Davey Havok: "Blaqk Celebration"
Interview by Keith Valcourt Photos by Victoria Hurley
One of my favorite CDs of 2012 is probably one you missed. Everyone did. The band is Blaqk Audio, an electronic duo comprised of singer Davey Havok and Keyboard programming godhead Jade Puget. Both musicians are better known for their work in the screamo band AFI. The CD: "Bright Black Heaven" takes it sound from the great 1980s synth bands including Naked Eyes, Alphaville, and Depeche Mode. Around the time of the albums release I sat down with Davey for an exclusive interview which you can read here for the first time. Enjoy.
Side projects are always a dicey proposition. They are usually an excuse for successful musicians to stretch their wings away from a mega selling group. Often alerting their beloved band mates that they can do it on their own. Nine times out of ten they can lead to a breakup and often never measure up to the the original band's greatness (Passengers anyone?) Luckily such is NOT the case with Blaqk Audio the electronic synth duo comprised of AFI's enigmatic lead singer Davey Havoc and keyboard godhead Jade Puget. Their second CD “Bright Blaqk Heaven” is a brilliant retro tinged dance party fans of both Alphaville and Nitzer Ebb are sure to dig. I sat down with Havoc to discuss the disc, balancing two bands and worshiping Vince Clarke.
How did the band Blaqk Audio come about?
Davey: Jade (Puget-AFI Keyboardist) and I have been long time fans of electronica. When we were very young we would listen to early eighties synth pop. There was a huge saturation of British bands in the United States. We began listening to bands like Human League, Pet Shop Boys, Depeche Mode and Erasure. All those bands were very much a part of our consciousness. Duran Duran which is heavily synth based as well. Those bands along with Kraftwerk went on to inspire a lot of the industrial bands we got into like Skinny Puppy, Front 242, Cabaret Voltaire and Nitzer Ebb. It was our long standing love of electronica that got us into dance music and inspired us to start Blaqk Audio in 2001 while we were in AFI.
Did you purposely try to sound eighties?
I wouldn't say that it's purposeful. It's more of a natural result of being informed and raised on that music think it just came out. It is who we are. The ingraining and impact of what was going on in pop culture really created who I am as an artist. It was such an overwhelming time and I fascinated by all of that. Music, films, media and the commercials. I remember the Honda commercials with Devo and Adam Ant. The first three cassette tapes I purchased were Duran Duran, Devo and Men At Work. That lead us to this band.
The band started in 2000 then why did the first record came out in 2007?
in 2001 Jade and I were living together in this awful communal living space with about twenty seven other people. I was listening to a lot of electronic music and we decided to start Blaqk Audio. We began programming in 2001. There were a few songs that were written then that have yet to be recorded. What took us so long to finally release our first Blaqk Audio CD “CexCells” was that being in AFI. That's why it took seven years to write and record a full record.
When you're in a successful band like AFI is it hard to do another band at the same time?
It is difficult to be able to navigate. Because a lot of people in our organization (AFI Management and record label) didn't want us to focus on anything else. They weren't allowing the freedom to release Blaqk Audio. Not the other band members at all. But more the record labels. And kindly so and understandably so. They had a lot of vested interest in what we were doing at the time.
What do your other AFI band mates think of you and Jade doing Blaqk Audio?
The band was always very supportive of what we were doing because they knew how much it meant to us and how important it was to us. They knew it was something that we had to do.
How are you able to balance the two bands?
It's not that difficult. It takes a long time for the rock band (AFI) to make records. So in the interim we are able to write and record Blaqk Audio records. So far we have been able to release and tour those records in between AFI releases.
Is that why the first Blaqk Audio CD came out in 2007 and just now we get the second?
Partially so. We met a lot of difficulties due to the state of the music industry in that time period between CDs. And issues in the Interscope Records camp. When we were ready to release this Blaqk Audio CD “Bright Blaqk Heaven” it was ready to go prior to the release of the last AFI record, Interscope would not allow us to do it and they had the ability to stop us. They feared it was going to cause AFI fans to think that AFI broke up if the second Blaqk Audio record came out first. Despite the fact that it was well known at the time we were recoding a new AFI record. I think it was to the detriment of both groups due to the state of attention spans with culture today.
Is Blaqk Audio easier for you vocally?
