Royal 7

The Interview

Continued...

Royal 7's Derek Cole entertains us with an in depth interview about his band and showcases their true talent, will and desire.

Black Water: How do you prepare, what is involved with doing a live show?

Royal7: I hate song list and like to play off of the kind of crowd is there. It works sometimes. Really we just show us and play.

Black Water: Any Behind the Scenes People that help you out when it comes to setting up and getting ready for a live show?

Royal7: Julian is a friend of the band who always helps us out. He is also know as "The Preacher" from our Cotton Club show.

Black Water: Do you use any retailers to sell tickets for live shows or just do it yourselves?

Royal7: Ticketmaster covered our Cotton Club show but most of the venues are pay at the door shows.

Black Water: What other venue's have you played since your first show?

Royal7: This list would take me forever and Im hungry.

Black Water: Is there any venue which you haven't played where you would like to see your band play one day or any old favorite's where you always enjoy playing?

Royal7: Continental in NY was good to us. House of Blues in Orlando was great and I really enjoy the dark scum places. Small and close up to the crowd. Those seem to be some of the better shows.

Black Water: Do have any upcoming shows/performances scheduled?

Royal7: August 8th is a charity for Aid Atlanta with Misfilter, Homeroom, 23 Jinx and United. Its an all ages show at the Hard Rock and we are thinking its going to be packed like the charity show we held last year.

Black Water: What kind of Gear to you use when recording a new album, when you play on stage?

Royal7: I dont know. Mine is a Fender Telecaster and bassman amp. I dont really ever look at what the other guys have. I just know Chris's drums are glitter and red. Sad huh?

Black Water: Is there any one piece of gear that you dream about having or would love to get your hands on?

Royal7: Pam Anderson.

Black Water: Funny :) What kind of challenges do you face when managing your time for band shows, meetings?

Royal7: Showing up on time. We have a problem with that.

Black Water: How often would you say Royal7 holds practice sessions?

Royal7: 3 times a week. 4 if the show the week before sucked.

Black Water: When it comes to song writing is there anyone unparticular who writes most of the songs, or is a group collaboration?

Royal7: I write everything. Rocky (x-guitar player) co-wrote alot of "Who you Callin Punk" but the rest are mine.

Black Water: Who are your musical influences, personally and in the band?

Royal7: Beatles (shocker), Prince, Sublime, Weezer, Run DMC, Nirvana, The Clash, childrens records, Elvis, Femmes, 2Pac and Jackson 5. I think all of this is on our site also.

Black Water: What do you do when your not working on band related stuff?:

Royal7: I own and started dirtyshirty.com that offers T-shirts for guys and girls. It is doing really well right now so check it out.

Black Water: Is any one currently in School? Or seeking any other kind of training/education?

Royal7: Nope. We might need some kind of training though.

Black Water: Do you desire 'Fame' or 'Fortune' & If you ever got "Big" how do you think that would change things?

Royal7: I just want to make a living at this. Fame was never my reason for doing it. I was kinda forced into it because I never paid attention in school and the girls liked me when I started a band. Im dirt.

Black Water: I know Royal7 has a official band website, a place to download free music from the band and get more info on mp3.com and apparently produces flyers for live shows - is there anywhere else a fan could go or should do if they want to find out more about you guys?

Royal7: There are

a couple of fan sites out there. One is from a girl named Casey. You can go to our DOTM section and it will take you there. She is a great supporter of R7.

Black Water: If there is somebody reading this review but has never heard of Royal7 why should they check you out, what do you have to offer to an audience that makes you unique or worth seeing?

Royal7:

Our songs can pick you up and make you feel good (like crack). Our live show is never the same thing. At any point something can happen that you've never seen even if you see us play all the time. Its kinda scary what we become on stage.

Black Water: Is it true that despite a substantial fan base, four CD releases, getting your song "Havin' a Bad Day" featured on the soundtrack 2001 to the movie "Bubble Boy" as well as gaining major market radio airplay, having two other songs == "Pop Star" and "Nothing Ever Happens to Me" -- featured on MTV's "Real World", while "Out of Habit" was featured in a ShowTime Original Movie and made it onto the movie's soundtrack, you have secured a deal with Dirtbag Clothing company, have had several positive band reviews: from publications such as "Creative Loafing" &, were in the "99XPress Magazine", you were sited in Pollstar's February 24th issue (Box Office Summary) for high ticket sales to their January 30th show at the Cotton Club in Atlanta, gained a spot on "IUMA" music site showcasing the bands history, gained a spot on AtlantaMusic.us site, received Band of the Month Award on "SLAB Music" September 2002, have been interviewed by Prime-time culture and entertainment anchor for CNN Headline News, Alisha Davis about your then upcoming show at Atlanta's Music Midtown Festival, you were quoted and described as leaving the crowd literally screaming after playing the 99x locals only stage at music midtown 2002, played an appearance at "One the Bricks" in Atlanta just this past June 2003, and have even opened for such big name acts as I.C.P., Better Than Ezra, Cowboy Mouth and Cypress Hill but you still remain without a record deal. What's up with that? Is this still the case and if so which label would you actually prefer to get signed to a label or would you rather just create your own - giving you a more complete control of how things would run?

Royal7: That just depressed me. Labels dont know what to do now. They sign a million Creed bands and we arent that. I will fail doing what I want before I become another crap wannabe band just to get a deal. (Unless the money is good.)

Black Water: Do you think making and playing music will be a part of your life regardless of whether or not you reach an unreported amount of fame and success?

Royal7: Yes. Once again, I didnt pay attention in school. So pay attention and learn unless you want to enter the Hell of the music industry.

Black Water: Any thing else you would like to say to our audience?

Royal7: You have an audience? Just kidding. I wanna know what you look like. We sent pictures and I think its only fair. We all want to know! Right kids?

Black Water: Uh huh. And finally what would you like to see more of at "Black Water Music Association"?

Royal7: Pictures of bands that break up. That would be cool because in their photo they are looking all rock star and tough but they will end up in the "broken up bands" section. I think your "audience" would love this. Maybe R7 will end up in there and I can tell my family that I came up with this idea.

...End of the Line...

When we asked for Brief Royal7 Bio Stats and Stuff, this is what we got...

Mike Likes: Long walks on the beach...

Derek Likes: Hooter girls that are really dumb

Sticky Likes: collecting stray cats

John Likes: Captain Crunch & Pixie Stick Sandwich's

When asked about other Info such as favorite bra size, ect. Derek Cole replied and I quote:

"This interview is now getting me turned on and I gotta go. "

Well that's all kids, I'm afraid everything else is X-rated!

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