Bralalalala
A MUSICIAN WITH A LOT TO SAY
by Freddy Metal
1. How long has the Bralalalala group been in existence?
Since 1995, I wrote 2 albums, and released the second one with the superior tracks.
2. In your own words describe your band's sound & influences?
Bralalalala music has a very bombastic up front, open, loud style without being brutal, choosing rather to be stimulating and articulate. There are a lot of odd time signatures and jazzy elements. These descriptions are very limiting however. They really don't offer much. The sound is diverse.
3.Name some bands in which you've shared the stage & opened?
Over in Europe, Bralalalala played gigs with band names you may recognize Hammerfall and Vader. The band was paid to play with Hammerfall, and never was asked to pay to play with Vader. So, the politics are a little more music motivated out there than in L.A. It shows also, in the sort of media the band has received in Europe, with the largest rock magazines making no reservations interviewing this band based on the integrity of music journalism, even though we have not agreed to a contract with a proper distributor there. Fans who have sought out our album have had trouble, but it can be found on the net, for those who use it.
4.What's the band's long & short term goals as far as touring, recording, writing, etc ?
In 2004, Bralalalala will absolutely record and release a new album. The touring part is tricky and political however. On the first tour, for "Well Come to the Galaxy," right off the bat touring was a problem here in the U.S. in particular. That is why we went to Europe. When we came back, a disk jockey from an extremely large audience talk/entertainment radio station 97.1 here in Los Angeles for some odd reason wanted the band to pay to play clubs like the Troubadour and Key Club here on the sunset strip, even though she was able to advertise them to hundreds of thousands over the radio. It seems evident to me that, whether it is a bar band or a top notch world class band, any band offering entertainment in a place of public business to lure customers, should be able to take a piece of the money pie for the evening. I am not sure what sort of assholes run these clubs, or what sort of jackasses make a living on "selling the dream of fame" as an excuse not to pay musicians for playing, but they are total losers as far as I am concerned and I won't support that crap. Anybody can sell bullshit. It doesn't make it right. Obviously, what this band sells is passion, realness, love for music, not bullshit, and that is what the Los Angeles music scene stands for right now. I have no problem paying for band ads here and there, or work done on the band's behalf, when done in the faithful supportive manner. At some point, people need to separate themselves from paid advertisements, which are noted as such, and talent which gets coverage regardless of what the band itself will pay to a promoter, otherwise this whole scene is just payolla and who has a well enough paying professional occupation OUTSIDE of music to support their music career, becomes what makes them rich enough to play the game. Also, there is a principle at stake her, which spills over into all business dealings later on. For example, a journalist from Spin and Rolling Stone wanted the band to play to an audience which would include major label a&r reps. The guy asked for $15. Well, we went on to discuss it for awhile. This band's potential investors want me to pay $15 to play for them? Oh, but it is such a small amount of money for what you get in "potentially" get in return they will say. Yes, this was much smaller than most bills I have been solicited. They say they need it to create the show. Well, they charge admission don't they? Then they argue, "oh but people don't want to pay to see new bands." That is not true, especially if they are ever possibly going to be publicly interesting enough to be signed to a major. They bicker endlessly for their fraudulent dollar. These are definitely not people I will sign this band over to. People will leech and figuratively suck blood. There are infinite examples of crap like this, and it is business as usual for many "big name" promoters, producers, etcetera within the "business." As it is, as a band, there are a lot of bills to pay to play any given shows, let alone more added by those who should appreciate the performance with some level of gratuity. I know people need to keep their music businesses alive. I think it must be done with talent as a factor, since that is what the music buying public wants. It is what the labels should want, rather than a short sighted massage of their egos and pocketbooks by the people who THEY are working for, the musicians, the real people, who bring money to the music business.
Meanwhile, up in San Francisco, although the band got a major push from the key rock radio station "107.7. The Bone" up there on Billy Steel's metal show, and rightfully so, the amateurish clubs who do metal shows seemed frightened by Bralalalala, or anything "out of the ordinary" according o a voice message from one of the clubs soliciting bands I rang. I bet it is the look or the name or what, combined with the loud and assertive playing style that does it. Then, as it became later and later, and the station in S.F. was working up a date to open for Testament and other things for new bands, touring with the same band I had been in Europe, and had tried to take through California a number of times against the political landscape, became something I did not want to do any longer for new reasons pertaining to the band itself.
I'd go even further to say that if the band is going to set up a real tour this time, particularly in the U.S., it will be even more complex, as it will require a band management or association that knows its authority limits on this band and wants to work around that to support good vibes and good tunes. Since so many in that business are too cool for musicians who play much better tunes than they do, since most promoters aren't professional musicians themselves, since I need really to just get an autograph of every publicist and solicitor in town, well then, let's just say fuck it to the tour and this wanna be band called Bralalalala..yeah ok..what the f-ck? So, I can't promise a nationwide tour still. I was thinking of throwing some independant warehouse type performances rather than playing the politco garbage club scene. It would start in California. I'll see how that goes once the album is out.
