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Stigma - Part One - Aug. 2004 - By Philip Kramer at RockWatch
Stigma is Brian with vocals and percussion, Derick at drums,
Murray with bass and keyboards and Rick on guitar.
Based in the Twin Cities, MN
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• Stigma - part one - Aug 2004 •
PK - What would you like to say about the New CD?
Brian - We're all happy with the new CD. We call it 'Thinner' and it has 10 songs on it. Remixes from 'The Black is Wearing Thin' with new releases and live tracks. A little companion to the first album.
Murray - A little side car to 'The Black is Wearing Thin'.
Brian - There's more electronics on this one. Sort of a closer on 'The Black is Wearing Thin'. The material we're writing now is more rock and roll.
Derek - The first album was more industrial metal. This one is more techno industrial rock. . . Thinner.
Brian - Since I did all the remixes . . . I had a good time with it . . . we had no boundaries. I think it came together rather well. We all had fun with it.
Derek - There's our intros and a hidden track extra also on the disc.
PK - What are your favoride Stigma songs to play live?
Rick - I have to say 'Ache'. With the breaks, the dynamics and its rather driving.
Murray - I would say 'Pest' and 'Bottom Feeder'. . . with bass and keyboards.
Derek - I would have to say 'Embrace' is my favoride song to play live. Its like a punch in the face - like chaos. 'Gates' use to be fun to play.
Brian - Got to say, 'I Love, I hate' and 'Ache'. We're only playing two songs off the previous album at the First Avenue show. (Aug. 29, 2004)
PK - What can you say about First Avenue?
Rick - It will be my first time playing there. My first main stage show.
Brian - Rick has been with the band about a year now and we're all more comfortable on stage these days. After playing on the road it will be great fun to be back in Mpls and play an All Ages show at First Avenue.
Murray - Its more collective . . . with a group huddle before the show.
Brian - We've played the main stage with Head Charge and Smilin Liar . . . our other CD release . . . about 4 or 5 shows.
Murray - The Head Charge - 40 Below Summer show was awesome.
Brian - With this show there will be more percussion; Rick and Murray will join in with some percussion. Some additional modification to some songs. Some new material and the Pod along with more lights, strobe - - extras that we don't have at a Wild Life show. More of a production and a lot more preparation.
Derek - First Avenue is important for the big All Ages shows. The only other place that has massive All Ages shows is like the Quest.
Brian - Everyone holds it with a higher regard then all the other clubs. First Ave with all the history - - as a kid growing up in the Mpls area, anyone wanting to be in a band has First Ave in mind. Hoping to play the main stage at First Avenue.
Derek - Its like the Whiskey is in L.A. or something. My parents would drive down from the iron range when it was called Sams. When I moved down here I knew that was the place to be and play some day - - where Steppenwolf, Foghat and so on have played.
Brian - Anybody and everyone - - upcoming national bands have come through there at some point in their career - - at least once. Like Metallica, Motorhead and so forth.
Derek - It has a punk rock, darker grunge feel that is like always been cool.
Brian - It has many vantage points to watch the show and great sound.
PK - With the First Avenue show being an All Ages event, would you be disappointed if everyone that came were like 60 or older?
Murray - Actually, I think that would be badass awesome.
Rick - As long they're loud. I like people screaming.
Brian - My grandma came to our last CD release show and shes 83. One of the fun things I remember is seeing her out on the floor dancing to 'Smilin Liar'.
Derek - Murray's family in St. Louis was louder than the whole bar.
Rick - As long as they can scream, they can be any age.
Derek - We could do a senior tour. Doing retirement homes.
Brian - I would do a institution tour. A mental . . . caged institution tour . . . don't know if anyone has done that.
Derek - The other venue in Mpls that would be great to play is Ground Zero.
Brian - Actually, I think we would go over rather well at Ground Zero.
PK - How about some closing comments.
Derek - We can't forget our roadie Dave - - he rules big time.
Brian - He's been with us like four years now and only missed maybe 3 shows. Big props to Dave - - he took a bus out to L.A. when we didn't have room in the van.
Murray - Now thats dedication.
Brian - We would all like to thank Heather of
Lady De Productions for setting up the First Avenue
show for us.
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