and evocative, but has energy and angst too.



Eject in Action - photo by Brian Callaway



11. What do you feel sets Eject apart from other bands?

Hopefully great songs and quality arrangements. All I know is that our absolute priority is the songs - not fashion, being part of a "scene" or what the fuck ever.

12. Where does the inspiration for your songs stem from?

Andy's head. Musically? The Cure, Doves, early U2, New Order, Talk Talk, Pale Saints, Depeche Mode, The Smiths, Swervedriver, Andy's classical training, Buzzcocks, the Charlatans ...


Video The Charlatans - "The Only One I Know"


13. How has the sound evolved over the last few years?

We're gradually crystalizing our own sound/personality, and Andy's songs are getting better and better. I've no idea where our sound will go from here, but I'm excited about wherever it takes us.

14. What bands have influenced you personally?

Me? The Cure, Talk Talk, The Streets, David Sylvian, Magneta Lane, Immortal Technique, The Jam, Eisley, Depeche Mode, The Smiths, Catherine Wheel, Coheed & Cambria, Glassjaw ...


15. What advice would you give to bands that are just starting out?

Just do what you do and, if you're lucky, fashion and fate will line-up with your sound. Don't start chasing fashion - that's a recipe for misery and fake music. Remember why you got into this: to express yourself and have fun (presumably)

16. Do you feel band's have more of an advantage or disadvantage when it comes to taking their band to the next level in today's day in age considering the state of the music industry?

Nothing's changed - the cream still rises. If your music is great and you work hard, you'll succeed on some level. We're doing our thing without compromise and thoroughly enjoying it - we're already succeeding.

17. What would be your dream bill to play on?

On tour with The Cure, forever.

Video The Cure "Friday, I'm In Love" -



18. If you didnt reside in the Los Angeles area where would you live?

Austria.

Meet Pu$$y Cow...

1. Where are you from originally, and what brought you to Los Angeles (if you are not originally from LA)?
Joe: I was born at the Kaiser Permanente on Sunset. I lived on Wilton, in Park LaBrea and well, all over Los Angeles really. I now make my home in gorgeous Echo Park.
Flaco: Camarillo. Music, and the escape from ultra-conservatism brought me here.
Chissum Worthington : orange county.

2. How did the name Pu$$y Cow come about (for those that don't know the story)?
Flaco: Who is this Pu$$y-Cow, anyway?
Joe: Pu$$y-Cow is a common heard mondegreen among Los Angeles residents. Sort of like hearing "excuse me while I kiss this guy" instead of "the sky" in Purple Haze. There was a car salesman who would sell cars with an infectious jingle to the tune of, "If you're happy and you know it". It went, "If you wanna car or truck, go see cal!". Many kids heard, "If you wanna car or truck, pussy cow!" The thing is they would start every commercial by announcing, "Here is Cal Worthington and his dog, Spot" and it was never a dog! So the idea wasn't even dirty as much as we just thought Cal was confused about animals.

3. How did the current line-up meet? Why did you decide to form a band?
Joe: Danny and I have known each other since high school. Mike Schnee (Chissum Worthington) was hanging around Kiss or Kill taking shots for his documentary. Flaco had just ended his time in his band, No Way Jose. I knew back then that Flaco was one of the most amazing bass players I had ever seen. So I asked if he'd like to start a project with me. Dannybecame our drummer. Flaco suggested Schnee as guitarist as they had played in Wormstew together for a bit. I don't know why as much as I always wanted to be in a band. I'm sure the other guys have other ideas as to why. They are all seasoned veterans. I'm the newbie.
Flaco: Joe met me as a performer with NWJ. Danny and Mike, I met going to shows


4. What has been the craziest show you have played to date?
Joe: hmmm. Crazy how? It was crazy to open for the Muffs and the Adicts. It was crazy to have our first residency at KorK over a year ago and do a lounge medley of some of our fave KorK bands' songs. I think one of the craziest shows we ever had was this show at the lava lounge when every member of Pu$$y-Cow was horribly trashed. People loved it but it was honestly the worst we had all been on stage. Usually you get a Joe got too drunk night or a Chissum had too much booze night.This particular night we were all just horribly drunk but yet very entertaining. We knocked them dead!
Flaco: 1st time at Key Club, with cracked rib, schnookered outta me dome Joe: I think that was the show he threw a bottle at Mike.

5. What instruments do you each play?
Joe: Voice and Kazoo and Baby Piano
Flaco: Bass(fretless,Fender,upright again when I own a house), guitar, mandolin. My favorite of late is musical typing, with MIDI patches, vs. using a regular synth controller. Like a video game jock, that prefers the keyboard, and snubs the joystick. I compose a lot, so the instruments do what I tell them, like there are my minions.
Chissum Worthington: guitar in pussy cow....but i also play bass, keyboards, harmonica, percussion, and soul.

