Photo by Clint Kirk This interview originally appeared in Audio Ammunition on July 17th, 2013 What can I say about this band that far more skilled writers haven’t said already? A band that has been a Phoenix area pillar of Rock ‘N’ Roll prominence for quite a while now, they’re working on their sixth LP! For those of you who have yet to delight in the sounds of The Love Me Nots, I shall attempt a brief description. A lead singer that prowls around the stage radiating Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin and Chrissie Hynde, while pounding a keyboard so fervently as if attempting to exorcize demons from within its mechanical bowels. Then there’s that tall, ominous guitar player that’s relentlessly hurling down sonic depth charges at the hapless spectators. Not to mention a rhythm section sturdy enough to keep this out of controlled freight train on its rails and on a collision course straight towards your soul! Interview by Jay Castro Who’s answering the questions here ? Nicole Laurenne Who...

This interview originally appeared in Audio Ammunition on July 17th, 2013 I first saw these guys open for Rock ‘N’ Roll titans Guitar Wolf in the fall of 2012. I had never heard of them prior, but after listening to some of their songs, I was looking forward to seeing them just as much as the headliners, and they did not disappoint. Three young guys from New Zealand that play punk rock music that sounds considerably better the higher the volume gets. Its fast, extremely catchy and they seem to be having the time of their lives doing it, which in turn makes anyone listening to it have a blast as well. What more can anyone ask of a stellar punk band? It’s a little Ramones, a little Angry Samoans, a little Buzzcocks, and a whole lot of fun! Interview by Jay Castro Who’s answering the questions here? James Who is in the band and what instruments do you play? Olly plays drums and sings, Colin plays bass and sings a little bit and I play guitar and sing. What parts of New Zealand ...

This interview originally appeared in Audio Ammunition on July 11th, 2013 Most bands that I hear from my hometown of Phoenix, Arizona either make me recoil or their music goes totally without notice. I don’t know which is worse. However, every now and again I hear one that makes me want to root for. One that gives me hope that all is not lost in an ocean of second rate metal dinosaurs and uninspired blues copyists. One of those bands is The Rebel Set. They glide at their audience on a wave of reverberation that is wrapped up in classic noir and surf guitar mystique in the midst of a garage punk assault. The band takes the better parts of Rock N Roll from times ago and mixes it up with a dose of their own allure. Sounds easy enough, however you have to know which parts to excavate and which parts to lend your soul to. That’s been the recipe for rock n roll since its conception and the Rebel Set have become master chefs at this delicacy. Interview by Jay Castro Who’s answeri...

This interview originally appeared in Audio Ammunition on July 2nd, 2013 Anyone who thinks good rock n roll is defined by how fast some pompous ass can fondle a fret board or how high some overpaid wanker can vocally hit some hideous high note is sorely mistaken. Good Rock ‘N’ Roll has always been about heart and gusto, in fact any good art is for that matter. Judging by what is passing as rock n roll in the main stream now days, it’s easy to lose optimism. However, any person that thinks this torch has been smothered out long ago isn’t looking in the right places. There are still bands breathing the truth and vigor of the forefathers. Take for example The Ricky C Quartet. They have taken queues from some of the greats and serve it to you lean and mean. They are now in possession of the aforementioned torch, and they’re burning it like a supernova. Interview by Jay Castro Who’s answering the questions here? Ricky C, Joe the Dog and Jimmy Jones Who is in the band and what instrum...

This interview originally appeared in Audio Ammunition on July 2nd, 2013   To try and place one label on Legendary Wings sound would not do it justice. For one, it’s an album that could have only been conceived by youthful vitality. Oh sure all the good elements are there; a touch of the ol’ lo-fi rock n roll and power pop. However it also has an element of charismatic Lookout Records punk pop that the label put out in the early to mid 90’s in its heyday. Whatever it may sound like is irrelevant, its rock n roll with magnetism and hooks so contagious it’ll wrap itself around your head like an Alien Face Hugger. But unlike an Alien Face Hugger, you don’t really want to tear it off. Hicks, Vazquez……..stand down! Interview by Jay Castro Who’s answering the questions here? Jeff Who is in Legendary Wings and what’s your contribution? I play drums, Scott plays guitar and sings, and Matt Wing plays bass. Are you all originally from the Kalamazoo MI area? Yeah. What is the bands...