Absolutely. It's far more relaxed and the songs are more in the solid point of my ranger when you are talking about the greater body of AFI work compared to what Blaqk Audio is. Which is a joy because it allows me to do more vocally with more confidence both in the studio and on stage.
How do you decide which songs are going to be for which band?
I think I can answer for both Jade and I in that respect. Jade writes all the music from front to back and he is constantly writing. As far as what is Blaqk Audio and what is AFI it is very evident by way of the nature of how you are writing it. Blaqk Audio is purely programming while AFI is an organic rock band. At that stage of things when Jade sends me a body of music it's clear which band I'm receiving. As far as lyrics go, I am constantly inspired and take notes. They used to be on a small pad of paper but are now lamentably on my phone. I'm constantly taking notes when I'm inspired. Depending on the inspiration or depending on the line I will place it in a different folder. Sometimes I come up with something that I feel will be perfect for Blaqk Audio or perfect for AFI or perfect for something completely separate from music. That happens all the time.
There is a wonderfully retro feel to the new CD. Did Jade use vintage keyboards and synths?
I believe everything he uses is very modern. He's a modern type of guy so there is not analog happening. As far as I know. Forgive me Jade if I'm wrong. I'm not very knowledgeable about the software and hardware side of things.
Jade takes care of all the music much like a modern day Vince Clarke(Keyboard genius behind Depeche Mode, Yaz, Erasure.)?
Yeah. I'm his Andy Bell or Allison Moyet. (laughs) I'll take either of those.
How important is style to you?
I've never really dealt with a stylist. Beyond theatrical moments that didn't really have much to do with me personally. The way I present myself is always been how I enjoy presenting myself. That is no different now than ever before. It's interesting because people are wildly concerned with it. I've found throughout my life, up until this moment, that people are really upset with the way I look. No matter how I look. It's really upsetting to people. It's funny to me. As a child that is what I wanted. I felt my esthetic was an act of aggression and an indication of separation. I don't think of it in those terms anymore. I just present myself in a way I feel comfortable. I think in life it shows more of who you are if you take time to present yourself in a way you feel comfortable with. It doesn't hurt to pay a little attention to yourself at times. I certainly should have paid more before I walked out of the house today. (Laughs.)
Is easier to tour as a duo than a rock band?
It is. We will very much tour on this record. We hope to tour everywhere. It is juts inherently easier to tour with less people. It's a great time when Jade and I tour together. Not to say that I don't love the other members of AFI. It has nothing to do with that. It's just with greater ease when we tour with Blaqk Audio. It's just two people.
What are AFI's future plans?
There isn't a set time frame as to when we will reconvene. The general idea is for Jade and I to finish touring on “Bright Black Heaven” as much as we can. Then we will return focus to AFI.
Do you have any stories of crazy fans going to great lengths to get to meet you?
Absolutely. We've had fans, and I don't know how they do this, it's difficult because even in some of the larger venues they have been able to accomplish this, they sneak into the venue early and sneak backstage before we are even there. Then they hide is our dressing room bathrooms. The appear in our dressing rooms when we arrive. Which is a really smart move if you can pull it off. I've heard tales of people breaking out of jail to see us play. Tales of people hitchhiking barefoot an bloody across state lines. Traveling in trunks. But that is to see us perform. Not just to get physically in front of us. Now all these people have gotten in front of me to relay these stories. I've had people show up at my home on occasion, which is always disturbing. It really is. Lucky all those situations were innocuous. I think. (Laughs)
During El Nino in the late 1990s we were playing a theater called the Showcase Theater. The venue was oversold. Twice as full. The fire marshal showed up and rain was pouring down. They had us play two shows. Half the crowd had to wait outside in the pouring rain while we did the first show. The theater was connected to this strip mall and a bunch of hardcore kids jumped across roofs to get on the theater roof where the pushed in a spot heater. From the stage I could see them crawling through the vents with rain pouring in. Our merchandise guy was helping them get in safely. You have to let someone in for putting that much effort in.
Side projects are always a dicey proposition. They are usually an excuse for successful musicians to stretch their wings away from a mega selling group. Often alerting their beloved band mates that they can do it on their own. Nine times out of ten they can lead to a breakup and often never measure up to the the original band's greatness (Passengers anyone?) Luckily such is NOT the case with Blaqk Audio the electronic synth duo comprised of AFI's enigmatic lead singer Davey Havoc and keyboard godhead Jade Puget. Their second CD “Bright Blaqk Heaven” is a brilliant retro tinged dance party fans of both Alphaville and Nitzer Ebb are sure to dig. I sat down with Havoc to discuss the disc, balancing two bands and worshiping Vince Clarke.