6. What made you get involved with music?

Joe: I've been a music nut forever just never thought I was talented enough to actually persue anything with it.
Flaco: Chicks
Chissum Worthington: john, paul, george, and ringo

7. Were any of you involved in other bands prior to this one?

Joe: several fake bands and bands that didn't get off the ground: FFD, Shermy
Flaco: Since I was a youngster. Many. Bassists are sluts too, and have more opportunities thatn other instruments, because basically, who the fuck wants to play bass anyway? I still don't.
Chissum Worthington: Wormstew, I Am Rag, Incense Graveyard, The Leeks, The Popstars, and The Volkwood Ghost

8. Where does the inspiration for the songs come from?

Joe: Mostly from pop culture icons and food. We have songs about Jello Biafra, the Muffs, Ice T, Sean Combs, Jack Stephan, Tacos. Other ones are usually about being a jerk when it comes to relationships.
Flaco: Takin a shit in the morning

9. What has been your favorite venue or town/city to play?

Joe: Hmm. We haven't been out of Los Angeles often so I've loved all the places we've played outside of LA. the Double Down in Vegas, The Mint in Bakersfield, Thee Parkside in SF. When it comes to Los Angeles, I love playing Safari Sam's, Mr. T's, the Key Club (because then the parents show up), the Echo, Old Towne Pub and Spaceland. Pretty much anywhere that will let us play.
Flaco: Canterbury, UK

10. How did P-Cows's involvement with Kiss or Kill come about? When did you play your first Kiss or Kill show?

Flaco: Joe can tell it better. I'm on Vicodin, and in a neck brace. Talk to the singer
Joe: Well we were all fans of Kork before we were a band. One of my main goals with the band was to one day play KorK. We played our first Kork show on June 14th of 2005. I believe we said it was our farewell show.


11. What do you feel makes Kiss or Kill different from other nights in Los Angeles/Hollywood?

Joe: The bands are cooler. Always.
Flaco: Good people, absence of competetive bullshit.

12. You guys are now booking your own night,Club Yoostuh BeCool, in Pasadena. What type of bands do you try to book and what is the vibe you strive to give?

Joe: well, i guess the vibe is sort of like the one created by Kork.We would like to create a close knit family of bands. We book lots of the bands that play KorK but we also book slower quieter acts and acts that are less aggressive than punk. The idea is that just because you're in a punk band doesn't mean you don't like the occasional country or roots or blues act. The trick is to book those quieter acts that still have enough attitude that will make the punks shake their ass or raise their fist or sit back and listen. It is also so we can create a scene in Pasadena. Most the live music I read about around pasadena is jazz (nothing wrong with that) and tribute bands. We'd like to create something that the kids of pasadena look forward to monthly.
Flaco: If it were up to me, it would be all Polka, and sometime Reggaeton

13. You have been working on a new CD how has that process been compared to the first one? You've also been featured on a compilation what is it and how did that come about?

Joe: Ha! the first cd was us being recorded live at kxlu. This an actual in studio recording. It has been lots of fun. Schnee could answer this better than I can. The compilation is for Crimescene Records which is a new record company run by Sam Of Broke 'Til Thursday and Doug from three or four different bands (Margate, Costello, Sweet Sensations). I saw their ad in a magazine I wrote for and saw that a lot of friends' bands were going to be on this comp. I found out it was them putting together the comp and just asked if we could participate. It was that easy. We already had "Taco Chariot" reocorded so we let them use it.
Flaco: The recording process has allowed me to channel my inner-Phil Spector. Fuck the Wall of Sound. Production through fear. Set the air conditioner to 47 degrees, and tell the 14 year old boy, to make it snappy, with my chalice of brandy.

14. During your first year of playing out there was an honor of PCOW Fan #1 given out, who got that title and how did they get it?
Joe:There were about 15 people or so who had attended every p-cow show. As we kept playing, more and more people would miss a show here and there. Some people were incredibly competitive about it. It became the Pu$$y-Cow 10, then the 7 etc. Jeff Penalty of Black Fag and the Dead Kennedys finally won out and continued attending shows until we played about 30 in a row i think. We screwed him up one day by agreeing to a last minute show while he was out of town.


15. In your own words how would you describe your sound?
Joe: This is what I tell people: "Rock n' Roll. All the songs are short and fast"
Flaco: Rock

16. How has the sound evolved since you first became a band?
Joe: Some of our songs got longer. They have more intricate parts. My lyrics have progressed. I can tell an old P-cow song by how many times I throw in a "really" or a "fucking" for timing issues. I think we've all improved with the exception of Flaco who was already at God like status.
Flaco: It hasn't. It has devolved.

17. What bands have influenced you personally?
Joe: the Dwarves and the Cramps is probably where you can find most of my part in the band. Besides that I'm a music nut. I listen to lots of Hip Hop and Soul as well as Punk Rock. I have this weird notion that the more hip hop I listen to, the better my lyrics will get.
Flaco: Thin Lizzy, Iron Maiden

18. What advice would you give to bands that are just starting out?
Joe: I think bands need to move more on stage. Shoegazing bores the fuck out of me. I just worked 8-10 hours, went home, got dressed for the night, went to your show, paid 5-10 dollars to watch you drone about your ex girlfriend and stare at your feet and pretend you don't want to be there. Fuck you! If you didn't want to be there, you wouldn't be making the music. whoa! where did that come from? Sorry.
Flaco: Have fun

19. What would be your dream bill to play on?
Joe: the Dwarves or the Cramps or Iggy or the Dillinger 4 or Tom Jones or Jerry Lee Lewis hahahaha
Flaco: Iron Maiden and The Police

20. If you didnt reside in the Los Angeles area where would you live?
Joe: Paris...but right now, I'm looking at the Crenshaw area.
Flaco: Somewhere by the ocean, but in California.

