Band: Morgueasm

Featured Band :

(feature and interview has been compiled by MC7C. don't copy and paste, direct link to this page if you want to share with friends. we know where you sleep and will send Darien to come get you...mwahahahaha)

Samantha Shameless: Vocals and Bad Reputations.
Darien Starr: Programming, Keys, Guitars
Sett: Bass.
Andrew: Live Drums.

About:
(in their own words)

We will probably piss you off and fuck your girlfriend or boyfriend. We can't manage to stay sober or keep a guitarist. We write music in a dark dark hole underneath the city of Richmond. We hate being told what to do. We rock the fuck out to some Three Six Mafia in the hot tub. We don't care what style we are. We don't fit in a scene. We are working hard to get this album finished.

Morgueasm - (noun)

An orgasm that occurs when having sexual relations with a corpse and or a Realdoll(tm). "The initial pleasure of Karen's tightness was tempered by the feeling that I was humping a cadaver and was about to experience my first morgueasm." - Grant Stoddard from Nerve.com article: "I Did it for Science"

Interview:

Describe your music to someone who has never heard it.

Darien: I like to consider Morgueasm "Death Pop". We draw elements from dark, electronic / industrial influences, but growing up on MTV we can't deny that there are some elements of Hollywood Glamour inside us.

Samantha Shameless: We have a completely different sound than anything out right now, and we like to experiment with combining different elements of goth, metal, and pop in a way that most people wouldn't think of doing.

What is your most crazy show story? (Any naked women running around? Drunk bar fights?)

Darien: When I was with my first band (Empty from Washington DC – many years ago) we played at Jaxx. We got about 30 pounds of raw meat from the butcher, and brought it on stage in a baby carriage. It wound up everywhere. I'm surprised Jaxx had us back after that. We had ordered a pig's head as well. We were going to put our singer's penis in the pig head's mouth against his will. He's lucky it didn't show up in time for the show.

Samantha Shameless: Performing a song about an ex bandmate who was front row at the show was pretty crazy.

How would you like to see the local music scene change? (venues, fans, other bands)How do you think we can solve the problems we are having with venues doing little to NO promoting of shows, not paying the bands much, lack of good sound systems, and other issues?

Darien: The music scene all over the country has grown stale. Everyone takes themselves so seriously, that they don't have a good time while they are performing, and the fans can feel that. As far as promoting and venues, personally I don't consider it the venue's responsibility to promote. I believe the band has to do their legwork, play the free shows, until they build up a following – THEN they can think about money. I look at it as a sacrifice that has to be made. Sound systems are serious though. If your club sounds like crap, you shouldn't be booking bands. ALSO I hate not getting a soundcheck. Every club has a different system, and it makes a big difference being able to test it out.

Samantha Shameless: I would like to see the scene change period – as well as the music scene – to not be so closed minded and pretentious.

What's up for the band in 2008? ( a tour, album?)

Darien: We are almost done writing the full album, and we will hope to have that recorded and mastered this year. We will be playing shows in the region, and then hitting up key cities when we are ready. DC, NY, Miami, Philly, etc. Taking our time and trying not to put on half ass shows.

Samantha Shameless: Definitely completing our first album, and being bigger than Jesus.

What local bands and artists do you recommend?

Darien: Local bands and artists… XUBERX from DC impressed me with their high energy show. Of course Bellamorte never fails to impress live. They always have a tight sound. I am sad that we will not get to see In Tenebris again. Myotis, Synthetic Nightmare, Hindu Pez, Angel 99 are all unique local artists working hard at their craft – there is definitely a renaissance coming around.

Samantha Shameless: Killing the Cure, Angel 99, Synthetic Nightmare, Bellamorte, Social Distortion ( I mean Synthetic Division lol ) we'd like to see more local bands. I wish we had more time to see shows but we are working hard on the album.

What are your favorite venues to play at? How would you like to see the available venues to change when booking shows?

Darien: I like venues with hidey hole backrooms. It really helps you get into character. I don't like wandering the crowd during a show. I like to have some of that mystery around us. Alley Katz has a nice layout… Rocks if the weather is nice… I feel like (in Richmond anyways, I can't really speak for the Norfolk / Va Beach area) it is kind of hard for mid size / small bands to get a decent date – a Friday or Saturday. There are several new clubs opening up for larger bands, which is cool because we are getting some of the harder bands back in town, but nothing is really changing with the local bars.

