Kickacts interviews Jon from “FREAKS LIKE ME”!
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Kick Acts Slightly EXTREME:
(Editor note:) Finally an interview I freaking dig! Jon goes all balls out on this one! Two middle fingers up!
Welcome to Kick Acts. Tell us a little about yourself and were you can be found online.
We’re a 3 piece rock band based out of Boston. Though we’re actually from different parts of the globe. I’m from Ireland, Steve’s from the US & Dave’s from the UK. We’ve been playing together now since 2009, & have just released our album ‘Philosophies for the modern ant’ through Pavement/Sony.
You can find us online on our Facebook facebook.com/freakslikememusic
Who are your musical heroes and influences? Why?
Our influences are quite varied really. Everything from old blues guys like Son House, to stuff like Rush or Failure. Our tastes can be very different. We all love the Beatles, Nirvana, AIC, Tool. So we draw from everything I guess. We just like good music.
Do you have any advice for someone just getting started in the music business?
Jon: Have patience. Stay the course. Remember your goals & stick to them. You’ll meet a lot of dicks along the way. But they’re just roadblocks. Don’t let them slow you down. & I know it sounds corny as hell…But a bit of self belief goes a long way.
What piece of advice did you ignore that you wish you hadn’t?
I reckon I’ve ignored far too many pieces of good advice in my life to answer that question accurately.
Do you have a greatest gig story or worst gig horror story you’d like to share?
Best gig experience is a hard one. We’ve had many great shows in various places around the world. But, I gotta say Mathew Street festival in Liverpool was a personal favorite of mine. There were like 100,000+ jumping people. It was total madness. Worst gig…I won’t name the venue, but it was awful. Load in was a nightmare, load out was a nightmare. The sound system sucked. The sound guy was clueless, and we were all exhausted & in pain. We normally play anything up to 2 hours. But that night
we just trashed the stage & left after 60 minutes. We won’t be making a return to that place any time soon.
Do you have any other hobbies other than playing music? Collect stamps? Collect hats from off the side of the road? Draw pictures of peckers or boobs? Make sock puppets? Sit in the dark and eat Cheetos?
I write quite a bit & like art. Digital artwork keeps me busy when I get bored.
Also, on occasion, I like to strip off bollock naked, cover myself in marmite & run blindfolded into a rough neighborhood armed with nothing but a French baguette and a dead hedgehog. But, only when the mood takes me.
What do you think about the current music scene or lack of? Care to address that?
The music industry is just a wasteland now isn’t it?. I mean, People are just trying to make it, trying to survive in place totally dominated by these corporate whores & faces. Everything is sexualized. Its beyond crazy. Kids are watching this & following their leads. Because that’s what kids do. They imitate. Some could argue that watching some of the rock bands of today can be just as damaging. Bullshit! I’d much rather sit my seven year old in front of a Slipknot video than have her sat there staring at some dude practically rubbing his bellend off the camera lens, or some trashy tart lip syncing to some innane drivel whilst dressed like a bad kerb crawler.
Do you think reality shows like American Idol, X factor and The Voice have helped or hurt the music industry as a whole?
I hate those all of those shows so much…with a passion. You could bottle the disgust I feel for them. The judges are simply awful. Laughing & jeering people, even when they appear to be challenged in some way. They should all be lined up & kicked into a dark pit, Spartan style.
What is your opinion of unauthorized music downloads?
Thats a difficult subject to address. I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve done my fair share of downloading. All in the past of course, ahem. The thing that annoys me though, is People acting like its all new.
Its really not. I, like a lot of people, was illegally ‘downloading’ stuff in the 80’s & 90’s, from the radio.
Remember, Cassette tapes? Push play & the big Record buttons together. trying to catch all your favorite new songs as they played on the Saturday Radio Rock show. Copying music has been there for a long time, & it will be there for a long time to come. Money will still be made, t-shirts sold, tickets bought. The
industry always finds a way.
Tell us something about each of your band members that we wouldn’t expect to hear.
Dave once quit a band when they asked him to wear what he perceived to be a ladies blouse on stage. Oh, & Gwen Steffani once made him a cup of tea. Steve may kill me for saying this, but he has an unbelievable curve at the end of his spine. I mean, really bad looking. Like, it should be
completely debilitating, he was told this by a medical professional. But somehow he can still drum better than anyone I’ve seen. He just gets on stage night after night & wails on those things. How, I will never know, & either will his doctors. He really is a freak of nature.
Hypothetical situation. You’re on Gilligan’s island and you get to hook up with only one of the survivors… Which one and why?