Meet The Automatic Music Explosion

After rockin' us out all month during their April Kiss or Kill Residency, the members of The Automatic Music Explosion take some time to give us a little bit of history on the band and on themselves.

*live photos by Ashley Ford and Flaco

1. Where are you from originally, and what brought you to Los Angeles (if you are not originally from LA)?


MATT: New York City. I was working hard but nothing was clicking so I just decided to make a change. Plus, I was sick of the snow!

JODIE: I grew up in Detroit. I moved to LA the day I graduated college to be an ACTRESS...Oscar or bust!
CHRIS: Cleveland baby! I moved here to be a Rockstar!
MAX: I was born in San Francisco and moved to L.A. when I was a young lad. I'm an L.A. kid!
JEFF: West Chester Rock City. Just outside Philly. I was in the middle of my third attempt at college when i said Fuck it, I wanna ROCK!


2. How did the name The Automatic Music Explosion come about?

MATT: The first time I ever played any of these songs was with Max. Just me & him in a room & it was obvious what was going on. I was describing it to someone & it just came out.
MAX: Very big and very exciting!!




3. How did the current line-up meet?

MATT: Ads, mutual friends, the usual stuff. Sarah from The Mulhollands found us & told us about Jeff!
MAX: Matt had ads out before I had even arrived home from our first meeting!


4. What has been the craziest show you have played to date?

MATT: The Doll Hut in Anaheim. I had just split my head open the nite before @ a show & I was up on the bar & got all dizzy cause I had a concussion & almost fell off, Jodie’s tambourine literally exploded in the 2nd song & Jeff tried to drink a whole pitcher of beer with no hands while playing & fell on his back & it spilled all over him! After the show I threw up rom the concussion.

MAX: Granada Hills High was pretty nuts. Tons of kids headbangin' with Chris, teachers peeking out of their bungalows scowling, signing anything and everything. A rockin' day was had by all!



5. What instruments do you each play?

Matt – lead vocals/guitar
Jodie – lead vocals/tambourine
Chris – guitar
Jeff – bass
Max! - drums








6. What made you get involved with music?

MATT: When I was 6 a neighbor gave me a KISS album & I used to stare at the cover & just want to be inside that world with them.

MAX: Music got involved with me. Literally walked up to me, jammed itself in my ears and that was
that. Probably the Kinks or The Beatles. Been drumming since I was seven.

CHRIS: The day I heard Metallica's "Master of Puppets" I knew what i had to do...

JODIE: When I lost the role of The Black Dahlia to Mia Kirshner I never got over it. I met Matt and and Max thru a mutual friend and they told me I would get to sing, dance and play tambourine everyday if I joined the band. I quit my talent agent the next day.

Max thru a mutual friend and they told me I would get to sing, dance and play tambourine everyday if I joined the band. I quit my talent agent the next day.

JEFF: I Started playing cello in the third grade and from there moved on to bass. Once I played my first show in 6th or 7th grade I was in it all the way!



7. Were any of you involved in other bands prior to this one?

EVERYONE: Nah!



8. Whose idea was it to incorporate the audience directed signs during your live shows and where did that idea come from?





MATT: I think it was mine, but I say that about everything! I just wanted to able to connect & communicate with the audience in everyway possible.

MAX: If the signs were Matt's idea, I was right behind him sayin’ "YES YES YES "! We are the musical equivelant of a boxing match and each song is a round. When we become a 15 round Heavyweight gig, people are gonna get hurt! That includes the band of course.



9. What has been your favorite venue or town/city to play while out on tour?

MATT: No tour yet...so right now Safari Sam’s Hollywood, CA!


10. How did The AME's involvement with Kiss or Kill come about? When did you play your first Kiss or Kill show?

MATT: Jan 31. We had played a show a month or two earlier at like 7:30 for this private party & Cooper caught our set & dropped us a line. What a thrill!

11. What do you feel makes Kiss or Kill different from other nights in Los Angeles/Hollywood?

MATT: The non-Hollywood fake rock star bullshit attitude & the fact that most of KOK are actual working musicians & not some bitter prick in a booking office who “used to have a band”.

MAX: I love the community of KOK. We Have met loads of ultra kool people since we have been
welcomed into your fab scene! Proud to be a part.



12. You guys (and gal) like The Mulhollands and Ok Stranger are part of another group of supportive bands, how has being a part of that helped your band?

MATT: It’s been great to be part of a supportive scene. New York was definitely not like that…I really appreciate having all those guys as friends & getting play with them.

MAX: It's nice when you can look out into your audience, see your friends and give 'em a nod. Even better when we are all on the same bill. Lots of great nights so far!


13. You are having a record release this week. Is this your first release and is it a full length or an EP?

MATT: First release & it’s an EP. On May 20 we fly to New York to record with producer Mike Chapman(The Sweet, The Knack, Blondie, Suzi Quatro…allmusic.com that name if you don’t already know). He just flew out here to meet with & us catch a show. We’re very excited...so is he!



14. What was the process of putting that together?

MATT: Re: the EP - The usual stuff…demos recorded in our rehearsal space. We just felt it was time to have something with a barcode & also to top killing our cd burners! Re: Chapman, I found out where he lived & it was down the street from my Grandmother on the East Coast! So we sent him a cd & a month later I was home visiting & I went to his house & knocked on the door. We hung out, drank some Tequila & talked about the band. A month later he flew out here to see our show & that was that!

