Hollywood Music TV Asia Interviews HMTV St. Madness
HMTV Asia: 1. HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH YOUR BAND NAME AND HOW LONG HAVE YOU KNOWN EACH OTHER?
PROPHET: Originally the band was formed under the name "CROWN OF THORNS" in May of 1993. By mid 1997 we found out that a Christian rock group from New Jersey had already trademarked the name "Crown Of Thorns" back in 1991. I then convinced the band to change our name to "St. Madness" for two reasons, #1 being the name "St. Madness" was already on the CD that we had out at the time in 1997, entitled "The Spiritual Visions of St. Madness".
Reason #2 was that we wanted to make the name transformation as easy as possible for our fans. So, in August of 1997 we stopped being called "Crown Of Thorns" and became "ST. MADNESS." We later re-released "The Spiritual Visions of St. Madness" in 1999 under the new title "SPIRITUAL VISIONS."
The band line up today is not the same as the guys that were in the St. Madness back then. I am the only founding member left in the band at this time.
HMTV Asia: 2. WHEN DID YOU FORM YOUR BAND? WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO MAKE MUSIC TOGETHER AND WHO ARE YOUR CURRENT BAND MEMBERS?
PROPHET: The band was formed in May of 1993. We were a metal band at a time when metal music was losing its strength here in the United States. The more people here were getting into Nirvana and bands like that, the more heavier and darker we became. We started wearing "Face Paint" in the early days as a kind of "WAR PAINT" against all the wimpy alternative bands that were gaining popularity back in the 90's. We released two CD's, "Loneliness Is Black" in 1994 and "The Spiritual Visions Of St. Madness" in 1997.
The current lineup now is "Prophet" - (Lyric's and vocals.) "Christian Satan" (formally "Altar Boy" - on Guitar.) "Devlin Lucius" - (Bass guitar.) "Sir Cyko" - (Drums). This is the strongest line up that we have had in a long time. I am very proud to be in a band with these very talented players.
CHRISTIAN SATAN: I joined the band the summer of 2004. I was interested when I auditioned in the idea of being in a band that did theatrical makeup and had a show. SIR CYKO: I joined up with St. Madness in January of this year. Before joining St. Madness, I was in a project that it turned out had several members who had formerly been in a punk St. Madness ‘tribute’ band, “Clowns with Horns”. I was attracted to St. Madness because of the ‘old school metal’ feel and originality of the live shows.
HMTV Asia: 3. TELL US ABOUT YOUR UNIQUE STYLE OF MUSIC YOUR MAJOR INFLUENCES? HOW HAS YOUR MUSIC EVOLVED OR CHANGED SINCE YOU FIRST BEGAN PLAYING? WHO WRITES YOUR SONGS?
PROPHET: In St. Madness, we write and play any style of music that we want to play. The backbone to our music has and will always be metal, but if we decide that we want to write a blues song or a southern rock song then we just do it. We have always stood behind the music that we write. We never want to become a band that is too predictable. I write all the lyrics for the band and most often Christian Satan writes the music. He always has a new riff, and as far as I am concerned he is one of the greatest musicians and song writing partners that I have ever had the privilege to work with.
Over the years our music has changed and grown in a number of different ways. Our music is more modern now, still maintaining the old school influence but taken to another level. Our sound is much more polished now as well.
CHRISTIAN SATAN: I am definitely inspired by the European death and black metal scenes. However, on the flip side I listen to artists like Tom Waits. I truly appreciate everything, so I like to incorporate as much of it as I can in our music.
DEVLIN LUCIUS: I guess I’ve had many different influences in my life when it comes to music, but the biggest ones I would have to say would be Iron Maiden and Slayer.
HMTV Asia: 4. 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?
