Mudvayne and Korn- San Jose State Event Center- February 26th, 2006



Interview By: Mike Garing
Photos by: Charr Crail


As a member of the YMM staff I occasionally take advantage of interview opportunities that come through the office. I became an instant Mudvayne fan back in 2001 when their first two videos hit MTV, and I have to admit I was intrigued by their choice to use face paint as part of their image. This being said I jumped at the chance to attend this intimate show at the San Jose State Event Center, and my exclusive interview with Mudvayne drummer Matt McDonough only added to my anticipatory excitement. The show itself ranks in my top 3 concert experiences, with an unusually cozy venue for such major artists (4000-5000 capacity), and thanks to the primarily kid presence, my girl Charon and I were able to work our way to the front barricade relatively easily. We were up close and personal through both Mudvayne and Korn, and both put on a fantastic performance. (FYI- Korn is selling their new album at the shows during this current tour for only $20. Big deal you say? Did I forget to mention every album cover is signed by all 4 members of the band?) Now, with out further ado, the Matt McDonough interview.

Matt McDonough
by Mike Garing 2/26/06 at the San Jose State University Events Center

MIKE: I heard that The Lost and Found Generation was recorded here on the Central Coast. Who did you record it with and how did you end up recording here?
MATT: It was done at the plant in Sausalito with Dave Fleming and just budget worked out. That was one of the several places looked into as far as being cost effective and having the gear that we were looking for.
MIKE: Im one of the staff editors on the magazine. I dont normally do the writing stuff. If I seem to be uncertain or want to know certain information it's because I have really enjoyed your music since 2000 and I find you guys inspirational.
MATT: Oh cool!
MIKE: What Im curious about is why you guys stopped using the makeup and why you stopped doing the nicknames?
MATT: What assumption are you basing that question on?
MIKE: I saw something that on your actual website that you stopped wearing the makeup. It didnt say why though.
MATT: Did it say we quit?
MIKE: Yeah.
MATT: I seriously doubt that you saw that. Weve never made a public statement about us quitting wearing makeup or anything. The whole premise behind what we do artistically has been according ourselves the freedom to do whatever we want to do. And generally people assume doing something whatever is some sort of statement of having divorced your past and we never really defined ourselves in a literal sense. For us it's about exploring, keeping our options open and picking a direction and finding space to be able to afford ourselves the freedom to whatever drive or inspiration may be at that time. The simple fact that you might see a photo of somebody on stage without makeup in no way bears any relation to what we might have done in the past or what we might do in the future. Im sure over the next couple of months there will be photos of the tours that we did in November and December where we wore make up everyday. So youre not even aware of that. Then you're gonna see those photos and your going to go, well why did Mudvayne start wearing make up again? With photography, theres a frozen moment; its a moment at one point of time that your being exposed right then and people generally take that out of content to assume that is some sort of statement; a lot of magazines may be running photos from three years ago.
MIKE: Yes. True.
MATT: Which, I mean for me as an artist, I dont have a problem with it. I think its cool. Im not seeing what we do in a sort of timeline. Thats as irrelevant to me now as it was then and it will be to me in another few years, but I think its dangerous to assume that represents.
MIKE: A divorcing as you said. I apologize for that; it actually caught me off guard on the website reading that. It was something that was new to me.
MATT: I have a very hard time believing that was on our website mudvayne.com. Its possible, maybe.
MIKE: I looked at a bunch of different sites.
MATT: Exactly. Something even linked through our site. Who knows? It could be like articles or whatever. I get this constantly.
MIKE: I apologize for that.
MATT: Well no! But I know that Ive never made any statement like that. The bands never simply said, "Oh were not wearing makeup." Hey come check out Mudvayne, we quit wearing make up! Thats counterproductive to what we do, thats not the sort of thing that we want to put out. I mean for us, the joy of our live show is the surprise and the energy that comes with having that singular moment. The fans are going to come to the show and they dont know what theyre gonna experience other than its gonna be a good celebration. I mean you dont know what its going to happen. I think our fans really appreciate that about us and thats what we like to leave out there. This makes me think of the first OzzFest show. It would of been somewhere northeast last July or August when it started and I did an interview two hours before we hit stage. The interview was like I read on your website, that you guys quit wearing make up and youve quit wearing make up for over six months and Im curious why you decided to do that. She was like completely confused, dumbfounded and didnt really get what I was trying to say. I was like how much control do you really have in your life? How do you know whats going to happen to you, who you might meet and what happens when you get home? I was like you dont know what is going to happen to you on stage and it was funny cause we all wore make-up. That was one of the first shows where we came out and where we have been doing whatever, wearing costumes or whatever and had not wore make-up for a while. I saw her side stage and I remember thinking as I was playing, I hope you get that life is like that. If you have that open attitude that you're not controlling every moment and assuming whats going to happen to you that is variables and that youre open to the moment. If there is something positive to be communicated, I think thats a point to be communicated.