This interview was originally published in Audio Ammunition on June 25th, 2013 One can take any given Hex Dispensers song and create a very good screenplay out of it. The song’s lyrics put you into the skulls of paranoid, delusional individuals straight out of a Coen Brothers movie. Or it can plant you into the desperate situation of a science fiction calamity. All of this is delivered with one of the most contagious brands of garage punk combusting in the universe today. The music rockets into your psyche and forces you to beat your feet and shimmy your shoulders like you’re under some kind of Haitian Voodoo trance. The full meaning of the name Hex Dispensers has now become clear to me. I’m going to go find my copy of the Serpent and The Rainbow now. Interview by Jay Castro Who’s answering the questions here? Alex Cuervo Who is in the band and how do you earn your keep in it? Alex Cuervo - guitar/vocals Alyse Mervosh - drums/vocals Rebecca Whitley - bass/guitar/vocals Whe...

This interview was originally published in Audio Ammunition on June 11th, 2013 After hearing the Breakup Society for the first time, I felt ashamed that I had never seen them play live. I truly believe they are one of Arizona’s best kept secrets. The band cranks out power pop rock n roll in the same school as Dramarama, Buffalo Tom, and The Replacements. The band has 3 consistently great full lengths with the legendary Get Hip Records. With comedic, cynically introspective lyrics and a barrage of guitar volume, this band deserves your attention, your time, and your attendance! Interview by Jay Castro Who’s answering the questions here? This is Ed Masley. I sing lead, play guitar and write the songs. Is the band originally from the Phoenix area? That question is more complicated than it seems. I’m actually from Pittsburgh but I flew in with two members of my former band, the Frampton Brothers, to make an album with producer Bob Hoag, also formerly a Frampton Brother, at Flying ...

This interview was originally published in Audio Ammunition on May 29th, 2013 When I first started hearing about the Ills, I heard comparisons to bands like The Spoiled Brats and The No Talents. So, when I finally got a chance to hear these Iowa City monsters, they did not disappoint! Those influences are indeed there, but the Ills have taken that sound and stuck their own brand on it. It is theirs, they own it now, and lucky for us they are sharing it with the rest of us lowly dogs! Interview by Jay Castro Who’s answering the questions here? Danny and Erika Who is in the band and what instrument do they play? Erika Ebola - Vox Danny Dysentery - Guitar Molly Marburg - Bass Tommy Tinnitus - Drums Are you all originally from Iowa City? None of us are. Tommy Danny and Molly are all from different areas of Iowa, Erika is from Texas and Iowa. How did Rip Off records find their way into your hands in Iowa? Danny: When I was a kid, Iowa City record stores carried a lot of punk and garag...

This interview was originally published in Audio Ammunition on May 14th, 2013 When I hear a good power pop band, my heart feels like jumping out of my chest and doing a dance like John Cusack’s cheeseburger did in “Better Off Dead”. It happened when I first heard Cheap Trick, then with The Beat, now The Sugar Stems! The tunes are memorable, and the lyrics are emotionally authentic, which makes the entire package multi coated; so you never get worn-out listening to it. “Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me your ears, ” you won’t be dissatisfied, because this is timeless pop music. I am confident that decades from now, The Sugar Stems will still be in heavy rotation on many turntables, including mine! Interview by Jay Castro Who’s answering the questions here? It's me! Betsy! Who is in the band and what instruments do you all play? Betsy - vocals/guitar Steph - bass Andy - keyboard Drew - guitar Jonny - drums Are you all originally from the Milwaukee area? How did the ban...

This interview was originally published in Audio Ammunition on May 10th, 2013 Take some Smokey Robinson, a dash of Dusty Springfield, and a pinch of Punk delivery and you have a Rock ‘N’ Roll band the likes of which this earth hadn’t seen prior to the conception of the magnificent Ballantynes. The band have three 7”s under their buckle on the equally fabulous La-Ti-Da recording label. So, do yourself a favor and partake in the good times that will ensue after you place their records on your turntable. It’s undeniable! It’s unmistakable! It’s the Ballantynes! Interview by Jay Castro Who’s answering the questions? Vanessa and Corey Who is in the band and what instruments do you play? Jarrod Odell - Hammond/Vocals Vanessa Dandurand - Vocals/Tambourine Jennifer Wilks- Vocals/Hammond/Tambourine Corey Poluk- Guitar/Vocals Max Sample - Bass/Vocals Michael McDiarmid- Drums Trevor Racz- Drums Is the band originally from Vancouver BC? Oh ya. How did the band start and what bands/musicia...