TEN Gossip

The Used & I: The Interview

Posted by taylor blue on September 22, 2009 | No Comments

The Used first formed their band back in 2001 and now in 2009 the members are Bert McCracken (lead vocals and keyboard), Quinn Allman (Guitar and back up vocals), Jeph Howard (Bass and back up vocals), and Dan Whitesides (Drums and Percussion).  They just released their seventh album called, Artwork, that has made them head in a new direction. In an interview with AP magazine Bert said, “In the past, we’ve always kind of brought pop sensibility into heavy rock, but this is going to be all that much more tantalizing and brutal. Our songs are 10 times messier and noisier than they’ve ever been.” This will also be the first album to feature Dan, on the drums, since he first joined the band in 2006.

I had a chance to interview the band before they left on their tour for the album. The nationwide tour kicked off on September 21st and it reaches Europe for August and September, and then the  U.S., with two Canadian dates for October and November.

Taylor Blue: Since you have been on tour a lot what has been your favorite venue to perform at?
Dan Whitesides: Well I like to play anywhere at anytime but I guess one of my favorite places is the Starland in New Jersey. The fans are crazy and the security guards are the baddest m—— f—— around.

Taylor: Being a fan of many people I always get a kick out of hearing about other people’s fan stories. What is your favorite fan story of how that fan made you feel extra special?
Dan: At almost every show there’s one or two people that can’t get in or they don’t have any money so I’ll get them in. I think just talking with fans and getting to know them a bit before or after a show is really special for me and them.

Taylor: Who are your main musical influences that come out in the music you play?
Dan: There are so many but a few are Refused, Nirvana, At The Drive In, Motley Crüe, Led Zeppelin, Kerosene 54, Burning Airlines, Ink and Dagger, Earth Crisis, Tony Williams and so on.

Taylor: Do you have a certain muse, and or inspirational ritual, for lack of a better word that helps the creative juice to flow so you can write your lyrics?
Dan: Anything and everything is inspirational the best thing for us is to not force anything.

Taylor: Of all the albums you have released which one is your favorite one?
Dan: ARTWORK it’s probably the most honest record since the self titled.

Taylor: Now onto your new album, Artwork. I love how raw the album cover is by the way. I listened to the first track you released from it, Blood On My Hands, and noticed it has a different sound from the other songs on your previously released albums. What brought on this change?
Dan: That song just came out of nowhere. Quinn had a loop and we just started jammin and about an hour later the song was finished. That was one of those days that the creative juices were flowing for everyone.

Taylor: In all things there is always the bumps in the road. What was your biggest obstacle in getting your new album released?
Dan: Well the label kept pushing the release date back but that was probably for the best. Other then that there were no obstacles, we had all the time in the world.

Taylor: What was the main concept you were going for in the sounds and lyrics in the album?
Dan: Dirty, raw, poppy, heavy and to be able to do whatever we wanted when ever we wanted so that’s what we did. This album is exactly what we wanted it to be.

Taylor: You are heading off for a tour soon and there has to be a favorite and least favorite part of the whole experience, people like us can only imagine what it’s like. What is your favorite and least favorite part of being on the road?
Dan: I love playing every night, meeting as many people as possible that come to the show and seeing the world doesn’t suck either. I probably drink too much on tour so being hungover everyday kinda sucks. We have the best job in the world and there’s not too much to complain about.

You can catch them on their website, Myspace or Twitter.

Patrick Swayze…You’ll Always Be MY Johnny Castle

Posted by taylor blue on September 14, 2009 | 1 Comment

It seems like every week these days we are writing posts about someone dying. Today it happens to be Patrick Swayze who lost his 20 month fight with pancreatic cancer. I know many people said it was bound to happen. But I was hoping maybe Patrick could last forever.

I want to remember Patrick the best way I know. As Johnny Castle from Dirty Dancing. I used to watch that movie as a little girl and wish that I could be Baby and dance with him. I even bought the soundtrack on record so I could listen to it all the time. Yes, I said record.

Celebrities took to Twitter to pay their respects to this amazing actor that we will all miss dearly.

@emmyrossum: RIP. My heart hurts

@Alyssa_Milano: RIP Patrick. You were a great talent. And more importantly… a true gentleman.

@amandabynes: I have a great deal of faith in faith; if u believe something strongly enough, it becomes true for u. Patrick Swayze RIP.

@seankingston: R.I.P Patrick Swayze ;(

@jamie_oliver: sad news Patrick Swazey the actor from dirty dancing just passed away, very sad i met him once he seemed nice, very sad night.

@DonnieWahlberg: Moment of silence and respect… We just lost the subject of one of our best songs ever… And a true star… R.I.P. Patrick Swayze.

@rosemcgowan: He was so brave&he fought so valiantly.yet another RIP Patrick Swayze.

@billyraycyrus: Patrick Swayze. An inspiration to all. A great man and your work will live forever. May God be with you and your loved ones……… Amen.

@yvettenbrown: I’m sad to hear about Patrick Swayze’s passing. My heart breaks for his wife.

@TheRealJordin: Awww RIP Patrick Swayze. He was such a fighter! He doesn’t have to be in pain anymore.

Our thoughts are with Patrick Swayze’s family and friends as they get through this time. I hope they can find peace soon. I hope that Patrick is happy where he is because his fighting and pain are over. You will be missed my Johnny Castle, you will be missed.

Mandy Moore Covers Lucky Magazine

Posted by taylor blue on August 8, 2009 | No Comments

Mandy Moore is taking over every magazine it seems right now. She is the cover girl for the September 2009 issue of Lucky magazine. This is her fourth appearance on the cover and seems like a real pro at it. (You must admit those photo shoots look really fun.) In this issue she talks about posing for the magazine again, her fashion inspiration and her musical inspiration.

On posing for the magazine again: It’s my fourth time doing this and I’ve learned to expect two things: It’ll be easy and really, really fun.

On her fashion inspiration: My husband [alt-country rocker Ryan Adams] and I have been watching a lot of Moonlighting randomly. He introduced me to it and I have to say, I’m sort of obsessed with that era. Cybill Shepherd rocked some pretty unbelievable outfits.

On her music inspiration: I have this idea of living in Laurel Canyon in the early ‘70s and Carol King, Joni Mitchell, Crosby Stills Nash and Young, and the Zappos would just sort of hang out and jam with one another. It seems like such an ideal time to be an artist.

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