Well-suited to Charlees colourful flair, my questions are in pink and his answers are in purple! (Special thanks goes out to Skull333 for # 19).
1.) You've got a great sense of humor - most notably when you comment on the lack of I.Q. drummers have. What's the best prank you've ever pulled on someone?
There's actually two. When we were recording our first record in Boston, there was this musician's paper called Soundcheck that used to run these hilarious
'Want Ads' for musicians. They usually read something like: "White Lion-influenced vocalist with '80s metal look seeks bassist for pro project. Must have looks/chops/'tude. No losers. I'm for real", followed by a contact number.
I had finished my drum tracks for the day, got a little drunk, and started leaving messages to those ads, but I made sure to leave the recording engineer's
name and number. This engineer, Andrew, was a killer bassist with a band called SLUGHOG, who were just this insane, raw band that was the direct opposite of all
the washed-up metal kids that put ads in that magazine.
The next day, at the studio while Andrew was working, he kept getting calls from people who were trying to get him to come down for auditions for Britney Fox
cover bands and stuff. He couldn't figure out who the hell set him up, and once he did, I barely escaped with my life.
Another prank was when I was in high school, I got drunk (see the theme here?), and took the time to buy $30 worth of colored construction paper and Elmer's
glue. I cut out something like 150 circles, drank some more, and then went out and promptly made someone's house into a big pok-a-dot nightmare. No lie. Stuck
them all over the house, walls, windows and their car as well. To this day, I don't know who's house it was...and they don't know I DID IT!
2.) What do you think of Eric Singer replacing Peter Criss in Kiss, using the same make-up?
I'd put on the f**king make-up and do the same thing in a heartbeat. You'd have to be crazy not to join up for that! I'd even use Peter's drums and his f**king UNDERWEAR as an added bonus! I don't think anyone feels cheated - Eric logged serious time in that band, and he's a really good drummer. All of us have ripped something off from "Alive" anyway at some point in our career.
3.) When Metal Sludge closed down for the weekend awhile ago (their anniversary) and came up with a new site design, what was your first impression - Did you think they were gone for good?
No - I thought it was an elaborate hoax, but there was a part of me that was afraid they would be gone before they had a chance to rip the sh*t out of me.
4.) Any advice for aspiring drummers?
DON'T DO IT! There's too much gear, not enough attention, and you always get told you are too f**king loud. It sucks A$$! The best job to have is as a singer - you don't have to carry anything but yer a$$....oh yeah, and the world seems to revolve around you as well!
5.) What's the most embarassing thing that's ever happened to you on stage (that you can talk about)?
One time, I sat in with this great band called ROADSAW. They're one of my
all-time favorite bands, so it was a little nerve-wracking.
In any case, my stomach acted up and I couldn't stop farting through the entire
first-half of the set. Right before we played a song called "Black Flower", I
was convinced when I busted a$$ for what would be the final time, that I had
sh*t my pants! Luckily, it was just sheer paranoia, and a case of 'Flappy A$$'
from being behind the total ROCK machine known as ROADSAW.
6.) How has the fans reaction been to "The Last Star" since it's July 10th release?
Fans? Oh, you mean our parents! Yeah, they love that f**kin' thing! Personally, after some of the sh*t we went through to get it released, I wanted to call it "The Last Straw"!
7.) Do you find being in a rock band that's comprised partly of chicks, people tend to question it more (compared to an all male band)?
Yep. The thing is, the women in this band are in because of their ability to
play. No other reason. Regardless of color or gender, I simply want to play in a
band with the best musicians possible. Everyone can hold down their own weight
in this band.
Sometimes I get frustrated when people tend to focus on the way Sarah, Regina
and Jaime look, instead of their ability to play circles around some of the
f**kheads that try to pass theirselves off as 'musicians'. When I hear someone
say something like "Halfcocked is good for a chick band", I want to belt them in
the mouth and scream "We're A F**KING ROCK BAND, NUMBNUTS!"
8.) In your Metal Edge (Oct '01) interview, you said "if you're going to bother getting onstage, you should make a conscious effort to thoroughly entertain whoever comes out to see you." I'm sure you attend alot of concerts yourself.. Out of all of them, who do you think put on the worst show?
You know, I would say anyone that either gets on stage and stands staring at their shoes OR acts as though they absolutely deserve the right to get on stage (while not having any appreciation for the people who come out to see them) should be pimp-slapped until they pee blood!
9.) The bio section of http://www.halfcocked.com says that you have a huge record collection. Which is your most prized album?
Misfits "Walk Among Us" first press on Slash/Ruby.
10.) How are the rehearsals going for the next Halfcocked release?
If I told you, I'd have to pok-a-dot your house afterwards. Let's just say we're close to being done writing.
11.) What would your ideal tour line-up be?
Current Day: Pantera, Powerman 5000, Zeke, and Halfcocked.
Of All Time: Led Zeppelin, The Who, Poison Idea, and Halfcocked.
12.) What's in your CD player today?
Zeke "Flat Tracker", Samhain "November-Coming Fire" and Rock City Crimewave's
"Sounds From The Underground".
It's a 3-changer deal from Radio Shack...fer all your fine audio pleasure needs!
13.) Why Coors Light?
Hey, why the HELL not?
14.) In an interview with http://www.unearthed.com, Sarah says that before Spider came along and signed Halfcocked to Megatronic Records, the band was on the verge of a breakup. What was the main cause of that?
Me. After reading this interview back to yourself, you'll get the idea - I'm a bit of a f**khead to deal with.
15.) Where do you see Halfcocked in 5 years?
Destitute, behind a liquor store, panhandling for cash to buy a 40 oz. of Olde English Malt - or standing attentive at the left hand side of our dark Lord and Master, ready to be the underworld's ambassadors to Earth.
16.) If someone were going to write a book on you and your life, what would you want it to be called?
"F**k This Guy - Read Something You'll Learn From, For Chrissakes!"
17.) How has the Sept. 11th terrorist attacks affected you personally?
I believe that the sanctity of all human life, regardless of nationality, gender, or religious belief should, be held higher than any other cause or value. These attacks made me appreciate the opportunities I have in this country, pursuing my dreams, and simply appreciating anyone that takes the time to talk with me or express an interest in Halfcocked.
18.) Any good stories from the Metal Edge photo shoot (Jan. '02 edition)?
Only that Paul Gargano and I were the only ones drinking the entire time - oh, and the fact no one else had a f**king idea what Sarah and I were doing there, or who we were!
19.) If there was 1 band (dead or alive) that you would want to play drums with if given the chance, who would it be & why?
The Who. I would be laughed off the drum stool in a minute, but the idea of playing "I Can't Explain" or "I'm A Boy" would let me go to the grave a happy man.
20.) If you could tell my website readers 1 thing that they didn't already know about you (or Halfcocked), what would it be?
I'm actually one of the girls in the band.
Awesome interview, Charlee - Thanks!!
And a lesson to my website readers ~ Contrary to *popular* belief: Drummers CAN spell :)
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