Magik Vapor band Interview

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I N T E R V I E W
June 2004
Magik Vapor

magikvapor@hotmail.com
Band contact number: _818.470.5988

RCN: Hello, we are here with_Magik Vapor_ a local band from _Glendale_ , and they're _drunk_ , so we're going to find out a little more about what makes them tick. . .

1. RCN: What type of band are you? (descriptive)

We are a modern day funk and soul review. Not Funk in a traditional sense but with elements of rock, hip hop, mixed with 60's era Rat Pack vibe.

2. RCN: Tell us the brief history of your band.

John and I started the band as a recording project doing music for the WB TV shows. That and MTV's "Punk'd". I was producing hip hop acts at my studio and when the rappers went home I would put my own vocals over the tracks I had created for the rap guys. John came over and added guitar. We realized that we had a cool new sound and started to build off of that. We drove out to Las Vegas to shoot a video that took off on the web, and by our second show we drew 200 people to the Hard Rock Cafe in LA.

3. RCN: Who are your musical and non-musical influences?

Musically we dig Parliament/Funkadelic, Beck, Gorillaz, Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, James Brown, Soul Coughing, Cake. Aesthetically I'm really into Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra. We're not one of those "retro swing bands" but we do adhere to a philosophy from a past era where drinking and gambling weren't considered a "disease". Basically with like to have a good time.

4. RCN: What are your dreams and goals?

We'd like to have our own club with a big bandstand. Like Ricky Ricardo had. Was it the copa room?

5. RCN: Who writes the songs, what are they about?

Tripp writes the bulk of the material with icing from all the rest of the guys. Our themes are based around lusting after hot babes, drinking, gambling, taking the train home from work, and living in Los Angeles (since birth).

6. RCN: What's your opinion of George Bush?

We don't talk politics within the context of Magik Vapor. But to tell you the truth this liberal vs conservative thing isn't as black and white as people would like to believe. Neither is great.

7. RCN: How do you promote your band and shows?

Online, on the phone, posters at record stores, flyers at the clubs. We try hard to create a good handbill.

8. RCN: Describe your show, visual and musically

We put on a real show. Something that most local bands don't do. The reason most band *don't* put on a real show is because it takes a lot of hard work and it costs money. We have a 6 foot light up sign that hangs behind the band with 200 lights. Like a chaser light Vegas sign. We have two beautiful go-go dancers, Michelle Nichols who's a Playboy model and Tabitha Stevens (if you don't know who she is we applaud you for being a fine upstanding citizen). We have moves. I dance like James Brown (not nearly as good though). It's a real show. Many bands claim to put on a "show", but a "show" doesn't just mean jumping around onstage.

9. RCN: What do you think about downloading music online?

I think it's wonderful for new artists who are trying to get their music heard. I think it keeps music in people's minds. Music as an entertainment medium has to compete with things like video games and the WWF, music is way down on the list for the majority of kids today (sadly) if they can download it easily, it keeps 'em listening. It may be an unpopular view but I think it's actually helped music in general. The decline in sales has more to do with the rise in video game sales than downloading. Personally I've downloaded songs illegally, but then got hooked on the good stuff and went out and bought it. Went out and bought something I never would have listened to in the first place if it wasn't for Limewire and Kaaza.

10. RCN: What's your outlook on the record industry today?

The big labels are just a big ugly business just like oil companies. You can have a platinum record and on your second release if it doesn't go gold or platinum you're dropped. My outlook on the record industry is that it's grim. My outlook on the state of music is very optimistic. There are some great new artists out there.

11. RCN: What's your claim to fame? (What's unique about your band)

We do great business at the bar.

12. RCN: Tell us a story about a day in your life.

One day I found myself at the local Home Depot getting parts for our backdrop sign. I'm getting poles and chain and light bulbs and paint and jeeze just a hundred little elements to this sign. I 've got this cart with all this crap, it was hot as hell in there. A buddy of ours who builds sets for The Price Is Right made up this killer light up sign and it's amazing, but he never told me how to hoist it up! So anyway I had to laugh at myself 'cause I was as far away as you could possibly get from the traditional view of a musician. When you're trying to do something different and put on a show for people, you find yourself at Home Depot a lot figuring out staging and lighting on the fly. It took two days of experimenting with these chains and poles and stuff, but the damn thing is a sight to behold. It's like the KISS logo.

13. RCN: What inspires you to do what you do?

I need attention. That and I want to play my songs for people and have them "get it".

14. RCN: What advice would you give to fellow bands?

Go the extra mile. Songs first. Everything else second. Give each guy a specific job to do outside of the music.

15. RCN: What are some of your pet peeves?

Leaf blowers #1 pet peeve.

16. RCN: How does music affect you and the world around you?

Music makes the world go around (corny huh?) for me a world without music would be like seeing in black & white.

17. RCN: What's new in the recording of your music?

We record on a weekly basis. Constantly in the home studio. That's another great thing about playing music in this day and age. You can get amazing recordings in your home studio (if you know how to mix). 10 years ago it cost a fortune to record a good demo. We record 'em for free every few days.

18. RCN: What are the biggest obstacles for bands?

lack of direction. Lack of a clear plan. Lack of business skills. Lack of an interest in business.

19. RCN: What's the best and worst thing about playing clubs?

The best thing is seeing all f your friends together, having a good time, and when the sound system and sound man are good it's amazing to hear your music blasting though a good system with rump shaking authority.

20. RCN: Tell us about your next shows and why we should be there. June 1st at The Scene Bar in Glendale June 12th at TJ Charlie's in Hermosa Beach Be at TJ Charlie's to see Michelle Nichols and Tabitha Stevens dance! (plus the late night Hermosa pier scene is off the hook) Be at The Scene Bar for a low dough show at a great bar with a pool table and cheap drinks!

RCN: Thank you for your insight and time. We'll look forward to hearing your music and seeing your next live show . . . Later gator.

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