Nothing Sounds Good is:
Veg
M. "The Beast" Whoomer
Jimmy "Six Guns" Ortega
Chris Pas
BOOTLEG METAL: So let’s get things
started with the name. Who came up with the name and what’s behind it?
NOTHING SOUNDS GOOD: Veg
(our singer). He was in a number of bands; “Tested On Animals” and “Nothing
Sounds Good” among others. Both bands
were made up from various members of each other; eventually they broke up. When
we formed, it was a toss up between the two, and Nothing Sounds Good won out.
BOOTLEG METAL: Where is the band from?
NOTHING SOUNDS GOOD: We are from the Tacoma/Seattle Area in
Washington State.
BOOTLEG METAL: Is this the original line up and how did
you guys find yourselves in the same band ?
NOTHING SOUNDS GOOD: This is not the original line up. Veg and I
(Chris Pas - Guitars) have always been in the band. We have been playing music
together for many years now. We were both in a band called Dem Zaing.
Eventually, he and I both left that band and eventually we formed a band with
Mike & Ann Bisogno. They went their separate ways about a year and half
ago. We were on hold for a brief period, but I had know Woomer from a band him
and I were in briefly (Saintz of Mayhem) and he was going to be the Bass Player
originally for NSG, but at that time he couldn’t commit to it and Ann was
available and great on bass. So, Mike & Ann quit and Woomer was finally
available so he joined up. We then picked up a drummer from the Dem Zaing days
(Damian). He played a couple shows for us; but eventually it didn’t work out
with him. Jimmy (our current drummer) played for a band called “Negative
Inside” and I noticed that he wasn’t playing many shows. I sent him a message
and asked if he wanted to join us. He agreed and we have all been together now
for little over a year.
BOOTLEG METAL: How long has (the band) been around and how
long after your first rehearsal was it before the first show?
NOTHING SOUNDS GOOD: We have been around in total for 2 years.
The first line up took a few months to get a full setlist of songs. Our first
show was November 21, 2014. With the current lineup it didn’t take long to get
all of the old songs and to write a few news ones and get tooled up for a show.
I think it took 3 to 4 weeks roughly.
BOOTLEG METAL: Does everyone contribute to the writing
process or does someone generally write the lyrics and/or music?
NOTHING SOUNDS GOOD: Absolutely, we all contributes to the
writing process, however Veg writes all of the lyrics almost exclusively and I
write the majority of all of the guitar parts. One song was partially written
by our old drummer Mike (We the People) - don’t think we have that song
recorded, or ever will; live only.
BOOTLEG METAL: What
are your songs about? Fact? Fiction?
Personal experiences?
NOTHING SOUNDS GOOD: Everything,
politics, a love song about a loss in the family. Almost all of the songs Veg
writes have meaning to him. Mostly personal experiences.
BOOTLEG METAL: What genre do you feel (the band) fit’s in
the best and what influenced your writing to get you there?
NOTHING SOUNDS GOOD: I think we fit in the “Hard Rock/90’s Grunge”
genre. I grew up in the late 80s & early 90s. My early influences were many
hair bands, (Poison, Whitesnake, Def Leppard, etc). Grunge era influenced me
with Gruntruck, Alice in Chains, Melvins, Sedated Souls, Soundgarden, etc.
I clinged onto guitar players,
specifically Steve Clark (Def Leppard) and Randy Rhoads. I don’t think I sound
like them, but I liked them a lot. Steve Clark was what made Def Leppard the
band they were. He used to layer guitar parts with the other guitar players in
the band; I do this on recordings I’ve done with my bands. Phrasing for songs
was something that I have learned from band in the 90s. AIC, Gruntruck was big
to me and I still love listening to them.
BOOTLEG METAL: What was your latest gig?
NOTHING SOUNDS GOOD: Our latest gig was last night...we are
booked up from now until late October. Not every weekend, but many. Our show
schedule is on our front page of our website at www.nothingsoundsgood.rocks
BOOTLEG METAL: Where have you played live this year?
NOTHING SOUNDS GOOD: Man, lets see-
O’malley’s Irish Pub, Studio 7 (Seattle),
McCoy’s Tavern (Olympia), The Y Sports Bar, William Ave Pub, Uncle Sam’s Bar
& Grill, The Fun House (Seattle), The Blue Moon Cafe (Seattle), Real Art
Tacoma. I think there are others, just can’t remember.
