Linda Ferreira
10/14/09, 04:59 PM
The following is a mini interview of generic questions that we posed to all bands that wanted to answer:
Mongrel - guitarist, Adam Savage
myspace - www.myspace.com/Mongrel (http://www.myspace.com/Mongrel)
twitter - www.twitter.com/MongrelBand (http://www.twitter.com/MongrelBand)
facebook - www.facebook.com/MongrelBand (http://www.facebook.com/MongrelBand)
1. How did you get your band name?
I wanted a name that had an aggressive element to it and that incorporated the mix of styles and influences that I wanted to bring into the band, our original singer suggested Mongrel and it fit the bill perfectly.
2. How did this band get started?
My old band had broken up and I had been talking to a friend from the local scene (original singer Matt "Death" Rowe) about starting a side project anyway so we got started on Mongrel. We went through a fair number of line up changes, Rowe left on good terms, but the band continued on with his blessings and we eventually found the members we needed to get to where we are today.
3. What bands are you influenced by?
Lots of bands, everything from The Doors, Black Flag, AMEN, Minor Threat, Guns N' Roses, old Metallica, Dead Boys, Nine Inch Nails, (old) Marilyn Manson, Pearl Jam, Dead Kennedys, The Bronx, Trashlight Vision, Slipknot, MSI, etc.
4. If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would it be and why?
AMEN - one of the best live bands I've seen. I'm a huge fan and it would make us work that much harder every night.
Guns N' Roses (87 or 91 reunion line up) - Slash is the reason I picked up a guitar in the first place.
Misfits - we have had amazing shows the times we have gotten to do shows with them, it would be amazing to do a full out tour with them (any incarnation would be fine with me).
5. If you were a furry, what animal would you be? Why that animal?
A dog. I'm in Mongrel. lol
6. Why should people listen to your band?
If you're into aggressive punk but also into other things are aren't just narrowly into a niche genre, you'll probably like our music. We go over well with punk fans, metal fans, rock fans, etc. We're the "metal band that punk kids like" and the "punk band that metal kids like" - I think we do a good job of bringing the different influences together but not forgetting about writing memorable songs that people can sing along to.
7. If you were chosen to be in Guitar Hero/Rock Band, what song would you want in the game? How hard do you think it would be to five-star on expert?
I'd probably want our song "No Gods, No Masters" or "Shut Up Get Dead" in it just cause those seem to be the big sing along tunes at our shows. I doubt they be THAT hard to beat on the game but then again I don't play those games, our singer is the guitar hero champ of the band.
8. If you won a Grammy, who would you thank?
Everyone who has supported us and everyone and everything that has pissed us off enough to fuel our performances and writing.
9. If you could change something about the music industry, what would it be?
I'd like to see cookie-cutter disposable music not be rewarded with radio play and success. There haven't been enough distinguishable bands gaining success in quite a while. I'd also like to eliminate the "if you don't have mohawks and enough spikes on your jacket you're not really punk" mentality. Some great bands came out in 1977 but punk shouldn't be limited to a fashion statement and a formula. Punk is supposed to be about freedom to play what you want and to be yourself and I think that kind of gets lost a lot of the time.
10. Memorable tour experience?
Getting to play CBGB's with Blitzkid and Trashlight Vision (joined on stage by Dr Chud of the Misfits for a cover of "Bullet", playing a sold out show at the Troc in Philly with FEAR, and getting crowd surfed by enthusiastic fans after a set opening for the Misfits.
11. What does AP.net mean to you?
It's a great place to discover new music, spread the word about your own band, and share a love for punk music with other music fans
12. What is your favorite song to play?
Our cover of "Coma America" by AMEN - for some reason that's the song we always seem to get injured during, it just brings out this extra aggression in us and the fact that Casey himself approved us covering it is a huge honor to me.
13. What is your vacation spot of choice?
Wherever our next show is. What's a vacation?
14. What music reminds you of your childhood?
Guns N' Roses, Metallica "kill 'em all", Motley Crue "too fast for love"
15. If you could have any super power, what would it be? Why?
Not needing sleep. I try as it is but there's a limit to how much coffee one can consume.
16. Do you feel that your band has "made it"?
No, not yet. We still need to do a full US tour and a UK/European tour before I'm happy.
17. What is something that most fans don't know about you?
For a day job I work as a school counselor/psychologist
18. What's your favorite holiday?
Personally I'm an atheist but I'll accept presents for any holiday. I've been learning more about the Wiccan faith over the last couple of years and I like some of their means of celebrating.
19. What do you like to do in your spare time?
What's spare time? I handle the business and web presence for the band so between that and spending as much time as possible talking online to fans and replying to messages from fans I don't have a lot of spare time to speak of. When I do get some free time I'll typically find a cool concert to go to - either a touring band or a band we're friends with who's playing in the area.
