Interview: Quarashi

I interviewed Oman from the Icelandic rap group, Quarashi a few years ago. They started off pretty hot, but didn't have much success here in the States. I have actually seen him in a few commercials over the last few years, not bad. Here is the interview with Omar.

Sweetbob - What are some things that are different about U.S. and Iceland, besides the image that many American men of scandalously-clad, blonde women around every corner?

Omar Swarez - There’s a lot more diversity in the looks of women over in the U.S., I mean we have pretty women back home, but they look the same. Here you have the different colors, religions, and everything. We like it a lot.

Sweetbob - Being a music journalist it’s very easy to write about bands and paint them into a corner. Your style is quite eclectic and mixes alternative with electronic loops and you throw in other genres in your sound. What bands influenced you to be a musician with such a broad style?

Omar - For me it was a lot of rock music and heavy rock music and I was in a death metal band once. I heard Ice Cube’s album “The Predator” and I went over into hip hop. I listened to about everything to Swedish pop to hardass music. Public Enemy and Black Planet were big influences. All the guys have diverse tastes in music so it’s a melting pot of everything that comes together on the album. South American influences can be found on some tracks from the producer and the drummer. I can’t forget to talk about Old Cypress Hill and Snoop Dogg and Led Zeppelin as well.

Sweetbob - What would you say are the most important steps to achieve a record deal for a band just starting to get their name out in their local area?

Omar - Just play and play and play more live shows. We noticed that it helps us getting recognized more by playing more live a lot. We play more now than we have in the last 3 years in a week’s time. We never played a lot at home we only did 4 or 5 shows a year. Cause the Iceland scene isn’t very big at all. We’ve been playing a lot of radio shows here lately. It has helped us get our name out. So, just play live a lot and also have fun with it too.

Sweetbob – Are you worried about being exhausted and worn out on the Warped Tour since it spans across the country and it lasts so long?

Omar – Yeah, I’m thinking that if we don’t kill each other, we’ll be okay. It will be really tough at first, but we’ll get used to it.

Sweetbob – I know the last couple years at the Warped Tour seems like all the bands I’ve talked with were like, “We just got out of the masseur’s trailer.” So they’ll take care of you.

Omar – I hope so.

Sweetbob - It’s time for the question that I have to ask. Where did the name Quarashi come from and was that the original name of the band?

Omar - It’s always been the name of the band. One of our MC’s lived in Phoenix and it was his tag name. He saw it in a book and he thought it looked cool. When it was time to name the band that was the only thing that came up. It means “supernatural” in some language. It’s also the last name of the prophet Mohammed, but it’s spelled differently and pronounced differently. We didn’t know that at first, so there was no meaning behind that.

Sweetbob - Who came up with the concept for your video for “Stick’Em Up?”

Omar - That was originally the director’s idea. It was going to be a fixed boxing match, but we didn’t like the glamorous Las Vegas style that he wanted to have. We wanted an undergound boxing match, like in the movie “Snatch.” The scruffy looking people in the video help amplify the power of the song. We all came up with the look and the feel of it. It turned out great.

Sweetbob - What are the bands that you want to meet the most during your stint on the Warped Tour this summer?

Omar – Personally, I don’t know more than half the bands on there. A lot of the bands aren’t very popular. NOFX, Mighty Mighty Bosstones, and I think Jimmy Eat World is on there. I think. I heard great things about the Bosstones though.

Sweetbob – Yeah, in 2000 when they got on stage they shot a guy out of a cannon and they got everyone on stage that they could. The security guys were going nuts.

Omar – That’s what I heard, plus they go out 100% in suits in 110-degree heat.

Sweetbob – Those guys are drenched by the end of their set. If you had the pick for the next single, what song on “Jinx” would you choose personally and why?

Omar – Personally, I would choose “Copycat” cause it is pretty hard and I don’t know, it’s an exciting song and it gets the crowd going. I think it would have a great video too.

Sweetbob – In “Copycat” are those guitar riffs at the beginning a loop or recorded live?

Omar – They are a live recording.

Sweetbob - Since Stick’Em Up came out, have you had any opportunities to meet some people that you’d never thought you’d meet?

