The Randies, from Los Angeles are a all female band on the Christina Aguilera's way! Do You wanna read some more? C'mon...

Hi The Randies do you want introduced your band at the Teenage Angst readers? Can you tell us your "genesis"? In your bio I read that some of you have been with other bands before joining The Randies. Which were they and what kind of music did they play? What are the best memories of those periods?
Megan McCarter: Laura and I were in a band together called Freud's Boyfriend. When we had met we kind of decided that we would be playing music together for a long time. When we left that band we played with some other musician friends before looking to start another full band. When we met Sienna everything seemed to click. The bands that I have been in with Laura were generally punk/indie bands. That is the type of music we listen to and play. As far as the best memories, there are a lot. I'm sure there are also many fun things that happened that I don't remember.
Laura Cataldo: The first band I was in was in highschool with my boyfriend, but that lasted for the length of our relationship-5 minutes. The first "real" band I was in was with Megan we were called Freud's Boyfriend. We were a lot like The Shag's, we had weird tempo changes were colorful and artsy, but we were much more eccentric. We had a lot of fun during that time and played with a lot of the bands that we all still hang with and support from the Mr.T's Bowl Highland Park scene. It ultimately gave me the opportunity to grow as a musician and form a lasting bond with Megan and ultimately form another band The Randies!
Sienna DeGovia: The first band I was in was a ska band and I played the Tenor Sax. It was called One Legged Bob. We played at parties in college. The best thing about it was that people danced like crazy at our shows. There were nine of us in the band and it was always a fun time.
Kristy McInnis: I played with Kathy Valentine of the Go Go’s in her band the Delphines for a couple years. You can find me drumming on their record “Cosmic Speed.” Some of those highlights included performing at the Sundance Film Festival & shooting the video for “Cosmic Speed.” I also played in several bands in Missouri before moving to LA 3 years ago. One of the highlights would be opening for the Violent Femmes at the Fox Theatre in St. Louis and performing live on NPR with the group combo.com on Michael Feldman’s 2000 New Year’s Eve Whada Ya Know show. I sang Too Many Teardrops, an awesome Nick Lowe song.

Why did you change your previous monicker “Friensdship Motor Inn” in “The Randies”? Is there any particular meaning behind your new monicker?
Megan McCarter: The name was changed for a couple of reasons. First, it is also the name of a few motels around the country and we didn't want to get involved in any legal issues. In addition, our old name was difficult to remember and people often got it wrong. We wanted something more simple and as we were looking for a new name everything we thought of was already taken. The Randies ended up being something we all liked and was available. As far as the meaning, we leave that up to the fans.
Laura Cataldo: I loved that name! We had to change it because no one could rember who the hell we were! So we opted for something short abd sweet.
Sienna DeGovia: We changed our name to The Randies because nobody could remember "Friendship Motor Inn." "The Randies" basically means "The We Want to Fucks" It's a spunky name, which matches our spunky personalities.
Kristy McInnis: Randies equal to horny. But that never applies to me.

Your demo songs seem to proceed in the vein of The Beatles, The Pixies, Beach Boys, The Ramones, even if it has a precise identity! Do you like these bands? What are your main influences?
Megan McCarter: I love each of those bands. I think the four of  us have a love of music and we are all influened by different stuff which is part of the reason that our songs sound the way they do. I personally grew up listening to Queen, The Ramones, The Pixies, Nirvana, and anything my parents had around the house.
Laura Cataldo: I love you for saying that! I love every one of those bands!
Sienna DeGovia: I love all those bands. My main influences are The Beatles, The Pixies, Elvis Costello, Pavement, and all my friend's bands.
Kristy McInnis: I like the Beatles and Beach Boys. My drumming sometimes gets compared to Ringo which I don’t mind. Some of my music influences are The Pretenders, Kirsty MacColl, and Joan Armatrading.

How did you feel when Kurt Cobain, Freddy Mercury, Mark and Joey Ramone died? With which words or images do you like to remember this big and so different artists?
Megan McCarter: It is upsetting that they are gone, but they created such great music that it will be influencing poeple forever and that is a great thing.
Laura Cataldo: I felt that the world lost some of the most amazing artists, and I am thankful that their memory will live on through peoples lives whenever they hear their music.
Sienna DeGovia: I like to think about where I was and what I was doing at certain times in my life while listening to these artists. All of them were very important to me at different times.
Kristy McInnis: Everyone has their time. Their legacy lives in their music.