MIKE: Although your music is infused with significant pain and anger, I personally find your music very motivational and energizing. How does it feel to know that your music inspires people to strive for their own version of success?
MATT: Whom did I just have a conversation with? We got a couple of new crew members on this tour and you know, we work very intimately with them. Any band whos touring works intimately with their crew. Its like day in and day out living in buses together and its tight quarters. So a lot of the times when a new guy comes out on tour you try to make an effort to spend some time with them, get to know them and find out if you want to hang out with them. I was hanging out with one of our new guys a couple of nights ago. And something came up about, gosh it might have been one of our bus drivers, who didnt know anything about the band and said something about Man you guys are so angry and everything. I was like, Dude. People assume just cause were a metal band or whatever that its all about this sort of juvenile, angst ridden, mom didnt find me a candy bar through the check out at the grocery store and Im pissed off kind of thing. One thing that I explained to him, and it was cool we talked about it. You have to understand for me music is a celebration. Its an opportunity for me to be creative. Its a really positive thing. Building something, taking something with my friends, my bros and mapping something out. Thats life, its beautiful and thats positive. My experience, we pull from childhood. But I dont see that over defining, something that overshadows my mind or something I go into. I dont go on stage thinking I hate the world, everyones against me and Ive got to fight. Thats not the attitude that I have for me, Im just like anybody else. Yeah, Im unhappy at times, blah Im human Im like anyone else. Theres a greater part to me that is very positive that I experience in the music I make. A question like what you asked is great! How do you communicate that in a metal band? Its hard because most people are already operating under that preconception, like this guy was. Its easy to assume it's all about being negative, and its hard to try to communicate and get that through. Its exciting when somebody does sort of.
MIKE: Its kind of like when some people feel they listen to classical, is the way I compare it. I find it very inspiring and I feel very energized.
MATT: If there is anything about our music thats like going in that direction, but even kind of negative, is theres a kind of a manic energy (I mean I felt it especially in the creative process) about almost kind of like almost overwhelming sort of out of control. Not in a violence sense, but just like the engine that is being redlined and blots start coming out. I feel that sort of manic and we do mess around with the time signatures; that part is intentional about it. Breaking down the rigid structure
MIKE: Yeah! Your transitions in your music are awesome!
MATT: Thank you. It should be at times disoriented and uncomfortable. And I think we kind of use it on purpose to communicate a certain different sort of thing in our music. People expect them. Dependable, reliable and life isnt always like that.
MIKE: Curveballs.
MATT: Yeah! Exactly! I think its cool to have that come in and to come back to something very comfortable. The mantras between them can be really satisfying and exciting.
MIKE: Who were your primary influences as a drummer?
MATT: Yeah. I play drums; obviously I had to be influenced by drummers. Early on Nicko McBrain was a big influence, the mid 80s speed metal drummer Lars Ulrich, Charlie Benante, Dave Lombardo that kind of thing was a big influence. I grew up listening to early 80s metal Ozzy, Priest, so obviously thats my background influentially. I think for me being a drummer its more important to cite people like David Lynch or Henry Miller. Im not talking about music now; no Im talking Stanley Couprich, the 30s fictional writer or Jackson Pollack. To me its artist thoughts outside of the box of what their medium would normally dictate to them and how to create the freedom of my mind is what challenged me to think outside of the box. When Im going into a writing situation with my band I dont like to think in terms of, OK, so Im the drummer and that is what I am bringing to the table. Id rather come to the table going, I am one of four guys of a collective who has potential to be creative and influence whats going on and contribute to it. Ok! So drums are one medium to communicate with. So if I am thinking in that term, maybe drumming isnt going to dictate to me how I work with my members. I might have the freedom to work through that medium. To me that is a really positive thing. Give me the freedom to look at myself being in terms of being an artist and not just being, Im the drummer guy. But I can be part of something, that I can think of myself in terms of a painter or whatever. I can look at something, the world around me, I think about a relationship that I had, maybe a negative relationship and in those terms try to put a spin to it and interpret that though my meaning of drumming. To me I think its those influences that most positive for me. Change the way I view the world around me, the way I view the way that I make music and relate to the people around me.