Omar – Well, not too many, just Ozzy Osbourne’s daughter (laughs) that’s about it. We’ve met a few bands on the road. Cypress Hill and some people we grew up listening to and I’m a huge fan of Tenacious D. We didn’t get to stay and watch them cause we had to get on a bus, but I would have loved to watch them. Plus, The Apex Theory and The Lost Prophets we are tight with.

Sweetbob - What’s in your cd player right now?

Omar - Tenacious D, of course

Sweetbob - What are some favorite things that Quarashi likes to do in-between shows while on the road?

Omar - Just look around and sightsee, we love New York. All the radio shows are over the weekend, so we hang out in New York during the week. Then we go to the shows and then again come back in NY and hang around.

Sweetbob – Have you been to CBGB’s?

Omar – Yeah, we played there about 2 years ago.

Sweetbob - Are you able to make it back to Iceland often, if ever?

Omar - We won’t be able to go to Iceland until September and that’s after we finish with the Warped Tour and after we go to Japan and Austrailia. We’ll get to come home in a few weeks. Then we’re off to Europe for an extended period of time. It will be hectic.

Sweetbob - What bands out there right now would you like to tour with?

Omar – System Of A Down, cause they are great!
Weezer
Tom Waits, but that will be very unlikely

Sweetbob – I hear his two new albums are pretty darn good.

Omar – They sure are. He has a different style than us.

Sweetbob - Let’s say a fan wanted to get back stage at a Quarashi show, how would they do so?

Omar - Usually just ask. We’re not dirty or sleazy or anything like that. I don’t like to hang out backstage, cause there’s nothing to do back there. So I just go through the crowds and watch the bands and talk.

Sweetbob – Well Omar, it’s been fun, I plan on going to the Warped Tour in Chicago so if I see you in the crowd or being bored backstage I’ll say what’s up. Good luck on the tour.

Omar – Thanks, take care.

Interview: Smile Empty Soul

This interview is an oldie, but goodie. It was conducted backstage at a concert after their song, "Bottom Of The Bottle" hit big. They were great guys and every time I met them, they always remembered me. I hope you enjoy it.

Bobby Roberts - What area are you from originally?

Ryan Martin- Santa Comida, California

Sean Danielsen - Los Angeles County

Bobby - Where did you meet each other?

Sean - We all met there

Derek Gledhill- We met from bands

Ryan - We were all in different bands, it’s such a smaller community out there.

Sean - Smaller meaning 250,000-300,000 people

Ryan - Well, I meant for bands. All the people in bands know each other

Sean - That’s true

Bobby - Did you guys have a different name before?

Sean - Yeah, we had a different name, but we changed it even before we were signed

Bobby - Did you have any indie albums out there before your major-label debut?

Sean - Yeah, “Radio In A Hole,” was the song that got us signed, it’s the only song that was on any indie album that is on the new one.

Bobby - What was the process in getting signed?

Sean - We were giving some demos out as much as possible and one got to a producer named John Parker. He produced our record, he signed us to his label, Throwback, it’s a production label. From there we got picked up by Lava.

Bobby - What are some goals you had while recording it?

Sean - To make sure none of it is filler bullshit. We are pretty proud that every song we have on there is quality. Well, we put enough effort in every song to hopefully make it quality, to us it’s quality.

Bobby - Is there anything that you haven’t achieved yet?

Ryan - Two girls at one time. Hell Yeah!...I don’t know, I just want to play really big places. But at the same time I want to play smaller places too.

Sean - Yeah, and you want to sell 10 million fucking records and play the Forum.

Ryan - Yeah, well at least it’s a goal! We’ll definitely play the Forum.

Bobby - What are your musical influences?

Sean - We are all influenced by a lot of the same people. I know I am influenced by John Lennon, Deftones, Radiohead, Nirvana, Bush...

Derek - All of those and Pearl Jam and Stone Temple Pilots

Bobby - What are some bands that you want to tour with?

Sean - Deftones and Foo Fighters, I think they would be cool.

(while looking at the wall staring at promo pictures backstage at the venue)

Sean - Ratt, Nick Taylor, Jerry Corbett of Sugarloaf...

Ryan - Who the fuck is Sugarloaf?

Sean - Todd Snyder, Wade Hayes, Coco Taylor, Oh dude, Yum-Yum, I’d really love to tour with them.