How did the band Blaqk Audio come about?
Davey: Jade (Puget-AFI Keyboardist) and I have been long time fans of electronica. When we were very young we would listen to early eighties synth pop. There was a huge saturation of British bands in the United States. We began listening to bands like Human League, Pet Shop Boys, Depeche Mode and Erasure. All those bands were very much a part of our consciousness. Duran Duran which is heavily synth based as well. Those bands along with Kraftwerk went on to inspire a lot of the industrial bands we got into like Skinny Puppy, Front 242, Cabaret Voltaire and Nitzer Ebb. It was our long standing love of electronica that got us into dance music and inspired us to start Blaqk Audio in 2001 while we were in AFI.
Did you purposely try to sound eighties?
I wouldn't say that it's purposeful. It's more of a natural result of being informed and raised on that music think it just came out. It is who we are. The ingraining and impact of what was going on in pop culture really created who I am as an artist. It was such an overwhelming time and I fascinated by all of that. Music, films, media and the commercials. I remember the Honda commercials with Devo and Adam Ant. The first three cassette tapes I purchased were Duran Duran, Devo and Men At Work. That lead us to this band.
The band started in 2000 then why did the first record came out in 2007?
in 2001 Jade and I were living together in this awful communal living space with about twenty seven other people. I was listening to a lot of electronic music and we decided to start Blaqk Audio. We began programming in 2001. There were a few songs that were written then that have yet to be recorded. What took us so long to finally release our first Blaqk Audio CD “CexCells” was that being in AFI. That's why it took seven years to write and record a full record.
When you're in a successful band like AFI is it hard to do another band at the same time?
It is difficult to be able to navigate. Because a lot of people in our organization (AFI Management and record label) didn't want us to focus on anything else. They weren't allowing the freedom to release Blaqk Audio. Not the other band members at all. But more the record labels. And kindly so and understandably so. They had a lot of vested interest in what we were doing at the time.
What do your other AFI band mates think of you and Jade doing Blaqk Audio?
The band was always very supportive of what we were doing because they knew how much it meant to us and how important it was to us. They knew it was something that we had to do.
How are you able to balance the two bands?
It's not that difficult. It takes a long time for the rock band (AFI) to make records. So in the interim we are able to write and record Blaqk Audio records. So far we have been able to release and tour those records in between AFI releases.
Is that why the first Blaqk Audio CD came out in 2007 and just now we get the second?
Partially so. We met a lot of difficulties due to the state of the music industry in that time period between CDs. And issues in the Interscope Records camp. When we were ready to release this Blaqk Audio CD “Bright Blaqk Heaven” it was ready to go prior to the release of the last AFI record, Interscope would not allow us to do it and they had the ability to stop us. They feared it was going to cause AFI fans to think that AFI broke up if the second Blaqk Audio record came out first. Despite the fact that it was well known at the time we were recoding a new AFI record. I think it was to the detriment of both groups due to the state of attention spans with culture today.
Is Blaqk Audio easier for you vocally?
Absolutely. It's far more relaxed and the songs are more in the solid point of my ranger when you are talking about the greater body of AFI work compared to what Blaqk Audio is. Which is a joy because it allows me to do more vocally with more confidence both in the studio and on stage.
How do you decide which songs are going to be for which band?
I think I can answer for both Jade and I in that respect. Jade writes all the music from front to back and he is constantly writing. As far as what is Blaqk Audio and what is AFI it is very evident by way of the nature of how you are writing it. Blaqk Audio is purely programming while AFI is an organic rock band. At that stage of things when Jade sends me a body of music it's clear which band I'm receiving. As far as lyrics go, I am constantly inspired and take notes. They used to be on a small pad of paper but are now lamentably on my phone. I'm constantly taking notes when I'm inspired. Depending on the inspiration or depending on the line I will place it in a different folder. Sometimes I come up with something that I feel will be perfect for Blaqk Audio or perfect for AFI or perfect for something completely separate from music. That happens all the time.
There is a wonderfully retro feel to the new CD. Did Jade use vintage keyboards and synths?
