This time
it's up to the Detroit glam metal band Fillmore Slim,
to be tortured by "The Rock Explosion" questions!
Their demo has been released recently, so let's check
out what Vic Wayne and Jerri Allen have to say about
past, present and future of their band!
Hi guys! How are
you today? I hope you're fine. Let's introduce the band
to our Exploders! When and how Fillmore Slim were born?
Vic: We got together in
the beginning of 2002. I put an add out and got together
with Jerry. We had a few line-up changes. 157 gigs and
5 flakes latter here we are!
Allen: Vic Wayne at vocals
and some rhythm guitar, Dave Blitz at the lead guitar,
me, Jerri Allen at the bass, and Dave Smith at the drums.
Why did you choose
"Fillmore Slim" as name of the band?
Vic: Because I set out
to create the sleaziest band on the planet. Fillmore
Slim is the name of an old pimp from the west coast.
What's sleazier than a pimp?!
Allen: We watched the documentary
"American Pimp" and saw Fillmore Slim, this
pimp in San Fracisco. We thought that would be a cool
name.
What's about the
revival of the 80's in your music and in your style?
How would you describe your sound?
Vic: I grew up listening
to 80's music so I'm obviously very influenced by that
stuff, but I'm not trying to make a nostalgia act. I
like bands from the 70's and the 90's to, I try to be
eclectic
I like to think we're a mix of all the
best.
Allen: We're kind of an
updated version of the 80's music.
How is the scene
in your city and Country? You're from Detroit, a famous
rock'n'roll city. Let's talk about local rock scene.
And what do you think about the scene all over the world?
Do you listen to any new bands, if you do who are they
and what do you think about them?
Vic: The Detroit scene
is great. Detroit has a rich history of live music;
from the Stooges to the White Stripes, there's a lot
of talent here. We're about to go on tour this summer,
so I guess we will find out more about the scenes in
other cities. I've been listening to the Darkness and
Jet a lot. I'm happy to see bands with musical instruments
making a comeback.
Allen: Detroit still has
several clubs that will feature original live bands.
As far as newer bands we like...The Darkness, Jet, Brides
Of Destruction, etc..
Tell me about your
songs, how they're born? What's the songwriting process
that you use the most? Who is the main songwriter inside
the band?
Vic: Being the main songwriter,
usually the chorus just kinda comes to me. I'll come
up with a riff and just build on it from there. I usually
have the whole song recorded on four track and then
the rest of the band tweaks it up.
Allen: A lot of the time
Vic will make a 4 track demo at home then we'll work
it out at rehearsal. Also, we just start jamming and
end up with a song!!!
And what's about
your life on stage? You had some gigs with great bands
as Pretty Boy Floyd, Candy Ass and many others. Tell
us about these
experiences. Which is the funniest band that you met
on the road? Which has been your best gig in your opinion?
Vic: Pretty Boy Floyd,
those guys are a fucking blast. They are for sure the
funniest too (or should I say their tour van).
Allen: They've all been
great...Dave enjoyed exchanging hair and makeup tips
with the girls in Candy Ass... (laughs).
Have you ever been
in Italy? if you have, what do you think about this
Country?
Vic: Nope
but we
would love to. It seems that there are lots of glam
fans there. I think we would have a great time. Black
Hill might come over here in January to do a national
tour with us, nothings for sure yet, but we're talking
about it (money's a bitch). So hopefully that will happen
and we can get over there soon. The crowds look great
there!
Allen: No... Not yet.
I think some past
bands like Faster Pussycat, Pretty Boy Floyd or New
York Dolls have got a lot of influence on your music,
so which are your favourite bands, the ones that contributed
to form you as the artists you're right now?
Vic: My biggest influence
as a kid was Faster Pussycat. But I really like blues
to. I'm influenced by so many things; and not just music,
I have been influenced a lot by 80's attitude. I think
the sound of my music reflects that by default. I like
a huge variety of music from Elvis and the Stones to
the Darkness and Jet. As far as the image goes I was
always into glam. I dig the look and the attitude, snotty
real rock'n'roll.
Allen: Too many to list,
but safe to say all bands that rock!!!
Which is the most important thing
for you, music or look? Or maybe, sex or money? Sickness
or insanity? Masters or slaves? Just kiddin'...
Vic: Ummm music then look.
How about sex for money. I think I may be sick and insane.
Neither...
Allen: Ultimately the music
is the MOST important, but presentation is very important
too. It's not just music it's entertainment!
Now I say some words and you
have to tell me what's your first thought about them!
Vic:
Guitar: loud.
Coke: caine.
Drugs: ummm...
Dog: Dogs D'Amour!
Hair: grow it!
Europe: rocks!
Allen:
Guitar: Blitz.
Coke: Diet.
Drugs: Rock IS our drug!!!
Dog: Dirty.
Hair: Big.
Europe: Wish we were there!!!
The craziest thing you've done
together, we aren't asking about your sexual antics...
(laughs).
Vic: Well, one time we
had a gig in New York but our tour van was broke down
fortunately we were playing on the headlining bands
gear so we bought
greyhound bus tickets to get to the show. It was two
days of hell no sleep and we got there 3 hours before
we had to go on stage. But it was worth it
we had a blast.
Allen: Our last photo session,
listening to Dave (Blitz) struggling with his new leather
pants was an absolute scream!!! (laughs)
What's in the future of Fillmore
Slim? Have you got projects or anything else, talk about
them...
Vic: Our full length CD
should be out sometime this year. We'll be on tour here
in the states and Canada all summer. After the CD comes
out hopefully a
tour in Europe. We have got a lot of good reviews in
print and on the web rite now, just from sending our
demo out.
Choose between sex, drugs and
rock n' roll and explain your choice!
Vic: Man I hate to choose
one. But if I have to I will go with rock' n' roll:
it's the only one that can't kill you or give you nasty
warts or take your money and it's always there the next
morning.
Allen: Rock is the only
one you can do and still respect yourself in the morning.
But sex is a close second!
So what do you usually drink
when you're on stage? What do you usually do before
going on stage? Do you have any particular usage or
kind of spell
against bad luck?
Vic: Beer or water. And
we have a group prayer like Creed...just kidding!
Allen: Gatorade and water
usually. We're not really all that ritualistic, other
than primping... (laughs).
Let's talk about the world of
internet, mp3, etc. Are you pro or against?
Vic: I'm not for or against
it. For an unsigned band like us it's a good thing.
Its one of the only ways for people to hear us without
seeing us live. I think the only people that are really
against it are greedy bastards that need something else
to blame besides themselves for their declining record
sales.
Allen: We all have various
opinions...but we won't sue anyone for downloading our
songs.
Fav pornstar, fav book, fav fast
or slow car:
Vic: As far as porn star,
I prefer the real thing to TV or books; and I don't
wanna live this life (about Sid Vicious). Car
anyone that works.
Allen: Well we have a song
about porn star Raylene. We like any book with pictures.
And as far as vehicles, anything that can hold our equipment,
and
get us from gig to gig without breaking down is fine
with us!!!
The world is ending, the ground
is breaking by tremendous earthquake: the last thing
you think you'd do?
Vic: Get fucking drunk!
Allen: Not quite sure...
guess we'll know when it happens.
Thanks for having answered to
my questions, the interview is ended, would you like
to greet, insult or tell anything particular to our
readers?
Vic: Thanks.
Allen: Thanks for reading
this... keep checking our website for updates. We'd
love to come over there and play for all of you!!!
Intervista realizzata da Kendy
K.
Traduzione realizzata da Margherita
Realmonte
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