MIKE: Its your current outlet,
MATT: Yeah totally!
MIKE: Do you paint?
MATT: Well yeah, but thats not relevant. I think whats relevant to me isnt specifically to media, but the process. A head space that you bring to it, and thats the point that I would say its like, yeah I play drums. Maybe I do paint or try to partly, maybe I do write poetry, Im a husband, a friend and you know Ive got to relate to somebody when I pay for gas. If think of myself in terms of being an entity that operates through these different things, but I have an overwriting sort of process that guides me. You know that can change the world or you could change yourself. You know, as far as influences Ive had an experience of having that head space directly through all these different things which influence the way that I make drums, that's something that I would like to say.
MIKE: I absolutely enjoy your reflection.
MATT: I appreciate that. I think for me its more important to point out some of those things that are outside the box that give me my little personality.
MIKE: Instead of just other drummers...
MATT: Yeah! I mean if I start to talk about drums, you might as well turn the recorder off and go and talk to drummers that are much better than I am. Maybe I started steering in that direction, cause I wasnt that great of a drummer, wasnt able to keep up with other guys.
MIKE: I disagree, but youre the expert and Im not.
MATT: Not an expert on it. I just know what can and I cant do.
MIKE: Totally, but I enjoy your drumming very much.
MATT: I make very intelligent decisions when Im writing about what I dont try to do and what I do try to do, cause if I try to do that and I know I cant, well then you're gonna go well, maybe he isnt that good. I know how to show you, you know, turn the face. It's gonna show you the best side of my playing. Try to make those decisions going through the process. A virtuoso I am not.
MIKE: Whats on the bus? What does Mudvayne do for entertainment?
MATT: Who is on the bus? We just went through Joe's Garage stage. I dont know if youre a Zappa fan at all.
MIKE: Not so much.
MATT: Ryan and I go in and out where we get freaked on Zappa. I bought Joes Garage. I hadnt had a copy for years and I bought a copy at Joes Garage while we were in Australia and I sat with the booklet, both disks, cause its an opera, the whole thing. Couple of songs weve been recording. Do you know the Gay Bob song?
MIKE: No.
MATT: So funny. Hes told by Elron Hoover from the church of applyentology to go get himself, because hes got mental issues from his childhood. He told him to go get a sexual appliance. So he gets this little sexual appliance and he goes back to his apartment with it. (He laughs) Brilliant!
MIKE: Whats it like working with Epic records?
MATT: Its awesome, ya know? You hear horror stories about the label, the evil empire and all that kind of stuff.
MIKE: The band signing their life away for the first three albums.
MATT: I dont really have any complaints. We work with our label intimately with the products we put out and I think weve been very fortunate to work with creative people that are interested. Theyre passionate about what they do. And they get excited about working with us. I dont have any complaints.
MIKE: And they identify with your creative process
MATT: Ya know, I think the music business; its a business. As an artist if you fail to recognize the fact that there is money and invested interest, people...
MIKE: Are invested in you?
MATT: Yeah exactly! I think its amazing for a band like us to have ..1 radio singles. I think that says all that needs to be said right there.
MIKE: Getting nominated for the Grammy this year too.
MATT: Yeah! A band as obscure as us. Did I ever think that we would sell a gold record? I think its a joke. Its hilarious. Its cool a label that has backed us and has had the confidence to trust something as weird as our first record.
MIKE: Which really grabbed me right from the start.
MATT: Its really strange though, the fact that we have songs on the radio. I think that shows lots of vision. I cant complain.
MIKE: Are you working on a new album?
MATT: We are going to be soon.
MIKE: Ok. Is it something that youre looking out for 2007?
MATT: Yeah, absolutely.
MIKE: Personally thats cool.
MATT: It would be cool to hit it out by the first quarter of 2007. Its a complicated process; extremely complicated.
MIKE: Its not just writing it blank.
MATT: Nope. A lot of business that goes into it.
MIKE: Hows the tour been going so far?
MATT: Well, we are only 2 nights in, so it just started.
MIKE: And you guys are heading to the East Coast after?
MATT: Yeah! The routing is really weird. I havent got the bead on it yet. I know were heading kind of east and coming back southwest to San Diego, Long Beach that kind of thing. The ticket sales are great. The fans want to come and thats the point. We did 9000 the first night and last night was 7000. Its cool you know, to be for us. Weve been fortunate enough to tour prestigious bands, direct support to Maiden. We toured with Ozzy a couple of times, Metallica and its kinda cool now with recognizing how pioneering Korn was back in the 90s. Its another kind of resume sort of thing; we have been asked to tour with Korn. Its a privilege and cool for us.
MIKE: Awesome dude, thats really cool.
MATT: its definitely a great feeling being recognized and appreciated to have the opportunity.
MIKE: You guys have created your own nitch though. I definitely think that you guys have more creative power.
MATT: I can tolerate you saying that, but we havent done something like what Korn did. We havent done what Maiden did. Bands that define a generation, define a genre, bands like Korn, Metallica, Iron Maiden.

