Scarlet Rose

By Lana Vadiyants

(SugarBuzz San Diego Correspondent)

SugarBuzz Magazine

1. Any interesting story behind the formation of the band...

The start of Scarlet Rose dates back to the early high school days, when I first saw Lizzy and CJ playing guitar and bass, respectively, in a punk cover band. I was offered to play guitar and sing a cover of Guns N' Roses - Sweet Child O Mine...Not long after that show, tension between band members and drifting interests lead to that band breaking up, planting the seed for a Rose....

2. Describe the atmosphere during your shows in terms of crowd reaction?

We've been around for 4 years, starting from the bottom ruts and the dingiest dive bars, and worked our way up considerably from there. We feed off the energy of the crowd. We're at a point now where we can look down at the first few rows of people, and see all the kids singing along, and as cliché as it may sound, there's no better feeling.

3. Most important thing when performing?

Showmanship, and interaction with the crowd and each other. Any group of guys can rehearse a song for hours and days on end and play flawlessly, but if the vibe isn't there, and the excitement isn't in the air, it means nothing. We do all we can to make sure our audience is entertained for every second of the show. Let's just say, we've got our strut down.

4. What's the process from album to album, do you change creatively?

It's not even an album to album basis...Our musical tastes expand and change, we incorporate cool different styles into the new tunes we write, and they won't sound just like the shit we threw at ya 3 years ago. Don’t expect any gangsta’ rap over our Johnny Thunders riffs though!

Scarlet Rose started off very much more of a heavy metal band, in the same vein as Judas Priest, Ozzy, and the Scorpions, and as incredible as those bands are, we've grown n' changed...Who know where we'll be and what we'll sound like in 5 years? That's part of the beauty of rock n roll.

Shots of Red Bull cuz the real partyin starts after the show!

6. Does tension or creative differences ever get in the way of the band. Give example?

Of course...its the same with any band...The Stones, Aerosmith, The Dolls, Motley, all of the greats, as well as the not so greats, have issues...Lucky for us, we learned how to make it work for everyone's benefit...And the result sounds good to us, what do YOU think?

Let's just say we make Motley Crue's "The Dirt" look like a children’s book! Well, maybe not THAT bad..

8. What are the best records to listen to after getting baked?

Not our style...Stoner rock ain't got no glamour!

9. Is there a message to your music?

We hope so! Scarlet Rose certainly isn't a lyrical band, we're a band based on energy, decadence, and the shitkicker that is the teenage heart...But I guess it's working!

10. What's next for the band as far as new album, tours etc. go?

New CD is being mixed right now and should be released by the time this interview is published!

As far as tours and all that... Stay tuned, we’ve got big plans!

11. Where do you see yourself fit as far as today's music goes and would you ever sacrifice your image or sound (change anything) if a major label asked you?

We're long haired young men who wear tight pants and play sexy, mean, loud rock n roll. How can ya say no to that?

12. Do people ever compare you to other bands and what?

In all our years together, we've never gotten an accurate comparison. Not that that's a bad thing...

Roxy - First Scarlet Rose gig was at a packed club in front of 400 people for a battle of the bands. We were naive kids then, and I was having those pre-show jitters...

Writing a guitar solo 10 minutes before ya hit the stage is not a good idea, kids.

I broke my string and it snapped on my hand, causing it to immediately bleed like crazy...I rushed to change the string and make it to the stage in time...I was so shocked and nervous that I couldn't move a muscle on that stage! We finish the show and I head backstage to find my whole arm covered in blood..

Lizzy – Playing at a venue in the Valley called the Cobalt. I bought my brand new amp, I set up everything and when I turned it on my floorboard didn’t work. I had to do all my switching by hand! The show turned out good but, I knew after that I would be more prepared.

14. Have you ever been drunk during a gig, if so explain the adventure?

Never drunk before a show...Bad habit

15. What are your favorite lines to hear the audience sing along to from your songs?

Roxy - "Stone cold crazy, love at last. When it comes to love you're just too fast And I need ya baby"

The first verse of Picture In A Magazine...if we see the kids singing that first part, we know it's gonna be a great show!

CJ – Doesn’t matter to me as long as they’re singing.

Lizzy – “Oh you know I come Alive in Hollywood.” The chorus of “Hollywood.”

16. Talk about the song "Picture in a Magazine."

“Picture” is our favorite, the fans' favorite, and hopefully we'll be able to share it with the world!

17. Growing up what record(s) changed your life or influenced you?

Roxy – My first CD was Van Halen’s greatest hits. I was 10 years old, and that’s probably where it all began. Other albums include Guns N’ Roses – Appetite for Destruction, Motley Crue – Shout at the Devil and Dr. Feelgood, The Cult – Electric, Sweet – Desolation Boulevard, and Kiss – Rock N Roll Over.

CJ – Kiss and Aerosmith’s Greatest Hits, Poison - Look What the Cat Dragged In, Backyard Babies – Tinnitus, The Wildhearts – Riff After Riff, and Green Day – American Idiot.

Lizzy – Green Day’s Nimrod, Jimi Hendrix’s Are You Experienced, Van Halen’s first album, Metallica’s black album, Judas Priest’s Painkiller, Led Zeppelin II, Cinderella’s Night Songs, and AC/DC’s Back In Black.

www.myspace.com/ScarletRose

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