Sunday, July 29, 2012

Interview with The Dirt Radicals

Photo Courtesy of Steven Tiller


     After recently finding out about The Dirt Radicals through a friend, I began listening to them and couldn't wait to talk with their bassist/vocalist Sam Cooper. Comprised of Cooper; his younger brother, drummer/vocalist Matt Cooper; and vocalist/guitarist Mas Kimura. Check out what Sam had to say about TDR!


Front Paige Metal News: Tell me a little bit about The Dirt Radicals. How do you describe your style? Who/What are you most influenced by?

Sam Cooper: We're a 3 piece punk rock band. We grew up on the So-Cal 90's punk sound, the Kung Fu and Fat Wreck bands, but now we listen to everything and anything. We were doing 'Wine & Wallflowers Wednesday' just the other day. Think Red Wine and The Wallflowers might be influencing our new sound quite a bit!


FPMN: You've been quoted as saying that being in the music industry "got too serious". What changes do you think need to be made in the industry? How do The Dirt Radicals play a role in making those changes?

Sam: I think we just meant that we need to stop trying to make our band into a business, just let it be what it is, and have fun. Mission accomplished! We love it more than ever. What needs to change? I'd personally like to see a few less "clipboard girls" and "backstage cockheads" floating around.


FPMN: What message do you hope fans can take away from your music?

Sam: If a fan takes anything away from our music or band, I hope it's that they truly appreciate how much of ourselves we put in to keep the band and the music alive. It ain't easy, and it's really all we're good at.


FPMN: What is coming up next for the band?

Sam: We just did our first headlining show in London on Friday night, which was killer. Since we're in the studio working on album #2 at the moment, it was nice to play some of the new stuff for an audience. Apart from working on the new record, we're doing a bit of touring on the other side of the world. We're heading over to Taiwan and China next week for festival and headlining shows, and after that, we're hitting Japan and South East Asia in October! Can't wait!


FPMN: What is something that my readers might be interested in hearing about? Are there any specific stories from being on the road that come to mind?

Sam: One time, our drummer Matt had his ass fondled by Chester from Linkin Park in Thailand. Our guitarist Mas drank a bottle of my piss in our hotel in Sydney, and I shat myself in a KFC in Indonesia before a show.


FPMN: Why should my readers check out The Dirt Radicals?

Sam: If you like bands who have poor bowel and liver functions, we are the guys for you. The music ain't bad either.


For more info on The Dirt Radicals, check out their Facebook and Twitter!

~Paige
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Thursday, July 5, 2012

Interview with Kobra and The Lotus


     Kobra and The Lotus is definitely one of my favorite bands that is on the rise to fame. With a sound all their own and fronted by vocal powerhouse Kobra Paige, the band is gaining a large fan base. They have been playing festivals in Europe including last month's Download Festival. I was able to talk with Kobra Paige before the band's performance at Download, and I got to ask her about their experiences playing the European festivals. The band is still playing shows in Europe! A link for the tour dates is posted below.


Interview:

Front Paige Metal News:  Kobra and The Lotus has been playing a lot of shows in Europe. How have they been going?

Kobra Paige: They've been awesome! It's so cool, because we haven't done festivals before. So, this has been a new chapter for us completely. We haven't played in front of this many people. It's amazing! We were saying at the first festival we played how that probably was more people than we'd played to with all our shows combined until that point. That was quite an incredible feeling- just to be in front of so many people and have that outreach. Also, it's really cool to be back there with all the other artists that are playing the festivals. The people are really interesting; the cultures vary from every different city we played in. It's awesome. I definitely have to say that I love the energy at the shows we've been doing over here, because everyone is there just for the bands that are on the festivals, to have a good time, and nothing else. So, it's amazing!


FPMN: Have you been able to hang out with the other artists that are playing the festivals?

Kobra Paige: Yeah, for sure. We're all in the same dressing room areas. We all have the same lounge so whoever is on our stage, we have been eating with them and hanging with them and everything. The last festival we played, we were in the dressing room area with Mastodon. There were actually a bunch of different bands from all different backgrounds like Rival Sons and just new projects that I didn't know too well until then.


FPMN: Are you guys excited for Download?

Kobra Paige: So excited! I'm very excited. We've kind of focused on the UK for the last couple of years. It's kinda become a second home territory to us; we always love going back. They're always so good to us.  So, it will be great!


FPMN: Is there anything that you'd like to say to your fans?

Kobra Paige: We have a new album coming out on August 6th. So, go grab the album!


"Forever One":


     For more info on Kobra and The Lotus, check out their Official Site, Facebook, and Twitter. Don't forget to check out their upcoming tour dates here!

~Paige
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