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TAGS : Mark
Sunshine (Riotgod) , Luna Negra .
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AUGUST 30, 2009
Interview with Mark Sunshine
Vocalist of RIOTGOD
Stonerrock.gr :Hello from
Athens ! RiotGod has been around for a 2 years .Tell
us about the first live gig ? , the idea of the
unique name RiotGod attempting to revolution ; .How
do you compose the music and the words ;
Sun:The first live gig:The
first gig we ever played was at the Midway in NYC,
going on late, like 1 AM. We of course had less
songs than we had now and had had a few weeks of
rehearsal to prepare us -- for all the songs were
new. We were coming off a period of time when the
songs were being created -- in the studio -- so we
had not jammed together to compose them. The gig
went great -- really great. Went off as if we had
all been playing together for a lifetime. Though was
a short moment in time, it was as all beginnings
must seem -- fleeting yet satisfactory -- to have
gotten the ball rolling. I think we performed great
-- for a first gig.
RiotGod -- was a name I had made
up years ago -- just to lend a title to the music I
was doing back then, a mix of personal recordings
and other lo-fi affairs. When we were searching for
something to call ourselves, Bob suggested we use
this name and I agreed. It was/is a random
connection of words. It has nothing to do with
revolution -- it has no set connotations.
The Music -- 80% of the time
music is given to me as a full piece or sometimes a
piece very close close to completion, recorded and
ready for vocals -- I sit with it for a while,
playing it over and over -- and then when I know it
I am always playing it in my head..
I will place it in my i-Pod as an
instrumental and take it places with me and think
generally, depending on the tone of the tune, of
what might fit. I will write down lyrics on the spot
if I have to. Some of the lyrics for Love it or
Leave it were written on the way to the studio, in
the back of a book. After coming up with a musical
/melody schematic, a skeleton to place words over
and determine initial phrasings, I practice the tune
as much as I can -- even in my head -- before laying
down the tracks and sometimes do a bit of
pre-production on my laptop.
As time goes on I -- when we play
live -- I stretch my phrasings and play with them --
which makes any song, no matter old or new, always
fun to sing
The first batch of songs were
written mainly by Bob Pantella -- to which Garrett
added solos and I added melody and lyrics. Garrett
soon offered some music he had created, as well as
Jim and myself. Now the process is starting to
become more unified, with ideas being offered at
rehearsal and discussed. We can't wait to start
recording new material
Stonerrock.gr : When i
listen the s/t Riotgod i hear some some influences
most to 70's hard rock than stonerrock ( i believe
it is) , but tell us about the 90 influences of
RiotGod , is there any stoner rock sounds or Seattle
rock , In live the band use some effects ?
Sun: Influences: I can
only really speak for me -- but I think my
assumptions might be true for the rest of the
members: There are no conscious choices when making
the music, save for notes, key or tempo.
I don't think any one of us says
"Wow -- I want to sound like this/that!" I can say
that everything we have all ever listened to can
certainly be called as important. From any band and
any genre.
Bob when he writes I think tries
to achieve a certain feel -- but of course -- one
would have to ask him or Garrett or Jim
specifically. When I write I think about stories or
some kind of visual feel for the music -- and as
fafr as influences I dig bands and songwriters that
do this -- create a story.
Sometimes people will assign
influences -- of course -- sometimes I like a drony
feel of vocals -- now even if that is influenced by
something else like monks or whatever, it might be
compared to Alice in Chains. I used to love Judas
Priest as a kid -- but if one achieves a higher
vocal -- especially a raspier one, you get a Cornell
tag. I can't speak about those choices, but my
approach to the music is simple -- what fits --
practically no conscious influence vocally. We use a
projector and a few lights for bigger shows -- if
this is what you mean by "effects."
Put us in front of people who are
into rock -- hard rock - and we are there.
Stonerrock.gr :What
amplifiers , Equipment's Guitar's drums uses the
band ?How create the artwork ?
Sun: Garrett uses Marshall
jcm 800 heads and 4 /12 cabinets I believe -- with a
Gibson SG as his go to guitar.
Jim -- he has a Fender Precision
Bass & Mosrite bass etc and plays through an Ampeg...&
FVT cabinet -- but if you really need a precise
account, the players can be asked individually.
Bob : Pearl drums Meinl cymbal,
Vater sticks, Aquarian heads
I have a few mics, AKG, Shure,
Sennheiser.
Stonerrock.gr Did you have
any say in what bands you`d play with? If RioGod
chose some bands playing support for example with (
Monster magnet , Metallica , Black Sabbath ) ?
Sun: We would love to play
with Metallica -- or Black Sabbath to be sure -- or
Deep Purple if they ever came around again. Who
wouldn't?
Stonerrock.gr: What do you
listen this month ? The favorite album of this
season (summer) Is possible to see some gigs in
Europe ( Uk , Netherlands ) for touring ?
