The Deadthings

October 11, 2005

Interview By Joanne (SugarBuzz Australian Correspondent )

SugarBuzz Magazine

1. The Deadthings have been around for a while now; tell us when and where it all got started?

The Deadthings was originally started by guitarist Leigh Van Hell after his previous band Voodoo Lovecats disbanded. After a few false starts Leigh gave up on the idea. Then in May 2002 I met up with Leigh who I’d known for many years and we talked about putting a band together in a style that combined Glam, Metal and Punk in both image and sound, we used The Deadthings name that he had. We played our first show on October 2002 at The Espy hotel in St.Kilda.

2. How would you describe your bands music and are you influenced by other bands?

Our music is upbeat aggressive hard rock with glam and metal overtones; chant along choruses and a bit of early punk attitude thrown in. We are all huge music fans and are heavily influenced by what we listen to, some of those influences are; Twisted Sister, The Misfits, Kiss, Judas Priest, Kix, Ratt, Black Sabbath, Zakk Wylde, Poison and the list goes on.

3. What influences you to write songs/Where do you get your ideas for songs?

I generally start with a title, then work a chorus melody from there, then try to work the verse melody in to suit, then see what riffs the guys might have to compliment the basic song framework. As to lyrical inspiration, that often comes from my love for horror movies.

4. What have been the highlights of your career so far both personally and with the Deadthings?

I’d have to say seeing our CD on the shelf in HMV; just knowing that you got your stuff out there is a great feeling. That and also opening up for Wednesday 13 on his recent tour of Australia.

5. You’re set to release your first full-length album later on in the year? What can we expect and where did you come up with the title of the album?

The album has 11 tracks, of which there are a mix of styles and paces. Where as our EP was with tracks that were all pretty fast and aggressive, the new album has songs similar to that as well as some more melodic songs and even has a big power ballad on it. The album was originally going to be called “Dead Girls Don’t Say No”, which is the first track on the album, but we ended up changing it to “Who Killed Holly Would?” We got that title from the title of a song by one of my favourite sunset strip glam bands “AnA Black” who had a demo called “Who Killed Hollywood”, and then just changed it to go with our song and first video from the album “Holly Would”.

6. Where would you/the band like to be in five years time?

I’d just like to see the band still making music and still bringing in people to the live shows, just hopefully bigger shows.

7. What do you enjoy more, gigging or slogging it out in the studio?

Playing live is the best! This band loves to play live. The studio is great to hear your ideas come to reality but can be very tedious and slow.

8. What are the plans for the Deadthings for 2006 and beyond?

We’ll continue to play live, with hopes to do some gigs in L.A. by the end of 2006. We are releasing a DVD in February 06 that will have all the video clips from the EP as well as the new ones from the upcoming album, live footage from various shows including footage from our upcoming acoustic show, plus interviews and history of the band etc.

9. What is your favourite music era and why?

I’d have to say the 80’s hair metal era of 85-90, just because there was so, so much great music, great singers and great guitar players. All these bands trying to put on the best shows they could and fighting for attention.

10. What was the first album you ever bought?

Kiss – Dynasty in 1980 on cassette!!!

11. What are your thoughts on the current music scene?

I think that things are better now than they were a few years back, but as long as there are things like American Idol and Radio stations afraid to break their “safe mode” new bands will always struggle to break through the system.

12. How old were you when you decided that you wanted to be a rockstar?

I was 8 years old, as soon as I saw Kiss the first time; I knew exactly what I wanted to be.

And lastly Julian

13. What do you want to be remembered for?

I’d love for the band to be remembered by people the same way I remember bands like the Candy Harlots and Roxus, and that’s to have been a great live band that put out some cool Cd’s.

Julian Thanks for spending time with Sugarbuzz Magazine and we look forward to seeing you at the cd launch in November.

www.thedeadthings.com

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