20. What kind of hidden talents do you have?
Writing music/lyrics for Mongrel ? lol
Mongrel - guitarist, Adam Savage
myspace - www.myspace.com/Mongrel (http://www.myspace.com/Mongrel)
twitter - www.twitter.com/MongrelBand (http://www.twitter.com/MongrelBand)
facebook - www.facebook.com/MongrelBand (http://www.facebook.com/MongrelBand)
1. How did you get your band name?
I wanted a name that had an aggressive element to it and that incorporated the mix of styles and influences that I wanted to bring into the band, our original singer suggested Mongrel and it fit the bill perfectly.
2. How did this band get started?
My old band had broken up and I had been talking to a friend from the local scene (original singer Matt "Death" Rowe) about starting a side project anyway so we got started on Mongrel. We went through a fair number of line up changes, Rowe left on good terms, but the band continued on with his blessings and we eventually found the members we needed to get to where we are today.
3. What bands are you influenced by?
Lots of bands, everything from The Doors, Black Flag, AMEN, Minor Threat, Guns N' Roses, old Metallica, Dead Boys, Nine Inch Nails, (old) Marilyn Manson, Pearl Jam, Dead Kennedys, The Bronx, Trashlight Vision, Slipknot, MSI, etc.
4. If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would it be and why?
AMEN - one of the best live bands I've seen. I'm a huge fan and it would make us work that much harder every night.
Guns N' Roses (87 or 91 reunion line up) - Slash is the reason I picked up a guitar in the first place.
Misfits - we have had amazing shows the times we have gotten to do shows with them, it would be amazing to do a full out tour with them (any incarnation would be fine with me).
5. If you were a furry, what animal would you be? Why that animal?
A dog. I'm in Mongrel. lol
6. Why should people listen to your band?
If you're into aggressive punk but also into other things are aren't just narrowly into a niche genre, you'll probably like our music. We go over well with punk fans, metal fans, rock fans, etc. We're the "metal band that punk kids like" and the "punk band that metal kids like" - I think we do a good job of bringing the different influences together but not forgetting about writing memorable songs that people can sing along to.
7. If you were chosen to be in Guitar Hero/Rock Band, what song would you want in the game? How hard do you think it would be to five-star on expert?
I'd probably want our song "No Gods, No Masters" or "Shut Up Get Dead" in it just cause those seem to be the big sing along tunes at our shows. I doubt they be THAT hard to beat on the game but then again I don't play those games, our singer is the guitar hero champ of the band.
8. If you won a Grammy, who would you thank?
Everyone who has supported us and everyone and everything that has pissed us off enough to fuel our performances and writing.
9. If you could change something about the music industry, what would it be?
I'd like to see cookie-cutter disposable music not be rewarded with radio play and success. There haven't been enough distinguishable bands gaining success in quite a while. I'd also like to eliminate the "if you don't have mohawks and enough spikes on your jacket you're not really punk" mentality. Some great bands came out in 1977 but punk shouldn't be limited to a fashion statement and a formula. Punk is supposed to be about freedom to play what you want and to be yourself and I think that kind of gets lost a lot of the time.
10. Memorable tour experience?
Getting to play CBGB's with Blitzkid and Trashlight Vision (joined on stage by Dr Chud of the Misfits for a cover of "Bullet", playing a sold out show at the Troc in Philly with FEAR, and getting crowd surfed by enthusiastic fans after a set opening for the Misfits.
11. What does AP.net mean to you?
It's a great place to discover new music, spread the word about your own band, and share a love for punk music with other music fans
12. What is your favorite song to play?
Our cover of "Coma America" by AMEN - for some reason that's the song we always seem to get injured during, it just brings out this extra aggression in us and the fact that Casey himself approved us covering it is a huge honor to me.
13. What is your vacation spot of choice?
Wherever our next show is. What's a vacation?
14. What music reminds you of your childhood?
Guns N' Roses, Metallica "kill 'em all", Motley Crue "too fast for love"
15. If you could have any super power, what would it be? Why?
Not needing sleep. I try as it is but there's a limit to how much coffee one can consume.
16. Do you feel that your band has "made it"?
No, not yet. We still need to do a full US tour and a UK/European tour before I'm happy.
17. What is something that most fans don't know about you?
For a day job I work as a school counselor/psychologist
18. What's your favorite holiday?
Personally I'm an atheist but I'll accept presents for any holiday. I've been learning more about the Wiccan faith over the last couple of years and I like some of their means of celebrating.
19. What do you like to do in your spare time?
What's spare time? I handle the business and web presence for the band so between that and spending as much time as possible talking online to fans and replying to messages from fans I don't have a lot of spare time to speak of. When I do get some free time I'll typically find a cool concert to go to - either a touring band or a band we're friends with who's playing in the area.
20. What kind of hidden talents do you have?
Writing music/lyrics for Mongrel ? lol