I believe everything he uses is very modern. He's a modern type of guy so there is not analog happening. As far as I know. Forgive me Jade if I'm wrong. I'm not very knowledgeable about the software and hardware side of things.
Jade takes care of all the music much like a modern day Vince Clarke(Keyboard genius behind Depeche Mode, Yaz, Erasure.)?
Yeah. I'm his Andy Bell or Allison Moyet. (laughs) I'll take either of those.
How important is style to you?
I've never really dealt with a stylist. Beyond theatrical moments that didn't really have much to do with me personally. The way I present myself is always been how I enjoy presenting myself. That is no different now than ever before. It's interesting because people are wildly concerned with it. I've found throughout my life, up until this moment, that people are really upset with the way I look. No matter how I look. It's really upsetting to people. It's funny to me. As a child that is what I wanted. I felt my esthetic was an act of aggression and an indication of separation. I don't think of it in those terms anymore. I just present myself in a way I feel comfortable. I think in life it shows more of who you are if you take time to present yourself in a way you feel comfortable with. It doesn't hurt to pay a little attention to yourself at times. I certainly should have paid more before I walked out of the house today. (Laughs.)
Is easier to tour as a duo than a rock band?
It is. We will very much tour on this record. We hope to tour everywhere. It is juts inherently easier to tour with less people. It's a great time when Jade and I tour together. Not to say that I don't love the other members of AFI. It has nothing to do with that. It's just with greater ease when we tour with Blaqk Audio. It's just two people.
What are AFI's future plans?
There isn't a set time frame as to when we will reconvene. The general idea is for Jade and I to finish touring on “Bright Black Heaven” as much as we can. Then we will return focus to AFI.
Do you have any stories of crazy fans going to great lengths to get to meet you?
Absolutely. We've had fans, and I don't know how they do this, it's difficult because even in some of the larger venues they have been able to accomplish this, they sneak into the venue early and sneak backstage before we are even there. Then they hide is our dressing room bathrooms. The appear in our dressing rooms when we arrive. Which is a really smart move if you can pull it off. I've heard tales of people breaking out of jail to see us play. Tales of people hitchhiking barefoot an bloody across state lines. Traveling in trunks. But that is to see us perform. Not just to get physically in front of us. Now all these people have gotten in front of me to relay these stories. I've had people show up at my home on occasion, which is always disturbing. It really is. Lucky all those situations were innocuous. I think. (Laughs)
During El Nino in the late 1990s we were playing a theater called the Showcase Theater. The venue was oversold. Twice as full. The fire marshal showed up and rain was pouring down. They had us play two shows. Half the crowd had to wait outside in the pouring rain while we did the first show. The theater was connected to this strip mall and a bunch of hardcore kids jumped across roofs to get on the theater roof where the pushed in a spot heater. From the stage I could see them crawling through the vents with rain pouring in. Our merchandise guy was helping them get in safely. You have to let someone in for putting that much effort in.
Candlebox: "Far Behind And Back"
Interview by Keith Valcourt Photo by Ladi Von Jansky
In the spring of 1994 the Seattle based Candlebox was on top of the world selling one hundred thousand copies of their debut record a week off the strength of the massive hit “Far Behind.” By July their the four piece band comprised of Kevin Martin (Vocals), Peter Klett (Guitars), Bardi Martin (Bass) and Scott Mercado (Drums) debut CD had gone platinum selling over 1 million copies. Soon the curse of having a huge hit combined with drug abuse took it's toll on the band seeing them disband by 2000. Six years later a best of compilation saw the original line up reunite for a highly successful tour and return to form. In 2012 West Coast Bureau Chrief Keith Valcourt sat down with lead singer Kevin Martin to discuss growing up in grunge, being a reluctant lead singer, a Polaroid obsessed female fan and their new CD: “Love Stories And Other Musings.”
Was it difficult to be a Non-Grunge rock band in Seattle in the early nineties?
Kevin: I don't know if it was difficult because Seattle was such a great city for live music. People loved to come out and support it. But there was a backlash when we started doing better than a lot of the bands that had been doing shows two or three years prior to us. We were a band no one had ever heard of before where locally people already knew Nirvana, Alice In Chains and Soundgarden. We came along in 1990 and suddenly we got singed to Maverick Records. The attitude was “Who The Fuck Are You Guys?!”