Samantha Shameless: I love the space that Alley Katz offers – also Rocks is nice because it has an outside stage which is great for Spring shows.


Who primarily writes the songs? Is there a certain process or does it come out during practice?

Darien: Morgueasm operates half on process / step by step writing, and half on spontaneity. Usually it starts out with a beat and some synth tracks that I have tucked away on a dusty floppy disk, and Samantha Shameless hears something that she digs. Sett will lay down a bass line, I'll take a stab at guitars (though I'm no guitarist – p.s. Morgueasm is looking for a guitarist! lol) Then, along with our friends and management team, we will collaborate on lyrics, melodies, etc. We are very communal. If you come to a practice session, it is usually full of craziness, jaeger, and shenanigans!

Samantha Shameless: Darien has a lot of songs stored away in his little computer, and sometimes we'll get bored with the songs we're working on and say "hey lets work on a new song" and then I'll find something I like – then Darien and I do it.

How do you market your music to the public? What seems to work best for you for letting people know about your shows?

Darien: We are taking our time with marketing. We are still in the process of writing the album, and we don't want to sell ourselves too early. We rely somewhat on internet marketing, but also good ole' word of mouth. We are all characters, and we like to go out and have a good time and dance, and act a fool. That is a good time to hand out a cd, or let people know we have a show coming up.

Samantha Shameless: The best way I do it, is to hand out cds and flyers to people at clubs – and word of mouth.

Finish these statements with what ever comes to your mind:

"You know you've made it when..."
Darien: Your sipping on a margarita with Dr. Dre.
Samantha Shameless: You don't have to fucking work any more.

"It'll be time to pack up the gear for good when..."
Darien: Ha. Never.
Samantha Shameless: When Darien dies.

"I'll never forget the first time I..."
Darien: Got to ride around in a band's limo. (Monster Magnet / Manson down in New Orleans)
Samantha Shameless: Puked and peed outside of a club in VA Beach.

Let's have some fun with word association. Give me your immediate feelings on the following:
Hampton Roads, VA -
Darien: Traffic?
Samantha Shameless: Ryan Roboto aka Angel 99.

The National Museums –
Darien: I love ancient things.
Samantha Shameless – What the fuck is that?

Richmond –
Darien: Good place to hide from the rest of the world.
Samantha Shameless – Keep talking about me bitches. You're only making me famous.

Independent Music Stores / Businesses / Restaurants –
Darien: Having a tough time. I co-own Curio ( http://www.curiorichmond.com ) so I can relate.
Samantha Shameless – Curio – Duh!

Best Venue –
Darien: I think Rock and Roll Hotel in DC is a cute little place
Samantha Shameless: Alley Katz is a good place to see shows.

Worst Venue –
Darien: I don't want to get us in trouble lol.
Samantha Shameless: I plead the fifth.

Best Kept Secret –
Darien: Tan A Supermarket
Samantha Shameless: Sakura Sunday Brunch.

The RVA Goth Scene –
Darien: Trying to stay alive
Samantha Shameless: Waiting for something new.

Favorite Dive Bar -
Darien: I don't go to Dive Bars.
Samantha Shameless: Wherever I can get a cheap drink.

What's the most played song on your iPod (or an equivalent music playing device) in the past week?

Darien: I don't have time to listen to music outside of the studio. Um… Last song I remember listening to was Fetisha by Orgy.

Samantha Shameless: What's an iPod? But if I did have one, I'd be rocking out to some Rob Zombie.

Who would be in your ultimate music supergroup, your all-star Olympic team of rock?

Darien: Ryan Shuck, Twiggy Ramirez, Myself, Dr. Dre, and Samantha Shameless. Hell yeah.

Samantha Shameless: Darien, because we work so well together, Shikhee from Android Lust, Three Six Mafia, and Christina Aguilera.

What came first, the music or the misery? Explain.

Darien: Definitely the misery. A true artist has to feel suffering before they can really tap into the subconscious powers around them.

Samantha Shameless: The misery. Without misery there would be no art.

Links of Love:

http:www.myspace.com/officialmorgueasm
http://www.morgueasm.com/

Interview: Look Alive Project

Look Alive Hampton Roads!





INTERVIEW

How did the two of you meet and start the Look Alive project?