BOOTLEG METAL: Is there a favorite cover that always finds
it’s way on your set list and is there a story behind it?
NOTHING SOUNDS GOOD: I wouldn’t say it’s our favorite, but when
Scott Weiland passed we wanted to pay tribute; my favorite songs by them is
“Sex Type Thing.” Veg introduces the song by saying “Get out your spoons and
lighters, here is a tribute to Scott Weiland” - we know it’s not tasteful, but
we are Nothing Sounds Good, that’s how we are.
BOOTLEG METAL: Is there a past show that stands out from
the rest?
NOTHING SOUNDS GOOD: The Hard Rock Cafe
in Seattle. It was the best paying show and it was a “pay to play” - somewhat,
you didn’t have to sell tickets to play, but if you wanted to get paid you did.
We sold 50 tickets and a bunch of people showed up. It was a fun show.
BOOTLEG METAL: So what’s in the works for (the band)?
NOTHING SOUNDS GOOD: We
are promoting our new Demo EP called “until you hear it.” So we are filling up
the rest of this summer up to around the end of October. Take November and
December off to write a new album and see about getting that recorded.
BOOTLEG METAL: What are your thoughts on your local music
scene?
NOTHING SOUNDS GOOD: The local scene in the Tacoma/Seattle area
is really vibrant. There are not as many good clubs to play, but there are a
lot of clubs. Our type of music is hard to get in some places because frankly,
we are loud, obnoxious and in your face. There are a bunch of very talented
musicians in the area and they make the rounds just like we do; but it is not
what it was in Seattle in the 90s. That scene changed, if not disappeared.
Those of us still around are trying for a revival of sorts but it’s tough- kids
don’t get out like they used to, or they are all attending EDM/raves. I’m not
sure. Gigtown picked Tacoma area for their testing area for their app, so that
tells you something about the local music scene here.
BOOTLEG METAL: Is there a recent album/EP release you’d
like to tell us about and where can we get it?
NOTHING SOUNDS GOOD: Totally, August 1 we released our first Demo
EP called “until you hear it” you can find it on CDBaby, Amazon, iTunes, or you
can order one direct from us at our website here: official site
BOOTLEG METAL: Do you have merchandise
for sale?
We have the best t-shirts in town! 2
different logos, both kick ass. Those can be found on our website - just click the merchandise tab on the side.
BOOTLEG METAL: Where can you be found online?
BOOTLEG METAL: As far as videos, sites, merch, ect. Are
you guys more of a DIY band or do you hire out?
NOTHING SOUNDS GOOD: So
far we have done almost everything ourselves. Excluding making of our
merchandise and the recordings. My first rock concert I went to as a kid I
bought a shirt and washed it, the logo nearly washed away; I’ve never bought a
shirt at a concert since. So, I never wanted that to happen with our shirts.
They are made by a local company and they are the highest quality.
Our Demo was recorded at a local
recording studio, the mixing/mastering was done by Veg and CD Baby did the
digital distribution. The artwork was also done inhouse by some graphic artists
the band knows.
BOOTLEG METAL: Do you have or are you looking for a
label/manager?
We are currently not under and record
label nor do we have a manager. I would say we would certainly keep an open
mind to any management/label if they were interested in us.
BOOTLEG METAL: One question I like to ask. What song (if
any) by another artist do you wish you wrote?
NOTHING SOUNDS GOOD: I
don’t think there is any one song I wish I wrote, I like the songs I write and
I hope someone else likes it too. Maybe I hope another artist hears one of our
songs and wishes they wrote it, haha.
BOOTLEG METAL: Is there another artist or band that is
totally not your genre that you listen to?
NOTHING SOUNDS GOOD: I
listen to Bob Marley occasionally.
BOOTLEG METAL: How do you think downloading music whether
legal or illegal affected the music community?
I think that downloading music, legal or
illegal has changed music but I think it’s up for debate whether for better or
for worse. The MP3 has given an entire generation the easiest access to music;
but it also took all of the “pull” that major record companies had. Plus, all
of the record stores have closed since then. I think all of those cumulative
effects has added to certainly an affect on the music community, but again who’s
to say good or bad...
BOOTLEG METAL: Thanks for taking the time to talk with us
and answering the questions. Is there anything you’d like to add?
NOTHING SOUNDS GOOD: We
appreciate you sending us this interview, we enjoyed this a lot. Thank you.
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