MAX: Mike Chapman was on the agenda from day one. Matt literally stalked him (in a good way . It's still unreal that he has seen the AME live and to have hung out with him. He has produced 3 of my favorite drummers of all time. Mick Tucker (Sweet) , Clem Burke (Blondie) and Bruce Gary (The Knack).



15. In your own words how would you describe your sound?

MATT: AC/DC meets The Archies…TOTAL Pop meets TOAL Rock. Not some wimpy band calling themselves “Rock” & not some Pop band with distorted guitars. Sexy & fun! (too many words??)

MAX: BIG!

CHRIS: Sweet!



16. How has the sound evolved since you first became a band?

MATT: It’s gotten bigger sounding & more aggressive. Also, once we realized what Jodie could do we were able to have a lot more of the co-lead vocal thing…and I’m always asking her to scream.



17. What bands have influenced you personally?

MATT: KISS, Ramones & AC/DC

JODIE: Marvelettes, Ronettes, Cyndi Lauper, Madonna & Aerosmith!

CHRIS: I live for the party bands ie. james brown, van halen, dr. dre, ludacris, andrew wk, etc, etc.

MAX: Beatles, Kinks, Janes Addiction and the first two Motley Crue records. HA!!



18. What advice would you give to bands that are just starting out?

MATT: Learn how to write songs & practice more than once a week

MAX: Communicate and listen to each other.



19. What would be your dream bill to play on?

MATT: Headlining MSG, I don’t care who opens.

MAX: Coachella. Sandwiched between Oasis and a " REAL " Guns N Roses reunion.



20. If you didn’t reside in the Los Angeles area where would you live?

MATT: NYC or hopefully soon in Space

JODIE: Somewhere with SEASONS - LA's sunny weather can be so boring sometimes

JEFF: In Wyoming or Vermont, somehwere way out the fuck out there in a log cabin that I built.

CHRIS: All I know is wherever I'd end up would need to have an equal or greater amount of hot ass biaaahs!

MAX: London

Meet The Prix

Some of you may have caught The Prix at last years Playa's Picnics and Kiss or Kill's Sunset Junction as well as our regular Safari Sam's nights, they have also shared numerous bills with one of our favorites The New Fidelity. If you haven't caught them yet, you have a chance to see them tonight at Kiss or Kill at Safari Sam's (5214 W. Sunset Blvd.). They hit the stage at 10:15pm

In the meantime you can get to know them a little bit better here, as Stephen "Stevie" Mills (drummer/background vocals - referred to in interview as SM) and Cashew Von Harding (guitarist/vocals referred in interview as CVH)took some time out to answer some of our questions before tonights show!

Stevie Mills and Cashew Von Harding


1. Where are you from originally, and what brought each of you to Los Angeles (if you are not originally from LA)?

CVH: Blake and I were born, raised, educated, and most likely got our first kisses in the City of Los Angeles

SM: Zacharius Ziegler & Stephen Mills hail from separate "nowheresvilles" on the East Coast: Nyack, NY & Old Forge, PA respectively. Both probably came here for the same 2 reasons: 1) have you heard the bands in Nyack or Old Forge!? 2) Have you had to shovel snow in L.A. between November & April? Case closed.

2. How did the name The Prix come about?

SM: Well it certainly wasn't intended to encourage the "Pree vs. Pricks" debate that we're constantly answering to. But in French it means both "prize" and "price"...hmmmm, interesting. Ya might wanna follow up w/Blake & Cashew on that one.


3. How did the current line-up meet?

CVH: Blake was playing in SUNSTORM, a local act signed on Rough Trade Records, and I was producing BURGUNDY JONES who had a small, local hit with “Gracias A La Vida”

SM: Blake & Cashew randomly met at Cacao Coffee House in West LA, & by the time the conversation brought them to the bottom of their cups, they had bonded over everything from music to politics, & even found one's cousin to be the other's close family friend! With the nucleus of a new band in place, along came Zach by way of another random meeting; with Cashew's (then) grilfriend, who happened to mention the boys were looking for a bassist. Stevie, an acquaintence of Cashew's via a close friendship with his cousin, joined the ranks about 6 months later.

4. What has been the craziest show you have played to date?

SM: Well "crazy" is a relative term, but The Blue Moon Tavern in Seattle was pretty off the hook. A bit of a dive (& we say that affectionately) but it was PACKED with an extremely enthusastic bunch who there there soley to ROCK & shower us with love. Kiss or Kill's right up there too, mainly due to the lunacy of one Rob Z. ;)



The Prix in Seattle

5. What instruments do you each play?

Blake: Piano, Organ, Lead Vocals
Cashew: Guitar, Lead Vocals
Stevie: Drums, Backing vocals
Zach: Bass, backing Vocals


6. What made you each want to get involved with music?

SM: For me, I was brainwashed by KISS at a very young age. But in general, ya know, a kid gets into music, picks up an instrument & it's all over from that point on..OR, grows up & out of it by high school graduation. Thankfully, none of us have grown up yet.

CVH: Blake is a classically trained pianist who has been performing since he was a tiny boy and Cashew, as well had been raised in a classical music dominated home yet veered towards John and Paul.


