Interview with AOR Underground.

Taken from www.myspace.com/aorundergroundrobevans and was conducted by Rob Evans who writes the AOR Underground section in Powerplay Magazine.

INTERVIEW WITH THE DEADTHINGS

Proclaiming themselves as Australia's No.1 Glam Metal band, the Deadthings ain't shy in the self promotion department. Of course it helps when your band is as good as this lot and that you can carry the hype. Formed in 2002 by Leigh Van Hell and Julez C Mephisto, the Deadthings have so far released an EP and one full length CD. Their new album is called "Dead Over Heels" and it's a riotous amalgamation of Glam with a huge shot of AOR runnin' through its veins. Built on the foundations laid by the likes of Kiss, Ratt, Dokken, Poison, Warrant and Black N Blue in the eighties, this album is a glorious throwback to a bygone era. Alongside Dirty Penny, this is one of the best albums of its type I've heard this year. To my ears they sound like a combination of Poison, Robin Black and Steevi Jaimz era Tigertailz. Looking like Brett Kaiser (Madam X), vocalist Julez C Mephisto sounds like Brett Michaels especially on "Crimson Rain". With song titles like "Sister Siucide", "Murder City", Another Nail In The Coffin" and, my favourite, "Christine's Curse" you know what you are letting yourselves in for. I caught up with lead vocalist Julez C Mephisto for a quick chat over an open coffin........

How did you get started in the music business?

I just loved music and the idea of doing what my idols did drove me to give it a shot.

Why the music business?

Well apart from the love of the music itself , the lifestyle of a rockstar appealed to me.

Who, or what, has been the biggest influence on you as a musician?

Overall the whole melodic hard rock genre, but I think it all started with Kiss, and still to this day I see them as a huge influence on all aspects of what I do with music.

You've just released your CD. Tell us about it.

It's our second album titled "Dead Over Heels", the musical style is melodic glam/sleaze rock, similar in style to Black N Blue, Warrant and Poison. The lyrical content is darker than the aforementioned bands.

Pick your three favourite songs from it and tell us why they are your favourites?

My favourites from the new album would be ;

Christine's Curse - This would be my favourite track from the album, I love the intro guitar and the stomping drums , the keyboard line adds to the melody and I was really happy with how the twisted lyrical story turned out.

Another Nail In The Coffin - This song opens the album ,I think it typifies The Deadthings sound and is probably the best representation of the band. Lyrically the song is about wanting revenge on those that have screwed you over.

Devil With An Angels Kiss - All about a girl you know you should stay the hell away from but somehow you cant help but go back for more. I like the big upfront chorus hook and the overall vibe of the song and I'm really happy with the way the song came out.

What bands did you grow up with and how did they help in creating the style of music that can be found on your cd?

Well Kiss started me off, as well Rick Springfield, Ratt, Black N Blue, Keel, Icon, and hundreds of others. The influence of all those bands has gone into all the music I write, all those artists build their songs around a big chorus that's easy to latch onto and remember and that's something we always try to do. There's defiantly an influence in my vocal delivery and phrasing from Jaime St,James of Black N Blue.

Give us 3 reasons why the readers of AOR Underground/Powerplay Magazine should buy your cds

Hmm, 3 reasons,

1/ For fans of Melodic Hard rock/Glam Sleaze ala Black N Blue, Poison , Ratt

2/ A different/twisted lyrical approach to the hair metal genre

3/?

Do you play live? If so do you include any covers in your set?

Yeah we play live shows regularly, and we often do covers in the set, we like to mix it up and change them all the time, we usually only play one or two in the set, but in the past we've included; Warrant - Down Boys, Black n Blue - Hold Onto 18, Fastway - Trick Or Treat, Wasp - Love Machine, Pantera/Keel - Proud To Be Loud, Kiss - Is That You, Judas Priest - Living After Midnight, Poison - Look What The Cat Dragged In, Dokken - Breaking The Chains, Faster Pussycat - Smash Alley and probably some more I'm forgetting right now.

How did you get your record deal?

We were approached through myspace by Blastzone entertainment about them launching a new label for the hard rock genre, and then after talking with them and several other independent rock labels, we decided to go with them.

Have you had any major record label interest?

No we haven't and we haven't tried to chase it either, in Australia the way we look with hairspray and make up is seen as a bit of a joke to the mainstream music industry, their focus here is on garage style rock bands ala Jet etc. with oily hair and unshaven.

If you weren't on Myspace talking to me, what would you be doing?

Probably maintaining our myspace or website, promoting our upcoming shows, booking upcoming shows, organising print advertisements for upcoming shows, or something else related to the band, there's always something to be done to help the cause.

If you had to pick one song that defined Rock n roll to you what would it be ?

"Aint Talkin Bout Love" - Van Halen , one of the most original sounding guitar riffs of all time by one of the greatest guitar players with the greatest frontman of all time. A song with a complete Rock N Roll party attitude and all the frills that go along with it.

What type of coverage has your cd had so far?

We've had a few reviews from various websites throughout the world, so far things have been pretty positive.

Whats next, and what does the future hold for you?

We're shooting two new videos , first for "Devil With An Angel's Kiss", followed by "Christine's Curse". We are working on a DVD for release in the middle of next year that will include all our video clips and various live performances from the past few years. We'll continue to tour throughout the east coast of Australia and are looking at options to either tour the UK and Europe or return to the USA for a run of shows.

Who were the first and last band that you saw live?

First band I saw live was Bon Jovi on the Slippery When Wet tour, the last band I saw was Ratt and Winger last week on their Australian tour.

What have been the high points, and low points, of your career, so far.

High points would be having four killer bandmates and getting to play with them at a sold out Whisky A Go Go in Hollywood opening for LA Guns. The low points would be having to deal with shady promoters or disgruntle ex-band members, but for the most part we really don't have any low points worthy of complaining about.

What music would you have played at your funeral and why?

Journey - Don't Stop Believing. Because apart from being one of my all time favourite songs, there is a very positive message to not give up and keep on going, that I would want to send out to all my family and friends at the funeral.

What five albums would you take with you on a desert island?

Black N Blue - In Heat

Keel - Keel

Icon - Night Of The Crime

Ratt - Out Of The Cellar

Fate - Scratch N Sniff

Download, or buy the real thing..and why?

I'm a collector, so I have to buy the real thing, I love the album covers/booklets and artwork etc. I do however like to download a song or two to be able to hear new stuff, and think it's an awesome way to hear new bands or new realeases that get no radio or mainstream support.

Anything you would like to add or say to the readers of AOR Underground/Powerplay Magazine?

Thanx for taking the time to read this interview, and while I'm at it thanx to Rob for the opportunity for the interview, to the readers if The Deadthings sounds like something you'd like to know more about please swing by www.myspace.com/thedeadthings and have a listen to our songs and check out our videos.

How are you gonna spread the word about AOR Underground on Myspace?

We'll put AOR Underground into our top friends and post out bulletins announcing The Deadthings interview with AOR Underground.

Check them out at www.thedeadthings.com and buy or die, people. Buy or die!

COPYRIGHT: ROB EVANS

To Purchase DEAD OVER HEELS visit our online store here

Please note : All Record Labels & Distribution companies intersted in contacting the band please do so using e-mail thedeadthings@yahoo.com

THE BRAND NEW ALBUM
"DEAD OVER HEELS"
AVAILABLE SEPT. 15th 2007
HERE!!!!


NEW!!!!!!!!
Guyz & Girlz T-Shirts
in stock Now !!!