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10 Years
by: Benji Womack
Photos by: Charr Crail



I was fortunate enough to get an interview with Louis Cosby, bass player of 10 Years at The Arco Arena in Sacramento, CA 2/28. 10 Years is currently on a U.S. arena tour with Korn and Mudvayne. They also have a hit song on the radio Wasteland from their debut album, The Autumn Effect, which has sold over 170,000 copies to date. Wasteland is now their newest video track; recently shot in LA with famed director Kevin Kerslake (Nirvana, Stone Temple Pilots), this documentary style video captures the band on a level of social consciousness with the theme focusing on social injustices around the world.




Benji: How does it feel to be touring out with Korn, Mudvayne? Thats so outrageous?
Louis: Its funny man; we have been listening to these bands since they first came out. Im 24 years old and when they came out I was in like 6th grade and thats an impressionable age. These were the first bands I was listening to. Now here it is all this time later, were playin arenas with them. Ya know, its kind of surreal, it hasnt set in yet.
Benji: Did you think 3 years ago that you guys would be in the present status?
Louis: Naw! We always hoped and dreamed. We kind of had that mentality to always have our fingers crossed and take it one a day at a time. You think too big and you think too far ahead, you kind of set yourself up for not thinking about the present and what we need to do now. We will have a goal and such like that we are very day-to-day oriented. Try to make sure we do everything we could at that present time to make the future happen.
Benji: Where did the name TEN YEARS come from?
Louis: Thats actually the only thing we kind of dont reveal; its kinda a personal thing amongst the five of us. Management, label and girlfriends; no one knows. We kind of keep that under wraps.
Benji: Personally myself, I see a lot of laziness going around and I see no inspiration or desire for bands to want flourish to succeed to make it famous. Do you agree or disagree?
Louis: About?
Benji: Like local scene bands trying to make it.
Louis: Right! Right! There are so many bands out there and I think that this day and age you really have to stick out. You really have to be motivated and dedicated that when people say no you got to just push harder. Not everyone is going to like ya and a lot of promoters dont want to take chances on local bands. That was the same thing that happened to us. Youve just got to keep pounding at their door to get your foot in there to get that opportunity to get noticed. All I can say is concentrate and focus on the song writing, good songs and writing from your fuckin songs that come from the heart. Dont be writing songs like radio singles and all that kind of stuff. Its like no one said you couldnt write a good song and it could end up on the radio. When you try so hard it just comes off that way it just sounds very commercialized and not real. I think that everybodys got a shot in this day and age, but youve just really got to push as hard as you can to make that happen.
Benji: Why do you do what you do when youre on stage to try to get the emotions pumping through your body?
Louis: More than what we wanted out of this, the only thing we wanted out of this, was the opportunity to play live shows every night. Thats what we are, a live band and now it's almost like when I hear the intro music go on we just fucking black out. Thats when the adrenaline kicks in. Thats when you know the one thing out of our day we need to do and are supposed to do and have to do well, ya know. And it's just kind of like we all form as one in there and sometimes I dont even know the rest of the stage are on stage. Its just amazing, the adrenaline. If anybodys ever played in a live band, whether it's playing in front of 5 people or 5000 people, it's the same feeling to me every night.
Benji: I know youre halfway through the tour. What is the craziest thing youve seen or done on this tour?
Louis: What is the craziest thing Ive seen or done on this tour?
Benji: Yeah!
Louis: Man this one just started. But Mudvaynes toured before; it's almost like every day is like frickin spring break ya know. Guys are like passing out, dropping, loading and bringin people out in taxicabs. Its so much; fun its everything that you think it would be and ten time more. It's like you just got your license to do whatever you want. Half the time cops dont hassle the rock bands, so you can do whatever you want. You can get out of anything and uh oh man I dont know, whether it people running around bangin strippers in the strip clubs in front of everybody or vomiting on somebody, you dont know, its nuts.
Benji: What s up next for TEN YEARS after the tour?
Louis: Were going to Australia, Japan and some European dates with Korn. Then we are going to come back here and go on the road and headline. Play all our material like we just did. We just did two weeks headlining before the Korn tour and it went great, so its only going to get better.
Benji: What advice do you have for the new bands trying to get started in todays music industries? Dos and dont?
Louis: Stay dedicated, stay focused, dont become a legend in your own head before you get the chance to be one. Write good songs; find three, four, five or how many people you have in your band, dedicated members that will be ready to drop anything, anytime to get a shot to do this. And be ready to be dead fuckin broke. Your willing to put every last penny you have promoting your band and selling yourself. Everybodys got a shot. We are in the same position as any other local band out there any place you go. We just pushed and pushed till we got here, so here we are.


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TIME AGAIN
By Jake Student
Photos: www.photografiti.net


Jake: What was your first musical experience?
Daniel: Well, its not very punk, but my brother took me to a Run DMC concert when I was a kid.
Jake: What does music mean to you, personally?
Daniel: MusicI dont know, Music is like the root of everything man. Like when youre driving, or whatever, Its like t.v. is just t.v., but everyone digs music, you know what I mean?
Jake: Yeah for sure, Ok lets get into some band questions. Where you from, When did you guys start, and what area would you say you play the most?
Daniel: Were from Los Angeles, and we started in the summer of 04. We play in Los Angles the most probably because Los Angeles and The Bay area is where I grew up, the East bay. Were actually up here right now getting ready to play a show tonight.
Jake: Where are you guys playing?
Daniel: Were actually playing in a backyard, a little secret show. Im actually gonna see the cats I grew up with.
Jake: They are probably the best shows to go to. Now I can definitely hear some Rancid/Op Ivy influence in you guys, who else would you say are your main influences?
Daniel: The Adolescents, A lot of Minor Threat, like The Exploited you know what I mean?
Jake: Now I find you guys very interesting in the sense that youre a punk band, but youre very rhythmatic, are there any hip-hop type influences?
Daniel: Well I grew up in the Bay Area, so in the East bay its like really heavy hip hop, you know I just got exposed. Its probably because, I dont know if you have an older brother, a lot of it I just grew up around my older brother. My older brother was really into hip hop and I didnt get my punk calling until I was about 14 or 15, so I just finally picked up onto my own thing.
Jake: Cool. I checked out your video Junkies, very creative shit. Im digging how its different than anything else you see, did you have any creative input on that?
Daniel: Yeah I did it myself man.
Jake: Thats the way to do it nowadays. This is the one question I ask every band in an interview, whats the story behind your name?
Daniel: Well, weve been in a bunch of different bands. Time Again, well its like Here we go again, another fucking band, kinda like a joke. We always joke around that if we knew all this stuff was gonna happen we would picked a better name. You know what I mean.
Jake: (laughing) Yeah. So have you guys found a lot of fan support?
Daniel: Yeah man, the kids have been fuckin rad. A lot of people are saying shit like Punk is dead and all that shit, but theyre just a bunch of bald old men wearing suits and shit.
Jake: Yeah man, I agree, I definitely agree. Some people say punks dead, I think its alive and kicking, its just for a while it was kinda tainted.
Daniel: One of my buddies, hes a Machete, hes like Dude I dont know where sellout ever came from. The Clash, The Ramones, theyre all on major labels.
Jake: Now theres a lot of people out there saying that you are The next punk band and honestly, I believe em. Best of luck on your upcoming tour around the states.