7. Most bands seem to love going on tour, do you actually enjoy touring? Why or why not?

SM: Yes of course! Probably because we haven't had enough of a chance to grow tired of it yet. Seriously though, on the positive side, there's nothing better than turning new people in new cities on to our music.

8. What has been your favorite venue or town/city to play while out on tour?

SM: NYC! Crammed 4 shows in only 3 days & just basked in the energy of the Lower East Side. Dallas & Austin, right behind it.


9. How did The Prix's involvement with Kiss or Kill come about? When did you play your first Kiss or Kill show?

CVH: Siria, Siria, Siria!!

SM: Another chance encounter with YOU Ms. Siria! Remember, SXSW '05, I met Siria on (of all places) the Myspace bus! We had recently met & became fast friends w/one of yours, Joanne. You were on the bus with her, we met, had a beer & some laughs & that was it! our first KorK show was last summer, at Old Towne Pub in Pasadena, the week before the Sunset Junction bill you so graciously put us on at El Cid.


10. What do you feel makes Kiss or Kill different from other nights in Los Angeles/Hollywood?
SM: One word: "community" In L.A.!?!? A rarity! Bands, arists & patrons alike all gather on a regular basis at KorK, knock a few back w/new & old friends, share the stage, & occasionally swap spit when applicable. It's beautiful.


11. How would you describe the experience of putting together and releasing your first Cd?

SM: Both Excellent & frustrating. Excellent as far as recording & adding the studio spices & seasonings to the dozen tunes we'd been honing on stage for the better part of a year. The frustration set in about halfway through the mixing stage. Self-producing on a budget with an engineer that "never heard Sgt. Peppers." We're in a much better place now, recording our new material at Red Rockets Glare studio, with Raymond Richards as recording engineer & Dan Long (TV On the Radio / Yeah Yeah Yeah's) working his magic on mixing the shit out of em!


12. For those that don't know all of the band members are Scorpios, does that lead to any issues having some of the same personality traits or does it make working together easier?

SM:Probably both. Shit, who knows. But we do know that Cashew & I share Nov. 20th w/ Kork's own Johnny 99. "Salut, Johnny!"


13.You guys got to work with one of your musical heroes early on. Who was it and how did that come about?

SM: Emitt Rhodes! 60s L.A. pop prodigy. Many people may have to Google him, but many others consider him the "American Paul McCartney". By 1970, he became a 20 year old one-man-band, recording every instrument & vocal on his 3 solo LPs through '73. Blake & Cashew simply cracked open the phonebook, rang him up & recruited him to record the very first Prix demo. There was even a brief period where we were in rehearsal to be his backing band for a few RARE live shows in town. Emitt live on stage happens as frequently as Haley's Comet, & sadly this never came to be, but we're happy to claim one of our heroes as a friend now.

here is a video featuring Emitt Rhodes in the band The Merry-Go-Rounds





14. You have been a mainstay on KROQ's own Locals Only show hosted by Kat Corbett, how did Kat come across your music?

CVH: We were featured as Jed The Fish’s “Catch Of The Day” and since then Kat has championed us on her radio shows and local concerts.


15. In your own words how would you describe The Prix's sound?

SM: Raucous, rowdy, randy, rambunctious, garage/psych/mod noise-pop? All of those things, yet none of those things specifically. Readers, come on out on Wednesday & tell US!


16. How has the sound evolved over the last few years?

SM: Well, however we may have evolved, it's been more natural & organic than it has been a premeditated effort. So its hard to pinpoint really. Perhaps we're a bit more caution-to-the-wind these days & just being more comfortable at being ourselves.?


17. What bands have influenced you?

CVH: Brian Jonestown Massacre, Kasabian, The Smiths, Pulp, and Beck

SM: In no order, everything from Alice Cooper, T. Rex, Donovan, X, Bowie, Iggy, Beatles, Stones, KISS, Love, Leon Russell, Lee Hazlewood, to infinity. So, so many influences, whether audible in our music or not.


18. What advice would you give to bands that are just starting out?

SM:When you tour through the Southwest, & see the dozens of "Whataburger" locations & think "wow, we gotta try it," don't bother! We fell for it, & ended up renaming it "Whatabummer," "Whatacon," "Whatadisappointment," etc, etc.


19. What would be your dream bill to play on?

SM:Shit, we'll let ya know when we're on it


20. If you didnt reside in the Los Angeles area where would you live?

SM: Despite it's shortcomings & occasional cruelty to musicians, we do still love L.A. as home. But NYC or the U.K. might be nice for a spell too.



The Prix in LA

Kiss or Kill Spotlight - The Mulhollands

Get to Know...

The Mulhollands

Sarah Jeanette and Jeremy James of Kiss or Kill's March Resident Band The Mulhollands took some time to answer some of our questions on the history of the band and their involvement in our scene.



Band Members
Sarah Jeanette - Vocals, Tambourine
Jeremy James - Guitar, Vocals
Jeff - Bass
Dave - Drums

Check out their video for their song, "Baby It's Alright"











The Mulhollands will be opening up for The Screeners and IAMX tonight at Safari Sam's!

1. Where are you each from originally, and what brought you to Los Angeles?

Sarah Jeanette - I am originally from West Chester, PA. I moved out to Los Angeles to pursue music
Jeremy James – Originally from Nashville . Moved to LA to play music and surf

Jeff and Dave are from LA





2. How did the name The Mulhollands come about?


Jeremy James would often go up to the top of Mulholland Drive to write our songs...so it just seemed to fit.





