| 1. What are you currently up
to? |
UP! kept busy in 2002 touring the southeast and southwest US. We
book ourselves and play out as often as possible- next dates look
like it will be in the spring 2003. We have also kept busy doing
lots of pre-production stuff and recording new material.
|
| 2. Who were your
influences? |
There are many influences. We all have different backgrounds and
influences- from Barry Manilow to Rob Halford. Butch Walker to
Fuzzbubble.
|
| 3. Brief history of the band plus the style of music you play.
|
Hard to classify oneself but we are in the Foo Fighter, Jimmy Eats
World genre. We just write what comes naturally. Right now that is
catchy, guitar hook oriented and melodic songs.
|
| 4. What do you think of the current state of US radio and the Live
music scene? |
It is really different everywhere you go. We are from Long Island,
about 45 minutes east of NYC. You would think being so close to NYC
would draw talent agents, but it does not. We feel a large part of
that issue has to do with the local scene itself. Few clubs will
book original bands and frankly, few people want to pay to see
original music. However, when we travel to another state, often
times get the complete opposite situation. Club owners and local
radio truly believe in their unsigned, backyard bands and promote
them to no end.
|
| 5. How easy/hard is it to get exposure for the band?
|
With the internet, message boards, P2P networking, and emails, it is
much easier to be heard than seen. You'd be surprised at what you
can do with a computer and modem.
|
| 6.
What have been the highlight(s) and low point(s) of your career to
date?
|
Highpoint came last fall on tour- we were playing a show at this wild
bar in southern Arizona. Apparently next door to this place was
strip club. About 2 songs into the set, these 2 amazingly hot
(somewhat drunk!) stripers jump on stage and start dancing. By song
3 they were completely naked and going at it!! Totally insane! We
had to end the set there because the crowd became quite unruly!
Low point was the same night when the same two girls blew off every
member of UP! and finally went home with some drunken dirt-bag with a
Porsche. We all then decided we need Porsches.
|
| 7.
How easy is it to gets gigs?
|
It is not easy. You have to sell yourself, often times play for free
and stay on top of the people who book. Once you develop a
relationship with them, it gets easier.
|
| 8. What is the live music scene like?
|
There is no better feeling than playing on stage. It is a total rush
and the greatest experience you will ever know.
|
| 9. Who have you toured with and would like to tour with in the
future? |
When on tour we mostly play with local bands the club books. For the
most part they are all cool. They think we are cooler than we really
are because we are from NY. They ask about the terrorist attacks and
stuff and what the city is like. We are really much bigger geeks
than they think. Some of the more known acts we've played with are
Fuzzbubble, Wayne, Epidemic, Chlorine, CC Deville, and Po'boy
Swing.
|
| 10. You have high praise from Butch Walker. How did you first meet
him? Have you/would you work with him in the future?
|
We first met Butch at The Bowery Ballroom in New York City. It was a
Marv3, SR-71 and Tsar show. He is such a down to earth nice guy
without an ounce of who he is. Definitely one of the most talented
musicians/producers around. Why he isn't on every radio station in
the country I will never know. I would give my right nut to work with
him someday.
|
| 11. If you could create a fantasy band - what would be the line-up
and why? |
Butch Walker on lead guitar...cause he's a rawkstar. Nuno Bettencourt
on Rhythm guitar and keyboards...he is a musical genius. Keith Moon
on drums...the things he did on the skins defied gravity. Sting on
bass...nuff said. Freddie Mercury on Lead vocals...he is simply the
best vocalist I have ever heard. And remember he sang before Pro
Tools so that IS his voice.
|
| 12. What CD's do you currently have available and where can they be
purchased from? |
We have our debut CD titled, Cog available. It's free to anyone who
sends an email to upmail@email.com and uses the code word "RAWK". We
don't want our fans' money. We just want our songs to be heard and
hopefully the folks will "get it".
|
| 13. Message for your
fans... |
Don't give up on Rawk N Roll. The musical revolution is almost here
and we will take it back from the boy band girl band and whatever
other crap radio forces you to listen too. We will not be denied. God
bless and enjoy the show...
|