Did people think you weren't really from Seattle?
If you look at our debut album the address on the back is a Los Angeles address. That was our management company's address. People assumed we were from L. A.and that we moved to Seattle just to get signed. Pete, Bardi and Scott were born in Seattle. I moved there when I was 14. We encountered a lot of negativity and still do from the local bands and local press.
Did the major label attempt to change the band?
One of the things that was great about Maverick in the beginning was they just wanted to succeed with us. They were incredibly supportive and outwardly aggressive in trying to break the band. All they wanted to do was sell records. All we wanted to do was sell records and tour the world.
You didn't start as a lead singer?
I started out as a drummer. I still prefer to be a drummer. I'm a very reluctant lead singer still to this day. A friend of mine was working at studio and asked me to sing since I had sung in choir since second grade. But I never wanted to be the singer in a band. I went and sang on these demos that turned into the band Uncle Duke and I became the singer. We hired Pete and that became Candlebox.
When did you know “Far Behind” was going to be huge?
We knew we had something special in that song when we wrote it. We played it for some friends who were big in music and their reaction was, “Wow, what is THIS song?! I wasn't until July of 2004 when we sold a million records we thought “Oh shit.”
Was it a blessing or a curse to have a hit?
When we sold a million copies that was when we all started to feel the pressure of what we were going to have to do to follow up that song. I remember thinking the song was either going to be a classic song that would stay around like Led Zeppelin’s “Ramble On” or it was going to be one of those songs that came and sent like a bad haircut. Like “Hey Ya!” I really didn't know if it was going to be the song that made Candlebox last or to end or career. We're still here.
Was there then pressure to write “Far Behind 2.”
We were in the studio working on our second album “Lucy” and Maverick were very forceful on making sure we delivered that record they wanted. They didn't like some of the songs. I was really adamant about not making “Far Behind part 2.” I was more about doing more ethereal rock songs. I think that clash was the beginning of our relationship with Maverick. At the same time two members of the band had discovered the joys of cocaine. We were struggling to make a record and struggling to write.
You wrote “Far Behind” about Mother Love Bone Singer Andrew Wood (who died of a heroin overdose) what was he like?
Andrew was a rock star. He walked around town dressed in a fur coat and platform shoes anywhere he went. He was a larger than life presence and he was also the nicest fucking guy in the world. Even if he only met you one time he would never forget your name. Had he lived and had Mother Love Bone continued on he would probably be singing for Queen right now. He was that guy.
Were drugs to blame for Candlebox line up changes ?
I'm sure. Scott wasn't really a drug addict. He's a very complex person and he has a bit of OCD. With the success of Candlebox came too much pressure for him as a drummer. If he came to the studio and I was playing drums he would get offended by that. One day he just grabbed his cymbals and walked out. With Bardi, I think it was because Pete was so out of control on drugs and alcohol it made touring and recording hard. There were days where we wouldn't hear from him. Bardi was like, “Fuck that guy. If he's not showing up I'm not showing up.” Half way through the “Happy Pills” tour Bardi and new drummer Dave (Krusen) quit. We hired two new guys. Then we're in Denver when Pete lost his mind. That was it.
Did the band break up in 2000?
We agreed to keep the company and not dissolve the band. I said, “I know you all need space but at some point Candlebox will continue.” We kept the business company. The band got dropped by Maverick Records. I did a side project called the Hiwatts in 2002. Pete was getting sober. Scott was playing with Brandi Carlile and Bardi was in school studying law.
What triggered the 2006 reunion?
Rhino Records put out a best of record. If they hadn't I don't know if we would have got back together. Pete was sober 4 years. Bardi was finishing school. Scott had dealt with his issues. We decided to tour and support the “best of” release. It was perfect chance for the four of us to get in a room together and yell about what we needed to yell about. It took an hour of “Fuck you, you're an asshole!” Then we said “Okay, what song you want to start with?”
Who is in the band now?
Scott, Pete, Myself and Adam Kury who was in the Hiwatts. Plus a second guitarist Sean Hennesy.
What was the recording process of the new record?
The problem with Candlebox is that when were not together we are not that prolific. You get us in the studio we deliver the record. Day one in the studio we wrote 3 songs and recorded them that afternoon. The new record was done in twelve days. Under pressure we deliver. I'm taking a little bit of a stronger role now. I tell the guys, “This is when we are going in. You either come in prepared or you won't play on the record.” I don't want to wait around another four years. The fact that we have only made five studio albums in twenty years is kind of ridiculous.
