Click here for home page

Click here



Contact Us | Customer Information | Privacy Policy | Audio Help

Explore
Main Menu
Submit a review
Sign up for newsletter
Album Reviews
Rising Stars
10 Questions with...
Rock Stars
Backstage Heroes
Celebrity interviews
Links
Get Your EMail Address
Submit your website

Rising Stars

UP!

If you like melodic rock with a bite (like Foo Fighters or Butch Walker) then find out more by e-mailing for the band's free CD - can't get better than that!

1. What are you currently up to?

UP! kept busy in 2002 touring the southeast and southwest US. We book ourselves and play out as often as possible- next dates look like it will be in the spring 2003. We have also kept busy doing lots of pre-production stuff and recording new material.

2. Who were your influences?

There are many influences. We all have different backgrounds and influences- from Barry Manilow to Rob Halford. Butch Walker to Fuzzbubble.

3. Brief history of the band plus the style of music you play.

Hard to classify oneself but we are in the Foo Fighter, Jimmy Eats World genre. We just write what comes naturally. Right now that is catchy, guitar hook oriented and melodic songs.

4. What do you think of the current state of US radio and the Live music scene?

It is really different everywhere you go. We are from Long Island, about 45 minutes east of NYC. You would think being so close to NYC would draw talent agents, but it does not. We feel a large part of that issue has to do with the local scene itself. Few clubs will book original bands and frankly, few people want to pay to see original music. However, when we travel to another state, often times get the complete opposite situation. Club owners and local radio truly believe in their unsigned, backyard bands and promote them to no end.

5. How easy/hard is it to get exposure for the band?

With the internet, message boards, P2P networking, and emails, it is much easier to be heard than seen. You'd be surprised at what you can do with a computer and modem.

6. What have been the highlight(s) and low point(s) of your career to date?

Highpoint came last fall on tour- we were playing a show at this wild bar in southern Arizona. Apparently next door to this place was strip club. About 2 songs into the set, these 2 amazingly hot (somewhat drunk!) stripers jump on stage and start dancing. By song 3 they were completely naked and going at it!! Totally insane! We had to end the set there because the crowd became quite unruly! Low point was the same night when the same two girls blew off every member of UP! and finally went home with some drunken dirt-bag with a Porsche. We all then decided we need Porsches.

7. How easy is it to gets gigs?

It is not easy. You have to sell yourself, often times play for free and stay on top of the people who book. Once you develop a relationship with them, it gets easier.

8. What is the live music scene like?

There is no better feeling than playing on stage. It is a total rush and the greatest experience you will ever know.

9. Who have you toured with and would like to tour with in the future?

When on tour we mostly play with local bands the club books. For the most part they are all cool. They think we are cooler than we really are because we are from NY. They ask about the terrorist attacks and stuff and what the city is like. We are really much bigger geeks than they think. Some of the more known acts we've played with are Fuzzbubble, Wayne, Epidemic, Chlorine, CC Deville, and Po'boy Swing.

10. You have high praise from Butch Walker. How did you first meet him? Have you/would you work with him in the future?

We first met Butch at The Bowery Ballroom in New York City. It was a Marv3, SR-71 and Tsar show. He is such a down to earth nice guy without an ounce of who he is. Definitely one of the most talented musicians/producers around. Why he isn't on every radio station in the country I will never know. I would give my right nut to work with him someday.

11. If you could create a fantasy band - what would be the line-up and why?

Butch Walker on lead guitar...cause he's a rawkstar. Nuno Bettencourt on Rhythm guitar and keyboards...he is a musical genius. Keith Moon on drums...the things he did on the skins defied gravity. Sting on bass...nuff said. Freddie Mercury on Lead vocals...he is simply the best vocalist I have ever heard. And remember he sang before Pro Tools so that IS his voice.

12. What CD's do you currently have available and where can they be purchased from?

We have our debut CD titled, Cog available. It's free to anyone who sends an email to upmail@email.com and uses the code word "RAWK". We don't want our fans' money. We just want our songs to be heard and hopefully the folks will "get it".

13. Message for your fans...

Don't give up on Rawk N Roll. The musical revolution is almost here and we will take it back from the boy band girl band and whatever other crap radio forces you to listen too. We will not be denied. God bless and enjoy the show...

Related> CD Review

Related> MP3 download


Interview © 2003 Jason Ritchie/
Format and edit: The Music Index.

All rights reserved.

Classic Rock News Group


Featured Artists
Artist Archive
Featured Labels
Label Archive
Do you want to appear here?

get ready to rock is a division of hotdigitsnewmedia group