Basically, what do you want to destroy when you sing “Destroy”? Who are the “Boys in stereo” and why do you want so strongly be “Rock Stars”? These are my favourite songs of your work…
Megan McCarter: Destroy, no comment, Boys In Stereo is about some boys from the Los Angeles music scene, but I think it says a lot more than that. It is about taking control of your life and doing what you want to do. Rock Star is a jokey song about bands who try too hard. The type of band that is more concerned about image and style, what is the "new thing" instead of doing what comes from the heart
Laura Cataldo: Doesn't everybody want to be a rockstar?
Sienna DeGovia: The Boys in "Boys In Stereo" are various boys from our home scene that started At Mr T's Bowl in highland park.
Kristy McInnis: I want to destroy everything and anything that gets in my way. Boys in stereo are the little known about miniature persons living inside peoples stereo systems operating every stereo in the world. It’s about time someone brought this to the peoples attention. And rock stars is about the galaxy “rock” that was recently discovered by the renowned scientist, Dr. Phil Emup. It’s amazing how many similarities it has to actual rock stars that play instruments

You’re about managing to become Rock Stars! Can you tell us why? Tell us the present and the future of Randies! If I’m right Cristina Aguilera followed the same discographyc path…
Megan McCarter: Wow, um we have worked really hard and I think that is why we are getting places. We practice all the time. Basically our lives are this band. I think when you really focus on something and work to achieve it, you will. Who knows that will happen in the future, we will have to wait and see. I can only hope good things will come. Christina also recorded with Elicit, so we are sort of following the same path that way.
Laura Cataldo: I am thankful for all of the opportunites that have been granted to us in this past year. Working with Rob Hoffman and Heather Holley has definitely been the high point of our careers. Basically we have been working our asses off and I really think that it comes across in our live shows.
Sienna DeGovia: We are at a very exciting point in our evolution as a band. Nobody talks about the massive amounts of hard work it takes to even be in a functioning band let alone a successful band. We don't know what will happen next, but all of us have spent the last year working on all the different aspects of band life. We practice all the time, record when were not practicing, play 4 to 6 shows a month, make our merchandise, and promote, promote, promote. If we have any major success it will be due to all this hard work and our good luck at having hooked up with our amazing production team, Rob Hoffman and Heather Holley.
Kristy McInnis: The Randies can neither confirm or deny their rock star status. All will be apparent in time.

What did you feel and how did you behave when you knew that Elicit music was interested in you?
Megan McCarter: It was awesome. I was at work when I got the call and I wanted to cry. It was exactely what we needed. It validated all the work we had done on our own. That someone heard our songs and felt they could make a great album. We will always be grateful to them for believing in us.
Laura Cataldo: I was so excited, but freaked out at the same time! Two Months earlier I had broken my wrist at Sienna's party and I had just gotten this huge rod taken out of my left arm . My doctor told me that I wouldn't be able to play guitar properly for about a year- so I practiced and practiced inventing my own kind of physical therapy. The following week after having the rod removed we met with Rob and Heather and had an acoustic set ready for them, because while I was recuperating Sienna and Megan let our other drummer go. It was crazy!!!
Sienna DeGovia: I was in total shock. I had heard about this happening to other artists, but I never thought it would happen to us. Rob and Heather came out to our practice space on a Sunday to hear us play and on the following Monday I got a call from Rob. I was so excited, I just couldn't wait to tell all the other girls. I also called my mom right away.
Kristy McInnis: Exciting.

How did you write your old “Demo” songs? Was that a team work or a single work? Who used to write the lyrics and the music?
Megan McCarter: We all write, so most of the time one person brings in a basic idea and we all put our parts on it. Everyone writes lyrics and who knows what will change once we begin putting the songs together. It is a collaborative effort. We all have good ideas and it works for us to listen to one another.
Laura Cataldo: We used to all just bring a song mostly finished to the group and work it out together. Now we all have been collaborating and I think that it works out the best because we definitely have something when it is a group effort.
Sienna DeGovia: We used to write very individually. One person would come in with a song basically finished, music and lyrics. The longer we have played together the more collaborative our writing has become. But even if a song has the basics when it's brought to the band, everyone contributes a lot to it until it has that Randies feel.
Kristy McInnis: I wasn’t in the band when the old demos were recorded.

And now, how did your songwriting approach change? What’s the Elicit Team doing to help you in composing your full-lenght album?
Megan McCarter:Our way of writing hasn't changed. Keeping everything open to change is how we end up with our songs sounding the way they do. We are still changing stuff that has already been recorded. Elicit helped in creating a certain sound for the album that I think works really well for us. As far as writing, everything pretty much stayed the same. They helped a lot with finding the right sounds and creating harmonies
Laura Cataldo: Rob and Heather kicked us into shape!
Sienna DeGovia: Rob and Heather have definately helped us add depth to our songs, especially in the vocal arrangements, and guitar details. Heather is a wizard with harmony vocal parts and Rob is a guitar god.Our live shows have come a long way due to their influence as well. I feel like they saw something in us that we didn't fully realise was there. They have really brought out the best in us as a band, and I am very grateful to have them working with us.
Kristy McInnis: You can expect lush harmonies and a full rainbow of sounds and grooves.