Jarrett: Reese and I met quite a few years ago... she auditioned to play bass in an old band of mine. We've stayed friends ever since, and when I started putting the people together to work on this whole thing, she was one of the first i thought of. We're just two of the handful of super-dedicated people that've been working their hearts out on this event.

Reese: We met a few years ago, when I tried out for one of his bands. We became friends. I, honestly, never thought that I'd be standing here today takin this huge project on with him, but I fell in love with the idea the second I heard it. I think Jarrett knew before ever asking me that I would do this in a heart beat.



Where did you get the idea for it?

Jarrett: I spent three years living just outside of New York City, and when I wasn't on the road, I frequented all the dirty rock clubs and all the amazing art galleries up there in Chelsea and in the Village. There was always something going on.... and it was brilliant. Every night was an event, and you really felt like you were a part of something special. When I returned to Hampton Roads last year, I really missed that feeling of community among the creative culture. And the unfortunate part was there were people here that were just as talented, if not more so, than the bands and artists i used to go catch in NYC. I figured I could do one of two things, a. be apathetic about it, and just sit on my hands and wait for a sea change, or b. try and make a dent in that apathy and maybe help to get the ball rolling to push all of us on a course of really creating something that's our own, and that celebrates the amazing artists we have here. I know we'll never be a New York City, or a Los Angeles, obviously, and that's not the point, the hope is that maybe we can keep people from feeling they have to "run away from home" in order to find a fostering arts and music community. On top of that, we want to show the local business community that the arts can be profitable, and by opening their doors to live music and art showings, we prove that the cultural worth of Hampton Roads, Virginia reaches beyond the bow of the USS Wisconsin.

Reese: I actually can take no credit for this at all. This was Jarrett's idea. I just jumped on board the second I could.



How did you chose the TAO to receive the donations of the night?

Jarrett: I was turned on to TAO by a friend of mine. There's a lot of worthy Hampton Roads charities, some of which receive thousands upon thousands of dollars in donations a year. We wanted to go with an organization where our contribution wasn't just a drop in the bucket and where we could see first hand how that money is being used, and how its helping the folks receiving it. Tidewater Arts Outreach does something very special for this community by bringing the arts into the lives of people who's circumstances are dire. And it's truly mind blowing to watch the power an instrument or a paintbrush can have on those people stuck in the doldrums of a life-less-than-perfect. Its escapism. And it's a cause I'm very proud to support. Hopefully to we'll turn a lot of artists on to their fight as well and get them on the TAO roster to give their time and their talents to such a worthwhile cause.

Reese: Once again, Jarrett thought of this, but anything that helps the underprivilaged with music/art has my whole hearted support.



What do you think of the current state of our scene?

Jarrett: On the verge of something great. All the elements for a great scene are already in place... a great nucleus of really diverse bands who are great at what they do, plenty of ridiculously talented artists, and a handful of extremely dedicated and selfLESS promoters who just want to see the seven cities really take off. I think we're all just waiting for that Flashpoint, that moment where we go from just coming up with these ideas as to how to make things better, to when we actually start APPLYING those ideas. Once that happens, the floodgates'll open. Call me naive... But i really believe that. And i hope we can be a part of that.

Reese: I don't think our scene is dead, but it certainly is on life support. I go out just about every weekend to see live music. I'm addicted to it. Literally. I get cranky if I haven't seen live music during a given week. I think there are some great bands out there that really rock a room. There are even greater people out there that I love running into and call my friends. It's just sad to hear people who think a $5 cover charge is too much to hear good local live music. It's such a minimal fee that ensures that the band will be able to play again.

What would you improve?

Jarrett: There's a lot of work to do. And it's a fight we've ALL got to get involved in. People have got to start practicing what they preach. I know quite a few folks who'll be the first to complain about the lack of anything going on, but whom wind up spending their Friday nights at home on the coach playing "RockBand" over lukewarm Miller HighLifes instead of heading out to the Taphouse to catch some live music, or to Volume to see an art show. We've got to get the "average-joe" involved too and show 'em that anyone with an open mind can find something different here...something they enjoy... an escape from the same old corner pub week end and week out.

Reese: I think bands lean too heavily on myspace to promote their shows. It shouldn't be that way. A couple of bulletins a few days before a show is not going to pack a room. I remember when band fliers were an art form. There's a local artist, Chris Johnson, who's really bringing that back. Bands should really be hitting the streets and handing out fliers and using word of mouth.



