Rock City News, May 27 Issue

Rock City: Hello, we are here with Kenny the Gardener front man for Lunatics On Parole, a metal band from Los
Angeles, and they are clearly insane. We're going to find out a little more about what makes them tock. . .


1. What type of band are you?

heavy groove death metal hardcore punk

2. Tell us the brief history of your band.

The band started the summer of 1997, have 3 CDs recorded, Welcome to the U.S.S.A., Life Sucks (and I Love It), and NWO 3, along with a remix of Life Sucks (and I Love It), and have several songs on the radio including "Marijuana" which was #1 on KUPD in Phoenix and has been played every Saturday night on WJJR in Orlando for 4 years. Our latest release is the title track of the new CD NWO 3 which is on several compilations this summer. We have toured the States and played Milwaukee Metalfest and LA's Gates of Metal.

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

My music influences include Sabbath, Slayer, Iron Maiden, Megadeth, Metallica, Pink Floyd,  \ Motorhead, AC/DC, BOC, Lords Of the New Church. The change of band members over the years has brought other influences into the band which creates a diversity in the music. non music influences include George Orwell, Cheech and Chong, Michael Moore, Gary Trudeau, Berke Breathed, Monty Python, Mad Magazine.

4. What are your dreams and goals?

My dreams are to play arena size shows, sell millions of CDs, own a large house and live in a country where there is personal freedom to live as I choose. My goal is to have the band become successful enough to be able to quit our day jobs and tour the world.

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

That has changed over the years. I wrote the music for the 1st CD Welcome to the U.S.S.A. by "singing" the melodies to the band because I already had the completed songs in my head. The other 2 CDs had the band, including myself, compose the music by jamming together in practice. I write all the lyrics with each cd having a different theme or story. The 1st, Welcome to the U.S.S.A., and 3rd, NWO 3, have political themes while Life Sucks (and I Love It) is about everyday life and has songs about drinking, getting high and dark depression over losing a girlfriend.

6. What's your opinion of George Bush?

George is a continuation of the process that started with taking down Jimmy Carter and the election of Ronald Reagan. It is the 3rd time the NWO has tried to take over the country and this time they are succeeding. Does it really matter who is president when they all belong to the same club-Skull+Bones? "If voting could change things, they'd make it illegal." Stiv Bator

7. How do you promote your band and shows?

e-mail, internet postings, phone calls, flyers, ads, free promotional CDs, stickers, business cards

8. Describe your show, visually and musically.

A lot of fun, both on and off stage. The music has people dancing one song and slam dancing the next. We have the audience sing along, sometimes turning a microphone towards them. I know everyone says this but we don't sound like any other band. We mix all kinds of metal with punk and bits of other stuff like reggae, techno and jazz, with my deep voice. The stage look has always been up to the individual's preference so it changes. We have had guys wearing Viking helmets, dresses, cowboy hats, makeup, tie-dye, leather, but mostly black-it covers stains the best. That's the look of the current lineup.

9. What do you think about downloading music online?

When the recording studio is free, the producer, engineer and crew work for free, then downloading
should be free. I like the idea of paying for each song but I think it should be only about 10-15 cents
for each, not 99 cents. Artists deserve some money for their work.

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

It is in major transition. Like any other business, it has been taken over by monopolistic entities.
ClearChannel controls everything from radio stations to Ticketmaster to most of the large venues to
management companies to magazines. The labels have sucked up all the old indies and merged into one giant three-headed monster that is eating itself. The positive side is that indies are making a big return because there are so many good bands out there that aren't signed to the major labels. Real music will never die.

11. What's your band's uniqueness or claim to fame?

Me! At 6'8", 250 lbs, I'm one of the largest people you'll ever see on stage. However, the music is what
is most unique about us, we don't sound like anybody else. We don't fit any category which makes it hard to describe ourselves to someone when they ask. The best thing about the band is that we are fan friendly. We hang out and party with our fans where ever we are. Most of the people in the band have been real cool which makes it a lot of fun.

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

I wake up. I get stoned. Uhhhhhhhhhh.......  Actually, everybody in the band has day jobs so we
work, have rehearsal several times a week at night, play shows when we can and promote the band in our free time. It's like having two full time jobs.

13. What inspires you to do what you do?

The MUSIC! I will be listening to metal till the day I die. I listen to other types of music but I will still be pissing off the neighbors by blasting metal when I'm an old man.

14. What advice would you give to fellow bands?

Play the music you enjoy listening too, unless you can be the flavor of the month, then get as much money as you can before you disappear, then play the music you like. It's all hard work and little money so you do it for the satisfaction.

15. What are some of your pet peeves?

What is this, a centerfold spread? No one told me I had to do any nudity.

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

It is and has always been the most important thing to me. I've been involved in the music business for most of my life, the last several performing.

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

The current lineup has a heavier edge to them with the addition on bass of Mike Brickman, formerly of Hirax. This is also the first CD with Zeke (guitar) who is amazing. He has great riffs and solos. Rusty Reens is doing the drums for the CD.

18. What are the biggest obstacles for bands?

Dedication. Finding people who can play and get along and understand that it takes more than 6 months of rehearsal and 3 shows to make it happen. And then not having them grabbed by a bigger, signed band.

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

The best thing is being up close to the fans and when we go on tour, getting free food and beer. The worst is paying clubs for tickets and having to sell them yourself.

20. Tell us about your next shows and why we should be there.

Our next show is the House of Blues on Sept 4 opening for Machine Head and Chamaira. Why not-it's Machine Head at the House of Blues! Our shows are always listed on our web site where you can hear the band, see pics, buy merchandise and get in touch with the band.
 

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