How has your sound evolved on the new CD?
The meandering on the early records in gone. The songs are direct and to the point. It's a cleaner album. Lyrics are more direct. I used to be a little bit more vague about what I was talking about on the first four records. I didn't want to let people into my world. A lot of these new songs are inspired by moments with my new son Jasper. The simplicity of life.
Do you enjoy touring now?
I love it now. The fans and our love for the songs have made it better. The band live now is so much better than we ever were. We had great shows back then. But we also had some God awful shows. Now we maybe have one show a tour that's not so good. We're really connecting on stage now. Even the reluctant singer enjoys it.
Did you have any crazy female fans?
We had a lunatic fan that would show up at every show. At first it was flattering. Nothing sexual happened but she was consumed with us. She gave me these sketch books of drawings she did interpreting my lyrics. Then she sent me a large priority mail box full of Polaroid photographs of just her face. Polaroid film is not cheap. It was packed from the bottom to the top with perfectly stacked Polaroid pictures. I saw her at our show in Memphis shortly after and said. “You're no longer allowed to come to our shows. This is too far.”
Candlebox's CD: “Love Stories And Other Musings” is out now.
Vinnie Appice: "Remembering Ronnie James Dio"
Interview by Keith Valcourt Photos by Ladi Von Jansky
For the better part of two decade Vinny Appice kept the beat for Ronnie James Dio. As the drummer in Dio, Black Sabbath and Heaven & Hell. We sat down with him to talk about being a rock god, battling his brother Carmine Appice (on drums) and remembering his singer/mentor Ronnie James Dio.
You've played in some legendary bands. What's it like to be a rock legend?
Vinny:I love it. It's nice to be included in rock history. In 2009 when Ronnie (James Dio) was still alive our band “Heaven & Hell” got an award from the Golden Gods. I think he received an award to that year for best singer. That was really cool. I was really happy with that. It's nice to be included in this history.
How hard was it to continue after losing Ronnie James Dio to cancer?
It's still hard to believe he's not here. Because he was such a strong person. A leader. He was older than I am and I looked at him almost like a father figure. He taught me a lot of stuff. I was a kid when I started working with him. To see someone go down that was so strong was really hard.
You and your brother Carmine are both amazing drummers, are you guys competitive?
We don't get competitive but we tease each other a little bit. We're doing a thing together called “Drum Wars.” We've done a couple shows in the U.S. And are doing a tour in Europe. It would be great to do more shows here because we have a lot of fun with it.
Besides Ronnie who is your favorite rock singer?
I grew up listening to Alice Cooper. He's pretty influential. I have a lot of respect for the musical abilities of other people in metal like Zakk Wylde and Mike Portnoy. Great Players.
You've played in some legendary bands. What's it like to be a rock legend?
Vinny:I love it. It's nice to be included in rock history. In 2009 when Ronnie (James Dio) was still alive our band “Heaven & Hell” got an award from the Golden Gods. I think he received an award to that year for best singer. That was really cool. I was really happy with that. It's nice to be included in this history.
How hard was it to continue after losing Ronnie James Dio to cancer?
It's still hard to believe he's not here. Because he was such a strong person. A leader. He was older than I am and I looked at him almost like a father figure. He taught me a lot of stuff. I was a kid when I started working with him. To see someone go down that was so strong was really hard.
You and your brother Carmine are both amazing drummers, are you guys competitive?
We don't get competitive but we tease each other a little bit. We're doing a thing together called “Drum Wars.” We've done a couple shows in the U.S. And are doing a tour in Europe. It would be great to do more shows here because we have a lot of fun with it.
Besides Ronnie who is your favorite rock singer?
I grew up listening to Alice Cooper. He's pretty influential. I have a lot of respect for the musical abilities of other people in metal like Zakk Wylde and Mike Portnoy. Great Players.