During these years which have been your favourite perfomances? Have you ever had the chance to support old or new artists that you liked in particular way? Can you tell us about them? What are your fav new L.A. bands?
Megan McCarter: My favorite, don't have one. I love them all. Even the bad ones because you learn what not to do again. We as a band are all about supporting other bands that we love. We make a real effort to book shows with our friends and we support them as best we can. We are all in the same boat and it is important to be supportive. Our greatest shows are playing with people that we like. There are a lot of bands in the LA scene that are really cool, Get Set Go, Arlo, Bang Sugar Bang, Midway, No Way Jose, Kennedy, Dollyrots. They are all cool people too.
Laura Cataldo: I loved playing at Mr.T's Bowl. There are really too many that I love- like Arlo, New Maximum Donkey, Get Set Go, Dollyrots, so many that I know that I am forgetting...
Sienna DeGovia: I really liked this one show we had at Mr T's Bowl opening for the Breeders. It was actually our first show, and this creepy guy kept yelling at us "wooooooo, I just got out of jail!!!!!! Wooooo, Rock and Rolllllll!!!" Then he grabbed my hand while I was playing and the next thing I know, our drummer at the time (Rod) nails him in the chest with a drum stick. Cool part is, he never lost the beat! My favorite LA bands are Arlo and Rilo Kiley.
Kristy McInnis: I love Big Blue Hearts from LA, a band from Milwaukee called The Lovelies and the rap ladies of Northern State.

I dare say that L.A. scene seems to be extraordinary in this period with a lot of interesting bands! However, is there any of them that you dislike in particular way? Please be nasty girls…
Megan McCarter: I refuse to talk shit about other bands to the public. Yes, there are some "not nice" bands out there, but that is my opinion that I am keeping to myself.
Laura Cataldo: I tend to never dislike any bands, unless ofcourse they are completely obnoxious beings. I support every kind of musical expression. I guess that I have been fortunate to surround myself with very supportive artists, mainly the eastside scene that really born from the Tuesday nights that Mike Torres promoted at Mr.T's Bowl.
Sienna DeGovia: I'm not a nasty girl!
Kristy McInnis: I will never stoop to that level. But I’ll say this, there are more shit bands in LA than really good ones. Unfortunately it’s more about looks than it is talent. The music industry wants to make sure you’re, especially being a girl, that you’re not fat, old or ugly, then after you pass the cuteness test they might listen to your music. That’s probably the worst thing about the business.

Is there any songs you feel much more linked to or that you prefer to play during your live shows? What’s the reason of your choice?
Megan McCarter: Personally I enjoy playing the heavier songs because live it creates a lot of energy. We like to have a lot of fun on stage and the more driving songs allow us to do that. I like all of our songs though, I am not attached to one more than the other.
Laura Cataldo: I love all of our songs.
Sienna DeGovia: I just like it when we really nail everything live. “Iron Monley” is really fun to play.

Girls, what do you like to do when you’re not playing? How do you spend your free time, if you have it?
Megan McCarter: What is free time???
Laura Cataldo: hmmmm, sleep?
Sienna DeGovia: Mostly snacking.
Kristy McInnis: Sex and drugs.

What’s the craziest thing you ever done in your life?
Megan McCarter: I haven't done anything really crazy. I am pretty lame.
Laura Cataldo: Joined this band.
Sienna DeGovia: Tried to be in this band and work full time.
Kristy McInnis: Sex and drugs.

Fav drink, fav sex-simbol and fav record of all time…
Megan McCarter: Vanilla vodka and soda, Johnny Depp, Supergrass We're in it for the Money
Sienna DeGovia: Vodka and soda with Lime, Laura, entire Beatles Catalog, My aim is
True-Elvis Costello, and The Randies at the Friendship Motor Inn
Laura Cataldo: Mojito, Johnny Depp, fav album is a tough one!
Kristy McInnis: Jose Cuervo, Grace Kelly & The Carpenters Greatest Hits.

We’re at Rock'n'Roll Celebrity Deathmatch, choose the winners between:

Joan Jett vs Texas Terry…
Laura Cataldo: Definitely Joan Jett!

Wendy O Williams vs Exene Cervenka…
Megan McCarter: Exene for sure, although I think Wendy could put up a good fight.

Christina Aguilera vs Britney Spears…
Laura Cataldo: Christina all the way! You have to look out for that passionate blood!

Genitortures vs Garbage…
Kristy McInnis: Joan Jett would kick everyone’s ass!

The Donnas vs The Randies…
Megan McCarter: The Donnas vs The Randies huh? I'm a lover not a fighter.

Ok girls, end of the interview. I hope to see you soon in Italy and I invite you to close this interview with one of these options: greetings, insults, or everything The Randies want…
Megan McCarter: I hope to see us in Italy too!!! The Randies love you!
Laura Cataldo: Hi Mom and Dad!
Sienna DeGovia: I vote for The Randies get everything the Randies want. Thanks for the interview.
Kristy McInnis: Brush your teeth regularly…

Intervista Realizzata da Bruno Rossi.
Traduzione realizzata da Valentina Coppo e Margherita Realmonte.