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Kreator/Napalm Death
By Bubba

Kreator and Napalm Death are on tour together right now for the Enemy of God II tour. The two of these bands have been around for a very long time, so it is cool to see them on the same bill. Whats also interesting is that the two bands are not only sharing the stage, but actually sharing the same bus as well. This made it easy for me to interview both Mille Petrozza of Kreator and Mark Barney Greenway of Napalm Death without having to run around too much.



BUB: How is the tour going so far?
MILLE: Very good, very good. I think the fans like that there are a large variety of bands on the bill and we have killer shows every night.
BUB: So, this is the Enemy of God II tour, am I right? What is different about this tour than the Enemy of God I tour?
MILLE: Thats a good question. We play a different set list of songs on this tour. Its only a little different from last years; we play some of our older songs on this tour. We are also hitting places that we didnt play last year, so thats really the main reason that we are doing this. Its for all the people that maybe didnt get to see us last year or really wanted to see us again. In general, touring is always good because this kind of music doesnt get support from anywhere so its always music that has to be played live.
BUB: So whats next for you guys? Are you guys working on a new album?
MILLE: No, not yet, we plan on touring for at least one more year for this album. We have a tour scheduled in Europe, some festivals; we have to go to Australia still, and Israel. We go to a lot of different places.
BUB: Maybe another live album?

MILLE: I was thinking about that, to be honest. Maybe cut one on the next tour. We want to do something special and do a tour with songs that we havent played in a while. Maybe well do another live album. We plan on putting out the Wacken show that we played last year. Thats going to be released on a special DVD that comes out for the price of an album, but were working on a proper DVD release.
BUB: What shows have been the highlight of the tour?
MILLE: Most of the shows were really packed. Weve only had three or four shows that have been shit. Portland, and Toronto were both sold out.
BUB: How do you guys get ready for a tour like this? Do you guys practice a lot?
MILLE: Yeah, we practiced like two times before the tour, which was enough. We dont rehearse that much because we try to keep it fresh. Were already playing all the time on the road anyway.
BUB: So how do you guys like sharing the tour bus with Napalm Death?
MILLE: Its just four more people on the bus. Its great; theyre very cool. Theres no problems on the bus. There is nothing spectacular; they are very professional so its no problem.
BUB: Does Kreator have a motto?
MILLE: No, I dont think we have one because I think if you start having a motto you limit yourself because you have to live by that motto.

Napalm Death Interview

BUB: So how do you like playing on the Enemy of God II tour?
BARN: Obviously its Kreators tour really, and just kind of hopped on it. Its kind of a double headliner. Kreator already had the tour in place, and they wanted to close the show, which is fine. Theyve got a big lighting set up and were very simple when we play live. Its working out really good for sure.
BUB: Do you guys have a new album yet?
BARN: Were working on it right now, but right now were still promoting The Code is Red, Long Live the Code, which was the last release, and thats been out for like a year or so now. We're getting ready to finalize the new album once we get back. We keep moving onwards and upwards.
BUB: What are some of your favorite songs to play live on this tour?
BARN: Weve got like 13 albums, so obviously the best thing all around is to get a spread of something from every era. Not every Napalm Death album sounds the same. Its great to play the songs from the first album, but the new material works really well live. I never have particular favorites; I always try to get the most out of everything. We are a pretty high-energy band. To have a break in the set would not be a very good idea for us, so we always try to keep it kind of manic.
BUB: So I heard that you guys dont have any original members in the band. Is this true?
BARN: Yes, there are no original members. There wasnt any even as far back as the Scum album. We all joined at different times when original members or older members were still in, but its been a gradual progression. Its like the word association game, where you start off with one word and end up with something totally different. All the original members were pretty much gone by the end of the first album. In my view, if you can keep the spirit of the band, it wont affect you.
BUB: So how did the band originally get started?
BARN: It was purely a punk band when it first started. They were involved in the anarchist/Crass movement in England. The early stuff was just punk; its only as time went on that the Metal influences started getting incorporated. Now were kind of amalgamation of Metal, Punk and Hardcore. The band officially started as a reaction to the Thatcher/Reagan years, and aggressive war mongering foreign policies.
BUB: Do you guys get a lot of punk rockers at your shows?
BARN: We get a mixture of everyone, which is ideal. There are certain people within certain scenes are quite blind to that. I know there are a lot of kids in the death metal scene that are blatantly anti-hardcore. To me thats pointless; were trying to break down barriers in music, not throw them up.
BUB: Tell me a little about your latest album, The Code is Red, Long Live the Code. Is there a lyrical theme within that album?
BARN: At the time when we were making the album there were a lot of terror alerts on TV. We felt the whole thing was being run by fear and paranoia. They were making it out to be there was someone around every corner waiting to drop a bomb through your letterbox. I find that the climate of fear and paranoia is entirely sinister. After September 11th, you get things like the Patriot Act, which would not be accepted anywhere else in the world. To me its fundamentally wrong; its not a protection policy, its an attack on human rights.
BUB: So are you guys sharing the same tour bus with Kreator?
BARN: Yeah, but its no problem for us because the last tour we did was in an airport van.
BUB: Is this your first tour with Kreator?
BARN: Yeah, but we have done some festival gigs with them before.
BUB: Any last words for all of your fans here in California?
BARN: Yeah, other than New York, California is probably the best for us in the US. Weve got a lot of connections here with different people who were involved in Napalm.