I’ve actually only watched Gilligan’s Island a couple of times as a kid & remember nothing of it. But, I have just phoned a friend. I’ll go with Ginger Grant, Final answer.
Do you know what a vinyl album is and have your ever purchased one? If so, what was it?
I used to have quite a bit of vinyl a few years back, but it was pilfered by a bunch of utter cunts! (am I allowed to say that?….moving on) (Editor note: cunt is perfectly acceptable, so is pussies, dickbags,ass hats, etc) I still have a couple. I have an original pressing of The Doors – LA Woman, which I still love.
You’re marooned on an island with Justin Bieber. Do you choke him out the first night in his sleep or what?
Sorry, I’ll have to go with Ozzy on this one…Who the Fuck is Justin Bieber? Could I somehow make a canoe out of him?
What is your opinion of Miley Cyrus?
For a truly worthwhile answer, you should be asking her dad Billy Ray. I saw a great photo recently of Miley posing with a fan, in her skimpiest underwear, tongue out as usual. The mirror behind them caught the refection of a very sad & broken looking Billy Ray. Can you imagine seeing your daughter go from sweet country styled teen to twerking, sledgehammer licking ball rider?
Which would you rather hear in concert? Lip syncing or real vocals?
Nobody should be charged money to see someone mouth the words to their own songs. Its an insult to the people that paid to see a Live show.
Who, or what, is the next big thing?
I could be a douche here & Say FLM…But honestly, who knows? There’s a ‘New Big Thing’ or must have product almost every time you switch on a tv, or pick up a magazine. People need constant distraction so that they don’t have to pay too much attention to whats really going on in the world around them.
One artist you can’t get enough of and can’t live without is…
John Lennon. I think I’d go insane if someone took that away from me. I’ve loved Lennon/The Beatles since I was five years old. Its in my blood. It would be like taking away my oxygen.
Confession time. Share a secret about yourself.
I’m a lesbian.
Favorite movie of all time and why.
Cool hand Luke, Paul Newman. I just love that movie. It about a guy that just won’t give up, won’t give in. He fights & fights, even when he knows he’s lost. When the odds are just stacked against him. I’ve always admired that character.
Our last question is called “Shout It Out Loud”. It’s were you get to talk about whatever you want to talk about. So go ahead and “SHOUT IT OUT LOUD”!
I could say many things here, but I won’t bore you all. I’ll just say, support ‘Real’ music! Don’t get suckered into the mainstream bullshit. Go see live some shows & support your local clubs. & finally…buy our album! We need your support too! The music industry isn’t the suits or the faces behind it. It’s all of you guys out there. Your support can change everything! & looking at the state of music today, a change needs to happen!
Categories: General Tags: AIC, beatles, boston, freaks like me, Ireland, Nirvana, pavement, Philosophies for the modern ant’, Sony, Tool, uk, united kingdom
Nirvana’s last song ever recorded 1994 “Heart Shaped Box”
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I used to really despise the grunge movement and especially nirvana. The flannel shirts and monotone suicidal music never moved me. I actually hated it. Well, 20 years later I am starting to somewhat appreciate some of it. Kurt Cobain was just another local guy (in his area) that happened to catch the mythical “lightning in a bottle”. Unfortunately, we all know the outcome too well. He took his own life. He fought his demons and some say he won, some say he lost. I dunno, it’s not up to me to decide.
Anyway, supposedly here is the last song of the last show nirvana ever played. For such an iconic band at the time, an old airplane hanger that held barely 3,000 people. Is that fitting for “the end” of a movement?
To Hear Kurt Cobain cover “The Beatles” click <HERE>
Categories: General Tags: found on youtube, germany, grunge, heart shaped box, kurt cobain, munich, Nirvana, terminal 1, the 90's, the rolling stone magazine
“Mime Through Time” by SketchSHE Latest Viral Video!
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Very talented and the music selection they use is perfect! You gotta watch it!
Categories: General Tags: britney spears, elvis, Michael jackson, mime, music thru history, Nirvana, SketchSHE, the beatles, viral, youtube
KickActs interviews the guys from “Adage”
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Welcome to Kick Acts. Tell us a little about yourself and were you can be found online.
Thank you. We are Adage out of North Carolina. We are a 4 piece group of just normal guys who love to play music; Justin Doyle on vocals and lead guitar, Luke Petree on guitar, Alex Hough on drums, and Johnathan Stowers on bass.
Twitter- @adageband
Instagram- adage.band
www.reverbnation.com/adageband
Who are your musical heroes and influences? Why?
