Love Stricken Demise's Billy Blair Discusses New EP and Music Making
Love Stricken Demise are Texas's calling card to hard rock heavy metal. They got their debut EP under their belts having a whole lot more on the way. Guitarist Billy Blair discusses with me the band's history, writing process for this debut EP as well as musical influences and everything in between.
1. So where does a name like Love Stricken Demise come from and what does it symbolize for the band?
Billy: I always wanted to have an initial band name like STP and of course something that was already established so LSD seemed appropriate. It actually came together as what will LSD stand for and I already had Love on there. Demise came in and out a few times. It was either that or Drive, or something like that. Then Nikki called me one day and said, "Are we still doing this Love Stricken Demise thing?", and I went YES!!! It means what it says. Like the Beatles, Yoko Ono was the love stricken demise which broke up the Beatles. And Darth Vader was that as well, since Jedi's were not to fall in love.
2. What type of band are you?
Billy: A hard rock band with everything positive to say. We've been there done that as far as drama, partying, sex more drama, goes. It's time to have some fun and forget about all that.....except for the sex of course. ; )
3. Tell us the brief history of your band.
Billy: Well Nikki is from American Idol of course and we knew each other for quite some time now. I always loved her voice so I worked with her in the past. I'm in movies and played in numerous bands including the national band, Earshot for a summer tour.. Rico was my drummer in my old band and snagged him for this project. And Holly would always cut and dye my hair and I knew she always wanted to play in a band, so I recruited her as well and we became this band. We only been together for over a year now. Now we're signed to Down Boys Records.
4. Who are your musical and non-musical influences?
Billy: Musical is STP brothers, Jimmy Page, Ace Frehley, Chris Cornell, Jerry Cantrell, Tom Morello, Nikki Sixx and Dr Teeth and the Electric Mayhem. Non musical is Al Pacino, Godzilla and Evel Knievel.
5. You guys are from Texas so did the cows, pigs, chickens, and horses help you write and record this debut EP?
Billy: No, but Cowboys cheerleaders may have.
6. Who writes the songs, what are they about?
Billy: I write all music so far. Nikki and I write the lyrics. Celebrity High is about her battle with drugs and alcohol and overcoming the long battle she had with it. Psychotrip is just an amped up positive song that says get into our groove of a natural trip. This Life is about the life of rock star/ celebrity in the biz and trying to stay grounded. And Love and Hate is just your relationship whether it's with a better half or a friendship/business partner. Everything's a Love/Hate relationship.
7. How does it feel to have written and recorded this debut release do you feel a sigh of relief?
Billy: Were there any songs that didn't make the cut that you think you'll likely toss onto the full-length? It felt sooo good to finally release SOME music. We did have to choose the ones that were the strongest of the bunch. Although we wish we could of recorded ALL the songs because we have some more really good ones to share. If you like these songs then you'll really like are other ones. I say when we do do the full length, we'll have all songs in there. Even if we have to come out with a double CD.
8. Who was the one to come up with the idea for the artwork of the EP you got a creative twist going on with it.
Billy: That would be me. I wanted it to be more warped looking but my drummer's wife (who does all our art graphics) did it like that and we all loved it.
9. What advice would you give to fellow bands?
Billy: If you have the what it takes to do this shitty business for the rest of your life then keep on keeping on. It IS a tough one but I think you'll get recognized one way or another.
10. How does music affect you and the world around you?
Billy: Music is a passion for me. When I hear a good song it leaves me goose bumps. Some even gets me all choked up. Not a lot of music can do that. When I'm having a bad day or even just trying to get pumped up for the day, I always turn to music.
Billy: MUSIC! Even watching videos from some of my favorite bands. The lifestyle of it. The attitude. The outcome of it all at the end.
12. What else can we see from Love Stricken Demise for 2012?
Billy: A tour and a new video for Psychotrip. We're going to have a bunch of cameos from famous figures in this one. A cool story line with an opener and ending with dialog.
13. Any last words?
Billy: GO BUY THE DAMN EP ALREADY!!!! haha
