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02 April, 2000
Twenty Dead Flower Children
(20 Dead)
Keith Lowers
Conducted by Mike
Santarpia
In January, 1998.
Last Sigh: Where are you from originally?
Twentydead: The band, including all members are from D E T R O I T, and surounding metro areas.
Last Sigh: Did you go to college? If so which one?
Twentydead: Yes, Glendale Community, USC, Washtenaw Community, and Lawrence Tech. That's Keith. Nico Graduated from Eastern MI Universit, no others attended college.
Last Sigh: What was your major?
Twentydead: Started out w/ entertainment law and ended up with insurance. I think Nico is Marketing or psych. Nico has a BS and I've got an Associates.
Last Sigh: What bands did you like growing up?
Twentydead: Me (keith ) Cheap Trick, Prince, Duran Duran, Triumph.
Last Sigh: What bands do you like now?
Twentydead: Rage Against The Machine, DROWN, Sevendust, Deftones, PM5K, Cheap trick, Kottonmouth Kings.
Last Sigh: What bands do you dislike if any?
Twentydead: Korn copy bands..... there are soooooo many. but the blatent rips off's make me sick. same gear, same style, same sound....uhhhhhh
Last Sigh: What were your influences to want to make music? What bands influenced you?
Twentydead: (keith) Cheap trick for sure, the Beatles, this band I saw (at) my middle school talent show.
Last Sigh: What instruments do you play?
Twentydead: (keith ) Guitar, bass, drums, Keys, programming (synth, drums) saxophone, pedal steel, trumpet, etc.(nico) bass, guitar, keys (jason) drums, guitar, bass D-Hauz Vocals, drums, keys.
Last Sigh: Which is your favourite?
Twentydead: Guitar is my fav. without a doubt.
Last Sigh: what other interests do you have besides music? do you like any other aspects of the music industry like engineering or producing etc..?
Twentydead: I did production in the late 80's. I guess I had to Do IT to learn that i really don't like it that much. I'd rather bake a cake, than decorate it!!! worked with Vanilla Ice, Little Richard, in a very assistant to the assistant sort of way Ice was BIG in the late 80's!!!
Last Sigh: Is there anything you would like to accomplish in the music industry that you haven t yet?
Twentydead: Top 10 hit would be nice. Although not probable with the style we play. That's changing , however, w/ Deftones on regular rotation on MTV...who knows. I think I 'd like to be on MTV in our OWN video.
Last Sigh: How did the band meet? And where?
Twentydead: In Detroit. I started the band with a guy called Von Bortz. (original singer).The band was his concept.
Last Sigh: What happened to him?
Twentydead: He had strong HARDORE roots (SOIA, gorilla biscuts, Cromags) I had 80's pop/techno roots....he wanted to mix them. He quit in 96. didn't want to tour heavily.
Last Sigh: Why did you choose your name? What does it mean? Did you have any other names in mind before choosing this one?
Twentydead: After picking up Jason (drums) and Justin (Bass) we all put about 300 names into a pool and that's what we all agreed sounded best for what we were. Now we think it's too long and a bit silly. We prefer 20 Dead.
Last Sigh: What equipment do you use? What equipment do you use live?
Twentydead: Guitars, I use Reverend customs (now in production the way I had them built) and PRS. Amps whatever I can get (right now G1). In the studio I used a 69 les paul gold top w' mininbuckers and fenders.
Last Sigh: Do you have any other albums that were releases on other labels? Or is the one you are on currently your first? What other labels did you pursue before signing to this one which? Did any pursue you?
Twentydead: We have 2 cd's the self titled (overture) and candy toyguns (overcore) also a 7" only released in Europe on lost & found records. A single (2 songs) from the first cd. It was our very first release ever.
Twentydead: Westbound Records (Detroit ) wanted us, and we spoke with numerous Majors, who were to chicken to take a chance on an unproven unknown act like us.