M.G.K.: "Rap's Great White Dope"
Interview by Keith Valcourt Photos by Victoria Hurley
If you don't know M.G.K. (Machine Gun Kelly) you better ask somebody. In less than a year the white rapper from Shaker Height, Ohio has gone from relative obscurity to becoming hip hop's next big thing by utilizing social media and a healthy dose of “F**k Authority.” He even got arrested for starting a a flash mob riot in a food court at a mall. M.G.K. is blowing up big time. He could easily become the biggest rapper in history. If he can survive his hectic drug and alcohol fueled party life. We caught up with him before a show opening up for Techn9ne in Los Angeles to discuss battling angry pimps, being on a major label, the importance of social media and why he's wearing a bathrobe in the middle of a club at 3 in the afternoon on a weekday.
Why are you wearing a bathrobe?
M.G.K: I'm so f**ked up right now. I don't even know where I am. I look like a fucking idiot. Last night we played in Vegas for my twenty second birthday. There are pimps in Vegas that want to kill me right now. Their hos came upstairs and we didn't know. We had know Idea that this hos were pros.
You didn't know they were hos?
No! No dude! We didn't know! Now they want money and all this shit. F*ck man. I ate so many f**king weed brownies last night. I lost count. We were smoking. I drank like maybe two or three champagne bottles. F**ked up. Good time. I got in the pool with all my clothes on. When I walked in. I had no idea man. I had no idea. I always dreamed about Vegas. That's where I first met Puff (Puff Daddy) I asked “Think we can get a suite?” It was my golden birthday too. I turned twenty two on the twenty second of 2012. I was trippin' out.
Thing are blowing up for you now. How's it feel to be the man of the moment?
I'm not it man. It's exciting. Definitely exciting. But I'm still just me. Stay real.
Who influenced you to start rhyming and when did you start?
DMX influenced me the most to start rapping. But so did Limp Biskit and Korn. They were big when I was in fifth and sixth grade. That's when I started rapping well. Developed my flow and my style.
Without social media, which you use well, would things be as big for you?
Yeah. Because you know honestly I didn't start with the social media. I started in the streets working face to face. Three fourths of my fans have shook my hand in real life. I've very personal. Social media is good in one point but it also gives people who don't deserve and opinion an opinion. And I'm like f**k you.
Now that you are signed to a major label have they tried to change you?
Oh f**k no! I'm an a**hole. They will never change my ways that easy. They try. But no.
Was there resistance because you're a white rapper?
Yeah of course. But now the resistance comes because I'm a non-conformist and a very vocal person with a big opinion. I dislike the industry so... I'm very non supportive of people in the music industry's closed minded way. I think me being like a real person is the biggest hindrance now. Being on a major label is odd.
Why are you wearing a bathrobe?
M.G.K: I'm so f**ked up right now. I don't even know where I am. I look like a fucking idiot. Last night we played in Vegas for my twenty second birthday. There are pimps in Vegas that want to kill me right now. Their hos came upstairs and we didn't know. We had know Idea that this hos were pros.
You didn't know they were hos?
No! No dude! We didn't know! Now they want money and all this shit. F*ck man. I ate so many f**king weed brownies last night. I lost count. We were smoking. I drank like maybe two or three champagne bottles. F**ked up. Good time. I got in the pool with all my clothes on. When I walked in. I had no idea man. I had no idea. I always dreamed about Vegas. That's where I first met Puff (Puff Daddy) I asked “Think we can get a suite?” It was my golden birthday too. I turned twenty two on the twenty second of 2012. I was trippin' out.
Thing are blowing up for you now. How's it feel to be the man of the moment?
I'm not it man. It's exciting. Definitely exciting. But I'm still just me. Stay real.
Who influenced you to start rhyming and when did you start?
DMX influenced me the most to start rapping. But so did Limp Biskit and Korn. They were big when I was in fifth and sixth grade. That's when I started rapping well. Developed my flow and my style.
Without social media, which you use well, would things be as big for you?
Yeah. Because you know honestly I didn't start with the social media. I started in the streets working face to face. Three fourths of my fans have shook my hand in real life. I've very personal. Social media is good in one point but it also gives people who don't deserve and opinion an opinion. And I'm like f**k you.
Now that you are signed to a major label have they tried to change you?
Oh f**k no! I'm an a**hole. They will never change my ways that easy. They try. But no.
Was there resistance because you're a white rapper?
Yeah of course. But now the resistance comes because I'm a non-conformist and a very vocal person with a big opinion. I dislike the industry so... I'm very non supportive of people in the music industry's closed minded way. I think me being like a real person is the biggest hindrance now. Being on a major label is odd.