Bobby - How did you get the treatment for your video?

Sean - Didn’t have one. They were sort of floating around in our heads. We just showed up the site where we were shooting it and we shot most of it even before we got our deal. Patrick Kiley, the person who directed it, he’s like a real director. He just said he’d do it for free. He liked out bands, so it was cool. We just showed up with a bunch of our friends at this place that he got the permits for and we were just throwing around ideas.

Bobby - Pretty sporadic?

Sean - Yeah

Bobby - What was the best thing about Lava?

Sean - Everything

Ryan - Yeah they are pretty sweet

Sean - They pay a lot of attention to us. We’re not worried about a lot of things. If this song would have came out and did nothing, we were scared about them dropping us.

Ryan - That’s the thing about Lava. We looked around at other bands that signed with Lava and they have a great track record. Look at Simple Plan, their album was out for 9 months before they really started getting a buzz. A lot of labels would have shelved the band and did the whole thing over. They stand by their artists and that’s one thing that attracted us to them.

Bobby - I interviewed Simple Plan not too long ago and they said the exact same thing. Lava stuck with them and now they are headliners on Warped Tour. Is “Bottom of the Bottle” autobiographical?

Sean - Yeah, there’s personal shit in every song we’ve got. Some of the songs are almost entirely personal.

Do you get to read reviews?

Sean - I try to stay away dude. I don’t like to read reviews and interviews.

Ryan - They butcher whatever the fuck you say. There’s one I’m not even going to say.

Sean - I haven’t even read any, have you? (Talking to Ryan)

Ryan - Yeah, I read one that fucked us.

Sean - The Stuff Magazine one?

Ryan - No, different one. Pretty fucked up dude.

Bobby - I think I saw one that said you sound like a mix between Silverchair and Days of the New.

Ryan - YAY! (sarcastically)

Bobby - Do you think that pigeon-holes you?

Sean - They can fucking suck my cock

Ryan - Yeah, whoever said that can fuck off

Bobby - Whenever you started the band....

Sean - Oh, hold on, (speaks directly into tape recorder) If you ever review our album, or supposed to and you didn’t listen to it and you just admittedly only listened to our single, fuck you! Okay, go ahead, I’m sorry.

Bobby - What was the goals of the band when you first got together?

Ryan - Well, for me it was to have fun and secondly to make some sort of living off of it. If I can pay my bills and be able to travel and play music. You know, that’s awesome.

Bobby - What about you Derek?

Derek - I don’t want to work, I’ve worked my whole life.

Sean - Of course we’re in it for fun.

Bobby - What are some of the oddjobs you used to have?

Ryan - I was a character at Magic Mountain. I used to be Wiley Coyote and Bugs Bunny.

Sean - (points to Derek) He worked at a burger place for 7 fucking years. I kid you not.

Derek - I have part ownership

Sean - I was a paperboy, then I worked at go-karts, Petco, and Mailboxes Etc.

Bobby - What do you think of Piere’s so far?

Ryan - I think it’s pretty cool

Sean - It’s pretty different

Derek - Reminds me of Roadhouse.

Ryan - Fuck yeah! Patrick Swayze

Sean - I’ve wandered around a bit. I’m wondering what it’s going to be like tonight since we’re pretty brand new still.

Bobby - Any rituals before you get on stage?

Derek - Focus our energy and just get ready

Bobby - How did you come up with your name?

Sean - It’s basically about society and how empty people walk around with fake smiles on their face.

Bobby - What was your name before?

Sean - It’s a secret, you don’t want to know.

Derek - I’m sure you can find out on the internet

Bobby - Explain what “Nowhere Kids” means to you?

Sean - It’s basically about us and all of our friends in Santa Clarida. Kids in that area’s attitudes is just about partying and just living for the moment than about having a future. Many don’t have a future, they are fucked. I’m mean they are 25 and they aren’t even focused.

Bobby - What was the farthest place you’ve played?

Sean - Buffalo, NY, wait, Connecticut is farther. Hartford, Connecticut.

Bobby - What was some of your bad road experiences?

Derek - Van broken into...

Sean - ....By a crackhead....

Derek - ....hit a deer and crashed a van.

Bobby - Still got the van?

Ryan - No, we have a tour bus. Thanks Lava!