Justin: I would have to say that it all started with a band most haven’t heard of. PFR; (Pray for Rain). My upbringing was very church oriented and I was unable to listen to most things. So I had to improvise. I basically heard them one day, and for some reason I really liked it. They reminded me of a funny Christian Beetles. But it was musical, and it turned me on to singing and playing guitar.
Alex: Some of my biggest heroes are the members of Sick Puppies. I love everything that all of them do, and I’ve met them before. Put one of the best live performances I’ve ever seen.
Luke: I always have a hard time admitting my heroes and influences. Mainly because I sound nothing like them! Really it changes for me pretty often. Over the years I have drawn from Metallica, Korn and Disturbed. But In Flames has been my most recent influence.
Johnathan: Green Day was the first rock band that really caught my attention and diverted me towards that genre of music. I use to put the cd on repeat and listen to it all afternoon while skateboarding or playing basketball in my driveway. After seeing Shinedown in concert a couple years ago in charlotte I would have to say that they are who I look up to the most these days.
Do you have any advice for someone just getting started in the music business?
Justin: Never give up on the dream. But you have got to work hard and really take care of yourself. Get together with like minded musicians and friends. If you are trying to make it into this business, make sure your demo rocks! Good quality makes a huge difference. Take that extra time and money and get it done right. You will thank yourself later.
Luke: Stage performance and excellent gear are both a must!
Johnathan: I agree with Justin about spending the extra money on a good quality cd. Also before making any big decisions make sure you check with a trusted entertainer lawyer. The music business can be a mean animal.
What piece of advice did you ignore that you wish you hadn’t?
Justin: Don’t rely on talent alone. It is talent plus it takes hard work. As most great things in life do.
Do you have a greatest gig story or worst gig horror story you’d like to share?
Justin: The greatest gig I have ever been a part of was Livestock in Tampa Florida. We played in front of 35,000 people, and graced the stage with some of our hero’s. The worst gig memory is of a show in Arkansas. We rode out with a fellow band from our area and while on the way the transmission in our van went out. We finally made it to the gig on time, but fixing the transmission had nearly wiped us dry. So we go in to play and realize there is only 3 people here and one woman so drunk she is humping the monitor I’m supposed to be singing directly in front of. Good times.
Luke: Ha….I gave Justin some bad batteries for his wireless system once, and his guitar dropped out during the opening song….Oops
Johnathan: Before our very first gig as “ADAGE” we were at luke’s house loading up the gear around back into the trailer. It was pouring down rain and after loading the trailer down we realize that the hill to get back out is extremely slick when wet. So after about 30 minutes of digging up grass in the pouring rain in our show clothes…we had to get a tractor to get the trailer up the hill and pulled around front. This whole incident nearly made us late for our first gig.
Do you have any other hobbies other than playing music? Collect stamps? Collect hats from off the side of the road? Draw pictures of peckers or boobs? Make sock puppets? Sit in the dark and eat Cheetos?
Justin: I’m a video game nerd. I play shooters and sports games, really anything where I can destroy someone else online.
Alex: Whenever I get the opportunity I do a lot of charity work.
Luke: I used to spend a lot of time in nature cause I grew up pretty redneck..LOL, but now days most of my time is focused on this band and finding ways to make us successful. And yes I have drawn many a boob on dirty windshields!
Johnathan: I actually have quite a bit. Gaming, Shooting, Hunting, Fishing, Kayaking, Basketball, Golf, Billiard, Darts, Ping pong, beer pong, corn hole, arrow head hunting, just to name a few.
What do you think about the current music scene or lack of? Care to address that?
The rock scene around here has been very warm and inviting to us. It’s not thriving. But it’s not dead. Hopefully we are breathing some life into the rock scene!
Do you think reality shows like American Idol, X factor and The Voice have helped or hurt the music industry as a whole?
Justin: That’s a tricky question. It helps in a way that young people can get themselves out there and make it happen so quickly. It’s a hindrance also because it creates a mindset that it’s easy. And in most cases it’s not. And for a band, it’s a whole different beast
Alex: I don’t think there has been much of an impact at all in the music industry. They’ve given us a couple stars like Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson, but it’s not really shaping the music industry. The Voice has extensively furthered the careers of the judges primarily with the large success of Maroon 5’s latest two albums.
What is your opinion of unauthorized music downloads?
Alex: We all do it. Everyone has either downloaded, listened to, or acquired a pirated song, whether they know it or not.