What do you think of the venues? (Lack of support / advertising / pay? or so on)

Jarrett: Obviously if i could I'd snap my fingers and have dozens of new arts-friendly venues magically appear i would, but fact of the matter is we've got to work with what we've got. And we have to support those places that ARE waving the banner for original creativity, and encourage them to continue to do so by actually... SHOWING UP to the shows they put on. People are always so surprised when a venue converts from late night original rock club to another of the "shake-that-ass" establishment like. It's quite simple really, its about revenue... and if its not there, can you really blame a club owner for flipping the script? Live art has to become a commodity again, something people WANT to go see and experience... we can do that if we all make an effort to get out and support these bands and artists doing what they do best. If a hundred and fifty people start showing up on any given night to the Boot to see a show, trust me... other places will pay attention, and will start welcoming the same scene they once shunned. We've got to take that leverage back... and with that comes better paying gigs, more places to perform, and more involvement by those clubs to make these shows as big as possible.

Reese: There are venues such as The Taphouse, The Boot, and the South End Pub, that I love love love love to death. They treat the bands and the fans right.

How can local artists / bands get involved?

Jarrett: SHOW UP. And understand that just because its not your band onstage, or your art that's hanging, that by being there you're helping send a message to the aforementioned "powers that be" that yeah, Hampton Roads DOES has a unified arts scene, and we're working to be heard. Also the centerpiece of the Look Alive Project are the Look Alive take home totes that'll be given out to everyone in attendance... These things will be full of local artists' CDs, fliers, samples of artwork, business cards, stickers... etc. $20 gets you two tickets to the event, and placement into these bags... Head to http://www. lookaliveproject. com/totes. html for more info!

How can local businesses get involved?

Jarrett: Again with SHOW UP! Hopefully we'll have quite a show in store for you. If you'd like to donate or contribute in-kind items, visit http://www.lookaliveproject.com/getinvolved.html



What are your goals for Look Alive beyond Oct 12?

Jarrett: Right now we're all just sort of living and breathing for October 12th... We'll always be advocates for making this area a better place for creative thought, and certainly if the project goes off and meets the ambitious expectations we've all got for it.. then we'll start plotting the next step... but right now all focus is on Granby Theater October 12th.

Reese: I would love to see a room full of people enjoying incredible art and rockin music. I want young artist to gain some knowledge from the artist that have been doing this for quite a while. Bands talking with other bands and setting up truly incredible shows. I would love to see a community truly start to form.

What has been the most difficult thing about the project thus far? The best thing?

Jarrett: There's been a lot of bumps along the way... and we expected that'd be the case, but the pros have surely outweighed the cons. The best thing has been meeting so many like-minded people that are so dedicated to the same cause at the heart of this whole thing... making Tidewater a better place for the arts and its artists. Its been refreshing and invigorating to know we're not in this alone.

Reese: The most difficult thing about this has just been to find the time that this project truly deserves. I've basically given all of my spare time to this because the bands and artists in this area deserve the absolute best. The best thing about this whole thing has been seeing peoples faces light up when they get what this is all about. Every time a new band joins in the bag it's like a personal victory.



When you're not busting your tails putting this event together, what do you enjoy doing?

Reese: Well, I don't have much free time. I am going to school full time to finish my music business degree and busily studying to take my LSATs. I do love going out on the weekends, as I've said, to hear as muchlocal music as I possibly can!

Jarrett: Free time? What's that? Note to self: Wikipedia this "Free Time" expression.


How can the average person help?

Jarrett: I feel like I'm banging the "SHOW UP" drum. Get to the show on the 12th. It's going to be a great time. Pinky swear. Head to http://www. lookaliveproject. com for tickets.

Reese: Everyone can help by just telling someone else about this amazing event. Be it you call or direct someone to our website. Every little bit counts. This is a true grassroots movement and it's up to everyone to make this a true success. And, of course, you can buy a ticket for $10 that goes straight to the charity.

Shameless plug time....who do you want to plug or say thanks to this far into the game....?

Reese: I want to thank everyone who has given there time to help us. I want to thank Jarrett for asking me to be a part of this! I want to thank all of the wonderful artist and kick ass bands that motivated this whole thing!

Jarrett: Anyone who's touched this event, thrown in their donations, their time, or even their two cents. Your support truly makes or breaks this thing... See you in October.

Links:


Tidewater Arts Outreach

Look Alive Dot Com

Look Alive Myspace