HMTV Lisa of Hollywood Music TV Canada Online Ezine Interviews Dead Rage
This is Lisa once again I have the distinct opportunity of Interviewing Wicked D from Dead Rage.
Lisa: Hey you guys. I see you guys have been busy with different projects. The new profile looks awesome.
Dead Rage: Thanks. I spend a lot of time tweaking the profile as I see fit. Part of marketing a band, especially in this case, is the imagery. In fact, I’ve got it torn up pretty bad as we speak. But, I’ll get it back together in no time. And yeah, I’ve been fairly busy. Aside from Dead Rage, there is my other project - Hypernaut at www.myspace.com/hypernautmusic, the Lordi Houston Street Team at www.myspace.com/lorditeamhouston, I am a staff writer and forum moderator at www.metalmonthly.com which launched October 1st, 2007 and have recently been offered a spot at www.kwtfworldwide.com as a Houston area DJ to help cover live broadcasts.
Lisa: I have to say you when I first heard you guys I was hooked the music is awesome.
Dead Rage: I appreciate that. It’s just old school Heavy Metal so, I can’t take too much credit for originality but, it sure is fun jammin’ to that shit
1.Lisa HMTV: How did you come up with the name Dead Rage and how long have you known each other?
Dead Rage: The name Dead Rage is an amalgam of two bands that I had played with in the past. “DEAD”bolt and Wicked “RAGE” I had known the guitarist, William “Fast Willie” Scott for about 17 years. The other members were just recording partners I had run into along the way.
2.Lisa HMTV: When did you form your band?
Dead Rage: March 13, 2007. We’re just over 6 months old
3.Lisa HMTV: Who came up with the concept to use the Meez Characters as band instead of using the real musicians behind Dead Rage? Dead Rage: I (Wicked D) came up with that idea There was an incident awhile back that had left me disabled and I was looking for an alternative method of getting my music fix.
4. Lisa HMTV: What inspired you to make music together and where did you guys meet?
Dead Rage: William and I met way back in 1990 We just wanted to keep the dying genre of Heavy Metal alive We didn’t care that it was no longer the chosen format, we just wanted to have a good time.
5. Lisa HMTV:Tell us your influences. And do you think your influences have played a roll in the type of you music you play?
Dead Rage: Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Dio, Scorpions, Ted Nugent and yeah they played a huge roll in why we play 80's style Heavy Metal.
6.Lisa HMTV:What can you tell us about your instruments brand are you subject to brand loyalty or will you play whatever's available? What kind of recording environment do you have?
Dead Rage: Well, William only plays Gibson guitars. He has a Flying V and an Explorer. He’s tried other guitars like PRS but, always comes back to the old standards. I use Ibanez guitars and basses. Just can’t beat the quality to price ratio in my opinion.
7.Lisa HMTV: How do you think your music has evolved since the first time you guys performed together?
Dead Rage: Well, it’s tighter But, as far as evolving... It’s just Heavy Metal. We’re not trying to win any awards for superior musicianship, we just wanna play
8.Lisa HMTV: Is there one person who writes your songs or do the members colaborate on the song writting?
Dead Rage: William and I write all the songs together. Whether it’s music or lyrics, one of us will start something and the other will chime in and it just all comes together.
10.Lisa HMTV:Have you performed anywhere as the real band Dead Rage?
Dead Rage: No Dead Rage is currently not a live act
11.Lisa HMTV: I have notice that Wicked D is now a writer for Metal Monthly tell us more about that.
Dead Rage: Yeah I answered an ad for staff writer on www.metalmonthly.com and suggested the topic of “Music as a Career”. They liked the idea and asked for a submission. I sent them an article and they loved it. I now have a monthly column called Wicked Words of Wisdom I am also the message board chief moderator.
12.Lisa HMTV: Do you have a record label ? Are you a member of any organizations? Can you tell us about your latest CD release, anything from messages to inspirations, your biggest challenge as a band.
Dead Rage: No label, not really looking. I have submitted my membership to Los Angeles Music Network (LAMN). We’re still working on releasing a CD. I have so many irons in the fire at the moment... As far as challenges, try being an 3d animated band in the real world
13. Lisa HMTV: What are some of the highlights of Dead Rage your goals where you hope to be in 5 years with your band your ultimate direction and how your fans are currently reacting to your music?
Dead Rage: Well, we won The Metal Ryche’s band contest against live, more established bands That was cool. That alone shows the fans were in it for the music. 5 years from now Dead Rage will be a household name I’m working with an animator who is creating a working stage and we will be able to depict Dead Rage as a live act in 3d
14.Lisa HMTV:Do you have any remixes or are working on any? Complilation with other artists or bands?
Dead Rage: No, not yet. I have received many inquiries toward doing a compilation but, that’s not on my agenda at the moment.
15.Lisa HMTV:From your experience is there a way bands interact with each other or does it depend on something? There are bands that are just starting out bigger bands will try hard to promote their friends and there are bands that are cool with cross promoting each other inspite of all the pressure. Do you have any friends that are doing something really exciting in the music scent that you think people should be aware of?
Dead Rage: Yeah The secret is networking You gotta get out there and mingle. But, you gotta mean it. You have to honestly want to be part of a group that’s willing to work toward a common goal. As a promoter yourself, you must know there are some dickheads in the music biz. There are bands that expect something for nothing and that pisses me off. Get off your lazy ass and get involved
16.Lisa HMTV: Will you be planning on touring for Dead Rage?
Dead Rage: Well, if we get the animated stage going, we justmight have a virtual tour. You never know. Hell, look at Gorillaz.
17.Lisa HMTV: How do you like our music site at Hollywood Music TV? What advice do you have for people who want to form their own bands?
Dead Rage: I love what you guys are doing. It’s a shame more people aren’t jumping on the bandwagon. As far as advice for forming a band. Treat it like a business Draw up agreements, copyright everything, trademark your logo, etc... Make it official if you want to make a career of it But, most of all, just have fun
19.Lisa HMTV:There is a kind of ancient connection vibe to singer, songwriters, something that ties the bands to write about their personal experiences inspirations worst experiences while performing or traveling , do you ever collaborate on these experiences in your music?
Dead Rage: Pretty much everything I write about was something I was involved in or believe in. I also tap into real world happenings.
20.Lisa HMTV: Will we be hearing anything new from Dead Rage in near future? Any plans for 2008?
Dead Rage: Yeah We actually have about 14 songs recorded and have only shared 5 of them so far. I look to have a retail ready CD available sometime in 2008
21.Lisa HMTV: Is there anyone special you would like to acknowledge, and any last words?Links that we check out the band and check out merchandise?
Dead Rage: Yeah Lynn at www.myspace.com/themetalryche has done more for me than anyone I have ever run across in the music industry She believes in Dead Rage and more importantly, she believes in me We have become great friends and are looking to build a serious music network together
Lisa HMTV: I just wanna thank you for you taking the time out to do this interview with for Hollywood Music Online Ezline?
Dead Rage: Hell, this was a blast I appreciate you taking the time to talk to me. I will definitely be spreading the word about HMTV
Hope you enjoyed the interview be on the look out for more interviews with some awesome bands from Lisa @ HMTV