Johnathan: whatever you decide to do, just make sure you buy our cd. And when your friends ask about it, tell them to buy it too!
Tell us something about each of your band members that we wouldn’t expect to hear.
Justin: I played soccer for the ODP; (Olympic Developmental Program) and played in Holland for almost 2 years until I got injured.
Alex: I’m a pretty big nerd. In my spare time I like to watch Doctor Who, and play retro video games such as Zelda or Final Fantasy.
Luke: Perhaps the fact that I was an F-16 Crew Chief in the USAF and I also have an FAA Airframe & Powerplant
Certification!
Johnathan: I show up for practice early just to fish the bass pond that is there. And on nice days, I even stay late after practice.
Hypothetical situation. You’re on Gilligan’s island and you get to hook up with only one of the survivors… Which one and why?
Justin: Mary Ann. She was still kind of hot and was funny. Gotta love those pigtails.
Alex: None, because I’m too young to know any of the characters.
Luke: Eunice…..on the count shes loaded! Dont judge me…….
Johnathan: Umm…did they have a way of shaving?
Do you know what a vinyl album is and have your ever purchased one? If so, what was it?
Justin: I do know about vinyl. I have never purchased one but my dad had a lot when I was growing up. He also had a couple of Laserdisc’s with those.
Alex: I play vinyls at my friends’ and families’ houses all the time. But I’ve never bought one because I don’t own a record player.
Luke: This would go way back to Eddie Rabbits “I Love A Rainy Night” on 45!
Johnathan: Never bought one, but I do remember my mom always listening to “achy breaky heart” all the time when I was a tot.
You’re marooned on an island with Justin Bieber. Do you choke him out the first night in his sleep or what?
Justin: Only if he starts talking or singing. I may need him alive later.
Alex: Why would I? His search team would coming looking for him instantaneously, and we wouldn’t be on that island for long.
Luke: What Alex said…..then I would choke him!
Johnathan: Nah, maybe he would save me a seat on his private jet when it arrived. If not, then choking him while he is awake would be the only sensible solution.
What is your opinion of Miley Cyrus?
Justin:……. She has skin….
Alex: I’d rather personally not talk about celebrities, but her new music doesn’t interest me. If I were to listen to her, I’d listen to what came out in her solo career right after Hannah Montana.
Luke: Never heard of her…..
Johnathan: I like her dad better.
Which would you rather hear in concert? Lip synching or real vocals?
Justin: Real, live, and slightly off vocals please! If I wanted to hear the cd I could have at home.
Alex: I’d rather listen to real vocals. Lip Synching is used primarily for theatrical shows…..or parades.
Luke: Has to be real!
Johnathan: Real for sure. No doubt about it.
Who, or what, is the next big thing?
Justin: Rock has got to be the next ‘big thing’, again.
Alex: It seems like garage styled rock is coming back. Distorted vocals and simple catchy riffs.
One artist you can’t get enough of and can’t live without is…
Justin: Breaking Benjamin; (Ben Burnley).
Alex: Probably Sick Puppies or Mayday Parade
Luke: Probably Cold or In Flames
Johnathan: Shinedown
Confession time. Share a secret about yourself.
Justin: I like to warm my voice up to Andrea Bocelli songs.
Alex: I don’t have any secrets. I named my drumset Jennifer? Does that count as a secret?
Luke: Ha ha ha….nice try!
Johnathan: I play call of duty till 3 am or later almost every night
Favorite movie of all time and why.
Justin: Monty Python and the search for the Holy Grail. In my opinion it’s funniest/dumbest movie I’ve ever seen. It’s a close tie with Young Frankenstein.
Alex: Either Forrest Gump, or anything with Mike Myers.
Luke: Caligula or Eraserhead……….cause they both blew my friggin mind!
Johnathan: Most all of Adam Sandlers’ movies. Big Daddy would be my favorite of his.
Our last question is called “Shout It Out Loud”. It’s were you get to talk about
whatever you want to talk about. So go ahead and “SHOUT IT OUT LOUD”!
Really we just want to give a big shout out to the whole Pavement Entertainment team and thank them for helping Adage really get the ball rolling. We would also like to thank all of our fans. You guys are what help make this adventure so awesome for us. We are totally stoked about our EP “defined” hitting the market on Aug. 19 and look forward to seeing you guys on the tour that will soon follow!
Categories: General Tags: adage, Breaking Benjamin, Bullet for my Valentine, Dark New Day, In Flames, NC, Nirvana, Pavement Entertainment, Red, Sevendust, Three Days Grace, Winston-Salem