Bobby - Anyone listen to the song on the radio and want to buy the album. What more does the listener get when they buy the cd instead of just “Bottom Of A Bottle”?

Sean - If you hear our single and you take it in and think to yourself that this is a gimmick song. At least listen to the record before you judge us, because when you listen to the album you’ll find out that we’re a deeper band than that. We’re not a fucking one song band.

Ryan - It’s like hearing something totally out of context. You’d be listening to different parts of a conversation. You’d hear “Bottom Of A Bottle” is somewhat out of context, but it makes sense with the rest of the album.”

Sean - ...and if you hear just one song and you judge us by that, you’re a cocksucker.

Ryan - A cock sucker, ladies and gentlemen.

Sean - Well, at least for me, I’d never judge a band by just one song. And I’m mainly directing all of this toward that one interviewer that can suck my dick.

Derek - and all that STUFF

Ryan - Yeah, and all that STUFF. It’s not cool to do an “album” review when they only listen to the first song on the record and admit to it. That shit is fucking whack.

Bobby - They did that?

Sean - It wasn’t in the magazine, it was on their website.

Nostalgic Album Review - Slick Shoes

Slick Shoes started very hot with releases on Tooth & Nail, but then hit a wall a bit later in their career. They broke up a few years ago and it was a sad day. Here is a nostalgic album review of "Slick Shoes" their self-titled album.

“A great punk band that is due for some kudos.”

Pop punk is a music form that has submerged the rock scene with bands like Good Charlotte, MxPx, and Blink-182 being in the forefront. Slick Shoes has been in the game for just about the same amount of time as these bands, but as not yet receive the allure as the group I mentioned before.

Slick Shoes has released their self-titled release, “Slick Shoes, “ on Tooth and Nail Records. This is the guys’ fourth LP and has seemed to be one of the long mainstays on Tooth and Nail throughout the years. Slick Shoes has done little “experimenting” with other genres like many are doing these days. They have stayed true to their sound from the beginning and their fans seem to appreciate it.

“Slick Shoes” shouldn’t surprise any of their fans. It’s sticks to the same formula that got them where they are today. A fast drumbeat and a melodic guitar, it seems to be the blueprint of many of the tracks. “Alone,” is one of the solitary songs that is different, they have added strings to the song to give it more of a ballad-feel.

“So Much More” and “No More Words” are the two tracks that stick out the most in the baker’s dozen that Slick Shoes recorded for this LP. The rest of the album is a bit bland and sounds similar, which may or may not be a good thing.

Slick Shoes haven’t changed in the last few albums, we should all be happy.

Using Wiki In Your Business

Wikis are becoming more prominent in everyday life. Wikis are websites that visitors can add, remove, and change information without even being a registered user. They are easy to use and the information on most wikis are vast and contain up-to-date information. Wikipedia is a wiki that works as an online encyclopedia. Besides the occasional mix-up in information, Wikipedia is today's encyclopedia. An encyclopedia company can not keep up with the fresh information being added to Wikipedia on a daily basis. Businesses can use a wiki to gain knowledge of different business practices. Fresh ideas are always being added to internet wikis everyday.
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Businesses will use wikis in the future to setup corporate websites that management can share information throughout the company. Wikis can help streamline practices throughout the company, especially if the company's offices are scattered all over the world. Wikis will bridge the gap that distances between offices cause.

Nostalgic Album Review - THEstart - Shakedown!

I've always liked THEstart, but they have never received the mainstream love. I have met Aimee Echo a few times and a few of the other members a well. I saw them in concert twice and I think they have a great stage show. Here is a nostalgic album review for THEstart's "Shakedown!"

“theSTART proves that a style that is a combo of New Wave/Punk Rock works.”

Having a drummer from now an almost legendary band, Snot (due to the tragedy with their lead singer and tribute album released earlier this year), theSTART is on their way. They mix the style of new wave and punk rock, which is odd enough, but if you throw in a woman with an infectious voice, it’s golden.

“Shakedown!,” their major label debut, is proving to be a solid record. Since they’ve toured with bands like Sugar Ray, Uncle Kracker, Weezer, and now touring with Incubus, they are already building up a loyal following. Their single “Gorgeous” is already getting added to many stations across the U.S. and Canada. There hasn’t been such an interesting band with a girl lead singer that has come along since Garbage. theSTART has the potential to be just as successful.