Last Sigh: How long did it take to record the album? Which is your favorite song on the album? Why? Is that also your favorite song to perform live? if no then which one?
Twentydead: It took about 3 months total. My
fav is Swollen. My fav to play is week shall inherit. I like swollen because it's so real
for Dennis to sing, it's SOOOO personal...i get the goose bumps. Watching him sing it, and
listening to it. We captured it (the feeling) that's soo hard to do on recordings.
Twentydead: Took 2 weeks to track (record) the cd, the rest is all mix down after
mixdown...etc. yes, we're on 3 for our label and 1 for a radio station in DETROIT.
(comps).
Last Sigh: Is your band on any soundtracks or compilations? If so which ones? Were you
ever asked to do participate any?
Twentydead: Not yet..were in a video for a band on the scream 2 soundtrack. Kottonmouth Kings!!!!! Suburban Life.
Last Sigh: Have you made any videos?
Twentydead: Not yet. We shot some useless film with the old singer.
Last Sigh: What is you favorite city to play? Favorite venue?
Twentydead: Yikes, there are sooo many...Cleveland, Hagerstown MD, Saginaw MI, Hollywood CA, Columbus OH, NYC, Washington DC, Boston, ...that's a tough one.
Last Sigh: but if you had to pick one which one woudl it be?
Twentydead: Hagerstown MD.
Last Sigh: Favorite venue?
Twentydead: The 180 in Hagerstown.
Last Sigh: What bands have you toured with?
Twentydead: Crawl, Clay People, Skrew, Acumen, Skinlab, Workhorse, Few dates w/ Sevendust, Coal Chamber, Mushroomhead. dates w/Strife, Day in the Life, etc.
Last Sigh: Which was your favorite band to tour with?
Twentydead: Well our fav is DROWN, but our most successful, and longest was with Skrew/Acumen Nation. I LOVE THOSE GUYS!!!! the most professional group of nice people I have ever worked with them and Skrew.
Last Sigh: What is in the future for your band? When can we expect to see another album?
Twentydead: That's ify....were writing it now. When it comes out? Who knows. it's THA SHIT....were really growing as a band. It's just coming as it comes. Were not rushing, or suppressing anything.
Last Sigh: Do you see the band staying with the current label?
Twentydead: I see us making a step up, perhaps, with this next cd.
Last Sigh: How do you feel about Industrial Music? Do you feel Industrial music is dead? Do you see a future for industrial music? Do you see it becoming more popular? Do you feel industrial music as a whole is recognized by the music industry?
Twentydead: I don't like the term industrial. I think the future of electronic music is undeniable. I don't think it's played out, and I don't think it's the "next big thing". I think, that used in a subtle form, it ads power, depth and originality to modern music.
Last Sigh: What do you think about the "mainstream" bands like NIN, Marilyn Manson, Filter, Gravity Kills and Stabbing Westward?
Twentydead: I think without a good song, however, good production of electronic music is like christmas tree lights/decorations without the tree! I have nothing but respect for trent. He does what he does REGARDLESS of what's popular. He does what he wants. Manson (joke), Filter? Trent deciple, The later two???? use trents old sounds to make songs that sound like newer NIN songs that Trent didn't use (filler material) Am I being too tough?
Last Sigh: What do you think about MTV?
Twentydead: It's getting silly....I really love MTV though. I come from the old school. MTV saved the music industry in 1980. I STILL appreciate that.The inevitable commercialism of MTV strikes a bad chord......they need to keep it real...the way it used to be. Bringing Artists that NO ONE knows to the mainstream.just keep giving new bands a chance and an open ear....every now and then a band WILL BLOW YOU AWAY. But you have to give them at least a cynical chance.
Last Sigh: Is there anything you would like to add to any of your fans or future fans who might be reading this?
Twentydead: Just give new music a chance and don't laugh at the old bands. There influnces are the roots of all modern music.
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