5. Has there been any label interest ?
Oh, yeah, that, TONS, of that, but who cares in these cases. Major label solicitors, minor labels, managers, radio promoters, you name it, have confronted this band, because they know the music is great and it will sell. Of course, yet, everything has to be on their terms, how they will present you as an artist, what you will spend on their behalf, what you will be allowed to say, what you will be allowed to wear, what level of health and prosperity you are willing to donate to become famous. It makes me wonder what the point of being a public musician is. It obviously has not to do with promoting freedom of expression in these cases. I tend to think the bands who have good deals relative to what I would appreciate, are a small minority. One day, perhaps this will be a music industry that is run by talented musicians, not by pathetic a&r wannabes who control their expression for the advancement of their own. They just don't get it, do they? Music is expression. It is not an objective field, where you can just command objectively as in finances where you will profit, et blah blah. Too bad they lose so much money not knowing what the scene is really about and go off signing the wrong bands or pushing one sided terms too far. Anybody ever read that magazine, "Music Connection?" Then maybe you know some of what I am talking about. Now, if that isn't the most condescending piece of trash read I've ever seen toward the real music scene and the real musicians in it, and since they won't allow me to post my opinions on their "reader" "opinion forum" on their lame ass website, I'll just say it right here. I think, "Music Connection" is a misnomer and I think the magazine sucks. Wow! Isn't that amazing? Of course, they aren't alone. There is always "MTV," which everyone knows sucks. This is America. This is the MUSIC scene, made up by real musicians, not pop clones, stereotype victims and free enterprise capitalists, musicians, full of opinions and beliefs much unlike yours conglomerate wannabe fellas! Say hello to Bralalalala.
6. What type of image would you say the band projects?
I think the image Bralalalala projects is that of a genuine understanding of political reality as it affects the individual, rather than the conformist sell out clique, which is often misinterpreted as anger or hate. Conglomerates who are such by means of limiting free expression are the adversaries of this band. The band stands against such short sighted greed, superficiality and oppression in the world. A lot of people waste their time over questions about androgynous or feminine looks, or sexuality with regard to me as an artist as well, and they really don't know what this band is all about, which is great music. Obviously, looks have no meaning without connecting them to something tangible anyways. That is a philosophy a sex addict would find disturbing, one that comes in strong contrast with the mainstream. You'd be amazed what happens when this band is introduced on music message boards. The topic is deleted as irrelevant and all sorts of sexual innuendos pop up in people's heads. I just don't get it. I guess they are lonely or something. Obviously, anti sexism, anti racism, anti homophobia/transphobia are prerequisite to completely grasping what is going on here. I think musically Bralalalala represents nuance, expanse and flash.
7. Do all members contribute to the writing & arrangements of your original tunes?
The members of the band do whatever they can pull off. If the drummer says to me, "I want to bring out this section by doing a, b, c, d, e , f and g, I say great, awesome, let's hear it. I also am willing to listen to anyone else's parts of songs. If I am asked to sabotage what I think the essence of a section is I obviously won't comply. So, the better the band is, the more they can contribute. In the case of the band who recorded and toured with me on the first album, they did not go so far as to alter the writing arrangements. They did do what was required of them however, in that they complimented what I had started with quality parts of their own, in harmonizing fashion.
8. How did the band name come about?
Sometimes you just have to keep your head clear..
9.Are you happy with where the band stands today in the Int'l underground Hard music scene?
Musically, I am very satisfied with the band's sound, which is the most important thing, of course. I don't know what I would do to assess where the band "stands in the international underground hard music scene" as you refer to it, other than have that great sound. I suppose it would be more interesting to hear from other bands in the scene more often in a supportive fashion rather than in a competitive one. Obviously, the band is unique in the sense it does not exist within any sub genres or trends per se and doesn't cater to the backward style this business operates under financially, so there a problems that come with that contrast promotionally speaking.
10. What do you feel sets your band apart from other Metal Acts?
Actually, I'm still trying to figure out what brings us together, lol. Describing music broadly with words is among my least favorite things to do, so I'll just leave this with a couple hints. This band mixes commonly perceived elements of thrash and glam together without fear of controversy, and yet really is neither a glam nor thrash band. In general, music is something that comes along with personal perception. There really is so much that makes this band's sound different from the acts in the scene, it is really just too difficult to cover in a sweeping cliché explanation. Perhaps I will fare better just describing each song at a time.
11. What does each member bring into the band?
Each member needs to know to use the distinct sound of their instrument to their advantage when playing the instruments together with the band. In addition they need to offer creative parts to harmonize the rhythm which catches the essence. Obviously, this area bridges off into an elaborate dialogue about various pieces of music, which I could better address when discussing directly the songs in question.
12. So what does the band do when they're not making music?
The relationship I had with the band that accompanied me on the first tour and album was strictly professional.
Music affects everything for me, though of course I do "other" things. I don't really have any interest in religion, antichrist or other common pass times. I think travel and opulence are cool, though who doesn't. It seems I have become an investor and a lawyer of sorts as of late. Well, I guess those are enough things to keep me stimulated "on the side," and of course there are many more sides, but usually too many to think of all at once.