PROPHET: We have gone to the same studio for years. Larry Elyea (owner of "MIND’S EYE DIGITAL" studio in Tempe, Arizona) has co-produced most of our records with me. He is a total professional and knows how to make a band sound huge. As far as product branding goes, I currently use SHURE microphones and Yamaha P.A. gear. In the past, I have used AKG microphones as well as Beyer Dynamic. I still think that SHURE microphones beat them all for clarity, range and all around good sound quality.
CHRISTIAN SATAN: I am very close to my Gibson Les Paul, however I’m open to anything with a fixed bridge. I’d bleed for an endorsement from Gibson, Ibanez or B.C. Rich!
DEVLIN LUCIUS: As for bass guitars, I use Ibanez sound gear and Dean Explorer basses. For amplification, is there anything else . . . Ampeg!
SIR CYKO: I play Pearl EX drums and Zildjian cymbals on a Pearl Icon rack, because they give me a big, heavy metal woody!
HMTV Asia: 5. WHERE HAVE YOU PERFORMED? WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE AND LEAST FAVOURITE VENUES? DO YOU HAVE ANY UPCOMING SHOWS?
PROPHET: We have opened for King Diamond before here in Phoenix and played with Mercyful Fate, Death, Sodom, Dying Fetus, and Six Feet Under at the 1998 Milwaukee Metalfest 12 in July of 1998. We also played the sidestage for Van Halen here in Phoenix Arizona on July 1st of 1998. My favorite show that we played however, was Glendale Arena for "Rage In The Cage (ultimate fighting) on June 11th of 2005. There was over 8,000 people in attendance and we had a great mosh pit!!! I don't have any least favorite venues because to me all stages and venues that play metal music are good.
DEVLIN LUCIUS: My favorite venue I’d have to say is ‘Club Shed’ nights at Bad Manor (our rehearsal studio).
SIR CYKO: When I joined the band, they were just planning the 7th St. Madness release, ‘The Edge’, so most of 2007 has been spent writing and fine tuning the songs. We’re heading into Mind’s Eye on Friday the (August) 17th to record the final tracks, so you’ll have to check back in a couple of months and we should be able to give you a release date.
HMTV Asia: 6. 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.
PROPHET: From day one we have put out all of our records under our own label, "Nasty Prick Records". Over the years, we have been approached by a number of different Indie labels but none of them had enough money to do more for us then we have already done for ourselves. For this reason, we continue to stay on "Nasty Prick Records." We haven't gone after any major labels much because the music business and industry has changed so much over the last 10 years. If we are meant to sign with one of the majors then it will happen. If not, then we are happy doing things for ourselves the way we always have.
The CD we have out currently is entitled, "Vampires In The Church." I thinks it's our best record to date. The response from the fans all over the world has been great!!!! We also did our own version of the powerful "PANTERA" song, "WALK" in tribute to the late DIMEBAG DARRELL. We wrote a song for our home state called, "ARIZONA" that came out incredible!!! There is a lot of great material on this record for sure.
HMTV Asia: 7. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF ST. MADNESS, 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?
PROPHET: We are just going to keep doing what we are doing. St. Madness has friends and fans all over the world and this makes us very proud. I never really think about where I want us to be in 5 years - I just keep putting one foot in front of the other and keep moving forward. "What will be will be."
The fans are amazing!!! It is an honor for us to know that our music has touched so many people’s lives out there!!! We get e-mailed and written constantly by our fans giving us support, and they are the greatest!!!
SIR CYKO: Playing Southern Metal Records Rockfest 2007 at The Masquerade in Atlanta, Georgia in June. They flew us out and treated us like kings!
HMTV Asia: 8. DO YOU HAVE ANY REMIXES OR ARE WORKING ON ANY? COMPLILATION EXPERIENCES GOOD OR BAD ONES?
PROPHET: St. Madness has been on many compilations over the years. In the mid and late 90's we were on several "Necropolis Records" compilations that were distributed in PIT MAGAZINE. Recently we have put a song on "ANTIDOTE RECORDS" - "Under The Radar" Volume #1.