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THEE MERRY WIDOWS
Photos and Interview by Jake Student
Now before I get into this, I just wanna say that this is the craziest bunch of chicks you might ever meet in your life. These girls are hardcore and they will get your respect whether you give it or not. Their sound is smooth, yet at the same time very raw; definitely worth your time to check out. I met with them at their CD Release party at The Vets Hall in Santa Cruz.

Jake: Ok, lets start this off right, tell us who you are, where youre from, all that good stuff.
Eva: From parts unknown, in the black and red costume, its Miss Eva Von Slut on the vocals.
Nishone: Nishone, lead guitar.
Mandy: Im Mistress Mandy, Im from San Francisco, and I play rhythm guitar.
Andrea: Im Andrea, I play the drums and Im from Oakland.
Nikki: Nikki Nightbreed, the one from Jersey, the most disgusting horrible woman ever to exist.
Jake: So where would you say you play the most?
Eva: Anywhere where theyll give us free beer, and where theres boys age 17 to 21.
Nishone: Ill take a 34 year old, thats a good age, and I want a man not a boy. ButI think we play the Phoenix Theater and Bottom of the Hill, just pretty much all over San Francisco.
Jake: So what drives you guys to play your music?
Eva: Free booze and venues with 17 year old boys.
Nishone: What drives me to play is my love of music and being able to rock out.
Eva: I really like the idea of an all girl Psychobilly band because no one really before us has had that point of view, its always been kind from of a male point of view. We bring a female sense to Psychobilly that no one has had before.
Nikki: Thats the feminist version, Im gonna give you the regular version. The regular version is that we like to play music because we can play instruments really well, and were musicians. We actually can play our own instrument without bullshit, you know, and thats why.
Andrea: I like playing because Im an exhibitionist and I like to wear little skirts.
Jake: Ok. real quickly, gimme some influences.
Eva: Demented Are Go, The Misfits, The Queen Bees, The Meteors, The Sonics, The Runaways.
Jake: How would you describe your sound in your own words?
Eva: Garage, Rockabilly, Surfabilly, Trash with tits.
Mandy: and a touch of Punk.
Jake: Where do you see your music taking you, besides venues with 17 to 21 year old boys?
Eva: To Japan and a European tour with thousands of groupies worldwide.
Jake: Why are you chicks so badass?
Eva: Why are we so badass? I think we have a bunch of good asses.
Andrea: Did you just call us a fat ass?
Jake: Uhno. HmmI think I better watch my words. Alright, so what tours have you been on and what tours are you planning?
Eva: We toured England and Scotland with the Pricillas. And then an East Coast tour, From CBGB's down to North Carolinas Heavy Rebel Weekender. Were about to go to tour with Demented Are Go at the end of the month up and down the West Coast.
Jake: Eva, Do you wanna say anything about your appearance in Avenged Sevenfolds new video Bat Country?
Eva: Id like to say if any major label bands would like to sign me to be in their videos please call me. Appearing in Avenged Sevenfolds video paid for me to go on tour last year, and I will be using your money to take Thee Merry Widows across the world mother fucker.
Nishone: Actually if anyone wants to take us we could all use the money.
Eva: Well all appear in your major video, Modest Mouse please call us.
Nikki: Well be naked.
Jake : Whats up with the new CD?
Eva: Actually this is our CD release party. Its called Revenge Served Cold and it is out right now.
Jake: Now, I know every band has something they want to say to their fans. Nows your chance, what do you want to say?
Andrea: Take your shirts off.
Nikki: Who the fuck stole my belt and why?
Eva: We know who stole Nikkis belt and were gonna getcha.
Andrea: You can throw your shirt at me while Im playing any day, as long as it smells like a good ripe man.
Eva: Oh, and drop your trousers.
Nikki: Yeah, drop your snappers.
Jake: Ok, now I definitely had to save this question for last, Miss Eva, or anyone else who wants to join in, can I have a spanking?
(All five of them proceeded make me pay for my request...it still hurts a little to sit down to this day.)

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Band Profile: 3
By Rawker Rachel

YMM: Who is 3?
Joey: Our name represents challenges. 3 has been an obsession: a lucky number, a common numeric key for decoding reality like 3-D space; time as past, present, and future; body, mind, and spirit. As a band, we want to be a 3-dimensional band, not 1-dimensional with a limited sound because thats so easy to market - you can be classified off the bat.

YMM: Where are you from?
Joey: Woodstock, NY. Theres a small music scene in Woodstock. 3 has been around about 10 years. The original incarnation of us started in the mid-90s. We were really young, playing progressive music.

YMM: How did you meet?
Joey: It started out with my brother on drums, my high school buddy named Chris who plays bass, and me on guitar. Chris went on to engineer and co-produce the last 3 Coheed and Cambria records in the studio that my father built. When we were younger though, Coheed and us would go see this band called Peacebomb from New York. We were all really big fans. But as my brother left for Coheed, I ended up talking to the guys from Peacebomb about playing in 3. Our current line-up now stands as Gart Drumm on drums, Joe Stote on percussion and keys, Billy on electric guitar, Daniel on bass, and myself on acoustic guitar and vocals.

YMM: How would you describe your music?
Joey: There has been a lot of comparison between us and Coheed and Cambria. We actually grew up with those guys; they used to open for us! Coheed used to rehearse in my living room for years because my brother is now the drummer. But the concept for our music is frenetic energy and musical intimacy, and counter balancing it with meaning. Its designed to succeed on more than 1 level. On the surface, the melody is strong, something new to discover every time you listen.