Sun: We listen to a great
variety of music and as usual -- nothing can be
truly called on as THE album of the year/season/etc.
I know each of us has his tastes. On the way up to
Brooklyn the other night we were listening to
Motorhead.
I have been listening to a lot of
Sweet, Yes, Deep Purple, Vaartina ( Finnish ) early
Priest... really so many things.
Stonerrock.gr : Thanks !
Stay focus to music be creative to your Artwork . We
hope to see a Video of RIOTGOD soon .
JULY 22,
2009
Interview with Luna Negra ,
a new Polish Stoner Rock Band from
Warsaw .
Stonerrock.gr :Tell us about the idea
that begin Luna negra as a band , the former
members , how compose the songs , and the first
live show ;
Luna Negra :2 brothers and their brother
- in law have been very inspired by Kyuss band,
their sound . From the time they began to listen
more stoner rock bands such as Los Natas,
Nebula, Sgt.Sunshine. One day he said that it
would be cool to learn how to play and go in
that direction. Bought a guitar and began jam.
The team joined drummer Chfu. Initially the band
was called Astroindians. After a year
thrown drummer .New drummer came Grzegorz, who
well knew the type of bands Kyuss, Los Natas.
Team has changed its name to Tornado and began
to play concerts in his family town. In first
gig we included the film on the wall, people who
go on Tornado gig was very suprised. All
of them were very excited.
Although it was not the best sound system
concluded that a very exciting to us what we do
and we will try to play as many concerts.
Later, inspired by the band album DARK SIDE OF
THE MOON music and more space rock music changed
its name to the LUNA NEGRA.
We trying to create music together, usually
starts with the fact that one of the guitarists
has a number of interesting patents and other
members add ideas or bass and drums build a
basis for number .
Stonerrock.gr :As luna
negra influses about not only stonerrock , olso
inspired by psychedelic music , Luna Negra
use some visual effects on live performances ;
. What amplifiers , Equipment's Guitar's drums
uses the band ;
Luna Negra :
Yes we use visual effects , we record lot's of
nature and process this to more psychedelic
We also inspired by the band's of 70's like Pink
Floyd Black Sabbath Led Zeppelin, Blue Cheer ,
Jimmy Hendrix also Tom Waits , The Mars Volta
and a lot of jazz Tomasz Stańko , Contemporary
Noise Quintet , Miles Davis
Equipment :
Rob - Guitar- Epiphone Dot
Black
Marshall on spekers
Vintage typ 30
head:Red Bear Mk60
Danny - Epiphone
Laney VC30212
Chris - bass- Epiphone Thunderbird
Ashdown
head H&H
KaVa - Pearl Export
Snare 14" , Toms 12" 13" Floor 16" Central
22"
Remo Heads
Crash - Zildijan ZBT 18"
Ride - Paiste Bronze 201 20"
Hi Hat - Paiste 502 - 13"
Stonerrock.gr : Whos the director of the
videos , and the cover artwork ? If you choose
some artist to support live of stonerrock
scene you choose for example ( los natas ,
nebula , brant bjork ) or something else ; Do
you like some festival ?
Luna Negra :Director
of the clip is Chris our bass guitarist.
We all thinking what to do in videos
All guitarists paint pictures in the house,
creation of logo was not a problem, it was
necessary to think that the logo and the cover
to suit our music. Dany do the Luna Negra moon
logo and Rob do the cover of the demo
We'd love to play with such bands like Los Natas,
Nebula or Colour Haze
We tried to get to Elektrohasch Records but
unfortunately it is not yet the time, but we
will be in contact with the label.
We also want to play on Roadburn festival .
Stonerrock.gr : Why luna negra play
instrumental music ; is any idea to try Vocals ? What's the former members
favorites band artist's , What do you listen
this month ? tell us about 35007 , MONKEY
3 do you like this artist's ?
Tell about the recording studios , and the base
of the band (city) ;
Luna Negra : At the beginning we
wanted to add vocals as another type of
instrument. Short entry.
Later, however, that the music that we create
enough paintings and climate, and we do not need
vocals
Former members was Ch F drummer
Rob love Tom Waits , Nebula ,Marc Ribot , Sleep
.
Chris like The Heads , Sgt Sunshine , Electric
Wizard .
Danny like 35007 , Colour Haze ,Ufomammut .
KaVa like The Mars Volta, Sgt . Sunshine ,
Lowrider .
In this month i listen Los Natas new album and
Isis new album
also sucking the 70's Vol 1
at now i listening Sgt Sunshine
We like 35007 , especially Dany our guitarist ,
They play great music also a lot of instrumental
numbers they have
Monkey 3 we listen less, 35007 is more inspiring
for us !The base of the band is Sochacze near Warsaw
.
We record our demo in Mustache Ministry in
Warsaw .
Stonerrock.gr : Thanks ! Stay
focus to music . Greetings from Greece
Athens !!
Luna Negra : We also thank you very
much for being interest of our band .