In 2000, the famous punk band "GUTTERMOUTH" did a remake of our song "SEXUAL ABUSE" and put it on a "FEARLESS RECORDS" compilation called "PUNK GOES METAL."
In 2006, the song “Arizona” from the album ’Vampires in the Church’ was selected for the Montel Williams MS Foundation Hard Rock/Metal compilation. All of our experiences as far as doing compilations has been good.
HMTV Asia: 9. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE CURRENT GOTHIC/EBM/INDUSTRIAL/ NOISE/ SYNTHPOP / METAL MUSIC SCENE TODAY? ARE YOU AFFILIATED WITH ANY DARK UNDERGROUND SCENES LIKE VAMPIRE FREAKS? (OPTIONAL).
PROPHET: I love a lot of the new music that's been coming out!!! I look at all music as art and I can learn something from everyone out there. Of course, I like bands that play a kind of vampire music a lot. For me it's all good!!! I think that there is room for everyone and anything in the metal scene. Mixing it all up is what were all about anyway.
HMTV Asia: 10. FROM YOUR EXPERIENCE IS THERE A WAY BANDS INTERACT WITH EACH OTHER OR DOES IT DEPEND ON SOMETHING? AN EXAMPLE OF THIS QUESTION : 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 SCENE THAT YOU THINK PEOPLE SHOULD BE AWARE OF?
PROPHET: SACRED REICH just did a small reunion tour and they are very good friends of ours. As far as I am concerned, I wish there were more bands out there like SACRED REICH. They have an energy when they play a live show that I haven't seen matched very often. I believe in supporting the metal scene globally by supporting other metal bands wherever we go. I don't like it when I see bands putting each other down or trying to hold down other bands because they might be competition. My philosophy is - "If your band really kicks ass then you don't have to be an ass hole to anyone." I would much rather work with other bands and support each other so we can keep making the metal music community even stronger around the world.
CHRISTIAN SATAN: I definitely think bands depend on each other. We have always taken the position of trying to help other bands when we can.
HMTV Asia: 11. 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?
PROPHET: "HOLLYWOOD MUSIC TV" has been very supportive of us and we THANK YOU for it!!! We are very proud to be associated with "HOLLYWOOD MUSIC TV." It is great work that you do supporting bands that are working hard out there!!!
My advice for people who want to start their own bands is, GO FOR IT!!! GET OUT THERE AND KICK SOME ASS!!! Don't ever let anyone stop you from going after your dreams!!! Be willing to work hard and pay some dues for the art that you love. Always believe in yourself, no matter what!!!
HMTV Asia: 12. 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 TRAVELLING , DO YOU EVER COLLABORATE ON THESE EXPERIENCES IN YOUR MUSIC?
PROPHET: All of our records have some pieces of Prophet's life wrapped in the lyrics. I write a lot of fiction but I also write a lot of truths, and I often mix the two to make things interesting. I always write about some part of my life on our records. We like to write songs about partying because we love to party with our fans!!!
CHRISTIAN SATAN: For me, music should provide a visual image that can happen in your head when you hear the music. You should be able to feel it no matter what genre or style, it just has to be there.
HMTV Asia: 13. IS THERE ANYONE SPECIAL YOU WOULD LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE, AND ANY LAST WORDS?
PROPHET: I would like to say THANK YOU very much for giving us this time to tell your readers more about ST. MADNESS and our brand of "CARNIMETAL." We wish HOLLYWOOD MUSIC TV great success in the coming years!!!
CHRISTIAN SATAN: All of our close friends who help us through the struggle.
DEVLIN LUCIUS: I want to thank the fans for all their years supporting St. Madness. I love to play live, and there wouldn’t be much point without you!!
SIR CYKO: My bandmates . . . for putting up with me!!
LONG LIVE THE FANS OF METAL MUSIC, LONG LIVE HOLLYWOOD MUSIC TV!!!
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