RockWatch Interview

Eden Taylor

A Fractured Interview

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This Eden Taylor interview took place during the month of July 2003
By Philip Kramer at RockWatch
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PK > How would you introduce yourself to those that may not know you
and the bands that are your music adventure?
ET > I'm Eden Taylor, resident hired Gun and raging alcoholic.

PK > Were you born and raised with a bass guitar?
ET > My dad was a blue grass musician-so naturally I was attracted to the fast
picking style, and dynamic music sense that he had. I started playing Metal-Guitar
when I was 14 but it was the '80's, and I found all of the leads and styles back
then to be sterile, unfeeling and homginized, so I quit guitar and switched to bass.

PK > What are some of the bands that you have played in and have you done
any solo or other mixed musician projects?
ET > I've played in "Strap" (all-female metal-punk-jazz trio") and "Vasoline Alley"
(offensive punk-show band), and I have a CD trilogy coming out this fall that I
wrote on my own. (Viva Long is helping me with vocals)

PK > Your bass guitar - do you have more than one and do you have a nick name
for your guitar and do you have any nick names or alternative personalities that you
have fun with?
ET > I have a G&L 2000 named "Ishitar 3-the Goddess bass" because it is so
vicariously toned and so versitile, and yet strong enough to stay in tune through all
my abuse. I also have a G&L 500, red finish with a vinilla pick-guard I call the
"Cherry Flavoured Sucubus" because it produces all those sneaky-unorthodox bass
tones, it's very aggressive sounding and very sensual: and again stays in tune through
all of my abuse. Im very loyal to G&L's. I also have an Ibanez SG that I call
"crack-Baby", because it keeps cracking and giving me problems. I'll probably
trade that one in for another G&L.

PK > Have you played any other musical instruments such as the Bag Pipes?
ET > I played the flute.

PK > What type of music, bands and songs have had the greatest musical
influence on Eden Taylor?
ET > I love Dumpster Juice (local), Iron Maiden ( I wanna have Steve Harris's baby),
Tori Amos and Jaco Pastorius. Anyone who isnt afraid to break barriers, work with
unusual dynamics and f*kk all the rules appeals to me.

PK > Do you know many other women bass players?
ET > Desdamona Raccelli from "Industrial Honey" is a versatile bassist and
composer. Also, Pandora...who was in "All The Pretty Horses" before I was -
I like her development and approach.

PK > Are there particular songs that you play that rock your soul more than others?
ET > There are always some more than others, sometimes I get too technical and
loose the soul, otherwise I always 'feel' it.

PK > When and how did music become important to Eden Taylor?
ET > It has always been a big part of my spirituality and mental therapy.

PK > Do you ever get carried away to some place called paradise
when you sit back and jam by your self?
ET > Always...I'm very meditative, Sometimes I feel like I can hear Gods speak
to me when I play alone for 9 hours without distraction. (Of course, that could
just be sleep deprivation)

PK > What kind of wine or drink goes well with Eden Taylor and your bass
performance?
ET > Stolichnya Vodka!!!!!! Babe!!!

PK > On stage, how do you keep your self in the groove or zone?
ET > I eat a lot of Ritalin.

PK > Have you ever played the bass upside down as in hanging feet upward?
ET >Yes, hangin from a rafter, the strap broke and my instrument hit my nose...
blood everywhere and I ended up with a crooked 'ski-slope' nose...I'll never do
that again.

PK > With " All The Pretty Horses " , do you have some great moments that you
can share and ramble on about for the readers of this interview?
ET > Every show is an adventure with them. Once, My hair got caught in Venus's
headstock and I almost yanked it out of her hands when I tried to pull back.

PK > There must be alot of music venues and events that you have played.
Do you have a special fondness for some of the events and venues?
ET > 1st Avenue with 'Sepultura' (1st band 'Strap'), CBGB's in New York,
(theres about 100 stories everytime I play there).

PK > Can we say that music is a passion for you and not an obsession to be
a rock star?
ET > I gave up on the 'Rock Star' facade a long time ago.I play to keep myself
alive and prevent suicide.

PK > Have you ever thought of singing solo on a song or do you prefer backup
vocals?
ET > I am very self-concious about my voice, people try to persuede me to sing
more and say I have a good voice, but I'm too shy.

PK > Some bands have two guitars and one bass. Have you ever considered doing
a song that has two bass players to see what could grow out of that approach?
ET > I always star in bands with 1 guitar player, beg for a second. But I'm so
'noodely' that I end up covering the work of a bassist and a rythum guitarist.
So I always end up in 3 or 4 piece bands.

PK > What can you tell us about playing with the band " Bleeding the Sick" ?
ET >Good agression release-I love to play fast and agressively-I have a very strong
attack, and 'Bleeding The Sick' lets me use that.

PK > As a bass player , do you ever have trouble with your G - string?
ET > It slips all over! Argh! Aaaaakkk!!!

PK > How difficult can the music industry be at times and are there a number
of challenges to deal with?
ET > That would take a couple hours...its a complete nightmare.

PK > Are you able to find time to do any artwork or writing?
Personal artistic expression.
ET > I have 2 books I am writing, and 36-57 of my own songs.

PK > Is there a cartoon character that you may identify with?
ET > Space Ghost-I'm always trying to act cooler than I actually am.

PK > Where do you like your music adventure to take you in the upcoming years?
ET > To Hell's martini bar, I gotta talk to satan about some gigs there. Then to
Heavan so I can have a long, hard talk with God, then to the Middle-East because
I have some things to say to my oppressed sistaz over there.
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