3. How did the current line-up meet?

Upon first moving to LA, Sarah Jeanette heard Jeremy James playing guitar by the pool at the apartment complex where they both lived. They started working together and seeked other members to form the Mulhollands. Then they found Jeff pretty quickly and just recently added Dave to the group as drummer.


4. Were any of you involved in other bands before forming The Mulhollands?

Jeremy James was in Nashville punk band PLASTER for 9 years before starting The Mulhollands. Sarah Jeanette was in a couple local bands in Pennsylvania . Dave is also in L.A. band The Quirks





5. What instruments do you each play?


Jeremy James plays Lead Guitar (Fender Strat, Gibson SG) Sarah Jeanette sings and plays Tambourine, Jeff plays Fender Jazz Bass, Dave plays drums.



6. What made each of you get involved with music?


Sarah Jeanette - Having been born into show business with an actress for a mother (Susan Richardson from Eight is Enough), I have been singing since I could walk, constantly doing charity work with my mom, singing in retirement homes and hospitals. I grew up listening to Fleetwood Mac, The Beatles, The Pretenders and Heart. At 16, I started playing guitar and formed my first band. After college, I decided to move to LA to pursue the life long dream.

Jeremy James – It wasn’t much of a decision. I saw Everclear when I was 15, went home and never put the guitar down again. Not to mention the whole Nirvana and Green Day thing. I had about 30 Beach Boys tapes before I was eleven.

7. What has been the craziest show you have played to date?

We played a Kiss or Kill show opening for Winger and Metal Skool which was probably the craziest show to date. The crowd was amazing and yeah, its Winger...enough said.


8. Are there any plans to go on tour in the near future?

We hope to tour later this year, hopefully in the summer.


9. What has been your favorite venue or town/city to play so far?

We love playing Kiss or Kill the best because it has a family type vibe. There are so many regulars and everyone is so supportive



10. How did The Mulhollands involvement with Kiss or Kill come about?


Well, we started hanging out at Kiss or Kill and really loved the scene. So Johnny decided to book us an opening slot and it went really well, so we continued to play pretty regularly.



11. When did you play your first Kiss or Kill show?

April 21, 2006



12. What do you feel makes Kiss or Kill different from other nights in Los Angeles/Hollywood?

Kiss or Kill is different because as mentioned above, it has an awesome vibe...it is its own little community, like a big family of musicians and genuine music lovers. Thats hard to find in LA.

13.You all are part of your own little music community as well, describe that?

Outside of the Kiss or Kill Community, we have a group of LA bands we have formed a community with...Automatic Music Explosion, Ok Stranger, Spycamera, The Scene, The Ringers, American Eyes etc.

14. Will True Romance be your first full length CD? Who did you work with that on and how was that experience? What is the release date?

Our first release is going to be "With Our Eyes Closed" a 4 song EP. We worked with Producer Biff Vincent and engineer Joshua Williams who did an amazing job.


15. You guys seem to have a great following by other local LA bands what do you credit that to?

We have been lucky to meet some amazing people out here in local bands. We all support each other.


15. In your own words how would you describe The Mulhollands sound?

The Mulhollands sound is indie pop...The kind of music you want to drive along the Pacific Coast Highway with the windows down.


16. Jeremy James recently had the chance to tour with the Pink Spiders, how did that come about and how was that experience for him?

The Spiders were fans of PLASTER and then The Mulhollands. The tour was amazing, I got to see ever city in America and become friends with some of my favorite bands.

16. How has the sound evolved since you first came together?


The music has evolved quite a bit. It took us a while to develop exactly what The Mulhollands sound is.


17. What bands have influenced you personally?


We have been influenced by The Beach Boys, The Pretenders, Smashing Pumpkins, The Ramones, Gram Parsons





18. What advice would you give to bands that are just starting out?

Be original, network, and don’t give up


19. What would be your dream bill to play on?

Coachella


20. If you didnt reside in the Los Angeles area where would you live?

Sarah Jeanette - I would live in Corsica...an amazing Island just off the coast of France .
Jeremy James – Chicago or New York

Ian MacKaye: I'm Not The Most Prolific Person...

Ian MacKaye
Interviewed by Kyle Ryan
February 20th, 2007

Of the members of punk rock's second generation—Bob Mould, Henry Rollins, Jello Biafra, etc.—Ian MacKaye has had the greatest influence on music and commerce: The DIY ethos he and his peers established in early-'80s Washington D.C. affected the genre as profoundly as his music. When his high-school punk band, The Teen Idles, decided to release a single, he and bandmate Jeff Nelson created Dischord Records, which remains one of independent music's most respected labels. Musically, MacKaye made his first big impact in legendary hardcore group Minor Threat, which helped establish D.C. as a punk hub in the early '80s. The Minor Threat song "Straight Edge," about MacKaye's choice to eschew drugs, alcohol, and promiscuous sex, fomented a youth movement that has since warped into a cottage industry. After Minor Threat, MacKaye briefly led Embrace, whose deeply personal style gave birth to emocore—and the bands selling a lot of records today. In the late '80s, MacKaye formed Fugazi, which became one of the most important bands of the era, and easily the most influential post-punk group of its generation, before going on hiatus in 2002. Now in his 40s, MacKaye remains contrary with his latest group, The Evens. The duo—guitarist-vocalist MacKaye and drummer-vocalist Amy Farina—plays understated, quiet songs through their own small PA, which makes virtually anywhere a performance space. This quiet M.O. may be MacKaye's most revolutionary idea yet. Just as The Evens' sophomore album, The Get Evens, came out, MacKaye spoke to The A.V. Club about his new approach, his past, and the porn director who took his name.