Their first single “Gorgeous” has some outstanding riffs in it that goes a long with the chorus perfectly. If it weren’t for those pertinent riffs, the single wouldn’t be doing as well as it is. Some other superlative tracks would be “Melt,” “Hang On Me,” and “Glimmer Man.” The last two that were mentioned has some solid potential for being singles.

theSTART seems to be going in the right direction professionally, I sure hope they keep their style, its unique and very entertaining.

Nostalgic Album Review - System Of A Down - Toxicity

System Of A Down was just normal rock band until the release of "Toxicity." I have spoken with him back in the day a few times and he's one of the most politically-charged amazing people. I could talk to that guy for hours and I could never be bored. Here's a nostalgic album review of System Of A Down - "Toxicity."

”System Of A Down does it again, even better!”

It seems like System Of A Down has come out from nowhere within the last couple years, but it wasn’t like that at all. They have been a staple in the L.A. scene and they have definitely outdone themselves with their latest release, “Toxicity.”

With the nearly platinum, eponymous release, “System Of A Down,” which included hits like “Sugar” and “Spiders,” which was also released on the Scream 3 soundtrack. The soc-political hard rockers were up for a big challenge to surpass the quality that Rick Rubin (producer) and the band had set for any other SOAD release. In not so many words, they met their challenge.

With more of their songs concentrated more towards singing, instead of yelling which dominated their debut album, it is very noticeable that they are overall better musicians. Serj Tankian already has an unique voice, when they add in harmonies to bring that out, it’s quite smooth. “Deer Dance” does an outstanding job melting a harder song’s power with some nice guitar riffs. “ATWA,” the song that is written in the perspective of Charles Manson about his views on the environment, is surely an eerie track. The beginning is so docile and tame and then out of nowhere it breaks out into an all-out war between guitar and drums, it’s surely unique. Other tracks that are winners are “Shimmy,” which deals with Serj being a straight A student, but has no passion for school, and “Needles.”

Rick Rubin is known for bringing out the best in the artists he works with, this could be one of his best works to date. Radio program directors are drooling at the number of possible singles this album could contain, expect three to four to hit MTV and the airwaves.

If you were a fan of their debut album on American/Columbia Records, you will be thrown to the back of your chair with this album.

Nostalgic Album Review - Trik Turner

Trik Turner was kind of a one-hit wonder. I was able to actually hang out with them at a show once and they wanted me to go to Milwaukee on their bus with them. I declined for some reason and probably was a smart idea. Here is a nostalgic album review of Trik Turner's self-titled album.

“Tell you friends and family about Trik, they are good group of guys from Arizona.”

Trik Turner, an Arizona-based rap-rock band, is not just a single person; it’s a full band. Their RCA self-titled debut album is complete with rocking, rapping, and grooving, a full set of emotions on a 12-track album, not too shabby.

With their single, “Friends and Family,” fans may get the wrong impression of these guys. The single almost sounds like an Everlast tune, but these guys have some anger and some flow that is unleashed in the rest of the album. “Friends and Family” is definitely a good track, but not one that reflects their overall sound.

A song that may exemplify their sound more would be the track, “Father.” At the beginning it has a foreign-sounding guitar riff, then it ignites into a rap explosion with a guitar detonation. Complete with DJ loops and a back-forth rap attack, it’s a nice tune to judge their complete sound with.

For the slower side of Trik’s sound you should journey to “Not Like You,” it’s about a relationship gone wrong. It’s a testament to their diverse tempo structure on this album. It makes for of an interesting listen.

“Ish” is a tune that appears later on Trik’s debut album. The song proves that they can hang in the whole rock band w/ a DJ fad. Their DJ can hang with the band and for some of “Ish,” he leads. Some other tunes that are worth mentioning include “Let It Rip” and “Sacrifice.” Plus, they also cover the hip-hop classic “Black Sheep,” not to shabby.

Trik Turner has some ground to cover since they are one of the newcomers in this rap/rock genre. If they keep adding songs like the eclectic mix that is represented on their self-titled album, Trik Turner should be a successful faction of musicians.