YMM: What are your musical influences?
Joey: Not many modern bands have influenced us. Obviously Coheed has, but thats about it. I love older stuff, like Zeppelin, Joni Mitchell, Elvis Costello. Billy is the band metalhead. He loves stuff like King Diamond, Rush, Slayer, Metallica, and Iron Maiden

YMM: How did you get signed?
Joey: I had a friend who was interning at Universal Records who came to me and said he wanted to impress his boss by bringing him a good demo. So my friend gave his boss our demo and he actually liked it a lot. The demo somehow got into the hands of the hierarchy boss in the company, and strangely weaselled its way to the top of the label boss, Doug Morris. Doug called us in for a meeting and signed us. At the end of the year, Universal dropped all artists that didnt sell 150,000 records that year. We never even got to make a record, and got dropped, so I went to Planet Noise to record and produce our album. After I spent all of our money in gear and to set up the studio, we recorded Wake Pig, which was later picked up by Metalblade.

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RAD GIRLS!!!
Interview By: Bubba

The Rad Girls are a group of girls from Santa Cruz who like to have fun and cause mischief on camera. Their films feature things like, oversize bras, pubic wigs, messed up teeth, drinking while pregnant, drinking while running and strutting around in bikini in front of a full gym. YMM recently got to sit down and chat with Rad Girls Ramona Cash, Munchie, Darling Clementine and Lexi Diamonds to talk about their upcoming events. The Rad Girls will be hosting two parties. The first will be at The Coastline Brewery on April 21st, and the second will be at the Bay Bar on May 12th. For more info on the Rad Girls, go to www.radgirls.tv or www.myspace.com/radgirls.

Rad Girls Interview

YMM: What makes the Rad girls so Rad?
DARLING CLEMENTINE: I would say that most of us lack the embarrassment emotion.
MUNCHIE: Well, were all just a bunch of strong women that are very assertive and not afraid to be ourselves in every situation. We are very strong minded and amazing women. I think each of us has a lot of personality. Were small chicks with big personalities.
LEXI DIAMONDS: Being a Rad Girl, to me, is about embracing your individuality, being comfortable with your femininity. Its about being able to be silly, be dorky, be sexy, be funny, and be intelligent, all in one package. Its embracing all the different aspects of being a woman and being a human being. Its about just being a good person, enjoying your life, having fun and being who you are.
DARLING: We are breaking the stereotype for traditional role of a woman.
YMM: In one word, what does the Rad Girls represent?
MUNCHIE: I can think of multiple words, but I cant really think of just one.
LEXI: It starts with a P and it ends with a Y Fill in the blank, meow!
YMM: What is the Rad Girls motto?
RAMONA CASH: FUCK IT!
MUNCHIE: It means that we dont care, were just not afraid to be like, fuck it; lets do this. The time is now.
DARLING: I think thats more of our mantra instead of our motto.
YMM: What is a mantra?
DARLING: Its not spiritual; its more of a daily thing that you live by.
YMM: So what is your mantra then?
RAMONA: I think it has a lot to do with really not being afraid of being different. Not in the sense of being like the odd ball at high school, but like defying the conventions that are set up for regular behavior. There is the one that like girls are supposed to be seen and not heard, and women are supposed to be a little bit more accommodating by making people feel comfortable and making dudes feel more comfortable about themselves. To me Rad Girls is being good and being conscious, but it also has to do with not really worrying about being a people pleaser, or seeking approval. Were not trying to win people over. Were not trying to be charming. Were just trying to make each other laugh, and win over other cool girls.
MUNCHIE: And have fun while youre doing it.
DARLING: Its presumptuous to say that its just about us, because there are many, many, many Rad Girls in this world. Thats what this is about. Mentioning the part of every woman that is Rad and bringing that to life.
LEXI: Its about living the life that you love, and loving the life that youre living. We just heard that in a song and it sort of rings true. Its just about being ok with who you are. Whether youre intelligent, or beautiful, whether you have the whole package or not. Just be yourself and be ok with it. You dont need to have approval from others.
MUNCHIE: Were not trying to put up a fake front. All of us are who we are, and were not afraid to express that. Were presenting that in our skits too. Were taking all these things that people say that you're not supposed to do or say and doing exactly that.
YMM: Tell me more about these skits; what was your favorite skit to create?
RAMONA: They were all fun, but I thought Six-pack Science was hella fun. So we did this skit here on this very couch that was supposed to be a scientific experiment. You know that saying, You dont buy beer, you rent it. We wanted to see that if you drink in a twelve-ounce can of beer, if you would piss out twelve ounces of pee. We found out that you actually piss out more.
YMM: Ok, so which Rad Girl pisses the most?
DARLING: We have a chart, but I'd probobly say Munchie.
MUNCHIE: I pretty much peed straight out in my pants. I drank like ten beers.
RAMONA: We had an hour and we had to drink one beer, every ten minuets.
DARLING: Some people would pee like once in an hour, and some people would pee like three times in an hour.
MUNCHIE: I think it just depends on how much liquids we each drank before the experiment.
RAMONA: It was pretty fun. The climax was definitely Munchie wetting her pants. That was the best.
YMM: So you girls like to mess around with piss, but have you ever drank your own piss, maybe on accident?
RAD GIRLS: Ew, no!!
MUNCHIE: How would you accidentally drink your own piss?
YMM: Maybe if you forgot which bottle you pissed in.
MUNCHIE: If it were someone elses piss, I would definitely have an issue with that, but if it was my own piss I think I might be able to handle it. I wouldnt want to chug it though.
RAMONA: You know what, Id drink my own piss dude. If someone dared me to I would do it.
YMM: All right, I dare you to drink your own piss.
RAMONA: Well, I dont have to pee right now.
YMM: What do the Rad Girls eat for breakfast?
RAMONA: Bacon and Eggs.
MUNCHIE: Bacon, and mango sausage is key.
DARLING: Lately Ive been eating potato pancakes, lots of them.
LEXI: I EAT GRITS, BITCH!!
YMM: So, tell me about the Boob-o-Meter.
RAMONA: Oh, you mean the Breast-o-Meter. We put a hidden camera in between your cleavage and any time a man takes a gander at your boobs you get a point. We may be reenacting that in the next couple of weeks. We might even do the, Booty-o-Meter, soon.
YMM: What kind of music do you guys like to listen to?
MUNCHIE: The Gorillaz, their whole album is the soundtrack to my summer. Also, Billy Idol, Cypress Hill and Journey.
RAMONA: Peter Tosh, Bjork, Sublime, Gwen Stefani and Del Rio.
YMM: So what do you girls have to say to all the people who write you guys off as another Jackass clone?
RAD GIRLS: Jackass? Jackass has the Herps! Theres no comparison.
YMM: Which Rad Girl can drink the most booze in one night?
MUNCHIE: That would be me. I wont even deny it.
LEXI: I might challenge that.
RAMONA: We dont do anything in moderation. We do everything to the extreme. Were like full-blown Barge Core, 150Àfrom the heart to the bone to the soul.
YMM: So tell me about your upcoming events.
MUNCHIE: There are two parties; the first one is April 21st at the Coastline Brewery in Santa Cruz. Its on a Friday night, were going to have a viewing of our skits and Selecta 7 and DJ Omar will be spinning House and Hip Hop. There will also be artwork by Devin Harris. Our second party is on the second Friday in May at the Bay Bar in Capitola and the band Antidote will be rocking the house.
YMM: What will your next skit be? What would you film if you were going to film something today?
RAMONA: I think we'd all go out and eat a bunch of Indian food and then all line up on the couch and light our farts on fire.
RAD GIRLS: Lets do it right now!