To read the full interview visit the A.V. Club site here

Get to Know...

Mike TV from Get Set Go

1. Where are you from originally, and what brought you to Los Angeles?

I, Mike TV, am from Southern California. I grew up in Palm Desert and then moved out to Los Angeles in the early 90's. Eric Summer, our violist, is from Missoula, Montana originally, but has lived so many places, and is on the run from so many law enforcement agencies that he really has no true place of origin. Dave Palamaro, our drummer, purports to be from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, but I have it on good authority that he actually sprung from the mind of Cthulu, the many tentacled god of yore. And Colin Schlitt, our bass player, is from the fabled and many-splendored ocean-view retreat of Northern California known as Port Reyes. Jim Daley, our lead guitar, hails from Boston. He also rains, squalls, sleets, and drizzles from Boston.

2. How did the name Get Set Go come about?

Well, when we signed with TSR Records we were originally called All Your Base Are Belong To Us. But for some reason the label didn't like that name. So we went through an exhaustive many week period where we submitted hundreds of names to the label, and they shot hundreds of names down. So, we eventually hit an impasse, where I went to Tom, the owner of the label, and said, "Okay, we're gonna come up with three names. You guys will then pick your favorite of those three. And that'll be the name. And we'll all be just vaguely disappointed." Tom agreed, we submitted So You've Ruined Your Life, The Hunting Accident, and Get Set Go. The label chose Get Set Go.

3. How did the current line-up meet?

Actually, it was a hodge-podge. I knew Dave from the old Mr. T's/Launchpad days. Eric from Kiss or Kill. We found Colin on Craig's List. And Jim through the scene. Actually, I don't know how we discovered Jim. He just sorta showed up. But the boy could wail.

4. What has been the craziest show you have played to date?

Well, one of the craziest shows actually involved a crazy person. His name was Billy Ray Something. I don't remember his last name. But he was a homeless guy. We were in Orlando, and our venue cancelled on us last minute. So we decided to hold the show in their parking lot, just to spite them. So, there we were, us and about 20 friends and fans, playing acoustically, when up rolls this homeless guy that starts talking over the music, asking people for change. Then he starts hamboning, out of time, to the music. At first it was ridiculously frustrating. Then it became comical. And by the end, he was part of the show. We actually managed to coerce him to settle down and behave, under the threat of actually being paid some money. It cost me 10 bucks to get that guy to quiet down and we promised to meet him in Tucson, Arizona. A promise we didn't keep. For all I know, he may still be there, waiting.

5. What instruments do you play?

Mike TV - guitar, vocals

Eric Summer - viola, vocals

Dave Palamaro - drums

Colin Schlitt - bass, vocals

Jim Daley - guitar, vocals

Get Set Go in action

6. What made you get involved with music?

I don't know. I've been making music my entire life. Not with any intention of doing anything with it. Or putting out records. That's only a recent twist. But there's a thrill in writing a brand new song. Something that the world hasn't heard before. And it belongs to you. And you get to play it to your heart's content. It's quite possibly the greatest feeling ever. But that's just me. I don't know why the other guys make music. Probably because of the girls. The girls run a close second for me.

7. What has been the craziest show you have played to date? (yes we liked his first answer so much we had to ask it again...sorry Mike!!!)

Hmm....deja vu. I guess another crazy show was a time in Missoula, Montana. We were running late because our lights had short-circuited. We had no tail lights, no headlights, nothing. So we had 'em fixed in Seattle, and then had to drive 6 hours to Missoula. So we got there at 1 in the morning, and we were sure that the venue was gonna be empty and the show was gonna be over. But everyone had waited for us. There were like 100 people in the venue, and when we started playing, they were singing along, and going nuts. It was glorious. At 1 in the morning. For us! I couldn't believe it. I still don't believe it. I suspect somebody spiked the punch.

8. It seems as though you guys are always on tour, do you actually enjoy touring?

I love touring. Love, love, love touring. I hate booking tours, but actually being on the road is my absolute favorite. Mostly because all of your responsibilities get tossed to the wind. Your only objective is to make it to the next show, or radio appearance, or instore and play your hearts out. I mean, how great is that? No bill paying, no fights with the girlfriend, no IRS, no rent, nothing. Just you, the road, the fans, and the music. It's glorious!

9. What has been your favorite venue or town/city to play while out on tour?

That's tough. There are lots that we love. San Francisco, Portland, Seattle, Denver, Minneapolis, Rochester, and New York to name a few. But wherever there are people that dig our music, it's always a joy to play for them. Whether there are 5 people in the club or 300.

10. How did Get Set Go's involvement with Kiss or Kill come about?

When did you play your first Kiss or Kill show?Hmm...you know, I don't know. I remember Matt and Cooper from Bang Sugar Bang coming out the Tuesday nights at Mr. T's, and I remember them telling me that they were starting something up at the Garage (now known as the Little Temple) on Sunday nights. And I remember going to a few shows out there, which were always loads of fun. I mean, this was at a particularly hard-boozing period in my life, and if there's one thing beside make music that the Kiss or Killers do well, it's putting back the alcohol. So, it was always glorious fun. Insofar as our first show, I really don't know. I think it was at Zen (Sushi). Although, we played the Garage a bunch of times, and one of those might have been a Kiss or Kill show. My brain doesn't work so well, anymore.