Trust Company - Lonely Position Of Neutral

We like to review some old albums that have been forgotten over the last few years. Trust Company was a good band for their genre, but flamed out after their sophomore album didn't sell very well. Here is a nostalgic review of their debut album "The Lonely Position Of Neutral."

“Trust me, this album is a keeper!”

With the success of hybrid bands, which use heavy guitars and aggressive lyrics, the numbers of these bands are set to explode in 2002. Bands like Linkin Park, Adema, and Hoobastank have had great success within the last calendar year and there are plenty more ready to take their spots as the elite bands of the moment. TRUSTcompany is set to release their debut album on Geffen/Interscope and would readily step into the spotlight.

“The Lonely Position Of Neutral” is the name of TRUSTcompany’s first attempt at a major label record. It is loaded with melodic screaming, heavy guitars, and some insightful lyrics. Their first single “Downfall,” is a prime example of what sort of vocal style they have. They are playing “good cop/bad cop” with their vocals, with a screaming vocalist and a very melodic one. It brings depth to the songs that many nu-metal/modern rock bands cease to snatch.

TRUSTcompany does show their softer side with “The Fear” and “Hover.” Those tracks are a lot slower than the remainder of the album, but shows that they can handle these softer songs with ease. Another aspect of a song that is enjoyable is something that the group did on “Deeper Into You,” they have multi-layered guitars., it’s quite attention-grabbing. “Faling” and “Slipping Away” are two other tracks that are worth your time.

The greatest fear that this band should have is that TRUSTcompany’s sound may become saturated by other bands that are sent from other labels to re-create the magic that band like Linkin Park made. It’s almost inevitable that their will be at least a few bands from each label to give TRUSTcompany a run for their money. The genre that this band is in will be overflowed, from what you’ll hear on “The Lonely Position of Neutral,” it’s hard to think that this band won’t be the one to float to the top.

Nintendo shits their pants. Or according to them someone put poop in 'em.

Uh oh. Did you feel that? It was Nintendo's shudder when they realized that they might not have the upper hand anymore. The Wii Motion Plus, what once seemed like another nail in Microsoft and Sony's coffin, now looks like one of Nintendo's old forays into forgettable peripherals. Motion controllers are old tech now and the other two guys might of caught up in an overzealous leap.

Don't get me wrong here. Nintendo isn't crashing and burning right now. But now they are playing defense to justify themselves. Unfortunately it's not coming off very well. Nintendo definitely had us drinking their Kool-aid for sure. People were storming stores looking for plastic wheels, boards with pressurized feet, and analog sticks with an accelerometer in them. In the wake of Project Natal (Microsoft's motion tech) and whatever Sony's will be named motion tech, this makes all of Nintendo's efforts either look very archaic or very childish. Did I mention expensive? No one really knows what the price will be for Natal and PS3's tech but, there were some clues dropped for anybody who wants to pay attention. They did say that Natal was going to be packaged in with 360 units. That can't be said yet with Motion Plus and at 25 bucks a pop you just paid 100 bucks to get everybody on your system up to date. Not to mention the 3 other Wiimotes you bought to get everybody to play. $220 now if you are keeping score. How many Natals do you need to have 4 people play? One. Now you have a place with a bunch of white plastic laying around.

Yet you are going to have the forum dwellers post with all their exquisite apathy and shrug. Looking cooler than ever before. They will say that Nintendo's works just fine and it's good enough for them. Or that Natal and Sony's tech isn't that great. What was Nintendo's new tech? The heart monitor. That will definitely see as much use as the Wiispeak. Maybe it'll be easy to point out how horrible the presentation was for Natal and laugh. Yet I suppose everybody is easy to forget about last years Wii Music and Ravi Drums. You could say Natal-station3(whatever) won't work as advertised. Fair enough I say. I am not holding my breath for being able to show my girlfriends new dresses they should buy and have an online fashion party. But people are playing it and their impressions are way more positive than I thought were going to be.

In the end maybe this the best thing for Nintendo, Microsoft, Sony, and all of us. Competition will spur more innovation. Maybe it'll spur better use of motion controls in actual games. Whatever it is, it will definitely be a unique time to be a gamer. Less party games though. Oh god the party games.



Oh and what the fuck is up with that Milo? Peter, seriously?