Rob: How did you guys get started? I hear one/some of you guys was in the Hookers/Nashville Pussy as well?
Tony: We got started because we all somehow knew each other/played together in various aspects. The Rock n` Roll Outlaw was the Mother Brain of the Hookers, and he also did some playing with Nashville Pussy as well. Ian Spiders played drums on a US Hookers tour back in 2000 and also played on the last 10-inch and a couple of singles they released. Rodney came in on bass for the last European Hookers tour, after Spiders was already out of the band, playing with me in a totally different project. Then the Hookers ended. The following year, Outlaw pitched the idea of the Brothers of Conquest to Roads and Spiders, they brought me in, and then along came ZZ Priest. It`s as simple as a baby with nine fingers and three ears.
Rob: You guys are southern rock influenced, or I assume you are. What are some of the influences behind your sound?
Tony: Since we listen to many different things, it`s so hard to say. Personally, I hate Lynard Skynard, and the Allman Brothers. But I couldn`t say that about everyone in the band, `cause different dudes dig different shit. I also love LA Guns. They`re from Southern California. If you listen to our music and liken it to something else, you could probably figure out where it comes from. We aren`t exactly subtle.
Rob: Metal seems to be a key too~
Tony: Very true, and it kind of goes without saying.
Rob: Are you guys going to hit the road soon? Europe?
Tony: We are working very closely with our label, Go-Kart, and they are doing a swell job. To answer your questions, yes to both. But I can`t get into details or specifics at this time. We will play in front of you, though.
Rob: How often do you guys jam and what kind of songwriting process do you go through?
Tony: Have you ever seen "The French Connection II" where Gene Hackman is hooked on heroin and he`s writhing around on the floor like a little worm crying like a bitch? Well, it`s not like that. The information is out there, floating around in space. It`s just a matter of knowing how to recieve it and somehow make it work. We like to think that we know how to recieve it and somehow make it work.
Rob: What are some of the bands in your area that you guys play gigs with?
Tony: The Slow Suicide, Bodyhammer, My Own Victim.
Rob: What do you think of Stoner Rock- the genre-- the term?
Tony: I get stoned, and I like rock music. As far as the genre goes, all those bands seem great at doing what they`re doing, but listening to the teacher rap just aint my bag. I gotta dance! My favorite stoner rock band is Motley Crue, especially the self-titled John Corabi album. Bob Rock has gotta be a serious toker!
Rob: When your not playing rock you are...
Tony: Working, drinking, playing with fire, getting burned, trying to deal with reality, thinking about things too much. Sometimes I like to get in on some of the Louisville gossip, `cause I know a thing or two about a...
Rob: All the Colors of Darkness seems to be a mix of southern rock and early metal- is there a concept behind the album, or a theme?
Tony: We try to make a point with as few subtleties as possible. The album is of the "giallo" sort, a genre of Italian horror pioneered by Argento, Fulci, etc when they were trying to be like Hitchcock on steroids.
Rob: Do you have anything to say to the community at www.stonerrock.com?
Tony: Tuna fish, bananas, spinach, and eggs are like the best things you can eat. And drink lots of water. And if you like all that doom/sludge, check out that Corabi album.
Rob: If you weren`t a rocker, what would you most like to be?
Tony: A Librarian.
Rob: What was your worst gig and why? What was your best gig and why?
Tony: WORST- All of those on that tour we were supposed to do earlier this year because they didn`t happen.
BEST- No comment available at this time.
Rob: Top three movies, books and albums of all time?
Tony: MOVIES- there`s so many, it`s hard to say, so I`ll just talk about Kubrick movies `cause everybody likes him. His best movie hands down is "Barry Lyndon," `cause it just is and there`s no contest. "2001," "Clockwork Orange," "Shining," "Dr. Strangelove," those all rule `cause duh. But his masterpiece is "Barry Lyndon," and that`s just the way it is. If you disagree, you`re some sort of deviant of truth. I don`t make the rules.
BOOKS- The Dirt, The Dirt, The Dirt.
ALBUMS- this question is almost completely unanswerable, so let`s narrow it down to late 80`s glam metal debuts. Everybody has blown their load so much over "Appetite" that listening to it now it sometimes sounds like "Another Brick in the Wall Pt.2." Don`t get me wrong, it`s totally as good as everybody says it is, but once again, duh. Personally, I like the first Winger (1988), the first Extreme (1989), and the first Dangerous Toys (1989). They`re collectively a great guitar dork unholy trilogy.
Rob: How often do you surf the net and what do you mostly do while online?
Tony: My rate of internet surfing is a bit random. There`s so much cool shit to waste money and time on that sometimes when I log on, I freeze up, trapped between ideas of what to look at, stagnant.
Rob: what is your favorite city and venue to play, and why?
Tony: The US Festival in 1983. Even though we didn`t play it and it would be impossible since it was like 20 years ago, it would still be fucking tuff.
Rob: What is the most rock `n` roll thing you`ve ever done?
Tony: Play in a rock `n` roll band.
Rob: What`s the most rock `n` roll thing you`ve seen someone else do?
Tony: Play in a rock `n` roll band.
Rob: what`s your worst "bad trip" story?
Tony: Never had one.
Rob: What`s the most painful thing you have ever witnessed at a rock show?
Tony: Poseurs trying too hard. Oh wait, that was me.
Rob: How old were you when you first realize you wanted to rock?
Tony: Old enough to be a poseur.
Rob: What`s the most embarrassing job you ever had?
Tony: When I was a pre-teen, I taught cotillion. That`s where rich kids go to learn to ballroom dance. But I liked that job and I`m not embarassed, so I guess that doesn`t exactly answer your question. Sorry.
Rob: What`s your favourite ice cream flavor?
Tony: chocolate and all varieties, vanilla and all varieties, cookie dough, cookies and cream, rocky road.
Rob: If you could date any rock star dead or alive in the world, who would it be?
Tony: Lesley Gore, circa 1962-1972.
Rob: Movie star?
Tony: Diane Lane, Lauren Hays, Elizabeth Taylor circa 1951-1965, Janet Leigh circa 1956-1964, Vivien Leigh circa 1939, Raquel Welch circa 1966-1980, Ursula Andress circa 1962-1978, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ann-Margaret circa 1964-1978, Kim Basinger circa 1986.
Rob: What would be the ultimate dream gig of all time line-up be, with your band opening? Limit to three bands please (including your own...) and where?
Tony: The Olympics, with us being the only band.
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