11. What do you feel makes Kiss or Kill different from other nights in Los Angeles/Hollywood?How do you feel the Launch Pad at Mr.T's influenced Kiss or Kill?

Well, basically, Kiss or Kill is about community. It's about bands who love music supporting other bands who love music. And, for whatever reason, that's a pretty rare breed of band. And I live for those nights when I'm seeing bands that I love, surrounded by people that I love, and all of us are sharing an experience that is singularly ours. It doesn't belong to strangers. It's not about getting rich or being famous. It's about music, and each other, and love. And man, if that's not PR I don't know what is.And, what was Launchpad's influence on Kiss or Kill? I don't know. Maybe, just maybe it inspired Cooper and Johnny and all of the architects of Kiss or Kill to realize that you don't have to wait around for someone else to make a place for your music to belong. You can do it yourself. But that might be assuming way too much. I really don't know. But I do know that I'm happy that Kiss or Kill exists. Without it, the Los Angeles music scene would be a dramatically bleaker environment.

12. How many Cd's have you all released to date? Was any of them harder than the others?

We've got three records in stores. So You've Ruined Your Life, Ordinary World, and Selling Out & Going Home. Each of them were recorded with a different cast of characters, although, I'm hoping that the current line-up remains until I'm old and grey. The hardest, I think was Ordinary World, and mostly because it was such a serious departure from the first record. I really had trouble sleeping at night for worry about how the record would be received.

13. You guys seem to have a great all ages following, what do you credit that to?

One word. MySpace. Yeah, it basically revolutionized our ability to access our friends and fans. I don't like saying the word fans, because it suggests a degree of distance between us and the people that like our music. And I really try to abolish that distance. I try to be personable, and open, and honest with everyone that we meet. And MySpace has really allowed us to stay in contact with thousands of people, on a daily basis. And most of those people are kids. They're the users of MySpace. And fortunately, they're not adverse to having me clog up their inboxes with daily bulletins.

14. In your own words how would you describe the Get Set Go sound?

Mid-fi cock pop.

15. You always seem to be working on your next cd the minute you put out every cd. How long is the cd making process for Get Set Go, and where do you get all of the ideas for the songs?

Well, basically, about 3 weeks after the completion of a new record, I get bored with the music. Ha! And then I really desperately want something new. And since I'm our biggest fan, I like to have new Get Set Go music as quickly as possible. So, I've already written 40 songs for our fourth record, and I'm gonna write another set of 20 to 40 more before we actually get into the studio. Hopefully next June. My favorite thing in the whole world is writing and recording records. I mean, I've only done it three times, professionally, but we've been multi-track recording our stuff from the very beginning of Vermicious K, my first band in the LA music scene.Where do I get the ideas for the songs? I have no idea. The third record was about relationships. So, I tried to write as honestly as I could about what I'm going through with my current girlfriend. There's also a couple hold-overs from past relationships, but it's mostly a chronolog of my current relationship. Sorry Sarah.

16. How has the sound evolved over the last few years?

Sheesh. Well, we went from being a powerpop/pop-punk band on the first record, to an indie-folk/folk-punk pop band on the second, to a indie-alt-prog-post-groove-monkey-nipple-banana band. I guess. The first record was a three piece. The second was a 10 person collaboration. The third was five guys, fresh off of multiple tours, laying down a lightning fast collaboration of doom!

17. What bands have influenced you personally?

Arlo and all of their antecedents. New Maximum Donkey. The Archers of Loaf. Jesus & Mary Chain. Pavement. And basically every band from Kiss or Kill and the old Launchpad Scene. I mean, they're the bands that I grew up watching and being inspired by. There's nothing like seeing your friends kicking ass to inspire you to do the same.

18. What advice would you give to bands that are just starting out?

First, figure out if you want to do this as a career or as a hobby. And make sure the entire band is on the same page. Bands fall apart after having established some significant success because they weren't all on the same page about that one. And second, play. Play often. Play every chance you get. And pay attention to the songs that people get excited about. Try to figure out what makes those songs different than the others. And then write more like those. And keep doing it. You'll eventually find your own sound, and your own voice, and once that happens, there's no turning back. Unless, of course, someone gets a high-paying job. Or someone has a baby. Or gets married. Or has to play shows on Fridays. Or....well, you get the idea. Being in a band, and coordinating everyone's schedules is a pain in the butt. Don't get discouraged. Just keep on keeping on. Because if you're not making your music, no else is gonna do it for you. And that'd be sad to think that the world is gonna have to live without your music just because you guys couldn't get your act together.

19. What would be your dream bill to play on?

Hmmm...opening for the Beatles at the Hollywood Bowl in 64. I mean, it'd suck to have to try to compete for those girl's attention, but it'd be glorious to be there and feel that manic, sex-addled energy.

20. If you didnt reside in the Los Angeles area where would you live?

Wyoming. The population of the entire state is 400,000 people. I bet even if you lived in the downtown section of their major cities you can still go for days without seeing another human being.