13.As far as fans go, how would you describe them?
Oh, I wouldn't want to do that. I would leave that to them, as they can be very diverse. Some are totally cool. Some are complete bastards.
14.Can you tell us a bit about your current release?
Primal Bend-as with the title this track just rolls together blunt riffing in a blunt manner. It is just a blunt song.
Music Skirt-This is the most complex musical track on the album since there is such a variety in the songs, especially with the intro and outro contrasting with the body of the song and the mid song section as well. This song has to be heard to be believed, and you still won't.
Black Hole State-This is the most unusual track on the album, with a really happening chorus and verse that is are clever to guess with such odd note selections compounded by a pounding mideval sounding bridge and capped at the end by a jazzy variation on the mideval theme and a soothing outro.
They Can Not Own This World-an intro/outro with a sound that makes you wonder what world you are really in followed by a frantic chorus riff, then a strong strong rhythm bridge. The mid section of the song offers a huge break from anything previously discovered and we forget that, wow, suddenly we are back into the song again..
Present is the Mean-I think this is the best overall song on the album. It was the last written for it. It would be the single, though it is over 8 minutes long. A three part whirl winding intro eventually lays into some super catchy verse chorus riffage. Then, there is another one of those "time out, let's take a break" sort of parts to
the song, before going back into it again. Finally, the outro is an elongated pounding repetition that, well, I don't know what you would call it, but it rocks.
Clown Rights-This track is the most jazzy, moreso even than Music Skirt. The track has that vibe of really calmly stating itself.
In to the Fast-This is the heaviest and oldest track on the album. If there is anything resembling a thrash song on the album, this would be it.
Abandon the Ego-This is a quickie. I don't have any clue what to say to describe this fascinating piece of work.
The release was rehearsed in San Francisco, Denmark and France, then recorded in Britain and California. The sound quality is awesome. I think it will be even better this time since I will do it all in California, where I think the best commercial studios exist.
15. What is the most outrageous thing that ever happened to you on stage during a performance or rehearsal?
..leaving my guitar at home.
16. Your musical influences and why?
I just enjoy the best things about various acts. I've listened to anything rock from Ratt to Iron Maiden to Judas Priest, to early Def Leppard or early Van Halen, to Nirvana to Ministry to Scorpions, and have found good things about them. A lot of people think this band is into heavily into Anthrax, or we are thrash, and that is not really the case. Others think we are punk. I guess it depends what that means, since I know this doesn't "sound" instrumentally at all like a punk band. Bralalalala's music is fast and heavy, but it is essentially melodic and has hook, not the other way around.
17.What can fans expect to see at a live show?
pay to play...a picture of the band handing out cash to the fans..haha..a joke..yes..well, once that problem is overcome they can expect to see and feel something very unpredictable, and amazing.
18. Where do you see the band in 5 years?
Playing interesting music as always, probably incorporating more instruments as well. I think independent investment and promotion is the most likely avenue for this band to reach the public properly, which is why there has been such a delay since the debut album on getting the follow up released. I think there will be a clear picture of what this band is capable of publicly within 3 years, and with hopefully a lot accomplished this year.
19. Who would you like to tour with and why?
That is hard to answer because live music is, well, a live thing. I think based on the challenging nature of Judas Priest's or Iron Maiden's music, they could be interesting. My previous publicist had one of his client bands, one of a 14 year old guitarist, which is much inferior to this one, opening for the likes of Judas Priest, though he and I ran into a little turmoil over my skirts, which you can see in the band update that, this publicist is in court with Bralalalala as we speak..
20. When can we expect to see you on the road?
Second half of 2004
22.parting Shot?
I have taken to Los Angles Music Awards to court. I hope the results will raise money for the band to be promoted independently if necessary, given the problems within the industry. The following outlines some details on the case filed Decmber 12, 2003 in Los Angeles County:
Bralalalala has filed a lawsuit against the annual celebrity attended event LA music awards for breach of contract, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, false imprisonment, libel and fraud. The event claims Bralalalala, who is a transgender rock guitarist and musician, won an award for "image," in 2000, while the artist claims the contract cites "national act" as the award event's original interest in the artist. Bralalalala denies being offered any award at the time. The artist says, she was coerced by the event founder publicist to appear on "Moral Court" television to discuss the morality of wearing dresses while being a biological male, rather than to promote the CD album of the band Bralalalala. The ABC program aired fall and Christmas 2000, noting that, essentially, "one can not expect honest deals in the music business when wearing dresses during the day." The founder is being charged with libel for quoting Bralalalala in underground Hollywood print as encouraging people to call her a "freak," when so such conversation occurred, and the opposite sentiment was stated repeatedly to the publicist in person. The event founder is being charged with false imprisonment on the artist for threatening to locate and incarcerate the artist in e mails, for wearing "women's clothing." The artist argues, that fame and fortune have evaded her thus far in the music business due to these bigoted publicity practices.
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