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Sonata Arctica
By: Bubba

Finnish melodic metallers Sonata Arctica just wrapped up their second official US tour. With keytars and Budweisers in hand, these guys are once again bringing their brand of Metal stateside. Before their show at the Pound, I was able to sit down with vocalist Tony Kakko for an interview.

BUB: So, is this your first tour of America?
TONY: Its actually the second. We were touring the Northeast part of the US and Canada almost a year ago. It was a good experience until our working visas ran out. To be back here is a dream come true.
BUB: Tell me about your latest album. It was released quite some time ago, wasnt it?
TONY: It was released in 2004 and we're still on the same tour, which will end in August of this year. Weve done like 160 shows on this tour. We will go into the studio in November to start working on the new album.
BUB: How many American shows have you done so far on this tour?
TONY: I think were up to 18 now. Its been going great, but were still doing the groundwork in the USA and Canada. We dont really know what to expect when we go, here, there, everywhere. Like today, I think the show is sold out, and to us that is a huge surprise. Thats what I heard, unless somebody lied to us at least. It should be good.
BUB: Your sound is very melodic. Would you guys consider yourselves a power-metal band?
TONY: We try to call ourselves melodic-metal, thats like the closest thing. We are not power-metal. We have a few songs that are in the same vein, but they are rare. People who are really into power-metal, at least in Europe, do not consider us power-metal. We have our own style; sometimes its not even Metal. We have really a wide range of styles there.
BUB: So, how do you guys like being in America, as opposed to your homeland, Finland?
TONY: Its been great coming here, there is so much to see here. In the town where we live, we have only like 23,000 people there. We are used to small places, so this is a huge experience for us. Weve been around the world twice so far anyhow; this is like a new place for us. The next place for us would be Australia because weve never played there. We could tour here in the US forever and there would still be many, many places that we havent played. With the next album I sure we will have to tour here much more than we have for this album.
BUB: Of all the places you guys have played over here, which was the biggest venue?
TONY: Im thinking Canada had the biggest places. We sold out places that were closer to 2000 people. Theyre usually 500-2000 people, but in Europe we usually play in larger places.
BUB: How did you guys develop your faster playing style?
TONY: We were really into the band Stratavarious. They were the original reason we started playing this kind of music, first by covering them of course. That was in 97 when I thought I could start playing a similar kind of music on my own. So, we started playing them, and they were ok, but then we suddenly got our recording contract in 99. Now we are here, but we have split ways with Stratvarious-style music completely.
BUB: Do you prefer the faster songs or the slower songs?
TONY: Its different for everybody. For me, as a singer, I enjoy the slower songs because they give you more room to breath. We are trying to move away from the more speedy stuff. We are trying to come up with a heavier sound instead of that speed thing. We would like to keep all the elements in there, and slow it down a little, but still be quick.
BUB: Do you guys ever play any Monster Ballads?
TONY: Monster Ballads? Oh, I think Ive heard of that. I think I saw that in a record store or something. We dont really have any Monster Ballads, but Ill think about putting one on the next album.

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