James Shaw (Metric) original article
Wes Kirk sits down with James Shaw and Emily Haines, the two founding members of Toronto’s Metric, at Vancouver’s Commodore ballroom at sound check before their April 7th show. First, two drunk dudes chat about music…
Howling Diablos original article
The Blues is rooted in the universal truth of pain. As a musical form of expression, Blues was created by talented people who experienced inexorable adversity. While the average person would be incapable to survive such sorrow, Blues musicians formed a whole new musical genre conceived from their struggle. Born from the misery Blues music has connected every kind race, class, and culture. These universal emotions of pain and sadness are is the link in the musical chains that keep every single human in a type of metaphysical bondage. Although different people experience different levels of this sorrow, the feelings created by Blues music will endure as long as human beings inhabit Earth. Misery loves company. When a person is downhearted, life becomes slightly tolerable when you hear that someone else is experience similar sadness. Born from the hardship of the Deep South, the spirit of the Blues hits everyone in their soul. The Blues spirit also has haunted some White boys in Detroit named, Howling Diablos. The four members are creating their own style of Blues. As Tino Gross sings, the band moves the spirit along. Mike Smith’s addictive guitar work complements the classic sound of the harp and sax of Johnny Evans. Shannon Boone keeps the rhythm rolling with the drums. Acknowledging their influences but remaining true to themselves, Diablos sing about what they know with a respectful appreciation for the art form.
Horrorpops original article
Wes Kirk sits down with punk rock super group the Horrorpops at the Brickyard in Vancouver. Before today, half the band has never been to Canada…
Girl Talk original article
The transcripts from an interview conducted with DJ and Pittsburgh native, Gregg Gillis aka Girl Talk. Although he explains that he is not in fact a DJ, Girl Talk knows how to get that booty to shake right thurr, plus, he also makes you think. After six years of making music, with three albums to show for it, Gregg Gillis has taken control of the Pittsburgh music scene with his dirty, bouncy, and seductively truthful/possibly illegal sampling and sound presentation. Ooh baby, I like it raw and by raw, I mean Girl Talk.
Emily Haines (Metric) original article
A Quicky With Emily Haines… by Wes Kirk
Electric Six original article
Electric Six, infamous for their eccentricities and desperate need to rock just released their second album, Senor Smoke two days before this interview was conducted. There is a follow up article based on these transcripts, titled, Less Melotron, More Electricity: A look at the Greatest Detroit Electro-Synth Dance Rock band.
Dropkick Murphys orginal article
It takes a strong work ethic to reach the peak of the Punk Rock world. Bodies litter the rocky road to the top, and though it never really looks much different than base camp, many still make the journey.
It also takes the release of consistent, quality music to reach the level of the Dropkick Murphys. Sporting blue collars rather than Mohawks, the Murphys stand out from a lot of other punk bands out there because of more than just success…
Ellie Vee (The Charms) original article
The transcripts from a July 2006 interview with lead singer/guitarist Ellie Vee of Boston garage rock band, The Charms. The band is composed of Ellie Vee, Joe Wizda [lead guitar/vocals], Prince Frederick [drums, vocals] and Mark Nigro [bass]. The Charms have been featured in the Jim Jarmusch film, Broken Flowers, as well as MTV Made. They are also ranked number one on Little Steven’s Underground Garage Rock radio for their last record, Pussycat [2005]. The interview was conducted over the phone.
The Black Spoons original article
MVRemix’s resident punk/rock writer Wes Kirk interviews Tom Sean of the New York rock band The Black Spoons, who is gassing up the tour van at a Texaco station somewhere in Pennsylvania…
Saturday Looks Good To Me original interview
Alex Goldberg caught up with Fred Thomas of Saturday Looks Good To Me in August of 2006. Here are the transcripts of their little interview.